ASUS Z590-E Gaming Series Motherboard User Guide

ROG STRIX, Z590-E, GAMING, Series
Motherboard
E17988
Revised Edition V2
January 2021

No part of this manual, including the products and software described in it, maybe reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any language in any form or by any means, except documentation kept by the purchaser for backup purposes, without the express written permission of ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. (“ASUS”).

Product warranty or service will not be extended if: (1) the product is repaired, modified, or altered, unless such repair, modification or alteration is authorized in writing by ASUS; or (2) the serial number of the product is defaced or missing.

ASUS PROVIDES THIS MANUAL “AS IS” WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL ASUS, ITS DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, OR AGENTS BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS, LOSS OF BUSINESS, LOSS OF USE OR DATA, INTERRUPTION OF BUSINESS, AND THE LIKE), EVEN IF ASUS HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES ARISING FROM ANY DEFECT OR ERROR IN THIS MANUAL OR PRODUCT.

SPECIFICATIONS AND INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS MANUAL ARE FURNISHED FOR INFORMATIONAL USE ONLY, ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE, AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY ASUS. ASUS ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY OR LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS OR INACCURACIES THAT MAY APPEAR IN THIS MANUAL, INCLUDING THE PRODUCTS AND SOFTWARE DESCRIBED IN IT.

Products and corporate names appearing in this manual may or may not be registered trademarks or copyrights of their respective companies, and are used only for identification or explanation and to the owners’ benefit, without intent to infringe.

Safety information

Electrical safety

• To prevent electrical shock hazards, disconnect the power cable from the electrical outlet before relocating the system.
• When adding or removing devices to or from the system, ensure that the power cables for the devices are unplugged before the signal cables are connected. If possible, disconnect all power cables from the existing system before you add a device.
• Before connecting or removing signal cables from the motherboard, ensure that all power cables are unplugged.
• Seek professional assistance before using an adapter or extension cord. These devices could interrupt the grounding circuit.
• Ensure that your power supply is set to the correct voltage in your area. If you are not sure about the voltage of the electrical outlet you are using, contact your local power company.
• If the power supply is broken, do not try to fix it by yourself. Contact a qualified service technician or your retailer.

Operation safety

• Before installing the motherboard and adding devices to it, carefully read all the manuals that came with the package.
• Before using the product, ensure all cables are correctly connected and the power cables are not damaged. If you detect any damage, contact your dealer immediately.
• To avoid short circuits, keep paper clips, screws, and staples away from connectors, slots, sockets, and circuitry.
• Avoid dust, humidity, and temperature extremes. Do not place the product in any area where it may become wet.
• Place the product on a stable surface.
• If you encounter technical problems with the product, contact a qualified service technician or your retailer.
• Your motherboard should only be used in environments with ambient temperatures between 0°C and 40°C.

About this guide

This user guide contains the information you need when installing and configuring the motherboard.

How this guide is organized
This guide contains the following parts:

• Chapter 1: Product Introduction
  This chapter describes the features of the motherboard and the new technology it supports. It includes a description of the switches, jumpers, and connectors on the motherboard.

• Chapter 2: Basic Installation
  This chapter lists the hardware setup procedures that you have to perform when installing system components.

• Chapter 3: BIOS and RAID Support
  This chapter tells how to boot into the BIOS, upgrade BIOS using the EZ Flash Utility, and support RAID.

Where to find more information
Refer to the following sources for additional information and for product and software updates.

1. ASUS website
   The ASUS website (www.asus.com) provides updated information on ASUS hardware and software products.

2. Optional documentation
   Your product package may include optional documentation, such as warranty flyers, that may have been added by your dealer. These documents are not part of the standard package.

Conventions Used in this guide
To ensure that you perform certain tasks properly, take note of the following symbols used throughout this manual.

CAUTION: Information to prevent damage to the components and injuries to yourself when trying to complete a task.
IMPORTANT: Instructions that you MUST follow to complete a task.
NOTE: Tips and additional information to help you complete a task.

ROG STRIX Z590-E GAMING Series specifications summary

**** Wi-Fi support is only available on Wi-Fi models.

CPU| Intel® Socket LGA1200 for 11th Gen Intel® Core™ processors & 10th Gen Intel® Core™, Pentium® Gold and Celeron® Processors
Supports Intel® 14 nm CPU
Supports Intel ® Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 and Intel® Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0**
* Refer to www.asus.com for CPU support list.
Intel® Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0 support depends on the CPU types.
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Chipset| Intel® Z590 Chipset
Memory*| 4 x DIMM, Max. 128GB, DDR4 5333(OC) / 5133(OC) / 5000(OC) / 4800(OC) / 4700(OC) / 4600(OC) / 4500(OC) / 4400(OC) / 4266(OC) / 4133(OC) / 4000(OC) / 3866(OC) / 3733(OC) / 3600(OC) / 3466(OC) / 3400(OC) / 3333(OC) / 3200 / 3000 / 2933 / 2800 / 2666 / 2400 / 2133 MHz Non-ECC, Un-buffered Memory Dual Channel Memory Architecture

Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Profile (XMP) OptiMem III

  10th Gen Intel® Core™ i7/i9 processors support 2933 / 2800 / 2666 / 2400 / 2133 natively, others will run at the maximum transfer rate of DDR4 2666MHz.
  11th Gen Intel® Core™ processors support 3200 / 2933 / 2800 / 2666 / 2400 / 2133 natively.
*  Refer to www.asus.com for the Memory QVL (Qualified Vendors Lists), and memory frequency support depends on the CPU types.

Graphics| 1 x DisplayPort 1.4** 1 x HDMI™ 2.0***

*  Graphics specifications may vary between CPU types.
Only Intel® 11th Core™ processors support DisplayPort 1.4 with max. resolution of 5120 x 2880 @60Hz, others will only support DisplayPort 1.4 with max. resolution of 4096 x 2304 @60Hz. Please refer to www.intel.com *for any updates.
Only Intel® 11th Core™ processors support HDMI™ 2.0 with max. resolution of 4K@60Hz, others will only support HDMI™ 1.4 with max. resolution of 4K@30Hz. Please refer to [www.intel.com ](http://www.intel.com/)for any updates.**

Expansion Slots| Intel® 11th & 10th Gen Processors

2 x PCIe 4.0/3.0 x16 slot(s)*
– Intel® 11th processors support PCIe 4.0 x16 or x8/x8 or x8/x4 mode(s)
– Intel®10th processors support PCIe 3.0 x16 or x8/x8 or x8/x4 mode(s)

Intel® Z590 Chipset

1 x PCIe 3.0 x16 slot (supports x4 mode)
* Support PCIe bandwidth bifurcation for RAID on CPU function.
PCIEX16_3 shares bandwidth with SATA6G56. When PCIEX16 3 is populated SATA6G_56 will be disabled. When PCIEX16_3 run at default x2 mode, SATA6G_56 is enabled.**

Multi-GPU support| NVIDIA 2-Way SLI® Technology*
Support varies with different graphics cards
Storage| Total supports 4 x M.2 slots and 6 x SATA 6Gb/s ports Intel®11th & 10th Gen Processors

M.2_1 slot (Key M), type 2242/2260/2280/22110
– Only Intel® 11th Core™ processors support PCIe 4.0 x4 mode, this slot will be disabled for other CPUs
M.2_2 slot (Key M), type 2242/2260/2280/22110

– Intel® 11th processors support PCIe 4.0 x4 mode
– Intel® 10th processors support PCIe 3.0 x4 mode

Intel® Z590 Chipset

M.2_3 slot (Key M), type 2242/2260/2280/22110 (supports PCIe 3.0 x4 mode)
M.2_4 slot (Key M), type 2242/2260/2280 (supports PCIe 3.0 x4 & SATA modes)*

6 x SATA 6Gb/s ports
Raid function for PCIe mode SSD in Intel® Rapid Storage Technology is available with either 1. Intel® SSDs installed in both CPU-attached and PCH- attached slots, or 2. any other 3rd party SSDs installed in PCH- attached slots.

To enable Intel® Optane™ Memory (Hybrid Storage device), it must be installed in PCH-attached slots with Intel® Rapid Storage Technology.
* When M.2_4 is operating in the SATA device, SATA6G_2 will be disabled.

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Ethernet| 2 x Intel® I225-V 2.5Gb Ethernet
ASUS LANGuard
Wireless & Bluetooth| Intel® Wi-Fi 6E

2×2 Wi-Fi 6E (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax) Supports 2.4/5/6GHz frequency band* Bluetooth v5.2 hardware ready**

* WiFi 6E 6GHz regulations may vary between countries, and the function will be ready in Windows 10 build 21H1 or later.
Bluetooth 5.2 function will be ready in Windows 10 build 21H1 or later.**

USB| Rear USB (Total 10 ports)

1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 port(s) (1 x USB Type-C®)
3  x USB 3.2 Gen 2 port (2 x Type-A, 1 x USB Type-C®)
4  x USB 3.2 Gen 1 port(s) (4 x Type-A)
2 x USB 2.0 port(s) (2 x Type-A)

Front USB (Total 7 ports)

1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 connector(s) (support(s) USB Type-C®)
1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 header(s) support(s) additional 2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports
2 x USB 2.0 header(s) support(s) additional 4 USB 2.0 ports

Audio| ROG SupremeFX 7.1 Surround Sound High Definition Audio CODEC ALC4080

– Impedance sense for front and rear headphone outputs
– Supports: Jack-detection, Multi-streaming, Front Panel Jack-retasking
– High quality 120 dB SNR stereo playback output and 113 dB SNR recording input
– Supports up to 32-Bit/384 kHz playback

Audio Features:

– SupremeFX Shielding Technology
– ALC4080 + Savitech SV3H712 AMP
– Gold-plated audio jacks
– Rear optical S/PDIF outport
– Premium Japanese audio capacitors
– Audio cover

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Back Panel I/O Ports| 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 port (1 x USB Type-C®)
3 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 port(s) (2 x Type-A, 1 x USB Type-C®)
4 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 port(s) (4 x Type-A)
2 x USB 2.0 port(s) (2 x Type-A) 1 x HDMI™ port
1 x DisplayPort
1 x ASUS Wi-Fi Module
2 x Intel® I225-V 2.5Gb Ethernet 5 x Gold-plated audio jacks
1 x Optical S/PDIF out port
1 x BIOS FlashBack™ button 1 x Clear CMOS button
Internal I/O connectors| Fan and Cooling related
1 x 4-pin CPU Fan header(s)
1 x 4-pin CPU OPT Fan header(s) 1 x 4-pin AIO Pump header(s)
3 x 4-pin Chassis Fan header(s) 1 x VRM heatsink Fan header
1 x W_PUMP+ header Power related 1 x 24-pin Main Power connector 1 x 8-pin +12V Power connector 1 x 4-pin +12V
Power connector Storage related
4 x M.2 slots (Key M)
6 x SATA 6Gb/s ports
Internal I/O connectors| USB

1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 connector (support(s) USB Type-C®)
1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 header(s) support(s) additional 2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports
2 x USB 2.0 header(s) support(s) additional 4 USB 2.0 ports

Miscellaneous

3 x AURA Addressable Gen 2 header(s) 1 x AURA RGB header(s)
1 x CPU Over Voltage jumper
1 x Front Panel Audio header (AAFP) 1 x Q Code
1 x SPI TPM header (14-1 pin)
1 x 20-3 pin System Panel header with Chassis intrude function 1 x Thermal Sensor header
1 x Thunderbolt™ header

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Special Features| Extreme Engine Digi+
– 5K Black Metallic Capacitors ASUS Q-Design
– M.2 Q-Latch
– Q-Code
– Q-DIMM
– Q-LED (CPU [red], DRAM [yellow], VGA [white], Boot Device [yellow green])
– Q-Slot ASUS Thermal Solution – M.2 heatsink backplate
– M.2 heatsink
– VRM heatsink design ASUS EZ DIY – BIOS FlashBack™ button
– BIOS FlashBack™ LED
– Clear CMOS button
– ProCool II
– Pre-mounted I/O shield
– SafeSlot AURA Sync – AURA RGB header(s)
– Addressable Gen 2 RGB header(s) ASUS HYDRANODE – 1 x Chassis fan support* (CHA_FAN1P) * Visit ASUS Website for the latest compatibility list.
Audio| ROG SupremeFX 7.1 Surround Sound High Definition Audio CODEC ALC4080

– Impedance sense for front and rear headphone outputs
– Supports: Jack-detection, Multi-streaming, Front Panel Jack-retasking
– High quality 120 dB SNR stereo playback output and 113 dB SNR recording input
– Supports up to 32-Bit/384 kHz playback

Audio Features:

– SupremeFX Shielding Technology
– ALC4080 + Savitech SV3H712 AMP
– Gold-plated audio jacks
– Rear optical S/PDIF outport
– Premium Japanese audio capacitors
– Audio cover

Back Panel I/O Ports| 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 port (1 x USB Type-C®)
3 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 port(s) (2 x Type-A, 1 x USB Type-C®)
4 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 port(s) (4 x Type-A)
2 x USB 2.0 port(s) (2 x Type-A) 1 x HDMI™ port
1 x DisplayPort
1 x ASUS Wi-Fi Module
2 x Intel® I225-V 2.5Gb Ethernet 5 x Gold-plated audio jacks
1 x Optical S/PDIF out port
1 x BIOS FlashBack™ button 1 x Clear CMOS button
Internal I/O connectors| Fan and Cooling related
1 x 4-pin CPU Fan header(s)
1 x 4-pin CPU OPT Fan header(s)
1 x 4-pin AIO Pump header(s)
3 x 4-pin Chassis Fan header(s)
1 x VRM heatsink Fan header
1 x W_PUMP+ header Power related
1 x 24-pin Main Power connector
1 x 8-pin +12V Power connector
1 x 4-pin +12V
Power connector Storage related
4 x M.2 slots (Key M)
6 x SATA 6Gb/s ports
Software Features| ROG Exclusive Software

– RAMCache III
– ROG CPU-Z
– GameFirst VI
– Sonic Studio III + Sonic Studio Virtual Mixer
– Sonic Radar III
– DTS® Sound Unbound
– Overwolf
– Anti-virus software

ASUS Exclusive Software

Armory Crate
– AIDA64 Extreme (60 days free trial)
– AURA Creator
– AURA Sync
– Two-Way AI Noise Cancelation AI Suite 3
– 5-Way Optimization with AI Overclocking TPU

EPU DIGI+ VRM Fan Xpert 4 Turbo app
– EZ update DAEMON Tools MyAsus WinRAR

UEFI BIOS

MemTest86
AI Overclocking Guide ASUS EZ DIY
– ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3
– ASUS EZ Flash 3
– ASUS UEFI BIOS EZ Mode

FlexKey

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BIOS| 256 Mb Flash ROM, UEFI AMI BIOS
Manageability| WOL by PME, PXE
Operating System| Windows® 10 – 64 bit
Form Factor| ATX Form Factor 12 inch x 9.6 inch ( 30.5 cm x 24.4 cm )

• Specifications are subject to change without notice. Please refer to the ASUS website for the latest specifications.
• Asus offers a variety of support features such as helping to troubleshoot issues, optimizing product performance, integrating ASUS software, and recovery drive creation. Please scan the QR Code for the installation guide and FAQ.

https://www.asus.com/support/FAQ/1038301/

Connectors with shared bandwidth

• PCIEX16_3 shares bandwidth with SATA6G56. When PCEX16 3 is populated  SATA6G_56 will be disabled. When PCIEX16_3 run at default x2 mode, SATA6G_56
  is enabled.

• When M.2_4 is operating in SATA device, SATA6G_2 will be disabled.

Package contents

Check your motherboard package for the following items.

1 x Screw package for cooling kit
Miscellaneous| 1 x ASUS Wi-Fi moving antennas
1 x M.2 Q-Latch package
2 x M.2 Rubber Packages
1 x ROG key chain
1 x Cable tie
1 x ROG Graphics card holder
1 x ROG STRIX stickers
1 x ROG STRIX thank you card
Installation Media| 1 x Support DVD
Documentation| 1 x User manual

If any of the above items are damaged or missing, contact your retailer.

Installation tools and components

The tools and components in the table above are not included in the motherboard package.

Product Introduction

1.1 Before you proceed

Take note of the following precautions before you install motherboard components or change any motherboard settings.

• Unplug the power cord from the wall socket before touching any component.
• Before handling components, use a grounded wrist strap or touch a safely grounded object or a metal object, such as the power supply case, to avoid damaging them due to static electricity.
• Hold components by the edges to avoid touching the ICs on them.
• Whenever you uninstall any component, place it on a grounded antistatic pad or in the bag that came with the component.
• Before you install or remove any component, ensure that the ATX power supply is switched off or the power cord is detached from the power supply. Failure to do so may cause severe damage to the motherboard, peripherals, or components.

1.2 Motherboard layout

1. CPU socket

The motherboard comes with an LGA1200 socket designed for 11th Gen Intel ® Core™ processors & 10th Gen Intel ® Core™, Pentium ® Gold, and Celeron ®Processors.

• Ensure that you install the correct CPU designed for the LGA1200 socket only. DO NOT install a CPU designed for other sockets on the LGA1200 socket.

• The CPU fits in only one correct orientation. DO NOT force the CPU into the socket to prevent bending the connectors on the socket and damaging the CPU.

• Ensure that all power cables are unplugged before installing the CPU.

• Upon purchase of the motherboard, ensure that the PnP cap is on the socket and the socket contacts are not bent. Contact your retailer immediately if the PnP cap is missing, or if you see any damage to the PnP cap/socket contacts/motherboard components. ASUS will shoulder the cost of repair only if the damage is shipment/
  transit-related.

• Keep the cap after installing the motherboard. ASUS will process Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) requests only if the motherboard comes with the cap on the LGA1200 socket.

• The product warranty does not cover damage to the socket contacts resulting from incorrect CPU installation/removal, or misplacement/loss/incorrect removal of the PnP cap.

2. DIMM slots
The motherboard comes with Dual Inline Memory Modules (DIMM) slots designed for DDR4(Double Data Rate 4) memory modules.

A DDR4 memory module is notched differently from a DDR, DDR2, or DDR3 module. DO
NOT install a DDR, DDR2, or DDR3 memory module to the DDR4 slot.

Recommended memory configurations

Memory configurations

You may install 4 GB, 8 GB, 16GB, and 32 GB unbuffered and non-ECC DDR4 DIMMs into the DIMM sockets.

You may install varying memory sizes in Channel A and Channel B. The system maps the total size of the lower-sized channel for the dual-channel configuration. Any excess memory from the higher-sized channel is then mapped for single-channel operation.

• The default memory operation frequency is dependent on its Serial Presence Detect (SPD), which is the standard way of accessing information from a memory module. Under the default state, some memory modules for overclocking may operate at a lower frequency than the vendor-marked value.

• For system stability, use a more efficient memory cooling system to support a full memory load or overclocking condition.

• Always install the DIMMs with the same CAS Latency. For optimum compatibility, we recommend that you install memory modules of the same version or date code
  (D/C) from the same vendor. Check with the vendor to get the correct memory modules.

• Visit the ASUS website for the latest QVL.

3. Expansion slots

Unplug the power cord before adding or removing expansion cards. Failure to do so may cause you physical injury and damage motherboard components.

Please refer to the following tables for the recommended VGA configuration and Hyper M.2 configuration.

Recommended VGA configuration

• We recommend that you provide sufficient power when running SLI ® mode.
• Ensure to connect the 8-pin power plugs when running SLI ® mode.
• Connect a chassis fan to the chassis fan connectors when using multiple graphics cards for a better thermal environment.

PCIEX16_3 shares bandwidth with SATA6G56. When PCIEX16 3 is populated SATA6G_56 will be disabled. When PCIEX16_3 runs at default x2 mode, SATA6G_56 is enabled.

PCIe bifurcation & M.2 settings in PCIe x16 slots (from CPU)

• Hyper M.2 X16 series card sold separately.
• M.2_1 is only supported with Intel® 11th Core™ processors.
• Enable the Hyper M.2 X16 series card under BIOS settings.

4. Fan and Pump headers

The Fan and Pump headers allow you to connect fans or pumps to cool the system. When an ASUS HYDRANODE fan is connected to an ASUS HYDRANODE fan connector, the ASUS HYDRANODE function will be available.

• DO NOT forget to connect the fan cables to the fan headers. Insufficient airflow inside the system may damage the motherboard components. These are not jumpers! Do not place jumper caps on the fan headers!
• Ensure the cable is fully inserted into the header.
• For water cooling kits, connect the pump connector to the W_PUMP+header.
• W_PUMP+ function support depends on the water cooling device.

CHA_FAN1P can support ASUS HYDRANODE fans.

5. VRM Heatsink fan header

The VRM Heatsink fan header is for connecting the VRM Heatsink fan on the integrated heatsink.

Header| Max. Current| Max. Power| Default Speed|

Shared Control

---|---|---|---|---
CPU_FAN| 1A| 12W| Q-Fan Controlled| A
CPU_OPT| 1A| 12W| Q-Fan Controlled| A
CHA_FAN1P| 1A| 12W| Q-Fan Controlled| –
CHA_FAN2| 1A| 12W| Q-Fan Controlled| –
CHA_FAN3| 1A| 12W| Q-Fan Controlled| –
AIO_PUMP| 1A| 12W| Full-Speed| –
W_PUMP+| 3A| 36W| Full Speed| –
VRM_HS_FAN| 1A| 12W| Q-Fan Controlled| –

6. Power connectors
These Power connectors allow you to connect your motherboard to a power supply. The power supply plugs are designed to fit in only one orientation, find the proper orientation and push down firmly until the power supply plugs are fully inserted.

• DO NOT connect the 4-pin power plug only, the motherboard may overheat under heavy usage.

• Ensure to connect the 8-pin power plug, or connect both the 8-pin and 4-pin power plugs.

• For a fully configured system, we recommend that you use a power supply unit (PSU) that complies with ATX 12V Specification 2.0 (or later version) and provides a minimum power of 350 W.

• We recommend that you use a PSU with a higher power output when configuring a system with more power-consuming devices. The system may become unstable or may not boot up if the power is inadequate.

• If you want to use two or more high-end PCI Express x16 cards, use a PSU with 1000W power or above to ensure the system’s stability.

7. M.2 slot
The M.2 slot allows you to install M.2 devices such as M.2 SSD modules.

• Intel® 11 th Core™ processors:  – M.2_1 supports PCIE 4.0 x4 mode M Key design and type 2242 / 2260 / 2280 / 22110 storage devices.
  – M.2_2 supports PCIE 4.0 x4 mode M Key design and type 2242 / 2260 / 2280 / 22110 storage devices.

• Intel®10thCore™ processors:- M.2_2 supports PCI-E 3.0 x4 mode M Key design and type 2242 / 2260 / 2280 /22110 storage devices.

• Intel®Z590 Chipset:- M.2_3 supports PCIE 3.0 x4 mode M Key design and type 2242 / 2260 / 2280 /22110 storage devices.
  – M.2_4 supports PCI-E 3.0 x4 and SATA mode M Key design and type 2242 / 2260 /2280 storage devices.

• When M.2_4 is operating in SATA mode, SATA6G_2 will be disabled.

• Raid function for PCIe mode SSD in Intel®Rapid Storage Technology is available with either 1. Intel®
  SSDs installed in both CPU-attached and PCH-attached slots, or2. any other 3rd party SSDs installed in PCH-attached slots.

• To enable Intel®Optane™ Memory (Hybrid Storage device), it must be installed inPCH-attached slots with Intel® Rapid Storage Technology.

The M.2 SSD module is purchased separately.

8. SATA 6Gb/s connector
The SATA 6Gb/s connector allows you to connect SATA devices such as optical disc drives and hard disk drives via a SATA cable.

If you installed SATA storage devices, you can create a RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 configurations with the Intel ® Rapid Storage Technology through the onboard Intel ® Z590 chipset.

• The connectors are set to [AHCI Mode] by default. If you intend to create a SATA RAID set using these connectors, set the SATA Mode item in the BIOS to [Intel RST
  Premium with Intel Optane System Acceleration (RAID)].

• When M.2_4 is operating in SATA mode, SATA6G_2 will be disabled.

• Before creating a RAID set, refer to the RAID Configuration Guide. You can download the RAID Configuration Guide from the ASUS website.

9. USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C ®Front Panel connector

The USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C® connector allows you to connect a USB 3.2 Gen 2×2
Type-C ® module for additional USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 ports on the front panel.
The USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C ® connector provides data transfer speeds of up to 20 Gb/s.

The USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C® module is purchased separately.

10. USB 3.2 Gen 1 header
The USB 3.2 Gen 1 header allows you to connect a USB 3.2 Gen 1 module for additional USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports. The USB 3.2 Gen 1 header provides data transfer speeds of up to 5 Gb/s.

The USB 3.2 Gen 1 module is purchased separately.

11. USB 2.0 header
The USB 2.0 header allows you to connect a USB module for additional USB 2.0 ports. The USB 2.0 header provides data transfer speeds of up to 480 Mb/s connection speed.

DO NOT connect a 1394 cable to the USB connectors. Doing so will damage the motherboard!
The USB 2.0 module is purchased separately.

12. AURA Addressable Gen2 header
The Addressable Gen2 header allows you to connect individually addressable RGB WS2812B LED strips or WS2812 B-based LED strips.

The Addressable Gen2 header supports WS2812B addressable RGB LED strips (5V/ Data/Ground), with a maximum power rating of 3A (5V), and the addressable headers on
this board can handle a combined maximum of 500 LEDs.

Before you install or remove any component, ensure that the power supply is switched off or the power cord is detached from the power supply. Failure to do so may cause severe damage to the motherboard, peripherals, or components.

• Actual lighting and color will vary with LED strips.
• If your LED strip does not light up, check if the addressable RGB LED strip is connected in the correct orientation, and the 5V connector is aligned with the 5V header on the motherboard.
• The addressable RGB LED strip will only light up when the system is powered on.
• The addressable RGB LED strip is purchased separately.

13. AURA RGB header
The AURA RGB header allows you to connect RGB LED strips.

The AURA RGB header supports 5050 RGB multi-color LED strips (12V/G/R/B), with a maximum power rating of 3A (12V).

Before you install or remove any component, ensure that the power supply is switched off or the power cord is detached from the power supply. Failure to do so may cause severe damage to the motherboard, peripherals, or components.

• Actual lighting and color will vary with LED strips.
• If your LED strip does not light up, check if the RGB LED extension cable and the RGB LED strip is connected in the correct orientation, and if the 12V connector is aligned with the 12V header on the motherboard.
• The LED strip will only light up when the system is powered on.
• The LED strip is purchased separately.

14. CPU Over Voltage jumper
The CPU Over Voltage jumper allows you to set a higher CPU voltage for a flexible overclocking system (depending on the type of the installed CPU). Set to pins 2-3 to increase the CPU voltage setting, or set to pins 1-2 to use the default CPU voltage setting.

15. Front Panel Audio header
The Front Panel Audio header is for a chassis-mounted front panel audio I/O module that supports HD Audio. Connect one end of the front panel audio I/O module cable to this header.

We recommend that you connect a high-definition front panel audio module to this connector to avail of the motherboard’s high-definition audio capability.

16. System Panel header
The System Panel header supports several chassis-mounted functions.

• System Power LED header (PLED)
  The 2-pin and/or 3-1 pin headers allow you to connect the System Power LED. The
  System Power LED lights up when the system is connected to a power source, or when you turn on the system power, and blinks when the system is in sleep mode.

• Storage Device Activity LED header (HDD_LED)
  The 2-pin header allows you to connect the Storage Device Activity LED. The Storage
  Device Activity LED lights up or blinks when data is read from or written to the storage device or storage device add-on card.

• System Warning Speaker header (SPEAKER)
  The 4-pin header allows you to connect the chassis-mounted system warning speaker. The speaker allows you to hear system beeps and warnings.

• Power Button/Soft-off Button header (PWRSW)
  The 3-1 pin header allows you to connect the system power button. Press the power button to power up the system, or put the system into sleep or soft-off mode (depending on the operating system settings).

• Reset button header (RESET)
  The 2-pin header allows you to connect the chassis-mounted reset button. Press the reset button to reboot the system.

• Chassis intrusion header (CHASSIS)
  The 2-pin header allows you to connect the chassis-mounted intrusion detection sensor or switch. The chassis intrusion sensor or switch sends a high-level signal to the header when a chassis component is removed or replaced, the signal is then generated as a chassis intrusion event.

17. Thermal Sensor header
The Thermal Sensor header allows you to connect a sensor to monitor the temperature of the devices and the critical components inside the motherboard. Connect the thermal sensor and place it on the device or the motherboard’s component to detect its temperature.

The thermal sensor is purchased separately.

18. Thunderbolt™ header
The Thunderbolt™ header allows you to connect an add-on Thunderbolt™ I/O card that supports Intel®’s Thunderbolt™ Technology, allowing you to connect Thunderbolt™-enabled devices to form a daisy-chain configuration.

• The add-on Thunderbolt™ I/O card and Thunderbolt™ cables are purchased separately.
• Please visit the official website of your purchased Thunderbolt™ card for more details on compatibility.

19. TPM header
The TPM header allows you to connect a TPM module, which securely stores keys, digital certificates, passwords, and data. A TPM system also helps enhance network security, protect digital identities, and ensure platform integrity.

The TPM module is purchased separately.

20. Q-Code LED
The Q-Code LED design provides you with a 2-digit error code that displays the system status.

• The Q-Code LEDs provide the most probable cause of an error code as a starting point for troubleshooting. The actual cause may vary from case to case.
• Please refer to the Q-Code table in the Appendix section for more details.

21. Q-LEDs
The Q-LEDs check key components (CPU, DRAM, VGA, and booting devices) during the motherboard booting process. If an error is found, the critical component’s LED stays lit up until the problem is solved.

The Q-LEDs provide the most probable cause of an error code as a starting point for troubleshooting. The actual cause may vary from case to case.

22. 8-pin Power Plug LED
The 8-pin Power Plug LED lights up to indicate that the 8-pin power plug is not connected.

Basic Installation

2.1 Building your PC system

The diagrams in this section are for reference only. The motherboard layout may vary with models, but the installation steps are the same for all models.

2.1.1 CPU installation

• Ensure that you install the correct CPU designed for the LGA1200 socket only. DO NOT install a CPU designed for LGA1155, LGA1156, and LGA1151 sockets on the LGA1200 socket.
• ASUS will not cover damages resulting from incorrect CPU installation/removal, incorrect CPU orientation/placement, or other damages resulting from negligence by the user.

2.1.2 Cooling system installation

Apply Thermal Interface Material to the CPU cooling system and CPU before you install the cooling system, if necessary.

To install a CPU heatsink and fan assembly

To install an AIO cooler

If you wish to install an AIO cooler, we recommend installing the AIO cooler after installing the motherboard into the chassis.

2.1.3 DIMM installation

To remove a DIMM

2.1.4 M.2 installation

Supported M.2 type varies per motherboard.

• The illustrations only show the installation steps for a single M.2 slot, the steps are the same for the other M.2 slots if you wish to install an M.2 to another M.2 slot.
• Use a Phillips screwdriver when removing or installing the screws or screw stands mentioned in this section.
• The M.2 is purchased separately.

For M.2_1
When installing an M.2 Type 2242, 2260, 2280 M.2 to M.2_1, you may need to use the removable screw stand.

1. Remove the screws from the heatsink.

2. Gently lift and swivel the heatsink away from the M.2 slot.
   The heatsink has a cable connected to the motherboard, ensure not to pull on the heatsink as this may result in damages to the cable.

3. Install your M.2 to your M.2 slot. The steps may differ between installing M.2 of different lengths, please refer to the different types and their installation steps below:
   • To install an M.2 to the maximum length the M.2 slot supports
   For M.2_1 : Type 22110 M.2
   A. Remove the plastic film from the thermal pad.
   B. Install your M.2 to the M.2 slot. • To install an M.2 using the removable screw stand
   For M.2_1 : Type 2242, 2260, 2280 M.2
   A. (optional) Remove the black screw if there is a black screw installed in the
   M.2 slot length screw hole you wish to install your M.2 to.
   Follow this step only if you wish to install an M.2 to type 2242.
   B. Remove the plastic film from the thermal pad.
   C. Install the bundled removable screw stand to the M.2 length screw hole you wish to install your M.2 to.
   D. Install your M.2 to the M.2 slot.
   E. Secure your M.2 using the removable screw stand’s screw removed previously.
   

4. Remove the plastic film from the thermal pads on the bottom of the heatsink.

5. Replace the heatsink.

6. Secure the heatsink using the screws removed previously.
   

For M.2_2, M.2_3, and M.2_4

1. Remove the screws from the heatsinks.

2. Remove the heatsink.
   

3. Install your M.2 to your M.2 slot. The steps may differ between installing M.2 of different lengths, please refer to the different types and their installation steps below:
   • To install an M.2 to the maximum length

For M.2_2: Type 22110 M.2
For M.2_3: Type 22110 M.2
For M.2_4: Type 2280 M.2
A. (optional) Remove the pre-installed removable M.2 Q-Latch screw at the 2280 length screw hole.
B. Rotate and adjust the M.2 Q-latch so that the handle points away from the M.2 slot.
C. Install your M.2 to the M.2 slot.
D. Rotate the M.2 Q-Latch clockwise to secure the M.2 in place.

• To install an M.2 using the removable M.2 Q-Latch screw

For M.2_2: Type 2242, 2260, 2280 M.2
For M.2_3: Type 2242, 2260, 2280 M.2
For M.2_4: Type 2242, 2260 M.2
A. (optional) Remove the M.2 rubber pad.
Follow this step only if you wish to install an M.2 to type 2242.
B. (optional) If required, remove the pre-installed removable M.2 Q-Latch screw at the 2280 length screw hole.
C. Install the M.2 Q-Latch to the M.2 length screw hole you wish to install your M.2 to.
D. Rotate and adjust the M.2 Q-latch so that the handle points away from the M.2 slot.
E. Install your M.2 to the M.2 slot.
F. Rotate the M.2 Q-Latch clockwise to secure the M.2 in place.

4. Remove the plastic film from the thermal pads on the bottom of the heatsink.
5. Replace the heatsink.
6. Secure the heatsink using the screws removed previously.

2.1.5 Additional cooling kit installation

When using high-performance settings whilst overclocking, ensure to install the bundled fan onto the MOS fan holder.

• You may install 12V (1A, 12W), 40mm x 40mm fans.
• You may adjust the height of the fan holder to your preference when installing the fan holder.
• Ensure to use the bundled screws that came with your accessory.

2.1.6 Motherboard installation

1. Place the motherboard into the chassis, ensuring that its rear I/O ports are aligned to the chassis’ rear I/O panel.
   

2. Place nine (9) screws into the holes indicated by circles to secure the motherboard to the chassis.
   

DO NOT over-tighten the screws! Doing so can damage the motherboard.

2.1.7 ATX power connection

Ensure to connect the 8-pin power plug.

2.1.8 SATA device connection

2.1.9 Front I/O connector

To install the front panel connector

To install USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C® connector
This connector will only fit in one orientation. Push the connector until it clicks into place.

2.1.10 Expansion card installation

To install PCIe x16 cards

To install the Thunderbolt™ series card

Ensure to install the Thunderbolt™ series card to a PCIe slot from PCH.

• Step 6 is optional, please connect a 6-pin PCIe power connector when you wish to .use the USB Type-C ® port Thunderbolt™ quick charge feature to charge a 5V or
  more device.

• The TypeC_1 port can support up to 20V devices, and the TypeC_2 port can support up to 9V devices when the 6-pin PCIe power connector is connected.

• Please visit the official website of your purchased Thunderbolt™ card for more details on compatibility.

2.1.11 Wi-Fi moving antenna installation
Installing the ASUS Wi-Fi moving antenna

Connect the bundled ASUS Wi-Fi moving antenna connector to the Wi-Fi ports at the back of the chassis.

• Ensure that the ASUS Wi-Fi moving antenna is securely installed to the Wi-Fi ports.
• Ensure that the antenna is at least 20 cm away from all persons.

The illustration above is for reference only. The I/O port layout may vary with models, but the Wi-Fi moving antenna installation procedure is the same for all models.

2.2 BIOS update utility BIOS FlashBack™

BIOS FlashBack™ allows you to easily update the BIOS without entering the existing BIOS or operating system.

To use BIOS FlashBack™:

1. Insert a USB storage device to the BIOS FlashBack™ port.
   We recommend you to use a USB 2.0 storage device to save the latest BIOS version for better compatibility and stability.

2. Visit https://www.asus.com/support/ and download the latest BIOS version for this motherboard.

3. Manually rename the file as SZ590E.CAP, or launch the BIOSRenamer.exe application to automatically rename the file, then copy it to your USB storage device.
   The BIOSRenamer.exe application is zipped together with your BIOS file when you download a BIOS file for a BIOS FlashBack™ compatible motherboard.

4. Shut down your computer.

5. Press the BIOS FlashBack™ button for three (3) seconds until the BIOS FlashBack™ LED blinks three times, indicating that the BIOS FlashBack™ function is enabled.

6. Wait until the light goes out, indicating that the BIOS updating process is completed.
   For more BIOS update utilities in BIOS setup, refer to the section Updating BIOS in Chapter 3.

• Do not unplug portable disk, power system, or press the CLR_CMOS button while BIOS update is ongoing, otherwise update will be interrupted. In case of interruption, please follow the steps again.
• If the light flashes for five seconds and turns into a solid light, this means that the BIOS FlashBack™ is not operating properly. This may be caused by improper installation of the USB storage device and filename/file format error. If this scenario happens, please restart the system to turn off the light.
• Updating BIOS may have risks. If the BIOS program is damaged during the process and results to the system’s failure to boot up, please contact your local ASUS Service Center.

For more information on using the BIOS FlashBack™ feature, please refer to https://www.asus.com/support/, or by scanning the QR code below.

https://www.asus.com/support/FAQ/1038568/

2.3 Motherboard rear and audio connections
2.3.1 Rear I/O connection

Rear panel connectors

1.| DisplayPort
2. **| USB 2.0 ports 11 and 12
3. **| USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports 1, 2, 3, and 4
4. **| Inter I225-V 2.5Gb Ethernet ports*
5. **| HDMITM port
6 .| Clear CMOS button (CLR_CMOS). Press this button to clear the BIOS setup information only when the system hangs due to overclocking.
7. **| BIOS FlashBackTM button
8. **| USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A port 6
9. **| USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C® port C7
10.| USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A port 5
11. **| USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C® port 3
12. **| Inter Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth V5.2
13. **| Optical S/PDIF OUT port
14. **| Gold-plated audio jacks

* and : Refer to the tables on the next page for LAN port LEDs, and audio port definitions.**

We strongly recommend that you connect your devices to ports with a matching data transfer rate. Please connect your USB 3.2 Gen 1 devices to USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports and your USB 3.2 Gen 2 devices to USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports for faster and better performance for your devices.

Bluetooth 5.2 function will be ready in Windows 10 build 21H1 or later.

* Intel®I225-V 2.5Gb Ethernet port LED indications

Activity Link LED

|

Speed LED

---|---
Status| Description| Status| Description
OFF| No link| OFF| No link
GREEN BLINKING| Data activity| OFF| 100 Mbps / 10 Mbps Connection
GREEN BLINKING| Data activity| GREEN| 2.5 Gbps connection
GREEN BLINKING| Data activity| ORANGE| 1 Gbps connection

** Audio 2, 4, 5.1 or 7.1-channel configuration

Port

| Headset 2-channel| 4-channel| 5.1-channel|

7.1-channel

---|---|---|---|---
Light Blue| Line In| Line In| Line In| Side Speaker Out
Lime| Line Out| Front Speaker Out| Front Speaker Out| Front Speaker Out
Red| Mic In| Mic In| Mic In| Mic In
Orange| –| –| Center/Subwoofer| Center/Sub Woofer
Black| –| Rear Speaker Out| Rear Speaker Out| Rear Speaker Out

2.3.2 Audio I/O connections

Audio I/O ports

2.4 Starting up for the first time

1. After making all the connections, replace the system case cover.

2. Ensure that all switches are off.

3. Connect the power cord to the power connector at the back of the system chassis.

4. Connect the power cord to a power outlet that is equipped with a surge protector.

5. Turn on the devices in the following order:
   a. Monitor
   b. External storage devices (starting with the last device on the chain)
   c. System power

6. After applying power, the system power LED on the system front panel case lights up. For systems with ATX power supplies, the system LED lights up when you press the ATX power button. If your monitor complies with the “green” standards or if it has a “power standby” feature, the monitor LED may light up or change from orange to green after the system LED turns on.
   The system then runs the power-on self-test (POST). While the tests are running, the BIOS beeps (refer to the BIOS beep codes table) or additional messages appear on the screen. If you do not see anything within 30 seconds from the time you turned on the power, the system may have failed a power-on test. Check the jumper settings and connections or call your retailer for assistance.

BIOS Beep

|

Description

---|---
One short beep| VGA detected
Quick boot set to disabled
No keyboard detected
One continuous beep followed by two short beeps then a pause (repeated)| No memory detected
One continuous beep followed by three short beeps| No VGA detected
One continuous beep followed by four short beeps| Hardware component failure
7. At power-on, hold down the key to enter the BIOS Setup. Follow the instructions in Chapter 3.

2.5 Turning off the computer
While the system is ON, press the power button for less than four seconds to put the system on sleep mode or soft-off mode, depending on the BIOS setting. Press the power button for more than four seconds to let the system enter the soft-off mode regardless of the BIOS setting.

BIOS and RAID Support

For more details on BIOS and RAID configurations, please refer to www.asus.com/support.

3.1 Knowing BIOS

The new ASUS UEFI BIOS is a Unified Extensible Interface that complies with UEFI architecture, offering a user-friendly interface that goes beyond the traditional keyboard-only BIOS controls to enable a more flexible and convenient mouse input. You can easily navigate the new UEFI BIOS with the same smoothness as your operating system. The term “BIOS” in this user manual refers to “UEFI BIOS” unless otherwise specified.

BIOS (Basic Input and Output System) stores system hardware settings such as storage device configuration, overclocking settings, advanced power management, and boot device configuration that are needed for system startup in the motherboard CMOS. In normal circumstances, the default BIOS settings apply to most conditions to ensure optimal performance. DO NOT change the default BIOS settings except in the following circumstances:

• An error message appears on the screen during the system bootup and requests you to run the BIOS Setup.
• You have installed a new system component that requires further BIOS settings or updates.

Inappropriate BIOS settings may result in instability or boot failure. We strongly recommend that you change the BIOS settings only with the help of trained service personnel.
BIOS settings and options may vary due to different BIOS release versions. Please refer to the latest BIOS version for settings and options.

3.2 BIOS setup program
Use the BIOS Setup to update the BIOS or configure its parameters. The BIOS screen includes navigation keys and brief onscreen help to guide you in using the BIOS Setup
program.
Entering BIOS at startup
To enter BIOS Setup at startup, press or during the Power-On Self Test (POST). If you do not press or , POST continues with its routines.

Entering BIOS Setup after POST

To enter BIOS Setup after POST:

• Press ++ simultaneously.
• Press the reset button on the system chassis.
• Press the power button to turn the system off and then back on. Do this option only if you failed to enter BIOS Setup using the first two options.

After doing either of the three options, press key to enter BIOS.

• Ensure that a USB mouse is connected to your motherboard if you want to use the mouse to control the BIOS setup program.

• If the system becomes unstable after changing any BIOS setting, load the default settings to ensure system compatibility and stability. Select the Load Optimized
  Defaults item under the Exit menu or press hotkey .

• If the system fails to boot after changing any BIOS setting, try to clear the CMOS and reset the motherboard to the default value.

• The BIOS setup program does not support Bluetooth devices.

BIOS menu screen
The BIOS Setup program can be used under two modes: EZ Mode and Advanced Mode.
You can change modes from Setup Mode in the Boot menu or by pressing the hotkey.

3.3 EZ Update
The EZ Update is a utility that allows you to update the motherboard BIOS in Windows ® environment.

• EZ Update requires an Internet connection either through a network or an ISP (Internet Service Provider).
• This utility is available in the support USB drive that comes with the motherboard package.

3.4 ASUS EZ Flash 3

The ASUS EZ Flash 3 feature allows you to update the BIOS without using an OS- based utility.

Ensure to load the BIOS default settings to ensure system compatibility and stability.
Select the Load Optimized Defaults item under the Exit menu or press hotkey