After one other lengthy anticipate a brand new Intel platform, Comet Lake and the 400 sequence lastly descends. Here we get a brand new socket, assist for as much as 10-cores with its flagship Core i9-10900Okay/KF processors, and some fascinating changes on ethernet, Wi-Fi. Scrambling to be the most recent and best, some motherboard distributors embody assist for PCIe 4.0 ‘for a future platform’, which some have outright recognized as Rocket Lake. We requested each motherboard vendor for specs and particulars on their new product traces.
This article is a piece in progress, and though we’ve a number of the knowledge, new data is coming in at a fast tempo. We will endeavour to maintain this Z490 Overview up to date steadily with new boards, MSRP pricing, and new fashions that get introduced.
The Intel Z490 Chipset: New Socket LGA1200
Due to the brand new elevated energy necessities of the top-end 10 core Intel processors, Intel has modified the socket as soon as once more, transferring from the LGA115x household onto LGA1200. The bodily dimensions of the CPU package deal haven’t modified, and all LGA115x coolers will work within the new sockets, but it surely does imply that these new processors will not work in outdated motherboards. Instead, we get a brand new household of 400 sequence, with the flagship Z490 being on the forefront of all of the motherboard producers’ advertising and marketing supplies/
From Intel, the important thing distinction for Z490 is available in networking. Integrated into the Z490 chipset is an Intel Wi-Fi 6 CNVi which permits motherboard distributors to combine its AX200 wi-fi options straight from the chipset with a CRF module. On Z390, this was restricted to 802.11ac / Wi-Fi 5, however Intel has stepped up its recreation with Wi-Fi 6. Motherboard distributors nonetheless have to buy the CRF. In the same vein, the chipset now helps a 2.5 gigabit ethernet connection, nevertheless this requires buy of an Intel I225 community controller. Other controllers require utilizing a PCIe lane.
| Intel Z390, B460, Z370 and Z270 Chipset Comparison | ||||
| Feature | Z490 | B460 | Z390 | Z370 |
| Max PCH PCIe 3.0 Lanes | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 |
| Max USB 3.1 (Gen2/Gen1) | 6/10 | ? | 6/10 | 0/10 |
| Total USB | ? | ? | 14 | 14 |
| Max SATA Ports | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| PCIe Config | x16 x8/x8 x8/x8/+4 |
x16 x8/x8 x8/x8/+4 |
x16 x8/x8 x8/x4/+4 |
x16 x8/x8 x8/x4/+4 |
| Memory Channels (Dual) | 2/2 | 2/2 | 2/2 | 2/2 |
| Intel Optane Memory Support | Y | ? | Y | Y |
| Intel Rapid Storage Technology (RST) | Y | ? | Y | Y |
| Max Rapid Storage Technology Ports | 3 | ? | 3 | 3 |
| Integrated WiFi MAC | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 5 | N |
| Intel Smart Sound | Y | ? | Y | Y |
| Integrated SDXC (SDA 3.0) Support | ? | ? | Y | N |
| DMI | 3.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| Overclocking Support | Y | N | Y | Y |
| Intel vPro | ? | ? | N | N |
| Max HSIO Lanes | 30 | ? | 30 | 30 |
| Intel Smart Sound | ? | ? | Y | Y |
| ME Firmware | 14 | 14 | 12 | 11 |
The Z490 chipset and Intel 10th Generation Comet Lake desktop processors have a complete mixed PCIe rely of 40, which is 16 from the CPU and 24 from the chipset. What’s fascinating is how comparable the Z490 and Z390 chipsets are by way of specs, which provides the query of why Intel has opted for a brand new socket, on what’s successfully a refresh of its 14 nm course of node.
Intel retains the assist of its Optane reminiscence modules and makes use of dual-channel reminiscence, as much as DDR4-2933 with Core i9 and Core i7 components, or DDR4-2666 with all different processors. The Z490 chipset additionally retains the identical 30 HSIO used for any PCIe add-in card or controller, reminiscent of USB controllers, ethernet ports, sound playing cards, RAID playing cards, and so on. Motherboard distributors use controllers such because the ASMedia ASM3242 chip to supply USB 3.2 G2 and 20 Gbps connectivity. This successfully permits distributors to…
