Head-to-Head · Motherboards
ASUS TUF Gaming Z790-Plus WiFi Motherboard (LGA 1700, DDR5) vs GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Elite AX Motherboard
Scored Dimensions
9.2
Value for Money
9.0
8.8
Build & Ergonomics
5.5
7.8
Connectivity & Ports
9.0
6.0
Compatibility Experience
4.0
8.5
Stability
8.5
8.8
Upgrade Potential
9.0
ASUS TUF Gaming Z790-Plus WiFi Motherboard (LGA 1700, DDR5)
The Good
- Robust build quality and durable components, contributing to cool and stable operation.
- Excellent power delivery (16+1 DrMOS) reliably supports high-end Intel processors without thermal throttling.
- Extensive connectivity, including four M.2 slots, WiFi 6E, 2.5Gb LAN, and a Thunderbolt 4/USB4 header.
- Intuitive and feature-rich BIOS that facilitates XMP profile activation and overclocking.
- Offers strong value for money, providing a comprehensive feature set at its price point.
The Bad
- Frequent reports of initial driver issues for LAN and WiFi, often requiring manual installation during OS setup.
- Many users needed BIOS updates for 14th Gen Intel CPUs, sometimes necessitating an older CPU for the flashing process.
- Some experienced difficulties with memory installation due to one-sided DIMM clasps or instability when all four RAM slots were populated.
- Occasional reports of defective units, including bent CPU pins or non-functional ports, requiring returns.
GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Elite AX Motherboard
The Good
- Exceptional connectivity with multiple M.2 slots, PCIe 5.0, WiFi 6E, and 2.5GbE LAN.
- Strong value for money, offering premium features at a competitive price point.
- Excellent upgrade potential, supporting current and future high-performance components.
- Generally stable performance once initial setup and BIOS configurations are complete.
The Bad
- Frequent compatibility challenges, particularly with BIOS updates for newer CPUs and DDR5 XMP profiles.
- Reports of quality control issues, including fragile physical components and defective units.
- Subpar audio quality, with some users experiencing noticeable coil whine or buzzing.
- The Gigabyte Control Center (GCC) software is reported to cause system instability for some users.
The ASUS TUF Gaming Z790-Plus WiFi Motherboard (LGA 1700, DDR5) Verdict
The ASUS TUF Gaming Z790-Plus WiFi motherboard offers a powerful and feature-rich foundation for high-performance Intel builds, delivering strong stability and upgrade potential once initial setup hurdles, particularly with drivers and BIOS, are addressed.
Read the full ASUS TUF Gaming Z790-Plus WiFi Motherboard (LGA 1700, DDR5) consensus →The GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Elite AX Motherboard Verdict
For builders prioritizing extensive connectivity and future-proofing on an Intel platform, the GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Elite AX Motherboard family presents a compelling value, provided they are prepared to navigate potential BIOS and RAM configuration complexities.
Read the full GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Elite AX Motherboard consensus →
The Bottom Line
Our pick: ASUS TUF Gaming Z790-Plus WiFi Motherboard (LGA 1700, DDR5) · 7.9/10
Owners rate the ASUS TUF Gaming Z790-Plus WiFi Motherboard (LGA 1700, DDR5) meaningfully higher — 7.9/10 against 7.0/10 for the GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Elite AX Motherboard. It wins where it counts: Build & Ergonomics and Compatibility Experience.
ASUS TUF Gaming Z790-Plus WiFi Motherboard (LGA 1700, DDR5)
$225.00
Best price the consensus found
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GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Elite AX Motherboard
$189.99
Best price the consensus found
Check Price →
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How ORA built this: We read recent reviews, remove suspected bot or incentivized entries, off-topic complaints, and reviews describing the buyer's own setup problems rather than the product, then synthesize the remainder into a single unbiased verdict. Read our full methodology →