The appearance of motherboards isn’t slowing down at all, so the number of options to choose from is growing further. But if you’re aiming for a board with a unique style while providing top-notch performance, we’ve got your back. Here in our NZXT N7 Z590 Motherboard review, we’ll provide you with the necessary details about the N7 Z590 motherboard.
The N7 Z590 motherboard features PCIe 4.0 capabilities, Intel WiFi 6E, notable power delivery, and a unique aesthetic.
Not only that, it has distinct-looking heatsinks/shrouds that conceal most of the board, giving you the signature NZXT look.
Before focusing on the board, our NZXT N7 Z590 Motherboard review will take a look at its packaging and contents.
NZXT N7 Z590 Motherboard Packaging
We got the black-coloured N7 Z590 motherboard, and it came in a simple yet premium-looking package. The front displays an image of the board itself, and its name is written above it.
Flipping the box, more details can be found about the board. So if you want to read more about it, you can check those out before focusing on the box’s contents.
Inside, the N7 Z590 motherboard comes with a couple of accessories like two 90-degree and two 180-degree SATA cables. You’ll find two wireless antennas, two M.2 screws, and a user manual as well.
NZXT N7 Z590 Motherboard Review – Design and Functionality
After removing the motherboard from the box, you’ll lay eyes on an almost entirely concealed 6-layer PCB that’s matte black. For its design cues, the only ones are the punched-out circles at the top of the chipset. It’s also to the left of the VRM bank heatsinks.
Additionally, a few brandings of NZXT can be seen along the top M.2 socket cover. You’ll also find them over the rear I/O spot.
Generally, the armour conceals a good part of the N7 Z590 motherboard. So, there’s only a small visible portion of the PCB there.
When the CPU cooler’s on, you’ll hardly see the PCB. That’s because the bottom and top boards are packed with various connection headers.
The board has NZXT’s motherboard armour while sporting a metallic design. It also comes with two detachable parts to access the M.2 slots. The ports are set along the edges and are positioned 90-degrees to help set up the chassis.
Overall, this motherboard sports a clean design which is great for any theme. The board’s rear is mostly blank, and a single ASMedia IC is positioned at the base.
The company opted for the 8+4 pin EPS power connectors. This is more than enough to provide efficient and stable power to the CPU. Not only that, but it has some potential for modest overclocking.
Generally, there are other factors we need to consider when overclocking. However, it’s good to know that concerns about power and other related elements will be covered.
NZXT also went for a 12+2 power phase approach. And while it may not be as abundant as others, it’ll be adequate for providing the necessary power.
It has a Richtek RT-3609-BE (X+Y=8) 8-channel controller that manages the CPU. There’s also a Renesas RAA-229001 controlling the SOC.
The board’s 8-channel controller feeds a total of twelve Vishay Sic-654 50A MOSFETS for the CPU V-Core. The latter is in a parallel/teamed setup. To put it simply, the company doesn’t utilise any phase doublers on this motherboard.
Its configuration is adequate for both 11th and 10th Generation CPUs on the platform.
RGB Headers
If you want built-in RGBs, do note that the N7 Z590 motherboard doesn’t feature this. Though it does come with two RGB headers, a 3-pin ARGB, 4-pin RGBs, and two RGB LED connectors. The CAM software handles and organises all RGB light controls.
The almost entirely concealed PCB provides a premium aesthetic to the board, and its design matches most build themes. We love this board’s sleek all-black theme, but if it isn’t your thing, you can opt for the white version.
Audio
The bottom half of the motherboard houses its shrouds. Hidden beneath and on the left section is the Realtek ALC-1220 codec, plus five audio caps. There’s also the Texas Instruments NE-5532 OpAmp present.
PCIe Slots and M.2 Sockets
At the centre, there are a couple of PCIe slots and two M.2 sockets. Beginning with the PCIe, you’ll find three x1 sized and two full-length slots.
The slot at the top is PCIe 4.0-capable and has a Rocket Lake-based CPU. The second full-length slot runs the PCIe 3.0 x4 max and is fed via chipset.
Documentations do not mention multi-GPU support, yet by the lane count, it should run the 2-way CrossfireX. Three x1 slots are 3.0, which are fed via the chipset too.
We like where NZXT positioned the x1 slot since it lets you easily insert AICs. Here, you won’t need to worry about the area concealing the full-length slot.
For the M.2 socket, you can find it to the right portion of the top x1 slot. When utilising a Rocket Lake-based CPU, the socket will run at PCIe 4.0 x4 speeds. Plus, it supports up to 80mm modules.
The bottom M.2 socket works at PCIe 3.0 and allows SATA-based modules of up to 80mm. Do note that it doesn’t have any RAID functionality.
SATA and USB Ports
Moving further to the right, you’ll pass over the chipset heatsink along the right edge. Concealed beneath the shroud with horizontally-oriented connectors, you’ll spot the USB 3.2 Gen 1 header plus four SATA ports.
Four SATA ports along with two M.2 sockets will be enough for most users. Yet this number is lesser compared to the other motherboards under this price point.
Let’s continue our NZXT N7 Z590 Motherboard review and discuss the board’s bottom headers.
Bottom Headers of the NZXT N7 Z590 Motherboard
Across this area are a couple of headers which include fan headers, more USB ports, and more.
From left to right, you’ll see the following in this area: front-panel audio, UART header, plus the RGB & ARGB headers. You’ll also see three USB 2.0 headers, three system fan headers, Q-Code LEDs, and clear CMOS jumpers. Lastly, there’s a USB 3.2 Gen 1 connector, the power/reset buttons, and a front panel header.
Key Features of the NZXT N7 Z590 Motherboard
Now in our NZXT N7 Z590 Motherboard review, let’s take a look at the key features that this motherboard offers.
Excellently Designed for Easier Setup
NZXT worked with ASRock to develop the N7 Z590 motherboard, a PC builder’s dream. With its excellent layout and reduced cable management, newbies and veterans can easily build a PC with this motherboard. So when you build your PC with this, you won’t have to worry about messing up the clean aesthetic with cables.
Future-proof
If you want to future-proof your build, NZXT’s N7 Z590 is one of the best choices you can go for. It has Bluetooth 5.2, Intel WiFi 6E wireless connectivity, and PCIe Gen 4.0 support. With the presence of these, you’ll surely go a long way with your PC.
User-friendly BIOS
The N7 Z590’s UEFI combines the BIOS layout of ASRock with NZXT’s flair. If you’ve used an ASRock motherboard, this will look familiar to you, and navigating through different settings will be easy. In fact, its user-friendly interface is easy to understand, even for newbies.
CAM Software
Like other hardware from NZXT, the N7 Z590 works with the CAM software. Here, you can access detailed controls for your fan and RGB setup.
For this motherboard, you can tweak four RGB lighting channels and seven fan channels via the software.
Specifications
This is the part of our NZXT N7 Z590 Motherboard review where we focus on the different specifications of the product. Let’s begin with the board’s CPU.
NZXT N7 Z590 Motherboard’s CP
The N7 Z590 motherboard’s CPU is the Intel LGA-1200 socket for the 10th and 11th Generation processors. It supports the Turbo Boost Max 3.0 technology while utilising the Intel Z590 chipset, hence its name.
The motherboard comes with four DIMM slots and 128GB for its maximum memory support. In addition, it makes use of a dual-channel memory architecture.
For OC frequencies on the 11th and 10th Generation CPUs, it reaches 4,600+ MHz and 4,400+ MHz, respectively. When it comes to 11th Generation CPUs, its base frequency is at 3200/2933/2800/2666/2400/ and 2133 MHz.
For 10th Generation CPUs, the base frequency goes from 2933/2800/2666/2400/ and 2133 MHz.
The N7 Z590 motherboard has a non-ECC, un-buffered memory and features the Intel XMP 2.0 support. Plus, it has Intel Xe graphics (11th Generation) HDMI 2.0 or UHD HDMI 1.4b for 10th Generation CPUs.
For its HDMI max resolution, the motherboard has 4096 x 2160 @ 60Hz.
Storage and LAN
Storage available for the motherboard includes the M.2 type 2242/2260/2280 (PCIe x4 mode). It even has the M.2 type 2242/2260/2280/ (PCIe 3.0 x4 + SATA mode). Aside from those, four SATA 6 GB/s are available.
The N7 Z590 supports RAID 0|1|5|10 plus Intel’s Smart Response Technology, Rapid Storage Technology, and Optane Memory.
For its LAN, the board utilises the Realtek RTL-8125-BG 2.5G.
Wireless and Audio Specs
You’ll find the AX-210 WiFi 6E 802.11 available with frequency bands of 2.4/5/6 GHz. In addition, this board supports MU-MIMO and utilises Bluetooth V5.2.
For audio, it has the Realtek ALC-1220 Codec and the 8-channel high definition audio. Playback is available at 32-bit / 192kHz DAC, as well as Nichicon Fine Gold Series capacitors.
Rear I/O
This part features the USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 (Type-C) and USB 3.2 Gen 2 (Type-A) ports. Of course, they included the USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Type-A) port here. There are two USB 2.0 ports and an HDMI 2.0 port as well.
You’ll find two (2T2R) wireless antennas, RJ45 port, 5.1-Channel audio jacks, optical S/PDIF, and a clear CMOS button.
Internal I/O
This has an M.2 (M Key) type 2242/2260/2280, M.2 (E key), and four SATA 6 Gbps. There’s also a USB 3.2 Gen 2 header (Type-C), as well as two USB 3.2 Gen 1 headers. NZXT even included three USB 2.0 headers in this section.
The area holds the front panel audio, CPU_fan connector and an AIO_PUMP connector that are both up to 24W. There are five SYS_FAN connectors, a 5V addressable RGB header, a 12V RGB header, and 24-pin EATX power. There’s also an 8-pin ATX 12V power, 4-pin ATX 12V power, four POST LEDs, the reset button and a power button.
N7 Z590 Motherboard’s General Specs
The operating system this motherboard works with is Window 10 64-bit, and it sports an ATX form factor. We liked that NZXT included a 3-year warranty for their N7 Z590 motherboard, which makes it even better.
This time, our NZXT N7 Z590 Motherboard review will discuss how well it performed during our tests. We’ll see if it’s as good as what they claimed and if it’s worth investing in.
Hands-on with the NZXT N7 Z590 Motherboard
NZXT collaborated with ASRock to develop the N7 Z590 motherboard, and it’s quite obvious in the BIOS’ overall setup. It appears the same, except that it utilises NZXT’s colours which are black and purple.
It’s good that the UEFI kept things organised, as well as easy to read and navigate. Across the top, you’ll find a number of headers like Main, Advanced, Overclocking, PC Monitoring, Tools, and more.
The fields you can edit can be found in the left section. The descriptions of each of the selections can be found on the right.
Most of its options are located beneath the sub-headings. So, you won’t necessarily have to go through a lot to find the commonly-used features. With that, the DRAM, CPU, and Voltage have their own areas.
There’s an easy mode available that has fan and XMP settings. When switching to normal mode, the main menu will display the hardware details.
Other menu items are overclocking with profile support with the CPU, Voltage and memory. All these have their own areas specific for configuration. The advanced menu features options for CPU power setup together with storage and chipset options.
Like other NZXT products, the N7 Z590 uses the CAM software. It’s an all-in-one utility for controlling RGB lights, power, overclocking, fan speed, audio, and more.
On the main menu is the monitoring section. Basically, it’s an organised task manager that shows the RAM, GPU, and CPU usage with storage and network utilisation.
The left portion of the interface shows the menus and sections. On the right side is where you’ll find the information and adjust settings.
The second menu shows the current system’s specifications. There are also additional menu items for gaming and lighting. For lighting, the software allows individual control of standard RGB headers.
If you have an NZXT AIO installed along with the motherboard’s fan headers, you can control its cooling via CAM.
Overall, the CAM software was easy to use, and we didn’t experience any issues with it in our tests. It went smoothly and was easy to understand so you don’t need any technical expertise to use it.
Its MOSFETS were able to perfectly handle our system at stock speeds, and we didn’t have to worry at all. With the motherboard running TDP after exhausting the boost and while following Intel’s power-limit guidelines, temperatures peaked at around 47-degrees.
When we removed the limit and started overclocking a CPU, VRM’s peaked at almost 63-degrees. It ran a bit warmer compared to the other boards we tried that have active cooling features. With that, we didn’t have to worry about VRMs even when utilising ambient cooling.
Overall, the N7 Z590 motherboard performed well and overclocking with it was painless. Things got a bit warm at some point, but it wasn’t anything alarming. Its user interface was designed and laid out nicely, which makes it user-friendly too.
NZXT N7 Z590 Motherboard Review Summary
The N7 Z590 is one of the best solutions NZXT has built. After applying all the feedback they received for their Z490 motherboard, they made the Z590 board with higher overclocking capacity. Aside from that, it comes with a more robust VRM design and increased PCB layers.
With this motherboard, you can have a more reliable platform, even if you think of using a 11900K processor. Most importantly, the motherboard delivered excellent per during our tests and we didn’t experience any issues with it.
In terms of aesthetics, the N7 Z590 comes in black or white, so you can choose which suits your build. What we liked about its design is its organised layout, since all the common headers are lined in one place. Also, these are tipped 90 degrees, giving it a cleaner look in any chassis.
Moreover, the N7 Z590’s BIOS and the company’s CAM software are both user-friendly. Both have clean interfaces, making it easy for any user to navigate the menus and settings.
Overall, the NZXT N7 Z590 is an impressive ATX motherboard, and we highly recommend it. If you want to include this motherboard in your build, you can purchase it from the company’s official website.
