{"product_id":"gigabyte-z790-gaming-plus-ax-lga-1700-atx-motherboard-review","title":"GIGABYTE Z790 Gaming Plus AX LGA 1700 ATX Motherboard - Powerful DDR5","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of the GIGABYTE Z790 Gaming Plus AX the bottom line is clear: this ATX board is aimed at builders who want a modern Intel platform with strong power delivery and next-gen storage without paying for boutique extras. It supports 14th, 13th, and 12th Gen Intel Core processors on an LGA 1700 socket and brings a conservative, well-engineered feature set-not flashy RGB theater but solid hardware choices. The single biggest reason to buy is the combination of a sturdy hybrid 8+1+1 phase VRM and DDR5 support, which makes it a reliable foundation for high-performance gaming rigs and productivity builds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLGA 1700 Socket:\u003c\/strong\u003e Supports 14th, 13th, and 12th Gen Intel Core processors so upgrades across recent Intel generations are straightforward.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDDR5 Compatible:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dual channel DDR5 with four DIMM slots lets builders install higher frequency memory for improved gaming and content creation performance.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRobust Power Design:\u003c\/strong\u003e The hybrid 8+1+1 phase digital VRM solution supplies stable power to the CPU under sustained loads and overclocking attempts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eComprehensive Thermal Design:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fully covered MOSFET heatsinks and an M.2 Thermal Guard help keep temperatures down for reliable long-term operation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNext Gen Connectivity:\u003c\/strong\u003e PCIe 4.0 lanes and triple NVMe M.2 support offer fast storage bandwidth and expandability for high-speed SSDs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eModern I\/O:\u003c\/strong\u003e USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C and onboard Realtek Wi-Fi 6 plus Realtek LAN provide a mix of wired and wireless connectivity for gaming and streaming.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Z790 Gaming Plus AX is best for gamers and power users who want a solid, no-nonsense motherboard that supports the latest Intel CPUs and DDR5 memory. Builders looking for a strong baseline for a high-end GPU, NVMe storage array, and potential CPU overclocking will appreciate the board's power delivery and thermal features.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is less suited to buyers who want extreme boutique features such as multi-zone RGB controllers, extensive fan controllers built in, or a top-tier audio chipset aimed at audiophiles. If you need the absolute highest-end overclocking platform with more premium connectivity, a higher-tier Z790 variant may be a better fit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSturdy hybrid 8+1+1 phase VRM provides stable power delivery for modern Intel CPUs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDDR5 support across four DIMMs allows higher memory bandwidth and capacity for demanding tasks.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTriple M.2 and PCIe 4.0 support deliver flexible, high-speed storage options for fast boot and load times.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIncludes USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C and Realtek Wi-Fi 6 for contemporary connectivity needs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eConnectivity feedback is mixed among customers, so wireless or rear I\/O expectations should be verified for specific setups.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNot targeted at users who need premium extras like advanced onboard audio or extensive RGB control.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSocket\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLGA 1700 (Intel)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eChipset\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntel Z790\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMemory\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDual channel DDR5, 4 DIMMs\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePower Design\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHybrid 8+1+1 phases digital VRM\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStorage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTriple NVMe M.2 with M.2 Thermal Guard\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eExpansion\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePCIe 4.0 support\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eConnectivity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUSB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C, Realtek Wi-Fi 6, Realtek LAN\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe GIGABYTE Z790 Gaming Plus AX is a practical, value-minded Z790 motherboard that delivers the essentials for modern Intel builds: strong VRM, DDR5 support, and fast NVMe storage options. It is a smart pick for gamers and creators who want reliable performance without paying for premium extras, making it a good foundation for a high-performance system that balances features and cost.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill this board support 14th Gen Intel CPUs?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, the Z790 Gaming Plus AX supports 14th, 13th, and 12th Gen Intel Core processors on the LGA 1700 socket.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it support DDR5 memory?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, the board is compatible with dual channel DDR5 memory across four DIMM slots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow many M.2 drives can I install?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe motherboard supports triple NVMe M.2 drives and includes M.2 Thermal Guard to help manage drive temperatures.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GIGABYTE","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48146587648219,"sku":"B0D8WH39QJ","price":196.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/81Ip3DnEazL._AC_SL1500.jpg?v=1768765496","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/gigabyte-z790-gaming-plus-ax-lga-1700-atx-motherboard-review","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}