Asus ROG Strix Z390-E Gaming

When did motherboards get so expensive?

- Zak Storey

WHEN ASUS SAID it would send us one of its brand new ROG Strix Z390-E Gaming boards for a system build this issue, we knew we’d have to get the thing on a test bench and see what it’s all about.

At $250, it’s hardly the cheapest motherboard out there, but it certainly doesn’t throw any punches when it comes to the aesthetics portion of mobo design language. From the Japanese engraved I/O cover, to the diagonal stylizations, to the crisp black look lining the thing, it sure is a head-turner. The words inscribed on it can be a bit hit and miss, though, depending on how mature you are—most signify speed in some way or another: Edge, Speed, Velocidad (speed in Spanish), Game on, Hybrid…. Hybrid what, exactly? It’s all a bit odd, and reminds us of those kids’ sneakers from the ’90s with the word “Turbo” written on the side of them, which lit up when you walked in them.