Buying Guide
The Best DDR5 Z790 Motherboards
Four motherboards compared, from the Z790 Pro RS to the Z790-AYW W II, with the trade-offs of each named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read4 products evaluated
A DDR5 Z790 board suits 12th to 14th generation Intel chips. Every pick is a Z790 board with DDR5, ordered from the lowest price.
Our comparison rests on published figures for M.2 slots, wired LAN and wi-Fi; where a maker leaves out M.2 slots, we say so, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Quick Picks
Our 4 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Most M.2 Slots
ASRock Z790 Pro RS WiFi
The most M.2 slot count here (4).
Best for: Buyers who put M.2 slot count first.
Our take Check price for ASRock Z790 Pro RS WiFi (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
ASRock Z790 PG Sonic
Killer 2.5G Ethernet.
Best for: Buyers who want Killer 2.5G Ethernet.
Our take Check price for ASRock Z790 PG Sonic (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
ASUS Z790 Gaming WIFI7
A rear USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C port.
Best for: Buyers who want rear USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C port.
Our take Check price for ASUS Z790 Gaming WIFI7 (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
ASUS Z790-AYW WiFi W II
A white finish at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor.
Our take Check price for ASUS Z790-AYW WiFi W II (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The most M.2 slot count here (4). | Buyers who put M.2 slot count first. | Check price for ASRock Z790 Pro RS WiFi (opens in a new tab) |
| Killer 2.5G Ethernet. | Buyers who want Killer 2.5G Ethernet. | Check price for ASRock Z790 PG Sonic (opens in a new tab) |
| A rear USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C port. | Buyers who want rear USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C port. | Check price for ASUS Z790 Gaming WIFI7 (opens in a new tab) |
| A white finish at the highest price in the group. | Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor. | Check price for ASUS Z790-AYW WiFi W II (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Most M.2 Slots1 of 4
ASRock Z790 Pro RS WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Z790 Pro RS WiFi is one of the cheapest Z790 boards here, yet offers four M.2 slots, a 14+1+1 layout, Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5Gbps LAN.
Best for
- Buyers who put M.2 slot count first.
Skip if
- Pass on it if wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
Nothing else here matches its 4 M.2 slot count; the Z790 Gaming WIFI7 comes closest at 3. It matches the Z790 PG Sonic and the Z790-AYW W II on wired network speed (2.5Gbps). Like the Z790 PG Sonic, it has 14+1+1 power stages, while the Z790 Gaming WIFI7 uses 14+1 power stages.
It also comes with memory support to DDR5-7200 (OC). It uses Intel's LGA1700 socket for 12th, 13th and 14th Gen Core processors; check the CPU support list for the BIOS version your chip needs, since early boards shipped before 14th Gen launched. Check the manual for which M.2 slots share lanes with SATA ports or the second PCIe slot before filling them all. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the Z790 PG Sonic was closest.
Key dimensions & specs
- M.2 slots: 4
- Wired LAN: 2.5Gbps
- Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6E
- Power stages: 14+1+1
- Form factor: ATX
- Socket: LGA1700
- Memory type: DDR5
- Chipset: Z790
Pros
- 4 M.2 slots for SSD expansion
- 14+1+1 power stage layout
- Memory support to DDR5-7200 (OC)
- One of the lowest Z790 prices here
Cons
- Wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi 7
Also Consider2 of 4
ASRock Z790 PG Sonic on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Z790 PG Sonic offers a 14+1+1 layout and Killer 2.5Gbps Ethernet under a Sonic-themed design.
Best for
- Buyers who want Killer 2.5G Ethernet.
Skip if
- Pass if a published M.2 slot count matters; this one has none.
Why we like it
The maker doesn't state Wi-Fi. It matches the Z790 Pro RS and the Z790-AYW W II on wired network speed (2.5Gbps). Like the Z790 Pro RS, it has 14+1+1 power stages, while the Z790 Gaming WIFI7 uses 14+1 power stages.
It uses Intel's LGA1700 socket for 12th, 13th and 14th Gen Core processors; check the CPU support list for the BIOS version your chip needs, since early boards shipped before 14th Gen launched. It was priced above the Z790 Pro RS and below the Z790 Gaming WIFI7 at the time of writing. There is no published M.2 slot count figure, whereas the Z790 Pro RS offers 4.
Key dimensions & specs
- Wired LAN: 2.5Gbps
- Power stages: 14+1+1
- Socket: LGA1700
- Memory type: DDR5
- Chipset: Z790
Pros
- 14+1+1 power stage layout
- Killer 2.5G Ethernet
- Sonic-themed design
- Wired network speed of 2.5Gbps, ahead of the Z790 Gaming WIFI7
Cons
- No published M.2 slot count
- Costs more than the Z790 Pro RS at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 4
ASUS Z790 Gaming WIFI7 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Z790 Gaming WIFI7 offers a 14+1 layout and Wi-Fi 7, but only 1Gbps Ethernet.
Best for
- Buyers who want rear USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C port.
Skip if
- Skip it if wired network speed matters most to you; the Z790 Pro RS offers 2.5Gbps.
Why we like it
It suits wireless desks. It matches the Z790-AYW W II on M.2 slot count (3). Its 1Gbps wired network speed is the slowest in this group; the Z790 Pro RS leads at 2.5Gbps.
No other pick in this guide offers a wi-Fi 7; compare the Z790 Pro RS, which has a wi-Fi 6E. No other pick in this guide offers 14+1 power stages; compare the Z790 PG Sonic, which has 14+1+1 power stages. It also comes with a rear USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C port and a front USB-C header.
It uses Intel's LGA1700 socket for 12th, 13th and 14th Gen Core processors; check the CPU support list for the BIOS version your chip needs, since early boards shipped before 14th Gen launched. It was priced above the Z790 PG Sonic and below the Z790-AYW W II at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- M.2 slots: 3
- Wired LAN: 1Gbps
- Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 7
- Power stages: 14+1
- Form factor: ATX
- Socket: LGA1700
- Memory type: DDR5
- Chipset: Z790
Pros
- Wi-Fi 7 built in
- 14+1 power stage layout
- Rear USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C port
- Front USB-C header
Cons
- Wired network speed trails the Z790 Pro RS (2.5Gbps)
- Costs more than the Z790 Pro RS at the time of writing
Premium Pick4 of 4
ASUS Z790-AYW WiFi W II on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Z790-AYW WiFi W II is a white Z790 board with three M.2 slots and two USB 10Gbps Type-C ports.
Best for
- Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor.
Skip if
- Skip it if M.2 slot count matters most to you; the Z790 Pro RS offers 4.
Why we like it
Its Wi-Fi 6 is a generation behind most boards here. It matches the Z790 Gaming WIFI7 on M.2 slot count (3). It matches the Z790 Pro RS and the Z790 PG Sonic on wired network speed (2.5Gbps).
No other pick in this guide offers a wi-Fi 6; compare the Z790 Pro RS, which has a wi-Fi 6E. No other pick in this guide offers 12+1 power stages; compare the Z790 Pro RS, which has 14+1+1 power stages. It uses Intel's LGA1700 socket for 12th, 13th and 14th Gen Core processors; check the CPU support list for the BIOS version your chip needs, since early boards shipped before 14th Gen launched.
Only the Z790 Gaming WIFI7 came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 4 picks. It gives ground on M.2 slot count, where the Z790 Pro RS offers 4.
Key dimensions & specs
- M.2 slots: 3
- Wired LAN: 2.5Gbps
- Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6
- Power stages: 12+1
- Form factor: ATX
- Socket: LGA1700
- Memory type: DDR5
- Chipset: Z790
Pros
- White finish
- Two rear USB 10Gbps Type-C ports
- 2.5Gbps Ethernet
- Wired network speed of 2.5Gbps, ahead of the Z790 Gaming WIFI7
Cons
- M.2 slot count trails the Z790 Pro RS (4)
- Costs more than the Z790 Pro RS at the time of writing
How We Chose These DDR5 Z790 Motherboards
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- How these picks were ranked
- We set side by side four boards on M.2 slot count, wired network speed, wi-Fi and power stages from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house.
- The shared baseline
- All 4, from the Z790 Pro RS to the Z790-AYW W II, state wired network speed, power stages and socket and share LGA1700 socket and DDR5 memory type.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Z790 PG Sonic gives no M.2 slot count; the Z790 PG Sonic gives no wi-Fi.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Z790 Pro RS ($100 to $150) to the Z790-AYW W II ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in a DDR5 Z790 Motherboard
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Wired network speed across these picks
Here wired network speed runs from 1Gbps on the Z790 Gaming WIFI7 to 2.5Gbps on the Z790 Pro RS. The Z790 Pro RS is the pick for wired network speed.
M.2 slot count
Here M.2 slot count runs from 3 on the Z790-AYW W II to 4 on the Z790 Pro RS. Start with the Z790 Pro RS if M.2 slot count decides it. No figure for the Z790 PG Sonic.
Power stages
The Z790 Pro RS and the Z790 PG Sonic list 14+1+1; the Z790 Gaming WIFI7 lists 14+1; the Z790-AYW W II lists 12+1. Rule out the mismatches before looking at price.
Features beyond the spec table
The Z790 PG Sonic: a Sonic-themed design. The Z790 Gaming WIFI7: a front USB-C header. The Z790-AYW W II: two rear USB 10Gbps Type-C ports.
Budget
$100 to $150 buys the Z790 Pro RS; $150 to $250 buys the Z790 PG Sonic, the Z790 Gaming WIFI7 and the Z790-AYW W II at our last check.
How to Choose a DDR5 Z790 Motherboard
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put M.2 slot count first | Z790 Pro RS | The most M.2 slot count here (4) |
| Buyers who want Killer 2.5G Ethernet | Z790 PG Sonic | Killer 2.5G Ethernet |
| Buyers who want rear USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C port | Z790 Gaming WIFI7 | A rear USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C port |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor | Z790-AYW W II | A white finish at the highest price in the group |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Z790 Pro RS leads on wired network speed at 2.5Gbps, ahead of the Z790 PG Sonic at 2.5Gbps. "Not listed" means the maker leaves that figure out.
| Board | M.2 slots | Wired LAN | Wi-Fi | Power stages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Z790 Pro RS | 4 | 2.5Gbps | Wi-Fi 6E | 14+1+1 |
| Z790 PG Sonic | Not listed | 2.5Gbps | Not listed | 14+1+1 |
| Z790 Gaming WIFI7 | 3 | 1Gbps | Wi-Fi 7 | 14+1 |
| Z790-AYW W II | 3 | 2.5Gbps | Wi-Fi 6 | 12+1 |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Z790 Pro RS was the lowest-priced pick and the Z790-AYW W II the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Boards |
|---|---|
| About $100 to $150 | Z790 Pro RS |
| About $150 to $250 | Z790 PG Sonic, Z790 Gaming WIFI7, Z790-AYW W II |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Z790 Pro RS ahead of the Z790 Gaming WIFI7 on M.2 slot count?
The Z790 Pro RS leads at 4, with the Z790 Gaming WIFI7 at 3. The Z790 PG Sonic doesn't state a figure, so it sits outside this comparison.
Is the Z790-AYW W II worth paying more than the Z790 Pro RS?
On the figures both makers state, it adds little. It does not win everywhere: the Z790 Pro RS still leads on M.2 slot count (4). The Z790 Pro RS was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if a feature outside the spec sheet matters to you.
What makes the Z790 Pro RS the Most M.2 Slots?
It earns the label for the most M.2 slot count here (4). It suits anyone who put M.2 slot count first.
Do the Z790 Pro RS and the Z790 Gaming WIFI7 differ on wi-Fi?
The Z790 Pro RS uses Wi-Fi 6E; the Z790 Gaming WIFI7 uses Wi-Fi 7; the Z790-AYW W II uses Wi-Fi 6. The maker of the Z790 PG Sonic doesn't say.
Beyond the specs, what sets the Z790 Pro RS and the Z790 PG Sonic apart?
The Z790 Pro RS: memory support to DDR5-7200 (OC). The Z790 PG Sonic: Killer 2.5G Ethernet. The Z790 Gaming WIFI7: a rear USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C port.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Z790 Pro RS, chosen for the most M.2 slot count here (4). Look at the Z790 PG Sonic for Killer 2.5G Ethernet, the Z790 Gaming WIFI7 for a rear USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C port and the Z790-AYW W II for a white finish at the highest price in the group if those matter more to you.
Make sure the board's BIOS supports 14th generation CPUs.