Sunday, May 19, 2024

Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Elite AX Ice Motherboard Review

There are many crucial parts to a computer to make it work, from the processor to the power supply. The motherboard is one of the most critical parts. Your motherboard determines what socket you use for your processor as well as what memory you are going to be using. Today I will be reviewing Gigabyte’s Z790 Aorus Elite AX Ice. The motherboard MSRP is $269.99.

Features and specs:

  • CPU
    1. LGA1700 socket: Support for the 14th, 13th, and 12th Generation Intel® Core™, Pentium® Gold and Celeron® Processors
    2. L3 cache varies with CPU

(Please refer "CPU Support List" for more information.)

  • Chipset
    1. Intel® Z790 Express Chipset
  • Memory
    1. Support for DDR5 7600(O.C.) /7400(O.C.) /7200(O.C.) /7000(O.C.) /6800(O.C.) /6600(O.C.) / 6400(O.C.) / 6200(O.C.) / 6000(O.C.) / 5800(O.C.) / 5600(O.C.) / 5400(O.C.) / 5200(O.C.) / 4800 / 4000 memory modules
    2. 4 x DDR5 DIMM sockets supporting up to 192 GB (48 GB single DIMM capacity) of system memory
    3. Dual channel memory architecture
    4. Support for ECC Un-buffered DIMM 1Rx8/2Rx8 memory modules (operate in non-ECC mode)
    5. Support for non-ECC Un-buffered DIMM 1Rx8/2Rx8/1Rx16 memory modules
    6. Support for Extreme Memory Profile (XMP) memory modules

(The CPU and memory configuration may affect the supported memory types, data rate (speed), and number of DRAM modules, please refer to "Memory Support List" for more information.)

  • Onboard Graphics

Integrated Graphics Processor-Intel® HD Graphics support:

    1. 1 x HDMI port, supporting a maximum resolution of 4096x2160@60 Hz
      * Support for HDMI 2.1 version and HDCP 2.3.
      ** Support native HDMI 2.1 TMDS compatible ports.
    2. 1 x DisplayPort, supporting a maximum resolution of 4096x2304@60
      * Support for DisplayPort 1.2 version and HDCP 2.3

(Graphics specifications may vary depending on CPU support.)

  • Audio
    1. Realtek® Audio CODEC
    2. High Definition Audio
    3. 2/4/5.1/7.1-channel
      * You can change the functionality of an audio jack using the audio software. To configure 7.1-channel audio, access the audio software for audio settings.
    4. Support for S/PDIF Out
  • LAN
    1. Realtek® 2.5GbE LAN chip (2.5 Gbps/1 Gbps/100 Mbps)
  • Wireless Communication module

Intel® Wi-Fi 6E AX211 (PCB rev. 1.0)

    1. WIFI a, b, g, n, ac, ax, supporting 2.4/5/6 GHz carrier frequency bands

    2. BLUETOOTH 5.3
    3. Support for 11ax 160MHz wireless standard and up to 2.4 Gbps data rate

Realtek® Wi-Fi 6E RTL8852CE (PCB rev. 1.1)

    1. WIFI a, b, g, n, ac, ax, supporting 2.4/5/6 GHz carrier frequency bands
    2. BLUETOOTH 5.3
    3. Support for 11ax 160MHz wireless standard and up to 2.4 Gbps data rate

* Actual data rate may vary depending on environment and equipment.

  • Expansion Slots

CPU:

    1. 1 x PCI Express x16 slot, supporting PCIe 5.0 and running at x16 (PCIEX16)
      * The PCIEX16 slot can only support a graphics card or an NVMe SSD. If only one graphics card is to be installed, be sure to install it in the PCIEX16 slot.

Chipset:

    1. 1 x PCI Express x16 slot, supporting PCIe 4.0 and running at x4 (PCIEX4_1)
    2. 1 x PCI Express x16 slot, supporting PCIe 3.0 and running at x4 (PCIEX4_2)
  • Storage Interface

CPU:

    1. 1 x M.2 connector (Socket 3, M key, type 22110/2280 PCIe 4.0 x4/x2 SSD support) (M2A_CPU)

Chipset:

    1. 2 x M.2 connectors (Socket 3, M key, type 22110/2280 PCIe 4.0 x4/x2 SSD support) (M2P_SB, M2Q_SB)
    2. 1 x M.2 connector (Socket 3, M key, type 22110/2280 SATA and PCIe 4.0 x4 SSD support) (M2M_SB)
    3. 6 x SATA 6Gb/s connectors

RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, and RAID 10 support for NVMe SSD storage devices

RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, and RAID 10 support for SATA storage devices
* Refer to "2-8 Internal Connectors," for the installation notices for the M.2 and SATA connectors.

  • USB

Chipset:

    1. 1 x USB Type-C® port on the back panel, with USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 support
    2. 1 x USB Type-C® port with USB 3.2 Gen 2 support, available through the internal USB header
    3. 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports (red) on the back panel
    4. 5 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (3 ports on the back panel, 2 ports available through the internal USB header)

Chipset+2 USB 2.0 Hubs:

    1. 8 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports (4 ports on the back panel, 4 ports available through the internal USB headers)
  • Internal I/O Connectors
    1. 1 x 24-pin ATX main power connector
    2. 2 x 8-pin ATX 12V power connectors
    3. 1 x CPU fan header
    4. 1 x water cooling CPU fan header
    5. 3 x system fan headers
    6. 1 x system fan/water cooling pump header
    7. 2 x addressable LED strip headers
    8. 2 x RGB LED strip headers
    9. 4 x M.2 Socket 3 connectors
    10. 6 x SATA 6Gb/s connectors
    11. 1 x front panel header
    12. 1 x front panel audio header
    13. 1 x USB Type-C® header, with USB 3.2 Gen 2 support
    14. 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 header
    15. 2 x USB 2.0/1.1 headers
    16. 2 x Thunderbolt™ add-in card connectors
    17. 1 x Trusted Platform Module header (For the GC-TPM2.0 SPI/GC-TPM2.0 SPI 2.0 module only)
    18. 1 x reset button
    19. 1 x Q-Flash Plus button
    20. 1 x Clear CMOS button
    21. 1 x reset jumper
    22. 1 x Clear CMOS jumper
  • Back Panel Connectors
    1. 1 x USB Type-C® port, with USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 support
    2. 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports (red)
    3. 3 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports
    4. 4 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports
    5. 2 x SMA antenna connectors (2T2R)
    6. 1 x HDMI 2.0 port
    7. 1 x DisplayPort
    8. 1 x RJ-45 port
    9. 1 x optical S/PDIF Out connector
    10. 2 x audio jacks
  • I/O Controller
    1. iTE® I/O Controller Chip
  • H/W Monitoring
    1. Voltage detection
    2. Temperature detection
    3. Fan speed detection
    4. Water cooling flow rate detection
    5. Fan fail warning
    6. Fan speed control
      * Whether the fan (pump) speed control function is supported will depend on the fan (pump) you install.
  • BIOS
    1. 1 x 256 Mbit flash
    2. Use of licensed AMI UEFI BIOS
    3. PnP 1.0a, DMI 2.7, WfM 2.0, SM BIOS 2.7, ACPI 5.0
  • Unique Features
    1. Support for GIGABYTE Control Center (GCC)
      * Available applications in GCC may vary by motherboard model. Supported functions of each application may also vary depending on motherboard specifications.
    2. Support for Q-Flash
    3. Support for Q-Flash Plus
    4. Support for Smart Backup
  • Bundled Software
    1. Norton® Internet Security (OEM version)
    2. LAN bandwidth management software
  • Operating System
    1. Support for Windows 11 64-bit
    2. Support for Windows 10 64-bit
  • Form Factor
    1. ATX Form Factor; 30.5cm x 24.4cm

The motherboard came in a color white box with a high-definition picture of the Aorus logo on the front of the box. On the back of the box, it lists some of its key features such as 16 digital VRM, the included Wi-Fi 6E and ultra gain antenna, USB 3.2 gen2X2, and 2.5 GbE LAN. Inside the box is the motherboard surrounded by custom-fitted cardboard to help keep the motherboard secure. The motherboard comes wrapped in an antistatic bag to help protect the electronics inside. Along with the motherboard is a user manual along with an installation booklet.

Some of this motherboard's features include the chipset supporting 12th 13th and 14th gen Intel processors and a twin 16+1+2 phases design for the digital VRM solution in an 8+8 phases parallel power design. This motherboard has four DDR5 channel slots running dual channel supporting XMP 3.0 with memory speeds of 4000 and 4800, and up to 7600 when overclocked. Another great feature of this motherboard is the many storage capabilities, there are three PCIe x16 slots ranging from 3.0 to 5.0 capabilities along with four M.2 slots all supporting PCIe 4.0 x4. The motherboard also comes with some cool RGB lights attached close to the M.2 Thermal guard extension that is subtle but pleasing to the eye.

For connections on this motherboard, there are four USB 2.0 slots, female connectors for the provided Wi-Fi 6E antenna, and two USB 3.2 Gen 2 slots. There are also an HDMI port and a DisplayPort, one USB-C at 20GB/S, three USB 3.2 gen 1 slots, as well as a 2.5 GbE LAN port along with your mic and line-out audio plugs. There are also six SATA connectors that can support up to 6GB/s.

For the firmware and software for the motherboard, there is the BIOS with the normal black and white format with some color on the top of the screen that is pleasant to look at. The BIOS menu is also easy to navigate with both an easy mode and an advanced mode. Easy mode makes it easy for beginners to change the necessary settings to help optimize the system. While the advanced mode helps you better tailor your system for what you want.

I love the useability of this board.  Think it’s time to upgrade, but want to save some coin?  You can use your old 12th Gen processor, and get a board that you can grow with.  You can get the  current features that you can use now, like Wi-Fi 6E, four M.2 slots supporting PCIe 4.0 x4, and RGB, to name a few.  And then save up for a quality new 14th Gen processor.

 I used this system to run the tests and benchmarks: I7 13700K, AMD Radeon 6600 XT, Kingston Fury DDR5, Cooler Master Master Liquid ML360L V2 ARGB, with a Thermaltake ToughPower GF2 ARGB 750W PSU. For the benchmarks, I ran Fire Strike Extreme, Time Spy, and Speed Way from 3Dmark. I also ran GPGPU and Cache and Memory benchmarks from AIDA64 along with Shadow of the Tomb Raider and Horizon Zero Dawn. All of the tests were run on factory settings on a 1440p resolution.

With the benchmarks, the Z790 Aorus Elite AX Ice performed well in all of the benchmarks. It did well in the gaming area as advertised. In both Shadow of the Tomb Raider and Horizon Zero Dawn, the board and card combo did well, keeping the average FPS over 80 frames per second. In Time Spy and Fire Strike Extreme, the combo did well in keeping up with the high demands of the benchmarks and showing great results.

In conclusion, The Z790 Aorus Elite AX Ice is a great motherboard scoring pretty high in the benchmarks, and is set at a great and affordable price for a higher-end budget to mid-tier build computer. And as mentioned previously, it’s a great board that provides good performance now, while you save up for other comments of your new build, like a new 14th Gen processor. Based on it’s design, features, quality and performance, as well as large bang for the buck, the Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Elite AX Ice has earned our Editor’s Choice Award. If you want more information about these products and complete specs, you can check out their website at https://www.gigabyte.com/.









Posted by Jeff Roy at 9:25 PM

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