The Best Z890 Motherboards

It remains a balanced Core Ultra board. On M.2 slot count it ties with the TUF Z890-PLUS and the Strix Z890-H at 4. On wired network speed it ties with the Strix Z890-H at 5Gbps.

You also get a PCIe 5.0 graphics slot. 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. Its price falls between the PRO Z890-S White and the TUF Z890-PLUS, based on our last check.

It covers Core Ultra 200S builds without premium pricing. It matches the Z890 Tomahawk and the Strix Z890-H on M.2 slot count (4). It matches the Strix Z890-A and the PRO Z890-S White on wired network speed (2.5Gbps).

You also get a Thunderbolt 4 Type-C port and TUF component and cooling design. 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. When we checked, only the Z890 Tomahawk and cheaper picks cost less, and the Strix Z890-H cost more.

It suits storage-heavy Core Ultra builds. Its 5 M.2 slot count ranks second of 6 here, behind the Strix Z890-E (7) and ahead of the PRO Z890-S White (3). It matches the TUF Z890-PLUS and the PRO Z890-S White on wired network speed (2.5Gbps).

Like the Strix Z890-H, it has 16+2+1+2 power stages, while the Maximus Z890 Hero uses 22+2+1+2 power stages. 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 Strix Z890-H and below the Maximus Z890 Hero at the time of writing.

It is the most expandable board here. Its 7 M.2 slot count is the most here; the Strix Z890-A comes next at 5. You get 18+2+1+2 power stages here, which sets it apart from the Maximus Z890 Hero and its 22+2+1+2 power stages.

It also comes with 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. It was the highest-priced of the 7 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the Maximus Z890 Hero and the rest.

It sits between the TUF and Strix-A boards. On M.2 slot count it ties with the Z890 Tomahawk and the TUF Z890-PLUS at 4. On wired network speed it ties with the Z890 Tomahawk at 5Gbps.

It shares 16+2+1+2 power stages with the Strix Z890-A; the TUF Z890-PLUS goes with 16+1+2+1 power stages. It also comes with AI overclocking tools and a PCIe 5.0 graphics slot. 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 fourth of 7, between the cheaper TUF Z890-PLUS and the pricier Strix Z890-A, at the time of writing.

Three M.2 slots and no power layout keep it basic. Its 3 M.2 slot count is the fewest in this group; the Strix Z890-E leads at 7. It matches the TUF Z890-PLUS and the Strix Z890-A on wired network speed (2.5Gbps).

It also comes with memory support to DDR5-8600 (OC). 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 cost the least of the 7 picks at the time of writing, with the Z890 Tomahawk the next step up.

It is for Core Ultra 9 builds that push power limits. It is the only pick here with 22+2+1+2 power stages; the TUF Z890-PLUS has 16+1+2+1 power stages instead. You also get Thunderbolt 4 ports.

It uses Intel's LGA1851 socket for Core Ultra 200S processors, not older 12th to 14th Gen chips. When we checked, only the Strix Z890-A and cheaper picks cost less, and the Strix Z890-E cost more. If you want a confirmed M.2 slot count, look to the Strix Z890-E instead: it offers 7, while this one gives no figure.