Overview

The Gigabyte Z790 GAMING PLUS AX is an LGA1700 ATX motherboard built around Intel's Z790 chipset, designed to support 12th, 13th, and 14th Gen Core processors. It brings DDR5 memory support and a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot to the table, making it a solid mid-high range choice for gamers and enthusiasts who want modern features without breaking the bank. With a maximum memory capacity of 192GB and three PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots, this board offers plenty of room for fast storage and future upgrades.
One of the standout features is the integrated Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, which eliminates the need for a separate wireless adapter and keeps your desk clutter-free. Gigabyte also includes practical tools like Smart Fan 6 for precise fan control and Q-Flash Plus for BIOS updates without a CPU installed, catering to both first-time builders and seasoned overclockers.
Priced around ¥39,600 (approx. $270 USD) at the time of writing, the Z790 GAMING PLUS AX sits in the value-oriented segment of the Z790 lineup. It strips away unnecessary frills while retaining the core essentials, offering excellent price-to-performance for a DDR5 gaming rig.

Compatibility Guide

  • CPU Socket: LGA1700. Compatible with Intel Core i9-14900K, i7-14700K, i5-14600K, and all other 12th/13th/14th Gen processors.
  • Memory: 4x DDR5 DIMM slots, dual-channel, up to 192GB. Supports XMP 3.0 for easy overclocking. DDR4 is not supported.
  • Form Factor: Standard ATX (305mm x 244mm). Fits most mid-tower and full-tower cases; always check case specifications for clearance.
  • Power: 24-pin main + dual 8-pin CPU EPS connectors. A quality 750W-850W PSU is recommended for a typical gaming build with a mid-range GPU.
  • Storage: 3x M.2 slots (all PCIe 4.0 x4), 4x SATA 6Gbps ports. Supports RAID 0/1/5/10 for both M.2 and SATA drives.

Product Info

Released in early 2023, the Gigabyte Z790 GAMING PLUS AX is widely available through major retailers and online stores. The warranty period is three years for units purchased through official channels in Japan. Its market positioning is firmly mid-high tier: it delivers the full Z790 feature set (DDR5, PCIe 5.0, Wi-Fi 6E) at a price point that undercuts many competing boards by cutting back on excessive VRM phases and premium audio codecs.

Best Use Cases

  • Mainstream Gaming PC: Pair this board with an Intel Core i5-14600K or i7-14700K, 32GB of DDR5-6000 memory, and a GeForce RTX 4070-class GPU for a well-balanced 1440p gaming machine. The built-in Wi-Fi 6E is a bonus for those who can't run Ethernet. Not ideal for extreme overclocking with a Core i9-14900K under sustained all-core loads.
  • Budget-Conscious Enthusiast: If you want DDR5 and PCIe 5.0 but don't need triple M.2 heatsinks or RGB lighting, this board saves you money that can be put toward a better GPU or faster RAM. Avoid if you require Thunderbolt 4 or 10GbE LAN out of the box.
  • Content Creation Workstation: With support for up to 192GB of DDR5 memory and three fast M.2 slots, this motherboard can handle video editing, 3D rendering, and large dataset processing. However, the Realtek ALC897 audio may not satisfy audiophiles; an external DAC or sound card is recommended for critical listening.

Things to Consider

  • VRM Capability: The 12+1+1 phase VRM (60A Dr.MOS) is adequate for Core i5 and i7 chips, but a Core i9-14900K running Prime95 or Cinebench R23 for extended periods may push VRM temperatures above 80°C. Ensure good case airflow and consider an aftermarket VRM heatsink fan if you plan to run heavy all-core workloads.
  • PCIe Slot Layout: The primary x16 slot runs at PCIe 5.0 x16 (from CPU), but the second x16 slot is limited to PCIe 4.0 x4 (from chipset). Multi-GPU setups are not officially supported, and the second slot is best used for a high-speed NVMe SSD via an adapter or a secondary GPU for compute tasks.
  • M.2 Limitations: All three M.2 slots are PCIe 4.0 x4 only. If you need PCIe 5.0 NVMe speeds (e.g., for sequential read/write above 10GB/s), you'll need a Z790 board with a dedicated PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot, such as the Gigabyte Z790 AORUS MASTER.
  • Audio Quality: The Realtek ALC897 codec is functional but lacks the signal-to-noise ratio of higher-end codecs. For competitive gaming where audio cues matter, or for music production, an add-in sound card or USB DAC is a worthwhile investment.

FAQ

Q: Can I use DDR4 memory with this motherboard?
A: No. The Z790 GAMING PLUS AX supports DDR5 memory only. DDR4 modules will not physically fit in the slots.
Q: Does it support Windows 11?
A: Yes. The motherboard includes a firmware TPM 2.0 module and supports Secure Boot, meeting all Windows 11 system requirements. Enable TPM in the BIOS before installation.
Q: Is the Wi-Fi module upgradeable?
A: The onboard Wi-Fi 6E module is an M.2 2230 Key E card (Intel AX211). It can be replaced with a compatible module if you need a different standard, but the antenna connectors are soldered t