The Intel Z490 chipset is part of Intel's lineup of chipsets designed for desktop motherboards, particularly those that support Intel's 10th and 11th generation processors (Comet Lake-S and Rocket Lake-S, respectively). The Z490 chipset is targeted towards enthusiasts and gamers, offering a range of features to support high-performance computing.

Key features of the Intel Z490 chipset include:

1. PCI Express 3.0 and 4.0 Support: The Z490 chipset provides multiple PCI Express lanes, including some that support the faster PCIe 4.0 standard on 11th gen processors. This allows for faster data transfer rates and improved graphics card and storage performance.

2. Overclocking: The Z490 chipset allows for overclocking of the CPU, memory, and other components, catering to users who want to push their hardware to its limits for improved performance.

3. USB and Connectivity: Z490 motherboards offer a variety of USB ports, including USB 3.2 Gen 2 and USB-C, for high-speed data transfer and diverse device compatibility.

4. Memory Support: Z490 supports high-speed DDR4 memory, with multiple memory slots and configurations to accommodate varying performance needs.

5. Storage Options: Z490 motherboards typically feature multiple SATA and NVMe M.2 slots, enabling fast storage solutions such as SSDs for quicker boot times and data access.

6. Integrated Graphics Support: While often used with discrete graphics cards, Z490 chipsets also offer support for integrated graphics found in Intel processors.

7. Networking and Audio: Many Z490 motherboards come with advanced networking options such as Gigabit Ethernet and Wi-Fi 6, as well as enhanced audio capabilities for a better overall user experience.

8. CrossFire and SLI Support: Some Z490 motherboards support multi-GPU configurations, allowing users to install multiple graphics cards for improved gaming and rendering performance.

Overall, the Intel Z490 chipset provides a comprehensive set of features for enthusiasts and gamers who demand high performance and customization options from their desktop systems.