Following the launch of Intel’s 10th Gen desktop CPUs, AIB partners have revealed 400 Series motherboards for the processors. The motherboards are bound to hit store shelves soon as quite a few reviewers have received and shown off some Z490 motherboards from different partners.
Intel 400 Series LGA 1200 Motherboards
There will be four different chipsets for Intel’s 10th Gen CPUs. These include the Z490 and B460 for mainstream, H470, and H410 for entry-level machines. The Z490 chipset will support overclocking and will appeal to enthusiasts. B460 chipset will be suitable for non-overclocking CPUs with lower core count. A few manufacturers have hinted that the socket will support the successor to 10th Gen Intel CPUs as well.
The motherboards will be using the new LGA1200 socket. Physically it measures 37.5mm x 37.5mm, which is the same size as the LGA 1151 socket. However, the socket keying is now on the left side. The Comet Lake-S CPUs can’t be installed or run on older Coffee Lake motherboards. It can be attributed to the fact that the 10-core, 20-thread CPU will draw more power. Even the K variants with 125W TDP may require more power to reach maximum performance. Therefore the need for a new socket. Buyers will be able to use their existing CPU coolers on the LGA1200 socket.
Biostar Z490, Z460, and H410 Motherboards
Biostar has been once of the first companies to announce Intel 400 Series Motherboards. The Taiwan-based manufacturer has shown off three Z490 motherboards – the Z490GTA EVO and RACING Z490GTA in ATX form factor, and the RACING Z490GTN in ITX form factor. The RACING Z490GTA has a 16-phase PWM design for meeting the power requirements of high-end 10th Gen processors.
Biostar also announced a couple of Z460 motherboards. These include the RACING B460GTA and the RACING B460GTQ motherboards. They will be ideal for consumers who want the best value for their mainstream CPUs. For entry-level office and business users, Biostar has the H410MHG and H410MH motherboards with the H410 chipset. These will be suitable for establishments that need cheap PCs for regular usage.
ASRock Intel 10th Gen 400 Series Motherboards
ASRock has one of the most interesting motherboard lineups for 10th Gen Intel CPUs. The company has stated that there are over 30 models available to meet the varying demands of users. ASRock Z490 Taichi and ASRock Z490 PG Velocita are flagship models. The Steel Legend, Phantom Gaming, and Extreme4 are other notable offerings from the company. It is manufacturing the H470 Steel Legend and three other H470 motherboards as well. ASRock’s mid-range motherboards include the B460 Steel Legend, B460 Phantom Gaming, and the B460 Pro series. There are seven H410 variants listed on its website for business customers.
ASRock has developed a new Base Frequency Boost (BFB) Technology that allows users to overclock 10th Gen CPUs non-K on Z460 and H470 motherboards. The non-K variants of Intel’s 10th Gen CPUs are rated at a TDP of 65W. ASRock’s BFB Technology raises the PL1 value of the CPUs. They run at a TDP of 125W instead of 65W. As per the company, the i9-10900 that has a base clock of 2.6GHz will run at a base clock of 3.7GHz. Similarly, the i5-10400 will have a base clock of 4GHz against the 3.6GHz default clock. It will boost the performance of CPUs that don’t support regular overclocking.
MSI Intel 10th Gen 400 Series Motherboards
MSI, a well-known motherboard manufacturer, has released its Z490 lineup. It has divided its Z490 motherboard lineup into three categories – MEG, MPG, and MAG. The enthusiast Z490 motherboards come under the MEG Series. These are the MEG Z490 GODLIKE, MEG Z490 ACE, MEG Z490 UNIFY, and MEG Z490I UNIFY.
The MPG Series contains high-end motherboards – the MPG Z490 GAMING CARBON WIFI, MPG Z490 GAMING EDGE WIFI, MPG Z490M GAMING EDGE WIFI, and MPG Z490 GAMING PLUS. The third category has the affordable MAG Z490 TOMAHAWK motherboard. For content creators, MSI is introducing the Z490-A PRO motherboard. For B460, MSI announced the MAG B460 TOMAHAWK, MORTAR, and BAZOOKA models. All three B460 models have 12+1+1 Duet Rail Power System.
Gigabyte Intel 10th Gen 400 Series Motherboards
Gigabyte has been the first company to announce that its Z490 motherboards will support the successor to Intel’s 10th Gen CPUs. The information was conveyed in a live stream announcing the 400 Series motherboards from the company. It has listed fourteen Z490 motherboards on its website. The enthusiast-level options include Z490 AORUS XTREME, Z490 AORUS XTREME WATERFORCE (rev. 1.0), Z490 VISION G (rev. 1.0), and the Z490 AORUS MASTER. Additionally, the company is launching Ultra, PRO, Elite, and GAMING X variants of its Z490 motherboards.
Gigabyte is also introducing four B460 motherboards – the B460M AORUS PRO (rev. 1.0), B460M GAMING HD (rev. 1.0), B460M DS3H (rev. 1.0), and B460M D2V (rev. 1.0). There is one H470 motherboard listed as well, the H470M DS3H (rev. 1.0).
ASUS 10th Gen Intel Motherboards
Asus has unveiled a few Z490 motherboards that it will bring to the market. The enthusiast-grade motherboards are the ROG MAXIMUM XII EXTREME, ROG MAXIMUM XII HERO (Wi-Fi), ROG MAXIMUM XII APEX, and ROG MAXIMUM XII FORMULA.
They are followed by the ROG STRIX Z490-E GAMING, ROG STRIX Z490-F GAMING, ROG STRIX Z490-H GAMING, and the PRIME Z490-A. There are a few micro-ATX and ITX motherboards available as well. The TUF GAMING Z490-PLUS, PRIME Z490-P, and PRIME Z490-V are going to be affordable offerings from ASUS. The company is also introducing the ProArt Z490-CREATOR 10G motherboard for content creators.
EVGA 10th Gen Intel Motherboards
EVGA announced a couple of motherboards for Intel’s 10th Gen CPUs. The first is the EVGA Z490 Dark with an 18-phase power design. The other is the EVGA Z490 FTW WiFi motherboard that has a 14-phase digital VRM. Both motherboards are packed with high-end features for gamers and overclockers.
Some manufacturers are going to accept preorders for their LGA 1200 motherboards from the first or second week of May. It seems that customers will receive the motherboards and probably the CPUs at the end of May.
