• Intel^® Socket LGA 1700：Support 13th and 12th Gen Series Processors
• Unparalleled Performance：Twin 16*+1+2 Phases Digital VRM Solution
• Dual Channel DDR5：4*SMD DIMMs with XMP 3.0 Memory Module Support
• Next Generation Storage：4*PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 Connectors
• Advanced Thermal Design & M.2 Thermal Guard III: To Ensure VRM Power Stability & M.2 SSD Performance
• EZ-Latch Plus：M.2 Connectors with Quick Release & Screwless Design
• Fast Networks：2.5GbE LAN & Wi-Fi 6E 802.11ax
• Extended Connectivity：DP, HDMI, Front USB-C^® 10Gb/s, Rear USB-C^® 20Gb/s
• Smart Fan 6：Features Multiple Temperature Sensors, Hybrid Fan Headers with FAN STOP
• Q-Flash Plus：Update BIOS Without Installing the CPU, Memory and Graphics Card

Overview of the GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS ELITE AX

The GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS ELITE AX is a high-performance ATX motherboard built to support Intel’s latest desktop processors. Designed with advanced technologies and premium components, it provides a powerful foundation for gaming PCs, creative workstations, and enthusiast builds.

Powered by the Intel Z790 chipset and featuring the LGA1700 socket, the motherboard supports Intel 12th, 13th, and 14th generation processors. This ensures compatibility with modern CPUs while offering future-ready performance and expandability.

With its powerful VRM architecture, DDR5 memory support, and high-speed networking features, the Z790 AORUS ELITE AX delivers outstanding system stability and performance.

Support for Intel 12th, 13th and 14th Gen Processors

The motherboard is built around the Intel Z790 Express chipset and supports a wide range of Intel processors using the LGA1700 socket.

Supported CPU families include:

• Intel Core i9 processors

• Intel Core i7 processors

• Intel Core i5 processors

• Intel Core i3 processors

• Intel Pentium Gold processors

• Intel Celeron processors

This compatibility allows system builders to create configurations ranging from mid-range gaming PCs to high-end enthusiast systems.

The platform is optimized to deliver improved performance, better power efficiency, and enhanced PCIe bandwidth compared to previous chipset generations.

Powerful Twin 16+1+2 Phase Digital VRM

Power delivery is critical for maintaining stable CPU performance. The Z790 AORUS ELITE AX features a Twin 16+1+2 hybrid digital VRM design, delivering reliable power to high-performance processors.

Key VRM features include:

• 70A Smart Power Stage design

• Premium chokes and capacitors

• 6-layer PCB with 2X copper

• Solid pin power connectors

This design ensures stable voltage regulation even under heavy workloads such as gaming, rendering, and CPU overclocking.

The robust power architecture also improves system reliability and thermal efficiency.

DDR5 Memory Support for Extreme Performance

The motherboard supports the latest DDR5 memory technology, which provides significantly higher bandwidth and improved efficiency compared to DDR4.

Memory features include:

• 4 DDR5 DIMM slots

• Maximum capacity up to 256GB system memory

• Memory speeds up to DDR5-7600 (OC)

• Dual-channel architecture

• Intel XMP 3.0 support

High-speed DDR5 memory improves multitasking performance and boosts gaming responsiveness.

Advanced memory routing and optimized PCB design help maintain signal integrity for high-frequency memory modules.

PCIe 5.0 Graphics Slot for Next-Generation GPUs

The Z790 AORUS ELITE AX includes a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, offering double the bandwidth of PCIe 4.0.

This slot is reinforced with Ultra Durable armor to support heavy graphics cards and maintain signal stability.

Expansion slots include:

• 1 × PCIe 5.0 x16 slot

• 2 × PCIe 4.0 x16 slots (x4 mode)

PCIe 5.0 ensures compatibility with future graphics cards and high-bandwidth expansion devices.

Gamers and creators benefit from improved graphics rendering, faster GPU communication, and enhanced system performance.

Ultra-Fast Storage with Four M.2 NVMe Slots

Storage flexibility is another major strength of the Z790 AORUS ELITE AX.

The motherboard includes four PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 connectors, allowing installation of multiple high-speed NVMe SSDs.

Additional storage features include:

• 6 × SATA 6Gb/s ports

• RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, and RAID 10 support

• M.2 Thermal Guard III cooling

These features allow users to create ultra-fast storage configurations for gaming libraries, creative workloads, and large data sets.

Advanced Thermal Design

High-performance systems require effective cooling to maintain stability.

The Z790 AORUS ELITE AX includes a comprehensive thermal solution with several advanced features.

Cooling components include:

• Fully covered MOSFET heatsinks

• Integrated 6mm heatpipe

• High-conductivity thermal pads

• M.2 Thermal Guard III

These components help dissipate heat efficiently and maintain stable VRM and SSD temperatures during intensive workloads.

Smart Fan 6 Cooling Technology

GIGABYTE integrates Smart Fan 6, an intelligent cooling system that allows users to control fan behavior and monitor temperatures.

Smart Fan 6 features include:

• Multiple temperature sensors

• Hybrid fan headers supporting PWM and DC fans

• Customizable fan curves

• Water cooling pump support

• Fan stop functionality for silent operation

This system allows users to balance cooling performance and noise levels based on system usage.

High-Speed Networking with WiFi 6E and 2.5GbE LAN

Networking performance is essential for modern gaming and streaming.

The Z790 AORUS ELITE AX includes:

• Intel WiFi 6E AX211 module

• Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity

• Realtek 2.5GbE LAN controller

WiFi 6E extends wireless connectivity to the 6GHz band, delivering faster speeds and reduced latency.

The 2.5Gb Ethernet controller provides faster wired networking compared to traditional Gigabit LAN.

High-Speed USB and Connectivity Options

The motherboard offers a wide range of USB ports for modern peripherals and external storage.

USB connectivity includes:

• Rear USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C (20Gbps)

• Front USB Type-C header (10Gbps)

• USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A ports

• USB 3.2 Gen1 ports

• USB 2.0 ports

These ports allow users to connect high-speed storage devices, gaming peripherals, and professional equipment.

Integrated Display Output

For users utilizing integrated graphics on Intel processors, the motherboard includes built-in display outputs.

Display options include:

• HDMI 2.1 port

• DisplayPort 1.2 port

These outputs support high-resolution monitors and allow systems to operate without a dedicated GPU when necessary.

DIY-Friendly Features

GIGABYTE includes several convenient features designed to simplify PC building.

DIY features include:

• EZ-Latch Plus tool-free M.2 installation

• Q-Flash Plus BIOS update without CPU or memory

• Integrated I/O shield

• PCIe EZ-Latch GPU release mechanism

These features make system assembly easier and reduce installation time.

Ultra Durable Design for Reliability

The Z790 AORUS ELITE AX follows GIGABYTE’s Ultra Durable design philosophy.

Durability features include:

• 6-layer PCB design

• 2X copper PCB for better heat dissipation

• Solid pin power connectors

• Reinforced PCIe slots

These features ensure long-term reliability and stable performance for demanding workloads.

Ideal for Gaming and Content Creation

The GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS ELITE AX is suitable for a wide range of PC builds.

It is particularly well suited for:

• High-end gaming PCs

• Streaming setups

• Creative workstations

• Content creation systems

• Enthusiast desktop builds

With its combination of performance, connectivity, and expandability, the motherboard provides an excellent foundation for modern PC systems.

Conclusion

The GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS ELITE AX is a powerful ATX motherboard designed for Intel’s latest processors and modern PC hardware.

With support for DDR5 memory, PCIe 5.0 graphics, WiFi 6E networking, and multiple NVMe storage devices, it delivers exceptional performance and expandability.

Its advanced VRM design, comprehensive cooling system, and extensive connectivity options make it an excellent choice for gamers, creators, and PC enthusiasts building high-performance systems.

Specifications Sheet