The Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Elite X Wi-Fi 7 and other recently released motherboards not only offer native support for 14th Gen chips, but also come equipped with integrated Wi-Fi 7. This new protocol is significantly faster and includes additional channels in the 320MHz range. However, in order to fully utilize this feature, you will need a compatible router and devices. Furthermore, many of these new motherboards have undergone design updates to distinguish them from previous models. The changes in the Gigabyte’s design are subtle yet appealing, featuring a sleek black-on-black aesthetic that can complement a variety of build themes.

The Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Elite X Wi-Fi 7 and other recently released motherboards not only offer native support for 14th Gen chips, but also come equipped with integrated Wi-Fi 7. This new protocol is significantly faster and includes additional channels in the 320MHz range. However, in order to fully utilize this feature, you will need a compatible router and devices. Furthermore, many of these new motherboards have undergone design updates to distinguish them from previous models. The changes in the Gigabyte’s design are subtle yet appealing, featuring a sleek black-on-black aesthetic that can complement a variety of build themes.

The motherboard is placed on an 8-layer matte black PCB with black heatsinks, just like the previous version. A large heatsink cools the VRMs, covering the I/O section of the board and adorned with the Aorus falcon logo and branding, similar to the chipset and M.2 heatsink that covers the lower portion. The top M.2 socket is equipped with an EZ Latch (similar to the chipset/M.2 heatsink below) and appears to be large enough to support PCIe 4.0 modules without throttling. Concealed under the bottom heatsink is a small RGB LED strip.

CPU and Memory.

The Z790 Aorus Elite X Wi-Fi 7 is compatible with Intel’s 12th, 13th, and 14th Generation LGA1700 processors straight out of the box. It features 16 phases dedicated to the Vcore and 90A SPS MOSFETs for the VRMs. The VRM temperatures remained within the specified range even during extended multithreaded benchmarks with our flagship-class CPU, thanks to the large heatsinks. Gigabyte’s Perf Drive one-click overclocking tool defaults to “Optimization,” which sets all cores to the turbo max clock. In most settings, the primary limitation is the processor cooling method, as Perf Drive allows it to run at the 253W limit set by Intel. Better cooling allows these CPUs to reach their full potential.

Memory performance has been further enhanced with the introduction of “Raptor Lake Refresh”, now supporting DDR5-6000 and reaching speeds of up to DDR5-8266 (OC) according to Gigabyte. The optimal balance between price and performance seems to be around the DDR5-6400 range for budget-conscious users. The new BIOS update provides a wide range of options for adjusting memory timings, catering to enthusiasts looking to maximize their hardware capabilities. With four non-reinforced DRAM slots accommodating up to 192GB of RAM, those requiring more memory may want to consider workstation-grade systems.

The Kingston Fury Beast DDR5-6000 and Team Group TForce DDR5-7200 kits were successfully configured by activating their XMP profiles. This outcome was anticipated, as both kits are included in Gigabyte’s memory QVL list and are well within the DDR5-8266 limit.

Layout and Internal Connectors.

Upon examining the upper portion of the motherboard, we can observe the presence of dual 8-pin EPS connectors in the left corner, with one being necessary to supply power to the processor. Encircling these power connectors is the VRM heatsink. The initial black ribbed appearance transitions into a darker shade of grey, featuring a “Team Up, Fight On” slogan below. Moving on, there are four DRAM slots equipped with locking mechanisms on either side.

The initial pair of six 4-pin fan/pump headers are located above. These headers are capable of supporting PWM and DC-controlled devices, and can output up to 2A/24W, which is more than sufficient for powering a custom water loop. It is important not to overload these headers, as doing so can result in permanent damage. Control over the connected devices can be managed through the BIOS or the Fan Control section of the Gigabyte Control Center app.

The initial RGB header is located next, specifically a 3-pin ARGB. Below the board, you will come across two 4-pin RGB headers and another 3-pin ARGB header. The RGB illumination on this board is more understated compared to others. Management of both integrated and connected RGB devices is done through Gigabyte Control Center’s RGB Fusion application. This app offers numerous pre-set lighting patterns and enables customization of modes according to your preferences.

The first RGB header is positioned nearby, which is a 3-pin ARGB. Two 4-pin RGB headers and another 3-pin ARGB header can be found at the lower edge of the motherboard. The RGB lighting on this board is relatively subtle when compared to other options. Control over both integrated and attached RGB devices is achieved through Gigabyte Control Center’s RGB Fusion app. This application provides a variety of preset lighting patterns and allows for customization of modes to suit your preferences.

While moving along the right side, the first component we encounter is the 24-pin ATX connector responsible for powering the motherboard. Following this are two USB headers: a 19-pin USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps) and a USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps), both designated for the front panel. Lastly, in this section, we have the Status LED feature consisting of four LEDs (CPU, DRAM, VGA, and Boot) that illuminate during the POST process. If an issue arises in any of these areas, the corresponding LED will remain lit, indicating the source of the problem.

Audio, Expansion, Storage, and Rear I/O.

The audio section is located in the lower left-hand corner. Gigabyte decided to enhance the codec by opting for the Realtek ALC1220 in this version. Positioned beneath the chip are WIMA audio caps (red) along with other capacitors (yellow) specifically designated for the audio section. Even though it lacks high-end DAC or amplifiers, the majority of users will find the improved audio solution to be satisfactory.

In the lower left-hand corner, you will find the audio section. Gigabyte has upgraded the codec to the Realtek ALC1220 from the previous version. Positioned below the chip are WIMA audio caps (red) and other capacitors (yellow) dedicated to the audio section. While it may not include fancy DAC or amplifiers, most users will be content with the updated audio solution.

The board features three full-length PCI Express slots and four M.2 sockets in the middle. The top slot utilizes Gigabyte’s new PCIe S Slot X, which is a metal piece that encases the slot and attaches to the board, safeguarding the primary graphics slot. While it may not be entirely essential, it is an additional feature that distinguishes the Elite X from the original. This slot obtains lanes from the CPU and operates at speeds of up to PCIe 5.0 x16. The bottom two PCIe slots are connected through the chipset and operate at PCIe 4.0 x4.

The board’s four M.2 sockets can accommodate modules up to 110mm and reach speeds of PCIe 4.0 x4. The M2M_SB socket at the bottom also supports SATA-based modules. While a PCIe 5.0 M.2 socket would be nice, the four PCIe 4.0 x4 sockets should suffice in terms of both quantity and speed for most users. Additionally, all four sockets feature EZ-Latch Click with EZ Latch Plus, making it much easier to secure your SSDs compared to using small screws.

Traveling alongside the chipset, USB4/TB4 headers and the reset and clear CMOS buttons can be found on the right edge of the board. Positioned between these buttons are six SATA ports that offer support for RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 configurations. Essentially, this board provides a wide range of storage options, with the exception of PCIe 5.0.

At the lower part of the board, you will find various headers arranged from left to right. These include the front-panel audio, three RGB headers (consisting of one 4-pin and two 3-pin headers), the TPM header, two USB 2.0 headers, the QFlash Plus button, four 4-pin system fan headers, and the front-panel header.

The tour of the layout concludes at the rear I/O area. Gigabyte has incorporated a preinstalled I/O plate with light gray labels against a black background. There are a total of 10 USB ports at the back – four USB 2.0, three USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps), two USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps), and one USB-C 3.2 Gen 2×2 (20Gbps). This should be more than sufficient for most users. In the center, you will find the ultra-fast Wi-Fi 7 antenna connections, a 2.5GbE networking port, and DisplayPort and HDMI ports for integrated video. Lastly, the audio stack includes two 3.5mm analog plugs and the SPDIF.

A Concise Overview of the UEFI BIOS and Utilities.

The UEFI BIOS interface on the new Z790 Aorus Elite X Wi-Fi 7 resembles that of other Z790 motherboards, but it has received a refreshing update in terms of appearance. The initial Easy Mode provides essential information such as CPU status, RAM usage, fan speeds, connected peripherals, and more. The color palette has transitioned from the traditional Aorus orange to a sleek combination of black with blue and purple accents, complemented by white text. At the bottom of the screen, there are various customizable options available, including memory adjustments and QFlash functionality. The layout is intuitive, visually appealing, and easy to navigate.

The enhanced section of the BIOS provides a typical setup with primary categories displayed at the top, such as Favorites (modifiable), Tweaker, Settings, and System Info. All the advanced features can be accessed in this significantly more detailed mode.

The Tweaker section provides a range of settings for optimizing and boosting your system’s performance. Within this section, you have the ability to modify voltages, adjust RAM speeds and timings, as well as explore overclocking possibilities for the CPU.

Within the Settings section, there are various subsections available for adjusting platform power, configuring I/O ports, and monitoring PC Health, which displays system information such as voltages and temperatures. Here, you can choose to enable or disable audio and integrated graphics, activate Resizable BAR, and configure USB, NVMe, SATA, audio, and network hardware.

Gigabyte’s UEFI interface is well-organized and user-friendly. The Z790 model, similar to the X670, offers a wide range of customization options such as CPU and RAM overclocking. However, adjusting RGB lighting settings is not possible directly through the BIOS; instead, you must utilize the Gigabyte Control Center app on Windows. In general, the BIOS offers all necessary features, and our F4 version remained stable during our testing period.

Gigabyte Control Center offers Windows-based monitoring and control for RGB lighting, fans, driver updates, and performance/overclocking on the software side. The app is designed to complement the black and orange Aorus theme and is user-friendly. Upon launching, it checks for software and driver updates, downloading them with your permission. The screenshot displays the main page, the hardware under its control in our test setup, and features like fan control and RGB customization.

The RGB Fusion software provides a variety of options for managing RGB lights, fans, and overclocking. It offers eight LED effects, including Static, Pulse, Flash, DFlash, Cycle, Wave1, Wave2, and Off, along with the ability to adjust the brightness and speed of these effects.

The fan control feature offers three pre-set options (silent, normal, and full speed) as well as the capability to manually adjust and create custom curves. The software effectively detected and controlled all the fans in our test system, including PWM and DC, without any problems.

Adjusting the processor and memory settings using the software is simple. You can choose the CPU multiplier for P and E cores from the drop-down menus, and also adjust the memory speed and voltage, although timings cannot be modified.