The first step when building a gaming PC is to pick the components that will match your gaming and productivity needs. One of the main components to look out for is a motherboard, as it will link all of your components together whilst also giving you the ability to connect your peripherals and external storage solutions.
At the tail-end of 2022, a huge array of new motherboards released alongside both Intel and AMD’s latest generation of processors, making it the perfect time to upgrade a PC, or build one from scratch. One of the most popular options right now is the Z790 series of motherboards, acting as the premium choice for Intel systems containing 12th and 13th Gen processors.
If you looking to build a brand-new gaming PC for 2023, take a look at our list of the best Z790 motherboards available right now.
Do I Need A Z790 Motherboard?
Whilst the Z790 motherboards are a great choice in 2023, there are a number of factors to consider before picking one up. Choosing the right motherboard is crucial as it will determine the other components that can be selected for your build.
The first thing to consider when selecting a motherboard is the compatibility with the rest of the components you are planning to put into your system. More specifically, the motherboard will need to match your CPU of choice. Z790 motherboards are specifically designed with Intel’s 13th Gen processors in mind, making the best choice for anyone looking for the latest and greatest components, or those building a PC from scratch.
However, the compatibility of these motherboards is restricted to Intel’s 12th and 13th-gen CPUs, meaning you should avoid buying a Z790 chipset if you’re not planning on purchasing one of these processors. AMD processors require their own motherboards with separate chipsets, such as the X670E and B650 chipsets. In addition, older generations of Intel CPUs such as 10th and 11th-Gen processors are not supported on Z790 boards, meaning you will have to find an older motherboard design that includes a LGA 1200 socket.
The next factor to consider is the price. It’s no surprise that the newer Z790 boards are more expensive than the slightly aged alternatives, which makes it a less than ideal choice for those on a budget. That’s not say there aren’t any price conscious Z790 boards available, but you will need to shop around more on Z790 than other chipsets if you’re trying to keep a lid on price.
Finally, there are a few design factors that could make a Z790 chipset the ideal choice for you. For example, one of the main benefits of Z790 chipsets compared to AMD’s latest offerings is the support for both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, leading to increased versatility when buying or upgrading components. Also, the included PCI 5.0 slots makes the Z790 chipset a great choice for future-proofing, as it will be able to accommodate future generations of graphics cards.
Key Features for Z790 Motherboards
Now that we’ve established whether a Z790 chipset will be suitable for your PC, let’s go through some of the key features that will help you pick the perfect motherboard. With the vast amount of connectivity options and heavy influence on other components, there are a lot of variables that can determine whether a certain motherboard will fit into your build. Here is a list of the features we recommend looking out for when searching for a Z790 motherboard.
Form Factor
The first feature to consider for a motherboard is the form factor. A motherboard’s size will impact compatibility with other components like the case and GPU. There are a number of form factors to choose from, with E-ATX being the largest option and mini-ITX the most compact. A lot of cases will support multiple form factors, but it is worth checking which ones will fit into your case in order to avoid wasting money on a board that doesn’t fit.
DDR4 & DDR5 Support
As we mentioned earlier, one of the main benefits to Intel’s latest motherboards is the support for both DDR4 and DDR5 memory. With the benefits of DDR5 still fairly limited right now, DDR4 RAM is still a popular choice amongst consumers. This makes the ability to choose between DDR4 and DDR5 memory that much sweeter, as it allows for either cost-cutting or futureproofing.
Front & Rear IO
One of the main roles of a motherboard is connectivity, making a wide range of connectivity options for both internal and external hardware a must-have. The front and rear IOs allow you to connect peripherals and other external devices to your PC. Generally speaking, more expensive motherboards have a wider range of connection options, with a greater number of USB ports. So if you like to connect a lot of devices to your PC, be ready to pay for it!
WiFi & Ethernet Connectivity
Another form of connectivity that can be affected by your choice of motherboard is your internet. If you are someone that wants the best online connection with the lowest latency possible, then you should consider getting a board that supports WiFi 6E. However, this option only tends to come with premium boards, so expect to pay some more for the luxury.
Our Z790 Motherboard Recommendations
After you have decided what chipset and features you want for your motherboard, the next step is to weigh up the all the variations on the market and find an option that suits your needs. We know that such a task can be pretty difficult, so we’ve decided to do the heavy lifting for you by providing a list of the best Z790 motherboards right now, along with a brief summary of the key features for each product.
1. MSI Pro Z790-P WiFi DDR4
Key Facts:
ATX Form Factor
7 x USB ports (Rear IO)
1 x USB-C port (Rear IO)
4 x M.2 slots
WiFi 6E module
4 x DDR4 DIMM slots
Buy the MSI Pro Z790-P WiFi DDR4 on:
Starting off our list with one the cheapest Z790 motherboards on the market, the MSI Pro Z790-P WiFi DDR4. Despite the no-thrills design, this motherboard offers plenty of perks that will acts as an upgrade to other chipsets. As the ‘Pro’ in the name suggests, this board possesses a focus on performance whilst trimming down the excess features to offer greater value. The main exclusion in this model in particular is DDR5 memory. Whilst it is always nice to have the option to include DDR5 RAM in a system, the performance benefits are rather small compared for the price, making it a worthy sacrifice for this motherboard.
As an ATX board, the Pro Z790-P WiFi DDR4 will fit into most mid-tower and full-tower cases, and will also squeeze into a few smaller cases. This form factor offers a good balance between size and functionality, as it puts a wide range of connectivity options into a fairly compact board. There is both a front and IO included in the design, which provides a wide range of ports to connect peripherals and other devices. Surprisingly, this board also includes a WiFi 6E module, along with a 2.5G LAN for versatile and reliable online connectivity.
2. ASUS TUF Gaming Z790-Plus WiFi D4
Key Facts:
ATX Form Factor
6 x USB ports (Rear IO)
2 x USB-C ports (Rear IO)
4 x M.2 slots
WiFi 6 Module
4 x DDR4 DIMM slots
Buy the ASUS TUF Gaming Z790-Plus WiFi D4 on:
If you are looking for a motherboard with a unique aesthetic, then the ASUS TUF Gaming Z790-Plus WiFi D4 could be the best option for you. This ATX motherboard has an industrial design that looks great inside of any PC build. However, this motherboard also provides plenty of performance features for a reasonable price. Whilst there are some sacrifices such as a lack of DDR5 support, this board provides plenty of connectivity and performance features to make up for it.
For example, the rear IO includes 2 USB-C ports, which is rather uncommon in a budget-orientated board, making it a solid option for years to come. On top of this, the TUF Gaming Z790-Plus WiFi D4 has a range of standard USB connections to choose from, leaving plenty of space for peripherals and extra devices. Though the lack of DDR5 does limit the potential performance slightly, this board is built to support high-quality gaming for a number of years.
3. Gigabyte Z790 AORUS Elite AX
Key Facts:
ATX Form Factor
9 x USB ports (Rear IO)
1 x USB-C port (Rear IO)
4 x M.2 slots
WiFi 6E module
4 x DDR5 DIMM slots
Buy the Gigabyte Z790 AORUS Elite AX on:
Moving onto the first Z790 motherboard on this list to support DDR5 memory, we have the Gigabyte Z790 AORUS Elite AX. Another design that adopts an ATX Form Factor, the Z790 AORUS Elite AX has a fairly sleek design that features plenty of branded detailing on each of the heatsinks. The main colour scheme of the board is a stealthy black and grey, with a hint of colour provided via the addressable RGB. But these large heatsinks offer performance bonuses too, improving airflow and preventing components from overheating.
In terms of connectivity, the Z790 AORUS Elite AX supports all the latest components, along with the ability to support future upgrades. For example, the inclusion of dual-channel DDR5 memory will offer a smooth and fast gaming experience. In addition, the rear IO includes plenty of USB ports, as well as a WiFi 6E module for a stable internet connection.
4. ASRock Z790 Steel Legend WiFi
Key Facts:
ATX Form Factor
9 x USB ports (Rear IO)
1 x USB-C port (Rear IO)
5 x M.2 slots
WiFi 6E
4 x DDR5 DIMM slots
Buy the ASRock Z790 Steel Legend WiFi on:
Whilst there has been some slight variations in design to this this point, the ASRock Z790 Steel Legend WiFi takes it to the next level. This Z790 motherboard lives up to its name by donning brushed steel heatsinks that will fit nicely into an all-white build. These heatsinks can also be accented with the included RGB lighting, which is fully customisable in ASRock’s Polychrome RGB software. Another neat design feature is the included graphics card holder, which attaches to the motherboard to prevent your GPU from sagging, a common problem in lots of builds.
The design is not the only aspect that makes the Steel Legend WiFi unique, as it has a number of practical distinctions too. For example, this Z790 motherboard includes 5 M.2 slots, including a slot that is PCIe 5.0 ready. This means that storage won’t be an issue on this board, as there is plenty of space for multiple M.2 SSDs. On top of this, this board includes up to 16 USB ports on the front and rear IO, allowing you to connect a wide range of external devices, and the WiFi 6E module contributes to a smooth online connection.
5. ASUS ProArt Z790-CREATOR WiFi
Key Facts:
ATX Form Factor
6 x USB ports (Rear IO)
2 x Thunderbolt4 ports (Rear IO)
4 x M.2 slots
WiFi 6E
4 x DDR5 DIMM slots
Buy the ASUS ProART Z790-CREATOR WiFi on:
For those of you looking to use your PC mainly for creative purposes, we suggest taking a look at the ASUS ProArt Z790-CREATOR WiFi. This motherboard puts a heavy focus on productivity, and looks to provide the the options needed to improve the overall efficiency of a system. With this focus on professionalism comes a sleek black and gold design which won’t look out of place in an office environment. Whilst the heatsinks appear rather small compared to some gaming-focussed designs, there is more than enough to reduce the impact of overheating.
The connectivity options is where this motherboard truly shines, as it offers plenty of ways to bolster performance for a quick and smooth response during even the most demanding tasks. Along with the DDR5 support and PCIe 5.0 expansions slot that are typically found on the Z790 boards, this ProArt variant includes a 10 gigabit ethernet cable. This option provides an online connection that possesses greater speed and stability than the usual 2.5 gigabit cable or WiFi connections. And for extremal devices, the rear IO includes 2 thunderbolt 4 ports for more powerful connections to peripherals and displays.
6. MSI MEG Z790 GODLIKE
Key Facts:
E-ATX Form Factor
7 x USB ports (Rear IO)
2 x Thunderbolt4 ports (Rear IO)
7 x M.2 slots
WiFi 6E
Buy the MSI MEG Z790 GODLIKE on:
To round off our list, we have one of the most expensive variants on the market, MSI’s Z790 GODLIKE. With such an extravagant name, you would expect an absolute beast, and this board does not disappoint. Whilst the aesthetics remain rather simplistic, with the LCD screen being the main inclusion, it has plenty of space and heatsinks for optimal thermal efficiency. The larger E-ATX form factor also ensures that the GODLIKE has plenty of room for additional components, making it a perfect choice for those constantly looking to upgrade and improve performance.
As the only E-ATX motherboard on this list, it’s not surprising to see that the MSI MEG Z790 GODLIKE has the widest range of connectivity options. This board includes a whopping 7 M.2 slots to accommodate multiple SSDs at once, including one slot ready for future PCIe 5.0 options, along with a 10Gb ethernet port for the best online connectivity. But the wildest inclusion by far is the M-Vision Dashboard, a 4.5-inch touch screen display that lets you externally monitor and change your system settings. These additional features come at a very expensive price point, but it is a must-have for those wanting the best performance possible from all of their components and peripherals.