Comprehensive review of GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Elite AX gaming motherboard performance and features

Description

Unboxing and Initial Impressions

From the moment I opened the box of the GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Elite AX, I could tell it was a premium product. The motherboard felt sturdy and well-designed, boasting a sleek black and metallic finish that screams “high-performance.” Its ATX form factor made it clear this was built for serious PC enthusiasts and gamers. The packaging was protective, ensuring no damage to the components—a detail I appreciated since I’ve dealt with poorly packaged electronics in the past.

The layout of the board is intuitive, with everything labeled clearly. This is especially handy for those who, like me, get impatient fumbling through manuals. The inclusion of RGB FUSION 2.0 support caught my eye immediately because I’m a sucker for customizable lighting. The ability to sync LED strips with the motherboard is an exciting touch for anyone wanting a unique rig setup. Overall, the first look left me eager to dive into its features.

Setting It Up: A Nearly Hassle-Free Experience

Installing this motherboard in my system was surprisingly smooth, thanks to the PCIe 5.0 EZ-Latch feature. Trust me, the quick release and screwless design is a blessing—no more struggling with tiny screws or awkward angles to secure components. The ability to update the BIOS using Q-Flash Plus without needing to install the CPU, memory, or GPU is another standout feature. It saved me time and reduced the risk of errors during setup.

The Intel LGA 1700 socket compatibility with both 12th and 13th Gen Intel processors ensures this motherboard is future-proof for a while. Its DDR5 support, with 4 SMD DIMMs and XMP 3.0 memory module compatibility, allowed me to install high-speed RAM effortlessly. I tested this with a 13th Gen Intel i7 processor and 32GB of DDR5 RAM, and everything slotted perfectly without any hiccups.

Performance: A Beast for Gamers and Power Users

Running this motherboard with my setup was a dream. The twin 16+1+2 phases digital VRM solution with 70A power stages provides consistent and reliable power delivery, even during demanding tasks like video rendering or extended gaming sessions. I noticed my system remained stable, with no crashes or thermal throttling, even while running AAA games like Cyberpunk 2077 on ultra settings.

Its cutting-edge thermal design deserves a nod. The M.2 Thermal Guard III and fully covered MOSFET heatsinks kept components cool, even when I pushed my GPU and CPU to their limits. Unlike some motherboards I’ve used, which heat up quickly and require additional cooling solutions, this one manages to stay efficient.

Key Benefits

• Exceptional power delivery for smooth performance under heavy loads.
• Future-proof features like DDR5 and PCIe 5.0 compatibility.
• Thermal management that keeps your system running cool and efficiently.
• Ease of installation with EZ-Latch and Q-Flash Plus.

Connectivity and Networking: Built for the Future

The next-gen connectivity options on this motherboard are impressive. It comes with SMD PCIe 5.0 and four PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slots, making it ideal for high-speed SSD storage. Transferring files and booting up my system felt noticeably faster. Additionally, the USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C port offers blazing-fast data transfer speeds, perfect for external drives or modern peripherals.

Networking capabilities are another highlight. With 2.5GbE LAN and Intel WiFi 6E, I experienced seamless internet connectivity and faster downloads. The AORUS antenna provided strong and stable signals, even in areas with spotty WiFi. Bluetooth 5.0 is a convenient addition for wireless peripherals, and it pairs instantly with my Bluetooth speakers and headphones.

Dynamic Audio: An Audiophile’s Delight

For audio enthusiasts, the high-end audio capacitors and WIMA capacitors deliver crisp and immersive sound. Whether I was gaming with surround sound or blasting my favorite music, the audio output was top-notch. I noticed no static or interference, which can be an issue with lesser-quality motherboards.

Adverse Aspects

While I genuinely enjoyed testing this motherboard, there are a few areas where it could improve:

• The price point might be slightly steep for casual users who don’t need high-end features.
• Limited backward compatibility with older components like DDR4 RAM could be a drawback for some.
• The RGB lighting options, though exciting, can feel limited without additional software customization.

Competing Products

Comparing the Z790 AORUS Elite AX to similar motherboards, such as the ASUS ROG Strix Z790-E or MSI MPG Z790 Carbon WiFi, gives a clearer picture of its strengths and weaknesses. The ASUS ROG Strix offers slightly better overclocking capabilities and more USB ports, but it lacks the EZ-Latch feature, which makes installation so much easier on the GIGABYTE. On the other hand, the MSI MPG provides comparable performance but falls short in terms of thermal design and WiFi 6E support.

What sets this motherboard apart is its focus on ease of use and thermal efficiency, making it an excellent choice for gamers who value both performance and practicality. However, if you’re an overclocking enthusiast, you might find ASUS’s offering slightly more appealing.

Cost Efficiency

Given its features, this motherboard provides excellent value for the price. While it may not be the most budget-friendly option, its future-proof capabilities, robust build quality, and seamless performance justify the investment. For gamers, content creators, or anyone building a high-end PC, it delivers outstanding performance without cutting corners.

Additional information