Introduction
Looking for the best Z790 motherboard to buy in 2023? If so, we’ve got just the guide for you, comparing all of the latest Z790 motherboard options for Intel’s newest 13th-Gen processors. The past couple of months have seen a wide array of new launches with AMD‘s relatively lacklustre Ryzen 7000 CPUs, to Nvidia’s ground-breaking RTX 4090, and now Intel’s top-tier 13th Gen.
The launch of Intel’s 13th-Gen line-up was an overwhelming success, with Intel providing significant generational improvements when compared to their renowned 12th-Gen options. With any new range of CPUs we get access to an entire new set of motherboard chipsets for consumers to sink their teeth into. So far we’ve only got our hands on Intel’s Z790 motherboards, but their B760 and H770 chipsets are set to launch next year offering plenty of alternative options.
With all of this in mind, just how do you know which board is best, and how do you break apart the good Z790 options from the bad? Let’s answer that question, by listing the features to look for and our favourite Z790 motherboards out right now.
Suggested Article: Z790 vs B760 Motherboards – Key Differences & Expectations
Best Z790 Motherboards
We understand and appreciate that choosing a motherboard for your PC build can be a frustrating and time consuming process. Getting the best price to performance margins is a vital part of building a cost effective PC. For this reason we’ve compiled a list of our recommendations that we believe offer varied choice for different budgets, aesthetics, and features!
1. ASUS Prime Z790-P WiFi D4
👑 The best budget Z790 motherboard.
Introduction
The Prime Z790-P D4 from ASUS is one of the best (and cheapest) Z790 motherboards that you can currently buy. Sporting a PCI-E 5.0 slot for the next generation of GPUs, multiple PCI-E 4.0 M.2 slots, giving you access to blazing fast SSDs. The rear IO features a bountiful amount of high speed USBs, including a 20GB/s Type-C port, along with WiFi 6 for those looking for a high speed wireless connection, or 2.5 Gigabit LAN for something a little bit more stable.
Key Specs:
| Spec | ASUS Prime Z790-P D4 |
|---|---|
| Form Factor | ATX |
| Memory Support | DDR4 128GB 5333MHz |
| PCI-E x16 Slots | 1x PCI-E 5.0 & 3 x PCI-E 4.0 |
| PCI-E x4 Slots | 3 x PCI-E 4.0 |
| Rear IO | 1x USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C, 1x USB 3.2 Gen2, 2x USB 3.2 Gen1, 4x USB 2.0 |
| Networking | WiFi 6 & 2.5 Gigabit LAN |
Things We Like
Budget Price Point: This is one of the most affordable Z790 motherboards available on the market, and allows prospective buyers to get all of the basic Z790 features without spending a fortune. You also get the great ASUS BIOS and boot reliability with this board.
Neutral Colour Scheme: The black and silver colour scheme of the Prime Z790 allow for it be easily matched with most build aesthetics for a clean build colour scheme.
DDR4 Memory Support: This motherboard supports the cheaper DDR4 memory standard, allowing for buyers to keep existing DDR4 memory kits or opt for a cheaper option when purchasing memory. This helps to keep build pricing under control, and avoids excess spends at the Z790 entry level!
Things We Don’t Like
Weaker Overclocking Support: With 14+1 VRM power phases, this board admittedly isn’t going to be the best for CPU overclocking. While you’ll be able to squeeze some more speed out of an i5 13600K, don’t expect to be hitting 6GHz on an Intel Core i9 chip anytime soon.
Weaker Connectivity Options: Naturally, ASUS are reserving their masses of next-gen USB ports and array of PCI-E Gen 5 slots for higher end boards, which constrains this design a little when it comes to getting connected. That’s not to say connectivity is awful, and the spread of ports and slots will be enough for most gaming users.
Summary
The ASUS Prime Z790 perfectly executes when it comes to providing a budget-oriented, entry-level design for Z790. While connectivity is inevitably a little stripped back, when compared to more expensive options, it is still a great motherboard. For some overclocking and keeping a lid on costs, this board is a great option. In fact, it is the Best Budget Z790 Motherboard in this roundup!
Pros
- Offers wireless WiFi 6 networking.
- Compliant with the latest generation of graphics cards.
- Plenty of high speed USB ports.
Cons
- Barebones design won’t be for everyone.
- Doesn’t support Gen5 SSDs.
Where to Buy
Buy the ASUS Prime Z790-P WiFi D4 on:
2. Gigabyte Z790 AORUS Elite AX
👑 Best value Z790 motherboard.
Introduction
Gigabyte’s Z790 AORUS Elite AX is one of the cheapest DDR5 motherboards that we’ve been able to review on the website. This board is loaded with features, from numerous PCI-E 4.0 SSD slots, to a high quality audio codec providing crystal clear quality for all your audiophiles out there. If you’re looking to build a relatively low cost DDR5 gaming PC we’d definitely recommend looking at this board from Gigabyte, it has an awesome design that suits many different build styles while sporting plenty of features for you to sink your teeth into.
Gigabyte have a fantastic reputation in the motherboard market, and for good reason. With a solid BIOS, reliable designs and generally good value options, you can’t go too far wrong. This motherboard is no exception, with a solid feature set that builds upon Intel’s great Z790 platform.
Key Specs
| Spec | Gigabyte Z790 AORUS Elite AX |
|---|---|
| Form Factor | ATX |
| Memory Support | DDR5 128GB 7600MHz |
| PCI-E x16 Slots | 1x PCI-E 5.0, 2x PCI-E 4.0 |
| PCI-E x4 Slots | 4 x PCI-E 4.0 |
| Rear IO | 1x USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C, 2x USB 3.2 Gen2, 3x USB 3.2 Gen1, 4x USB 2.0 |
| Networking | WiFi 6E & 2.5 Gigabit LAN |
Things We Like
Great Networking: With both WiFi 6E, for next-gen wireless networking speeds, and 2.5 Gigabit LAN, this board is well-equipped for fast networking speeds whether you are choosing to opt for either a wired or wireless connection!
Overclocking Support: With 16 + 1 + 2 VRM power phases this motherboard is well equipped for some CPU overclocking, allowing users to push their 12th or 13th Gen Intel processor that little bit further.
Connectivity: With plenty of next-gen USB ports (of both the Type A and Type C variety), this motherboard is a great bet for connecting up peripherals and storage drives of all kinds. This is also great for future proofing the motherboard, as it ensures you can connect the latest devices for years to come.
Things We Don’t Like
M.2 Heatsink Design: We feel the M.2 heatsink design could be better in terms of visuals. The top cover can appear a little ‘tacked’ on to the board, with the grey colour not blending in particularly well with the rest of the relatively stealthy design.
PCI-E Lane Placement: With a large M.2 area in the middle of the board, the bottom two x16 PCI-E lanes are less practical, with room only for a pair of single slot cards. More spacing here would be better, even for single-slot card expansion, as it would allow for better airflow and a more ‘even’ looking build.
Summary
Gigabyte‘s AORUS Elite AX provides the perfect balance between features and price point, with a design that provides heaps of connectivity without costing the earth. Solid overclocking headroom too make this the best value Z790 motherboard in our roundup.
Pros
- One of the cheapest Z790 DDR5 motherboards.
- Plethora of Gen4 slots for blazing-fast storage.
- Supports high speed DDR5 memory.
Cons
- RGB isn’t great.
- Offers USB 2.0 instead of more high speed USB 3.2 ports.
Where to Buy
Buy the Gigabyte Z790 AORUS Elite AX on:
3. ASUS TUF Gaming Z790-Plus WiFi D4
👑 Best mid-range Z790 motherboard
Introduction
The TUF Gaming Z790-Plus WiFi D4 from ASUS is one of the best looking boards on the Z790 chipset. The industrial theme contrasts really well with the shades of yellow, I’m a big fan! Not only that, but this board has an insane amount of USBs. If you’re looking for a motherboard that can handle an excessive amount of accessories and peripherals, I’d definitely recommend this TUF board. Not to mention you’ve got a great amount of expansion options for SSDs, and support for the next generation of PCI-E 5.0 graphics cards.
This board compliments ASUS’ already strong Z790 motherboard lineup, providing a great mid-range option with more features than their PRIME motherboards, while coming in at a lower cost than more pricey options, such as their HERO range. ASUS have also toned down the yellow accents as of late, helping this board to better blend in with neutral coloured builds.
Key Specs
| Spec | ASUS TUF Gaming Z790-Plus WiFi D4 |
|---|---|
| Form Factor | ATX |
| Memory Support | DDR4 128GB 5333MHz |
| PCI-E x16 Slots | 1 x PCI-E 5.0 & 1 x PCI-E 4.0 |
| PCI-E x4 Slots | 4 x PCI-E 4.0 |
| Rear IO | 1x USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C, 3x USB 3.2 Gen2, 4x USB 3.2 Gen1 |
| Networking | WiFi 6 & 2.5 Gigabit LAN |
Things We Like
Top-tier Connectivity: With plenty of high-speed USB 3.2 ports, you’ll have no problems connecting this motherboard up to lots of devices
M.2 Slots: There are a good array of M.2 slots, all with heatsink cooling. This allows for more than enough storage expansion on the PCI-E Gen 4.0 standard for transfer speeds up to 7000MB/s on the read and write.
Great Networking: Both 2.5 Gigabit LAN ports and WiFi 6 give plenty of options to get connected. We would have preferred to see WiFi 6E here (over standard WiFi 6), but for this you’ll need to step up to a more pricey ASUS board instead.
Things We Don’t Like
Heatsinks: The motherboard does look a little bare in some places, with heatsinks placed sepperately around the board. ASUS could have covered a little more of the PCB on this design, which would aid in both looks and cooling.
VRM power Phases: While the 16+1 VRM power phases will allow for modest overclocking, particularly on the i5 13600K, there are boards which provide better power delivery for the price.
Summary
ASUS have done it again with their latest TUF Z790 motherboard release. A gaming-oriented aesthetic that looks the part, combined with top connectivity, PCI-E Gen 5.0 and plenty of high-speed USBs rounds off a solid package. This great feature set makes it the best mid-range Z790 motherboard in our roundup.
Pros
- Awesome gaming-oriented aesthetic.
- Compliant with the latest generation of graphics cards.
- Plethora of high speed USB ports.
Cons
- Design won’t be for everyone.
- Only supports WiFi 6 instead of 6E.
Where to Buy
Buy the ASUS TUF Gaming Z790-Plus WiFi D4 on:
4. MSI MPG Z790 Carbon WiFi
👑 Best overall Z790 motherboard.
Introduction
MSI‘s MPG Z790 Carbon WiFi is another DDR5 motherboard that we’ve reviewed in full, offering a wide range of features perfect for a mid-range or high-end gaming PC build. On the overclocking front you’ve got a 22 phase power design with plenty of cooling on the VRMs to push your CPU to the next level. This board also sports two Gen5 slots ready for the next generation of graphics cards and storage. On the rear IO you’ve also got access to a wide variety of high speed USB ports designed bringing optimal connectivity and transfer speeds.
This impressive motherboard also looks the part, with plenty of heatsinks about the design that help keep components cool and the board looking premium. With MSI’s tool-less M.2 heatsinks, you can also install M.2 drives without needing to touch a screwdriver – a great quality of live innovation! Additional features include a built-in IO shield, the latest WiFi 6E technology and 2.5 Gigabit LAN.
Reinforcement to the very top PCI-E x16 lane helps to prevent GPU sag, and subsequent damage to the motherboard, while MSI’s light-up dragon logo adorns the top of the IO and VRM cooling. This can be easily customised within the MSI Mystic Light software suite.
Key Specs
| Spec | MSI MPG Z790 Carbon WiFi |
|---|---|
| Form Factor | ATX |
| Memory Support | DDR4 128GB 5333MHz |
| PCI-E x16 Slots | 1 x PCI-E 5.0 & 1 x PCI-E 4,9 |
| PCI-E x4 Slots | 4 x PCI-E 4.0 |
| Rear IO | 1x USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C, 3x USB 3.2 Gen2, 4x USB 3.2 Gen1 |
| Networking | WiFi 6 & 2.5 Gigabit LAN |
Things We Like
Impressive Connectivity: With plenty of ports around, connecting your range of devices should be no trouble with the Z790 carbon. From fast USB ports, to great networking options, and plenty of internal headers… what’s not to love?!
Innovative Features: Feature additions such as the tool-less M.2 heatsink are fantastic to see, and no doubt something we will soon see other manufactuers look to replicate on their own designs.
Great Overclocking Scope: With a hefty 22 phase VRM power delivery solution, and beefy heatsinks for good measure, this board is ready to push any of the latest 12th and 13th Gen processors to maximum speeds.
Things We Don’t Like
PCI-E Lane Layout: Due to the pair of M.2 connections above the PCI-E lane, the space to install your GPU is moved down by one slot. This can look out of proportion, especially in smaller cases. We would have prefered to see one M.2 slot above the GPU slot, as is more typical.
Limited Number of PCI-E Slots: With only two x16 slots, and 1 x4 slot, room for expansion cards is a little limited. For most people, the existing layout will be more than ample, but it is worth considering nonetheless.
Summary
MSI do not disappoint with their MPG Z790 Carbon. With fantastic VRM power delivery, a plentiful IO, visually pleasing design and competitive price point, we regard it as the best overall Z790 motherboard in our roundup.
Pros
- Awesome RGB lighting and all-black design.
- Supports Gen5 SSDs and GPUs.
- Compliant with high speed memory overclocking.
Cons
- Quite expensive.
- No Thunderbolt 4 connectivity options.
Where to Buy
Buy the MSI MPG Z790 Carbon WiFi on:
5. ASRock Z790 Taichi Carrara
👑 Best looking Z790 motherboard.
Introduction
ASRock‘s Z790 Taichi Carrara is one of the best motherboards for overclocking sporting a 27 phase power delivery system, ideal for a Core i9 or i7 CPU. On the board itself you’ll notice a marbled metal design which looks awesome and is perfect for alternative and sleek lighter-themed builds. In terms of connectivity and expansion this board has it all, two PCI-E 5.0 slots for GPUs, with one for your SSD, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, more rear IO than I can count on one hand along with dual 2.5 and 1 Gigabit networking and WiFi 6E. If you’re looking to build a high-end PC, this might be your board of choice!
| Spec | MSI MPG Z790 Carbon WiFi |
|---|---|
| Form Factor | E-ATX |
| Memory Support | DDR5 128GB 7000MHz |
| PCI-E x16 Slots | 2x PCI-E 5.0 & 1x PCI-E 4.0 |
| PCI-E x4 Slots | 1 x PCI-E 5.0 & 4 x PCI-E 4.0 |
| Rear IO | 2x Thunderbolt 4 Type-C, 2x USB 3.2 Gen2, 6x USB 3.2 Gen1, 2x USB 2.0 |
| Networking | WiFi 6E & 2.5 Gigabit LAN |
Things We Like
Unique Aesthetic: From the white colour scheme, to marble effect finish across the IO and heatsinks, the ASRock Taichi truly looks like no other design. Touches of RGB and a black PCB make it a motherboard with a unique aesthetic truly like no other.
Thunderbolt 4 Connectivity: With two Thunderbolt 4 USB Type C ports, providing a staggering 40 Gigabits per second of bandwidth, this board is a fantastic choice for those looking to find the best connectivity around.
Huge Overclocking Potential: With a massive 27 VRM phase power delivery system, this is board that allows end users to push 13th gen processors to the max. Reaching the illusive 6GHz mark on the 13900K should be no issue, with the board holding up really well for overclocking.
Things We Don’t Like
Expensive Price Point: The mass of features provided by this high-end board don’t come cheap. The most expensive board in the line-up, and you’ll need to dig behind the sofa to find extra cash for a design like this one.
Limited ‘Quality of Life Features: Unlike other boards, which feature tool-less SSD installations and easy release PCI-E slots, this board lacks a bit of innovation. We feel ASRock could have added in a couple more usability features to this board to better compete with other options on the market.
Summary
All in all, the ASRock Taichi Carrara is an incredibly good motherboard choice. While pricey, it provides market leading VRM power delivery for top-tier overclocking, and great connectivity. The inclusion of Thunderbolt 4 ports is also a welcome plus, great for prosumer builds and those looking to hook up plenty super fast peripherals. While the aesthetic design won’t be for everyone – we like it! If this board provides the features you need, with visuals you like, it may well just be the design for you. These factors make it the best looking Z790 motherboard in our line-up (and one of the best performing!)
Pros
- Offers two Thunderbolt 4 ports.
- Awesome white-marbled design.
- Ideal for overclockers and enthusiasts.
Cons
- Very expensive.
- E-ATX size will limit case choices.
Where to Buy
Buy the ASRock Z790 Taichi Carrara on:
6. MSI MEG Z790 ACE
👑 Best high-end Z790 motherboard.
Introduction
MSI’s MEG Z790 ACE is one of my favourite top-end boards, and although this board is rather expensive, you definitely get what you pay for. The matte black finish with the gold inlays contrast nicely against each other while adding plenty of customisation with the RGB located on the rear IO plate and towards the bottom left of the board. Connectivity, expansion, and networking are bountiful giving you plenty of options for upgrading and offering up numerous different ports and headers for a variety of accessories and peripherals. This board is perfect for a workstation or a high-end gaming PC build geared towards those looking for all of the features they can get their hands on.
Key Specs
| Spec | MSI MPG Z790 Carbon WiFi |
|---|---|
| Form Factor | E-ATX |
| Memory Support | DDR5 128GB 7800MHz |
| PCI-E x16 Slots | 2x PCI-E 5.0 & 1x PCI-E 4.0 |
| PCI-E x4 Slots | 1 x PCI-E 5.0 & 4 x PCI-E 4.0 |
| Rear IO | 2x Thunderbolt 4 Type-C, 7x USB 3.2 Gen2, 1x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C |
| Networking | WiFi 6E & 2.5 Gigabit LAN |
Things We Like
Great Connectivity: WiFi 6E, 2.5 Gigabit LAN, PCI-E 5 and Thunderbolt 4 – you name it, this board has it! If connectivity is what you’re looking for, the MSI Z790 ACE delivers it in endless bundles.
RAM Support: With this being a high-end Z790 design, it is no surprise to see DDR5 memory support as standard. What is great to see is the inclusion of XMP profiles that clock up to an insane 7800MHz. This allows for use with the very latest RAM kits, and also provides a degree of futureproofing!
Design: The design language of this board exudes ‘high-end’, without being as flashy as MSI’s own more pricey Godlike design. The gold accents are nice, but more subtle than in previous generations, while RGB coverage remains classy, customisable and optional in the sense it looks good both on and off!
Things We Don’t Like
Tool-less M.2 Cover Needs Work: While we love the innovation delivered by MSI‘s tool-less SSD heatsinks, this first iteration of the design can be a little fiddly. We raised this with MSI, and are assured the tech is only set to be improved with each new motherboard generation – nice!
Lack of 10Gbit Networking: While we understand MSI saving top-end networking for their top-end board, the MSI Z790 Godlike, we think a 10Gbit port would have been a fairly straightforward, prosumer inclusion on this motherboard.
Summary
The MSI Z790 ACE is a motherboard for those that crave high-end performance, with all of the fancy bells and whistles a high-end motherboard should deliver. Top-tier aesthetics also make it a visually pleasing addition to any high-end gaming PC build for those with pockets deep enough to warrant its price tag,
Pros
- Awesome RGB lighting, alongside a unique design.
- Offers Thunderbolt 4 connectivity.
- Supports Gen5 SSDs and GPUs.
Cons
- Very expensive overall.
- Doesn’t offer 10 Gigabit LAN.
Where to Buy
Buy the MSI MEG Z790 ACE on:
Motherboards & Chipsets
Before we delve into the kind of features on offer and the sort of things you should look out for, we should first determine the difference between a motherboard and a chipset. A motherboard is the physical PCB that houses your components. This might include fancy aesthetics, beefed up cooling and great connectivity, alongside the mandatory CPU socket, RAM dimm slots and PCI-E lanes.
The chipset is one of the components installed onto the motherboard PCB, and acts as the major determinant for the kind of features you’ll have access to. AMD and Intel both release a range of chipsets with any new CPU launch, each with differing standard around bandwidth and connectivity, with better chipsets costing more, but delivering more in return. The Z790 chipset motherboards are the top-end 13th Gen option, and will give the best IO connectivity, most room for GPUs and SSDs, and also allow you to overclock both the CPU and RAM. It is down to the motherboard manufacturer (e.g. ASUS, MSI or Gigabyte) to spec their motherboards with features from the chipset they deem relevant for the board design. For this reason all Z790 options are not made equal, and board manufactures will have differently priced Z790 options out there.
The Z790 Chipset
We’ve covered and ins and outs of the Z790 chipset in a variety of motherboard reviews and buyers guides on our website, so we recommend you check out the coverage for more detail. The Z790 chipset is the flagship offering from Intel and the first to arrive with the launch of the brand new 13th-Gen motherboards. Z790 motherboards tend to be geared towards the mid-range and top-end of the market.
Z790 vs Z690
As we’ve alluded to in our dedicated Z790 vs Z690 motherboard breakdown, Z790 motherboards aren’t hugely different to their previous Z690 counterparts. They support 13th Gen processors out of the box (whereas Z690 designs need a BIOS update to do so), and provide more widespread PCI-E Generation 5.0 support than the previous generation. Z790 boards are also naturally more refined for use with the new 13th-Gen architecture, offering a more stable match with better overclocking support suited to 13th Gen’s increased power delivery.
Read our full Z790 vs Z690 motherboard comparison:
Ultimately, the differences between Z790 and Z690 motherboards aren’t gigantic, but the refreshed and refined board designs might be worth upgrading to if you’re looking for a newer aesthetic or some better features.
Motherboard Compatibility
The myriad of chipsets and socket types can be a major point of contention for a first-time builder based on compatibility issues. Although ensuring you choose the right chipset is important when picking of feature sets for your PC build, it is also vital that you choose a supported chipset so you don’t end up damaging your CPU and losing some money.
Fortunately, all of the new 13th-Gen CPUs are supported on the Z790 motherboards. And even better news, all of the 12th-Gen CPUs are also supported on the Z790 chipset. So if you’re looking to build a PC with a cheaper CPU, but with one of the new 13th-Gen motherboards, this is an option. But be aware, these are the only CPUs that are supported on the Z790 chipset. Unfortunately 11th and 10th-Gen ranges are not supported because the CPU socket is entirely different. You can find a full Z790 CPU compatibility table below:
| CPU Range | CPU Socket | Compatible Chipset |
| Intel 13th-Gen CPUs | LGA 1700 | Z790, B760, H770 Z690, H670, B660, H610 (with a BIOS update) |
| Intel 12th-Gen CPUs | LGA 1700 | Z790, B760, H770 (with a BIOS update) Z690, H670, B660, H610 |
| Intel 11th-Gen CPUs | LGA 1200 | Z590, H570, B560, H510 |
| Intel 10th-Gen CPUs | LGA 1200 | Z590, H570, B560, H510 |
Motherboard Pricing
One of the major concerns that comes with any new launch is of course the price. A significant problem with new releases is suffering from buyers remorse when you’re an early adopter. This is something we’ve seen with AMD‘s most recent Ryzen 7000 boards, and the general consensus is that consumers should wait for AMD to refine the new AM5 architecture so that the upgrade becomes worth it. Fortunately, we’re on the latter half of Intel’s LGA1700 platform, so many of these new motherboards are refined when it comes to features, and the prices are better if not the same as the previous 12th-Gen boards.
Establishing a budget is important when assessing what motherboard you should buy, but for the most part you won’t need to reassess this for motherboards on the Z790 chipset. Even DDR5 boards seem to have significantly dropped in price, and this is ideal for those looking to upgrade to this new generation of RAM. Below we’ve created a rough pricing table which highlights around how much you should spend with different levels of motherboards.
| Motherboard Level | Cost Estimation |
| Budget | $200 – $300 |
| Mid-Range | $300 – $500 |
| High-End | $500 & above |
These prices are a rough estimate based on US prices, and may change based on country. Price may also change subject to availability.
How Much Should You Expect To Spend For A Z790 Board?
While Z790 motherboards cater to a fairly wide range of budgets, being the highest-end chipset naturally creates a price-based barrier to entry. Boards start from $200 or so, and range right through to the MSI Z790 GODLIKE design which costs a sweet $1200!
Features To Keep An Eye Out For
Once you’ve taken a look at chipsets and assigned yourself a budget, you’ll want to take a look at the kind of features on offer. Intel 12th-Gen opened up loads of new options for consumers to sink their teeth into including PCI-E 5.0, Thunderbolt 4, and support for DDR5 memory. The Z790 chipset has access to the most amount of PCI-E lanes, USB ports and more, making it the best chipset for users wanting the most amount of features. We’ve broken down a list of the best features and specs to look out for when choosing your motherboard.
1. VRMs & Overclocking
The new 13th-Gen CPUs come with incredible clock speeds out of the box, giving you the keys you need to build a very powerful gaming or workstation PC. If you’re looking to overclock you’ll need to double check the amount of VRM power phases on the board, along with cooling. If the board you’ve picked up has plenty of power phases but weaker cooling, you may thermal throttle your CPU or at the worst cause some damage.
With VRMs, more power phases does usually equate to better, but take this with a pinch of salt. High VRM power phases means that you’ll have more power that can be supplied to your CPU to sustain an overclock. However, if these power phases aren’t entirely optimised, you may suffer stability issues. We’d recommend checking out more in-depth guides to see if your chosen motherboard can deal with a high overclock.
2. DDR4 vs DDR5 Support
One of the major benefits of picking Intel’s current LGA1700 platform is that you have the choice between DDR4 and DDR5 memory. DDR4 memory still holds up very well when it comes to performance, and you can save a fair amount of money by picking up DDR4 DIMMs.
Having the option to choose DDR5 memory is consumer friendly, and as the memory tech matures we’ll start to see significant returns in performance metrics. For the time being DDR5 is still very expensive and doesn’t bring a significant enough upgrade to warrant the price. But for those future proofing their PC, supporting this generation of memory will prove to be useful in the years to come.
3. Front and Rear IO
Motherboards on the Z790 chipset can host as many USB ports that the architecture can handle. This means if you’re the kind of person that needs extra ports for peripherals and accessories, then you’ll likely be picking up a Z790 board. Unfortunately, you will be constrained based on how much you’re willing to spend, but for the most part, even some of the cheaper boards have a relatively bountiful set of rear IO.
The front IO offers a similar situation with many of the new boards supporting USB 3.2 Gen2x2 in the Type-C format, with extra headers for USB 3.2 Gen1 or Gen2. Again, the amount of IO you have will be determined by how much you’re willing to spend and the manufacturers choices, but generally there’s plenty on offer in this area.
4. WiFi and Ethernet
With many of the new motherboards we’ve started to see a high influx of boards that support onboard WiFi and have very strong ethernet capabilities. The kind of networking you want will ultimately be down to your use-case. If you’re a casual gamer, a Gigabit LAN will be perfectly fine, and you might not even care about your board supporting WiFi.
If you’re the kind of user that wants to maximise their productivity 2.5 or 10 Gigabit LAN will be a likelihood here, with a WiFi 6E capable module to ensure the best connectivity options. Keep in mind, if this is you, you’ll definitely be paying a premium for these features as they don’t appear on your ‘run of the mill’ budget boards.
Factors to Consider
I wanted to briefly talk about extraneous factors that you should consider on top of the features. Features are definitely important and are the main driving point for the price of your motherboard. But there are important points to think about in terms of what motherboard size you would like, how many DIMM slots will you need, do you plan on using multiple GPUs etc. We’ve noted down the most important factors that we’d recommend considering below:
Form Factor
Form Factor is arguably the most important thing to think about when buying any component. This is because, if you buy something too big or too small, it could drastically affect the compatibility of other components. Some cases only support standard ATX boards, and not E-ATX designs, while others are built solely for the smallest ITX designs.
If you’re ever unsure about whether your motherboard will be supported, or other components will fit, you’ll want to consult the manufacturers website and look at the dimensions. If your motherboard length is more than the size of your internal case space, unfortunately its not going to fit.
DIMM Slots
The amount of RAM DIMM slots you have and motherboard factor somewhat go hand in hand. For those using an ATX or E-ATX motherboard, you can continue reading. But for those looking at a smaller motherboard design, you’ll want to have a think. Due to the nature of smaller motherboards, much of the PCB is trimmed down, so you end up losing some features.
On these smaller boards you’re normally limited to 2 slots. Most Mini-ITX and Micro ATX boards can only support 64GB in total, which is somewhat limited in terms of capacity. You’re losing out on around 64GB if you’ve picked out a smaller motherboard, but I’d argue that 64GB is more than enough for most users.
Multi-GPU Configurations
We’ve seen a significant increase in the power and performance of GPUs over the most recent years removing the need for SLI. However, if you’re building a workstation PC that requires more power, then you’ll want a motherboard that has multiple GPU slots. These slots can also come in handy for SSD add-in cards or high-end networking cards.
Smaller motherboards only tend to have one slot, and cheaper motherboards only tend to have one full x16 slot meaning you’ll have limited bandwidth on these boards. If you’re building a multi-GPU PC you’ll want to take a look at top-end motherboards like the Gigabyte AORUS Master, or the MSI MEG ACE range.
Usability Features
If you’re a first-time builder, having access to extra usability features that make the building process much easier. Extras like an M.2 latch, or a PCI-E Q-Latch make removing and installing components so much easier. I would highly recommend looking into how DIY-friendly your motherboard is to ensure that your building experience doesn’t suffer.
Conclusion
Best Overall Z790 Motherboard: MSI Z790 Carbon WiFi
MSI’s Z790 MPG Carbon WiFi ranks as our favourite motherboard in the Z790 chipset line-up. With strong connectivity features, solid overclocking support and a great design, you can’t go too far wrong with this design from MSI.
Read our full MSI Z790 Carbon review or Buy the MSI Z790 Carbon WiFi on Amazon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Z790 better than Z690?
The Z790 chipset is an updated version of Z690 that brings a small amount of new features. The main difference is that Z790 suppors 13th generation processors out of the box.
Is Z790 compatible with DDR4?
Yes. Some motherboards are compatible with DDR4, while others support DDR5 only.
Do you need Z790 for 13th Gen?
While Z790 support Intel 13th Gen, it isn’t the only chipset to do so. Older Z690 designs also support 13th Gen chips with a BIOS update.
How much do Z790 motherboards cost?
Z790 motherboards typically cost between $250 and $400. Top-end designs can cost more for high-end overclocking and connectivity features.
