Intel Z390 motherboards for 9th Gen CPUs leak ahead of launch

Published , by Chris Jarrard

While it is probably one of the worst kept secrets in the world of PC hardware, Intel’s plans to release its 9th Gen processors is still causing lots of excitement for gamers and content creators. The follow up to last years Coffee Lake lineup will bring the first-ever 8-core CPUs to Intel’s mainstream product lineup. As with any new Intel series release, a new motherboard chipset will be debuting, and this time it will come in the form of the Z390. Ahead of the rumored October release, glamor shots of these next-gen motherboards are popping up like crazy.

Hardware news site VideoCardz has been hard at work posting shots from the seemingly endless supply of leaks. Here are a few of the standout boards that manufacturers are preparing to sell with the new 9700K and 9900K CPUs.

ASUS MAXIMUS XI Extreme

ASUS MAXIMUS Formula (with EK waterblock)

ASUS MAXIMUS XI Gene

ASUS Z390-A, Z390-P, and Z390-P mATX

ASRock Z390 Taichi

ASRock Z390-P Phantom Gaming 9

MSI MEG Z390 Godlike

MSI MAG Z390 Tomahawk

MSI Z390I Gaming Edge Mini-ITX

The biggest changes coming with the Z390 chipset will be the new integrated USB 3.1 Gen 2 controller that support up to 6 Gen 2 ports and 10 Gen 1 ports, Intel’s newest AC Wifi controller, and a new Intel sound solution. Additionally, these new motherboards are expected to have upgraded VRMs to handle the additional load expected from the new 8-core CPUs. All the boards should be on shelves at or around the time Intel officially launches its new CPU series. The exact date of this release is not yet know, but should be right around the corner.