Intel Core Ultra 200S and the ASUS Z890 Series of ROG Motherboards – Features for Gamers
Looking Beyond Benchmarks
The Intel Core Ultra 200S and Intel Z890 chipset brings a new series of technologies to the desktop that will bring value to entire platform and benefit many users including gamers.
Frame Rates Matter!
The Intel Core Ultra 200S features an Integrated NPU that software vendors can optimize for running AI functions. By offloading certain AI centric tasks to the NPU, capabilities for the desktop that won’t burden the GPU. By offloading certain AI centric tasks to the NPU, the GPU resources can be better applied to maximizing performance, boosting frame rates, and delivering a vivid gaming experience. Additionally, the NPU uses less power than the CPU or GPU so overall power consumption can be reduced which dramatically improves performance per watt, as well as reduces overall system noise and temperature. In fact, Intel reports that the Intel Core Ultra 200S runs 10C lower than previous generation desktop processors.
More PCIe 5.0? Yes Please!
The Intel Core Ultra 200S has increased the number of PCIe lanes to include 20 PCIe 5.0 and 4 PCIe 4.0. This enhanced capability has been fully leveraged on the ASUS ROG Z890 series to provide additional M.2 storage to include 3 x PCIe 5.0 and 1 x PCIe 4.0 with the PCIe 5.0 providing up to 16GB/s of throughput. Additionally, ASUS features their ROG M.2 Power Boost which is an onboard 12V to 3.3V convertor to provide more stable and consistent power to the multiple PCIe 5.0 devices.
What’s a CUDIMM!
The Intel Core Ultra 200S and Z890 chipset motherboards support Clock Unbuffered Dual Inline Memory modules which are a new DDR5 that is 288 pin compatible with standard UDIMM slots allowing customers the option of using standard DDR5 UDIMM or the new CUDIMM (Either or, not at the same time). CUDIMMs include an integrated clock driver which is an IC that regenerates the clock signal to provide more stable performance at higher frequencies allowing for modules that are 9200MT/s or higher.
It’s a New Record!
ASUS Nitropath is a revised DRAM connection method where the pins have been bent inwards to provide a better connection that ensures faster data transfer rates, allows for higher memory overclocking, and has a 57% increase in retention force. This combined with ASUS AEMP III overclocking capabilities allowed overclockers to set a new world record of 12066 MT/s for memory performance using an ASUS ROG Maximus Z890 Apex motherboard.
Thunderbolt 5.0!
The Z890 chipset supports Thunderbolt 5.0 which delivers up to 80Gbps of bi-directional bandwidth and 160Gbps with Bandwidth Boost. This provides for better display quality supporting 8K resolution with DSC an added benefit for gamers.
WiFi 7, No More Lag!
While WiFi 6 was built to address the need of more devices, WiFi 7’s goal is to deliver astounding speeds for every device eliminating lag, or congestion. WiFi 7 introduces 320 MHz ultra-wide bandwidth, 4096-QAM, Multi-RU, and Multi-Link Operation to provide speeds 4.8× faster than WiFi 6 and 13× faster than WiFi 5. Additionally, ASUS ROG Z890 motherboards include an Intel 2.5Gb and Marvell 10Gb onboard Ethernet for maximum network flexibility and performance.
Overclocking!
While overclocking isn’t something every user embraces, the ASUS ROG Maximum Z890 offers many capabilities to fine tune performance including AI Overclocking where the CPU and cooling is profiled to predict the best values or to automatically apply them for optimal configuration performance. Other capabilities include NPU Boost, Differential Sensing, and ASUS Exclusive Overclockers Tool Kit.