GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Elite AX

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GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Elite AX Specifications

GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Elite 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 up to 256 GB and memory overclocking up to 7600 MHz. The motherboard features 4 memory slots and offers support for PCIe 5.0 x16, ensuring compatibility with modern GPUs and high-bandwidth expansion cards.

GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Elite AX Performance Review

The GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Elite AX features a high-end VRM setup, supplying 70 A across 16 phases. It can power high-wattage CPUs and support moderate overclocking while maintaining good voltage regulation and thermal efficiency. This makes it an excellent option for gamers and professionals who need reliable high-end CPU performance.

This motherboard includes an entry-level audio chipset — Realtek® ALC897 — which provides basic sound quality suitable for casual use. While it’s acceptable for everyday tasks such as web browsing, video playback, and light gaming, it may not meet the expectations of users with mid to high-end audio setups. Audiophiles and those seeking high-fidelity sound should consider using a dedicated sound card or external DAC.

In terms of value, it achieves 74.3% efficiency relative to the best-performing motherboard in its category, making it an excellent choice for users seeking a cost-effective solution.

Motherboard Information

Manufacturer: GIGABYTE

Motherboard Name: GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Elite AX

Current Price Amazon: $184

Amazon Price Updated: 19 hours, 46 minutes ago.

Motherboard Available: True

Chipset / Socket: Z790 / LGA 1700

Form Factor / Memory Slots: Standard-ATX / 4 slots.

Memory Type / Max Cap / Max OC: DDR5 / 256 GB / 7600 MHz

PCIe Suport: PCIe 5.0 x16

Audio Chipset: Realtek® ALC897

Network: Realtek® 2.5GbE LAN chip (2.5 Gbps/1 Gbps/100 Mbps)

Motherboard Dimensions: 30.5 cm x 24.4 cm

Quality & Features (max 110pts)

VRM Quality: 11 pts.

Chipset Q & F: 20 pts.

Build Quality: 16 pts.

Connectivity Q & F: 16 pts.

Audio Quality: 6 pts.

Total Points: 69 pts.

VRM Configuration

CPU Power Phases (Amps): 16 (70 A)

Power Design: 16+1+2

Calculated Performance

Quality and Features per Price: 74.3%

Additional Motherboard Information

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(O.C.) / 5400(O.C.) / 5200(O.C.) / 4800 / 4000 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" for more information.)

Graphics:

None

Storage:

CPU:
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, M2Q_SB)
1 x M.2 connector (Socket 3, M key, type 22110/2280 SATA and PCIe 4.0 x4 SSD support) (M2M_SB)
6 x SATA 6Gb/s connectors
RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, and RAID 10 support for NVMe SSD storage devices

RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, and RAID 10 support for SATA storage devices
* Refer to "2-8 Internal Connectors," for the installation notices for the M.2 and SATA connectors.

USB:

Chipset:
1 x USB Type-C® port on the back panel, with USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 support
1 x USB Type-C® port with USB 3.2 Gen 2 support, available through the internal USB header
2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports (red) on the back panel
5 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (3 ports on the back panel, 2 ports available through the internal USB header)
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 24-pin ATX main power connector
2 x 8-pin ATX 12V power connectors
1 x CPU fan header
1 x water cooling CPU fan 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
4 x M.2 Socket 3 connectors
6 x SATA 6Gb/s connectors
1 x front panel header
1 x front panel audio 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
2 x Thunderbolt™ add-in card connectors
1 x Trusted Platform Module header (For the GC-TPM2.0 SPI/GC-TPM2.0 SPI 2.0 module only)
1 x reset button
1 x Q-Flash Plus button
1 x Clear CMOS 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 2x2 support
2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports (red)
3 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports
4 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports
2 x SMA antenna connectors (2T2R)
1 x HDMI 2.0 port
1 x DisplayPort
1 x RJ-45 port
1 x optical S/PDIF Out connector
2 x audio jacks

WiFi:

Intel® Wi-Fi 6E AX211
WIFI a, b, g, n, ac, ax, supporting 2.4/5/6 GHz carrier frequency bands
BLUETOOTH 5.3
Support for 11ax 160MHz wireless standard and up to 2.4 Gbps data rate
* Actual data rate may vary depending on environment and equipment.

Audio:

Realtek® Audio CODEC
High Definition Audio
2/4/5.1/7.1-channel
* 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.
Support for S/PDIF Out

Special Features:

None