Final Words & Conclusion
The increasing price tags of mid to top-tier motherboards have hindered the many individuals seeking to build systems based on LGA1700 (and AM5 platforms). ASUS strategically positions the Strix E and Strix F motherboards as 'cost-effective' alternatives when compared to the pricier Maximus Hero and Extreme models, but we're still looking at a sub 500 USD pricetag here. This board achieved commendable results, ranking high in our benchmarks and bringing the used Core i9 14900K a bit more performance. The integrated M.2 heatsinks shows effective cooling capabilities, our SSD tests have not been hindered by down-throttling due to heat. In terms of connectivity, the motherboard offers an impressive array of features, although it lacks Thunderbolt 4 support, which is found in pricier models we doubt that anyone really would miss it. You do receive USB 3.2 20 Gbps ports, which we even prefer. Furthermore, it boasts WiFi 7, 2.5Gbe LAN, and an abundance of other USB 3.2 ports to accommodate essential peripherals. Overall, its specifications closely mirror those of the Maximus Hero, but at a more budget-friendly price point, resulting in a savings of $200-250.
Performance
We utilized a DDR5 7200 kit for this review, and that revealed spectacular bandwidth; albeit you'll gain some performance we don't think it's worth the money to spend too much on high-frequency kits though. The performance, then, this motherboard is built and refined for just that. That goes from processor and memory performance towards WIFI7 and Ethernet with even a 2.5 Gbps link. The STRIX comes with a sophisticated power phase arrangement backed by 105A power stages, overclockers will like this. Our take on PCIe 5.0 is this: at this time and stage, it's not needed for graphics cards, and for NVMe SSDs it might be a nice addition. If you install a PCIe Gen 5.0 NVMe SSD, remember they'll run extremely hot. please place it at the SSD slot closest to the CPU, as it is Gen 5.0 as well as being cooled really efficiently thanks to the heatsink.
DDR5 Memory
If you decide to go for a completely new platform, the elephant in the room is the cost of ownership. While DDR5 memory will get cheaper next year, you'll likely pay a price premium. For intel, we recommend at least 5200 MHz; however, much like AMD, 6000 MHz might be a nice sweet spot. Stability-wise, we had no issues, we took a random 7500 MHZ CL34 kit from YeamGroup.
Energy efficiency
We tested with a Core i9-14900K, a processor rated at a staggering max 253 Watts TDP (PL1+PL2) states. That does not mean the processor runs that all the time; however, for bursts of time when needed, it can pull that wattage. Overall the temperatures peaks high, but only for a short amount of time. We see better overall values than what AMD is offering with the 7950X. You could cool this processor with a premium heatpipe-based cooler; however, we'd advise a nice LCS kit.
The conclusion
ASUS introduces the ROG STRIX Z790-E GAMING WIFI II motherboard, boasting an array of technical features. It excels with five M.2 slots, four SATA 6 ports, and two USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C ports. The robust 18+1 phase power supply, featuring VRMs with 105A power stages, is ideal for overclocking and overall low VRM temperatures. Furthermore, the integrated AI overclocking function, is accessible with a simple mouse click. The ROG STRIX Z790 WIF II is compatible with Intel processors from the 12th Gen, 13th Gen, and now 14th Gen generation core processors, specifically tailored for the LGA 1700 socket. This motherboard comes with Wi-Fi 7 compatibility, accompanied by the Asus Wi-Fi Q-Antenna. It also integrates PCIe 5.0 support, a USB 20Gbps headers (type C) facilitating swift charging. This motherboard features one PCIe 5.0 and four PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots, enhancing its adaptability. The presence of a PCIe Slot Q-release button and an M.2 Q-latch system eases the installation or upgrading of graphics cards and storage drives. Additionally, Asus has incorporated proprietary technologies such as AI Overclocking, AI Cooling II, and AEMP II (Asus Enhanced Memory Profile II), which are geared towards optimizing build speed and performance tuning. Considering the hardware specifications, the motherboard's pricing stands at a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $499 USD. The motherboard can accommodate memory speeds reaching 8000 MHz and higher. During our testing, the motherboard demonstrated consistent stability with our 7200 MHz CL34 kit used. We cannot test WIFI7 just yet, but it is promising mixing two bands. However Wi-Fi 6E that we tested shows both the 5 GHz and 6 GHz bands speeds that are impressive, so yeah bring on Wi-Fi 7 . Performance-wise, the 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet LAN port delivered as expected, further enhanced by strong Power Stages, and a broad array of connectivity options ranging from M.2 and SATA and USB. So yeah, time to round things up, noteworthy is the memory support of up to 8000+ MHz, as per the manufacturer's specifications, which is sure to please enthusiasts. The lovely-looking build, extensive connectivity options, and rich feature set further define the ROG STRIX Z790-E GAMING WIFI II. Though cheaper than premium, the price may raise eyebrows. We expect $499 - €550 in the market, and that is steep. As a piece of hardware though, we have very little to complain and we bestow our Gold Award upon the ROG STRIX Z790-E GAMING WIFI II.
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