Gigabyte Z790 A ELITE X WIFI Gaming Motherboard, Black

Gigabyte Z790 A ELITE X WIFI Gaming Motherboard

Gigabyte Z790 A ELITE X WIFI. Intel LGA 1700 Socket: Supports 13th and next-gen processorsDual Channel DDR5: 4*DIMMs with XMP 3.0 memory module supportCommanding Power Design: Twin 16+1+2 Phases Digital VRM SolutionCutting-Edge Thermal Design: VRM Thermal Armor Advanced & M.2 Thermal Guard.

Ultra-Fast Storage: 4*PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slotsFast Networks: 2.5GbE LAN & Wi-Fi 7Extended Connectivity: PCIe 5.0, DP, HDMI, Front & Rear USB-C 20Gb/sFine Tuning Features: RGB FUSION 2.0, Supports Addressable LED & RGB LED Strips, Smart Fan 6, Q-Flash Plus Update BIOS without installing CPU, Memory, and GPU. Introducing AORUS Z790 X Motherboards, the most powerful platform, built for the next generation of Intel Core processors. With leading performance in DDR5 memory, upgraded DIY innovation, and an all-new BIOS, AORUS Z790 X Motherboards are built to unleash next-gen power.

Features:

• Supports Intel® Core™ 14th and 13th processors
• Digital twin 16+1+2 phases VRM solution
• Dual Channel DDR5：4*DIMMs with XMP 3.0 memory module support
• PCIe UD Slot X： PCIe 5.0 x16 slot with 10X strength for graphics card
• EZ-Latch Click：M.2 heatsinks with screwless design
• EZ-Latch Plus：M.2 slots with quick release design
• UC BIOS：User-Centred intuitive UX with Quick Access function
• Ultra-Fast Storage：4*PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slots
• Efficient Overall Thermal：VRM Thermal Armor Advanced & M.2 Thermal Guard L
• Fast Networking：2.5GbE LAN & Wi-Fi 7 with Ultra-high gain antenna
• Extended Connectivity：DP, HDMI, Front USB-C® 10Gb/s, Rear USB-C® 20Gb/s
• Precision Audio：ALC1220 & Audiophile Grade Capacitors

Intel’s 14th Gen and Board Design

As I said, the new processors aren’t radically different from the old—the flagship Core i9-14900K has the same number of cores and threads as the Core i9-13900K, with a max turbo clock of 6.0GHz versus 5.8GHz and a slightly bumped base clock. To get the most out of the new CPUs, you’ll need adequate cooling, as many motherboards take some liberties with default power targets and raise them to get the upper hand over their rivals. A 360mm AIO works best for the high-end processors, while some of the less expensive CPUs in the product stack can get away with a smaller AIO or even air cooling. It comes with DDR5.

CPU and Memory

The Z790 Aorus Elite X Wi-Fi 7 supports Intel’s 12th, 13th, and 14th Generation LGA1700 processors out of the box. The VRMs are comprised of 16 phases dedicated to the Vcore (processor) and 90A SPS MOSFETs. The large heatsinks kept the VRM temperatures within spec, even during long-running multithreaded benchmarks with our flagship-class CPU. The default setting of Gigabyte’s convenient Perf Drive one-click overclocking tool is “Optimization,” setting all cores to the turbo max clock. In this (and most) settings, you’re primarily limited by the processor cooling method, since Perf Drive lets it run at the 253W limit set by Intel. The better your cooling, the more these CPUs can stretch their legs.

Layout and Internal Connectors

Looking at the top half of the motherboard, in the left corner we spot dual 8-pin EPS connectors (one required) to power the processor. Surrounding these power leads is the VRM heatsink. The black ribbed look gives way to a dark grey with a “Team Up, Fight On” mantra below. Next, we see four DRAM slots with locking mechanisms on both sides.

Above these are the first two of six 4-pin fan/pump headers. Each header supports PWM and DC-controlled devices and outputs up to 2A/24W, which should be plenty even when powering a custom water loop. Don’t overload these headers, as it can cause permanent damage. Control over the attached devices comes from the BIOS or the Fan Control portion of the Gigabyte Control Center app.

Audio, Expansion, Storage, and Rear I/O

In the middle of the board are three full-length PCI Express slots and four M.2 sockets. Starting with the PCIe slots, the top slot uses Gigabyte’s new PCIe S Slot X, a piece of metal that surrounds the slot and screws into the board, protecting the primary graphics slot. I’m not sure this is entirely necessary, but it’s another feature that sets the Elite X apart from the original. That slot sources lanes from the CPU and runs at up to PCIe 5.0 x16 speeds. The bottom two PCIe slots connect through the chipset and run at PCIe 4.0 x4.