A Chinese hardware manufacturer has launched a new Intel Z790 motherboard that could become a rare option for budget PC builders who want a modern Intel CPU without switching to expensive DDR5 memory. This motherboard, called the ONDA Z790PRO-WIFI-B4, combines the flagship Z790 chipset with DDR4 support at a surprisingly low price.
The board is listed in China for 779 yuan, which is approximately USD 111. This price is unusually low for a Z790 motherboard and even cheaper than many entry-level B760 boards. For builders trying to control costs, this board stands out in a market where new Intel platforms are becoming increasingly expensive.
The ONDA Z790PRO-WIFI-B4 supports Intel 12th, 13th, and 14th-generation Core processors using the LGA1700 socket. While most new Z790 boards now focus solely on DDR5, this model continues to support DDR4 memory, allowing users to reuse existing RAM kits or avoid paying a higher price for DDR5.
Despite its budget positioning, the motherboard hasn’t been cut down too much. It features four DDR4 memory slots with XMP support up to DDR4-3600, giving users good memory performance for gaming and productivity. Storage support is also strong, with three PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots for NVMe SSDs and four SATA ports for additional drives.
Expansion and connectivity are better than expected at this price. This board offers a full-size PCIe x16 slot for a graphics card, an additional PCIe x1 slot, built-in Wi-Fi 6E, USB Type-C, multiple USB ports, and display outputs including HDMI and DisplayPort. Features like Wi-Fi 6E and multiple PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots are typically reserved for more expensive motherboards.
Image credit: ONDA
Image credit: ONDA
The timing of this launch is particularly significant. DDR4 support is gradually being phased out from new Intel desktop platforms, with upcoming chipsets moving to DDR5-only designs. This makes the Z790 one of the last platforms where users can pair a modern Intel CPU with DDR4 memory, extending the life of older components and reducing upgrade costs.
For budget builders and upgraders, this motherboard offers a practical path forward. Instead of spending more money on new DDR5 memory, users can focus more of their budget on a faster processor, a better graphics card, or larger storage.
For now, availability is limited to China, and there’s no confirmation of an international release. However, if the ONDA Z790PRO-WIFI-B4 hits the global market, it could quickly attract the attention of PC builders looking for the cheapest Z790 option.
Overall, this launch shows that DDR4 still has an important role for budget-conscious users. While the industry is moving towards DDR5-only platforms, products like the ONDA Z790PRO-WIFI-B4 demonstrate that demand for affordable, upgrade-friendly hardware remains strong.
Source: ONDA JD (Chinese) Via Videocardz
