Intel has launched its 14th Era desktop processors. The “Raptor Lake Refresh” chips do not symbolize an all-new structure however a refinement of their thirteenth Gen predecessors, with barely larger enhance clock speeds and assist for DDR5-6000 versus DDR5-5600 reminiscence. Motherboard producers are prepared, keen, and in a position to assist the brand new CPUs—and throwing within the newest Wi-Fi 7 networking whereas they’re at it. That brings us to the Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Elite X Wi-Fi 7, an up to date model of the Aorus Elite Wi-Fi for purchasers who do not need to fuss with the BIOS flashing course of to improve older motherboards (it is simple, actually). The brand new motherboard is not low cost at $299.99—Gigabyte has extra reasonably priced alternate options such because the Aorus Elite X AX with out Wi-Fi 7—but it surely’s a full-featured and enticing platform for builders who crave the newest and best Intel silicon.
Intel’s 14th Gen and Board Design
As I stated, the brand new processors aren’t radically totally different from the previous—the flagship Core i9-14900K has the identical variety of cores and threads because the Core i9-13900K, with a max turbo clock of 6.0GHz versus 5.8GHz and a barely bumped base clock. To get probably the most out of the brand new CPUs, you may want enough cooling, as many motherboards take some liberties with default energy targets and lift them to get the higher hand over their rivals. A 360mm AIO works finest for the high-end processors, whereas a number of the cheaper CPUs within the product stack can get away with a smaller AIO and even air cooling.
(Credit score: Joe Shields)Moreover native assist for 14th Gen chips, the Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Elite X Wi-Fi 7 and different new motherboards boast built-in Wi-Fi 7, a notably sooner protocol with extra channels within the 320MHz vary, although you may want a router and units that assist the brand new spec to see any profit. Most new boards have additionally acquired a mid-gen facelift to set them aside from their predecessors. The Gigabyte’s design adjustments are enticing however refined, with a impartial black-on-black aesthetic that ought to match most construct themes.
Just like the earlier model, the motherboard sits on an 8-layer matte black PCB with black heatsinks. The VRMs are cooled by a big heatsink that covers the I/O portion of the board, adorned with the Aorus falcon brand and branding, just like the chipset and M.2 heatsink overlaying the decrease portion. The highest M.2 socket options an EZ Latch (just like the chipset/M.2 heatsink beneath) and appears giant sufficient to maintain PCIe 4.0 modules working with out throttling. Hidden beneath the underside heatsink is a small RGB LED strip.
CPU and Reminiscence
The Z790 Aorus Elite X Wi-Fi 7 helps Intel’s twelfth, thirteenth, and 14th Era LGA1700 processors out of the field. The VRMs are comprised of 16 phases devoted to the Vcore (processor) and 90A SPS MOSFETs. The big heatsinks stored the VRM temperatures inside spec, even throughout long-running multithreaded benchmarks with our flagship-class CPU. The default setting of Gigabyte’s handy Perf Drive one-click overclocking device is “Optimization,” setting all cores to the turbo max clock. On this (and most) settings, you are primarily restricted by the processor cooling methodology, since Perf Drive lets it run on the 253W restrict set by Intel. The higher your cooling, the extra these CPUs can stretch their legs.
(Credit score: Joe Shields)Reminiscence assist improves even past the “Raptor Lake Refresh” bump to DDR5-6000, with Gigabyte itemizing speeds as much as DDR5-8266 (OC), the very best for the platform thus far. The value/efficiency candy spot for this platform stays across the DDR5-6400 mark for customers not made of cash. The up to date BIOS presents a plethora of choices to tweak reminiscence timings, appropriate for individuals who need to squeeze each scrap from their {hardware}. 4 unreinforced DRAM slots assist as much as 192GB of RAM; you most likely need to take a look at workstation-class methods should you want greater than that.
Our Kingston Fury Beast DDR5-6000 and Staff Group TForce DDR5-7200 kits labored by merely enabling their XMP profiles. This was the anticipated consequence, contemplating each kits are on Gigabyte’s reminiscence QVL record and effectively beneath the DDR5-8266 restrict.
Format and Inside Connectors
Wanting on the high half of the motherboard, within the left nook we spot twin 8-pin EPS connectors (one required) to energy the processor. Surrounding these energy leads is the VRM heatsink. The black ribbed look provides method to a darkish gray with a “Staff Up, Battle On” mantra beneath. Subsequent, we see 4 DRAM slots with locking mechanisms on either side.
Above these are the primary two of six 4-pin fan/pump headers. Every header helps PWM and DC-controlled units and outputs as much as 2A/24W, which must be lots even when powering a customized water loop. Do not overload these headers, as it may trigger everlasting harm. Management over the connected units comes from the BIOS or the Fan Management portion of the Gigabyte Management Middle app.
Subsequent is the primary RGB header, on this case a 3-pin ARGB. You may discover the others, two 4-pin RGB and one other 3-pin ARGB, alongside the underside fringe of the board. The RGB lighting is refined in comparison with another boards. Management over built-in and connected RGB units is dealt with by way of Gigabyte Management Middle’s RGB Fusion app. It gives loads of canned lighting patterns and lets you customise modes as you want.
(Credit score: Joe Shields)Touring down the best edge, we first discover the 24-pin ATX connector to energy the board. That is adopted by two USB headers: one 19-pin USB Kind-A 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps) and one USB Kind-C 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps), each for the entrance panel. Final on this space is the Standing LED characteristic, 4 LEDs (CPU, DRAM, VGA, and Boot) that gentle up in the course of the POST course of. If there’s an issue in one in every of these areas, the corresponding LED stays lit, supplying you with an concept of the place the difficulty is.
Audio, Enlargement, Storage, and Rear I/O
Within the backside left-hand nook is the audio part. Gigabyte upgraded the codec from the earlier model, going with the Realtek ALC1220. Under the chip are WIMA audio caps (pink) and different capacitors (yellow) devoted to audio part. Whereas it does not have a flowery DAC or amplifiers, most customers might be glad with the up to date audio resolution.
In the midst of the board are three full-length PCI Specific slots and 4 M.2 sockets. Beginning with the PCIe slots, the highest slot makes use of Gigabyte’s new PCIe S Slot X, a chunk of metallic that surrounds the slot and screws into the board, defending the first graphics slot. I am unsure that is fully obligatory, but it surely’s one other characteristic that units the Elite X aside from the unique. That slot sources lanes from the CPU and runs at as much as PCIe 5.0 x16 speeds. The underside two PCIe slots join by way of the chipset and run at PCIe 4.0 x4.
(Credit score: Joe Shields)All 4 M.2 sockets on the board assist as much as 110mm modules and peak at PCIe 4.0 x4 speeds. The underside socket, M2M_SB, additionally helps SATA-based modules. I want to see a PCIe 5.0 M.2 socket, however the 4 PCIe 4.0 x4 sockets must be sufficient each in quantity and pace for nearly all customers. One other nice characteristic that makes its method to all 4 sockets is EZ-Latch Click on with EZ Latch Plus, making securing your SSDs a lot simpler than utilizing tiny screws.
Cruising previous the chipset, alongside the best fringe of the board are USB4/TB4 headers and the reset and clear CMOS buttons. Between the 2 buttons are six SATA ports supporting RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 modes. In different phrases, this board has each storage possibility might you need besides PCIe 5.0.
Alongside the underside fringe of the board are a number of headers. From left to proper, these are front-panel audio, three RGB headers (one 4-pin and two 3-pin), the TPM header, two USB 2.0 headers, the QFlash Plus button, 4 4-pin system fan headers, and the front-panel header.
(Credit score: Joe Shields)Our tour of the structure concludes with the rear I/O space. Gigabyte makes use of a preinstalled I/O plate with gentle grey labels on a black background. In complete, there are 10 USB ports round again—4 USB 2.0, three USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps), two USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps), and one USB-C 3.2 Gen 2×2 (20Gbps). That must be lots for many customers. Within the center, you may discover the ultra-fast Wi-Fi 7 antenna connections, a 2.5GbE networking port, and DisplayPort and HDMI ports for built-in video. Lastly, the audio stack comprises two 3.5mm analog plugs and the SPDIF.
A Temporary Take a look at the UEFI BIOS and Utilities
The UEFI BIOS of the brand new Z790 Aorus Elite X Wi-Fi 7 is laid out the identical as different Z790 boards’, however will get a pleasant facelift and alter of colour. You continue to begin with a reconfigured Simple Mode that is primarily informational, itemizing the standing of the CPU, RAM, followers, peripherals, and extra. The colour scheme has modified from Aorus orange to black with blue and purple highlights and white textual content. Alongside the underside are a number of choices you possibly can allow together with reminiscence tweaks and QFlash. It is easy to learn, logically laid out, and pleasing to the attention.
(Credit score: Gigabyte)The superior portion of the BIOS presents a typical configuration with main headings throughout the highest, together with Favorites (customizable), Tweaker, Settings, and System Information. You may discover all of the superior performance on this far more complete mode.
(Credit score: Gigabyte)The Tweaker part comprises all of the choices to fine-tune and overclock your system. Right here you possibly can alter voltages, RAM speeds and timings, and overclocking choices for the CPU.
(Credit score: Gigabyte)Contained in the Settings part are a number of sub-headings the place you possibly can alter platform energy, configure I/O ports, and PC Well being, which reveals system information together with voltages and temperatures. Right here you may discover choices to allow or disable audio and built-in graphics, allow Resizable BAR, and configure USB, NVMe, SATA, audio, and community {hardware}.
(Credit score: Gigabyte)Gigabyte’s UEFI is laid out logically and simple to get round. The Z790 model, just like the X670, gives a full array of tweaks together with overclocking the CPU and RAM. Not like different BIOSes, you possibly can’t play with the RGB lighting from right here however should use Home windows and the Gigabyte Management Middle app. General, the BIOS gives all of the choices you want and our model (F4) proved secure in our time with the board.
On the software program aspect, Gigabyte Management Middle gives Home windows-based monitoring and management over RGB lighting, followers, driver updates, and efficiency/overclocking. It is a light-weight app that matches the black and orange Aorus theme and is straightforward to work with. On startup, it polls the system for software program and driver variations and updates or downloads as wanted (together with your approval). The screenshot beneath reveals the touchdown web page, all of the {hardware} it may management on our check system, and the features similar to fan management and RGB beneath.
(Credit score: Gigabyte)There are alternatives to regulate any RGB lights, followers, and overclocking. The RGB Fusion software program contains eight LED results (Static, Pulse, Flash, DFlash, Cycle, Wave1, Wave2, and Off) and choices to alter results’ brightness and pace.
(Credit score: Gigabyte)For fan management, you get three canned choices (silent, regular, and full pace) plus the power to make guide changes and customized curves. The software program learn all our check system followers, PWM, and DC and managed them with out difficulty.
(Credit score: Gigabyte)Overclocking the processor and reminiscence by way of the software program is easy. There are drop-downs to pick out the CPU multiplier (for P and E cores; BCLK is just not out there), in addition to reminiscence pace (however not timings) and voltage.
(Credit score: Gigabyte)Verdict: A Stable Choice within the $300 House
Over the subsequent few weeks, we’ll see a number of up to date Z790 (and B760) boards attain retailer cabinets. Gigabyte’s updates, not less than throughout this and the premium midrange Aorus Grasp board, are vital sufficient to warrant the slight value improve, particularly should you’re averse to BIOS flashing to assist your fancy new 14th Gen CPU. Efficiency utilizing Intel’s new Core i9-14900K wasn’t considerably totally different from that we have seen beforehand with the Core i9-13900K, as cooling is a extra essential limitation than turbo clock pace.
Concerning the competitors, MSI presents the MAG Z790 Tomahawk MAX Wi-Fi (additionally $299.99) whereas ASRock counters with the Z790 Nova and Asus with the Z790-A Gaming Wi-Fi II. Every board has options or aesthetic causes to purchase or skip relying on private desire, however I discover myself gravitating towards this Gigabyte because it packs extra variations from its predecessor at what’s nonetheless an affordable value level.
(Credit score: Joe Shields)The Z790 motherboard market is frankly overpopulated, however the Gigabyte Aorus Elite X Wi-Fi 7 is a stable new possibility. Not solely does it provide native 14th Gen assist and ultra-fast Wi-Fi 7 (which, to be trustworthy, most customers will not have the ability to use), however you get an up to date BIOS, improved audio, EZ Latches on all M.2 sockets, and even some heatsinks to make constructing simpler. If you wish to drop in a 14th Gen CPU with out problem, this board must be in your quick record.
