GIGABYTE Z790 Gaming Plus AX
GIGABYTE Z790 Gaming Plus AX Specifications Review
GIGABYTE Z790 Gaming Plus AX by GIGABYTE is a Standard-ATX form factor motherboard based on the high-end Z790 chipset and LGA 1700 socket, offering the most advanced features and connectivity options. It is designed to support DDR5 memory, with 4 slots, a maximum capacity of 256 GB, and an overclocking speed of up to 7600 MHz.
VRM Quality
The GIGABYTE Z790 Gaming Plus AX has a basic VRM configuration, delivering 60 A across 8 phases. Best for low-power CPUs (≤65 W TDP). Using high-wattage chips or overclocking could cause severe thermal issues and instability. Recommended for budget builds, office workstations, and media PCs.
See the VRM Appropriate CPU Specification Table at the bottom of this page for recommended CPU options.
Expansion and Storage Overview
The GIGABYTE Z790 Gaming Plus AX offers a balanced expansion and storage configuration with PCIe 4.0 support, meaning it uses PCI Express 4.0, fast enough for modern GPUs and high-speed NVMe SSDs. It also includes 3 x16 slots . These PCIe slots are used to connect expansion cards — with the x16 slots typically reserved for graphics cards, while x8, x4, and x1 slots are used for devices like capture cards, sound cards, or network adapters.
For storage, this motherboard provides 3 M.2 slots (PCIe 4.0 x4/x2) and 4 SATA ports. M.2 slots are high-speed connectors for modern NVMe SSDs, which are much faster than older storage, while SATA ports are used for traditional hard drives and 2.5-inch SSDs. Together, they allow you to mix fast primary storage with larger, more affordable drives for bulk data.
Connectivity Overview
This motherboard includes basic to moderate connectivity options, such as wireless networking with the Wi-Fi 6 standard, and wired Realtek® 2.5GbE LAN chip (2.5 Gbps/1 Gbps/100 Mbps) ethernet supporting speeds up to 2500 Gbps. Bluetooth 5.3 support is included for common wireless devices. USB ports are adequate for everyday devices, and more details are available in the specs table.
For video output, this motherboard includes HDMI version 2.1 , DisplayPort version 1.2 . These video outputs are intended for integrated graphics and will only function if your CPU includes integrated GPU capabilities.
Audio Quality
The motherboard includes a standard audio chipset (Realtek® Audio CODEC) that covers basic needs for casual listening. While adequate for everyday use with mainstream headphones or desktop speakers, discerning users may want to add a USB DAC or sound card for improved fidelity, especially for music production or high-end headphones. Additional features include optical S/PDIF output for clean digital audio, plus multiple audio jacks (6) for flexible connectivity.
Overall Quality and Value
GIGABYTE Z790 Gaming Plus AX is a dependable choice with a respectable overall quality score of 56.60. It provides all the essential features and stable performance expected in a mainstream system, covering typical use cases without unnecessary extras.
This motherboard offers an impressive 76.8% performance-to-price ratio, delivering excellent value by combining strong performance with reasonable cost, making it a smart choice for budget-conscious buyers who don’t want to sacrifice quality.
General Information
| Manufacturer | GIGABYTE |
|---|---|
| Motherboard Name | GIGABYTE Z790 Gaming Plus AX |
| Current Price Amazon | $140❗N/A |
| Amazon Price Updated | 2 months ago. |
| Motherboard Available | False |
| Chipset / Socket | Z790 / LGA 1700 |
| Form Factor | Standard-ATX |
VRM Configuration
| CPU Power Phases (Amps) | 8 (60 A) |
|---|---|
| Power Design | 8+1+1 |
Memory Information
| Type / Slots | DDR5 / 4 slots |
|---|---|
| Max Capacity / Max OC | 256 GB / 7600 MHz |
PCIe Slot Configuration
| Supported Version | PCIe 4.0 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slot Size | Physical Slots | Gen4 | Gen3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| x16 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
Storage Configuration
| M.2 Slot Count | 3 slots |
|---|---|
| M.2 Supported Lengths | 22110, 2280 |
| M.2 PCIe Modes | PCIe 4.0 x4/x2 |
| SATA Ports | 4 |
Onboard Audio Features
| Audio Chipset | Realtek® Audio CODEC |
|---|---|
| Analog Audio Jacks | 6 jacks |
| Optical S/PDIF Output | ✔️ Present |
Motherboard Display Outputs
| HDMI Output | HDMI - Version 2.1 (Max: 4096x2160@60 Hz) |
|---|---|
| DisplayPort Output | DisplayPort - Version 1.2 (Max: 4096x2304@60 Hz) |
USB and Thunderbolt Connectivity
Rear USB Ports
| USB 2.0 Type-A (480 Mbps) | 5 |
|---|---|
| USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A (5 Gbps) | 1 |
| USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C (5 Gbps) | 1 |
| USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A (10 Gbps) | 1 |
Front USB Ports
| USB 2.0 Type-A (480 Mbps) | 4 |
|---|---|
| USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A (5 Gbps) | 2 |
| USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C (10 Gbps) | 1 |
Internal USB Headers
| USB 2.0 Header (480 Mbps) | 4 |
|---|---|
| USB 3.2 Gen 1 Header (5 Gbps) | 2 |
| USB 3.2 Gen 2 Header (10 Gbps) | 1 |
Networking Information
| Ethernet | Chipset: Realtek® 2.5GbE LAN chip (2.5 Gbps/1 Gbps/100 Mbps) LAN Ports: 1 |
|---|---|
| Wi-Fi |
Version: Wi-Fi 6 Bandwidth: 80MHz Frequency Bands: 2.4/5 GHz Antenna Connectors: 2 |
| Bluetooth |
Version: 5.3 |
Button Features
| Buttons |
Q-Flash Plus |
|---|
Quality & Features
Additional Information
| RAM | Supported memory speeds differ based on the installed CPU. 14th/13th Gen Intel Core i9/i7 processors support speeds up to 7600(O.C.) MT/s, while 13th Gen i5/i3 and 12th Gen processors support up to 4800 MT/s. The CPU and memory configuration can affect supported memory types, data rates, and the number of DRAM modules. It is recommended to refer to the manufacturer's Memory Support List for detailed information. |
|---|---|
| Display | Requires a CPU with Integrated Intel® HD Graphics. Both DisplayPort and HDMI ports support HDCP 2.3. The HDMI port supports native HDMI 2.1 TMDS. Graphics specifications may vary depending on CPU support. |
| Expansion | The primary PCIEX16 slot, connected to the CPU, supports PCIe 4.0 and runs at x16. The two other physical x16 slots, connected to the Chipset, support PCIe 3.0 but only run at x1 speed. The primary PCIEX16 slot is recommended for the main graphics card or an NVMe SSD. |
| Storage |
M.2 Slot Details:
|
| Audio | Supports High Definition Audio and 2/4/5.1/7.1-channel configurations. The functionality of an audio jack can be changed using the audio software, which is also required to configure 7.1-channel audio. |
| Networking | Realtek Wi-Fi 6 RTL8851BE module. Supports WIFI a, b, g, n, ac, ax. Antenna configuration is 1T1R. |
| Buttons | The text lists a reset jumper and a Clear CMOS jumper, but not a Clear CMOS button. |
| Dimensions | 30.5 cm x 24.4 cm |
Note: The specifications and descriptions above are extracted by AI to present the official manufacturer data in a clearer and more natural way for easier understanding. However, this AI-processed information may contain inaccuracies. Please verify all details by consulting the official manufacturer's information provided below.
GIGABYTE Z790 Gaming Plus AX Compared to Motherboards with Similar Performance and Features
Motherboard Quality & Features per Price Table
| Motherboard (Desc) | Price (Desc) | Overall_Q (Desc) | VRM_Q (Desc) | Chipset (Desc) | Exp_Str (Desc) | Connect (Desc) | Audio (Desc) | Q&F/Price (Desc) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
$92❗
|
0.0%
|
59.6%
|
40.0%
|
86.0%
|
83.0%
|
49.0%
|
40.0%
|
122.5%
|
|
|
$130
|
0.0%
|
58.2%
|
34.0%
|
89.0%
|
65.0%
|
60.0%
|
43.0%
|
85.1%
|
|
|
$144❗
|
0.0%
|
57.4%
|
43.0%
|
65.0%
|
69.0%
|
67.0%
|
43.0%
|
76.0%
|
|
|
$443
|
0.0%
|
57.0%
|
43.0%
|
70.0%
|
66.0%
|
63.0%
|
43.0%
|
24.4%
|
|
|
$111❗
|
↓
-14.9%
|
56.6%
|
43.0%
|
65.0%
|
69.0%
|
63.0%
|
43.0%
|
97.3%
|
|
|
$140❗
|
↑
53.1%
|
56.6%
|
24.0%
|
92.0%
|
67.0%
|
54.0%
|
46.0%
|
76.8%
|
|
|
$300
|
↓
-30.2%
|
54.8%
|
24.0%
|
92.0%
|
67.0%
|
45.0%
|
46.0%
|
34.7%
|
|
|
$436
|
0.0%
|
54.8%
|
43.0%
|
65.0%
|
60.0%
|
63.0%
|
43.0%
|
23.9%
|
|
|
$186
|
↑
0.6%
|
54.8%
|
32.0%
|
67.0%
|
74.0%
|
55.0%
|
46.0%
|
56.0%
|
Motherboard Comparison and Detail Specifications Table
| Specification | Perf Chart | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price |
$92❗
|
0.0%
|
$130
|
0.0%
|
$144❗
|
0.0%
|
$443
|
0.0%
|
$111❗
|
↓
-14.9%
|
$140❗
|
↑
53.1%
|
$300
|
↓
-30.2%
|
$436
|
0.0%
|
$186
|
↑
0.6%
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Manufacturer | MSI COMPUTER | MSI | MSI | ZXKLXYY | MSI | GIGABYTE | MICRO CENTER | THFKLXT | ASUS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chip/Socket | Z690-A / LGA 1700 | Z790-S / LGA 1700 | B760 / LGA 1700 | B760M / LGA 1700 | B760M / LGA 1700 | Z790 / LGA 1700 | Z790 / LGA 1700 | B760M / LGA 1700 | B760 / LGA 1700 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Form | Standard-ATX | Standard-ATX | Standard-ATX | Micro-ATX | Micro-ATX | Standard-ATX | Standard-ATX | Micro-ATX | Standard-ATX | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CPU Phases | 14 (55 A) | 12 (55 A) | 12 (75 A) | 12 (75 A) | 12 (75 A) | 8 (60 A) | 8 (60 A) | 12 (75 A) | 12 (50 A) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PWR Design | 14+1+1 | 12+1+1 | 12+1+1 | 12+1+1 | 12+1+1 | 8+1+1 | 8+1+1 | 12+1+1 | 12(50A)+1(60A)+1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mem Slots | 4 / DDR4 | 4 / DDR5 | 4 / DDR5 | 4 / DDR5 | 4 / DDR5 | 4 / DDR5 | 4 / DDR4 | 4 / DDR5 | 4 / DDR5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Max Mem | 128 GB / 5333 MHz | 256 GB / 6600 MHz | 256 GB / 7000 MHz | 256 GB / 7800 MHz | 256 GB / 7800 MHz | 256 GB / 7600 MHz | 128 GB / 5333 MHz | 256 GB / 7800 MHz | 192 GB / 7200 MHz | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PCIe | PCIe 5.0 | PCIe 5.0 | PCIe 5.0 | PCIe 5.0 | PCIe 5.0 | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 5.0 | PCIe 5.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PCIe Slots | 1x16 Gen5 | 2x16 Gen3 | 1x1 Gen3 | 1x16 Gen5 | 1x16 Gen3 | 3x1 Gen3 | 1x16 Gen5 | 1x16 Gen3 | 1x1 Gen4 | 1x16 Gen5 | 1x4 Gen3 | 1x16 Gen5 | 1x16 Gen4 | 1x1 Gen3 | 1x16 Gen4 | 2x16 Gen3 | 1x16 Gen4 | 2x16 Gen3 | 1x16 Gen5 | 1x4 Gen3 | 1x16 Gen5 | 1x16 Gen3 | 2x1 Gen3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| M.2 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SATA | 6 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Audio | Realtek® ALC897 Codec | Realtek® ALC897 Codec | Realtek® ALC897 Codec | Realtek® ALC897 Codec | Realtek® ALC897 Codec | Realtek® Audio CODEC | Realtek® Audio CODEC | Realtek® ALC897 Codec | Realtek 7.1 Surround Sound Hi… | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| S/PDIF | ❌ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HDMI | ✔️ (2.1) | ✔️ (1.4) | ✔️ (2.1) | ✔️ (2.1) | ✔️ (2.1) | ✔️ (2.1) | ✔️ (2.1) | ✔️ (2.1) | ✔️ (2.1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| DP | ✔️ (1.4) | ✔️ (1.4) | ✔️ (1.4) | ✔️ (1.4) | ✔️ (1.4) | ✔️ (1.2) | ✔️ (1.2) | ✔️ (1.4) | ✔️ (1.4) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LAN | 1x Intel® I225-V 2.5Gbps… (1 ports) | Realtek® RTL8125BG 2.5Gb… (1 ports) | Realtek® 2.5Gbps LAN (1 ports) | Realtek® 2.5Gbps LAN (1 ports) | Realtek® 2.5Gbps LAN (1 ports) | Realtek® 2.5GbE LAN chip… (1 ports) | Realtek® 2.5GbE LAN chip… (1 ports) | Realtek® 2.5Gbps LAN (1 ports) | 1 x Realtek 2.5Gb Ethern… (1 ports) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wi-Fi | ❌ | Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 802.11ac | Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BT | ❌ | v5.3 | v5.3 | v5.3 | v5.3 | v5.3 | v5.1 | v5.3 | v5.2 | Rear USB |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| USB Headers |
|
|
❌ |
❌ |
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Front USB |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
VRM Appropriate CPU Specification Table
| CPU | Price | App_Performance | Game_Performance | TDP/Max | C/SC/T | L2/L3 Cache | Base/Boost | Code Name | GPU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
$94
|
↓
-27.8%
|
22.2%
|
56.7%
|
58 W / 89 W | 4 / 0 / 8 | 1280.0 kB / 12.0 MB | 3.40 GHz / 4.50 GHz | Raptor Lake-S | None | |
|
$94
|
↓
-27.8%
|
22.2%
|
56.7%
|
60 W / 89 W | 4 / 0 / 8 | 1280.0 kB / 12.0 MB | 3.40 GHz / 4.50 GHz | Raptor Lake-S | UHD Graphics 730 | |
|
$135
|
0.0%
|
21.3%
|
53.0%
|
58 W / 89 W | 4 / 0 / 8 | 1280.0 kB / 12.0 MB | 3.30 GHz / 4.30 GHz | Alder Lake-S | None | |
|
$275
|
↑
63.6%
|
21.3%
|
53.0%
|
60 W / 89 W | 4 / 0 / 8 | 1280.0 kB / 12.0 MB | 3.30 GHz / 4.30 GHz | Alder Lake-S | UHD Graphics 730 |
Official Manufacturer Data
Memory:
- Support for DDR5 7600(O.C.) / 7400(O.C.) / 7200(O.C.) / 7000(O.C.) / 6800(O.C.) / 6600(O.C.) / 6400(O.C.) / 6200(O.C.) / 6000(O.C.) / 5800(O.C.) / 5600 / 5200 / 4800 / 4400 MT/s memory modules
13th Generation Intel® Core™ i5/i3 and 12th Generation Intel® Core™, Pentium® Gold and Celeron® Processors:
- Support for DDR5 4800/4400 MT/s memory modules
4 x DDR5 DIMM sockets supporting up to 256 GB (64 GB single DIMM capacity) of system memory
Dual channel memory architecture
Support for ECC Un-buffered DIMM 1Rx8/2Rx8 memory modules (operate in non-ECC mode)
Support for non-ECC Un-buffered DIMM 1Rx8/2Rx8/1Rx16 memory modules
Support for Extreme Memory Profile (XMP) memory modules
(The CPU and memory configuration may affect the supported memory types, data rate (speed), and number of DRAM modules, please refer to "Memory Support List" on GIGABYTE's website for more information.)
Graphics:
- 1 x DisplayPort, supporting a maximum resolution of 4096x2304@60 Hz
* Support for DisplayPort 1.2 version and HDCP 2.3
- 1 x HDMI port, supporting a maximum resolution of 4096x2160@60 Hz
* Support for HDMI 2.1 version and HDCP 2.3.
** Support native HDMI 2.1 TMDS compatible ports.
(Graphics specifications may vary depending on CPU support.)
Storage:
- 1 x M.2 connector (Socket 3, M key, type 22110/2280 PCIe 4.0 x4/x2 SSD support) (M2A_CPU)
Chipset:
- 2 x M.2 connectors (Socket 3, M key, type 22110/2280 PCIe 4.0 x4/x2 SSD support) (M2P_SB, M2M_SB)
- 4 x SATA 6Gb/s connectors
RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID5, and RAID 10 support for NVMe SSD storage devices
RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, and RAID 10 support for SATA storage devices
Expansion Slots:
- 1 x PCI Express x16 slot, supporting PCIe 4.0 and running at x16 (PCIEX16)
* The PCIEX16 slot can only support a graphics card or an NVMe SSD. If only one graphics card is to be installed, be sure to install it in the PCIEX16 slot.
Chipset:
- 2 x PCI Express x16 slots, supporting PCIe 3.0 and running at x1 (PCIEX1_1, PCIEX1_2)
USB:
- 1 x USB Type-C® port with USB 3.2 Gen 2 support, available through the internal USB header
- 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A port (red) on the back panel
- 1 x USB Type-C® port on the back panel, with USB 3.2 Gen 1 support
- 3 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (1 port on the back panel, 2 ports available through the internal USB header)
- 1 x USB 2.0/1.1 port on the back panel
Chipset+2 USB 2.0 Hubs:
- 8 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports (4 ports on the back panel, 4 ports available through the internal USB headers)
Internal I/O:
1 x 8-pin ATX 12V power connector
1 x CPU fan header
1 x CPU fan/water cooling pump header
3 x system fan headers
1 x system fan/water cooling pump header
2 x addressable LED strip headers
2 x RGB LED strip headers
3 x M.2 Socket 3 connectors
4 x SATA 6Gb/s connectors
1 x front panel header
1 x front panel audio header
1 x S/PDIF Out header
1 x USB Type-C® header, with USB 3.2 Gen 2 support
1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 header
2 x USB 2.0/1.1 headers
1 x Trusted Platform Module header (For the GC-TPM2.0 SPI/GC-TPM2.0 SPI 2.0/ GC-TPM2.0 SPI V2 module only)
1 x serial port header
1 x Q-Flash Plus button
1 x reset jumper
1 x Clear CMOS jumper
Back Panel I/O:
1 x USB Type-C® port, with USB 3.2 Gen 1 support
1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 port
5 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports
2 x SMA antenna connectors (1T1R)
1 x DisplayPort*
1 x HDMI port*
1 x RJ-45 port
6 x audio jacks
* Actual support may vary by CPU.
WiFi:
- WIFI a, b, g, n, ac, ax, supporting 2.4/5 GHz carrier frequency bands
- BLUETOOTH 5.3
- Support for 11ax 80MHz wireless standard
(Actual data rate may vary depending on environment and equipment.)
Audio:
High Definition Audio
2/4/5.1/7.1-channel
Support for S/PDIF Out
* You can change the functionality of an audio jack using the audio software. To configure
7.1-channel audio, access the audio software for audio settings.
Special Features:
* Available applications in GCC may vary by motherboard model. Supported functions of each application may also vary depending on motherboard specifications.
Support for Q-Flash
Support for Q-Flash Plus
Add Comment on GIGABYTE Z790 Gaming Plus AX