Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Xtreme vs. ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero: The Ultimate Z790 Motherboards Clash
What To Know
- Both motherboards boast impressive power delivery systems, with the Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Xtreme featuring a 20+2+2 phase design and the ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero employing a 20+1 phase design.
- The Aorus Xtreme features a large heatsink array with multiple heat pipes, while the Maximus Z790 Hero employs a VRM heatsink with a dedicated fan for active cooling.
- The ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero, on the other hand, provides a more compact and affordable option with excellent performance and a feature-rich design.
The latest generation of Intel processors, the 13th Gen Raptor Lake, demands the best hardware to unleash its full potential. When it comes to motherboards, the Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Xtreme and the ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero stand out as the top contenders. This blog post will delve into a comprehensive comparison of these two behemoths, analyzing their features, performance, and value proposition to help you make an informed decision.
Specifications and Features
| Feature | Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Xtreme | ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero |
| — | — | — |
| Socket | LGA 1700 | LGA 1700 |
| Chipset | Intel Z790 | Intel Z790 |
| Form Factor | E-ATX | ATX |
| Power Delivery | 20+2+2 Phase | 20+1 Phase |
| Memory Support | DDR5, up to 8000MHz (OC) | DDR5, up to 7600MHz (OC) |
| PCIe Slots | 4x PCIe 5.0 x16 | 3x PCIe 5.0 x16 |
| M.2 Slots | 5x PCIe 5.0 x4 | 4x PCIe 5.0 x4 |
| SATA Ports | 8 | 8 |
| USB Ports | 10x USB 3.2 Gen 2, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2×2, 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2×2 | 9x USB 3.2 Gen 2, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2×2, 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2×2 |
| LAN | 10GbE + 2.5GbE | 10GbE + 2.5GbE |
| Audio | Realtek ALC4082 | SupremeFX ALC4080 |
Form Factor and Aesthetics
The Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Xtreme takes the lead in terms of size, adopting an E-ATX form factor that provides ample space for expansion and cooling. Its PCB is adorned with a sleek black and silver color scheme, complemented by RGB lighting zones that can be customized to match your system’s aesthetic. The ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero, on the other hand, opts for a more compact ATX form factor, offering a better fit for smaller cases. Its design features a futuristic ROG-themed aesthetic with bold lines and angular accents, also illuminated by customizable RGB lighting.
Power Delivery and Performance
Both motherboards boast impressive power delivery systems, with the Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Xtreme featuring a 20+2+2 phase design and the ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero employing a 20+1 phase design. This ensures stable and efficient power delivery to the CPU, even under heavy loads and overclocking scenarios. In terms of performance, both motherboards deliver exceptional results, enabling users to push their 13th Gen Intel processors to the limits.
Memory and Storage
The Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Xtreme and ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero offer ample memory and storage options. The Aorus Xtreme supports up to 128GB of DDR5 memory at speeds of up to 8000MHz (OC), while the Maximus Z790 Hero supports up to 128GB of DDR5 at speeds of up to 7600MHz (OC). Both motherboards feature multiple PCIe 5.0 x4 M.2 slots, providing blazing-fast storage performance.
Connectivity and Expansion
The Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Xtreme and ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero provide a comprehensive suite of connectivity options. Both motherboards include dual 10GbE and 2.5GbE LAN ports for high-speed network connectivity, as well as numerous USB ports, including USB 3.2 Gen 2 and USB-C 3.2 Gen 2×2 for fast data transfer. The Aorus Xtreme offers a slight edge in expansion capabilities with an additional PCIe 5.0 x16 slot.
Overclocking and BIOS
Overclocking enthusiasts will appreciate the advanced BIOS options offered by both motherboards. The Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Xtreme features the Aorus BIOS, while the ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero utilizes the UEFI BIOS. Both BIOS interfaces provide a wide range of settings and optimizations for fine-tuning performance and stability.
Cooling and Thermal Design
The Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Xtreme and ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero prioritize cooling and thermal management to ensure optimal performance under demanding workloads. The Aorus Xtreme features a large heatsink array with multiple heat pipes, while the Maximus Z790 Hero employs a VRM heatsink with a dedicated fan for active cooling.
Value Proposition
The Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Xtreme is priced slightly higher than the ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero. However, it offers a larger form factor, enhanced expansion capabilities, and a more comprehensive power delivery system. The ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero, on the other hand, provides a more compact and affordable option with excellent performance and a feature-rich design.
Final Note
The Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Xtreme and ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero are both exceptional motherboards for 13th Gen Intel processors. The Aorus Xtreme excels with its larger form factor, superior power delivery, and expanded connectivity options, while the Maximus Z790 Hero offers a more compact and value-oriented package with excellent performance and a feature-packed design. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your specific needs and budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which motherboard has better overclocking capabilities?
A: Both motherboards offer advanced overclocking options, but the Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Xtreme has a slightly more robust power delivery system, potentially enabling higher overclocks.
Q: Which motherboard has more M.2 slots?
A: The Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Xtreme features 5x PCIe 5.0 x4 M.2 slots, while the ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero has 4x PCIe 5.0 x4 M.2 slots.
Q: Which motherboard has better audio quality?
A: The ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero features the SupremeFX ALC4080 audio codec, which is generally considered to provide slightly better audio quality than the Realtek ALC4082 codec found on the Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Xtreme.
