Gigabyte Z790 Motherboard Battle: XTreme vs Master – Features, Performance, and Value
What To Know
- The Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Xtreme and Master share a similar design language, featuring a predominantly black color scheme with gold accents and RGB lighting.
- However, the Xtreme boasts a more elaborate design with a larger heatsink and a more prominent RGB lighting implementation.
- The Xtreme offers the ultimate performance and feature set, while the Master provides a more cost-effective option with excellent performance and features.
The Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Xtreme and Master motherboards are two of the most premium offerings from the renowned hardware manufacturer. Both cater to the high-end enthusiast market and offer an impressive array of features, making them ideal for building powerful and feature-rich gaming and content creation systems. However, each motherboard has its unique strengths and weaknesses, making it essential to compare them thoroughly before making a purchase decision. In this comprehensive blog post, we will pit the Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Xtreme against the Master, examining their key specifications, features, design, overclocking capabilities, and more, to help you make an informed choice.
Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Z790 Aorus Xtreme | Z790 Master |
| — | — | — |
| Socket | LGA 1700 | LGA 1700 |
| Chipset | Intel Z790 | Intel Z790 |
| Form Factor | E-ATX | ATX |
| Power Delivery | 20+2+2 Phase | 19+1+1 Phase |
| Memory Support | Quad-Channel DDR5, up to 7600MHz | Dual-Channel DDR5, up to 7600MHz |
| Storage | 5x M.2 Slots (PCIe 5.0 x4) | 4x M.2 Slots (PCIe 5.0 x4) |
| Expansion Slots | 4x PCIe 5.0 x16 Slots | 3x PCIe 5.0 x16 Slots |
| Rear Panel I/O | 10x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C, 2x Thunderbolt 4, Wi-Fi 6E, 2.5GbE LAN | 8x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C, Wi-Fi 6E, 2.5GbE LAN |
| BIOS | UEFI BIOS with Q-Flash Plus | UEFI BIOS with Q-Flash Plus |
Design and Aesthetics
The Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Xtreme and Master share a similar design language, featuring a predominantly black color scheme with gold accents and RGB lighting. However, the Xtreme boasts a more elaborate design with a larger heatsink and a more prominent RGB lighting implementation. The Xtreme also incorporates a built-in OLED display that provides real-time system information and customization options.
Features
Both the Aorus Xtreme and Master offer a comprehensive suite of features, including:
- PCIe 5.0 Support: Both motherboards support the latest PCIe 5.0 standard for high-speed data transfer and graphics card performance.
- DDR5 Memory Support: They support DDR5 memory up to 7600MHz, providing ample bandwidth for demanding applications.
- Comprehensive Storage Options: The Xtreme features five M.2 slots, all supporting PCIe 5.0 x4, while the Master has four M.2 slots, also supporting PCIe 5.0 x4.
- Advanced Networking: Both motherboards come with 2.5GbE LAN and Wi-Fi 6E for fast and reliable wired and wireless connectivity.
- RGB Lighting Customization: The Xtreme and Master offer extensive RGB lighting customization options through the Gigabyte RGB Fusion 2.0 software.
Overclocking Capabilities
Overclocking enthusiasts will appreciate the robust overclocking capabilities of both motherboards. The Aorus Xtreme, with its 20+2+2 phase power delivery, provides exceptional power stability for overclocking, while the Master’s 19+1+1 phase power delivery is also capable of handling high overclocking demands. Both motherboards feature advanced BIOS options and overclocking tools to fine-tune system performance.
Performance
In terms of performance, both the Aorus Xtreme and Master deliver exceptional results. They provide excellent memory and storage performance, with the Xtreme offering slightly better results due to its quad-channel memory support. The motherboards also handle high-power consumption components with ease, making them ideal for overclocking and demanding workloads.
Price and Availability
The Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Xtreme is priced at around $850, while the Z790 Master is available for around $550. The price difference reflects the Xtreme’s more premium features, such as the larger heatsink, OLED display, and additional expansion slots.
Which Motherboard to Choose?
The choice between the Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Xtreme and Master depends on your specific needs and budget. If you demand the absolute best performance, the most elaborate design, and the most comprehensive feature set, the Aorus Xtreme is the clear choice. However, if you are looking for a more budget-friendly option while still getting excellent performance and features, the Master is a great choice.
Key Points: Deciding the Ultimate Winner
The Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Xtreme and Master are both exceptional motherboards that cater to the high-end enthusiast market. The Xtreme offers the ultimate performance and feature set, while the Master provides a more cost-effective option with excellent performance and features. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your individual requirements and budget.
Answers to Your Most Common Questions
Q: Which motherboard has better memory support?
A: The Aorus Xtreme supports quad-channel DDR5 memory, while the Master supports dual-channel DDR5 memory.
Q: Does the Aorus Xtreme have more storage options?
A: Yes, the Aorus Xtreme has five M.2 slots compared to the Master’s four M.2 slots.
Q: Which motherboard has more expansion slots?
A: The Aorus Xtreme has four PCIe 5.0 x16 slots compared to the Master’s three PCIe 5.0 x16 slots.
