EVGA Z390 FTW (123-CS-E397)
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Component Legend Descriptions
1. CPU Socket 1151
This is the interface for the Central Processing Unit (CPU), and supports Core
i3, i5, and Core i7 models compatible with the Intel
®
1151 Socket and Coffee
Lake-S architecture.
2. Intel
®
Z390 PCH (Southbridge)
The Platform Controller Hub (PCH) handles the role that was previously held
by the South Bridge. The PCH has 4 PCIe Gen 3 lanes and allocates bandwidth
to smaller PCIe slots, M.2, USB, audio, etc. In simplified terms, the PCH works
as a hub for peripherals that are less bandwidth-intensive.
3. PWM Fan Headers
4-pin fan headers that control the fan speed based on a configurable curve or
static percentage. PWM (Pulse-Width Modulation) works by pulsing power to
the fan at a constant rate and sending the RPM signal to the fan’s controller via
a Sense cable, rather than adjusting fan speed by increasing and decreasing
voltage. This method is preferable because it eliminates voltage-based fan stall
points. Please see Page 86 for more in-depth PWM breakdown and PWM
controls within BIOS/UEFI.
These headers also support 12v. fans. However, fan speed is based on
decreasing voltage to the fan, starting at a default of 100%/12V. When using a
12v. fan, the minimum speed will vary depending on the motor because most
fan motors require a set amount of voltage before stalling.
4. DDR4 Memory Slots
The memory slots support up to four 288-pin DDR4 DIMMs in Dual-Channel
mode. Dual-Channel mode will be enabled only upon using two or four sticks
of supported memory, according to the installation guide above; using one or
three sticks of memory will lower the board to Single-Channel mode, which
may significantly lower performance. Some Quad-Channel kits *MAY* work;
however, the kit will continue to run in Dual-Channel mode due to the
limitations of the CPU’s memory controller. 64GB of RAM is supported in a
4x16GB configuration; 32GB modules are *NOT* officially supported. At the
time of this manual’s release, this motherboard officially supports up to
speeds. These speeds cannot be guaranteed, however, because
Intel
®
only certifies the speed of the memory controller up to 2666MHz for
Coffee Lake-S processors.
