What is the difference between motherboard B460 and Z490? Which is better? Comparison of the difference between Z490 and B460 motherboards
At present, Intel’s tenth-generation processors are gradually spreading from high-end to entry-level processors. At the same time, the supporting 400 series motherboards will follow, from entry-level H410 to mainstream B460 and H470 motherboards, and high-end Z490. Motherboard. When we install and purchase hardware, the first thing we consider is undoubtedly the CPU, and then consider what motherboard to match, but many users do not know the characteristics of the motherboard, which leads to not knowing how to choose. So what is the difference between motherboard B460 and Z490? Which is better? Let’s share the knowledge of the difference and comparison between Z490 and B460 motherboards, I hope this article can help you.

Let’s take a look at the parameters of the B460 motherboard and Z490 first, and get a preliminary understanding of the difference between the two.
Comparison of B460 motherboard and Z490 motherboard parameters
Comparison of main board B460 and Z490 parameters | ||
---|---|---|
chipset | B460 motherboard | Z490 motherboard |
CPU interface | LGA1200 | LGA1200 |
Overclocking support | Does not support overclocking | Support overclocking |
Memory frequency | 2933MHz (i7 and above support) | The default is 2933, which can be overclocked higher |
Full speed M.2 interface | 2 | 3 |
Number of PCIe3.0 lanes | 16 | twenty four |
Proto USB 3.2 Gen1 | 8 | 10 |
Proto USB 3.2 Gen2 | 0 | 6 |
Maximum number of USB2.0 ports | 12 | 14 |
Intel Optane Technology | support | support |
Disk Array | support | support |
Wired network card rate | 2.5G | 2.5G |
Intel CNVi wireless network card | not support | Support integrated wifi6 AX201 |
Comparison conclusion:
1. Overclocking support
Z490 supports overclocking and enjoys higher memory frequency
Z490 motherboard is positioned at high-end, so it supports overclocking, which means that it is best suited for intel processor model suffixes with “K” to support overclocking CPUs, such as i5-10600K, i7-10700K, i9-10900K, etc., through the super CPU frequency can tap the extra CPU Although overclocking can obtain the potential performance of the CPU, it will affect the life of the CPU, and even risk of damage, shrinkage, etc., and has certain requirements for heat dissipation. In addition, the Z490 motherboard not only supports overclocking CPU frequency, but also supports OC overclocking memory frequency, which means that it supports higher memory frequencies, such as frequencies above 3000MHz.
B460 does not support overclocking, the maximum memory frequency is 2933MHz
The B460 motherboard is positioned at the mainstream level and does not support overclocking, so it is suitable for CPUs without K with the intel processor model suffix, such as i3-10100, i5-10400, i7-10700, etc. It also does not support overclocking memory frequency. B460 motherboards support the maximum The memory frequency is 2933MHz, which means that the maximum memory frequency cannot exceed 2933MHz, but the B460 motherboard needs to be equipped with i7 or i9 to reach 2933MHz frequency, and the i5 processor only supports 2666MHz.
2. Support integrated Wifi6 wireless network card
The Z490 motherboard supports integrated wifi6 AX201 wireless network card, but at the same time it also requires a wireless router to support Wifi6. Compared with WiFi5, what are the advancements and improvements of WiFi6? Simply put, it is faster network speed, better network load, lower network delay and lower power consumption.
B460 motherboard does not support integrated wifi6 AX201 wireless network card, users who need it do not need to be careful. Although B460 does not support CNVi technology, users can use AX200 wireless network card to support WiFi 6 technology.

3. Support more full-speed M.2 interfaces
The Z490 motherboard can support up to 3 full-speed M.2 interfaces, while the B460 motherboard can support up to 2 full-speed M.2 interfaces, but there is no need to worry about this, there is no impact at all, usually onboard 2 M.2 full-speed slots It must be enough to use.
Four, support more USB ports
Compared with the Z490 motherboard, the B460 motherboard has fewer USB ports. The Z490 motherboard supports native USB 3.2 Gen2 at a speed of 10Gbps (10Gb/s). The so-called USB 3.2 Gen2 is also renamed from USB 3.1 Gen2, and its speed remains unchanged. . The B460 does not support native USB 3.2 Gen2.
Five, CPU power supply design
Since Z490 supports overclocking, Z490 motherboard is more luxurious than B460 in terms of CPU power supply design.
Six, the price difference
Because Z490 has better specifications and supports overclocking, it is undoubtedly more expensive than B460 in price.
Afterword:
The biggest difference between Z490 and B460 is that Z490 motherboard supports CPU overclocking and higher memory frequency, but you must choose the processor with the intel CPU model suffix K to achieve overclocking, and you need to set it in the motherboard BIOS, while B460 positioning The mainstream level, the best is undoubtedly the Intel tenth generation Core i3, i5, i7 processor model suffix without K (does not support overclocking) processors. It should be noted that since the tenth generation of Intel processors have higher requirements for the power supply of cpu 12v, the 400 series motherboards have been further strengthened in terms of cpu power supply. If it is not the B460 motherboard, there is no problem with up to i7 processors. , And the beggar version B460 recommends i5 and below processors.