Gigabyte Z790 AORUS ELITE AX DDR5 Intel Z790 LGA 1700 ATX Gaming Motherboard

The Gigabyte Z790 AORUS ELITE AX DDR5 Gaming Motherboard is designed to provide a high-performance platform for gamers and content creators. Equipped with Intel’s Z790 chipset and DDR5 memory support, this motherboard is built for the latest Intel 12th and 13th Generation processors. Its versatile and future-ready architecture makes it suitable for gamers seeking top-tier performance, stability, and connectivity.

The Gigabyte Z790 AORUS ELITE AX DDR5 motherboard is a product of Gigabyte’s AORUS series, known for its blend of cutting-edge technology and robust design catered to gaming enthusiasts and PC builders. With the Intel Z790 chipset at its core, it offers enhanced features for overclocking, better memory handling, and faster transfer speeds.

Gigabyte has focused on improving system performance and durability, incorporating advanced power delivery, PCIe 5.0 support, multiple M.2 slots, and Wi-Fi 6E connectivity. The motherboard supports DDR5 memory, which is the next generation of RAM technology, providing faster bandwidth, greater efficiency, and improved multitasking.

The Gigabyte Z790 AORUS ELITE AX DDR5 Gaming Motherboard embodies the best features modern PC builders look for in a high-end motherboard. Designed for Intel’s LGA 1700 socket, it’s fully compatible with both 12th and 13th Gen Intel Core processors, making it future-proof and versatile. It is equipped with DDR5 memory support, which allows users to unlock higher performance levels with faster memory speeds and improved power efficiency.

With PCIe 5.0 slots, the motherboard is capable of supporting the next generation of graphics cards and storage devices, providing ultra-fast data transfers. Moreover, the motherboard has a comprehensive thermal design, integrating advanced heat sinks and thermal pads to keep the system cool even during intensive tasks like gaming or heavy content creation.

The integrated Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5G Ethernet provide excellent networking capabilities, ensuring fast and stable internet connectivity, crucial for online gaming and streaming. USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 ports, along with a range of other connectivity options, make this motherboard a hub for high-speed data transfers and peripheral support.

The motherboard supports Intel’s 12th and 13th Generation processors, which include powerful multi-core CPUs ideal for gaming and content creation. The Z790 chipset improves performance with better power delivery, enhanced I/O capabilities, and support for PCIe 5.0 and DDR5.

The Gigabyte Z790 AORUS ELITE AX supports DDR5 RAM, offering faster data rates and improved power efficiency compared to DDR4. This helps with improved multitasking and smoother performance in gaming and professional applications.

With PCIe 5.0 x16 slots, the motherboard provides increased bandwidth for graphics cards and storage devices, ensuring your system is ready for the next generation of high-performance hardware.

The motherboard features two M.2 slots for ultra-fast NVMe SSDs, supporting PCIe 4.0 speeds, which provide quicker load times, faster file transfers, and improved performance in heavy applications.

Wireless networking is a strong point of this motherboard, featuring Wi-Fi 6E for faster speeds, better range, and improved stability in crowded environments. For wired connections, the 2.5G Ethernet port ensures blazing-fast and reliable networking.

The Gigabyte Z790 AORUS ELITE AX DDR5 comes equipped with a comprehensive cooling system that includes large surface area heat sinks, thermal pads, and M.2 Thermal Guard to dissipate heat effectively, even under heavy loads.

This motherboard is equipped with multiple temperature sensors and hybrid fan headers with PWM and Voltage mode support. This allows users to customize cooling settings, ensuring optimal cooling and noise levels based on their preferences.

The rear I/O includes USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 ports for ultra-fast 20Gbps data transfer rates. This is especially useful for high-speed storage devices and peripherals, allowing for quicker access and data transfers.

Featuring a 16+1+2 Digital VRM design, the motherboard ensures stable power delivery even during extreme overclocking. The use of high-quality components like DrMOS and solid capacitors guarantees reliable power efficiency.

RGB lighting is fully customizable, with multiple lighting zones and compatibility with other AORUS and third-party RGB components. The RGB Fusion 2.0 software allows users to personalize their lighting setup to match their gaming rig.

Chipset: Intel Z790

CPU Support: Intel 14th/13th Gen Core i9/i7/i5/i3, Pentium, Celeron Processors (LGA 1700)

Memory Support: 4x DDR5 DIMM Slots, supporting up to 128GB (Up to 7600 MHz OC)

Expansion Slots:

1 x PCIe 5.0 x16 slot (for GPUs)

2 x PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slots (for NVMe SSDs)

4 x SATA 6Gb/s connectors

Graphics: Supports Intel UHD Graphics with integrated processors (via HDMI 2.1 port)

Networking:

Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)

2.5G Ethernet LAN

USB Ports:

Rear I/O: 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C, 3x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 4x USB 2.0

Internal: USB 3.2 Gen 1 headers, USB 2.0 headers

Audio: Realtek ALC1220-VB HD Audio Codec, 7.1 channel audio

Form Factor: ATX

The Gigabyte Z790 AORUS ELITE AX DDR5 Intel Z790 motherboard is regarded as a high-performing, future-proof solution for gamers and content creators alike. With the transition to DDR5 memory and PCIe 5.0, this motherboard is prepared for the next wave of technology, ensuring its longevity in your gaming rig.

The motherboard’s strong power delivery system ensures smooth performance, even when overclocking high-end Intel 12th or 13th Gen processors. Many users have noted that the layout is intuitive, making cable management and installation easier. Gigabyte's BIOS is also praised for being user-friendly, providing easy access to overclocking settings, fan profiles, and system monitoring.

One of the standout features is the inclusion of Wi-Fi 6E, which significantly improves wireless network performance and stability. This is particularly useful for users with fast internet connections and crowded networks. The 2.5G Ethernet port also ensures top-tier wired internet performance, which is critical for gaming, streaming, and large file downloads.

In terms of design, the Z790 AORUS ELITE AX DDR5 has an aggressive and sleek aesthetic, with customizable RGB lighting that adds a visual appeal to any gaming setup. The thermal design is highly effective, keeping components cool even during high-performance loads like gaming, video editing, or rendering.

However, some users have pointed out that while the motherboard excels in performance, its price point is higher than some competitors. Despite this, the investment in advanced features like DDR5, PCIe 5.0, and robust cooling makes it worth the cost for high-end builders.

The Gigabyte Z790 AORUS ELITE AX DDR5 motherboard comes with a 1-year manufacturer warranty, covering manufacturing defects and issues related to performance failures under normal usage. The warranty typically covers:

Manufacturing defects in the board.

Malfunction of components like USB ports, audio, networking, or memory slots.

Failures related to VRMs, capacitors, or onboard circuitry.

This warranty excludes user-caused damages, such as physical damage, improper installations, or improper overclocking.

Retailers and distributors usually provide a 07-day return or exchange policy from the date of purchase for products like the Gigabyte Z790 AORUS ELITE AX DDR5. This policy allows buyers to return or exchange the motherboard under the following conditions:

The product is unopened and in its original packaging.

If the product is defective, it may be returned for a replacement or a full refund within the 7-day window.

The return process must follow the retailer’s guidelines, which may require an RMA (Return Merchandise Authorization) request.

The Gigabyte Z790 AORUS ELITE AX DDR5 Intel Z790 Gaming Motherboard is a feature-packed, high-performance option for gamers, overclockers, and content creators. With DDR5 support, PCIe 5.0, Wi-Fi 6E, and advanced thermal solutions, it offers everything needed to build a future-proof and powerful gaming rig. Although its price might be on the higher side, its robust feature set, excellent networking capabilities, and strong build quality make it a worthwhile investment for enthusiasts.

For users looking to build a PC with the latest Intel processors and next-generation components, the Z790 AORUS ELITE AX DDR5 is an excellent choice. Its versatility, expandability, and strong performance in various tasks—from gaming to professional work—set it apart as a top-tier motherboard in the market.