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IntelLGA1700MotherboardZ790 Chipset

Best (not too expensive) Z790 DDR5 Motherboards

Henrique 
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It’s well known that 13th gen CPUs have a higher power requirement over 12th gen. The 13th gen i7-13700K CPU now consumes more power than the previous gen i9-12900K, and the top-of-the-line i9-13900K… well, let’s just say it was not created with power efficiency in mind.

But for those looking to build a more reasonable gaming PC, using CPUs like the i5-13600K or the i7-13700K, it is easy to end up overspending on a motherboard thinking you need something a bit more high-end, or thinking you would benefit from an expensive motherboard, when a much more affordable one, have all the features and power delivery you need, freeing money for upgrades somewhere else.

To make sure you are not spending too much money on a Z790 DDR5 motherboard, with the risk of going over budget, or not going with a better GPU, SSD, or kit of RAM for example, we created this list with a few options for you.

GIGABYTE Z790 UD AC & Z790 UD & Z790 UD AX
Pros:Cons:
1. Affordable Z790 DDR5 Motherboard;
2. Very capable VRM design;
3. Good specifications/features list.
4. Can be found on sale for sub $200		1. Only one heatsink/heat spreader for M.2;
2. AC WIFI version not up to date with newer standards;
3. A few PCIe slots might get covered depending on GPU size;
4. “Only” 3x M.2 Slots;
5. Z790 UD (without WIFI) version not widely available.

Specifications:

  • 16(8+8)+1+1 Power Stages (60A)
  • LAN 2.5Gbps Realtek
  • Wi-Fi 6E (AX model)
  • PCI Express 5.0 Support

Storage:

  • 3x M.2 PCIe 4.0 x4 slot
  • 6x SATA 6Gb/s

USB Rear I/O:

  • 1x USB 3.2 Gen2x2 (Type-C)
  • 1x USB 3.2 Gen2
  • 4x USB 3.2 Gen1
  • 4x USB 2.0

Internal USB Header:

  • 1x USB 3.2 Gen1 (Type-C)
  • 1x USB 3.2 Gen1 headers (Supports 2x USB 3.2 ports)
  • 2x USB 2.0 headers (Supports 4x USB 2.0 ports)

Gigabyte Z790 GAMING X AX
Pros:Cons:
1. Very capable VRM design;
2. Great specifications/features list;
3. 4x M.2 slots, all covered with heatsink/heat spreaders;
4. Various improvements over the Z790 UD AC		1. If you don’t need the extra M.2 slot, the cheaper Z790 UD motherboards are a better option.

Specifications:

  • 16+1+2 Power Stages (60A)
  • LAN 2.5Gbps Realtek
  • Wi-Fi 6E (WIFI Model)
  • PCI Express 5.0 Support

Storage:

  • 4x M.2 PCIe 4.0 x4 slot
  • 6x SATA 6Gb/s

USB Rear I/O:

  • 1x USB 3.2 Gen2x2 (Type-C)
  • 2x USB 3.2 Gen2
  • 3x USB 3.2 Gen1
  • 4x USB 2.0

Internal USB Header:

  • 1x USB 3.2 Gen2 (Type-C)
  • 1x USB 3.2 Gen1 headers (Supports 2x USB 3.2 ports)
  • 2x USB 2.0 headers (Supports 4x USB 2.0 ports)

MSI MAG Z790 TOMAHAWK WIFI
Pros:Cons:
1. Overkill and extremely capable VRM;
2. Great specifications/features list;
3. 4x M.2 slots & 7x SATA ports;
4. 2x USB Type-C on Rear I/O and plenty fast USB ports;
5. Great option for i7-13700K and i9-13900K overclocking.		1. Not insanely expensive, but not cheap either;
2. For i5-13600K and i7-12700K a cheaper option would be way more than sufficient.

Specifications:

  • 16+1+1 Power Stages (90A)
  • LAN 2.5Gbps Intel
  • Wi-Fi 6E
  • PCI Express 5.0 Support

Storage:

  • 4x M.2 PCIe 4.0 x4 slot
  • 7x SATA 6Gb/s

USB Rear I/O:

  • 1x USB 3.2 Gen2x2 (Type-C)
  • 1x USB 3.2 Gen2 (Type-C)
  • 4x USB 3.2 Gen2
  • 4x USB 3.2 Gen1

Internal USB Header:

  • 1x USB 3.2 Gen2 (Type-C)
  • 1x USB 3.2 Gen1 headers (Supports 2x USB 3.2 ports)
  • 2x USB 2.0 headers (Supports 4x USB 2.0 ports)

Gigabyte Z790 AORUS ELITE AX
Pros:Cons:
1. Extremely capable VRM design;
2. Great specifications/features list;
3. 4x M.2 slots.		1. Similar features to the Z790 Gaming X AX

Specifications:

  • 16+1+2 Power Stages (70A)
  • LAN 2.5Gbps Realtek
  • Wi-Fi 6E (WIFI Model)
  • PCI Express 5.0 Support

Storage:

  • 4x M.2 PCIe 4.0 x4 slot
  • 6x SATA 6Gb/s

USB Rear I/O:

  • 1x USB 3.2 Gen2x2 (Type-C)
  • 2x USB 3.2 Gen2
  • 3x USB 3.2 Gen1
  • 4x USB 2.0

Internal USB Header:

  • 1x USB 3.2 Gen2 (Type-C)
  • 1x USB 3.2 Gen1 headers (Supports 2x USB 3.2 ports)
  • 2x USB 2.0 headers (Supports 4x USB 2.0 ports)

MSI PRO Z790-A WIFI
Pros:Cons:
1. Decent priced Z790 DDR5 Motherboard;
2. Overkill and extremely capable VRM;
3. Great specifications/features list;
4. 4x M.2 slots (3 covered with heatsink/heat spreaders)		1. With the exception of VRM capabilities & USB ports, it’s quite similar to the cheaper MSI PRO Z790-P;
2. For those looking to pair with a i5-13600K or i7-12700K a cheaper option would be more than enough

Specifications:

  • 16+1+1 Power Stages (80A)
  • LAN 2.5Gbps Intel
  • Wi-Fi 6E (WIFI Model)
  • PCI Express 5.0 Support

Storage:

  • 4x M.2 PCIe 4.0 x4 slot
  • 6x SATA 6Gb/s

USB Rear I/O:

  • 1x USB 3.2 Gen2x2 (Type-C)
  • 3x USB 3.2 Gen2
  • 2x USB 3.2 Gen1
  • 4x USB 2.0

Internal USB Header:

  • 1x USB 3.2 Gen2 (Type-C)
  • 1x USB 3.2 Gen1 headers (Supports 2x USB 3.2 ports)
  • 2x USB 2.0 headers (Supports 4x USB 2.0 ports)

ASUS TUF GAMING Z790-PLUS WIFI
Pros:Cons:
1. Overkill and extremely capable VRM, similar to the well reviewed ASUS PRIME Z690-A;
2. Great specifications/features list;
3. 4x M.2 slots (3 covered with heatsink/heat spreaders)
4. 2x USB Type-C on Rear I/O and plenty fast USB ports;
5. Great option for i7-13700K and i9-13900K overclocking.		1. Not insanely expensive, but not cheap either;
2. For i5-13600K and i7-12700K a cheaper option would be way more than sufficient.

Specifications:

  • 16+1 Power Stages (60A)
  • LAN 2.5Gbps Intel
  • Wi-Fi 6E
  • PCI Express 5.0 Support

Storage:

  • 4x M.2 PCIe 4.0 x4 slot
  • 4x SATA 6Gb/s

USB Rear I/O:

  • 1x USB 3.2 Gen2x2 (Type-C)
  • 1x USB 3.2 Gen2 (Type-C)
  • 3x USB 3.2 Gen2
  • 4x USB 3.2 Gen1

Internal USB Header:

  • 1x USB 3.2 Gen2 (Type-C)
  • 1x USB 3.2 Gen1 headers (Supports 2x USB 3.2 ports)
  • 2x USB 2.0 headers (Supports 4x USB 2.0 ports)

MSI PRO Z790-P WIFI
Pros:Cons:
1. Affordable Z790 DDR5 Motherboard;
2. Very capable VRM design, similar to the well reviewed MSI PRO Z690-A;
3. Great paring with i5-13600K
4. Great specifications/features list & Great value;
5. 4x M.2 slots.		1. Only one heatsink/heat spreader for M.2;
2. Basic design for the price;
3. IO shield not integrated to the motherboard;
4. Not the best VRM for i7-13700K/i9-13900K builds, as it might run hot, especially overclocked.
5. Priced really close to better motherboards

Specifications:

  • 14+1+1 Power Stages (55A)
  • LAN 2.5Gbps Intel
  • Wi-Fi 6E (WIFI Model)
  • PCI Express 5.0 Support

Storage:

  • 4x M.2 PCIe 4.0 x4 slot
  • 6x SATA 6Gb/s

USB Rear I/O:

  • 1x USB 3.2 Gen2x2 (Type-C)
  • 1x USB 3.2 Gen2
  • 2x USB 3.2 Gen1
  • 4x USB 2.0

Internal USB Header:

  • 1x USB 3.2 Gen2 (Type-C)
  • 2x USB 3.2 Gen1 headers (Supports 4x USB 3.2 ports)
  • 2x USB 2.0 headers (Supports 4x USB 2.0 ports)

ASRock Z790 PRO RS WiFi & Z790 PRO RS
Pros:Cons:
1. Affordable Z790 DDR5 Motherboard;
2. Decent VRM design;
3. Good specifications/features list;
4. Great storage with 4x M.2 slots & 8x SATA ports.
5. A good affordable motherboard if you need WIFI		1. Only one heatsink/heat spreader for M.2;
2. Not the best VRM for 12900K/13700K/13900K builds (might run hot);
3. Weak VRM design compared to similarly priced motherboards ($210-220).

Specifications:

  • 14+1+1 Power Stages (50A)
  • LAN 2.5Gbps
  • Wi-Fi 6E (WIFI model)
  • PCI Express 5.0 Support

Storage:

  • 4x M.2 PCIe 4.0 x4 slot
  • 8x SATA 6Gb/s

USB Rear I/O:

  • 1x USB 3.2 Gen2 (Type-C)
  • 1x USB 3.2 Gen2
  • 2x USB 3.2 Gen1
  • 4x USB 2.0

Internal USB Header:

  • 1x USB 3.2 Gen2x2 (Type-C)
  • 2x USB 3.2 Gen1 headers (Supports 4x USB 3.2 ports)
  • 2x USB 2.0 headers (Supports 4x USB 2.0 ports)

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