GIGABYTE Z790 Gaming X AX
Bottom line: The GIGABYTE Z790 Gaming X AX ($319.34 on Amazon as of 2026-10-06): Twin 16+2+1 digital VRM handles 13th Gen i9 loads without throttling; main trade-off: LGA 1700 is end-of-life, so no upgrade path past 13th Gen Intel Core.
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-06. Price and availability subject to change.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ Twin 16+2+1 digital VRM handles 13th Gen i9 loads without throttling
- ✓ PCIe 5.0 slot plus M.2 Thermal Guard for next-gen GPU and NVMe headroom
- ✓ Intel Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5GbE LAN both onboard, no add-in card needed
- ✓ Q-Flash Plus updates BIOS with no CPU, RAM, or GPU installed
- ✓ 4 DDR5 DIMMs in dual channel, upgradable to a full 4-stick kit later
Cons
- ✗ LGA 1700 is end-of-life, so no upgrade path past 13th Gen Intel Core
- ✗ DDR5 only, so existing DDR4 kits from an older build will not carry over
- ✗ EZ-Latch Plus and RGB Fusion 2.0 add cost you skip if you never light a build
- ✗ Single USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C port limits high-speed front-panel options
Manufacturer description
Intel LGA 1700 Socket: Supports 13th and 12th Gen Intel Core Series Processors DDR5 Compatible: Dual Channel DDR5, 4 DIMMs Sturdy Power Design: Twin 16+2+1 Phases Digital VRM Solution Comprehensive Thermal Design: Advanced Thermal Design, Fully Covered MOSFET Heatsinks, M.2 Thermal Guard Next Gen Connectivity: PCIe 5.0, NVMe M.2, USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C Fast Networking: 2.5GbE LAN, Intel Wi-Fi 6E Fine Tuning Features: RGB FUSION 2.0, Supports Addressable LED & RGB LED Strips, Smart Fan 6, Q-Flash Plus Update BIOS without installing, CPU, Memory, and GPU. Ascend the Throne of Gaming with the…
SpecPicks Verdict
SpecPicks scored GIGABYTE Z790 Gaming X AX using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the motherboards category. Compare with similarly-priced alternatives in the motherboards category before committing. Judge it on the specification table and the price rather than on sentiment: check the figures that decide your use case, then put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives in the Compare tool before clicking through.
Common buyer scenarios for motherboards of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the retailer's listing before purchase. Prices and stock are set by the retailer and may have moved since this page was last updated.
Key Features
- Intel LGA 1700 Socket: Supports 13th and 12th Gen Intel Core Series Processors
- DDR5 Compatible: Dual Channel DDR5, 4 DIMMs
- Sturdy Power Design: Twin 16+2+1 Phases Digital VRM Solution
- Comprehensive Thermal Design: Advanced Thermal Design, Fully Covered MOSFET Heatsinks, M.2 Thermal Guard
- Next Gen Connectivity: PCIe 5.0, NVMe M.2, USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C
Full Specifications
| Brand | GIGABYTE |
|---|---|
| USB 2.0 | 2 |
| Platform | Xbox |
| CPU Model | Core i9-12900 |
| CPU Socket | LGA 1700 |
| Model Name | Z790 GAMING X AX |
| Chipset Type | Intel Z790 |
| Connectivity | USB, WiFi |
| Model Number | Z790 GAMING X AX |
| DDR5 Compatible | Dual Channel DDR5, 4 DIMMs |
| Mfr Part Number | Z790 GAMING X AX |
| Number of Ports | 3 |
| Total Usb Ports | 2 |
| Processor Socket | LGA 1700 |
| Total PCIe Ports | 6 |
| Total SATA Ports | 6 |
| Compatible Devices | 12th Gen Intel Core |
| Memory Clock Speed | 4000 MHz |
| Sturdy Power Design | Twin 16+2+1 Phases Digital VRM Solution |
| Warranty Description | 3 |
| Full listing title | GIGABYTE Z790 Gaming X AX (LGA 1700/ Intel/ Z790/ ATX/ DDR5/ M.2/ PCIe 5.0/ USB 3.2 Gen2X2 Type-C/Intel Wi-Fi 6E/ 2.5GbE LAN/Q-Flash Plus/EZ-Latch Plus/Gaming Motherboard) |
Ready to buy?
GIGABYTE Z790 Gaming X AX (LGA 1700/ Intel/ Z790/ ATX/ DDR5/ M.2/ PCIe 5.0/ USB 3.2 Gen2X2 Type-C/Intel Wi-Fi 6E/ 2.5GbE LAN/Q-Flash Plus/EZ-Latch Plus/Gaming Motherboard) is listed on Amazon. Price, availability, shipping and returns are set by Amazon and its sellers — check the listing for current terms. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.
*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-06. Price and availability subject to change.
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