Board Layout

The ROG STRIX Z490-E Gaming is a quintessential ASUS design, a black PCB matched with black heat sinks and a touch of color on the rear I/O cover. While the RGB lighting gives the STRIX flare and personality, the neutral colors also let it blend and match with almost any build.


The CPU socket is open enough for most air coolers. The VRM features a large, three-section heat sink with a bracket to mount the optional 40 mm fan on the top left.


There are two M.2 slots on the ASUS ROG STRIX Z490-E Gaming; one below the first PCIe x16 slot and another below the second PCIe x16 slot. Both slots feature full-coverage heatsinks.


The ASUS Z490 PG ROG STRIX Z490-E Gaming offers three PCI Express 3.0 x16 slots, with the top two encased in steel armor, as well as three PCI Express 3.0 x1 slots. The board has a total of six SATA 6 Gb/s ports on the side, angled 90 degrees from the board.


The ASUS Z490 PG ROG STRIX Z490-E Gaming has a great I/O offering that includes an optical S/PDIF out port, Wi-Fi 6, and lots of USB connectivity.

• 2x Antenna ports
• HDMI port
• DisplayPort 1.4 port
• 2x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A ports
• BIOS flashback button
• 4x USB 2.0 ports
• 3x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A port
• USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C port
• RJ-45 LAN port
• Optical SPDIF out port
• 5x 3.5 mm audio jacks

Networking on the ASUS Z490 PG ROG STRIX Z490-E Gaming is handled by Intel's new I225V 2.5 Gb/s controller, as well as an AX201 Wi-Fi 6 module.