GIGABYTE

Z790 AORUS Elite AX

A solid mid-range motherboard for PC builders, leading with Z790.

56/100
Solid pick
Overall score · how we rate
Z790LGA 170016+1+2ATXDDR5Wi-Fi 6E
£161best price at Amazon
In stock at 1 retailer

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Price checked across retailers daily

Why we rate it

  • BIOS flashback
  • Debug LED / postcode display
  • Above-average m.2 slots (total)
  • Above-average m.2 pcie 5.0 slots
  • Below-average max ram
Score profile

Where the Z790 AORUS Elite AX wins and loses

Scored against the motherboards class
MemoryExpansionNetworkingFeatures63643776
Memory
63
Expansion slots
64
Networking
37
Features
76
Full specification

Specifications

Grouped · supported features marked in blue

Platform

SocketLGA 1700
ChipsetZ790
Form factorATX
Supported CPU generationsIntel Core 14th Gen, 13th Gen, 12th Gen

Memory

RAM typeDDR5
RAM slots4
Max RAM128 GB

Power delivery

VRM phases16

Expansion slots

PCIe 5.0 x16 slots1
M.2 slots (total)5
M.2 PCIe 5.0 slots2
SATA ports6

Rear I/O

HDMI1
DisplayPort1

Networking

Ethernet2.5
Wi-FiWi-Fi 6E
Bluetooth5.2

Audio

Audio codecRealtek ALC4080
Audio channels7.1

Features

BIOS flashbackYes
Debug LED / postcode displayYes
Fan headers6

More specs

M2 slots5
PCIE 5 count1
Ethernet gbps2.5
Head to head

Z790 AORUS Elite AX vs ASUS ASUS ROG STRIX X870E-A GAMING WIFI7

Highlighted cell = better in that row
MemoryExpansionNetworkingFeatures
Z790 AORUS Elite AXASUS ROG STRIX X870E-A GAMING WIFI7
 GIGABYTEZ790 AORUS Elite AXThis pageASUSASUS ROG STRIX X870E-A GAMING WIFI7
Overall score56 /10057 /100Better
ChipsetZ790X870E
SocketLGA 1700AM5
Form factorATXATX
RAM slots44
M2 slots total5Better4
Who it's for

Is the Z790 AORUS Elite AX right for you?

Buy it if
Buyers on a budget

Anyone who needs a dependable motherboard for the essentials without overspending.

Skip it if
Skip it if

You need flagship-tier performance, in which case a higher-tier motherboard is the better call.

Performance builder
Chasing frames and headroom in a high-end rig.
okay
Mainstream builder
Wants strong value in a balanced build.
good
Budget builder
Stretching every pound in an entry rig.
excellent
Common questions

Before you buy

Is the Z790 AORUS Elite AX worth it?

It depends on what you need. It scores 56/100 against other motherboards, a solid mid-range result where the class average is around 51.

What stands out on the Z790 AORUS Elite AX?

Its bios flashback stands out, a genuinely useful feature if your setup calls for it.

How does it compare to the ASUS ROG STRIX X870E-A GAMING WIFI7?

The ASUS ROG STRIX X870E-A GAMING WIFI7 scores 57/100 versus this one at 56/100, so it is the step up on the spec sheet.