Introducing the EVGA Z790 DARK and CLASSIFIED Motherboards

[btarunr]

Introducing the EVGA Z790 motherboards, the pinnacle of high-performance computing. Featuring the Z790 DARK K|NGP|N and Z790 CLASSIFIED, these motherboards support the latest Intel Z790 chipset and are built for extreme computing with 13th Gen Intel Core Series processors utilizing PCIe Gen5 lanes and DDR5 memory. Those familiar with EVGA motherboards will recognize the powerful digital-VRM design, VRM and M.2 cooling, and sturdy low-loss PCB construction.

The EVGA Z790 DARK K|NGP|N rises once again. This world record-setting motherboard is built on a 14-layer low-loss PCB with a 21-phase VRM - capable of squeezing every last bit of performance out of the most extreme 13th Gen Intel Core processors. This board supports current and future standards with up to 64 GB DDR5 and up to 7000 MHz+(OC), PCIe Gen5, and PCIe Gen4 M.2 NVMe support. The Z790 DARK K|NGP|N auto-switches the x16 PCIe Gen 5 CPU lanes between slots 1 and 2 to give your PCIe device maximum bandwidth no matter where it's installed. Beyond excessive overclocking support, the board also includes multiple USB options, 8x SATA 6 Gb/s ports, 10 Gbps and 2.5 Gbps NICs + Wi-Fi 6E / BT 5.2, 7.1 HD audio, 3x M.2 Key-M slots, and 2x pump headers exclusively built for CPU AIO. The Z790 DARK K|NGP|N remains the choice of those that want a board capable of unbelievable performance.



EVGA Z790 CLASSIFIED
The EVGA Z790 CLASSIFIED returns with a new layout and upgrades to keep it the best choice for the motherboard that does everything. The CLASSIFIED takes full advantage of PCIe Gen5 and PCIe Gen4 M.2 NVMe SSDs through the latest 13th Gen Intel Core Series processors, up to 128 GB DDR5 and up to 6800 MHz+(OC) DDR5. A 19-phase VRM and 12-layer PCB provides exceptional power, performance, and stability. New to the CLASSIFIED is a rotated socket to reduce memory latency and improve cable management options, a 10 GbE network port, and two USB4 Type-C ports. Meanwhile, the board also contains a 2.5 GbE port + Wi-Fi 6E / BT 5.2, 7.1 HD audio, multiple USB options, and two DisplayPort Type-C display options. The Z790 CLASSIFIED is the perfect motherboard to help you set records in whatever you do.

EVGA Z790 motherboards are powered by EVGA ELEET X1, the next generation of motherboard tuning utilities. Featuring a simple to use interface, EVGA motherboards have never been easier to overclock or monitor. Review your motherboard, processor, memory and system status at any time and adjust your clock speeds and voltages for maximum performance.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[P4-630]

Hmmm....I would have to turn over my CPU cooler in that configuration with the memory slots on top...

I prefer the known memory configuration with a cooler blowing hot air out the back of the case...

 

[Leiesoldat]

Correct me if wrong, but these are meant for high-end water and extreme cooling setups with the rotated socket.

 

[RandallFlagg]

14 layer motherboard holy cow.

 

[ir_cow]

Correct me if wrong, but these are meant for high-end water and extreme cooling setups with the rotated socket.

Yep. Not meant for normal use. kinda a waste if you aren't going to do any sort of overclocking / tuning with it. So 360MM AIO or Custom loop is the target use. Of course LN2 pots for those XOC guys.

 

[Space Lynx]

Since they are making these anyway, and now they have a lot of staff not being used since no gpu's, shame they didn't bring a single mid-range model for majority consumers. I bet it would sell well.

 

[Upgrayedd]

The rotated socket is fine. I actually like it better. Orient the cooler to blow air up and out your case instead of out the one exhaust on the back.

 

[SOAREVERSOR]

Since they are making these anyway, and now they have a lot of staff not being used since no gpu's, shame they didn't bring a single mid-range model for majority consumers. I bet it would sell well.

They will/should.

I've been using their boards since the 750i FTW launched and they have all been bullet proof. The dark is not meant for most mortals to buy. It stays online at full retail for a few months to break records and then they dump the rest at a lost, just like their GPUS!

 

[oxrufiioxo]

Seeing these just makes me more bummed out about the GPU thing I don't drink very often but the next time I grab a beer I will have to drink one in memory of EVGA's gpus.

 

[Voodoo Rufus]

I've never run an EVGA mainboard before, so I'll be keeping an eye on that Classified board to see how it turns out.

 

[THU31]

I love the ATX 24-pin connector. I wish that was a standard on all boards.

 

[Why_Me]

Other than hobbyist does anyone actually purchase EVGA boards?

 

[Airisom]

I wonder how the Z790 Dark will compare to the Z690 Dark

 

[Outback Bronze]

That classified looks like a tasty board. I like how the memory is at the top of the board and all connectors on the RHS of the mobo sit flat so you can get good airflow from front of the case to back.

I've been wanting more manufactures to do this a bit more frequently on more mainstream boards and not just enthusiast boards.

That air flow will basically go straight through to the bottom of the cpu socket which 99% of mobo you can't do.

Nice board!

 

[Why_Me]

I wonder how the Z790 Dark will compare to the Z690 Dark

I'm guessing the Z790 Dark will be a hose job just like the $500 Z690 Dark.

 

[SOAREVERSOR]

I've never run an EVGA mainboard before, so I'll be keeping an eye on that Classified board to see how it turns out.

They aren't bad. Outside of Supermicro builds at home I tend to run EVGA but then I rack my crap and use DACS and amps. I used to run ASUS WS board. Here's the sell on an EVGA. It's over built as all of them but there is zero bullshit on the software suite unless you want software OC. And if, like any non idiot, you are already buying a NIC card if you want real 10 (onboard 10 is like onboard video, sorry, eat it) annd using real audio over USB their choices won't hurt you at all. They also keep the RGB bullshit to a minimum.

I'd say ASUS, EVGA, and SuperMicro are the best three. EVGA was (or were) so to the reference that nvidia used them to create their reference cards, hence team green cause EVGA used green PCBs (others did not). Because nvidia is selling to cloud gaming vendors, not you or I know, you just haven't realized that yet!

They had some bombs, their nforce 4 reference matx didn't stack up because reference, their 680i and 780i, and 980i all fried themselves due to nvidia, ditto for the 590i, but since they ditched nvidia on chipsets they are doing fine. And everyone got burned on 680i, it was so horrid it took out abit and dfi, so gg nvidia.

 

[RandallFlagg]

I've never run an EVGA mainboard before, so I'll be keeping an eye on that Classified board to see how it turns out.

@Vario just did a build with the Z690 version and 12900KS.

This is what the stock on air cooling run looks like in GB 5 - this is a pretty killer score for stock:

EVGA Corp. Z690 CLASSIFIED - Geekbench

Benchmark results for an EVGA Corp. Z690 CLASSIFIED with an Intel Core i9-12900KS processor.

browser.geekbench.com

That classified looks like a tasty board. I like how the memory is at the top of the board and all connectors on the RHS of the mobo sit flat so you can get good airflow from front of the case to back.

I've been wanting more manufactures to do this a bit more frequently on more mainstream boards and not just enthusiast boards.

That air flow will basically go straight through to the bottom of the cpu socket which 99% of mobo you can't do.

Nice board!

MATX board though, and if you're like me my AIO is at the top. The RAM positioning could be an issue for a lot of people. This is a board you kinda need to measure out before you buy it.

 

[Vario]

I've never run an EVGA mainboard before, so I'll be keeping an eye on that Classified board to see how it turns out.

Its a good board hardware wise, but the BIOS is very clunky, bios interface resembles boards from 10 years ago and the ELEET software is quite crude. The bios fan control is primitive. However, it works great. System is a beast.

 

[DrCR]

Am I the only one who’s paying attention to EVGA motherboards for the first time ever?

 

[Philaphlous]

I heard the FBI found these new motherboards at Mar-a-Lago...well, at least the classified versions...

 

[affxct]

I'm guessing the Z790 Dark will be a hose job just like the $500 Z690 Dark.

Uhm, what? The Z690 Dark at $500 is a ridiculously good value. It launched at $900 as the best Z690 board and the only one capable of 7000-1T reliably, and it got dropped to $500 for a few weeks for no other reason that I can identify other than EVGA not wanting to hoard Z690 stock at dumb pricing. Freakin' love this company. I actually feel like they want me as a customer to have a good experience other than Asus with their broken PCB Apexs.

 

[Why_Me]

Uhm, what? The Z690 Dark at $500 is a ridiculously good value. It launched at $900 as the best Z690 board and the only one capable of 7000-1T reliably, and it got dropped to $500 for a few weeks for no other reason that I can identify other than EVGA not wanting to hoard Z690 stock at dumb pricing. Freakin' love this company. I actually feel like they want me as a customer to have a good experience other than Asus with their broken PCB Apexs.

My bad ...... make that $750 USD. Honestly though how much more can you get out of say a 12900K by OC it.

https://www.amazon.com/EVGA-121-AL-E699-KR-WiFi6E-Gen2x2-Motherboard/dp/B0B2BYFPRF/

 

[affxct]

My bad ...... make that $750 USD. Honestly though how much more can you get out of say a 12900K by OC it.

https://www.amazon.com/EVGA-121-AL-E699-KR-WiFi6E-Gen2x2-Motherboard/dp/B0B2BYFPRF/

At $500 it's $150 more than a Z690 Carbon/Z690-F and it is quite literally the difference between 6200-6600MT/s (unreliable and sample-dependent) and 7000-8000MT/s without issue between M-die and A-die. In my testing there's also a slight improvement over the Strix Z690-F in Vcore requirements. Other than that the board just looks a lot more clean and you get far better QC as well as a far more streamlined BIOS. It actually still sells for $500 on the egg. I genuinely can't see an argument for any other board unless you need 128GB memory support or unless you absolutely require Gen5 M.2 support.

 

[ir_cow]

I genuinely can't see an argument for any other board unless you need 128GB memory support or unless you absolutely require Gen5 M.2 support.

More M.2 spaces and pcie slots. I can't remember (to lazy to look) if its missing 10Gb LAN and TB4/USB4 as well. But if your just all about overclocking. None of the other 4 XOC MBs beats this for $500. I saw the Gigabyte Z690 Tachyon down to $350 last week. That is my second pick or fist depending on how much money you have to spend.

 

[affxct]

More M.2 spaces and pcie slots. I can't remember (to lazy to look) if its missing 10Gb LAN and TB4/USB4 as well. But if your just all about overclocking. None of the other 4 XOC MBs beats this for $500. I saw the Gigabyte Z690 Tachyon down to $350 last week. That is my second pick or fist depending on how much money you have to spend.

Tachyon at $350 is kinda insane but you can never trust Gigabyte BIOSs (or warranty).