BIOSTAR Z490GTA Racing Motherboard Unboxing

The NDA has ended and Intel have just announced the launch of their 10th generation Core processors along with their Z490 chipset. Today, we’ll be taking a quick look and unboxing of the BIOSTAR Z490GTA Racing Motherboard.

Unfortunately, at the time of writing we couldn’t get ourselves an Intel 10th generation Core processor to test this motherboard. But rest assured, we’ll have it done as soon as we get our hands on one (reluctantly) 😛

In the meant time … enjoy the unboxing video and photos gallery below.

Features

Supports 10th Generation Intel Core™ Processor
Intel Z490 single chip architecture
Supports 4-DIMM DDR4- 2666/ 2800/ 2933
3200(OC)/3600(OC)/ 3800(OC)/ 4000(OC)/ 4400+(OC) up to 128 GB Memory
Supports PCIe M.2 (32Gb/s)
Supports Intel Optane Technology
Supports HDMI 4K resolution
Supports GbE LAN
Supports USB 3.2 Gen1
Supports WiFi 6 (No Wifi 6 card included)

Specifications

Chipset	Intel Z490
CPU SUPPORT	Socket 1200 for 10th Gen Intel Core™, Pentium and Celeron processors * 10th Generation Intel Core™ Processor Family only support 400-Series. * Please refer to www.biostar.com.tw for CPU support list.
MEMORY	Supports Dual Channel DDR4 2133/ 2400/ 2666/ 2800/ 2933 Supports Dual Channel DDR4 3200(OC)/3600(OC)/ 3800(OC)/ 4000(OC)/ 4400+(OC) 4 x DDR4 DIMM Memory Slot, Max. Supports up to 128 GB Memory Each DIMM supports non-ECC 4/ 8/ 16/ 32GB DDR4 module * Please refer to www.biostar.com.tw for Memory support list.
INTEGRATED VIDEO	By CPU model
STORAGE	6 x SATA III Connectors (6Gb/s) : Supports AHCI, RAID 0, 1, 5, 10 & Intel® Rapid Storage Technology 2 x M.2 (M Key) 32Gb/s Sockets Supports M.2 Type 2242/ 2260/ 2280 SSD module, NVMe & AHCI SSD Supports PCIe 3.0 x 4 (32Gb/s) & SATA III (6Gb/s) SSD Supports PCIe RAID 0, 1 & Intel Rapid Storage Technology, Intel Optane Technology * When using SATA SSD module on M2M_32G_1 slot, the SATA_3U/ 3L connector will be disabled.
LAN	Intel i219V; 10/ 100/ 1000 Mb/s auto negotiation, Half / Full duplex capability Supports Super LAN Surge Protection
AUDIO CODEC	ALC1150 7.1 Channels, High Definition Audio
USB	6 x USB 3.2 (Gen1) ports (4 on rear I/Os and 2 via internal header) 6 x USB 2.0 ports (2 on rear I/Os and 4 via internal header)
EXPANSION SLOT	3 x PCIe 3.0 x1 Slots 2 x PCIe 3.0 x16 Slots
REAR I/O	2 x WiFi Antenna Ports 1 x PS/2 Keyboard 1 x PS/2 Mouse 1 x HDMI Port 1 x DP Port 1 x VGA Port 4 x USB 3.2 (Gen1) ports 2 x USB 2.0 Ports 1 x LAN port 3 x Audio Jack
INTERNAL I/O	6 x SATA III Connectors (6Gb/s) 1 x M.2 (E Key) Socket : Supports 2230 type WiFi & Bluetooth module and Intel® CNVi 2 x USB 2.0 Header (each header supports 2 USB 2.0 ports) 1 x USB 3.2 (Gen1) Header (each header supports 2 USB 3.2 (Gen1) ports) 1 x 4-Pin Power Connector 1 x 8-Pin Power Connector 1 x 24-Pin Power Connector 1 x CPU Fan Connector 1 x CPU water cooling connector (CPU_OPT) 2 x System Fan Connector 1 x Front Panel Header 1 x Front Audio Header 1 x Clear CMOS Header 1 x COM Port Header 1 x TPM Header 1 x Thunderbolt 3 Header 2 x LED Header (5V) 1 x LED Header (12V) * M.2 E Key wireless card is not provided.
DIMENSION	ATX Form Factor Dimension: 30.5cm x 24.4cm ( W x L )
OS SUPPORT	Support Windows 10 (64bit) ※Biostar reserves the right to add or remove support for any OS with or without notice.
ACCESSORIES	4 x SATA Cable 1 x DVD Driver 1 x User Manual
FEATURES	BIO-Relife BIO-Flasher BIOSTAR Flash BIOS EZ Mode /Advanced Mode BullGuard RACING GT Utility Intel Optane technology Thunderbolt 3 Header LED Rock Zone (12V1 / 5V2)

More at BIOSTAR’s website.

Box and Packaging

The Motherboard

A Closer Look

So what can we expect in terns of performance from the new Z490 chipset and the 10th generation core processors? Well, to be honest, I’m not holding my breath, nor will I be expecting anything to blow my mind. I mean Intel is still on 14nm, there’s no support for PCIE 4.0 and most annoyingly … you’re going to have to upgrade your motherboard AGAIN! Bad news for owners of Z370 and Z390 motherboards.

Well, anyway … let’s hope motherboard manufactures can give us something to look forward to … starting with the BIOSTAR Z490GTA Racing Motherboard .

Watch out for a full review and performance test on this motherboard and other Z490 motherboards right here at Funky Kit.

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