In the market for a new Z790 motherboard? We have you covered.
Updated: Jan 20, 2023 1:47 pm
Intel’s 13th Gen Raptor Lake desktop processors are out, and so are the brand-new Z790 motherboards to go along with this launch. These new processors bring more cores, better connectivity, a more efficient architecture, and more aggressive boost clocks. Here’s our best Z790 motherboard article.
Now read: where to buy 13900K if you’re still in the market for a brand new Intel 13th generation CPU, but haven’t picked one up yet.
Raptor Lake uses the same LGA 1700 socket as the outgoing Alder Lake generation, so there is a layer of cross-compatibility between the CPUs and motherboards of the two generations. Intel has launched the Z790 chipset specifically for the 13th Gen processors but these boards are also compatible with the previous generation Alder Lake CPUs, and vice versa. Motherboards for the 13th-gen CPUs are selling out fast, grab your new Z790 motherboard below!
Z790 motherboards are the top-level chipsets in intel’s motherboard arsenal, offering the best features and connectivity. On the flip side, that means the cost is higher. The Z790 is designed to be the best of the best and bring you the highest performance on this generation of hardware Here are the best Z790 motherboards, for your viewing pleasure.
Best Z790 Motherboard: Top Picks
01
High-end best Z790 motherboard
ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 HERO
ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero
02
Mid-range Z790 motherboard
MSI Z790 TOMAHAWK WiFi
MSI Z790 TOMAHAWK WiFi
03
Best budget Z790 motherboard
Gigabyte Z790 AORUS Elite AX
Gigabyte Z790 AORUS Elite AX
Things to consider when picking the best Z790 motherboard
Z790 is more of an incremental upgrade to Z690 rather than a brand-new platform with revolutionary new features. However, there are still several factors that you should consider if you are planning to buy a Z790 motherboard right now.
Intel Core i9-13900K CPU & Motherboard bundle
For the highest performance to push your next-gen gaming PC to its limits, make things easier with our custom-made i9-13900K bundle below:
Core i9-13900K High-end bundle
Motherboard
ROG Z790 Maximus Hero
RAM
32GB G.Skill Trident Z5 RGB
Cooler
AUS ROG Ryujin ii 360
Is Z790 worth it over Z690?
Even though Z790 is the brand new chipset specifically designed for 13th Gen Raptor Lake processors, it does not bring a whole lot of improvements to the table. It is a gradual upgrade over Z690, and not one that warrants a definite upgrade for users already on the Z690 platform.
The main differences lie in the connectivity and rear I/O specifications, such as four additional PCIe Gen 4 downstream lanes and an extra USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 20 Gbps port on the Z790. These improvements mainly affect storage and connectivity features and are relatively small, making it unnecessary for those currently using the Z690 platform to upgrade.
Unless of course, you’re on any of the previous-gen motherboards that only offer PCIe gen 4 on GPU slots. PCIe gen 5 is a massive improvement over gen 4 and si capable of double eh bandwidth.
DDR5 vs. DDR4
The Z790 chipset also gives users the choice between DDR5 and DDR4 memory just like Z690. In fact, the Z790 chipset has identical memory compatibility specs to the Z690 chipset of yesteryear, so Intel really did not change anything when it comes to memory.
As a result, consumers are still faced with the same dilemma of choosing between DDR4 and DDR5 memory for their 13th Gen Raptor Lake systems. Each of the two memory generations has its own pros and cons, and there really is no right answer to this question.
DDR5 memory is definitely the future, and arguably the present as well. Even though DDR5 memory kits are quite a bit more expensive than DDR4 kits right now, we are seeing the performance gap widen with each passing month right now. Moreover, DDR5 memory kits will be compatible with future Intel (or AMD) CPU generations as well.
On the other hand, DDR4 memory has the advantage of value for money. Many consumers may not want to buy a shiny new DDR5 memory kit for their new systems, so using existing DDR4 memory is a great way to save some money. You can also buy new DDR4 memory for practically half the cost of DDR5 memory as of the time of writing.
Power
The Intel 13th-generation CPUs require more power than previous generations. In fact, these are some of the highest TDPs we have ever seen from a desktop CPU. Over 250W of TDP can be produced by the 13900K in its default state alone.
The more VRMs you have scrubbing and dividing the power towards the CPU, the better. This is especially true for overclocking purposes, as voltage and TDP increase with any additional overclocks you place on the CPU.
Not only that, but a lot of modern motherboards require additional PCIe power to the motherboard to enable features like fast charging on the USB type C slots.
Are Z790 motherboards compatible with 12th gen CPUs?
If you’re just after upgrading your motherboard, then that is an option on the Z790 chipset platform. All Z790 motherboards are backward compatible with the previous generation of Intel CPUs, this means that you can use your 12th-generation Intel CPUs on these motherboards with no penalty whatsoever.
This means that you’ll gain access to all the great features that the Z790 chipset has to offer, without forking out for a new and expensive 13th-generation CPU. However, that is recommended to take full advantage of things like PCIe Gen 5.
Best Z790 Motherboard
Here we will outline the best Z790 motherboards currently available for the 13th Gen Intel processors.
ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 HERO
ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero
10 GbE LAN, WiFi 6E, audio, USB4, USB-C, DisplayPort, Thunderbolt 4.
Pros
-
24+1 phase VRM design -
10 GbE LAN port -
5 M.2 slots -
DDR5 -
PCIe Gen 5
The Maximus lineup of motherboards from ASUS has always been coveted by enthusiasts, and that trend continues with the Z790 generation. The ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 HERO is a high-end motherboard that delivers supreme features and houses an excellent power delivery system.
Under the gigantic VRM heatsinks, we find a 24+1 phase VRM design with 105A power stages. Simply put, the Z790 HERO has an extremely robust VRM design that can handle even the most demanding 13th Gen Intel Raptor Lake CPUs at overclocked settings.
Moreover, the Maximus Z790 HERO is also packed with premium features. ASUS has provided a 10 GbE LAN port as well as WiFi 6E for your networking needs, and storage is handled by 5 M.2 slots as well as several SATA ports. The board also features two Thunderbolt 4 ports on the rear I/O, which is a nice touch.
Aesthetically, the board is clearly targeted towards gamers as the characteristic ROG design language is quite prevalent. The pixelated ROG script on the I/O cover looks especially nice when the board is installed in a chassis.
All in all, the ROG Maximus Z790 HERO is an incredible Z790 motherboard that has little-to-no weaknesses. The only major concern with this board is its price tag, which is quite high relative to the alternatives available on the market.
MSI Z790 TOMAHAWK WiFi
MSI Z790 TOMAHAWK WiFi
2.5 GbE LAN, audio, USB 3.2, WiFi 6E, DisplayPort and more
Pros
-
16+1+1 phase Duet Rail power delivery system -
WiFi 6E -
DDR5
Cons
-
Less features than boards of similar prices
MSI’s Z790 TOMAHAWK WiFi is aimed squarely at the mid-range market segment, and it is one of the very best offerings in that price bracket. The TOMAHAWK moniker is very popular among enthusiasts and value hunters alike, and this particular board should be no exception.
MSI has provided a 16+1+1 phase Duet Rail power delivery system with 90A power stages for this motherboard. This VRM setup is quite robust and can provide plenty of clean and stable power for all of the 13th Gen Intel processors. Even the VRM heatsinks are rather sizeable and well-made.
Being a mid-range motherboard, the Z790 TOMAHAWK cuts back on features a bit. It only has a 2.5 GbE LAN port for networking, but MSI has provided WiFi 6E for your wireless connectivity needs. The board also features four M.2 slots and seven SATA ports for your storage devices.
The TOMAHAWK motherboards are always quite plain and simple when it comes to visuals, and this trend continues with the Z790 version. The entire board is covered with black shrouds and heat spreaders, with only minimal accents here and there.
Thanks to its reasonable price tag, the MSI Z790 TOMAHAWK provides excellent value for money and should definitely be considered by new PC builders.
Gigabyte Z790 AORUS Elite AX
Gigabyte Z790 AORUS Elite AX
2.5 GbE LAN, audio, DisplayPort, WiFi 6E, USB 3,2, thunderbolt 4, and more.
GPU X16 slot and M.2 slot
Pros
-
16+1+2 phase VRM design -
WiFi 6E -
Stealthy, less RGB than most models
Cons
-
not as feature rich as other motherboards in the same price range.
In the budget segment, we recommend the Gigabyte Z790 AORUS Elite AX. It is not the fanciest Z790 motherboard out there, but it certainly gets the job done quite efficiently.
Gigabyte has used a twin 16+1+2 phase VRM design with 70A power stages in this motherboard. This level of VRM should be capable of running any 13th Gen CPU on stock settings, and you can even dabble in some light overclocking should you see fit. The VRM is also well-cooled thanks to large heatsinks.
You also get four M.2 slots and six SATA 6 Gb/s ports on the board for your storage needs. Networking is handled by a 2.5 GbE LAN port as well as WiFi 6E, which is a fairly decent combination for the price.
There is not a lot that stands out about the Z790 AORUS Elite AX, aesthetically. Most of the board is covered with black shrouds and there is only a subtle AORUS design on the chipset heatsink. There is also a stark lack of RGB lighting, which might be a deal breaker for some potential buyers.
In essence, the Z790 AORUS Elite AX is a great Z790 motherboard to consider if you are on a relatively limited budget. It does not have all the bells and whistles, but it provides decent value for your money overall.
ASUS ROG Z790 Maximus Extreme
ROG MAXIMUS Z790 EXTREME
USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C and front-panel connector with Quick Charge 4+ up to 60W, eight USB 3.2 Gen 2, and two PCIe 5.0 x16 SafeSlots
Pros
-
Strong power stages -
PCIe Gen 5 -
Heightened DDR5 speeds -
Lots of connectivity
The Maximus Z790 Extreme is the best of the best, built for only the most extreme PC enthusiasts.
The ROG Maximus comes equipped with a full 24 + 1 power stage setup rated for 105A with dual ProCool II power connectors, high-quality alloy chokes, and premium metallic capacitors. Designed to take overclocking to a whole other level.
The Maximus also features full PCIe Gen 5 support on a single M.2 SSD slot and both of the PCIe X16 slots, bringing unfathomable speeds to the current generation of gamers.
The ROG Maximus boasts DDR5 support up to 7600MHz, almost unheard-of speeds for system memory. Making the Maximus the ideal pairing for a high-end CPU, such as the 13900K.
Not to mention the Maximus is also packed full of connectivity, here is a small list of some of the connectivity available on this monstrous Z790 motherboard: Thunderbolt 4 USB Type-C and front-panel connector, USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C and front-panel connector with Quick Charge 4+ up to 60W, eight USB 3.2 Gen 2, and two PCIe 5.0 x16 SafeSlots.
Other useful Intel links
Final word
No matter what motherboard you choose, you’ll be completely covered on the Z790 platform. each of these motherboards prides itself in being the best in its class, on the best chipset manufactured to date.
The Z790 chipset brings the best of the best to the table, ensuring your 12th or 13th-generation Intel CPU will be covered from all angles. Whether you’re looking for improved connectivity, PCIe Gen 5 support, or faster DDR5 memory compatibility, you’re covered on the Z790 chipset platform.
