Gigabyte Z490 Vision G Preview
Up Close – In Detail
At the top right we have the usual selection of headers, with two CPU fan ones for either a single fan AIO or a dual fan tower cooler. Alongside that the Gigabyte lighting ecosystem starts off with a single RGB strip header alongside an addressable one for those fancier effects.
Below the 24 pin ATX power we find another fan header as well as the two USB 3.2 front panel connectors in both Type-A and the more modern Type-C style.
We’ve seen a wide variety of SATA ports on the Z490s so far, with anything from four to eight. The Vision G sticks in the middle ground with six, which should be more than enough for all but the most hardcore gamer who must have all their Steam library installed at all times.
At the bottom edge the dot pattern on the PCB can play tricks with your eyes, but thankfully the labels for each header are freed from this patterning. We have the usual front panel headers followed by a system fan header – albeit just the one – and then a Q-Flash button for those of you who keep your motherboard BIOS up to date.
Lastly We have a pair of USB 2.0 headers, a COM header (!) and the Gigabyte RGB LED system headers. We quite like the idea of separate M.2 heatspreaders too. Anything that saves us dismantling the whole motherboard just to change a drive has to be applauded.
Argh, we can see that Sliver typo again. Ahem. The Vision G has a ‘Direct 12 Phases Digital VRM Solution with DrMOS’ power stage, although we don’t yet know the ampage rating. We’d guess 50A like we’ve seen on other mid-priced Z490 motherboards, but we’ll find out for sure nearer testing.
Both the IO heatsink and Z490 chipset heatsink covers have a cutout that gives you a look at the heatsink beneath. Like a peek-a-boo cover.
We still find it odd that so many of the new Z490s are coming with PS/2 ports. Peripherals moved to USB so long ago I can’t remember the last one I reviewed that utilised the PS/2 port, and there can’t be that many people still clinging to their IBM Model M? Elsewhere though things are bang up to date with a 2.5G Ethernet, USB 3.2 Gen2 and Gen1 ports, as well as DisplayPort and HDMI outputs and the all important audio jacks.
We will be back with a full review later on, but in the meantime discuss the Gigabyte Z490 Vision G in our OC3D Forums.
