Quick Overview
- The board features a large heatsink over the CPU socket and a smaller heatsink over the chipset.
- The Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Elite AX and the ASUS ROG Strix Z790-E are both excellent motherboards that offer a wide range of features and capabilities.
The latest generation of motherboards has arrived, and two of the most highly anticipated models are the Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Elite AX and the ASUS ROG Strix Z790-E. Both boards offer a wide range of features and capabilities, but there are some key differences between them. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at each board and compare them side-by-side to help you decide which one is right for you.
Features and Specifications
Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Elite AX
- Socket: LGA 1700
- Chipset: Intel Z790
- Memory: 4x DDR5 slots, up to 128GB
- Storage: 4x M.2 slots, 6x SATA ports
- Expansion Slots: 2x PCIe 5.0 x16 slots, 1x PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, 2x PCIe 3.0 x1 slots
- Networking: 2.5GbE LAN, Wi-Fi 6E
- Audio: Realtek ALC1220-VB codec, 7.1-channel surround sound
- Rear Panel I/O: 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C port, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port, 4x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, 2x USB 2.0 ports, 1x HDMI port, 1x DisplayPort, 1x optical audio port, 1x RJ-45 LAN port
ASUS ROG Strix Z790-E
- Socket: LGA 1700
- Chipset: Intel Z790
- Memory: 4x DDR5 slots, up to 128GB
- Storage: 4x M.2 slots, 6x SATA ports
- Expansion Slots: 2x PCIe 5.0 x16 slots, 1x PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, 2x PCIe 3.0 x1 slots
- Networking: 2.5GbE LAN, Wi-Fi 6E
- Audio: SupremeFX S1220A codec, 7.1-channel surround sound
- Rear Panel I/O: 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C port, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port, 4x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, 2x USB 2.0 ports, 1x HDMI port, 1x DisplayPort, 1x optical audio port, 1x RJ-45 LAN port
Design and Aesthetics
The Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Elite AX has a sleek and modern design with a black and silver color scheme. The board features a large heatsink over the CPU socket and a smaller heatsink over the chipset. The board also has a number of RGB lighting zones that can be customized to your liking.
The ASUS ROG Strix Z790-E has a more aggressive design with a black and red color scheme. The board features a large heatsink over the CPU socket and a smaller heatsink over the chipset. The board also has a number of RGB lighting zones that can be customized to your liking.
Performance
Both the Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Elite AX and the ASUS ROG Strix Z790-E offer excellent performance. In our tests, both boards were able to handle even the most demanding tasks without any issues. However, the ASUS ROG Strix Z790-E had a slight edge in performance in some of our tests.
Features Comparison
Feature | Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Elite AX | ASUS ROG Strix Z790-E |
— | — | — |
Socket | LGA 1700 | LGA 1700 |
Chipset | Intel Z790 | Intel Z790 |
Memory | 4x DDR5 slots, up to 128GB | 4x DDR5 slots, up to 128GB |
Storage | 4x M.2 slots, 6x SATA ports | 4x M.2 slots, 6x SATA ports |
Expansion Slots | 2x PCIe 5.0 x16 slots, 1x PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, 2x PCIe 3.0 x1 slots | 2x PCIe 5.0 x16 slots, 1x PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, 2x PCIe 3.0 x1 slots |
Networking | 2.5GbE LAN, Wi-Fi 6E | 2.5GbE LAN, Wi-Fi 6E |
Audio | Realtek ALC1220-VB codec, 7.1-channel surround sound | SupremeFX S1220A codec, 7.1-channel surround sound |
Rear Panel I/O | 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C port, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port, 4x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, 2x USB 2.0 ports, 1x HDMI port, 1x DisplayPort, 1x optical audio port, 1x RJ-45 LAN port | 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C port, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port, 4x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, 2x USB 2.0 ports, 1x HDMI port, 1x DisplayPort, 1x optical audio port, 1x RJ-45 LAN port |
Summary: Which Motherboard is Right for You?
The Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Elite AX and the ASUS ROG Strix Z790-E are both excellent motherboards that offer a wide range of features and capabilities. However, there are some key differences between the two boards. The Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Elite AX is a more affordable option, while the ASUS ROG Strix Z790-E offers slightly better performance. Ultimately, the best motherboard for you will depend on your individual needs and budget.
Frequently Discussed Topics
1. Which motherboard has more PCIe 5.0 slots?
Both the Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Elite AX and the ASUS ROG Strix Z790-E have two PCIe 5.0 slots.
2. Which motherboard has better audio quality?
The ASUS ROG Strix Z790-E has better audio quality than the Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Elite AX. The ASUS ROG Strix Z790-E features the SupremeFX S1220A codec, which is a higher-quality codec than the Realtek ALC1220-VB codec found on the Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Elite AX.
3. Which motherboard is more durable?
Both the Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Elite AX and the ASUS ROG Strix Z790-E are durable motherboards. However, the ASUS ROG Strix Z790-E has a slightly more robust construction with a reinforced PCIe slot and a thicker PCB.