Gigabyte Z790 AORUS ELITE AX Upgrade Guide: RAM, SSD, CPU

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.

Adding or replacing RAM

The board has four full-size DDR5 DIMM sockets arranged in two channels (A1/A2 and B1/B2). Each socket takes up to 64 GB, for 256 GB in total. All memory sits in these sockets; nothing is soldered to the board. This AX model is DDR5 only. Gigabyte also makes DDR4 versions of this board, and DDR4 and DDR5 modules are not interchangeable, so make sure you are buying for the DDR5 board.

Gigabyte's product page lists speeds up to 7600 MT/s, but everything above 5600 MT/s is an overclock rating, not a guarantee, and it depends on your CPU. According to the manual, 14th and 13th Gen Core i9 and i7 chips are listed for DDR5 5600, 5200, 4800 and 4400 MT/s. 13th Gen i5 and i3, 12th Gen, Pentium Gold and Celeron are listed only for 4800 and 4400 MT/s. XMP modules are supported.

The board accepts non-ECC unbuffered DIMMs. ECC unbuffered DIMMs also work but run in non-ECC mode. Registered DIMMs are not listed as supported. Four modules will likely run slower than two, and Gigabyte recommends matching modules by capacity, brand, speed and chips.

Buying tips

• Buy DDR5 DIMMs (full-size desktop modules, not laptop SO-DIMMs).
• If you only fit one module, put it in DDR5_A2 or DDR5_B2.
• For the best speed, two larger modules are likely a better choice than four smaller ones.
• Buy a matched kit rather than mixing brands or speeds.
• Check Gigabyte's Memory Support List for the exact kit before buying, since support can vary with your CPU and module count.
• Don't pay extra for speeds above 5600 MT/s unless you accept that they are overclock settings and may not run at the rated speed.

Adding or upgrading storage

There are four M.2 slots, all taking 2280 or 22110 length drives. M2A_CPU connects directly to the CPU. M2P_SB and M2Q_SB connect through the chipset and are PCIe 4.0 NVMe. M2M_SB is also chipset-connected and accepts either a SATA or a PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe M.2 drive. There are also six SATA 6Gb/s ports for 2.5-inch or 3.5-inch drives. The board has no drive bays, so how many drives you can mount and how thick they can be depends on your case. You will need SATA cables. RAID 0, 1, 5 and 10 are supported for both NVMe and SATA.

Gigabyte does not state a maximum storage capacity, so the limit is whatever drives you install. Some Gigabyte marketing text mentions three M.2 slots wired to the CPU, but the specifications and manual list only one CPU-connected slot (M2A_CPU) and three chipset-connected ones. We would go by the specifications.

Before filling every M.2 and SATA port, check the manual's internal connectors section. Installing an M.2 SATA drive in M2M_SB may disable some SATA ports, and lanes may be shared between ports. We could not confirm which ports are affected.

The top PCIe 5.0 x16 slot (PCIEX16, from the CPU) can host either a graphics card or an NVMe SSD, for example on an adapter card. Gigabyte's wording on this slot differs slightly between board revisions, so check the manual for your board.

Buying tips

• For the M.2 slots, an NVMe drive in 2280 size is the simplest fit; 22110 drives are longer and also supported.
• Only buy an M.2 SATA drive if you want to use the M2M_SB slot, and read the manual first about SATA port sharing.
• For a 2.5-inch or 3.5-inch drive, confirm your case has a free bay and that you have a SATA cable.
• If you plan to use an adapter card in the PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, make sure you won't need that slot for a graphics card.

Upgrading the processor

The board has one LGA1700 socket, and the CPU is removable. It supports 14th, 13th and 12th Gen Intel Core processors, plus Pentium Gold and Celeron. Gigabyte's pages that we found do not state a maximum TDP, so check Gigabyte's CPU support list for the exact chip before you buy.

The earliest BIOS listed for this board (F3, January 2023) predates 14th Gen CPUs, so a board that has not been updated may not start with one. If your board is running an older BIOS, update it before swapping in a 14th Gen chip, or confirm the board already has a suitable version. The CPU you choose also affects memory speed support (see the RAM section).

Buying tips

• Check Gigabyte's CPU support list for the exact model and the BIOS version it needs.
• Moving to a 14th Gen chip? Plan for a BIOS update first.
• Bear in mind that your CPU choice sets the memory speeds Gigabyte lists as supported.
• Make sure your cooler fits the LGA1700 socket.

How to upgrade

Before you start

• Check which BIOS version your board is running, and look at Gigabyte's support page for the BIOS list and any CPU notes.
• Confirm you have the DDR5 AX board and not a DDR4 variant.
• Have the owner's manual handy for the exact layout of the DIMM sockets, M.2 slots and connectors.
• Back up important files, especially if you are changing drives or RAID settings.
• Check the manual's notes on M.2 and SATA port sharing if you plan to fill every port.

Steps

1. Back up your data
   Copy anything important to another drive or cloud storage before you open the case.
2. Update the BIOS if needed
   If you are fitting a 14th Gen CPU, update the BIOS first using Gigabyte's support page and the manual's instructions.
3. Power off and unplug
   Shut the PC down, switch off the power supply and unplug the power cable and all peripherals.
4. Ground yourself
   Touch bare metal on the case or use an anti-static strap before handling parts, and hold components by their edges.
5. Open the case
   Remove the side panel. See your case manual for how. If you need to remove a graphics card, cooler or M.2 heatsink to reach a slot, follow the Gigabyte manual for exact steps.
6. Install the new part
   For RAM, fit DDR5 modules in the DIMM sockets; with a single module use DDR5_A2 or DDR5_B2. For storage, fit an M.2 drive in a slot or connect a SATA drive with a SATA cable. For a CPU, follow the manual's LGA1700 instructions. The manual has the exact details for each part.
7. Close up and reconnect
   Refit any parts you removed, put the side panel back, then reconnect power and peripherals.
8. Check the BIOS
   Turn the PC on and enter the BIOS setup. Confirm it lists the new memory amount, drive or CPU. Enable XMP if you want your memory's rated speed, and check any SATA or M.2 port sharing messages.

Good to know

• Gigabyte does not state a maximum storage capacity or a maximum CPU TDP in the pages we found; check the CPU support list.
• We could not confirm which SATA ports or M.2 lanes are shared when every M.2 and SATA port is filled. Read the manual's internal connectors section.
• Gigabyte's marketing text and its specification table disagree on how many M.2 slots connect to the CPU; the specifications list one.
• Memory speeds above 5600 MT/s are overclock ratings and not guaranteed, and four modules are likely to run slower than two.
• We could not confirm which BIOS version your board shipped with, so check before fitting a 14th Gen CPU.

Frequently asked questions

How much RAM can the Gigabyte Z790 AORUS ELITE AX take?

Up to 256 GB in total, using four DDR5 DIMMs of up to 64 GB each.

Does the Z790 AORUS ELITE AX use DDR4 or DDR5?

DDR5 only. Gigabyte makes DDR4 versions of the board, but they are separate models, and DDR4 and DDR5 modules do not fit each other's sockets.

How many M.2 SSDs can the Z790 AORUS ELITE AX hold?

Four M.2 slots, each taking 2280 or 22110 length drives. Three are NVMe only (PCIe 4.0), and one (M2M_SB) takes either NVMe or SATA M.2 drives. Check the manual for port sharing before using every slot together with all six SATA ports.

Does the Z790 AORUS ELITE AX support 14th Gen Intel CPUs?

Yes, along with 13th and 12th Gen Core, Pentium Gold and Celeron. The earliest BIOS version for the board predates 14th Gen, so you may need to update the BIOS first.

Will the RAM run at 7600 MT/s?

Not guaranteed. Speeds above 5600 MT/s are overclock ratings and depend on your CPU. The manual lists 5600 MT/s at most, and only for 14th and 13th Gen i9 and i7 chips. Other CPUs are listed at 4800 and 4400 MT/s.

Can I use ECC memory?

ECC unbuffered DIMMs are accepted but run in non-ECC mode. Registered DIMMs are not listed as supported.

Official documents and references

• Gigabyte Z790 AORUS ELITE AX (rev. 1.x) specifications
  Memory, storage, socket and CPU specs
• PDF Gigabyte Z790 AORUS ELITE series user manual (PDF)
  Memory support by CPU, slot layout and port-sharing notes
• Gigabyte U.S.A. support page, rev. 1.x
  Downloads, BIOS and support lists
• Gigabyte UK product page, rev. 1.x
  Product overview and features
• Gigabyte Z790 AORUS ELITE AX rev. 1.0 support page
  BIOS version list