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Motherboard manufacturers are gearing up for the release of Intel's 14th Generation Raptor Lake CPUs by revising their Z790 motherboards. One such update comes from Asus in the form of the ROG Formula Z790. Previously absent from the Z790 lineup, this motherboard returns with a host of new features and support for the upcoming Intel CPUs. The board is estimated to retail for around $1,000 and offers several upgrades, the most notable being its built-in liquid cooling channels. This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the board's features, compatibility, and potential pricing. Detailed Analysis of Features Built-in Liquid Cooling Support One of the standout features of the Asus ROG Formula Z790 is its liquid cooling support. Similar to its predecessor that was built for the Z690 chipset, the new board offers a ROG Water-Cooling Zone. This unique feature allows users to integrate the motherboard's Voltage Regulator Modules (VRMs) into a custom cooling loop, thereby aiding in more efficient heat dissipation and potentially higher overclocking performance. Wi-Fi Standard Upgrade In the connectivity department, the new Formula board transitions from Wi-Fi 6e to Wi-Fi 7. It's worth noting that while Wi-Fi 7 devices are not yet widely available, the inclusion of this new standard prepares users for future hardware iterations. Even the recently announced iPhone 15 sticks with the 6e standard, suggesting that Wi-Fi 7 will likely not become mainstream for at least another year. Memory and Storage According to Videocardz, the Extended ATX (E-ATX) board will offer support for up to 192GB of DDR5 memory. Furthermore, it will feature dual PCIe 5.0 slots suitable for a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) and an additional next-generation add-in card. For storage, while not officially confirmed, it is expected to maintain parity with its predecessor by offering five M.2 slots for NVMe storage and six SATA ports. Other Motherboards in the Lineup The ROG Formula Z790 isn't the only board Asus plans to launch for the Intel Raptor Lake platform. It joins the previously discussed ROG Maximus Z790 Dark Hero, ROG Strix Z790-A Gaming Wi-Fi II, and a non-ROG TUF Gaming Z790-Pro Wi-Fi. Other manufacturers like Gigabyte and MSI are also expected to announce their respective Z790 motherboards soon. Compatibility with Intel Raptor Lake This motherboard is primed for Intel’s upcoming 14th Generation Raptor Lake CPUs. However, for those who are not planning on upgrading CPUs immediately, it's possible to update the BIOS of existing Z690 or Z790 boards to gain compatibility with the new processors. But given the added features and potential for improved performance, the new Asus ROG Formula Z790 may be worth considering for an upgrade. Pricing and Availability Although official pricing details are yet to be announced, the estimated retail price hovers around $1,000. This is in line with its premium feature set, which aims to justify its relatively high cost. As for availability, Asus is expected to launch the ROG Formula Z790 alongside the Intel Raptor Lake CPUs, scheduled to release on October 17. Final Thoughts The Asus ROG Formula Z790 motherboard marks a significant addition to the Z790 lineup, especially for users interested in leveraging the capabilities of Intel's upcoming 14th Generation Raptor Lake CPUs. With advanced features such as built-in liquid cooling, Wi-Fi 7 support, and extensive storage options, this motherboard is not just an incremental upgrade but a substantial one. Its pricing places it in the premium segment, and it could very well justify that cost with its robust feature set. While final judgments should be reserved until after the official release, the motherboard's specifications make it a compelling option for high-performance computing needs. Also Read:

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Asus ROG Formula Z790 Motherboard Launch: Comprehensive Analysis of Features, Compatibility, and Pricing