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 Gaming X review: 109 specs compared

Avg. price:~£300CPU socket:LGA 1700Chipset:Intel Z790Form factor:ATX

GIGABYTE Z790 Gaming X Review: Compare 109 technical specifications and 2 expert and video reviews to see how this product ranks in the Motherboards category and whether it is worth buying.

GIGABYTE Z790 Gaming X
7.8/10

Overall score

Score
7.8/ 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
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 81% of models
Score components

40%

7.9

Technical score

20%

7.9

Reviews score

20%

?

List scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 7.5, the mark of a weaker model in this category

10%

?

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

10%

8.8

User score

â–²Better than 81% of motherboards
8.1

Value for money

Value for money
8.1/ 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
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 73% of models
Score components

70%

7.8

Overall score

30%

8.9

Price

â–²Better than 73%
7.9

Technical score

Technical score
7.9/ 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
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 82% of models
Score components

19%

9.8

Memory

16%

8.9

Platform

16%

7.6

Storage

15%

6.4

Network

13%

7.0

Ports

8%

6.4

Expansion

8%

8.7

Power & Cooling

5%

5.7

Audio

â–²Better than 82%
7.9

Reviews score

Reviews score
7.9/ 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
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 54% of models

7.9

Mark 8.2 is below the typical mark 8.3 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

80%

8.6

Average grade

20%

6.9

Popularity

Grades by review (2)
2 video reviews, each 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.
â–¼Worse than 54%
8.8

User score

User score
8.8/ 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
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 71% of models

70%

8.6

Rating

30%

9.1

Popularity

â–²Better than 71%
?

List score

List score
7.5/ 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 (0)
Not in any best-of list yet, so this part counts as 7.5. Models in a list get 8 to 10.
Not in any best-of list yet
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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.

What owners say about the GIGABYTE Z790 Gaming X

Based on 25 owners sharing their experience in online comments

44%positive12%mixed44%negative

Owners praise stable performance and useful features, while high-speed DDR5 and XMP issues create the biggest headaches.

What owners dislike

  • Enabling XMP with fast DDR5, especially 64GB total, often causes blue screens or game crashes. Default speeds or one 32GB stick stay stable.7
  • CPU auto-overclocking is on by default and can push a 13900K past 300W, risking crashes and damage. Small undervolt offsets also caused Windows crashes.4

Points mentioned by at least 3 owners, most mentioned first.

Loading category ranking...

Technical Specifications of motherboard GIGABYTE Z790 Gaming X

Technical score
Technical score
7.9/ 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
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 82% of models
Score components:

19%

9.8

Memory

16%

8.9

Platform

16%

7.6

Storage

15%

6.4

Network

13%

7.0

Ports

8%

6.4

Expansion

8%

8.7

Power & Cooling

5%

5.7

Audio

7.9
Reviews score
7.9
User score
8.8
List score
?
Value for money
Value for money
8.1/ 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
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 73% of models
Score components:

70%

7.8

Overall score

30%

8.9

Price

8.1
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
ATX
Integrated graphics support
yes
This motherboard supports integrated graphics. 10.2% of motherboards support this feature.
Rear outputs: HDMI + DisplayPort.
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
256 GB
Market range: <32 GB – >256 GB
This motherboard supports up to 256 GB of memory, which is more than 82.5% of motherboards and equal to 16.7% of motherboards.
Memory channels
2
Maximum RAM speed
7,600 MT/s
Market range: <2.1k MT/s – >8k MT/s
This motherboard supports memory speeds up to 7,600 MT/s, which is higher than that of 80.8% of motherboards and equal to that of 2.3% of motherboards.
Show more
N. of M.2 sockets
4
Market range: <0 – >4
This motherboard has 4 M.2 sockets, which is more than 84.1% of motherboards and equal to 10.7% of motherboards.
M.2 slot interface per slot
3x PCIe 4.0 x4, 1x PCIe 4.0 x4/SATA
This motherboard offers M.2 slots: 3x PCIe 4.0x4, 1x PCIe 4.0x4/SATA, which is faster than 73.9% of Motherboards and the same as 1.9% of Motherboards.
N. of SATA 3 connectors
6
Market range: <4 – >8
This motherboard has 6 SATA 3 connectors, which is more than 53.5% of motherboards and equal to 31.2% 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
1
Market range: <0 – >1
This motherboard has 1 PCIe 4.0x16 slots, which is more than 55.2% of motherboards and equal to 35.7% of motherboards.
runs at x4 mode
N. of PCIe 3.0 x16 slots
1
Market range: <0 – >3
This motherboard has 1 PCIe 3.0x16 slots, which is more than 40.5% of motherboards and equal to 26.8% of motherboards.
PCIe slot electrical configuration
x16/x4/x4
This motherboard splits its PCIe lanes as x16/x4/x4, which is more generous than 88.1% of Motherboards and the same as 1.7% 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)
10
Market range: <6 – >10
This motherboard has 10 USB ports (rear I/O), which is more than 75.7% of motherboards and equal to 15.4% of motherboards.
Total USB ports (including headers)
17
Market range: <11 – >19
This motherboard has 17 USB ports (including headers), which is more than 71.3% of motherboards and equal to 10.4% of motherboards.
Total USB-C ports (rear I/O)
1
Market range: <0 – >2
This motherboard has 1 USB-C ports (rear I/O), which is more than 35.8% of motherboards and equal to 48.3% of motherboards.
Total USB-C ports (including headers)
2
Market range: <0 – >3
This motherboard has 2 USB-C ports (including headers), which is more than 51.7% of motherboards and equal to 33% of motherboards.
N. of USB 3.2 Gen2x2 ports (USB-C)
1
Market range: <0 – >1
This motherboard has 1 USB 3.2 Gen2x2 ports (USB-C), which is more than 82.1% of motherboards and equal to 17.7% of motherboards.
Show more
LAN speed
2.5 Gbps
Market range: <1 Gbps – >2.5 Gbps
This motherboard supports LAN speeds up to 2.5 Gbps, which is higher than that of 49% of motherboards and equal to that of 41.4% of motherboards.
LAN controller
Killer + Intel + Realtek
This motherboard has a Killer + Intel + Realtek LAN controller, which is slower than 64.6% of Motherboards and equal to 28.7% of Motherboards.
N. of RJ45 ports
1
Market range: <1 – >2
This motherboard has 1 RJ45 ports, which is fewer than 14.4% of motherboards and equal to 85.6% of motherboards.
Wi-Fi connectivity
yes
This motherboard supports Wi-Fi connectivity. 50% of motherboards support this feature.
Wi-Fi version
N/A
Show more
Audio codec
Realtek ALC897
This motherboard uses Realtek ALC897, which is higher-end than 20.2% of Motherboards and the same as 29.9% of Motherboards.
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.
Audio SNR
90 dB
Market range: <95 dB – >120 dB
This motherboard has an audio SNR of 90 dB, which is lower than that of 93.6% of motherboards and equal to that of 3.3% of motherboards.
Headphone amp support
no
This motherboard does not support a headphone amp. 58.8% 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
16+1+2
This motherboard has 16+1+2 VRM phases, which is more than 89.8% of motherboards and equal to 1.3% 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.
Dual 8-pin CPU power.
N. of fan headers
6
Market range: <3 – >8
This motherboard has 6 fan headers, which is more than 50% of motherboards and equal to 22.3% 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 Gaming X vs the average motherboard

246810TotalPlatformMemoryStorageExpansionPortsNetworkAudioPower & Cooling
  • 2 more M.2 sockets
    This motherboard has more M.2 sockets than the average motherboard (4 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 M.2 socket/s.
    4 vs 2
  • 2x more maximum memory capacity
    This motherboard has more maximum memory capacity than the average motherboard (256 GB vs 128 GB). The average motherboard supports 128 GB of memory.
    256 GB vs 128 GB
  • More modern memory type
    This motherboard uses a more modern memory type than the average motherboard (DDR5 vs DDR4).
    DDR5 vs DDR4
  • 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
  • 1 more USB 3.2 Gen2x2 USB-C ports
    This motherboard has more USB 3.2 Gen2x2 USB-C ports than the average motherboard (1 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 USB 3.2 Gen2x2 USB-C port/s.
    1 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
  • 2 more rear USB ports
    This motherboard has more rear USB ports than the average motherboard (10 vs 8). The average motherboard has 8 rear USB port/s.
    10 vs 8
  • More VRM phases
    This motherboard has more VRM phases than the average motherboard (16+1+2 vs 10). The average motherboard has 10 VRM phase/s.
    16+1+2 vs 10
  • 18.9% higher user score
    User score
    8.8/ 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
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    â–² Better than 71% of models

    70%

    8.6

    Rating

    30%

    9.1

    Popularity

    8.8 vs 7.4
  • 8.2% higher review score
    Reviews score
    7.9/ 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
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    â–¼ Worse than 54% of models

    7.9

    Mark 8.2 is below the typical mark 8.3 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

    80%

    8.6

    Average grade

    20%

    6.9

    Popularity

    Grades by review (2)
    2 video reviews, each 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.
    7.9 vs 7.3
  • 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.
  • 2x more maximum memory capacity
    This motherboard has more maximum memory capacity than the average motherboard (256 GB vs 128 GB). The average motherboard supports 128 GB of memory.
    256 GB vs 128 GB
  • More modern memory type
    This motherboard uses a more modern memory type than the average motherboard (DDR5 vs DDR4).
    DDR5 vs DDR4
  • 61.7% higher maximum RAM speed
    This motherboard has a higher maximum RAM speed than the average motherboard (7,600 MT/s vs 4,699.5 MT/s). The average motherboard supports RAM speed of 4,699.5 MT/s.
    7,600 MT/s vs 4,699.5 MT/s
  • 52% higher overclocked RAM speed
    This motherboard has a higher overclocked RAM speed than the average motherboard (7,600 MT/s vs 5,000 MT/s). The average motherboard supports overclocked RAM speed of 5,000 MT/s.
    7,600 MT/s vs 5,000 MT/s
  • 2 more M.2 sockets
    This motherboard has more M.2 sockets than the average motherboard (4 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 M.2 socket/s.
    4 vs 2
  • 2 more SATA 3 connectors
    This motherboard has more SATA 3 connectors than the average motherboard (6 vs 4). The average motherboard has 4 SATA 3 connectors.
    6 vs 4
  • 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
  • 1 more PCIe 4.0x16 slots
    This motherboard has more PCIe 4.0x16 slots than the average motherboard (1 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 PCIe 4.0x16 slot/s.
    runs at x4 mode
    1 vs 0
  • More generous lane split
    This motherboard splits its PCIe lanes more generously than the average motherboard (x16/x4/x4 vs x16/x0/x4, x8/x8/x4).
    x16/x4/x4 vs x16/x0/x4, x8/x8/x4
  • 1 more USB 3.2 Gen2x2 USB-C ports
    This motherboard has more USB 3.2 Gen2x2 USB-C ports than the average motherboard (1 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 USB 3.2 Gen2x2 USB-C port/s.
    1 vs 0
  • 2 more rear USB ports
    This motherboard has more rear USB ports than the average motherboard (10 vs 8). The average motherboard has 8 rear USB port/s.
    10 vs 8
  • 1 more USB 3.2 Gen2 ports
    This motherboard has more USB 3.2 Gen2 ports than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 USB 3.2 Gen2 port/s.
    2 vs 1
  • 2 more total USB connections
    This motherboard has more total USB connections than the average motherboard (17 vs 15). The average motherboard has 15 total USB connections.
    17 vs 15
  • 2 more USB4 or Thunderbolt headers
    This motherboard has more USB4 or Thunderbolt headers than the average motherboard (2 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 USB4 or Thunderbolt header/s.
    two internal headers
    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.
    1 vs 0
  • 1 more total USB-C connections
    This motherboard has more total USB-C connections than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 total USB-C connections.
    2 vs 1
  • More VRM phases
    This motherboard has more VRM phases than the average motherboard (16+1+2 vs 10). The average motherboard has 10 VRM phase/s.
    16+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.
    Dual 8-pin CPU power.
    2 vs 1
  • 1 more RGB headers
    This motherboard has more RGB headers than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 RGB header/s.
    2 vs 1
  • Includes onboard RGB lighting
    This motherboard has onboard RGB lighting, while the average motherboard does not. 50% of motherboards include onboard RGB lighting.
  • 25 dB lower audio SNR
    This motherboard has a lower audio SNR than the average motherboard (90 dB vs 115 dB). The average motherboard has audio SNR of 115 dB.
    90 dB vs 115 dB
  • No Wi-Fi antenna included
    This motherboard does not include a Wi-Fi antenna, while the average motherboard does. 51.1% of motherboards include a Wi-Fi antenna.
  • No headphone amp support
    This motherboard does not support a headphone amp, while the average motherboard does. 58.8% of motherboards support a headphone amp.
  • Slower NVMe storage slots
    This motherboard has slower M.2 slots than the average motherboard (3x PCIe 4x4, 1x PCIe 4x4/SATA vs 1x PCIe 5x4, 2x PCIe 4x4).
    3x PCIe 4.0x4, 1x PCIe 4.0x4/SATA vs 1x PCIe 5.0x4, 2x PCIe 4.0x4
  • 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 USB 3.2 Gen1 ports
    This motherboard has fewer USB 3.2 Gen1 ports than the average motherboard (3 vs 4). The average motherboard has 4 USB 3.2 Gen1 port/s.
    3 vs 4
  • 2x more expensive
    GIGABYTE Z790 Gaming X is more expensive than the average motherboard (£300 vs £150).
    £300 vs £150
  • 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.
    No dedicated PCIe x1 slot.
    0 vs 1
  • 2x more expensive
    GIGABYTE Z790 Gaming X is more expensive than the average motherboard (£300 vs £150).
    £300 vs £150
  • More basic chipset
    This motherboard uses a more basic chipset than the average motherboard (Intel Z790 vs Intel B860).
    Intel Z790 vs Intel B860
  • Slower NVMe storage slots
    This motherboard has slower M.2 slots than the average motherboard (3x PCIe 4x4, 1x PCIe 4x4/SATA vs 1x PCIe 5x4, 2x PCIe 4x4).
    3x PCIe 4.0x4, 1x PCIe 4.0x4/SATA vs 1x PCIe 5.0x4, 2x PCIe 4.0x4
  • 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.
    No dedicated PCIe x1 slot.
    0 vs 1
  • 1 fewer USB 3.2 Gen1 ports
    This motherboard has fewer USB 3.2 Gen1 ports than the average motherboard (3 vs 4). The average motherboard has 4 USB 3.2 Gen1 port/s.
    3 vs 4
  • No Wi-Fi antenna included
    This motherboard does not include a Wi-Fi antenna, while the average motherboard does. 51.1% of motherboards include a Wi-Fi antenna.
  • 25 dB lower audio SNR
    This motherboard has a lower audio SNR than the average motherboard (90 dB vs 115 dB). The average motherboard has audio SNR of 115 dB.
    90 dB vs 115 dB
  • No headphone amp support
    This motherboard does not support a headphone amp, while the average motherboard does. 58.8% of motherboards support a headphone amp.
  • 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

Video reviews

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

9.0
SamsTechStuff
≈ estimated
17/06/2024
Owner review · daily editing and gaming with a 14700K
Verdict
GIGABYTE Z790 Gaming X is stable, fast and good value for a mid-to-high-end build.
9.0
Awesome Tech Gaming Pro
≈ estimated
09/12/2024
Unboxing · first look at BIOS and build
Verdict
GIGABYTE Z790 Gaming X is a very good board for its budget, with strong features and a few drawbacks.
Not graded
Overview video
Not graded

Third-party reviews

What customers like about GIGABYTE Z790 Gaming X

  • Excellent value for a mid-to-high-end Z790 chipset motherboard
  • Generous storage options with four M.2 PCIe 4.0 slots
  • Strong VRM performance and large heatsinks for effective thermal management
  • User-friendly design features like M.2 EZ-Latches and PCIe quick-release
  • High-speed DDR5 memory support, reaching up to 7600 MT/s with XMP profiles
  • Ample connectivity including 2.5GbE LAN and multiple USB-C ports

What customers don't like about GIGABYTE Z790 Gaming X

  • Lacks a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot, which may limit future ultra-fast storage upgrades
  • Official Gigabyte Control Center (GCC) software is often reported as buggy or bloated
  • Lower-end Realtek ALC897 audio codec compared to higher-tier Aorus models
  • Some users reported noticeable coil whine issues on the VRMs
  • No integrated RGB lighting on the board itself, though headers are provided
  • Limited rear audio connections compared to competing boards in the same price range

Verdict

The Gigabyte Z790 Gaming X is a robust ATX motherboard designed for 14th, 13th, and 12th Gen Intel Core processors, featuring an LGA 1700 socket and a powerful 16+2+1 phase digital VRM for stable power delivery. Key specifications include support for up to 192GB of dual-channel DDR5 memory with overclocked speeds reaching 7600 MT/s, a primary PCIe 5.0 x16 slot for next-gen GPUs, and four PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots for high-speed NVMe storage. For connectivity, it offers 2.5GbE LAN, a rear USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C port (20Gbps), and integrated Wi-Fi 6E on AX variants. Main pros include its highly competitive price-to-performance ratio, user-friendly 'EZ-Latch' design for toolless M.2 and GPU installation, and advanced 'TMOS' thermal design with enlarged heatsinks for excellent cooling. Notable cons include the use of a more basic Realtek ALC897 audio codec and a lack of individual voltage offsets for E-core clusters, which may slightly limit extreme overclocking headroom for high-end chips like the i9-13900K.

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