ASUS ROG STRIX Z790-A GAMING WIFI upgrade guide

Lifecycle and support

A current model: sold new and supported.

Dates not listed haven't been published by the manufacturer or a reliable third party.

RAM

The board has 4 full-size DDR5 DIMM slots running dual-channel, and the memory is fully user-replaceable.

What fits

DDR5 unbuffered non-ECC DIMMs only. DDR4 modules physically will not fit - the notch is in a different place - so if you own the D4 version of this board, none of this memory advice applies to you. DDR5 modules carry their own On-Die ECC, but that is internal to the module and is not the same as ECC support. This board does not support ECC or registered memory.

Limits

Up to 48 GB per module, so 4 x 48 GB gives a maximum of 192 GB. Note that ASUS's original launch documentation listed the board as max 128 GB; the current spec page lists 192 GB. The 192 GB figure needs a recent BIOS update before you fit 4 x 48 GB, so update the firmware first if you want that much memory.

Speed ratings go up to DDR5-7800 with XMP, but that figure assumes one DIMM per channel and a strong CPU memory controller. ASUS says supported speeds vary with the CPU and memory configuration, and with all four slots filled you should expect substantially lower stable speeds. ASUS's QVL (on the board's Support pages) is the authoritative list of tested kits.

Buying tips

Buy a matched kit from the QVL if you want the advertised speed. Decide between two high-speed modules (best chance of hitting the top ratings) and four modules (maximum capacity, lower realistic speed). Don't pay for ECC or registered server memory - it is not supported.

Buying tips

• Check the QVL on the ASUS Support pages for tested kits
• Two modules = better speeds; four modules = more capacity but lower realistic speeds
• Buy DDR5 for this board - DDR4 is for the separate D4 model

Storage

There are 8 storage connections on the board: 4 M.2 slots and 4 SATA 6 Gb/s ports. There are no drive bays on the board itself - how many 2.5" or 3.5" drives your case holds, and how thick they can be, is entirely down to your case.

What fits

All four M.2 slots are M-key and take NVMe drives at PCIe 4.0 x4. They also accept 2242, 2260 and 2280 length modules; M.2_1 and M.2_3 additionally take the longer 22110 format. M.2_4 is the flexible one - it accepts SATA M.2 drives as well as NVMe. The 4 SATA 6 Gb/s ports handle regular SSDs and hard drives, and Intel RST RAID 0/1/5/10 is available across the PCIe and SATA drives.

Limits and things to watch

There is no PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot on this board - the PCIe 5.0 lanes are reserved for the graphics card slot. A Gen5 SSD will still work but will run at Gen4 speeds unless you put it in an add-in card in the GPU slot, which then costs you your graphics slot.

22110 (110 mm) drives fit only M.2_1 and M.2_3, so double-check before buying a long enterprise-style drive. Tiny 2230 modules (the Steam Deck/ROG Ally size) need an adapter. If you fit a SATA M.2 drive in M.2_4, it consumes SATA port bandwidth, so the SATA ports and M.2_4's SATA mode are not fully independent - plan your drive mix accordingly.

ASUS publishes no maximum drive capacity, so there is no official cap to quote.

Buying tips

Any current NVMe M.2 SSD will work; PCIe 4.0 drives match the slots exactly, while Gen5 drives cost more without running faster here. Check your case's bay count and thickness limits before buying 2.5"/3.5" drives. If you want a lot of long 22110 drives, remember only two slots take them.

Buying tips

• Match the drive to the slot: 22110 only fits M.2_1 and M.2_3
• Gen5 SSDs won't be faster than Gen4 drives in these slots
• Check your case's bays and clearance, not the board, for 2.5"/3.5" drives

CPU

The processor sits in a socketed Intel LGA1700 socket and is user-replaceable. There is one CPU socket.

What fits

12th, 13th and 14th Gen Intel Core processors, plus Pentium Gold and Celeron parts - always check the ASUS CPU QVL for exact supported models. All of these use LGA1700. Standard LGA1700 cooler mounting applies, so most current coolers fit without new brackets.

Limits and things to watch

ASUS publishes no formal TDP ceiling for the board. Its 16+1+2 power stages are designed to run unlocked K-series chips at Intel's own limits - roughly 253 W sustained - and 65 W or 35 W parts run comfortably within that. Treat the 253 W class as the practical design envelope.

If your board shipped with early firmware, a 14th Gen CPU may need a BIOS update first. ASUS's BIOS FlashBack feature can update the board without a CPU installed, so you don't need an older chip on hand. Older spec pages for this board list only 12th and 13th Gen; the current pages add 14th Gen support.

Buying tips

Check the QVL before ordering any CPU. If you're going 14th Gen, plan a BIOS update first. Pair a high-power K-series chip with adequate cooling; cheaper 65 W chips are no problem at all.

Buying tips

• Check the ASUS CPU QVL for supported models
• Update the BIOS first for a 14th Gen CPU (BIOS FlashBack works without a CPU)
• Standard LGA1700 coolers fit; high-end K-series chips need serious cooling

How to upgrade

Before you start

• Back up anything important before opening your PC.
• Power off the computer and unplug it from the wall.
• Ground yourself to avoid static damage.
• Open the case - see the owner's manual for exact disassembly steps for your build.
• Install the part, then close the case.
• Power on and check that the BIOS/firmware sees the new part.

Steps

1. General installation outline
   1. Back up anything important first. 2. Power down and unplug the machine from the wall. 3. Ground yourself before touching components. 4. Open the case. The owner's manual has the exact disassembly procedure for the board - follow it rather than guessing at clips or covers. 5. Install the memory, drive or CPU. 6. Close the case and reconnect the power. 7. Start the PC and enter the BIOS to confirm the new part is detected at the expected capacity and speed; update the BIOS beforehand if you are installing 14th Gen CPUs or 4 x 48 GB of memory.

Good to know

• Max capacity: ASUS's launch documentation listed 128 GB; the current spec page lists 192 GB (4 x 48 GB), which needs a recent BIOS.
• Memory speed: the 7800+ MT/s rating assumes one DIMM per channel with XMP; expect substantially lower with four modules.
• CPU TDP: ASUS publishes no formal ceiling - the 16+1+2 VRM is built for unlocked K-series at Intel's own limits, around 253 W sustained.
• CPU support: older spec pages list 12th/13th Gen only; current pages add 14th Gen, which may need a BIOS update first.

Frequently asked questions

How much RAM can the ROG STRIX Z790-A GAMING WIFI take?

Up to 192 GB, using four 48 GB DDR5 modules. ASUS's original launch documentation listed 128 GB as the maximum; the current spec page lists 192 GB, which requires a recent BIOS update.

Can I use DDR4 memory in this board?

No. This board is DDR5 only. The separate "D4" model takes DDR4, and the two boards are physically different - DDR4 and DDR5 modules have different notches and won't fit each other's slots.

Does it support PCIe 5.0 SSDs?

There is no PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot. All four M.2 slots are PCIe 4.0 x4, so a Gen5 SSD will run at Gen4 speeds unless you install it in an add-in card in the PCIe 5.0 graphics slot.

Does it support 14th Gen Intel CPUs out of the box?

Depends on the firmware your board shipped with. 14th Gen support needs a BIOS update on early-production boards, and ASUS's BIOS FlashBack can do that without a CPU installed.

Does it support ECC memory?

No. Only non-ECC unbuffered DDR5 is supported. DDR5 modules have internal On-Die ECC, but that is not the same as ECC memory support.

Where do 22110 M.2 drives fit?

Only in M.2_1 and M.2_3. The other two slots accept 2242, 2260 and 2280 drives. 2230 modules need an adapter.

Official documents and references

• ASUS ROG STRIX Z790-A GAMING WIFI specifications
  Official spec page: memory support, M.2/SATA layout and CPU support.
• ASUS ROG STRIX Z790-A GAMING WIFI product page
  Official product page: power stages and slot layout.
• PDF ASUS owner's manual (PDF)
  Manual with installation and disassembly procedures - check it for the exact steps for your build.