The best motherboards based on the Intel Z790 chipset

ASRock Z790 PG Riptide is a classic ATX motherboard with 4 DDR5 RAM slots, PCI-E 5.0 support and the ability to simultaneously install two video cards. It runs the top-end Z790 system logic and is compatible with 12th, 13th and 14th generation Intel processors with the LGA 1700 socket. Although the board is a representative of the new Riptide gaming series that ASRock launched in 2022, the emphasis is not on the abundance of backlighting or bold design, but on the quality, reliability and durability of the device.

In particular, a 16-phase power converter built on the basis of DrMOS chips will easily supply energy to a rather voracious multi-core processor of the Core i7 or i9 level. The use of densified copper conductors and an 8-layer PCB board improves the stability of electrical signal transmission and helps reduce the operating temperature of the device. The socket space and M.2 zones are cooled by auxiliary radiators. The DIMM sockets are equipped with special latches and built-in surge protection. Specialized PCI-e SMT connectors improve signal throughput and ensure stable operation even at high speeds typical of the PCI-E 5.0 bus.

Otherwise, we have a typical A-level motherboard that meets the needs of most users: 4 slots for RAM (example: DDR5-7200 with XMP support) can load as much as 192 GB of memory, connectors for video cards can work with the PCI-E 5.0 interface , and 13 slots are allocated for drives, five of which can work with the PCI-E 5.0/4.0 interface. Network traffic processing is traditionally provided by the Killer profile controller with a throughput of 2.5 GB/s. Overall, ASRock has produced a well-balanced board with no obvious flaws, which with similar equipment could have cost 20–30% more.

After the presentation of the Z790 chipset, the Taiwanese giant Asus did not pull the bull by the horns, releasing about two dozen diverse (but actually damn similar) motherboards. In the updated line, the hero of today's review, Asus TUF GAMING Z790-PLUS WIFI D4, occupies a place somewhere in the middle between the relatively simple models of the Prime series and models for enthusiasts from the ROG Maximus series. Compared to Prime boards, TUF GAMING models usually have more serious power and cooling systems, but they lack many of the bells and whistles of ROG models equipped with Z790 system logic.

Despite the cost of around $400, we have never seen a fashion board that shines like a Christmas tree in the center of the capital. Plus it doesn't have DDR5 memory support like most Z790 models. In contrast, the Asus TUF GAMING Z790-PLUS WIFI D4 boasts a fairly serious 17-phase power subsystem (16+1 scheme) with durable industrial-grade power elements, four ports for old, fast, but expensive DDR4-5333 memory, one PCI slot -E 5.0 for new generation video cards and four M.2 ports for fast and compact SSD drives. There is also a built-in Wi-Fi receiver on board with support for sixth generation wireless networks.

The circuit design of the Asus TUF GAMING Z790-PLUS WIFI D4 is noticeably similar to the more expensive ROG and ROG STRIX boards, in which the radiators of the VRM node are connected by a heat pipe, there is a huge radiator on the hub, and the M.2 slots are equipped with cooling radiators. Plus, the board supports the most successful developments of recent years, including smart complexes for optimizing overclocking and cooling AI Overlocking + AI Cooling, OptiMem II RAM optimization technology and proprietary Armory Crate software. As we have already said, this is not a story about beauty, but about reliability and durability.

The Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Elite X WiFi7 motherboard is based on the advanced Intel Z790 chipset and formally belongs to the top level, although by Z790 standards it cannot be called record-breakingly expensive. With an official cost of around $400, it provides almost the same capabilities for assembling and overclocking a system as other models based on the Z790 chip that cost one and a half to two times more. We are talking about support for the PCI-E 5.0 interface, friendship with the next generation of DDR5 RAM and the ability to install the new Intel Core Raptor Lake Refresh processors, which will go on sale in the fall of 2023.

The power and cooling systems of the Gigabyte Z790 AORUS ELITE AX DDR5 are noticeably similar to the more expensive boards of the AORUS MASTER series with their multi-layer TMOS heatsinks, ubiquitous thermal pads and smart cooling management system Smart Fan 6. In general, the board efficiently cools every potentially heating element, including compact M .2 SSD. And a fairly powerful 19-phase power system is capable of powering any 12/12/14th generation Intel processors with some reserve for manual or automatic overclocking. Moreover, the power part has noticeably improved compared to its predecessors on the Z690 chip.

Overall, Gigabyte has turned out to be an extremely successful model with an excellent price-quality ratio, in which the potential owner will have all the elements necessary for assembly. Namely, 4 M.2 slots with additional cooling and support for the PCI-E 4.0 interface, paired PCI-E slots for two video cards in Crossfire mode, 4 slots for DDR5-7600 modules, a network controller from Realtek with a bandwidth of 2.5 Gbps and an integrated wireless antenna (Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3), as well as a pack of connectors for connecting LED strips and many zones for air coolers or water pumps.

MSI MPG Z790 CARBON WIFI is a top-end motherboard even by Class A standards. Both the official price just above $500 and the fact that it belongs to the MSI MPG overclocker line hint that this is a top-end gadget that has absolutely no place inside a boring office computer or an inexpensive gaming PC for Dota and Fortnite. As befits a top-level device, the MSI MPG Z790 CARBON WIFI is equipped with massive heatsinks for the chipset, VRM and M.2 pads, which are connected by a direct contact heatpipe. In addition, the board supports built-in Core Boost and Memory Boost overclocking technologies.

MSI MPG Z790 CARBON WIFI is equipped with the fifth generation progressive PCI-E data bus and is designed to work with the new generation of DDR5 RAM. The processor is powered by an advanced 21-phase power converter with a pair of two 8-pin connectors and a rated current of 105A. In general, these capabilities are sufficient for most overclocking experiments. This is also an excellent option for a damn powerful gaming or work PC, in which nothing will prevent the conventional Core i9-13900K from automatically accelerating to the stated frequencies and maintaining this level for the required time.

In all other respects, MSI makes the most of the Z790: 4 slots for RAM with a high clock frequency of 7600 MHz (approx: maximum 192 GB), 5 slots for fast and compact M.2 drives (PCIe 5.0/4.0 bus), 2 reinforced PCI connectors -E x16, plus an advanced Realtek ALC4080 audio path and a network controller with a 2.5 Gigabit LAN port and a Wi-Fi 6E antenna. Also generously scattered throughout the board are connectors for RGB/ARGB strips with the ability to connect to the MSI Mystic Light Sync system, and free areas for placing case coolers and water pumps.

Immediately after the announcement of Intel Raptor Lake Refresh processors, Asus introduced about 20 new products from the Prime, TUF and ROG series. We received a model from the latest series for testing, namely the compact board Asus ROG STRIX Z790-I GAMING WIFI, which, although it does not belong to the flagship ROG Maximus series, this does not prevent it from competing with more expensive and high-status Z790 motherboards. In particular, it is compatible with the PCI-E 5.0 interface, can work with DDR5 memory, supports proprietary Asus overclocking technologies (AI Overlocking, AI Cooling, ASUS Turbo, Aemp 2, etc.) and is equipped with an external ROG Hive hub with built-in sound card (example: ESS SABRE9260Q DAC amplifier) and additional USB ports.

Despite its compact dimensions, the Asus ROG STRIX Z790-I GAMING WIFI allows you to not be too constrained when assembling a gaming system: the video card connectors are compatible with the PCI-E 5.0 interface, which somewhat simplifies the power supply for NVIDIA 4000 series video cards, both M.2 ports operate in PCI-E 4.0 mode, allowing you to install a pair of reactive SSD drives with write speeds of up to 7000 MB/s into the system. It’s a pity that there are only 2 slots for RAM, although many mini-ITXs have long overcome this weakness, so it’s better to immediately take a dual-channel set of RAM with a reserve. DDR5 memory with a maximum frequency of 7600 MHz is supported.

Otherwise, the Asus ROG STRIX Z790-I GAMING WIFI boasts additional cooling of any potentially heating element, including the VRM, the near-socket area of the M.2 pad. The Digi+ voltage regulator provides real-time control of power parameters, allowing you to optimize processor performance depending on the current tasks. The 11-phase digital power subsystem is ready for installation of any compatible Intel Core series processors. Although it will be quite difficult for it to maintain a solid overclocking of the conventional Core i9 14900K, so a more successful pair would be the not so extremely powerful Core i7-13700/14700. Other advantages of the model include ample opportunities for connecting additional RGB devices, as well as the presence of USB 4 ports with Thunderbolt support and a Wi-Fi 6E wireless receiver.