What To Know
- The Asus Prime Z790-A WiFi has a sleek black and gray design with RGB lighting accents, while the Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Elite AX sports a more aggressive black and silver design with RGB lighting elements.
- The Asus Prime Z790-A WiFi excels in terms of memory overclocking potential and built-in WiFi 6E support, while the Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Elite AX offers a more aggressive design and slightly lower memory speeds.
- Both motherboards offer excellent power delivery, but the Asus Prime Z790-A WiFi has a slightly higher current rating of 105 amps compared to 90 amps on the Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Elite AX.
In the realm of PC hardware, motherboards reign supreme as the foundation of any high-performance system. Two formidable contenders in the Z790 motherboard arena are the Asus Prime Z790-A WiFi and the Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Elite AX. This in-depth comparison will delve into the intricacies of these two motherboards, analyzing their features, performance, and value to determine which emerges victorious.
Socket and Chipset: The Foundation of Compatibility
Both motherboards are equipped with the latest Intel LGA 1700 socket, ensuring compatibility with 12th and 13th generation Intel Core processors. The Z790 chipset provides a robust platform for enthusiast-grade features, including support for DDR5 memory, PCIe 5.0, and advanced overclocking capabilities.
Power Delivery: Fueling the Beast
The Asus Prime Z790-A WiFi boasts a 16+1+2 power stage design, delivering up to 105 amps of current to the CPU. The Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Elite AX, on the other hand, features a 16+1+2 power stage design with 90 amps of current. Both motherboards offer excellent power delivery, ensuring stability even during demanding workloads.
Memory Support: Unleashing the Speed
The Asus Prime Z790-A WiFi supports up to 128GB of DDR5 memory at speeds of up to 6400MHz. The Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Elite AX also supports up to 128GB of DDR5 memory, but with slightly lower speeds of up to 6200MHz. Both motherboards offer advanced memory overclocking options for enthusiasts seeking the ultimate performance.
Storage Connectivity: Expanding Horizons
The Asus Prime Z790-A WiFi provides six SATA III ports and four M.2 slots, offering ample storage options. The Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Elite AX has a similar storage configuration, with four SATA III ports and four M.2 slots. Both motherboards support the latest PCIe 4.0 and PCIe 5.0 NVMe SSDs for lightning-fast storage performance.
Expansion Slots: Unleashing Possibilities
The Asus Prime Z790-A WiFi features three PCIe 5.0 x16 slots, one PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, and two PCIe 3.0 x1 slots. The Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Elite AX has a slightly different configuration, with two PCIe 5.0 x16 slots, one PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, and two PCIe 3.0 x1 slots. Both motherboards offer ample expansion options for multiple graphics cards, storage devices, and other peripherals.
Networking: Bridging the Gap
Both the Asus Prime Z790-A WiFi and the Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Elite AX come equipped with 2.5GbE LAN ports, providing blazing-fast wired network connectivity. Additionally, the Asus Prime Z790-A WiFi includes built-in WiFi 6E support, while the Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Elite AX requires an optional WiFi card for wireless connectivity.
Aesthetics and Features: Personalizing the Experience
The Asus Prime Z790-A WiFi has a sleek black and gray design with RGB lighting accents, while the Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Elite AX sports a more aggressive black and silver design with RGB lighting elements. Both motherboards offer a range of customization options to match the user’s aesthetic preferences.
Value Proposition: Balancing Price and Performance
The Asus Prime Z790-A WiFi typically retails for around $250, while the Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Elite AX is slightly more expensive at around $280. The price difference is marginal, and both motherboards offer excellent value for the features and performance they deliver.
The Verdict: A Battle for Supremacy
The Asus Prime Z790-A WiFi and the Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Elite AX are both exceptional motherboards that cater to different user needs. The Asus Prime Z790-A WiFi excels in terms of memory overclocking potential and built-in WiFi 6E support, while the Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Elite AX offers a more aggressive design and slightly lower memory speeds.
Ultimately, the choice between these two motherboards depends on the user’s specific requirements and preferences. Both are top-tier options that will provide a solid foundation for any high-performance PC build.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Which motherboard has better power delivery?
A1: Both motherboards offer excellent power delivery, but the Asus Prime Z790-A WiFi has a slightly higher current rating of 105 amps compared to 90 amps on the Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Elite AX.
Q2: Does the Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Elite AX support DDR5 memory?
A2: Yes, the Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Elite AX supports up to 128GB of DDR5 memory at speeds of up to 6200MHz.
Q3: Which motherboard has more PCIe 5.0 x16 slots?
A3: The Asus Prime Z790-A WiFi has three PCIe 5.0 x16 slots, while the Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Elite AX has two PCIe 5.0 x16 slots.
Q4: Does the Asus Prime Z790-A WiFi come with built-in WiFi?
A4: Yes, the Asus Prime Z790-A WiFi includes built-in WiFi 6E support, providing wireless connectivity out of the box.
Q5: Which motherboard is better for overclocking?
A5: Both motherboards offer advanced overclocking capabilities, but the Asus Prime Z790-A WiFi has a slight edge in memory overclocking potential.
