This topic is ment to put information in on the new Z390,
motherboards and their vrm designs.
Also feel free to post experiences with said boards.
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Asrock:
Asrock Z390 Taichi.
The vrm on this particular board isnt really something new.
Its very similar to what we have seen on Asrock boards before.
Main vrm:
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PWM: IR35201 which runs a 5+2 phase mod configuration.
5 phases are being doubled to 10 using IR3598 phase doublers for Vcore.
And the +2 phases for the igpu are straight phases no- doubling. -
Mosfets / powerstages: Texas instruments CSD87350D 25A / 40A Ti-nexfets.
-
inductors: 60A.
-
Caps: 12K.
Vccsa and Vccio get their power from single phase vrm´s controlled by a Richtek RT8120.
And using Sino power SM7341EH Dual-N fets.
Memory vrm:
- The memory vrm is a two phase configuration controlled by a uPi semiconductor uP1674 pwm.
And using the same Sino power SM7341-EH Dual-N fets.
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To be continue´d…
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Asrock Z390 Phantom Gaming ITX/AC.
The vrm on this board is really strong for a mini itx board.
The vrm implementation on this board is a fully ISL implementation.
And it should be pretty good.
Main vrm:
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pwm: ISL69138 running in 5+2 phase mode (most likely).
5 phases being used for Vcore and +2 phases are for the Igpu. -
powerstages: ISL99227 smart powerstage with direct metal contact.
Which are rated for a whopping 60A. -
inductors: 60A
-
caps: 12K FP.
Vccsa and Vccio are small single phase vrm´s.
Memory vrm: is a single phase configuration using Fairchild FDPC5030 Dual-N channel mosfets.
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Msi Z390 Godlike
The vrm on this particular board is really massive.
But of course thats also one of the reasons why this particular board is,
really expensive.
One of the major downsides of this particular board is,
that it lacks a plx chip.
Allthough this particular board does come with 4 full sized pci-e slots.
So that could be a littlebit missleading.
The way the pci-slots are configured is.
- First slot: pci-e 3.0 16x wired to cpu.
- Second slot: pci-e 3.0 4x wired to cpu.
- Third slot: pci-e 3.0 8x wired to cpu.
- Fourth slot: 4x pci-e slot wired trough PCH.
Lets get into the main vrm of the board.
The vrm on this particular board is a littlebit special this time arround.
Because the board does not have support for an igpu,
since there are no rear io video outputs.
There for the main vrm on this board only consists of Vcore, VccSA and Vccio.
Main vrm:
-
pwm: IR35201 running in 8+0 phase mode.
8 phases being doubled to 16 using IR3599 phase doublers. -
powerstages: Infeneon (IR) TDA21462 which are rated for 60A
-
Inductors: Ratings unknown will add that info wenn i know more.
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caps: Tantalum poscaps.
Vccsa and Vccio minor rails.
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pwm: Rohm semiconductor PV3205 providing 2 single output phases to control the minor Vccsa and Vccio rails.
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mosfets: Single OnSemi 4C029N for the highside and 4C024N for the low-side configuration on both rails.
Memory vrm:
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pwm: MPS MP2940A providing 2 phases for the memory vrm.
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mosfets: Onsemi 4C029N for highside and 4C024N on the low-side.
Like i mentioned above the vrm on this board is really good.
But that also comes with a price of arround ~ $600,-,
which in my opinion does not really justifies this board at all.
Just because the situation on the pci-e slot layout that the board is lacking a plx chip.
The vrm is great, but you could argue about the price of this particular board.
I mean $600,- for a mainstream platform board without a plx chip,
does not really do this board any justice.
And yeah why would you spend $600,- on a mainstream board in the first place?
Its just not worth it imo.
If you need more pci-e connectivity, then just go HEDT.
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Gigabyte Aorus Master.
Main VRM
-
pwm: IR35201 running in 6+2 phase mode.
6 phases being doubled to 12 using IR3599 doublers.
And the +2 phases are used for the igpu.
This results in a 12+2 phase design. -
powerstages: IR3553 40A 125°C are used for the Vcore vrm.
And the Igpu phases are using Onsemi 4C010N on the high-side and,
and a 4C06N on the low-side. -
inductors: Still trying to find out which ones those exactlly are.
But based on the size, those are probablly the 51A ones. -
caps: 10K FP
VCCsa and VCCio are both single phase vrm´s controlled by Richtek RT8120 pwm’s.
And using Onsemiconductor 4C06 powerpak mosfets.
Memory vrm:
-
Memory vrm is a single phase vrm controlled by the same Richtek RT8120 pwm.
But using a single highside - two low-side configurations with Onsemi 4C06N mosfets. -
B-clock generator: IDT6V41630
This board has a really nice vrm.
And should be very capable for overclocking.
The only downside in my opinion is the single phase memory vrm.
I would have liked to see a two phase design here.
But other then that, i dont really have that much to complain.
What this board is also stands out at a littlebit, is its onboard audio.
Which does look pretty decent on paper.
Gigabyte Z390 Aorus pro. / Ultra / Elite.
Unlike some of you people might expect, the vrm on this particular board is a bit different,
then the vrm of its brother the Z390 Aorus Master.
Main vrm:
-
pwm: ISL69138 running in 6+1 phase mode.
6 phases being doubled to 12 using ISL6617 phase doublers.
These doublers are a littlebit special because they do load current balancing between each phase.
The +1 phase is being used for the igpu rail. -
powerstages: For the Vcore rail they use Vishay SiC634 50A.
And for the igpu rail they use Vishay SiC632 50A powerstages.
drmos packages. -
Inductors: Based on size probablly the 51A ones.
Still need to figure out which those are and their nH ratings. -
caps: 10K FP
VCCsa and VCCio are both single phase vrm´s controlled by Richtek RT8120 pwm’s.
And using Onsemiconductor 4C06 powerpak mosfets.
Memory vrm:
- Memory vrm is a single phase vrm controlled by the same Richtek RT8120 pwm.
But using a single highside - two low-side configurations with Onsemi 4C06N mosfets.
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Msi Z390 Gaming Edge AC.
The vrm on this particular board is a littlebit funky.
Because it looks like a 10+1 phase, but it definitelly isnt.
Its a 5+1 phase configuration with doubled up components on each phase.
So that it looks like a 10+1 phase, but it isnt.
What is even more funky is that the used pwm controller on this board,
the Upi semiconductor uP9521 is actually a 4+3 phase pwm controller.
But somehow this vrm appears to be run in 5+1 phase mode.
Which is a littlebit weird, but i guess that this pwm might be able to reallocate pwm channels.
Or it might be a different version of the said pwm.
main vrm:
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pwm: uP9521 running in 5+1 phase mode.
5 phases are being used for Vcore and +1 phase is used for igpu. -
mosfets: For vcore they use 2x Onsemi 4C029’s on the high-side,
and 2x 4C024´s on the low-side.
For igpu they use a single phase with one 4C029 on the high-side,
and 2x 4C024 on the low-side. -
inductors: unkown
Vccsa and Vccio are two small single phase vrm’s.
Memory vrm:
- Memory vrm is a single phase vrm controlled by a Richtek RT8125 pwm.
And Onsemiconductor 4C024N mosfets in a single high-side - dual low-side configuration.
This is obviouslly a cheaper board in the Z390 range of boards.
And that basically shows its vrm implementation.
It wont be a bad board for running an i5 and thinkering with some overclocking.
But i would definitely not recommend it for a i9-9900K or i7.
Asus Maximus XI Apex.
This particular board has a very interesting vrm this time arround.
The vrm on this board is a large 8 phase,
and the board does not offer any support for igpu’s.
This board is really geared towards overclockers and tweakers.
Main Vrm.
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pwm: ASP1405 = / IR35201 running in 8+0 phase mode.
They have doubled the amount of components on each phase.
So the vrm does look like an 16 phase, but it isnt.
Because there are no doublers used on the board. -
powerstages: IR3555’s 60A powerstages.
And there are 16 of them for just vcore. -
inductors: Microfine alloy chokes.
-
caps: 10KFP and polymer ceramics / tantalums.
Vccsa and Vccio vrm’s are single phase vrm’s.
- Vccsio: is an intergrated buck converter TPS51362 10A
- Vccsa: is a single phase vrm controlled by a APW8723A
Mosfets used for both highside and lowside are Onsemi 4C010B.
Memory vrm is a two phase configuration controlled by an ASP1103 pwm.
I’m not fully sure which particula mosfets they use.
But my guess that those are some Niko discrete fets or something.
This particular board has a really massive vrm targeted towards extreme overclockers and tweakers.
It comes with tons of overclocking features like several full speed fan headers,
postcode readout, color coded debug led’s, mem ok button etc.
One feature worth noting is that it comes with a dedicated chip to improve accuracy of the software voltage sensing.
This particular board only comes with only two dimm slots instead of 4.
Just for increasing overclock capabilities.
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EVGA Z390 FTW.
This particular board is rather special again.
Allthough intel cpu’s have intergrated graphics,
on this particular board there is no support for the igpu at all.
Since there are no dedicated powerphases for it.
So that is something to keep in mind.
Main vcore vrm.
-
pwm: IR35201 running in 4+1 phase mode.
4 phases being doubled to 8 using IR3599 doublers.
And the +1 phase is used for system agent VCCsa. -
powerstages: For Vcore and Vccsa they use IR3556 powerstages.
Which are rated for 50A. -
Inductors: 150Nh
-
caps: 10K.
Vccio is a single phase vrm, controlled by a UP1537 pwm.
Highside mosfet: Onsemi 4C10N - Lowside mosfet 4C05N.
Memory vrm is a single phase vrm again controlled by another UP1537 pwm.
Highside mosfet 4C010N Lowside mosfet 4C05N.
Gigabyte Z390 Aorus Extreme.
This particular board has a similar vrm to the Msi Godlike.
But unlike the Msi board this board does has support for igpu´s.
Main vcore vrm:
-
pwm: IR35201 in 8+0 phase mode.
8 phases being doubled to 16 phases using IR3599 doublers. -
powerstages: Infineon (IR) TDA21462 which are rated for 60A output.
-
caps: 10K FP
Vccsa and Vccio are two single phase buck converters,
controlled by Richtek RT8120 pwm´s.
Mosfets OnSemi 4C06N in single highside / single lowside configuration.
Igpu vrm:
- pwm: IR35204 providing two phases for the igpu vrm.
- mosfets: Highside 4C010N low side 4C06N.
Memory vrm: Single phase controlled by an Richtek RT8120 pwm.
Mosfets used in a single highside / dual lowside configuration,
4C06N´s from On semiconductor.
The vrm on this particular board is really massive.
And basically overkill.
It technically would not even need a heatsink to run if you don´t use the igpu.
Another nice addition to this board is the 10Gb/e ethernet chip.
The downsides to this board in my opinion,
Is that Gigabyte still goes only with a single phase vrm for the memory.
I would have liked to see a two phase configuration at this price point.
Allthough a singe phase configuration is generally fine for DDR4,
it probablly won’t limmit you on memory overclocking.
But still, at a $500,-+ price point i would have like to see,
a better memory vrm.
End conclusion:
Overall this is a pretty silly expensive board just like the Msi godlike.
The vrm is kinda overkill even for a 9900K.
It’s a great board, but i dont think that spending over $500,-
on a motherboard on just a mainstream platform would make much sense.
If you have some vrm overviews on Z390 boards that i have not added yet,
feel free to add them. 
Or for any of these.
Gigabytes Z390 Designare is a pretty unique board that gets overlooked. I think it has some great features that outshine even some of the Aorus boards.
I will look into that one aswell.
As far as the vrm is concerned on the Designare EX,
I suppose it has the same or similar vrm as the Aorus pro / Ultra / Elite.
Designare EX is the X299 variant.
I think the Gigabyte Z390 version is just called Z390 Designare.
This VRM implementation seems better on the Pro, Ultra and Elite boards than the one on the Master board.
Going by efficiency.
If the Designare didn’t exist I probably would get the Ultra.
I found some info regarding the VRM on the Gigabyte Z390 Designare
and I have to say its one of the most unique implementations I’ve seen.
Plus there are some of intersil’s parts in there and i think intersil’s components are of great quality.
Tweaktown has a great write up on what he found on the Z390 Designare.
The VRM is a large 12+1 phase VRM consisting of 50A Vishay SiC634 DrMOS for the CPU phases and a single SiC620 60A DrMOS for the iGPU.
It is controlled by an Intersil ISL69138 digital PWM controller in 6+1 phase mode, and six ISL6617 doublers are used to balance phase currents between each set of doubled phases.
The doublers are in synchronous mode, so a PWM readout would look like a large 6-phase VRM instead of a 12-phase one, so the doublers are used exclusively to balance the current between pairs of phases. The design compromise was made on these boards to improve transient response. On GIGABYTE’s IR-based Z390 VRMs, the PWM readout would look like a 12-phase VRM because of IR’s transient algorithms, so asynchronous mode is engaged on this board. Either way, the VRMs are very nice.
The VCCSA and VCCIO are controlled by Richtek RT8120 single phase PWMs with integrated drivers, and they control some miniature On Semiconductor PowerPAKs labeled “4C06”. The memory VRM uses the same Richtek PWMs, but with larger On Semiconductor “4C06N” N-channel PowerPAKs in a two low single high configuration.
After seeing what VRM components were on the Z390 Designare i would say that its VRM is closer to the higher end range of boards.
Kind of a 12 phase version of the Z370 Aorus Gaming 7