SuperO C9Z390-PGW Motherboard Review – Server Level Design & More PCIe Lanes on a Gaming Motherboard

SuperO C9Z390-PGW Motherboard - Close Up

The SuperO C9Z390-PGW is styled in black and silver while the PCB is colored black. The mot. This is a top-tier product that retails at $375 US which is a really steep price but considering you get the extra features and server level durability, the cost should be expected. The board comes in the ATX standard form factor.

The board uses the LGA 1151 socket to support Intel Core processors. The socket is compatible with Intel's 8th & 9th Generation core family. The socket has a protective cover on top of it that points out the exclusivity with Coffee Lake CPUs and refrains users from running an older 6th or 7th generation CPU as they won't work with these motherboards at all.

Next to the socket are four DDR4 DIMM slots which can support up to 64 GB dual channel memory. These slots are rated to support XMP profiles up to 4000 MHz (OC Plus). Each slot is labeled, making it easier to install DIMMs in the proper orientation.

The SuperO C9Z390-PGW packs a 10 phase server-grade quality VRM design with an emphasis on power efficiency and pure reliability. The design is packed with Premium 60A power chokes, Premium Memory Alloy Chokes, Dual-Stack MOSFET (DSM), Combo Caps and Nichicon 12K Blackcaps that deliver an unprecedented amount of stability and overclocking capabilities.

As you can see, the VRMs are getting ample cooling from the two metallic heatsinks that server their purpose pretty good. This motherboard is designed for both stability and overclocking so expect a smooth flow of current through the components when this board is running.

The CPU is supplied power through a single 8 pin power connector. This will feed the CPU with up to 150W of power. Most Intel CPUs will be shipping with TDPs under 100W but that changes when users overclock since that changes the power limit based on applied voltages and clock speed.

Expansion slots include four PCI Express 3.0 x16, a single PCI Express 3.0 x1 and dual M.2 slots. The board can support quad-way multi-GPU (CrossFireX / SLI). The M.2 slots are rated to support NVMe PCIe gen3 x4 and Intel Optane series memory. SuperO is using the Broadcom PEX8747 PCIe switch which offers more lanes than the standard 16 PCIe lanes from the CPU and 24 PCIe lanes from the Z390 PCH.

The PCIe switch allows for an additional 16 PCIe lanes which can be utilized for multiple GPU or SSD configurations. Do note that this board has a target market towards workstation builders and if you plan on running multiple NVIDIA Quadro or Radeon Pro graphics cards, then this board does offer a lot of upgradability paths.

SuperO is using their steel braced design on the sides of the expansion slots which provides protection to some extent. It adds more retention and shearing resistance by reinforcing the slots with metal plates. Aside from adding more protection, they do look really sweet.

Both M.2 slots are covered by a heatsink that extends from the PCH heatsink, and further includes a thermal pad that can sustain higher temperatures when storage devices (M.2 SSDs) are stressed for long durations.

The PCH is cooled off by a large metallic heatsink which runs next to the SATA ports. The PCH heatsink has embedded RGB LEDs and provide a good light show for those that are interested in RGBs trend.

Storage options include 6 SATA III ports rated to operate at 6 GB/s. These can support eight different storage devices at once. There are also two U.2 ports on the motherboard and a top-facing Debug LED panel can be seen right below them.

SuperO is using the Realtek ALC1220 audio codec for audio which provides 7.1 channel config. There are three buttons on the top right corner of the motherboard. The purpose of these switches is to allow users to easily Power or Reset the board in overclocking and system tuning cases. A bunch of other connectors for chassis power, RGB and fan headers can be spotted next to them.

The full list of connectors on the motherboard is listed as follows.

• 1 x 24-pin ATX main power connector
• 1 x 8-pin ATX 12V power connector
• 2 x CPU fan header
• 3 x System fan headers
• 1 x Chassis Optional/Water Pump Fan Connector
• 1 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type C header
• 1 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 header
• 1 x USB 2.0 header
• 2 x U.2 (PCIe 3.0 x4)
• 2 x M.2 (PCIe 3.0 x4, 2260/2280 + 2260/2280/22110)
• 1 x M.2 (E-Key for WiFi module)
• 6 x SATA 6Gb/s connectors
• 1 x COM port header
• 1 x TPM header
• 1 x Clear CMOS button
• 1 x Power button
• 1 x Reset button
• 1 x Diagnostic LED
• 1 x FP Audio Header
• 1 x System Panel
• 1 x Chassis intrusion header
• 2 x RGB Header(s) (+12v/G/R/B)

 

Finally, we have the I/O panel which includes the Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac module, PS/2 port, HDMI, Display Port, Dual Intel Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports, a single 2.5G Ethernet LAN port, 4 USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports, four USB 3.1 Gen 2 ports (Type-A + Type-C), a clear CMOS button and a 7.1 channel audio jack.

Finally, we have the I/O panel which includes the following ports:

1. 5x USB 3.1 Gen 2 (1 Type C + 3 Type A + 1 Type C header)
2. 4x USB 3.1 Gen 1 (2 rear + 2 via header)
3. 2x USB 2.0 (via header)
4. 1x 1GB LAN (Intel i219V)
5. 1x 10Gb LAN Port (Aquantia AQC 107)
6. 2x Wi-Fi 802.11ac dual-band 2.4/5Ghz + Bluetooth 5.0
7. 2x DisplayPort 1.2
8. 1x HDMI 2.0
9. 1x PS/2 connector for mouse and keyboard
10. 1x 7.1 HD Jack
11. Optical S/PDIF out

SuperO Z390 Series Programmable RGB

Instead of giving their RGB implementation a fancy name, SuperO just calls it "Programmable RGB". Following is their tagline from the official site:

Customize and put your personal signature on our motherboards! Fully customizable with our SuperO Booster software, we have installed RGB LEDs on the Play Harder PCH, HD audio area, and the SuperO I/O cover. Not only is the motherboard equipped with LEDs, but we have also gone a step above including an additional 2 RGB LED headers so you can light up your rig from the inside out.

In addition to the built-in RGB illumination, it also features onboard RGB headers and an addressable RGB header that allow the motherboard to be connected to compatible LED devices such as strip, CPU fans, coolers, chassis and so on.

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9.4

WCCFTECH RATING

The SuperO C9Z390-PGW is really a server-grade board designed for both, the gaming and entry-level workstation builders, providing one of the best OC support, a large number of PCIe lanes for additional graphics cards or storage and an impressive list of features which only a flagship tier motherboard could provide.

Pros

• Support for Intel 8th and 9th Generation Coffee Lake CPUs
• Up To 8 Core Processor Support
• Excellent Overclocking Support on Unlocked Intel CPUs
• Excellent Design Scheme With Solid Heatsink Solution
• Excellent Build Quality With High-Quality VRM and PCB
• Broadcom PLX PCIe Switch For 16 Extra PCIe Lanes
• Aquantia 10Gb Ethernet LAN Port
• 10 Phase Server-Quality Grade VRM
• Tons of Connectivity Options
• Tons of USB 3.1 Gen 2 and Gen 1 Ports
• Intel Wireless-AC 9560 With 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac WiFi + Bluetooth v5.0 Support
• Up To 4000 MHz (OC+) DDR4 Memory Support
• Dual M.2 Slots With full coverage heatsinks
• Lots of Software Support

Cons

• Extremely Expensive Motherboard ($374.99 US)
• Very Generic BIOS layout
• Only Two M.2 slots

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