Gigabyte Z790 AORUS ELITE AX ATX LGA1700 Motherboard
Gigabyte
Motherboard

Gigabyte Z790 AORUS ELITE AX ATX LGA1700 Motherboard

Key Features

Wi-Fi 6E PCIe 4.0 RAID Support 2.5GbE Ethernet CrossFire support
MSRP: $329

Technical Specifications

MSRP
$329
Manufacturer
Gigabyte
Socket
LGA1700
Chipset
Intel Z790
Form Factor
ATX
Memory
4 slots • max 192GB • DDR5 • speeds: DDR5-4000 to DDR5-7600 • No ECC
Expansion Slots
3x PCIe x16 • 4x M.2 slots
Storage
6 SATA ports • SATA 6.0 Gb/s • RAID supported
Connectivity
Ethernet: 2.5 Gb/s • Wireless: Wi-Fi 6E • Bluetooth 5.3
USB Ports
1x USB 3 2 GEN 2 • 1x USB 3 2 GEN 1
Headers
2x USB 2 0 • 1x USB 3 2 GEN 1 • 1x USB 3 2 GEN 2
Video
Onboard: Depends on CPU
Back Connect
No
VRM Phases
16

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Modern LGA1700 socket supports Intel 12th/13th/14th gen processors
  • Current-generation platform ensures long-term software and hardware support
  • DDR5 memory support provides superior bandwidth for modern applications
  • High memory capacity support ideal for professional workloads and future-proofing
  • Robust VRM design with excellent power delivery for stable overclocking
  • Premium chipset provides comprehensive feature set and maximum flexibility
  • Full overclocking support enables maximum CPU and memory performance tuning
  • Abundant M.2 slots support extensive high-speed storage configurations

Cons

  • SATA port count modest for premium full-size motherboard
  • Lack of USB-C connectivity limits modern device compatibility
  • Premium pricing may not provide proportional value for most users

Community Insights

  • Many users highlight this board as an excellent value for Intel 12th, 13th, and 14th Gen CPUs. It’s praised for offering a robust power delivery system, good VRM cooling, and a strong feature set (DDR5 support, PCIe 5.0, WiFi 6E) at a reasonable price, making it a top choice for both gamers and workstation users on a budget.
  • A frequently discussed positive is the user-friendly BIOS interface. Community members often mention that BIOS updates are straightforward, memory profiles (XMP) work reliably, and overall system stability is high—even when installing high-speed DDR5 RAM. This makes it a favored option for both beginners and experienced builders.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Z790 AORUS ELITE AX support DDR4 or only DDR5?
There are separate models: the “AX” version typically supports DDR5 only. Always check the specific model number, as there is a “Z790 AORUS ELITE AX DDR4” variant that supports DDR4 memory.
How many M.2 slots and what PCIe generations are available?
This motherboard offers four M.2 slots, with at least one supporting PCIe Gen 5 for ultra-fast NVMe SSDs; the remaining slots support PCIe Gen 4.

Performance Guide & Use Cases

Best For
Enthusiast Intel builds with premium features
Professional video editing and 3D rendering
Small business servers and NAS builds
Extreme overclocking and benchmarking
Potential Bottlenecks
No USB-C connectivity limits compatibility with modern peripherals and devices
Overkill Scenarios
Light productivity tasks without performance demands
Single-drive gaming builds
Users who never expand beyond basics
Stock CPU operation with no overclocking plans
Avoid For
Users using modern USB-C devices
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