When we talk about Asus ROG Strix B650-A vs Z790 we find that both motherboards are top-of-the-line choices, but they belong to different CPU platforms. The B650-A is made for AMD Ryzen 7000 series processors while the Z790 is designed to support Intel Core CPUs of 12th and 13th Gen.
In comparison, the B650-A has more memory slots, fan headers as well as PCIe slots which makes it a better option if you require expansion capabilities.
However, the Z790 is compatible with faster DDR5 memory speeds and newer Intel processors. Ultimately, the “best” motherboard will depend on your specific CPU choice and system requirements.
VRM and Power Delivery
When we talk about Asus ROG Strix B650-A vs Z790 learning about VRM is important. The VRM, or voltage regulator module, is a very important part on motherboards that supplies clear and steady power to the CPU. The Asus ROG Strix B650-A has a strong 12+2 power stage design from VRM, and the Z790-I also uses this 12+2 configuration.
Expansion Slots and Connectivity
The Asus ROG Strix B650-A vs Z790-I motherboards have different choices for expansion slots and connectivity. The B650-A has two PCIe 5.0 x16 slots, but the Z790-I only has one PCIe 5.0 x16 slot.
Both boards have several slots where the M.2 SSD can be placed. The B650-A has four of these slots and the Z790-I has two. They differ in how they share PCIe lanes, with B650-A supporting up to 36 lanes for PCIe 4.0 and Z790-I providing up to 40 lanes for PCIe 5.0.
When it comes to connection with USB, the B650-A offers more USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, but the Z790-I uses the newer USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 standard.
Both the boards also have SATA 6Gb/s ports. The Z790-I gives you extra options for these SATA ports.
Audio and Networking
The Asus ROG Strix B650-A vs Z790, both have excellent sound solutions. B650-A uses a codec called ALC4080 with a Savitech SV3H712 amplifier. The Z790-I uses SupremeFX 7.1 Surround Sound High Definition Audio CODEC ALC4080.
They both have high quality capacitors, protection against interference, and can handle up to 32-bit/384kHz audio playback. When it comes to connecting things, the B650-A includes Wi-Fi 6 and a port for 2.5Gb Ethernet, but the Z790-I offers Wi-Fi 6E.
Cooling and Thermal Management
The Asus ROG Strix B650-A vs Z790-I are motherboards that use strong heatsinks to keep their high-performance parts cool. The B650-A has big aluminum heatsinks above the VRM and M.2 slots, unlike the Z790-I which uses a similar method with one big heatsink covering the VRM, chipset, and M.2 drives. Effective cooling is very important for these motherboards. This is because they are made for powerful AMD Ryzen 7000 and Intel 13th Gen processors, each one.
These CPUs can create a lot of heat, especially when they are overclocked. The goodness of the motherboard’s way to keep cool really matters for how stable, fast, and long-lasting the whole computer system works.
BIOS and Overclocking
The Asus ROG Strix B650-A vs Z790-I motherboards each have an advanced UEFI BIOS interface that has many options for customization and overclocking. The BIOS on these boards gives an easy to use, friendly experience with a clean, pretty design. The B650-A and Z790-I both provide detailed overclocking controls, letting users adjust CPU, memory, and other details to get the best results. The BIOS has tools for tracking system temperature, voltage, and important things. For those who are more experienced, the boards give them access to detailed information about overclocking and the option to create their own settings.
Aesthetics and RGB Lighting
The Asus ROG Strix B650-A vs Z790-I both have a special design of ROG Strix. They have a bold, gamer-focused style. The B650-A uses black and silver colors, while the Z790-I chooses black and gray tones. Both boards have RGB lighting parts, like the ROG picture and more details, giving users a way to change the lighting effects to fit their computer system’s theme. The RGB parts on these Asus ROG Strix motherboards work perfectly, with it having support for different software to control lights like Aura Sync.
Pricing and Value Proposition
The pricing of Asus ROG Strix B650-A vs Z790 can vary. The price for the Asus ROG Strix B650-A Gaming WiFi and Asus ROG Strix Z790-I Gaming WiFi motherboards in the market now are different, but the B650-A is usually cheaper. The B650-A has a price tag of roughly $300, while the Z790-I’s cost is about $400-$500.
When we talk about the worth and the price vs. performance, the B650-A gives more options and room to grow for what you pay than the Z790-I. But, Z790-I can use quicker DDR5 memory speeds and new Intel 13th Gen processors, which can give a small lead in performance for those making top-level gaming PCs.
Productivity and Content Creation
When we look at Asus ROG Strix B650-A vs Z790 we find that In areas of job work like video change, 3D draw, and making content, both the Asus ROG Strix B650-A and Z790-I motherboards have powerful things to give. But they are not exactly the same in some parts.
The B650-A’s support for AMD Ryzen 7000 series CPUs and its generous PCIe 4.0 lane allocation makes it a solid choice for multi-threaded workloads that can use the Ryzen platform’s core numbers and performance. Four M.2 slots also provide plenty of fast storage options for big media files.
The Z790-I, but different, gives the newest PCIe 5.0 method and backs Intel’s 13th Gen Core chips. These can give good one-threaded performance helpful for works like video encoding. The board supports dual-channel DDR5 memory too, which all adds to its fit for professional work.
The Asus ROG Strix B650-A vs Z790-I are both excellent motherboards that meet the needs of high-end PC builders. The B650-A is an appealing package for AMD Ryzen 7000 users because of its sturdy VRM design, generous expansion capabilities, and cheap cost. The Z790-I, on the other hand, is a popular pick for Intel 13th Gen aficionados, boasting cutting-edge technologies such as PCIe 5.0, USB 3.2 Gen 2×2, and Wi-Fi 6E.
