Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstalliTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
The Gigabyte Z390 Designare is worth considering for a creative workstation only if you are building around a compatible 8th- or 9th-generation Intel processor and specifically need integrated Thunderbolt 3, DisplayPort pass-through, or its flexible PCIe layout. It combines two Thunderbolt 3 ports with dual Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi, two PCIe 3.0 x4 M.2 sockets, and six SATA ports. Its age is the main constraint: Gigabyte now labels it a legacy product, so it is best understood as a specialist option for extending or reusing a Coffee Lake system—not as a general-purpose new-build recommendation.
What the Z390 Designare offers creative workstations
The board’s defining feature is connectivity aimed at displays and external creator storage. Gigabyte specifies two rear Thunderbolt 3 USB-C ports, alongside a DisplayPort input that can route a discrete graphics card’s video signal through Thunderbolt. Tom’s Hardware reported support for two 4K displays at 60Hz simultaneously, or one 5K display, through the Thunderbolt connections; actual display compatibility depends on the connected graphics hardware, cables, and displays. Tom’s Hardware’s launch coverage describes the display configuration and DisplayPort input.
For internal expansion and storage, Gigabyte lists two M.2 sockets operating at PCIe Gen3 x4 and six SATA 6Gb/s connectors. Network connectivity includes two Intel Gigabit Ethernet controllers and Wi-Fi. This is useful when a workstation needs multiple wired network connections or fast external Thunderbolt peripherals, but neither Ethernet port is multi-gigabit.
Compatibility: a Coffee Lake board, not a current-platform upgrade
The Z390 Designare uses Intel’s LGA1151 socket and supports 8th- and 9th-generation Intel Core processors. Its memory is dual-channel DDR4, with four DIMM slots and support up to 128GB depending on the processor. Gigabyte lists DDR4-4266 (overclocked) as supported; memory speed depends on the CPU, DIMMs, and system configuration. Check Gigabyte’s specifications and CPU support list for the exact processor and memory details before buying.
#1 Best Overall
- Supports 9th and 8th Intel Core processors
- Dual channel non-ECC unbuffered DDR4, 4 DIMMs
- Intel optane memory ready
- 12+1 phases digital VRM solution with DrMOS
- Advanced thermal design with multi cuts heatsinks and heat pipe. Bluetooth 5
This platform boundary matters more than the board’s feature count. If you already own a compatible processor and DDR4 memory, it can provide a capable foundation for a workstation refresh. If you are choosing a motherboard for a new build, the Z390 Designare locks the system to those older processor generations; compare the total cost and capabilities of a newer platform rather than treating the board’s Thunderbolt ports as a reason to overlook that limitation. Gigabyte marks the model as a legacy product on its product page.
Thunderbolt 3 and storage: a useful feature with a bandwidth caveat
Built-in Thunderbolt 3 is the board’s clearest differentiator from Z390 models that rely on an add-in card. It provides a direct route for compatible high-speed external storage, docks, and displays without requiring a separate Thunderbolt card. The DisplayPort input also lets supported graphics-card output travel through the board’s Thunderbolt connection, rather than limiting the ports to motherboard graphics.
Rank #2
- Supports 9th and 8th Intel Core processors
- Dual Channel Non-ECC Unbuffered DDR4, 4 DIMMs
- Intel Optane Memory Ready
- 12+1 Phases digital VRM solution with DrMOS
- Advanced thermal design with screw mounted heatsinks
However, simultaneous high-throughput workloads can expose a shared-bandwidth limit. In HotHardware’s 2019 testing with a Core i9-9900K system, Thunderbolt and motherboard M.2 storage contended over the DMI path when driven at the same time. The review found the results still well ahead of USB 3.0 thumb-drive performance, but the contention matters if you expect to read or write heavily to both internal NVMe storage and Thunderbolt devices concurrently. An add-in SSD routed through CPU PCIe lanes can avoid that particular shared path, subject to the board’s lane layout and the rest of the system. See the test discussion in HotHardware’s storage and Thunderbolt results.
Recommended Free Tools
Performance and board trade-offs
HotHardware evaluated the board with an Intel Core i9-9900K, 32GB of Corsair Vengeance DDR4-3200, an RTX 2080 Ti, and NVMe and SATA storage. Its testing was repeated three times and averaged. In that particular test system, the reviewer achieved a stable 5.2GHz CPU overclock. That is evidence of the board’s ability to support an overclocked 9900K under the review’s conditions, not a guaranteed result for every processor; CPU quality, cooling, power settings, and workload all affect overclocking. The review’s findings and configuration are detailed at HotHardware’s performance review.
Rank #3
- Supports 9th and 8th Intel Core processors
- Dual Channel Non-ECC Unbuffered DDR4, 4 DIMMs
- New 10+2 Phases digital PWM Design
- Dual Ultra-Fast M.2 with PCIe Gen3 x4 (1 with thermal Guard) & SATA interface
- 2-Way Crossfire Multi-Graphics Support with PCIe Armor and Ultra Durable Design
The review praised the board’s VRM capacity, dual Thunderbolt 3, and flexible PCIe lane routing. It also identified limited fan headers and the absence of high-speed multi-gigabit Ethernet as shortcomings. Those drawbacks are practical considerations for a workstation with many fans or a network workflow that depends on faster-than-gigabit transfers; they are less consequential in a setup with modest cooling needs and standard Gigabit Ethernet.
Who should buy it—and what to compare
The Z390 Designare makes the most sense for a specific buyer: someone retaining an 8th- or 9th-generation LGA1151 system who wants Thunderbolt 3 and the board’s combination of display routing, storage, and expansion. It is a weaker fit for a fresh workstation build whose priority is a longer upgrade path or integrated multi-gig networking.
Rank #4
- Supports 9th and 8th Intel Core processors
- Dual Channel Non ECC Unbuffered DDR4, 4 DIMMs
- Intel Optane Memory Ready. I/O Controller is iTE I/O Controller Chip
- 12 phases IR digital VRM solution with power stage
- Advanced thermal design with Fins Array heatsink and direct touch Heat pipe
- Choose it if: your CPU is on Gigabyte’s support list, you need integrated Thunderbolt 3, and you can use the DisplayPort input or flexible PCIe routing.
- Look elsewhere if: you need a current CPU platform, multiple fan headers, or faster-than-Gigabit onboard Ethernet.
- Before buying used: verify the board revision, included accessories, condition of the Thunderbolt and display connections, seller return terms, and whether the asking price makes sense for a legacy platform.
When comparing it with another Z390 or creator motherboard, focus on whether Thunderbolt is built in or requires an add-in card, how M.2 and PCIe slots share lanes, what display inputs and pass-through options are present, network speed, fan headers and controls, and the processor generations supported. For a used board, condition, warranty, and price may matter more than its original retail position.
Price context
HotHardware listed the Z390 Designare at $269 on Amazon in its review dated April 12, 2019. That is a historical launch-era reference, not a current price or indication of present availability. The board is now designated a legacy product by Gigabyte, so any current offer should be assessed by its condition, included parts, return policy, and compatibility rather than compared directly with that 2019 figure. HotHardware’s review provides the dated price context.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
