Buying Guide
The Best Workstation Motherboards
Five motherboards compared, from the TUF Z890-PRO to the Strix X670E-F, with the trade-offs of each named.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
A workstation board needs a strong VRM, several M.2 slots and fast networking for long workloads. Every pick uses an X870E, X670E or Z890 chipset with four or more M.2 slots.
We sorted these picks by M.2 slots, wired LAN and wi-Fi, working from the makers' own data; if a maker skips wired LAN, the guide says so, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Also Consider
ASUS ROG Strix X670E-E Gaming WiFiHeatsinks on all four M.2 slots.
Best for: Buyers who want heatsinks on all four M.2 slots.
Check price for ASUS ROG Strix X670E-E Gaming WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
ASUS ROG Strix X670E-F Gaming WiFiHeatsinks on all four M.2 slots.
Best for: Buyers who want heatsinks on all four M.2 slots.
Check price for ASUS ROG Strix X670E-F Gaming WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Most M.2 Slots
ASUS ROG Strix Z890-E Gaming WiFiThe most M.2 slot count here (7).
Best for: Buyers who put M.2 slot count first.
Check price for ASUS ROG Strix Z890-E Gaming WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
ASUS ROG Strix Z890-A Gaming WiFiThunderbolt 4 ports.
Best for: Buyers who want Thunderbolt 4 ports.
Check price for ASUS ROG Strix Z890-A Gaming WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
ASUS TUF Gaming Z890-PRO WiFiA lower price than the Strix Z890-A and the rest when we checked.
Best for: Getting Thunderbolt 4 Type-C port for the least money.
Check price for ASUS TUF Gaming Z890-PRO WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Also Consider1 of 5
ASUS ROG Strix X670E-E Gaming WiFi
The Strix X670E-E offers an 18+2 layout and four M.2 slots with heatsinks.
Best for
- Buyers who want heatsinks on all four M.2 slots.
Skip if
- Pass on it if wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi 7 rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It is the stronger-powered of the Strix X670E boards here. It matches the Strix X670E-F and the TUF Z890-PRO on M.2 slot count (4). Like the Strix X670E-F, it has a wi-Fi 6E, while the Strix Z890-A uses a wi-Fi 7.
Like the Strix X670E-F, it has 18+2 power stages, while the Strix Z890-A uses 16+2+1+2 power stages. Like the Strix X670E-F, it has an AM5 socket, while the Strix Z890-A uses an LGA1851 socket. You also get a rear USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 port and AI Cooling II fan tuning.
It uses AMD's AM5 socket, so it takes Ryzen 7000, 8000 and 9000 chips; a board built before a CPU's launch may need a BIOS update first, so check whether it supports BIOS Flashback. When we checked, only the Strix Z890-E and cheaper picks cost less, and the Strix X670E-F cost more.
Key specs
- M.2 slots
- 4
- Wired LAN
- 2.5Gbps
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 6E
- Power stages
- 18+2
- Form factor
- ATX
- Socket
- AM5
- Chipset
- X670E
Pros
- 4 M.2 slots for SSD expansion
- 18+2 power stage layout
- Heatsinks on all four M.2 slots
- Rear USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 port
Cons
- Wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi 7
- Costs more than the TUF Z890-PRO at the time of writing
Strong Alternative2 of 5
ASUS ROG Strix X670E-F Gaming WiFi
The Strix X670E-F shares the X670E-E's 18+2 layout and four heatsinked M.2 slots.
Best for
- Buyers who want heatsinks on all four M.2 slots.
Skip if
- Pass on it if wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi 7 rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It is the black-finish alternative at the same price. On M.2 slot count it ties with the Strix X670E-E and the TUF Z890-PRO at 4. It shares a wi-Fi 6E with the Strix X670E-E; the TUF Z890-PRO goes with a wi-Fi 7.
It shares 18+2 power stages with the Strix X670E-E; the Strix Z890-E goes with 18+2+1+2 power stages. It shares an AM5 socket with the Strix X670E-E; the Strix Z890-E goes with an LGA1851 socket. It also comes with AI Cooling II fan tuning.
It uses AMD's AM5 socket, so it takes Ryzen 7000, 8000 and 9000 chips; a board built before a CPU's launch may need a BIOS update first, so check whether it supports BIOS Flashback. Check the manual for which M.2 slots share lanes with SATA ports or the second PCIe slot before filling them all.
Key specs
- M.2 slots
- 4
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 6E
- Power stages
- 18+2
- Form factor
- ATX
- Socket
- AM5
- Chipset
- X670E
Pros
- 4 M.2 slots for SSD expansion
- 18+2 power stage layout
- Heatsinks on all four M.2 slots
- AI Cooling II fan tuning
Cons
- Wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi 7
- No published wired network speed
- Costs more than the TUF Z890-PRO at the time of writing
The catch
The maker doesn't give its wired network speed; if that figure matters, the Strix X670E-E offers 2.5Gbps.
Most M.2 Slots3 of 5
ASUS ROG Strix Z890-E Gaming WiFi
The Strix Z890-E lists seven M.2 slots, an 18+2+1+2 layout and Thunderbolt 4.
Best for
- Buyers who put M.2 slot count first.
Skip if
- Its wired network speed is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.
Why we like it
It is the most expandable board here. On M.2 slot count it leads this guide at 7, ahead of the Strix Z890-A (5). It shares a wi-Fi 7 with the Strix Z890-A and TUF Z890-PRO; the Strix X670E-F goes with a wi-Fi 6E.
You get 18+2+1+2 power stages here, which sets it apart from the TUF Z890-PRO and its 16+1+2+1 power stages. It also offers AI overclocking, cooling and networking tools. It uses Intel's LGA1851 socket for Core Ultra 200S processors, not older 12th to 14th Gen chips.
Check the manual for which M.2 slots share lanes with SATA ports or the second PCIe slot before filling them all. On price it sat third of 5, between the cheaper Strix Z890-A and the pricier Strix X670E-E, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- M.2 slots
- 7
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 7
- Power stages
- 18+2+1+2
- Form factor
- ATX
- Socket
- LGA1851
- Chipset
- Z890
Pros
- 7 M.2 slots for SSD expansion
- Wi-Fi 7 built in
- 18+2+1+2 power stage layout
- Thunderbolt 4 ports
Cons
- No published wired network speed
- Costs more than the TUF Z890-PRO at the time of writing
The catch
The maker doesn't give its wired network speed; if that figure matters, the Strix X670E-E offers 2.5Gbps.
Worth a Look4 of 5
ASUS ROG Strix Z890-A Gaming WiFi
The Strix Z890-A offers five M.2 slots, Thunderbolt 4 and a white finish.
Best for
- Buyers who want Thunderbolt 4 ports.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the TUF Z890-PRO, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It suits storage-heavy Core Ultra builds. Its 5 M.2 slot count ranks second of 5 here, behind the Strix Z890-E (7) and ahead of the TUF Z890-PRO (4). No other pick in this guide offers 16+2+1+2 power stages; compare the Strix Z890-E, which has 18+2+1+2 power stages.
Like the Strix Z890-E and TUF Z890-PRO, it has an LGA1851 socket, while the Strix X670E-E uses an AM5 socket. It also comes with AI overclocking tools. It uses Intel's LGA1851 socket for Core Ultra 200S processors, not older 12th to 14th Gen chips.
Check the manual for which M.2 slots share lanes with SATA ports or the second PCIe slot before filling them all. It was priced above the TUF Z890-PRO and below the Strix Z890-E at the time of writing.
Key specs
- M.2 slots
- 5
- Wired LAN
- 2.5Gbps
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 7
- Power stages
- 16+2+1+2
- Form factor
- ATX
- Socket
- LGA1851
- Chipset
- Z890
Pros
- 5 M.2 slots for SSD expansion
- Wi-Fi 7 built in
- 16+2+1+2 power stage layout
- Thunderbolt 4 ports
Cons
- Costs more than the TUF Z890-PRO at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here5 of 5
ASUS TUF Gaming Z890-PRO WiFi
The TUF Z890-PRO is built around a Thunderbolt 4 Type-C port, with M.2 cooling on the main slot on top.
Best for
- Getting Thunderbolt 4 Type-C port for the least money.
Skip if
- Skip it if M.2 slot count matters most to you; the Strix Z890-E offers 7.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers a 4 M.2 slot count and offers a 2.5Gbps wired network speed. It matches the Strix X670E-E and the Strix X670E-F on M.2 slot count (4). Like the Strix Z890-E and Strix Z890-A, it has a wi-Fi 7, while the Strix X670E-E uses a wi-Fi 6E.
It is the only pick here with 16+1+2+1 power stages; the Strix X670E-E has 18+2 power stages instead. It uses Intel's LGA1851 socket for Core Ultra 200S processors, not older 12th to 14th Gen chips. Check the manual for which M.2 slots share lanes with SATA ports or the second PCIe slot before filling them all. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the Strix Z890-A was closest.
Key specs
- M.2 slots
- 4
- Wired LAN
- 2.5Gbps
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 7
- Power stages
- 16+1+2+1
- Form factor
- ATX
- Socket
- LGA1851
- Chipset
- Z890
Pros
- 4 M.2 slots for SSD expansion
- Wi-Fi 7 built in
- 16+1+2+1 power stage layout
- Thunderbolt 4 Type-C port
Cons
- M.2 slot count trails the Strix Z890-E (7)
The catch
M.2 slot count is its weakest area, and the Strix Z890-E covers it better at 7.
How We Chose These Workstation Motherboards
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.
- How these picks were ranked
- We compared five boards on M.2 slot count, wired network speed, wi-Fi and power stages, using each maker's published specs. These are research figures, not bench results: 2 of 5 picks leave out wired network speed.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the Strix X670E-E to the TUF Z890-PRO, state M.2 slot count, wi-Fi and power stages.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Strix X670E-F and the Strix Z890-E give no wired network speed.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the TUF Z890-PRO ($150 to $250) to the Strix X670E-F ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in a Workstation Motherboard
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
M.2 slot count across these picks
Across these 5 picks M.2 slot count spans 4 (the TUF Z890-PRO) to 7 (the Strix Z890-E). For less, the Strix Z890-A is the runner-up at 5.
Power stages
The Strix X670E-E and the Strix X670E-F list 18+2; the Strix Z890-E lists 18+2+1+2; the Strix Z890-A lists 16+2+1+2; the TUF Z890-PRO lists 16+1+2+1. Sort out power stages before price: it splits 5 stated picks into groups of 2, 1, 1 and 1.
Socket
The Strix X670E-E and the Strix X670E-F list AM5; the Strix Z890-E, the Strix Z890-A and the TUF Z890-PRO list LGA1851.
Features beyond the spec table
The Strix Z890-E: AI overclocking, cooling and networking tools. The Strix Z890-A: AI overclocking tools. The TUF Z890-PRO: M.2 cooling on the main slot.
Where your budget lands
$150 to $250 buys the TUF Z890-PRO; $250 to $500 buys the Strix Z890-A, the Strix Z890-E, the Strix X670E-E and the Strix X670E-F at our last check.
How to Choose a Workstation Motherboard
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who want heatsinks on all four M.2 slots | Strix X670E-E | Heatsinks on all four M.2 slots |
| Buyers who want heatsinks on all four M.2 slots | Strix X670E-F | Heatsinks on all four M.2 slots |
| Buyers who put M.2 slot count first | Strix Z890-E | The most M.2 slot count here (7) |
| Buyers who want Thunderbolt 4 ports | Strix Z890-A | Thunderbolt 4 ports |
| Getting Thunderbolt 4 Type-C port for the least money | TUF Z890-PRO | A lower price than the Strix Z890-A and the rest when we checked |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Strix Z890-E leads on M.2 slot count at 7, ahead of the Strix Z890-A at 5. "Not listed" marks wired network speed where the Strix X670E-F and the Strix Z890-E leave the figure out.
| Board | M.2 slots | Wired LAN | Wi-Fi | Power stages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strix X670E-E | 4 | 2.5Gbps | Wi-Fi 6E | 18+2 |
| Strix X670E-F | 4 | Not listed | Wi-Fi 6E | 18+2 |
| Strix Z890-E | 7 | Not listed | Wi-Fi 7 | 18+2+1+2 |
| Strix Z890-A | 5 | 2.5Gbps | Wi-Fi 7 | 16+2+1+2 |
| TUF Z890-PRO | 4 | 2.5Gbps | Wi-Fi 7 | 16+1+2+1 |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the TUF Z890-PRO, sat in the $150 to $250 tier, 2 tiers in all up to the Strix X670E-F at $250 to $500; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Boards |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | TUF Z890-PRO |
| About $250 to $500 | Strix Z890-A, Strix Z890-E, Strix X670E-E, Strix X670E-F |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Strix Z890-A compare with the Strix Z890-E on M.2 slot count?
Between the top two, it is 7 on the Strix Z890-E against 5 on the Strix Z890-A, a 40% difference. The TUF Z890-PRO is at the other end of this group with 4.
What makes the Strix Z890-E the Most M.2 Slots?
The label rests on the most M.2 slot count here (7). The Strix Z890-A is next on M.2 slot count at 5, so this pick's 7 is 40% further out. The TUF Z890-PRO, the cheapest pick, sat in the $150 to $250 tier against $250 to $500 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It suits anyone who puts M.2 slot count first.
Do the Strix X670E-E and the Strix Z890-E differ on wi-Fi?
The Strix X670E-E and the Strix X670E-F use Wi-Fi 6E; the Strix Z890-E, the Strix Z890-A and the TUF Z890-PRO use Wi-Fi 7.
Beyond the specs, what sets the Strix X670E-E and the Strix X670E-F apart?
The Strix X670E-E: heatsinks on all four M.2 slots. The Strix X670E-F: heatsinks on all four M.2 slots. The Strix Z890-E: Thunderbolt 4 ports.
Should I pick the Strix X670E-E or the TUF Z890-PRO?
The Strix X670E-E suits buyers who want heatsinks on all four M.2 slots; the TUF Z890-PRO suits getting Thunderbolt 4 Type-C port for the least money.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Strix X670E-E, chosen for heatsinks on all four M.2 slots. Look at the Strix X670E-F for heatsinks on all four M.2 slots, the Strix Z890-E for the most M.2 slot count here (7) and the Strix Z890-A for Thunderbolt 4 ports if those matter more to you.
Check lane sharing if you'll fill every M.2 slot and add a second GPU.
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About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
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