Z490 AORUS MASTER WATERFORCE (rev. 1.0)

Z490 AORUS MASTER WF
 
Intel® Z490 AORUS Motherboard with 14+1 Phases Digital VRM, AORUS CPU+VRM LIQUID COOLER 360, Intel® WiFi 6 802.11ax, Intel® 2.5GbE LAN, ESS SABRE HiFi 9118 DAC, RGB FUSION 2.0, USB TurboCharger

  • Supports 10th Gen Intel® Core™ Processors and 11th Gen Intel® Core™ Processors*
  • Dual Channel Non-ECC Unbuffered DDR4, 4 DIMMs
  • Intel® Optane™ Memory Ready
  • 14+1 Phases Digital VRM Solution with 90A Smart Power Stage and Tantalum Polymer Capacitors Array
  • Shielded Memory Routing for Better Memory Overclocking
  • AORUS CPU+VRM LIQUID COOLER 360
  • Onboard Intel® WiFi 6 802.11ax 2T2R & BT5 with AORUS Antenna
  • 125dB SNR AMP-UP Audio with High-End ESS SABRE 9118 DAC, ALC1220 and WIMA Audio Capacitors
  • Blazing Fast Intel® 2.5GbE LAN with cFosSpeed
  • USB TurboCharger for Mobile Device Fast Charge Support
  • Triple Ultra-Fast NVMe PCIe 3.0 x4 M.2 with Thermal Guards II
  • RGB FUSION 2.0 with Multi-Zone Addressable LED Light Show Design, Support Addressable LED & RGB LED Strips
  • Smart Fan 5 Features Multiple Temperature Sensors , Hybrid Fan Headers with FAN STOP and Noise Detection
  • Q-Flash Plus Update BIOS without Installing the CPU, Memory and Graphics Card

    • * Updated BIOS is required for compatibility.
EXTREME POWER DESIGN
UNPARALLELED PERFORMANCE
Advanced Thermal Solution
Next Generation Connectivity
Hi-Fi Audio System
Definitive Aesthetics
Ultra Durable
GIGABYTE BIOS & APP CENTER
EXTREME POWER DESIGN
UNPARALLELED PERFORMANCE
Advanced Thermal Solution
Next Generation Connectivity
Hi-Fi Audio System
Definitive Aesthetics
Ultra Durable
GIGABYTE BIOS & APP CENTER
punk gaming
Neonpunk style emanates in the darkness from the glimmer of high quality metals, showcasing futuristic aesthetics in the darkness of the night.
The new era of esports has arrived.
EXTREME POWER DESIGN
To unleash the full potential of the new Intel 10-core CPU, the motherboard requires the best CPU power design. With the best quality components and GIGABYTE R&D design capability, Z490 AORUS MASTER WATERFORCE is a true beast among motherboards.
Power Design
Power Architecture
Power Efficiency
Transient Response
2X Copper PCB
Digital PWM
Power Stages
Tantalum Capacitor
CPU Power Connector
1Digital PWM Controller
214 Phase 90A Smart Power Stages
3Tantalum Polymer Capacitors
48+8 Solid Pin CPU Power Connector with Metal Shielding
  • 90A Smart Power Stage for Each vCore Phase
  • High Current Capacity MOSFET
  • Tantalum Polymer Capacitors Array
  • Lower Temperatures
  • Improved Transient
Z490 AORUS MASTER WATERFORCE uses an pure digital CPU power design which includes a digital PWM Controller with Smart Power Stages and is capable of providing 90A of power from each phase for a total of 1260A. This 100% digital controller, new Tantalum Polymer Capacitors Array, and additional 8+8 Solid-pin CPU Power Connectors offer incredible precision and stability in delivering power to the motherboard's most power-hungry and energy-sensitive components, allowing enthusiasts to get the absolute maximum overclocking performance from the new 10-core 10th Gen. Intel® Core™ processors.
Power Design Efficiency
GIGABYTE Power Design with Doubler
Other's Traditional Parallel Design without Doubler
Improved Transient Response
By using brand new VRM design and Tantalum Polymer Capacitor Array, Z490 AORUS motherboard transient response and stability is highly improved under overclocking and heavy loading condition.
GIGABYTE's exclusive 2X Copper PCBs design provides sufficient power trace paths between components to handle greater than normal power loads and to remove heat from the critical CPU power delivery area. This is essential to ensure the motherboard is able to handle the increased power loading that is necessary when overclocking.
Unparalleled Performance
GIGABYTE understands that our customer won't stop chasing better computer performance, and strive to deliver that in our products. For the Z490 series, protective and optimized memory trace enhance the performance; faster read and write speed save time and improve efficiency; and generous M.2 Storage with thermal guards ensure unthrottled read and write performance. Future upgrades to the Z490 are made possible by the use of PCIe 4.0-ready components.
XMP 5000+
PCIe 4.0 Hardware Design
3X PCIe 3.0 M.2 Slot
PCIe 4.0 Like SSD
1. 2X PCIe 4.0 Slot
Reinforced PCIe 4.0 x16 or x8/x8 with lower impedance.
2. Mid-Loss PCB
Product uses PCIe 4.0 grade material, actual support varies by hardware configuration.
3. M.2 PCIe 4.0 Slot
M.2 PCIe 4.0 x4 slot with lower impedance.
4. PCIe 4.0 Turbo B-Clock
External clock generator for PCIe 4.0 overclocking.
5. PCIe 4.0 Switches
Switch PCIe 4.0 x16 into PCIe 4.0 x8/x8.
6. PCIe 4.0 Re-driver
Boost & strengthen PCIe 4.0 signals to longer lengths.
M.2 + M.2 + M.2

Extreme sequential Read 3551 MB/s, Sequential Write 3410 MB/s speed
Triple NVMe M.2 PCIe SSDs in RAID 0 Support
Extreme Performance with Gen3 x4 NVMe PCIe SSDs
Z490 AORUS motherboards offer the industry's best compatibility in terms of NVMe storage for users who demand high capacity and seek the best performance. AORUS' unique design can be configured in RAID for record speeds of up to 3551 MB/s (Sequential Read), making AORUS the obvious choice for the ultimate PC.
Triple PCIe Gen3 x4 M.2
AORUS Gaming Motherboards are focused on delivering M.2 technology to enthusiasts who want to maximize their system's potential.
Advanced Thermal Solution
Unthrottled performance is guaranteed by the enhanced thermal solution that incorporates AORUS CPU+VRM LIQUID COOLER 360 and M.2 Thermal Guards II. This exclusive and comprehensive solution delivers excellent heat dissipation. The Z490 AORUS MASTER WATERFORCE stays cool on CPU, VRMs and M.2 SSD even on full loading, making it most suitable for enthusiasts, overclockers and professional gamers.
CPU+VRM LIQUID COOLER 360
Thermal Guard II
Smart Fan 5
Next Generation Connectivity
A high-end product needs to be future-proof so your system stays up-to-date with the latest technology. Z490 AORUS MASTER WATERFORCE provides all next generation network, storage, and WIFI connectivity to keep you up to speed.
Intel® 2.5G LAN
WIFI 6 802.11ax
AORUS Antenna
Intel 2.5GbE LAN Onboard

2X Faster than ever
Adoption of 2.5G LAN provide up to 2.5 GbE network connectivity, with at least two times faster transfer speeds compared to general 1GbE networking. It’s perfectly suit for gamers and streamer with ultimate and smooth online experience. It also backward compatible with Multi-Gig(10/100/1000/2500Mbps) RJ-45 ethernet.


New Introduce Intel® WiFi 6 802.11ax + BT 5 Module
Intel Wireless solution supports 802.11ax, enables gigabit wireless performance, provides smooth video streaming, better gaming experience, few dropped connections and speeds up to 2.4Gbps*. Moreover, Bluetooth 5 provides 4X range over BT 4.2 and with faster transmission.
Benefit of WiFi 6:
  1. 5.5X throughput than 802.11ac 1x1*
  2. 4X better network capacity, no traffic jams especially in those dense area with lots of devices
  3. Network efficiency increase for better user experience
AORUS Antenna Supports Dual Band with Better WIFI Signal
  1. All new antenna supported dual band 802.11ax/ac 2.4GHz & 5GHz.
    better signal strength compared to traditional antenna design
  2. AORUS Antenna with smart antenna function for the best WIFI signal transmitting
  3. Multiple angle tilt and magnetic base for the best signal strength direction and location
HI-FI AUDIO SYSTEM
To Elevate Your Sound Experience with ESS SABRE Audio DAC and DTS.
ESS SABRE reference DAC
True High-Fidelity Music
Audiophile Grade Capacitors
Precision Audio Stream

ESS SABRE reference DAC ES9118

ESS SABRE reference DAC (ESS 9118)
Hyperstream Dynamic Range (SNR 125dB)
High-Res music (32bit, 192KHz PCM)
Super low THD+N (THD+N -112db)

True High-Fidelity Music (Realtek ALC1220-VB)
Paired with Realtek's latest ALC1220 Codec, playback for surround sound audio and DSD enabled music are easier than ever.
Audiophile Grade Capacitors (WIMA , Nichicon Fine Gold)

To ensure a studio-quality experience, WIMA and Nichicon Fine Gold capacitors are used to provide power to the overall system.

Precision Audio Stream (TXC OSCILLATOR)

Provides precise time triggers to Digital-Analog Converters. High resistance to corrosion and oxidation.

Hi-Res Audio
Hi-Res Audio certified, meaning that the product is capable of reproducing frequencies up to 40kHz or above which ensures user with the best audio quality at all times.
DTS :X® Ultra
Recreates an authentic, spatially accurate 3D audio experience for gaming over any headphones or speakers. Supports channel-based, scene based and object-based audio. Provides out-of-the-box calibration for a range of headphones and speakers. Provides post-processing enhancements and device level tuning for DTS® codecs.
DTS Sound Unbound* leverage Microsoft Spatial, enabling the the most believable, 3D audio experience for games. Immersion through DTS Headphone:X means in the sonic landscape, stationary and moving sounds can be heard from above, below or around the listener. Sounds pass around the listener with amazing externalization and accurate localization.

Learn more about the immersive gaming sound experience powered by DTS Sound Unbound at https://dts.com/sound-unbound
*DTS Sound Unbound needs the latest Windows fixes in the Windows 10, please upgrade your Windows 10 OS to Win10 Build 18898 or later versions.


DTS:X Ultra Technology Video
DTS:X Ultra Experience Video
Definitive Aesthetics
Z490 AORUS MASTER WATERFORCE features RGB FUSION 2.0 and offers users the option to control onboard, external light strips, and/or AORUS devices with RGB/ Addressable RGB LEDs to make their PC more unique and stylish.
RGB FUSION 2.0
RGB FUSION Software
Multi-Zone Light Show Design
Now offering more LED customizations than ever, users can truly adapt their PC to represent their lifestyle. With full RGB support and a redesigned RGB Fusion 2.0 application, the user has complete control over the LEDs which surround the motherboard.
Note: Lighting effects depicted are for demonstration purposes only. Actual lighting effects may vary by model.
With an integrated intuitive user interface, the RGB Fusion 2.0 provides you a better solution for customizing the lighting effects across all supported devices. From motherboards, graphics cards to the peripheral products, you can personalize your gaming rig with your own style and show off your build by sharing the profiles. In addition, the new gaming mode makes the lighting effects interactive with selected games to bring you the most immersive gaming experience.
Sync with one click
Individual control as you wish

GIGABYTE RGB Fusion APP

Don't just make your PC shine, make it a work of art that friends will envy. With the GIGABYTE RGB Fusion mobile app users can watch as they control the lighting within their gaming PC. This gives users ease of access as they try and adjust colors and speeds for different modes, all this can be achieved away from the keyboard and monitor of their PC.

Ultra Durable
GIGABYTE is reputable for its product durability and high quality manufacturing process. Needless to say, we use the best components we can find for the Z490 AORUS motherboard and reinforce every slot to make each of them solid and durable.
3X PCIe Armor
4X Memory Armor
Solid Pin
Q-Flash Plus
Ultra Durable™ PCIe Armor
Industry Leading Ultra Durable™ PCIe Armor
The innovative one piece stainless steel shielding design from GIGABYTE reinforces the PCIe connectors to provide the extra strength required to support heavy graphics cards.
Ultra Durable™ Memory Armor
AORUS' exclusive one piece stainless steel shielding design prevents against PCB distortion/twisting and plate bending, in addition to preventing any possible ESD interference.
Solid Pin Power Connectors
Z490 AORUS motherboards feature solid plated ATX 24pin & ATX 12V 8pin + 8pin power connectors to offer a stable power supply during CPU overloading.
Solid Pin Power connector advantages
  1. Larger contact area for electricity
  2. More metal quantity to sustain higher power and generated heat
  3. Ultra durable and longer lifespan
Q-Flash Plus
Update the BIOS easily without installing the CPU, memory and graphics card.
GIGABYTE BIOS & APP CENTER
Good software goes hand in hand with perfect hardware. Z490 AORUS MASTER WATERFORCE bundled several useful and intuitive software to help users to control every aspect of motherboard.
BIOS
APP Center
Easy Tune
System Information Viewer
BIOS
New User Interface
All new EASY MODE shows important hardware information in one page including CPU clock, Memory, Storage, Fan.
My Favorites
Add constantly used items into the favorite menu for quick access.
Storage Information
Show all kinds of storage information including SATA, PCIE and M.2 interface.
Changelog
List all changes before saving and exiting bios. Quickly review overall settings modification.
Intuitive Load Line Curve
Clearly show each loadline calibration setting in an intuitive curve graph.
APP CENTER
GIGABYTE APP CENTER is a useful portal of all GIGABYTE MB utilities and drivers, you can choose any utility you want to install from APP CENTER and keep updated with the latest utilities and drivers version.
EasyTune™
GIGABYTE's EasyTune™ is a simple and easy-to-use interface that allows users to fine-tune their system settings or adjust system and memory clocks and voltages in a Windows environment. With Smart Quick Boost, one click is all it takes to automatically overclock your system, giving an added performance boost when you need it the most.
System Information Viewer
GIGABYTE System Information Viewer is a central location that gives you access to your current system status. Monitor components such as the clocks and processor, set your preferred fan speed profile, create alerts when temperatures get too high or record your system's behavior; these are the possibilities of the System Information Viewer.

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* Product specifications and product appearance may differ from country to country. We recommend that you check with your local dealers for the specifications and appearance of the products available in your country. Colors of products may not be perfectly accurate due to variations caused by photographic variables and monitor settings so it may vary from images shown on this site. Although we endeavor to present the most accurate and comprehensive information at the time of publication, we reserve the right to make changes without prior notice.