EVGA Z390 DARK SERIES MOTHERBOARD
Beware, the power of the DARK-side EVGA Z390 motherboards is now available! After setting the bar with the X299 DARK, EVGA went back to work to design the next generation of motherboards designed exclusively for the world's top overclockers...or those looking to become one of the world's top overclockers. No effort was spared to improve the power design, layout or features of the Z390 DARK.
The Z390 DARK is the first motherboard to feature both the 24-pin power connector alongside both 8-pin CPU power connectors on the side of the board. Not only does the layout give this DARK motherboard a stunning look in contrast to the sea of Z390 motherboards lit up like rainbows. The layout also provides a very friendly design for cable-management enthusiasts.
Memory
To create this innovative design, the CPU socket was turned 90-degrees counter-clockwise, which allows the memory to run parallel to the top of the chassis.
To create this innovative design, the CPU socket was turned 90-degrees counter-clockwise, which allows the memory to run parallel to the top of the chassis.
VRM
The entire VRM design is cooled with a large, passive heatsink.
The entire VRM design is cooled with a large, passive heatsink.
Cooling
This design allows for chassis airflow to pass unimpeded over the top of the power connectors, across the CPU and memory and through the rear-panel heatsink.
This design allows for chassis airflow to pass unimpeded over the top of the power connectors, across the CPU and memory and through the rear-panel heatsink.
A board this powerful does not arrive by accident. This motherboard was designed by taking the best of the X299 DARK, adding additional features for the ultra-enthusiast, and performing non-stop testing until overclocking world records tremble at the mere mention of the word "DARK".
- 10-LAYER PCB
A 10-layer high-speed E-ATX PCBA with its gold-plated shielded edge enhances stability for heavy loads and durability for today's extreme cooling hardware. - HIGHLY-EFFICIENT 17-PHASE PWM
The Z390 DARK features a 17-phase Digital VRM (12 VCore, 1 VSA, 1 VCCIO, 2 VGT and 1 Phase Memory PWM) for the most stable power design to ensure that you're ready for Intel's Core i9 processors. - 150% HIGHER GOLD CONTENT IN THE CPU SOCKET
A higher volume of precious metal (150% gold) has been used in the sockets to create lower contact resistance, resulting in better power delivery. - EXTERNAL BCLK / CLOCK GENERATORS
An external BCLK controller for fine-tuning CFL-S system performance, and an external clock generator for PCIe stability and performance. - 8 SATA PORTS—6 FROM INTEL PCH/2 FROM ASMEDIA ASM1061
The Z390 DARK offers PCIe disable switches to quickly shut off PCIe slots to troubleshoot or restore used resources without the need to physically uninstall hardware. - TRIPLE BIOS SELECT SWITCH
Switch between up to 3 different BIOS ROMs for overclocking, benching, 24/7 use or anything you can think of. - SW SLOW MODE SWITCH
Changes the CPU Ratio to the minimum CPU ratio in real-time for stability purposes or to reduce heat/power usage between long benching sessions. - PROBEIT CONNECTORS
Attach your digital multimeter to the included ProbeIT adapter and monitor all your voltages in real-time. - PS/2 PORT
Despite the Z390 DARK's technical feats, it still features an old-school PS/2 keyboard or mouse port to support Legacy OS and reduce latency and resources for benching and gaming. - CREATIVE CORE3D AUDIO
Creative 5.1 Channel Audio with output amplifiers—the industry standard for audio quality. - EVGA NU AUDIO FOR FRONT PANEL AUDIO
EVGA NU Audio is available through the front-panel header to provide a solid boost of power and audio quality for stereo headphones or speakers. - SAFEBOOT BUTTON
Pressing this button will restart the system and launch into the BIOS at safe settings, while keeping the same settings when you previously left the BIOS. Handy for those times when the board fails to POST, but you only need to make one or two changes to fix it!
To recognize the name of DARK is to know a motherboard that features a top-tier power design, a long list of features, all necessary input and output ports for a modern motherboard and an excessive number of sensors plus monitoring tools.
M.2 Support
2x M.2 Key-M 110mm Slots and 1x M.2 Key-E Slot
2x M.2 Key-M 110mm Slots and 1x M.2 Key-E Slot
Intel Optane
The latest Intel M.2 Module
The latest Intel M.2 Module
U.2
1x U.2 NVMe Port
1x U.2 NVMe Port
Creative/EVGA Onboard Audio
Creative 5.1 Channel Audio + EVGA NU Audio for Headphones
Creative 5.1 Channel Audio + EVGA NU Audio for Headphones
Coffee Lake-S
Up to 32GB of 4,600MHz+ (OC) Dual-Channel RAM on Coffee Lake-S
Up to 32GB of 4,600MHz+ (OC) Dual-Channel RAM on Coffee Lake-S
USB
USB 2.0, USB 3.1 G2 Type-A and USB 3.1 G2 Type-C
USB 2.0, USB 3.1 G2 Type-A and USB 3.1 G2 Type-C
LAN
2x Intel GbE LAN with Teaming Support
2x Intel GbE LAN with Teaming Support
BIOS
EVGA's Latest GUI UEFI/BIOS Features OC Robot and In-BIOS Stress Test
EVGA's Latest GUI UEFI/BIOS Features OC Robot and In-BIOS Stress Test
WiFi / mDP
Intel Wireless-AC 9560 and mini-DisplayPort
Intel Wireless-AC 9560 and mini-DisplayPort
We would be remiss for failing to point out that the DARK comes fully equipped with useful LEDs and LCDs of all types, from monitoring-system and component status to displaying temperatures and voltages.
Additional must-have features include:
USB BIOS FLASH WITHOUT A CPU
The dedicated internal USB port on the motherboard allows you to update your motherboard BIOS even if you don't have a CPU or cannot boot into the motherboard BIOS.
The dedicated internal USB port on the motherboard allows you to update your motherboard BIOS even if you don't have a CPU or cannot boot into the motherboard BIOS.
POST INDICATOR
The multi-function POST indicator is fully configurable in BIOS and consists of LEDs that can be configured to show temperatures, voltages or cycle both in real-time.
The multi-function POST indicator is fully configurable in BIOS and consists of LEDs that can be configured to show temperatures, voltages or cycle both in real-time.
RIGHT-ANGLE HEADERS
The 24-pin power, two 8-pin CPU power, fan, Probe-It and USB 3.1 Gen1 headers have been hand-crafted to provide clean system assembly without any cable clutter.
The 24-pin power, two 8-pin CPU power, fan, Probe-It and USB 3.1 Gen1 headers have been hand-crafted to provide clean system assembly without any cable clutter.
VISUAL GUIDE / BENCH TABLE
Visual Guide and Bench Table are included with each motherboard purchase. Every EVGA Z390 Dark is packed with a printed PCB that shows components, LEDs, PCIe lane breakdowns and other helpful information. More importantly, this PCB with the included standoffs doubles as an open-air testing or benching station, providing clearance for heaters, condensation isolation and storage devices.
Visual Guide and Bench Table are included with each motherboard purchase. Every EVGA Z390 Dark is packed with a printed PCB that shows components, LEDs, PCIe lane breakdowns and other helpful information. More importantly, this PCB with the included standoffs doubles as an open-air testing or benching station, providing clearance for heaters, condensation isolation and storage devices.
PCIe/DIMM Status LEDs
PCIe/DIMM status LEDs allow for easy system assembly and troubleshooting at a glance.
PCIe/DIMM status LEDs allow for easy system assembly and troubleshooting at a glance.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Chipset: Intel Z390
- Socket: Intel Socket LGA1151, 8th and 9th Gen Intel Core i3/i5/i7/i9 Coffee Lake-S Processors
- Form Factor: E-ATX
- SLI: 2-Way SLI
- Memory: 2 DIMM Dual-Channel (up to 32GB) DDR4 4,600MHz+
- Display Outputs: 1x mDP
- USB: 4x USB 2.0 (4 Ports from 2 Internal Headers)
- USB 3.1 (Rear I/O): 4x USB3.1 Gen2 Type-A, 1x USB 3.1 Gen2 (From ASM3142) 1x Type-A & 1x Type-C plus 2x USB 3.1 Gen1
- USB 3.1 (Internal Header): 1x USB3.1 Gen2 Type-C, 2x USB 3.1 Gen1 (2 from Internal Header) with USB Power Delivery Support
- SATA: 6x native SATA 6.0Gbps Ports / 2x ASMedia SATA 6.0Gbps Ports
- M.2 Key-M: 2x 110mm Slots (Up to 32Gb/s)
- M.2 Key-E: 1x 32mm Slot
- Ethernet: 2x Intel Gigabit NIC
- Audio: Creative Sound Core3D Quad-Core Audio Processor
- Fan Headers: 8 (2 CPU PWM, 6 PWM/DC)
KEY FEATURES
- Highly-Efficient 17 Phase Digital VRM
- Intel Optane Memory Ready
- Creative 5.1 Channel HD Audio + EVGA NU Audio
- New, Integrated EVGA Wireless Module with Intel Dual-Band WiFi/BT5.0 with External Antenna
- 150% Increased Socket Gold Content
- Reinforced PCIe Slots
- EVGA's Latest GUI BIOS Featuring OC Robot and In-BIOS Stress Testing
- SafeBoot Button to Reset the Motherboard and Go into the BIOS with the Last-Known Best Settings without Clearing CMOS
- Slow Mode Switch Locks CPU Multiplier to the Lowest Possible Setting to Allow Users to Switch Between Max OC and Low Speeds in Real-Time
- SPI Flashing via USB Allows You to Flash Your BIOS without a CPU
- Onboard Temperature and Voltage Monitoring
- Onboard Clear CMOS, Power and Reset Buttons
- Dual EVGA Probe-It Connectors
- Triple BIOS Support
- EVGA E-LEET X Tuning Support