GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Elite AX ATX Motherboard
High-end Intel DDR5 builds, LGA 1700 12th-14th Gen, heavy storage and overclocking, premium ATX
Overview
The GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Elite AX is a flagship-grade Intel Z790 ATX motherboard for LGA 1700 (12th-14th Gen) processors using DDR5 memory, built around a powerful 16+1+2 power phase design that comfortably drives unlocked K-series CPUs. It supports up to 128 GB of DDR5 at speeds up to DDR5-8000 (O.C.) across four slots, four M.2 slots including PCIe 5.0 for ultra-fast NVMe, a CPU-attached PCIe 5.0 x16 graphics slot, on-board Wi-Fi 6E, and Realtek 2.5G Ethernet. In 2026 it typically sells for about $190 to $240, though clearance and sale pricing has occasionally dropped it toward $100 to $120. For builders who want a high-end Intel DDR5 platform with fast storage and solid VRMs, the Z790 AORUS Elite AX is a strong value flagship.
Key Highlights
- Flagship Intel Z790 DDR5 board supporting 12th-14th Gen with CPU PCIe 5.0 x16
- Four DDR5 slots up to 128 GB supporting DDR5-8000 (O.C.) with XMP/EXPO
- Four M.2 slots including PCIe 5.0 support for ultra-fast NVMe storage
- Robust 16+1+2 power phase design for high-end unlocked CPUs
- On-board Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5G Ethernet for fast networking
Technical Specifications
| Brand | GIGABYTE |
|---|---|
| Model | GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Elite AX ATX Motherboard |
| Socket | LGA 1700 (Intel 14th, 13th, and 12th Gen Core) |
| Chipset | Intel Z790 |
| Form Factor | ATX (305 x 244 mm) |
| CPU Support | Intel Core 14th/13th/12th Gen (LGA 1700) |
| Memory Support | 4x DDR5 DIMM slots, dual channel, up to DDR5-8000 (OC), XMP/EXPO support |
| Max Memory | Up to 128 GB DDR5 |
| Memory Slots | 4x DDR5 (up to 128 GB, DDR5-8000 O.C.) |
| M.2 Slots | 4x M.2 (PCIe 5.0 x4 / PCIe 4.0 x4 combined) |
| PCIe Slots | 1x PCIe 5.0 x16, 1x PCIe 4.0 x16, 2x PCIe 3.0 x16 |
| SATA Ports | 6x SATA 6 Gb/s |
| LAN | Realtek 2.5G Ethernet |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E + Bluetooth 5.3 (onboard, Intel AX210) |
| Audio | Realtek ALC897 7.1-channel HD audio with hi-fi audio capacitors |
| USB Ports | USB-C 20Gbps (front), USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C (rear), multiple USB 3.2 Gen 1/2 Type-A headers, Q-Flash Plus |
| Price | $189.99 to $239.99 street (2026); price history lows near $100-$120 at clearance, list up to ~$240 |