Scored using Motherboards Methodology v3.0
Motherboards Methodology v3.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Motherboards Methodology v3.0: the technical score from the specifications is the base, and independent expert and video reviews (up to ±0.5 points), owner opinions (up to ±0.3) and best-of lists (up to +0.3) move it up or down.
Explore Motherboards Methodology v3.0

ASUS ProArt Z490-Creator 10G review: 109 specs compared

Avg. price:~£330CPU socket:LGA 1200Chipset:Intel Z490Form factor:ATX

ASUS ProArt Z490-Creator 10G Review: Compare 109 technical specifications and 4 expert and video reviews to see how this product ranks in the Motherboards category and whether it is worth buying.

ASUS ProArt Z490-Creator 10G
7.3/10

Overall score

Score
7.3/ 10
✕
What it is
Our main score for this model, 1–10. It combines specs, expert reviews, best-of lists, owners and ratings from across the web.
How we count it
Parts: Technical score 40%, Reviews score 20%, List score 20%, Sentiment score 10%, User score 10%
Marks: Each part gets a mark out of 10. For reviews, lists and owners, a typical model in this category gets about 8 and the best one gets 10.
No data yet: A part with no data shows "?". It counts as the mark of a weaker model in this category (4 in 5 models with data score higher). This way, models with reviews, lists and owners usually come out ahead.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

40%

6.4

Technical score

20%

8.4

Reviews score

20%

?

List scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 7.5, the mark of a weaker model in this category

10%

?

Sentiment scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 7.0, the mark of a weaker model in this category

10%

8.6

User score

â–²Better than 64% of motherboards
7.8

Value for money

Value for money
7.8/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the motherboard's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a motherboard that offers a strong balance of features, performance, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

70%

7.3

Overall score

30%

8.8

Price

â–²Better than 53%
6.4

Technical score

Technical score
6.4/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 40% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

19%

7.0

Memory

16%

7.4

Platform

16%

5.4

Storage

15%

6.4

Network

13%

6.0

Ports

8%

3.9

Expansion

8%

6.6

Power & Cooling

5%

9.6

Audio

â–²Better than 56%
8.4

Reviews score

Reviews score
8.4/ 10
✕
What it is
Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
How we count it
Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.8 for now.
Share: Reviews count 20% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10

80%

8.4

Average grade

20%

8.3

Popularity

Grades by review (4)
3 reviews: 2 with a printed score, 1 estimated from the review. 1 video review, counting half as much as a written test. Reviews count 20% of the overall score.
Ratings from across the web count in the User score, not in this score.
â–²Better than 57%
8.6

User score

User score
8.6/ 10
✕
What it is
How happy buyers are with this model, based on ratings from across the web.
How we count it
Enough data: A model needs at least 1 rating from across the web. Without one, it counts as 7.9, the mark of a weaker rated model in this category.
Share: User score counts 10% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10

70%

8.7

Rating

30%

8.3

Popularity

â–²Better than 61%
?

List score

List score
7.5/ 10
✕
What it is
How often independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers put this model in their best-of lists for this category.
How we count it
Points: The model in the most lists of this category gets 10; the others get 8 to 10 in proportion. In no list yet: 7.5. Lists count 20% of the overall score.
Enough data: Every list counts, even a single one. With fewer than 5 best-of lists in the category, this part is left out.
Lists with this model (0)
Not in any best-of list yet, so this part counts as 7.5. Models in a list get 8 to 10.
Not in any best-of list yet
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Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.

What reviewers say about the ASUS ProArt Z490-Creator 10G

Based on 3 · 1

Reviewers agree the Thunderbolt support is the standout feature, with no notable complaints raised.
Praised
Pick a topic to see who said what
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Technical Specifications of motherboard ASUS ProArt Z490-Creator 10G

Technical score
Technical score
6.4/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 40% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components:

19%

7.0

Memory

16%

7.4

Platform

16%

5.4

Storage

15%

6.4

Network

13%

6.0

Ports

8%

3.9

Expansion

8%

6.6

Power & Cooling

5%

9.6

Audio

6.4
Reviews score
8.4
User score
8.6
List score
?
Value for money
Value for money
7.8/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the motherboard's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a motherboard that offers a strong balance of features, performance, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components:

70%

7.3

Overall score

30%

8.8

Price

7.8
CPU socket
LGA 1200
This motherboard uses LGA 1200, which is less up-to-date than 61.9% of Motherboards and the same as 8.8% of Motherboards.
CPU platform
Intel
Chipset
Intel Z490
This motherboard uses Intel Z490, which is less capable than 57.2% of Motherboards and as capable as 2.8% of Motherboards.
Form factor
ATX
Integrated graphics support
yes
This motherboard supports integrated graphics. 10.2% of motherboards support this feature.
Rear outputs: HDMI + DisplayPort + USB4 / Thunderbolt.
Show more
DDR memory version
DDR4
This motherboard uses DDR4, which is more modern than 13.4% of Motherboards and the same as 50.4% of Motherboards.
Memory slots
4
This motherboard has 4 Memory slots, which is more than 21.9% of motherboards and equal to 72% of motherboards.
Maximum memory capacity
128 GB
This motherboard supports up to 128 GB of memory, which is more than 40.1% of motherboards and equal to 31.9% of motherboards.
Memory channels
2
Maximum RAM speed
4,800 MT/s
This motherboard supports memory speeds up to 4,800 MT/s, which is higher than that of 51.4% of motherboards and equal to that of 5.1% of motherboards.
Show more
N. of M.2 sockets
2
This motherboard has 2 M.2 sockets, which is more than 30.5% of motherboards and equal to 34.5% of motherboards.
M.2 slot interface per slot
1x PCIe 3.0 x4/SATA, 1x PCIe 3.0 x4
This motherboard offers M.2 slots: 1x PCIe 3.0x4/SATA, 1x PCIe 3.0x4, which is slower than 64.3% of Motherboards and the same as 3.2% of Motherboards.
N. of SATA 3 connectors
6
This motherboard has 6 SATA 3 connectors, which is more than 53.5% of motherboards and equal to 31.2% of motherboards.
Supported RAID levels
0/1/5/10
This motherboard RAID support: 0/1/5/10, which is more flexible than 32.5% of Motherboards and the same as 67.5% of Motherboards.
NVMe RAID support
yes
This motherboard supports NVMe RAID. 40.2% of motherboards support this feature.
Intel RST support
Show more
N. of PCIe 5.0 x16 slots
0
This motherboard has 0 PCIe 5.0x16 slots, which is fewer than 31.6% of motherboards and equal to 68.4% of motherboards.
N. of PCIe 4.0 x16 slots
0
This motherboard has 0 PCIe 4.0x16 slots, which is fewer than 44.8% of motherboards and equal to 55.2% of motherboards.
N. of PCIe 3.0 x16 slots
3
This motherboard has 3 PCIe 3.0x16 slots, which is more than 82.7% of motherboards and equal to 11.1% of motherboards.
runs at x4 mode
PCIe slot electrical configuration
x16/x0/x4, x8/x8/x4
This motherboard splits its PCIe lanes as x16/x0/x4, x8/x8/x4, which is more generous than 62.6% of Motherboards and the same as 12.4% of Motherboards.
PCIe bifurcation support
yes
This motherboard supports PCIe bifurcation. 40.3% of motherboards support this feature.
Show more
Total USB ports (rear I/O)
8
This motherboard has 8 USB ports (rear I/O), which is more than 40.6% of motherboards and equal to 30.3% of motherboards.
includes USB4 / Thunderbolt ports.
Total USB ports (including headers)
13
This motherboard has 13 USB ports (including headers), which is fewer than 64.8% of motherboards and equal to 7.6% of motherboards.
Total USB-C ports (rear I/O)
2
This motherboard has 2 USB-C ports (rear I/O), which is more than 84.2% of motherboards and equal to 12.2% of motherboards.
Thunderbolt / USB4 Type-C ports counted.
Total USB-C ports (including headers)
3
This motherboard has 3 USB-C ports (including headers), which is more than 84.7% of motherboards and equal to 10.9% of motherboards.
includes internal USB-C header.
N. of USB 3.2 Gen2x2 ports (USB-C)
0
This motherboard has 0 USB 3.2 Gen2x2 ports (USB-C), which is fewer than 18% of motherboards and equal to 82% of motherboards.
Thunderbolt excluded.
Show more
What reviewers say
LAN speed
2.5 Gbps
This motherboard supports LAN speeds up to 2.5 Gbps, which is higher than that of 49% of motherboards and equal to that of 41.4% of motherboards.
10GbE via included PCIe card
LAN controller
Intel I225-V
This motherboard has a Intel I225-V LAN controller, which is faster than 90.1% of Motherboards and equal to 4.2% of Motherboards.
N. of RJ45 ports
1
This motherboard has 1 RJ45 ports, which is fewer than 14.4% of motherboards and equal to 85.6% of motherboards.
extra LAN via bundled card
Wi-Fi connectivity
no
This motherboard does not support Wi-Fi connectivity. 50.1% of motherboards support this feature.
Wi-Fi version
N/A
Show more
Audio codec
SupremeFX S1220A
This motherboard uses SupremeFX S1220A, which is higher-end than 87% of Motherboards and the same as 3.3% of Motherboards.
Audio channels
7.1
This motherboard offers 7.1 audio channels, which is more than 4.7% of motherboards and equal to 95.3% of motherboards.
Audio SNR
120 dB
This motherboard has an audio SNR of 120 dB, which is higher than that of 55.6% of motherboards and equal to that of 41% of motherboards.
Headphone amp support
yes
This motherboard supports a headphone amp. 41.2% of motherboards support this feature.
N. of 3.5mm audio jacks
5
This motherboard has 5 3.5mm audio jacks, which is more than 50.6% of motherboards and equal to 36.3% of motherboards.
Show more
VRM phases
12+2
This motherboard has 12+2 VRM phases, which is more than 64% of motherboards and equal to 2.5% of motherboards.
N. of CPU power connectors
1
This motherboard has 1 CPU power connectors, which is fewer than 45.2% of motherboards and equal to 54.9% of motherboards.
N. of fan headers
5
This motherboard has 5 fan headers, which is fewer than 50% of motherboards and equal to 14.6% of motherboards.
Pump header
yes
This motherboard has a pump header. 22.1% of motherboards include this feature.
Pump header max current
1 A
This motherboard supports up to 1 A on the pump header, which is lower than that of 56.5% of motherboards and equal to that of 19.6% of motherboards.
Show more

ASUS ProArt Z490-Creator 10G vs the average motherboard

246810TotalPlatformMemoryStorageExpansionPortsNetworkAudioPower & Cooling
  • 3 more USB 3.2 Gen2 ports
    This motherboard has more USB 3.2 Gen2 ports than the average motherboard (4 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 USB 3.2 Gen2 port/s.
    4 vs 1
  • More capable LAN controller
    This motherboard has a faster LAN controller than the average motherboard (Intel I225-V vs Killer + Intel + Realtek).
    Intel I225-V vs Killer + Intel + Realtek
  • More capable onboard audio
    This motherboard has a higher-end audio codec than the average motherboard (SupremeFX S1220A vs Realtek ALC897).
    SupremeFX S1220A vs Realtek ALC897
  • 1 more rear USB-C ports
    This motherboard has more rear USB-C ports than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 rear USB-C port/s.
    Thunderbolt / USB4 Type-C ports counted.
    2 vs 1
  • 2 more total USB-C connections
    This motherboard has more total USB-C connections than the average motherboard (3 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 total USB-C connections.
    includes internal USB-C header.
    3 vs 1
  • 2 more Thunderbolt 3 ports
    This motherboard has more Thunderbolt 3 ports than the average motherboard (2 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 Thunderbolt 3 port/s.
    2 vs 0
  • More VRM phases
    This motherboard has more VRM phases than the average motherboard (12+2 vs 10). The average motherboard has 10 VRM phase/s.
    12+2 vs 10
  • 15.1% higher review score
    Reviews score
    8.4/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
    How we count it
    Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
    Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
    Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.8 for now.
    Share: Reviews count 20% of the overall score.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10

    80%

    8.4

    Average grade

    20%

    8.3

    Popularity

    Grades by review (4)
    3 reviews: 2 with a printed score, 1 estimated from the review. 1 video review, counting half as much as a written test. Reviews count 20% of the overall score.
    Ratings from across the web count in the User score, not in this score.
    8.4 vs 7.3
  • 15.1% higher review score
    Reviews score
    8.4/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
    How we count it
    Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
    Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
    Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.8 for now.
    Share: Reviews count 20% of the overall score.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10

    80%

    8.4

    Average grade

    20%

    8.3

    Popularity

    Grades by review (4)
    3 reviews: 2 with a printed score, 1 estimated from the review. 1 video review, counting half as much as a written test. Reviews count 20% of the overall score.
    Ratings from across the web count in the User score, not in this score.
    8.4 vs 7.3
  • 16.2% higher user score
    User score
    8.6/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    How happy buyers are with this model, based on ratings from across the web.
    How we count it
    Enough data: A model needs at least 1 rating from across the web. Without one, it counts as 7.9, the mark of a weaker rated model in this category.
    Share: User score counts 10% of the overall score.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10

    70%

    8.7

    Rating

    30%

    8.3

    Popularity

    8.6 vs 7.4
  • More up-to-date socket
    This motherboard uses a more up-to-date socket than the average motherboard (LGA 1200 vs LGA 1151).
    LGA 1,200 vs LGA 1,151
  • 2 more SATA 3 connectors
    This motherboard has more SATA 3 connectors than the average motherboard (6 vs 4). The average motherboard has 4 SATA 3 connectors.
    6 vs 4
  • 1 more PCIe x1 slots
    This motherboard has more PCIe x1 slots than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 PCIe x1 slot/s.
    2 vs 1
  • 2 more PCIe 3.0x16 slots
    This motherboard has more PCIe 3.0x16 slots than the average motherboard (3 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 PCIe 3.0x16 slot/s.
    runs at x4 mode
    3 vs 1
  • 3 more USB 3.2 Gen2 ports
    This motherboard has more USB 3.2 Gen2 ports than the average motherboard (4 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 USB 3.2 Gen2 port/s.
    4 vs 1
  • 1 more rear USB-C ports
    This motherboard has more rear USB-C ports than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 rear USB-C port/s.
    Thunderbolt / USB4 Type-C ports counted.
    2 vs 1
  • 2 more total USB-C connections
    This motherboard has more total USB-C connections than the average motherboard (3 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 total USB-C connections.
    includes internal USB-C header.
    3 vs 1
  • 2 more Thunderbolt 3 ports
    This motherboard has more Thunderbolt 3 ports than the average motherboard (2 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 Thunderbolt 3 port/s.
    2 vs 0
  • 1 more USB4 or Thunderbolt headers
    This motherboard has more USB4 or Thunderbolt headers than the average motherboard (1 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 USB4 or Thunderbolt header/s.
    1 vs 0
  • 1 more USB 3.2 Gen2 headers
    This motherboard has more USB 3.2 Gen2 headers than the average motherboard (1 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 USB 3.2 Gen2 header/s.
    1 vs 0
  • More capable LAN controller
    This motherboard has a faster LAN controller than the average motherboard (Intel I225-V vs Killer + Intel + Realtek).
    Intel I225-V vs Killer + Intel + Realtek
  • More capable onboard audio
    This motherboard has a higher-end audio codec than the average motherboard (SupremeFX S1220A vs Realtek ALC897).
    SupremeFX S1220A vs Realtek ALC897
  • 5 dB higher audio SNR
    This motherboard has a higher audio SNR than the average motherboard (120 dB vs 115 dB). The average motherboard has audio SNR of 115 dB.
    120 dB vs 115 dB
  • 2 more 3.5mm audio jacks
    This motherboard has more 3.5mm audio jacks than the average motherboard (5 vs 3). The average motherboard has 3 3.5mm audio jacks.
    5 vs 3
  • More VRM phases
    This motherboard has more VRM phases than the average motherboard (12+2 vs 10). The average motherboard has 10 VRM phase/s.
    12+2 vs 10
  • 1 more RGB headers
    This motherboard has more RGB headers than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 RGB header/s.
    2 vs 1
  • More basic chipset
    This motherboard uses a more basic chipset than the average motherboard (Intel Z490 vs Intel B860).
    Intel Z490 vs Intel B860
  • Slower NVMe storage slots
    This motherboard has slower M.2 slots than the average motherboard (1x PCIe 3x4/SATA, 1x PCIe 3x4 vs 1x PCIe 5x4, 2x PCIe 4x4).
    1x PCIe 3.0x4/SATA, 1x PCIe 3.0x4 vs 1x PCIe 5.0x4, 2x PCIe 4.0x4
  • No Wi-Fi connectivity
    This motherboard does not support Wi-Fi connectivity, while the average motherboard does. 50.1% of motherboards support Wi-Fi connectivity.
  • No BIOS flashback support
    This motherboard does not support BIOS flashback, while the average motherboard does. 51.3% of motherboards support BIOS flashback.
    requires CPU/RAM
  • No Wi-Fi antenna included
    This motherboard does not include a Wi-Fi antenna, while the average motherboard does. 51.1% of motherboards include a Wi-Fi antenna.
  • 2 fewer USB 3.2 Gen1 ports
    This motherboard has fewer USB 3.2 Gen1 ports than the average motherboard (2 vs 4). The average motherboard has 4 USB 3.2 Gen1 port/s.
    2 vs 4
  • 2 fewer total USB connections
    This motherboard has fewer total USB connections than the average motherboard (13 vs 15). The average motherboard has 15 total USB connections.
    13 vs 15
  • 1 fewer ARGB headers
    This motherboard has fewer ARGB headers than the average motherboard (1 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 ARGB header/s.
    1 vs 2
  • 2.2x more expensive
    ASUS ProArt Z490-Creator 10G is more expensive than the average motherboard (£330 vs £150).
    £330 vs £150
  • More basic chipset
    This motherboard uses a more basic chipset than the average motherboard (Intel Z490 vs Intel B860).
    Intel Z490 vs Intel B860
  • No BIOS flashback support
    This motherboard does not support BIOS flashback, while the average motherboard does. 51.3% of motherboards support BIOS flashback.
    requires CPU/RAM
  • Slower NVMe storage slots
    This motherboard has slower M.2 slots than the average motherboard (1x PCIe 3x4/SATA, 1x PCIe 3x4 vs 1x PCIe 5x4, 2x PCIe 4x4).
    1x PCIe 3.0x4/SATA, 1x PCIe 3.0x4 vs 1x PCIe 5.0x4, 2x PCIe 4.0x4
  • 2 fewer USB 3.2 Gen1 ports
    This motherboard has fewer USB 3.2 Gen1 ports than the average motherboard (2 vs 4). The average motherboard has 4 USB 3.2 Gen1 port/s.
    2 vs 4
  • 2 fewer total USB connections
    This motherboard has fewer total USB connections than the average motherboard (13 vs 15). The average motherboard has 15 total USB connections.
    13 vs 15
  • No Wi-Fi connectivity
    This motherboard does not support Wi-Fi connectivity, while the average motherboard does. 50.1% of motherboards support Wi-Fi connectivity.
  • No Wi-Fi antenna included
    This motherboard does not include a Wi-Fi antenna, while the average motherboard does. 51.1% of motherboards include a Wi-Fi antenna.
  • 1 fewer ARGB headers
    This motherboard has fewer ARGB headers than the average motherboard (1 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 ARGB header/s.
    1 vs 2
  • 1 A lower pump header current limit
    This motherboard has a lower pump header current than the average motherboard (1 A vs 2 A). The average motherboard provides pump header current of 2 A.
    1 A vs 2 A
  • 0.5 fewer fan headers
    This motherboard has fewer fan headers than the average motherboard (5 vs 5.5). The average motherboard has 5.5 fan header/s.
    5 vs 5.5

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

7.0
Back2Gaming
≈ estimated
30/04/2020
Unboxing · first impressions · layout and connectivity
Verdict
ASUS ProArt Z490-Creator 10G looks like a functional board for content creators, but performance still needs proper testing.
Not graded
Not graded
Not graded
Overview video

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

9.1
techporn.ph
✓ explicit
01/07/2020
Benchmark review · Z490 creator board
Verdict
The ASUS ProArt Z490-Creator 10G is a well-built Intel board whose 10G network card and clean audio suit creators, but it has no Wi-Fi.
9.4
profesionalreview.com
✓ explicit
03/08/2020
Lab review · Creator Z490 board
Verdict
The ASUS ProArt Z490 Creator 10G suits Intel creators who want a 10G network card in the box, though it skips extras like BIOS FlashBack.
8.0
techtesters.eu
≈ estimated
08/07/2020
Review · Creator Z490 board
Verdict
The ASUS ProArt Z490-Creator 10G suits buyers who want 10 Gigabit LAN and Thunderbolt at a modest price, but it has few USB ports and no third M.2 slot.

Third-party reviews

What customers like about ASUS ProArt Z490-Creator 10G

  • Excellent connectivity including dual Thunderbolt 3 ports and two DisplayPort-in connectors for video workflows
  • Includes a Hyper 10G LAN card in addition to the onboard 2.5G Intel Ethernet for high-speed data transfers
  • Sleek, professional 'Bauhausian' design with a minimalist black aesthetic and no RGB distractions
  • Robust power delivery (12+2 power stages) capable of handling high-end 10th Gen Intel CPUs like the i9-10900K even when overclocked
  • High-quality integrated audio with a 120 dB signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) using the Realtek S1220A codec

What customers don't like about ASUS ProArt Z490-Creator 10G

  • Lacks PCIe Gen 4.0 support, which was a notable omission compared to contemporary AMD platforms
  • Initial issues reported with the Intel i225-V 2.5G LAN controller, though these were largely addressed via firmware updates
  • High price point at launch compared to more mainstream Z490 boards
  • No built-in Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, requiring a separate card or adapter if wireless connectivity is needed
  • Meagre heatsinks compared to flagship gaming boards, though they remain functional for most professional tasks

Verdict

The ASUS ProArt Z490-Creator 10G is an ATX motherboard featuring the Intel LGA 1200 socket and Z490 chipset, specifically engineered for professional content creation workflows like 3D modelling and video editing. Key technical specifications include support for 10th Gen Intel Core processors, four DDR4 DIMM slots for up to 128GB of memory (overclockable to 4800MHz+), and dual M.2 slots (one supporting both SATA and PCIe 3.0 x4 modes). Its standout characteristics are the dual integrated Thunderbolt 3 Type-C ports providing up to 40Gbps bandwidth and the inclusion of a dedicated Hyper 10G LAN card alongside onboard Intel 2.5G Ethernet. Main pros include its exceptional high-speed connectivity, robust 12+2 power stage design for stable performance, and professional minimalist aesthetic without RGB distractions. However, notable cons include the lack of built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and the fact that populating certain PCIe or M.2 slots can lead to shared bandwidth limitations that disable specific SATA ports or Thunderbolt functionality.

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