GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Elite AX (LGA 1700/ Intel Z790/ ATX/ DDR5/ Quad M.2/ PCIe 5.0/ USB 3.2 Gen2X2 Type-C/Intel WiFi 6E/ 2.5GbE LAN/Q-Flash Plus/PCIe EZ-Latch/Gaming Motherboard)
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AI Verdict
This mid-range Z790 board delivers massive power delivery for high-end Intel chips and excellent storage options, making it perfect for gamers who only need two sticks of RAM.
The 16+1+2 phase VRM and four M.2 slots make this a powerhouse for standard gaming builds using two sticks of DDR5. The lack of a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot and severe instability when using four RAM sticks makes it a poor choice for future-proofers or heavy workstation users.
If you need a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot for next-gen storage, step up to the Aorus Master or look at Asus ROG Strix Z790-E.
Regret Score™
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Critically weak dimension
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Pros
- Twin 16+1+2 phase 70A VRM easily handles a Core i9-13900K or 14900K without thermal throttling
- Four PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots provide massive storage expansion without needing add-in cards
- PCIe EZ-Latch makes removing massive modern GPUs incredibly easy without snapping the plastic retention clip
- Q-Flash Plus lets you update the BIOS for 14th Gen CPU support using just a USB drive and power supply
- Rear I/O is stacked with USB ports, including a 20Gbps USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C
Cons
- Zero PCIe 5.0 M.2 slots for next-gen SSDs, despite the 'Next Gen Connectivity' marketing
- Running four sticks of DDR5 at XMP speeds is nearly impossible and triggers constant DRAM error LEDs
- Hardware revision lottery means you might get a Realtek Wi-Fi chip instead of Intel, causing random disconnects
- Gigabyte's Control Center software is clunky and often overwrites custom fan curves
Dimension Scores
Twin 16+1+2 phase 70A VRM easily handles an overclocked i9-14900K without breaking a sweat.
Includes EZ-Latch and Q-Flash Plus, but loses points for the confusing Wi-Fi chip revisions.
Four PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots is excellent for the price, but the lack of a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot holds it back.
The BIOS layout is logical, but Gigabyte Control Center is bloated and the multiple hardware revisions make finding the right update frustrating.
Best For
- Gamers building with 13th or 14th Gen Intel Core i7/i9 processors who want heavy power delivery
- Storage hoarders who need four M.2 NVMe slots directly on the motherboard
- Builders using massive GPUs who will benefit from the EZ-Latch release mechanism
Not Recommended For
- Workstation users who need 128GB+ of RAM spread across four DDR5 DIMM slots
- Early adopters wanting to use PCIe 5.0 NVMe SSDs at maximum speeds
Watch Out For
- RAM slot sensitivity — if you put two sticks in A1 and B1 instead of A2 and B2, the board will refuse to post and flash a DRAM error.
- Confusing hardware revisions — Gigabyte sells Rev 1.0, 1.1, and 1.x versions of this exact board, and flashing the wrong BIOS file will cause major instability.
- Four-stick DDR5 nightmare — filling all four RAM slots usually forces the memory controller to default to 4800MHz, and enabling XMP will cause blue screens.
- Wi-Fi driver conflicts — Rev 1.1 boards switched to a Realtek Wi-Fi module that causes USB dropouts until you manually install the exact driver from Gigabyte's support page.
Full Specifications
| RAM | DDR5 |
| ASIN | B0BH9DXY38 |
| Brand | GIGABYTE |
| Series | Z790 AORUS ELITE AX |
| Platform | Windows |
| CPU Model | Others |
| Processor | others |
| CPU Socket | LGA 1700 |
| Model Name | Z790 AORUS ELITE AX |
| Item Weight | 4.35 pounds |
| Chipset Type | Intel Z790 |
| Manufacturer | GIGABYTE |
| Memory Speed | 7600 MHz |
| Wireless Type | 802.11ax |
| Item model number | Z790 AORUS ELITE AX |
| Compatible Devices | Personal Computer |
| Memory Clock Speed | 7600 MHz |
| Product Dimensions | 13.18 x 10.62 x 3.14 inches |
| Compatible Processors | 12th Generation Intel Core,13th Generation Intel Core,14th Generation Intel Core |
| RAM Memory Technology | DDR5 |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 13.18 x 10.62 x 3.14 inches |
| Number of USB 2.0 Ports | 2 |
What Buyers Say
The biggest headache is the DDR5 memory controller throwing DRAM errors if you try to use four sticks or populate the wrong slots. Once you put exactly two sticks in slots A2 and B2, the board transforms into an incredibly stable powerhouse. The VRM heatsinks are massive and keep temperatures shockingly low even with an i9-13900K pulling heavy wattage. Silent hardware revisions frustrate many, specifically Rev 1.1 swapping the reliable Intel Wi-Fi chip for a Realtek one that causes random USB and network dropouts until patched.
“Great board once it's running, but I spent 4 hours troubleshooting a red DRAM light just to find out it absolutely hates having 4 sticks of ram installed.”
Common Praise
- VRM heatsinks keep temperatures well below 60°C even under heavy sustained multi-core loads
- PCIe EZ-Latch button makes removing massive RTX 4090s effortless
- Q-Flash Plus works flawlessly for updating to 14th Gen BIOS without needing an older CPU
- Four M.2 slots provide massive storage expansion without needing PCIe add-in cards
Common Complaints
- Board refuses to post and flashes a red DRAM light if RAM is placed in slots A1/B1
- Enabling XMP with four sticks of DDR5 causes constant blue screens and boot loops
- Gigabyte Control Center software frequently overrides custom fan curves set in the BIOS
- Rev 1.1 boards with Realtek Wi-Fi chips suffer from random Bluetooth disconnects
Ownership Tips
- The Gigabyte Control Center will try to install Norton Antivirus during the driver update process if you don't uncheck the box.
- You have to check the bottom left corner of the physical motherboard to find your exact revision number (1.0, 1.1, or 1.2) before downloading BIOS updates.
- The M.2 Thermal Guard III heatsink on the top slot is so thick it can interfere with some massive dual-tower air coolers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will this support 14th Gen Intel CPUs out of the box?
It depends on the manufacturing date. If it doesn't, you can use the Q-Flash Plus button on the rear I/O to update the BIOS via a USB stick without a CPU installed.
Can I run four sticks of DDR5 at 6000MHz or higher?
Almost certainly not. Filling all four slots causes boot failures or forces the RAM down to base 4800MHz speeds. Stick to a two-stick kit.
Does this board have a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot for SSDs?
No. The main graphics card slot is PCIe 5.0, but all four M.2 storage slots are limited to PCIe 4.0 speeds.
Which RAM slots should I use for two sticks?
You must use slots A2 and B2, which are the second and fourth slots moving away from the CPU. Using A1 and B1 will trigger a DRAM error LED.
Why is my Wi-Fi dropping or causing USB disconnects?
Some hardware revisions (like 1.1) use a Realtek Wi-Fi chip instead of Intel. You need to download the specific Realtek drivers from Gigabyte's site and update your BIOS to fix the PCI errors.
Buying Guide
When buying a Z790 motherboard, you are paying for power delivery and connectivity. This board is built to feed massive amounts of electricity to high-end Intel chips without overheating. DDR5 is still incredibly finicky on this platform. Do not buy four sticks of RAM for aesthetics; buy a two-stick kit with the total capacity you need, or you will spend days fighting boot errors.
16+1+2 Phase 70A VRM
Think of this as the plumbing that delivers electricity to your CPU. More phases mean the power is delivered smoother and cooler, which is mandatory for power-hungry chips like the i9-14900K.
PCIe EZ-Latch
Modern graphics cards are so thick they block the release clip on the motherboard. This feature moves the release button to an open area so you don't have to use a screwdriver to pry your GPU out.
Q-Flash Plus
Allows you to update the motherboard's brain using just a USB stick and a power supply. This is a lifesaver if you buy a new CPU that the factory software doesn't recognize yet.
Alternatives
If you want to run four sticks of RAM or need a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot for future storage upgrades, look for higher-tier Z790 boards or switch to AMD's X670E platform which handles PCIe 5.0 better.
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