ASUS ProArt Creator 10G Review

Up Close - Detail

Although there is no RGB built on to the ProArt Creator you still get the classic ASUS AURA sync header for your RGB strips. If only they put as much effort into getting the software working flawlessly, especially given how long AURA has been a part of their range. We also see the first of the fan headers, in their classic place above the MOSFET heatsink.

Connectivity is king, so we are somewhat surprised that the ProArt only has a single Type-A and Type-C front panel connector. Once you've got a capture card, webcam, microphone, pen and tablet plus all the other things that help creators create installed there aren't a lot of USB ports left. The ProArt isn't unique in this regard, but being aimed at creators one would hope that ASUS would understand they (creators) have many more USB devices than your average user. It's the nature of the beast.

Storage is well covered with six SATA ports as well as the M.2 slots you can just see on the left hand side of this image.

As we move to the bottom corner you can get a closer look at the second, heatspreader-free, M.2 slot. As well as the standard front panel connectors there is another fan header for your intake fan sitting alongside two USB 2.0 headers.

As we continue our tour there is the second of the RGB strips - no addressable ones here - and another fan header before the audio elements on their own trace as has been the norm for a while now. If it ain't broke...

Lastly around the back you get a more serious glimpse at what separates the ProArt Creator 10G from the rest of the Z490s. Although it is clearly following the old OC3D maxim of 'price can be gleaned from how full the IO section is', there are enough extra bits to pique your interest. From top to bottom there is an HDMI 1.4b, two DisplayPort IN, two Thunderbolt Type-C, 4 USB 3.2Gen2 Type-A and two USB 3.2Gen1 Type-A, as well as the Intel I225-V 2.5G LAN and audio jacks for the Realtek S1220A Crystal Sound 3.