Asus Prime Z390-A Motherboard LGA1151 (Intel 8th and 9th Gen) ATX DDR4 DP HDMI M.2 USB 3.1 Gen2 Gigabit LAN
*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-07-09. Price and availability subject to change.
Bottom line: The Asus Prime Z390-A Motherboard LGA1151 (Intel 8th and 9th Gen) ATX DDR4 DP HDMI M.2 USB 3.1 Gen2 Gigabit LAN is a niche pick — read recent reviews before buying in the retro motherboards category, priced around $194.39. Read recent reviews carefully before committing.
Designed for 9th generation Intel Core processors, the Prime Z390-A delivers maximum performance with customizable style. 5-Way Optimization provides AI overclocking and dynamic fan calibration while dual M. 2 and USB 3. 1 Gen2 delivers maximum transfer speeds. Aura Sync RGB with addressable headers customize your build.
SpecPicks Verdict
SpecPicks classifies Asus Prime Z390-A Motherboard LGA1151 (Intel 8th and 9th Gen) ATX… as a niche pick — read recent reviews before buying in the retro motherboards category, based on our editorial and benchmark analysis and our ranking model that weights rating × review-volume × price-fit. Use the Compare tool to put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives before clicking through to Amazon.
Common buyer scenarios for retro motherboards of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the Amazon listing before purchase. Prices, stock, and Prime eligibility update directly from Amazon's catalog and may have moved since this page was last verified.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ 8 channel HD Gaming Audio featuring Realtek ALC887 high definition audio codec
- ✓ Ships via Amazon with Prime eligibility and the standard returns policy
Cons
- ✗ Confirm socket / form-factor / power-rating compatibility against your build before ordering
- ✗ Price, stock, and Prime eligibility update from Amazon and may have changed since this page was last verified
Key Features
- Designed for 9th and 8th generation Intel Core processors to maximize connectivity and speed with M. 2, USB 3. 1 Gen2 and ASUS Optimum II for better DRAM overclocking stability
- Revamped 5 Way Optimization that has the intelligence to overclock a CPU based on smart prediction and thermal telemetry. OptiMem II: Careful routing of traces and vias, plus ground layer optimizations to preserve signal integrity for improved memory overclocking
- 5X Protection III Hardware level safeguards with Safe Slot Core, LAN Guard, Over voltage Protection provide longevity, reliability. FanXpert 4 delivers advanced fan control for dynamic system cooling
- Patent pending Safe Slot Core fortified PCIe slots prevent damage caused by heavyweight GPUs
- 8 channel HD Gaming Audio featuring Realtek ALC887 high definition audio codec
Full Specifications
| Brand | ASUS |
|---|---|
| USB 2.0 | 1 |
| Platform | Windows 10 |
| CPU Model | Core i3 |
| CPU Socket | LGA 1151 |
| Model Name | Prime Z390-A |
| Chipset Type | Intel Z390 |
| Connectivity | USB |
| Model Number | Prime Z390-A |
| Built-In Media | CPU FAN Holder, M.2 screw package, PRIME Z390-A motherbaord, Q-connector, SLI™ HB Bridge (2-WAY-M), SUS Q-Shield, Serial ATA 6.0Gb/s cables(3), Support DVD, User's manual |
| Item Type Name | ASUS Prime Z390-A Motherboard LGA1151 (Intel 8th and 9th Gen) ATX DDR4 DP HDMI M.2 USB 3.1 Gen2 Gigabit LAN |
| Mfr Part Number | Prime Z390-A |
| Number of Ports | 3 |
| Total Usb Ports | 4 |
Ready to buy?
Asus Prime Z390-A Motherboard LGA1151 (Intel 8th and 9th Gen) ATX DDR4 DP HDMI M.2 USB 3.1 Gen2 Gigabit LAN is available on Amazon with Prime shipping and the full Amazon returns policy. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.
*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-07-09. Price and availability subject to change.
Related Retro Motherboards
More guides & deep dives from the SpecPicks archive
Browse all articles & guides →- How to Build a Windows 98 Retro PC in 2026
- Best Retro Handhelds in 2026 — From $35 to $500
- Best Budget Gaming PC Build 2026 — ~$1,000 ($800 on Sale)
- RTX 4070 Super vs RX 7800 XT — Which to Buy in 2026
- The Complete Voodoo5 5500 AGP Driver Guide (2026 Edition)
- Best 1440p Gaming GPUs in 2026
- Emulation Hardware in 2026: FPGA, Software, and Cart-Reader Ecosystems
More reviews from the SpecPicks archive
Browse all reviews →- Period-Correct 1999 LAN Rig: Pentium III, Voodoo3 3000, Sound Blaster
- ROCm in 2026: Is AMD Finally a Real Local-LLM Option?
- Stable Diffusion vs Flux — which open image model wins in 2026?
- Best Gaming Mouse Pad for Competitive FPS in 2026: 5 Picks Ranked by Glide, Tracking, and Sweat Resistance
- HyperX QuadCast 2 vs Blue Yeti for Twitch in 2026
- Build a Self-Updating 24/7 FM Radio Station on a Raspberry Pi Zero W
- Qwen 3.6 27B vs DeepSeek V4: Which Local Model Wins on a Single 5090?
- Self-Hosting Immich on a Raspberry Pi 4 8GB: Power and Performance
- Best Microphone for Streaming and Podcasting Under $200 in 2026
- Best USB Microphone for Streaming Under $150 in 2026
- 2000s LAN Party Modern Setup Guide: Hardware, Cables, and Server Stack in 2026
- AA-AgentPerf: What the New Agentic Inference Benchmark Means for Local Coding Rigs
- How to run Qwen 3 32B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090
- AMD Instinct MI300X vs Consumer GPUs: What Local AI Builders Should Buy in 2026
- Apple Intelligence Gets a Second Shot With Google and Nvidia Help
- Best CPU Coolers for a Quiet Ryzen Gaming PC in 2026
- Best Way to Stream a PS4 Pro to PC: Elgato Cam Link 4K Capture Setup
- Best Game Controller for PC in 2026: 5 Picks From DualSense to Arcade Stick
- Prime Day 2026: Gaming Monitor Deals Worth a Look
- How to run Llama 3.1 70B on AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX
- GeForce 4 Ti 4600 Won't Boot in Windows XP — Field Troubleshooting Guide
- Build a Silent Home NAS on a Raspberry Pi 4 8GB With a SATA SSD (2026)
- Best 1440p Gaming Monitor for an RTX 3060: ASUS TUF 2K vs KOORUI 4K
- Best PC Cooling Solutions for AM4 and AM5 Builds in 2026