OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Motherboards Methodology v3.0
Motherboards Methodology v3.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Motherboards Methodology v3.0: the technical score from the specifications is the base, and independent expert and video reviews (up to ±0.5 points), owner opinions (up to ±0.3) and best-of lists (up to +0.3) move it up or down.
Explore Motherboards Methodology v3.0

GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Xtreme review: 109 specs compared

Avg. price:~£970CPU socket:LGA 1700Chipset:Intel Z790Form factor:E-ATX

GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Xtreme Review: Compare 109 technical specifications, 2 expert and video reviews and 1 best-of list to see how this product ranks in the Motherboards category and whether it is worth buying.

GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Xtreme
8.2/10

Overall score

Score
8.2/ 10
✕
What it is
Our main score for this model, 1–10. It combines specs, expert reviews, best-of lists, owners and ratings from across the web.
How we count it
Parts: Technical score 40%, Reviews score 20%, List score 20%, Sentiment score 10%, User score 10%
Marks: Each part gets a mark out of 10. For reviews, lists and owners, a typical model in this category gets about 8 and the best one gets 10.
No data yet: A part with no data shows "?". It counts as the mark of a weaker model in this category (4 in 5 models with data score higher). This way, models with reviews, lists and owners usually come out ahead.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
★ Better than 94% of models
Score components

40%

8.8

Technical score

20%

7.7

Reviews score

20%

8.2

List score

10%

?

Sentiment scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 7.0, the mark of a weaker model in this category

10%

8.0

User score

★Better than 94% of motherboards
7.4

Value for money

Value for money
7.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the motherboard's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a motherboard that offers a strong balance of features, performance, and price.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 73% of models
Score components

70%

8.2

Overall score

30%

5.4

Price

▼Worse than 73%
8.8

Technical score

Technical score
8.8/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 40% of the overall score.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
★ Better than 97% of models
Score components

19%

9.0

Memory

16%

9.6

Platform

16%

9.1

Storage

15%

9.6

Network

13%

8.5

Ports

8%

5.1

Expansion

8%

9.3

Power & Cooling

5%

8.3

Audio

★Better than 97%
7.7

Reviews score

Reviews score
7.7/ 10
✕
What it is
Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
How we count it
Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.8 for now.
Share: Reviews count 20% of the overall score.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 60% of models

80%

7.9

Average grade

20%

6.9

Popularity

Grades by review (2)
1 review, with a printed score. 1 video review, counting half as much as a written test. Reviews count 20% of the overall score.
Ratings from across the web count in the User score, not in this score.
▼Worse than 60%
8.0

User score

User score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
How happy buyers are with this model, based on ratings from across the web.
How we count it
Enough data: A model needs at least 1 rating from across the web. Without one, it counts as 7.9, the mark of a weaker rated model in this category.
Share: User score counts 10% of the overall score.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 55% of models

70%

8.7

Rating

30%

6.4

Popularity

▼Worse than 55%
8.2

List score

List score
8.2/ 10
✕
What it is
How often independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers put this model in their best-of lists for this category.
How we count it
Points: The model in the most lists of this category gets 10; the others get 8 to 10 in proportion. In no list yet: 7.5. Lists count 20% of the overall score.
Enough data: Every list counts, even a single one. With fewer than 5 best-of lists in the category, this part is left out.
Lists with this model (1)
List score: in 1 of 62 lists (2%)
▲Better than 88%
  • gigabyte-z790-aorus-xtreme
  • gigabyte-z790-aorus-xtreme
  • gigabyte-z790-aorus-xtreme
  • gigabyte-z790-aorus-xtreme
  • gigabyte-z790-aorus-xtreme
gigabyte-z790-aorus-xtreme
gigabyte-z790-aorus-xtreme
gigabyte-z790-aorus-xtreme
gigabyte-z790-aorus-xtreme
gigabyte-z790-aorus-xtreme
Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of motherboard GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Xtreme

Technical score
Technical score
8.8/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 40% of the overall score.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
★ Better than 97% of models
Score components:

19%

9.0

Memory

16%

9.6

Platform

16%

9.1

Storage

15%

9.6

Network

13%

8.5

Ports

8%

5.1

Expansion

8%

9.3

Power & Cooling

5%

8.3

Audio

8.8
Reviews score
7.7
User score
8.0
List score
8.2
Value for money
Value for money
7.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the motherboard's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a motherboard that offers a strong balance of features, performance, and price.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 73% of models
Score components:

70%

8.2

Overall score

30%

5.4

Price

7.4
CPU socket
LGA 1700
This motherboard uses LGA 1700, which is more up-to-date than 54.7% of Motherboards and the same as 22.7% of Motherboards.
CPU platform
Intel
Chipset
Intel Z790
This motherboard uses Intel Z790, which is more capable than 77% of Motherboards and as capable as 6.3% of Motherboards.
Form factor
E-ATX
Integrated graphics support
yes
This motherboard supports integrated graphics. 10.2% of motherboards support this feature.
Rear outputs: DisplayPort + USB4 / Thunderbolt.
Show more
DDR memory version
DDR5
This motherboard uses DDR5, which is more modern than 63.8% of Motherboards and the same as 36.2% of Motherboards.
Memory slots
4
Market range: <2 – >4
This motherboard has 4 Memory slots, which is more than 21.9% of motherboards and equal to 72% of motherboards.
Maximum memory capacity
192 GB
Market range: <32 GB – >256 GB
This motherboard supports up to 192 GB of memory, which is more than 72% of motherboards and equal to 10.4% of motherboards.
Memory channels
2
Maximum RAM speed
8,000 MT/s
Market range: <2.1k MT/s – >8k MT/s
This motherboard supports memory speeds up to 8,000 MT/s, which is higher than that of 84.9% of motherboards and equal to that of 5.7% of motherboards.
Show more
N. of M.2 sockets
5
Market range: <0 – >4
This motherboard has 5 M.2 sockets, which is more than 94.8% of motherboards and equal to 4.3% of motherboards.
M.2 slot interface per slot
1x PCIe 5.0 x4, 3x PCIe 4.0 x4, 1x PCIe 4.0 x4/SATA
This motherboard offers M.2 slots: 1x PCIe 5.0x4, 3x PCIe 4.0x4, 1x PCIe 4.0x4/SATA, which is faster than 96.3% of Motherboards and the same as 0.9% of Motherboards.
N. of SATA 3 connectors
4
Market range: <4 – >8
This motherboard has 4 SATA 3 connectors, which is more than 6.1% of motherboards and equal to 46.8% of motherboards.
Supported RAID levels
0/1/5/10
This motherboard RAID support: 0/1/5/10, which is more flexible than 32.5% of Motherboards and the same as 67.5% of Motherboards.
NVMe RAID support
yes
This motherboard supports NVMe RAID. 40.2% of motherboards support this feature.
Show more
N. of PCIe 5.0 x16 slots
1
Market range: <0 – >1
This motherboard has 1 PCIe 5.0x16 slots, which is more than 68.4% of motherboards and equal to 26.6% of motherboards.
N. of PCIe 4.0 x16 slots
0
Market range: <0 – >1
This motherboard has 0 PCIe 4.0x16 slots, which is fewer than 44.8% of motherboards and equal to 55.2% of motherboards.
N. of PCIe 3.0 x16 slots
2
Market range: <0 – >3
This motherboard has 2 PCIe 3.0x16 slots, which is more than 67.3% of motherboards and equal to 15.4% of motherboards.
runs at x4 mode
PCIe slot electrical configuration
x16
This motherboard splits its PCIe lanes as x16, which is less generous than 81% of Motherboards and the same as 16.1% of Motherboards.
PCIe bifurcation support
yes
This motherboard supports PCIe bifurcation. 40.3% of motherboards support this feature.
x8/x8.
Show more
Total USB ports (rear I/O)
12
Market range: <6 – >10
This motherboard has 12 USB ports (rear I/O), which is more than 92.7% of motherboards and equal to 5.6% of motherboards.
Total USB ports (including headers)
21
Market range: <11 – >19
This motherboard has 21 USB ports (including headers), which is more than 94.3% of motherboards and equal to 2.8% of motherboards.
Total USB-C ports (rear I/O)
4
Market range: <0 – >2
This motherboard has 4 USB-C ports (rear I/O), which is more than 99.2% of motherboards and equal to 0.6% of motherboards.
Total USB-C ports (including headers)
3
Market range: <0 – >3
This motherboard has 3 USB-C ports (including headers), which is more than 84.7% of motherboards and equal to 10.9% of motherboards.
includes internal USB-C header.
N. of USB 3.2 Gen2x2 ports (USB-C)
0
Market range: <0 – >1
This motherboard has 0 USB 3.2 Gen2x2 ports (USB-C), which is fewer than 18% of motherboards and equal to 82% of motherboards.
Thunderbolt excluded.
Show more
LAN speed
10 Gbps
Market range: <1 Gbps – >2.5 Gbps
This motherboard supports LAN speeds up to 10 Gbps, which is higher than that of 95.7% of motherboards and equal to that of 4.3% of motherboards.
also includes 2.5GbE secondary port
LAN controller
Marvell AQtion AQC107
This motherboard has a Marvell AQtion AQC107 LAN controller, which is faster than 96.2% of Motherboards and equal to 0.4% of Motherboards.
N. of RJ45 ports
2
Market range: <1 – >2
This motherboard has 2 RJ45 ports, which is more than 85.6% of motherboards and equal to 13.3% of motherboards.
Wi-Fi connectivity
yes
This motherboard supports Wi-Fi connectivity. 50% of motherboards support this feature.
Wi-Fi version
Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)
This motherboard uses Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax), which is newer than 71.5% of Motherboards and the same as 16.7% of Motherboards.
Show more
Audio codec
Realtek ALC1220-VB
This motherboard uses Realtek ALC1220-VB, which is higher-end than 80.4% of Motherboards and the same as 3.8% of Motherboards.
with ESS DAC.
Audio channels
7.1
This motherboard offers 7.1 audio channels, which is more than 4.7% of motherboards and equal to 95.3% of motherboards.
full 7.1 needs front panel audio.
Audio SNR
131 dB
Market range: <95 dB – >120 dB
This motherboard has an audio SNR of 131 dB, which is higher than that of 99.9% of motherboards and equal to that of 0.1% of motherboards.
Headphone amp support
yes
This motherboard supports a headphone amp. 41.2% of motherboards support this feature.
N. of 3.5mm audio jacks
2
Market range: <2 – >6
This motherboard has 2 3.5mm audio jacks, which is fewer than 88.8% of motherboards and equal to 10.8% of motherboards.
Show more
VRM phases
20+1+2
This motherboard has 20+1+2 VRM phases, which is more than 96.9% of motherboards and equal to 0.5% of motherboards.
N. of CPU power connectors
2
Market range: <1 – >2
This motherboard has 2 CPU power connectors, which is more than 54.9% of motherboards and equal to 44.8% of motherboards.
N. of fan headers
10
Market range: <3 – >8
This motherboard has 10 fan headers, which is more than 97.9% of motherboards and equal to 1.5% of motherboards.
Pump header
yes
This motherboard has a pump header. 22.1% of motherboards include this feature.
Pump header max current
2 A
Market range: <0 A – >3 A
This motherboard supports up to 2 A on the pump header, which is higher than that of 45.1% of motherboards and equal to that of 32.6% of motherboards.
Show more

GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Xtreme vs the average motherboard

246810TotalPlatformMemoryStorageExpansionPortsNetworkAudioPower & Cooling
  • 3 more M.2 sockets
    This motherboard has more M.2 sockets than the average motherboard (5 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 M.2 socket/s.
    5 vs 2
  • 9 more USB 3.2 Gen2 ports
    This motherboard has more USB 3.2 Gen2 ports than the average motherboard (10 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 USB 3.2 Gen2 port/s.
    10 vs 1
  • 4 more rear USB ports
    This motherboard has more rear USB ports than the average motherboard (12 vs 8). The average motherboard has 8 rear USB port/s.
    12 vs 8
  • 1 more top-speed NVMe slots
    This motherboard has more PCIe 5.0 M.2 slots than the average motherboard (1 vs 0).
    1 vs 0
  • More modern memory type
    This motherboard uses a more modern memory type than the average motherboard (DDR5 vs DDR4).
    DDR5 vs DDR4
  • More capable LAN controller
    This motherboard has a faster LAN controller than the average motherboard (Marvell AQtion AQC107 vs Killer + Intel + Realtek).
    Marvell AQtion AQC107 vs Killer + Intel + Realtek
  • 1 more RJ45 ports
    This motherboard has more RJ45 ports than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 RJ45 port/s.
    2 vs 1
  • 2 more USB4 20Gbps ports
    This motherboard has more USB4 20Gbps ports than the average motherboard (2 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 USB4 20Gbps port/s.
    Thunderbolt 4 excluded.
    2 vs 0
  • More up-to-date socket
    This motherboard uses a more up-to-date socket than the average motherboard (LGA 1700 vs LGA 1151).
    LGA 1,700 vs LGA 1,151
  • Integrated I/O shield
    This motherboard has an integrated I/O shield, while the average motherboard does not. 46.6% of motherboards include an integrated I/O shield.
    Pre-installed I/O shield.
  • Includes dual BIOS
    This motherboard has dual BIOS, while the average motherboard does not. 22.4% of motherboards include dual BIOS.
  • Includes POST code display
    This motherboard has a POST code display, while the average motherboard does not. 26.7% of motherboards include a POST code display.
  • Rear-panel CMOS reset button
    This motherboard has a rear-panel CMOS reset button, while the average motherboard does not. 26.5% of motherboards include a rear-panel CMOS reset button.
    Rear-panel Clear CMOS button.
  • More modern memory type
    This motherboard uses a more modern memory type than the average motherboard (DDR5 vs DDR4).
    DDR5 vs DDR4
  • 50% more maximum memory capacity
    This motherboard has more maximum memory capacity than the average motherboard (192 GB vs 128 GB). The average motherboard supports 128 GB of memory.
    192 GB vs 128 GB
  • 70.2% higher maximum RAM speed
    This motherboard has a higher maximum RAM speed than the average motherboard (8,000 MT/s vs 4,699.5 MT/s). The average motherboard supports RAM speed of 4,699.5 MT/s.
    8,000 MT/s vs 4,699.5 MT/s
  • 60% higher overclocked RAM speed
    This motherboard has a higher overclocked RAM speed than the average motherboard (8,000 MT/s vs 5,000 MT/s). The average motherboard supports overclocked RAM speed of 5,000 MT/s.
    8,000 MT/s vs 5,000 MT/s
  • 3 more M.2 sockets
    This motherboard has more M.2 sockets than the average motherboard (5 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 M.2 socket/s.
    5 vs 2
  • 1 more top-speed NVMe slots
    This motherboard has more PCIe 5.0 M.2 slots than the average motherboard (1 vs 0).
    1 vs 0
  • Faster NVMe storage slots
    This motherboard has faster M.2 slots than the average motherboard (1x PCIe 5x4, 3x PCIe 4x4, 1x PCIe 4x4/SATA vs 1x PCIe 5x4, 2x PCIe 4x4).
    1x PCIe 5.0x4, 3x PCIe 4.0x4, 1x PCIe 4.0x4/SATA vs 1x PCIe 5.0x4, 2x PCIe 4.0x4
  • 1 more PCIe 5.0x16 slots
    This motherboard has more PCIe 5.0x16 slots than the average motherboard (1 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 PCIe 5.0x16 slot/s.
    1 vs 0
  • 9 more USB 3.2 Gen2 ports
    This motherboard has more USB 3.2 Gen2 ports than the average motherboard (10 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 USB 3.2 Gen2 port/s.
    10 vs 1
  • 4 more rear USB ports
    This motherboard has more rear USB ports than the average motherboard (12 vs 8). The average motherboard has 8 rear USB port/s.
    12 vs 8
  • 2 more USB4 20Gbps ports
    This motherboard has more USB4 20Gbps ports than the average motherboard (2 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 USB4 20Gbps port/s.
    Thunderbolt 4 excluded.
    2 vs 0
  • 3 more rear USB-C ports
    This motherboard has more rear USB-C ports than the average motherboard (4 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 rear USB-C port/s.
    4 vs 1
  • 2 more USB 3.2 Gen2 USB-C ports
    This motherboard has more USB 3.2 Gen2 USB-C ports than the average motherboard (2 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 USB 3.2 Gen2 USB-C port/s.
    rear Type-C is USB4/Thunderbolt
    2 vs 0
  • 6 more total USB connections
    This motherboard has more total USB connections than the average motherboard (21 vs 15). The average motherboard has 15 total USB connections.
    21 vs 15
  • 1 more USB 3.2 Gen1 headers
    This motherboard has more USB 3.2 Gen1 headers than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 USB 3.2 Gen1 header/s.
    two internal headers
    2 vs 1
  • 2 more total USB-C connections
    This motherboard has more total USB-C connections than the average motherboard (3 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 total USB-C connections.
    includes internal USB-C header.
    3 vs 1
  • 2 more USB4 40Gbps ports
    This motherboard has more USB4 40Gbps ports than the average motherboard (2 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 USB4 40Gbps port/s.
    Thunderbolt 4.
    2 vs 0
  • 2 more Thunderbolt 3 ports
    This motherboard has more Thunderbolt 3 ports than the average motherboard (2 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 Thunderbolt 3 port/s.
    2 vs 0
  • 1 more USB 3.2 Gen2 headers
    This motherboard has more USB 3.2 Gen2 headers than the average motherboard (1 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 USB 3.2 Gen2 header/s.
    Gen 2x2 Type-C header
    1 vs 0
  • More capable LAN controller
    This motherboard has a faster LAN controller than the average motherboard (Marvell AQtion AQC107 vs Killer + Intel + Realtek).
    Marvell AQtion AQC107 vs Killer + Intel + Realtek
  • 1 more RJ45 ports
    This motherboard has more RJ45 ports than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 RJ45 port/s.
    2 vs 1
  • 4x higher LAN speed
    This motherboard has a higher LAN speed than the average motherboard (10 Gbps vs 2.5 Gbps). The average motherboard offers LAN speed of 2.5 Gbps.
    also includes 2.5GbE secondary port
    10 Gbps vs 2.5 Gbps
  • More recent Wi-Fi standard
    This motherboard has a more recent Wi-Fi standard than the average motherboard (Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) vs Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)).
    Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) vs Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
  • Supports Bluetooth
    This motherboard supports Bluetooth, while the average motherboard does not. 49% of motherboards support Bluetooth.
  • More capable onboard audio
    This motherboard has a higher-end audio codec than the average motherboard (Realtek ALC1220-VB vs Realtek ALC897).
    with ESS DAC.
    Realtek ALC1220-VB vs Realtek ALC897
  • 16 dB higher audio SNR
    This motherboard has a higher audio SNR than the average motherboard (131 dB vs 115 dB). The average motherboard has audio SNR of 115 dB.
    131 dB vs 115 dB
  • More VRM phases
    This motherboard has more VRM phases than the average motherboard (20+1+2 vs 10). The average motherboard has 10 VRM phase/s.
    20+1+2 vs 10
  • 1 more CPU power connectors
    This motherboard has more CPU power connectors than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 CPU power connectors.
    2 vs 1
  • 4.5 more fan headers
    This motherboard has more fan headers than the average motherboard (10 vs 5.5). The average motherboard has 5.5 fan header/s.
    10 vs 5.5
  • 1 more ARGB headers
    This motherboard has more ARGB headers than the average motherboard (3 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 ARGB header/s.
    3 vs 2
  • Includes onboard RGB lighting
    This motherboard has onboard RGB lighting, while the average motherboard does not. 50% of motherboards include onboard RGB lighting.
  • 4 fewer USB 3.2 Gen1 ports
    This motherboard has fewer USB 3.2 Gen1 ports than the average motherboard (0 vs 4). The average motherboard has 4 USB 3.2 Gen1 port/s.
    0 vs 4
  • Less generous lane split
    This motherboard splits its PCIe lanes less generously than the average motherboard (x16 vs x16/x0/x4, x8/x8/x4).
    x16 vs x16/x0/x4, x8/x8/x4
  • 1 fewer DisplayPort outputs
    This motherboard has fewer DisplayPort outputs than the average motherboard (0 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 DisplayPort outputs.
    0 vs 1
  • 6.47x more expensive
    GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Xtreme is more expensive than the average motherboard (£970 vs £150).
    £970 vs £150
  • 1 fewer USB 2.0 headers
    This motherboard has fewer USB 2.0 headers than the average motherboard (1 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 USB 2.0 header/s.
    1 vs 2
  • No front-panel audio header
    This motherboard does not have a front-panel audio header, while the average motherboard does. 99.7% of motherboards include a front-panel audio header.
  • More basic chipset
    This motherboard uses a more basic chipset than the average motherboard (Intel Z790 vs Intel B860).
    Intel Z790 vs Intel B860
  • 1 fewer RGB headers
    This motherboard has fewer RGB headers than the average motherboard (0 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 RGB header/s.
    0 vs 1
  • 6.47x more expensive
    GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Xtreme is more expensive than the average motherboard (£970 vs £150).
    £970 vs £150
  • 4.5% worse value for money
    GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Xtreme has worse value for money than the average motherboard (7.37 vs 7.7).
    7.37 vs 7.7
  • More basic chipset
    This motherboard uses a more basic chipset than the average motherboard (Intel Z790 vs Intel B860).
    Intel Z790 vs Intel B860
  • Less generous lane split
    This motherboard splits its PCIe lanes less generously than the average motherboard (x16 vs x16/x0/x4, x8/x8/x4).
    x16 vs x16/x0/x4, x8/x8/x4
  • 1 fewer PCIe x1 slots
    This motherboard has fewer PCIe x1 slots than the average motherboard (0 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 PCIe x1 slot/s.
    0 vs 1
  • 4 fewer USB 3.2 Gen1 ports
    This motherboard has fewer USB 3.2 Gen1 ports than the average motherboard (0 vs 4). The average motherboard has 4 USB 3.2 Gen1 port/s.
    0 vs 4
  • 1 fewer DisplayPort outputs
    This motherboard has fewer DisplayPort outputs than the average motherboard (0 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 DisplayPort outputs.
    0 vs 1
  • 1 fewer USB 2.0 headers
    This motherboard has fewer USB 2.0 headers than the average motherboard (1 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 USB 2.0 header/s.
    1 vs 2
  • No front-panel audio header
    This motherboard does not have a front-panel audio header, while the average motherboard does. 99.7% of motherboards include a front-panel audio header.
  • 1 fewer 3.5mm audio jacks
    This motherboard has fewer 3.5mm audio jacks than the average motherboard (2 vs 3). The average motherboard has 3 3.5mm audio jacks.
    2 vs 3
  • No rear line-in
    This motherboard does not have rear line-in, while the average motherboard does. 94.9% of motherboards include rear line-in.
  • 1 fewer RGB headers
    This motherboard has fewer RGB headers than the average motherboard (0 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 RGB header/s.
    0 vs 1

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

4.0
der8auer EN
≈ estimated
29/10/2023
Hands-on review · software, RGB and memory tests
Verdict
GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Xtreme is an expensive disappointment because of software problems; a cheaper model makes more sense.
Overview video
Overview video

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

8.8
ginjfo.com
✓ explicit
24/02/2023
Lab test · Top-end E-ATX board
Verdict
The Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Xtreme is a top-end E-ATX board with fast ports and storage, but a water cooler hits its limit when the Core i9-13900K is overclocked.

Third-party reviews

What customers like about GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Xtreme

  • Extreme connectivity including dual Thunderbolt 4 ports, 10GbE LAN, and Wi-Fi 7 support
  • Top-tier 20+1+2 phase VRM design providing massive power delivery for high-end overclocking
  • Excellent thermal management with extensive cooling for VRMs and M.2 SSDs, including a large Gen 5 heatsink
  • Premium aesthetics featuring a clean design with hidden connectors and a built-in 5-inch LCD for real-time system monitoring
  • User-friendly DIY innovations such as PCIe EZ-Latch and toolless M.2 installation
  • Outstanding performance benchmarks in both gaming and professional workloads like Cinebench

What customers don't like about GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Xtreme

  • Extremely high price point, often exceeding $800-$1000, making it an 'overkill' option for many users
  • E-ATX form factor is very large and may require specific wide cases for compatibility
  • Complex cable management due to side-mounted connectors and the requirement for specialized adapter dongles
  • Frustrating initial setup as essential network and Wi-Fi drivers are not included in Windows 11 or on a provided USB drive
  • Potential reliability issues reported with the LCD screen, such as flickering over time
  • PCIe Gen 5 M.2 slot shares bandwidth with the top PCIe x16 slot, reducing GPU lanes when used

Verdict

The Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Xtreme is a flagship E-ATX motherboard designed for Intel 12th, 13th, and 14th Gen processors, featuring a robust 20+1+2 phase digital VRM with 105A power stages for extreme overclocking. It supports dual-channel DDR5 memory at speeds exceeding 8000MHz and offers extensive storage through five M.2 slots, including one PCIe 5.0 x4 and four PCIe 4.0 x4 connectors. Connectivity is a major highlight, providing dual Thunderbolt 4 ports, 10GbE and 2.5GbE LAN, and Wi-Fi 6E (or Wi-Fi 7 on refreshed 'X' models) alongside an ESS SABRE Hi-Fi DAC for premium audio. Main pros include its unmatched power delivery, professional-grade networking, and advanced 'EZ-Latch' DIY features for tool-less hardware installation. However, its significant cons are the very high price point, the large E-ATX form factor that limits case compatibility, and the fact that the PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot shares bandwidth with the primary graphics card slot.

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