Gigabyte Z790 EAGLE AX LGA1700 Motherboard

Gigabyte Z790 EAGLE AX is an ATX motherboard for LGA1700, aimed at mid/high-end gaming and productivity configurations. It combines a modern Intel Z790 chipset with support for 14th, 13th, and 12th Gen Intel Core and “next gen” processors, so you have room for future upgrades. It works only with DDR5 memory and allows overclocking up to 7600 MHz OC, which is a significant plus for FPS and rendering. The built-in WiFi 6E, 2.5GbE LAN, and a rich set of M.2 and PCIe slots make it a very flexible foundation for a modern system.

What you get

The LGA1700 socket and Intel Z790 chipset open the way to all current generations of Intel Core for this socket, plus the next one, so you can start with a more affordable CPU and later upgrade to a higher class. The four DDR5 slots with a capacity of up to 192 GB and frequencies up to 7600 MHz OC provide enough resources for heavy multitasking and professional applications. The three M.2 connectors (with PCIe 4.0 x4 and SATA support) allow you to separate the system disk, games, and work projects onto separate fast SSDs, without relying solely on SATA. The built-in WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 mean you can go without a separate network card or dongle, while Realtek 2.5GbE LAN is ready for faster local networks and NAS. Realtek High Definition audio with up to 7.1-channel sound covers the needs for gaming and multimedia without a mandatory external DAC.

• LGA 1700 socket and Intel Z790 chipset for support of 14th, 13th, 12th Gen and “next gen” Intel Core processors – a good base for both current and future upgrades.
• DDR5 memory with up to 192 GB capacity in 4 slots and frequencies up to 7600 MHz OC in dual-channel mode for high bandwidth.
• Three M.2 slots: up to PCIe 4.0 x4 (including one up to 22110) and one with SATA + PCIe support, for flexible configuration of fast SSDs.
• Expansion slots focused on GPU: main PCIe 5.0 x16 for graphics card, plus additional PCIe 4.0 x4 and PCIe 3.0 x1/x16 for capture cards, sound cards, and other devices.
• Built-in WiFi 6E (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.3 for stable wireless connection and peripherals without the need for separate adapters.
• Realtek 2.5GbE LAN with up to 2.5 Gbps for faster file transfers to NAS, servers, and gaming with minimal lag.
• Rich USB panel: USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C and Type-A at the back, internal USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C for front panel, plus multiple USB 3.2 Gen 1 and USB 2.0 ports for all peripherals.
• Realtek High Definition Audio with up to 7.1-channel sound, suitable for gaming, movies, and music without the need for a separate sound card.
• 24-pin + 2 x 8-pin power connectors for stable power delivery to the CPU and the entire system under load and overclocking.

Who it is suitable for

This motherboard is a good choice for a gaming configuration with a modern Intel Core processor, fast DDR5 memory, and powerful GPU, as well as for creators working with rendering, video, and many files on several NVMe drives. It is also suitable for those who want a clean build with WiFi 6E and enough USB for all kinds of devices. If you are aiming for a maximum budget build or do not need DDR5 and PCIe 5.0, you might want to look for a lower-class board.

The most sensible aspect here is the combination of Z790, DDR5 up to 7600 MHz, PCIe 5.0 x16, and three M.2 slots, plus WiFi 6E and 2.5GbE – a stable platform that you can confidently step onto for serious gaming or work and have room for future upgrades.