What To Know
- In the realm of high-performance motherboards, the Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Xtreme and ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Extreme stand tall as formidable contenders for the most demanding builders.
- Both motherboards flaunt a sleek and imposing design, with the Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Xtreme sporting a predominantly black and gray color scheme, while the ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Extreme exudes a more vibrant aesthetic with its ROG-themed accents.
- The ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Extreme, on the other hand, employs a unique “CrossChill EK III” hybrid cooling system that allows for both air and liquid cooling of the VRM.
In the realm of high-performance motherboards, the Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Xtreme and ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Extreme stand tall as formidable contenders for the most demanding builders. These Z790 chipsets offer an unparalleled blend of power, connectivity, and features, catering to enthusiasts and overclockers alike. In this comprehensive comparison, we delve into the depths of each motherboard, scrutinizing their specifications, design, and performance to determine which one emerges as the ultimate champion.
Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Xtreme | ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Extreme |
| — | — | — |
| Chipset | Intel Z790 | Intel Z790 |
| Socket | LGA 1700 | LGA 1700 |
| Form Factor | ATX | ATX |
| Power Phases | 20+2 | 24+1 |
| Memory Slots | 4x DDR5 DIMM | 4x DDR5 DIMM |
| Maximum Memory Speed | DDR5-6600+ (OC) | DDR5-6800+ (OC) |
| PCIe Slots | 3x PCIe 5.0 x16, 2x PCIe 4.0 x16 | 4x PCIe 5.0 x16, 1x PCIe 4.0 x16 |
| Storage | 6x SATA III, 5x M.2 PCIe 5.0 x4 | 8x SATA III, 5x M.2 PCIe 5.0 x4 |
| USB Ports | 10x USB 3.2 Gen 2, 6x USB 3.2 Gen 1 | 12x USB 3.2 Gen 2, 4x USB 3.2 Gen 1 |
| Ethernet | 2.5GbE, 10GbE | 2.5GbE, 10GbE, Marvell AQtion 10GbE |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.3 |
| RGB Lighting | RGB Fusion 2.0 | Aura Sync |
| Price | $799.99 | $899.99 |
Design and Build Quality
Both motherboards flaunt a sleek and imposing design, with the Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Xtreme sporting a predominantly black and gray color scheme, while the ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Extreme exudes a more vibrant aesthetic with its ROG-themed accents.
The Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Xtreme features a reinforced chassis with a large integrated I/O shield, providing enhanced durability and rigidity. The motherboard also boasts a comprehensive array of heatsinks covering the VRM, chipset, and M.2 slots, ensuring optimal cooling under heavy loads.
The ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Extreme, on the other hand, employs a unique “CrossChill EK III” hybrid cooling system that allows for both air and liquid cooling of the VRM. This innovative approach offers exceptional thermal performance, especially during extended overclocking sessions.
Performance
In terms of performance, both motherboards offer remarkable capabilities. The Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Xtreme‘s 20+2 power phases deliver ample power to support even the most demanding processors, while the ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Extreme’s 24+1 power phases provide an even more robust power delivery system.
Overclocking potential is also excellent on both motherboards. The Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Xtreme‘s BIOS provides a wide range of overclocking options, enabling enthusiasts to push their systems to the limit. The ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Extreme features an AI-powered overclocking utility that dynamically adjusts settings based on the installed hardware, making overclocking more accessible even for beginners.
Connectivity
When it comes to connectivity, both motherboards offer an extensive array of options. The Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Xtreme provides 3x PCIe 5.0 x16 slots, 2x PCIe 4.0 x16 slots, 6x SATA III ports, and 5x M.2 PCIe 5.0 x4 slots. The ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Extreme goes a step further with 4x PCIe 5.0 x16 slots, 1x PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, 8x SATA III ports, and 5x M.2 PCIe 5.0 x4 slots.
Additionally, both motherboards feature dual 2.5GbE and 10GbE Ethernet ports, providing high-speed wired connectivity. Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2/5.3 are also supported, ensuring seamless wireless connections.
Features
The Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Xtreme and ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Extreme are packed with a plethora of features to enhance user experience.
The Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Xtreme boasts RGB Fusion 2.0, a robust RGB lighting control system that allows for customization of the motherboard’s lighting effects. The motherboard also includes a built-in sound card with ESS Sabre DAC for high-quality audio.
The ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Extreme features Aura Sync, an equally comprehensive RGB lighting control system. Additionally, the motherboard includes a dedicated audio chip from SupremeFX for immersive sound, as well as a physical M.2 Q-Latch for convenient installation and removal of M.2 SSDs.
BIOS
The BIOS of both motherboards is user-friendly and offers a wide range of options for customization and overclocking. The Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Xtreme’s BIOS is particularly well-organized, with a clear and intuitive layout. The ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Extreme’s BIOS, on the other hand, features an AI-powered “EZ Tuning Wizard” that provides automated optimization of system settings.
Takeaways: The Ultimate Choice
In the battle between the Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Xtreme and ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Extreme, both motherboards showcase exceptional performance, connectivity, and features. The Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Xtreme offers a slightly more affordable price point, while the ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Extreme boasts a more robust power delivery system and a hybrid cooling solution.
Ultimately, the best choice depends on the specific needs and preferences of the builder. For those seeking a high-performance motherboard with a competitive price, the Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Xtreme is an excellent option. For those who demand the absolute best in terms of power delivery, cooling, and features, the ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Extreme is the undisputed champion.
Basics You Wanted To Know
Q: Which motherboard has better overclocking potential?
A: Both motherboards offer excellent overclocking potential, but the ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Extreme has a slight edge due to its 24+1 power phases and AI-powered overclocking utility.
Q: Which motherboard has more PCIe slots?
A: The ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Extreme has more PCIe slots, with 4x PCIe 5.0 x16 slots and 1x PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, compared to the Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Xtreme‘s 3x PCIe 5.0 x16 slots and 2x PCIe 4.0 x16 slots.
Q: Which motherboard has better audio quality?
A: Both motherboards feature high-quality audio solutions, but the ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Extreme has a dedicated audio chip from SupremeFX, which provides slightly better sound quality.
