Not every big motherboard brand is rushing to refresh its lineup for Intel’s upcoming Arrow Lake Refresh platform, and that’s especially true for MSI and ASUS. If you’ve been waiting for a wave of new Z890 motherboards tailored for Arrow Lake Refresh and wondering why it hasn’t happened, the reason appears to be simple: these companies don’t think a refresh is necessary right now.
According to information shared by a source, MSI is expected to shift its attention toward DDR4-focused motherboards instead of rolling out a new batch of Z890 boards for Arrow Lake Refresh. The logic is straightforward: the current Z890 lineup already supports Arrow Lake Refresh processors without any major compatibility problems, so there’s little practical need to launch “refreshed” boards that deliver only minor changes.
This broader lack of urgency isn’t limited to MSI. Many motherboard vendors reportedly viewed a refreshed Z890 generation as low priority because existing boards already handle Arrow Lake Refresh just fine. On top of that, demand for Arrow Lake processors has reportedly been softer than expected, which can reduce the incentive to invest in new motherboard SKUs that may not sell in large volumes.
What’s more surprising is the apparent renewed interest in older memory standards. DDR5 pricing has been elevated, and that has reportedly dragged down DDR5 motherboard sales as well. In response, some manufacturers have explored hybrid “combo” designs that include both DDR5 and DDR4 DIMM slots, giving buyers flexibility depending on pricing and availability. MSI now seems interested in leaning back into DDR4 as a value-focused alternative, although it’s still unclear whether that means ramping production of existing DDR4 boards for Intel and AMD platforms or introducing entirely new models.
The memory market situation is adding extra pressure. DRAM availability has been tightening, and price increases are being felt across the board. One example mentioned in the report is Colorful, which is said to be preparing a “D3” series launch in early May, a move that suggests some vendors are looking even further back to older memory configurations as shortages and pricing volatility continue.
ASUS, meanwhile, is also reportedly not planning to introduce new Z890 motherboards for Arrow Lake Refresh. The thinking mirrors MSI’s approach: current Z890 motherboards are considered sufficient for the upcoming Core Ultra 200S Plus CPUs. Even if new boards could deliver slightly improved memory tuning, that advantage may be harder to justify during a period when DDR5 supply constraints and pricing make upgrades less appealing to mainstream buyers.
For PC builders and upgraders, the takeaway is clear. If you already own a solid Z890 motherboard, you likely won’t need a new board just to move to Arrow Lake Refresh. And if you’re building a new system, the market may increasingly highlight DDR4-based options—especially if DDR5 prices remain high and availability stays unpredictable.
