Best Z790 motherboard 2024 – our top 5 high-performance picks

In the market for a new Z790 motherboard? We have you covered.

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Intel’s Raptor Lake desktop processors from the 13th generation offer significant power, while the Z790 motherboards complement this release. These processors introduce additional cores, improved connectivity, enhanced architectural efficiency, and even more aggressive boost clocks. Discover our best Z790 motherboard recommendations right here.

Raptor Lake uses the same LGA 1700 socket as the outgoing Alder Lake generation, so there is a layer of cross-compatibility between the CPUs and motherboards of the two generations. Intel has launched the Z790 chipset specifically for the 13th Gen processors but these boards are also compatible with the previous generation Alder Lake CPUs, and vice versa. Z790 motherboards are the top-level chipsets in Intel’s motherboard arsenal, offering the best features and connectivity. On the flip side, that means the cost is higher. The Z790 is designed to be the best of the best and bring you the highest performance on this generation of hardware Here are the best Z790 motherboards, for your viewing pleasure. For a quick look, we have the ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero, MSI Z790 Tomahawk WiFi, and ASUS Prime Z790-A WiFi.

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Best Z790 motherboard in 2024

You’re in the right spot if you want to learn all about the best Z790 motherboards. You can read below to discover the pros and cons and these high-end boards, as well as a rundown on specs & more.

ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 HERO 

High-end best Z790 motherboard

ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 HERO 

ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero

Form factor

ATX

Power stages

20+1 phase

Connectivity

2.5Gb LAN, WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5, audio, USB4, USB-C, DisplayPort, Thunderbolt 4

PCIe Gen 5

GPU x16 and M.2

DDR5

Yes

How We Review

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Pros

• 24+1 phase VRM design
• 10 GbE LAN port
• 5 M.2 slots
• DDR5
• PCIe Gen 5

Cons

• Expensive

The Maximus lineup of motherboards from ASUS has always been coveted by enthusiasts, and that trend continues with the Z790 generation. The ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 HERO is a high-end motherboard that delivers supreme features and houses an excellent power delivery system.

Under the gigantic VRM heatsinks, we find a 24+1 phase VRM design with 105A power stages. Simply put, the Z790 HERO has an extremely robust VRM design that can handle even the most demanding 13th Gen Intel Raptor Lake CPUs at overclocked settings.

Moreover, the Maximus Z790 HERO is also packed with premium features. ASUS has provided a 10 GbE LAN port as well as WiFi 6E for your networking needs, and storage is handled by 5 M.2 slots as well as several SATA ports. The board also features two Thunderbolt 4 ports on the rear I/O, which is a nice touch.

Aesthetically, the board is clearly targeted towards gamers as the characteristic ROG design language is quite prevalent. The pixelated ROG script on the I/O cover looks especially nice when the board is installed in a chassis.

All in all, the ROG Maximus Z790 HERO is an incredible Z790 motherboard that has no weaknesses. The only major concern with this board is its price tag, which is quite high relative to the alternatives available on the market.

MSI Z790 TOMAHAWK WiFi

Mid-range Z790 motherboard

MSI Z790 TOMAHAWK WiFi

MSI Z790 TOMAHAWK WiFi

Form factor

ATX

Power stages

16+1+1

Connectivity

2.5 GbE LAN, audio, USB 3.2, WiFi 6E, DisplayPort and more

PCIe Gen 5

GPU X16 and M.2

DDR5

Yes

How We Review

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Pros

• 16+1+1 phase Duet Rail power delivery system
• WiFi 6E
• DDR5

Cons

• Less features than boards of similar prices

MSI’s Z790 TOMAHAWK WiFi is aimed squarely at the mid-range market segment, and it is one of the very best offerings in that price bracket. The TOMAHAWK moniker is very popular among enthusiasts and value hunters alike, and this particular board should be no exception.

MSI has provided a 16+1+1 phase Duet Rail power delivery system with 90A power stages for this motherboard. This VRM setup is quite robust and can provide plenty of clean and stable power for all of the 13th Gen Intel processors. Even the VRM heatsinks are rather sizeable and well-made.

Being a mid-range motherboard, the Z790 TOMAHAWK cuts back on features a bit. It only has a 2.5 GbE LAN port for networking, but MSI has provided WiFi 6E for your wireless connectivity needs. The board also features four M.2 slots and seven SATA ports for your storage devices.

The TOMAHAWK motherboards are always quite plain and simple when it comes to visuals, and this trend continues with the Z790 version. The entire board is covered with black shrouds and heat spreaders, with only minimal accents here and there.

Thanks to its reasonable price tag, the MSI Z790 TOMAHAWK provides excellent value for money and should definitely be considered by new PC builders.

ASUS PRIME Z790-A WIFI

Best budget Z790 motherboard

ASUS PRIME Z790-A WIFI

ASUS PRIME Z790-A WIFI

Form Factor

ATX

Power stages

16 + 1 DrMOS power stages

Connectivity

USB 3.2, USB Type-C, DisplayPort, Audio, and 2.5GB/s ethernet.

PCIe Gen 5

Yes

DDR5

Yes

How We Review

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Pros

• Cost effective
• Compatible with 12 and 13th gen CPUs

Cons

• Less features then premium boards on lesser chipsets

The ASUS Prime Z790 WiFi stands as the ultimate budget-friendly choice among Z790 motherboards. While it’s budget-friendly, don’t underestimate its capabilities in powering the 13th-gen lineup.

With a robust 16 + 1 DrMOS power stage design, the Prime ensures precise power delivery to the 13700K CPU, even though it may not be the overclocking champion. However, it allows the 13700K to automatically reach its maximum boost speed.

Supporting DDR5 memory up to DDR5 7000MHz, the Prime may offer slightly lower memory speed compared to others, but it still provides ample performance. Notably, the ASUS Prime maintains PCIe Gen 5 support, offering a PCIe Gen 5 x16 GPU slot, though the M.2 SSD slots do not support PCIe Gen 5.

While some connectivity features have been streamlined to maintain affordability, the ASUS Prime doesn’t skimp on essential features. You’ll find USB 3.2, USB Type-C, DisplayPort, Audio support, and 2.5GB/s Ethernet, ensuring a fantastic computing experience without breaking the bank. For budget-conscious builders seeking solid performance and value, the ASUS Prime Z790 WiFi is a standout choice.

Gigabyte Z790 AORUS Elite AX

Best budget Z790 motherboard

Gigabyte Z790 AORUS Elite AX

Gigabyte Z790 AORUS Elite AX

Form factor

ATX

Power stages

16+1+2 phase VRM design

Connectivity

2.5 GbE LAN, audio, DisplayPort, WiFi 6E, USB 3,2, thunderbolt 4, and more.

PCIe Gen 5

GPU X16 slot and M.2 slot

DDR5

Yes

How We Review

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Pros

• 16+1+2 phase VRM design
• WiFi 6E
• Stealthy, less RGB than most models

Cons

• not as feature rich as other motherboards in the same price range.

In the budget segment, we recommend the Gigabyte Z790 AORUS Elite AX. It is not the fanciest Z790 motherboard out there, but it certainly gets the job done quite efficiently.

Gigabyte has used a twin 16+1+2 phase VRM design with 70A power stages in this motherboard. This level of VRM should be capable of running any 13th Gen CPU on stock settings, and you can even dabble in some light overclocking should you see fit. The VRM is also well-cooled thanks to large heatsinks.

You also get four M.2 slots and six SATA 6 Gb/s ports on the board for your storage needs. Networking is handled by a 2.5 GbE LAN port as well as WiFi 6E, which is a fairly decent combination for the price.

There is not a lot that stands out about the Z790 AORUS Elite AX, aesthetically. Most of the board is covered with black shrouds and there is only a subtle AORUS design on the chipset heatsink. There is also a stark lack of RGB lighting, which might be a deal breaker for some potential buyers.

In essence, the Z790 AORUS Elite AX is a great Z790 motherboard to consider if you are on a relatively limited budget. It does not have all the bells and whistles, but it provides decent value for your money overall.

GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS MASTER

A strong Z790 motherboard

GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS MASTER

GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS MASTER 

Form Factor

ATX

Power stages

20 + 1 + 2

Connectivity

USB 3.2, USB Type-C, DisplayPort, Audio, Q-Flash, Clear CMOS, and 10GB/s ethernet

PCIe Gen 5

Yes

DDR5

Yes

How We Review

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Pros

• Strong power stages
• Great overclocking potential for price
• DDR5 ready and PCIe Gen 5 compatible

Cons

• expensive

The Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Master strikes a balance between premium features and affordability, offering an enticing alternative to ASUS motherboards. Notably, its robust 20 + 1 + 2 power stage design ensures clean and efficient power delivery to the CPU. Equipped with full PCIe Gen 5 support, including a PCIe Gen 5 M.2 slot and a PCIe Gen 5 x16 GPU slot, it’s ready for high-speed data transfers and graphics performance.

Supporting up to DDR5 7600MHz memory, the Aorus Master complements high-end CPUs like the 13700K. Its thermal armor, complete with a thermal pad and VRMs rated for 12 W/mk, ensures optimal operating temperatures for power delivery. Additionally, the motherboard offers a comprehensive range of connectivity options, from USB 3.2 to 10GB/s Ethernet, making it a solid choice for gamers and enthusiasts alike.

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Is the Z790 chipset better than the Z690?

Even though Z790 is the brand new chipset specifically designed for 13th Gen Raptor Lake processors, it does not bring a whole lot of improvements to the table. It is a gradual upgrade over Z690 and not one that warrants a definite upgrade for users already on the Z690 platform.

The main differences lie in the connectivity and rear I/O specifications, such as four additional PCIe Gen 4 downstream lanes and an extra USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 20 Gbps port on the Z790. These improvements mainly affect storage and connectivity features and are relatively small, making it unnecessary for those currently using the Z690 platform to upgrade.

Unless of course, you’re on any of the previous-gen motherboards that only offer PCIe gen 4 on GPU slots. PCIe gen 5 is a massive improvement over gen 4 and is capable of double the bandwidth.

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DDR5 vs. DDR4

The Z790 chipset also gives users the choice between DDR5 and DDR4 memory just like Z690. In fact, the Z790 chipset has identical memory compatibility specs to the Z690 chipset of yesteryear, so Intel really did not change anything when it comes to memory. As a result, consumers are still faced with the same dilemma of choosing between DDR4 and DDR5 memory for their 13th-gen Raptor Lake systems. Each of the two memory generations has its own pros and cons, and there really is no right answer to this question.

DDR5 memory is definitely the future, and arguably the present as well. Even though DDR5 memory kits are quite a bit more expensive than DDR4 kits right now, we are seeing the performance gap widen with each passing month right now. Moreover, DDR5 memory kits will be compatible with future Intel (or AMD) CPU generations as well.

On the other hand, DDR4 memory has the advantage of value for money. Many consumers may not want to buy a shiny new DDR5 memory kit for their new systems, so using existing DDR4 memory is a great way to save some money. You can also buy new DDR4 memory for practically half the cost of DDR5 memory as of the time of writing.

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Are Z790 motherboards compatible with 12th gen CPUs?

If you’re just after upgrading your motherboard, then that is an option on the Z790 chipset platform. All Z790 motherboards are backward compatible with the previous generation of Intel CPUs, this means that you can use your 12th-generation Intel CPUs on these motherboards with no penalty whatsoever.

This means that you’ll gain access to all the great features that the Z790 chipset has to offer, without forking out for a new and expensive 13th-generation CPU. However, that is recommended to take full advantage of things like PCIe Gen 5.

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Final word

No matter what motherboard you choose, you’ll be completely covered on the Z790 platform. each of these motherboards prides itself in being the best in its class, on the best chipset manufactured to date.

The Z790 chipset brings the best of the best to the table, ensuring your 12th or 13th-generation Intel CPU will be covered from all angles. Whether you’re looking for improved connectivity, PCIe Gen 5 support, or faster DDR5 memory compatibility, you’re covered on the Z790 chipset platform.