Wednesday, October 7th 2020
NZXT Announces the N7 Z490 ATX Motherboard
NZXT, a leading designer of computer hardware, software, and services for the PC gaming community, today announces the NZXT N7 Z490, its newest motherboard specially designed around Intel's 10th generation Z490 chipset. The NZXT N7 Z490 ATX motherboard focuses on providing builders with the tools to get the most out of their gaming PCs. Starting from the building process, the board layout of the N7 Z490 places the ports in an optimal location for an easy building experience.
When the build is completed, users can use NZXT CAM to easily tune their system by setting their fan curves and RGB lighting. Each board was manufactured in collaboration with ASRock, ensuring that each motherboard takes advantage of Intel's Z490 chipset and strong BIOS support. The N7 Z490 has WiFi 6 and Bluetooth V5.1 built-in so users have the newest wireless connectivity standard. Finally, the metal cover enhances the aesthetics of each build and seamlessly blends into the background of an NZXT H series case.
"The NZXT N7 has always been about giving builders what they need," says Johnny Hou, NZXT's founder and CEO. "By providing a motherboard with a simple layout, packed with the latest wireless technology, and a metal cover, it gives users the ability to create a powerful machine for gaming.".
Intuitive Controls
The N7 Z490 includes key features from our RGB and Fan Controller, allowing intuitive control of four RGB lighting channels and seven fan channels through CAM. Lighting accessories from all manufacturers are supported.
Stunning Craftsmanship
The metal cover is available in white or black for a seamless look that blends into the background of any NZXT H Series case for a clean aesthetic.
Building Made Easier
The N7 Z490 includes WiFi 6 connectivity and utilizes all PCI express lanes available from the CPU and chipset. The N7's layout streamlines installation with an integrated rear I/O shield and optimally placed headers for easier setup.
Availability
When the build is completed, users can use NZXT CAM to easily tune their system by setting their fan curves and RGB lighting. Each board was manufactured in collaboration with ASRock, ensuring that each motherboard takes advantage of Intel's Z490 chipset and strong BIOS support. The N7 Z490 has WiFi 6 and Bluetooth V5.1 built-in so users have the newest wireless connectivity standard. Finally, the metal cover enhances the aesthetics of each build and seamlessly blends into the background of an NZXT H series case.
Intuitive Controls
The N7 Z490 includes key features from our RGB and Fan Controller, allowing intuitive control of four RGB lighting channels and seven fan channels through CAM. Lighting accessories from all manufacturers are supported.
Stunning Craftsmanship
The metal cover is available in white or black for a seamless look that blends into the background of any NZXT H Series case for a clean aesthetic.
Building Made Easier
The N7 Z490 includes WiFi 6 connectivity and utilizes all PCI express lanes available from the CPU and chipset. The N7's layout streamlines installation with an integrated rear I/O shield and optimally placed headers for easier setup.
- Designed with Intel Z490 Express Chipset
- Compatible with Intel 10th Generation Core i9, Core i7, Core i5, and Core i3 processors
- 8+2 DrMOS Power Phase Design
- Intel Wi-Fi 6 wireless connectivity and Bluetooth V5.1
- Intel Optane Memory Ready
- Two M.2 connectors for storage devices
- Multi-GPU support with AMD CrossFireX Technology
- Supports memory overclocking speeds of up to 4266 MHz and Intel XMP 2.0
- 8-channel high-definition audio
Availability
- USA: Now on NZXT.com
- ROW: Now
- BLD: Now on LetsBLD.com
24 Comments on NZXT Announces the N7 Z490 ATX Motherboard
Personally i think it looks great. Tho i don't understand why they only make Intel versions. It's not like EVGA where they only do Intel/Nvidia. NZXT makes all kinds of stuff so it's little perplexing to forego AMD. Even if their current MB partner ECS is incapable of making AM4 boards they could employ someone else like Biostar to make them for AM4. Or partner with one of the bigger ones unless they want exclusive branding.
soooo friggin innovative, I just can't stand it, hehehe :roll:
Seriously though, what exactly does it offer that other ones don't ???
Also a convenient SSD hot box.
If NZXT hasn't changed (I'm pretty confident they haven't), NZXT's absolutely laughable approach to making BIOSes means there's pretty much no reason to buy this board if you want to have any degree of control over your board. Meaning, in some areas, you'll find more useful options in a Dell laptop BIOS than any of NZXT's motherboards...basically, far beyond merely "bad", a little more along the lines of "vacuous", "appalling".
Configurability seems like it would be something of an important "feature" to have for Z490, hmm?
Oh, and good luck with Rocket Lake support. On the Z370 N7, they were the only board manufacturer never to bother adding Coffee Lake Refresh support (probably would have cost them a total of 60 seconds worth of effort); instead, they told Z370 N7 buyers to suck it, and to buy a whole new Z390 N7 if they wanted to use a 9900K.
Yeah, I can't think of a universe where this is objectively considered competitive with the Z490 Vision G, if you need a board with white accents. Experienced maker of cases, NZXT is; purveyor of quality motherboards, they are certainly not.
A lot of boards this expensive are advertising a 4.0 M.2 slot to indicate Rocket Lake support, so the absence here at $229 is a good sign as any that it's the same old NZXT we've known.
Not trying to relentlessly defend them, but if you're going to hate on them so relentlessly, ateast do it with good reason.:)
i wonder if this has as good of vrm cooling. comparatively speaking
This sound more true to the benefit of the consumer: "Designer of some good cases and some bad ones, LED lighting, buggy / heavy software, fans, and rebranded Asetek coolers".
i still wish it could look like this though, i really love NZXT's aesthetics on almost all of their product lines. really a great company imo as far as visually appealing goes.