Well-versed in style, performance, cooling, and connectivity, the ROG Strix Z790-A exudes well-rounded balance inside and out. A robust VRM topped with stout silver heatsinks comfortably articulates power for the latest Intel® 13th Gen Core processors. PCIe 5.0, WiFi 6E, and high-speed USB flesh out the board’s fluency across a variety of disciplines. And a vast collection of tuning options and utilities derived from its ROG heritage are the icing on top. DIY-FRIENDLY FEATURES PCIE® SLOT Q-RELEASE A physical button unlocks the first PCIe slot’s security latch with one press, greatly simplifying the process of detaching a PCIe card from the motherboard when it’s time to upgrade to a new GPU or other compatible device. M.2 Q-LATCH The innovative Q-Latch makes it easy to install or remove an SSD from an M.2 slot. The design employs a simple locking mechanism to secure the drive, eliminating the need for a traditional screw. CLEAR CMOS The Clear CMOS button quickly resets BIOS settings to factory default. It can also be used to reboot the PC if incorrect BIOS settings have been selected. BIOS FLASHBACK™ BIOS FlashBack™ is a safe and simple way to update BIOS. Just drop the (UEFI) BIOS file onto a FAT32-formatted USB stick, plug it into the USB BIOS FlashBack port, and press the button. Updates can even be performed without having memory or a CPU installed. Q-LED Four onboard LEDs indicate power status and identify problems with CPU, memory, graphics card, or boot device for quick diagnosis. ALL-ROUND PERFORMANCE Robust power delivery, speedy storage and memory, and comprehensive cooling elevate any build with the ROG Strix Z790-A at its center AI OVERCLOCKING Tuning is now faster and smarter than ever before. ASUS AI Overclocking profiles the CPU and cooling to predict the optimal configuration and push the system to its limits. Predicted values can be engaged automatically or used as a launching ground for further experimentation. PCIE 5.0 The top PCIe 5.0 x16 SafeSlot is well-equipped for the increased size and bandwidth of next-gen graphics cards. Zippy storage options abound with four PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots, all featuring robust heatsinks to maximize performance. POWER ARCHITECTURE 16 + 1 power stages rated to 70A each deliver ample current in order to drive 13th and 12th Gen Intel® Core™ Processors through any workload with ease. ALLOY CHOKES AND DURABLE CAPACITORS Hi-end chokes and durable capacitors are engineered to resist extreme temperatures, enabling performance that exceeds industry standards. DUAL PROCOOL II POWER CONNECTORS? ProCool II connectors are precision-built to ensure flush contact with PSU power lines. A metal sheath improves heat dissipation and lowers electrical impedance. SIX-LAYER PCB A multi-layered printed circuit board design quickly dissipates heat around the voltage regulators to improve overall system stability and provide the CPU with more overclocking headroom. OPTIMEM III With proprietary memory trace layout tweaks that improve signal integrity and mitigate noise, OptiMem III allows memory kits to run at lower latencies, reduced voltages, and operate at higher frequencies. VRM HEATSINKS Covering the power solution are two thick heatsinks with strategic airflow channels for increased heat dissipation while powering high-performance Intel 13th Gen processors. M.2 BACKPLATE An integrated backplate helps ensure that high-performance drives can deliver peak performance, even when airflow is restricted.? M.2 HEATSINKS Heatsinks cover every slot to help keep onboard NVME SSDs at optimal temperatures for consistent performance and reliability. CPU FAN HEADERS A dedicated pair of PWM/DC fan headers provides easy access to CPU coolers. AIO PUMP FAN HEADER A dedicated PWM/DC header connects self-contained water-cooling setups. 4-PIN FAN HEADERS Each header supports auto-detection of PWM or DC fans. LEADING CONNECTIVITY The ROG Strix Z790-A delivers next-gen connectivity for ultrafast data transfers and low-latency networking. Those perks are joined by an advanced audio solution that allows you to pick out the smallest cues and home in on your opponents. WIFI 6E Onboard WiFi 6E technology takes advantage of newly available spectrum in the 6 GHz band to provide up to seven 160 MHz channels for ultrafast throughput and better performance in dense wireless environments. * WiFi 6E availability and features are dependent on regulatory limitations and co-existence with 5 GHz WiFi. 2.5G Ethernet Low-latency gaming, speedy file transfers, and high-resolution video streaming are among the many perks of onboard Intel® 2.5 Gbps Ethernet. USB 3.2 GEN 2X2 The Strix Z790-A comes loaded with two USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C® connectors for speedy data transfers up to 20 Gbps. One is a port on the rear I/O; the other can be attached to the chassis front panel and it also features Power Delivery (PD) 3.0 technology to quickly charge devices up to 30W. SUPREMEFX ROG SupremeFX is a unique blend of hardware and software technologies that provide superior audio. The Strix Z790-A implementation features the ALC4080 codec for high-resolution playback up to 32-bit/384 kHz across all channels. Front-panel output is streamed through the integrated Savitech amplifier that can drive high-fidelity acoustics to a wide variety of speakers and headsets. PLAY IN STYLE Bold aesthetics and Aura Sync RGB controls let the ROG Strix Z790-A shine in every build. UNDENIABLY ROG STRIX? The ROG Strix Z790-A boldly embraces the light, for an alternate take on build themes to its dark and brooding brother, the Strix Z790-F. Silver metallic heatsinks pop against a dark PCB backdrop and call attention to the board’s high capacity for thermal management. A transparent layer on the I/O shield adds a unique touch and emphasizes the customizable RGB logo below. The whole design is tied together with ROG-centric detailing on the board, heatsinks, and I/O shield for a vibrant and futuristic outlook. Pair the Strix Z790-A with other products from the diverse ROG ecosystem to create a fully-customized gaming setup that reflects your personal style.? OUTSHINE THE COMPETITION ROG Strix motherboards feature ASUS Aura technology, enabling full lighting control and a variety of presets for both onboard RGB LEDs and third-party accessories. Effects can be easily synced across compatible ROG graphics cards, monitors, keyboards, and mice to give your setup a unified look. COOLER COMPATIBILITY The ROG Strix Z790-A bears the same LGA 1700 socket as the Z690 models, so it is backward compatible with all coolers that supported the previous generation, including all AIO offerings from ASUS and ROG. THE ROG STRIX ECOSYSTEM AWAITS Level up your game with ROG Strix. Enjoy complementary aesthetics, control, and compatibility across AIO coolers, cases, peripherals, and much more. ROG offers more choices than any other brand. SOFTWARE UTILITIES A myriad of ROG-exclusive tools put advanced system tuning and configuration at your fingertips. INTELLIGENT CONTROL AI COOLING II Balance the thermals and acoustics of any build with a single click. A proprietary ASUS algorithm slashes unnecessary noise while running a quick stress test, and then monitors CPU temperatures to dynamically adjust fans to optimal speeds. TWO-WAY AI NOISE CANCELATION This utility leverages a massive deep-learning database to reduce over 5 million types of background noise from incoming or outgoing audio, helping ensure crystal-clear communication in games or calls. AI NETWORKING GameFirst VI optimizes networking performance by allocating bandwidth in real time based on application usage scenarios and corresponding learning algorithms. The latest update includes dedicated support for GeForce NOW to ensure the lowest latency possible during intense game streaming sessions. OPTIMIZATION UEFI BIOS The renowned ROG UEFI (BIOS) provides everything you need to configure, tweak, and tune your rig. It offers intelligently simplified options for newcomers to PC DIY, as well as more comprehensive features for seasoned veterans. MEMTEST86 For diagnostic convenience, MemTest86 has been pre-installed into the ROG UEFI. Run the test to pinpoint memory issues without the need to start up the OS or attach a USB drive. Memory test results are stored in the BIOS archives for later reference. Intuitive Graphical Fan Controls Fine-tune individual fans simply by dragging a curve with the mouse. Storage Information View SATA port details for easy device recognition. Clock Adjustment? Click on the settings icon to quickly change time and date settings.? AI SUITE 3 The AI Suite 3 dashboard contains a set of intuitive controls that boost CPU performance while maintaining system stability. TPU INSIGHT The TurboV Processing Unit (TPU) is an intelligent onboard micro-controller that provides an array of system-tuning features, including the ability to fine-tune voltages, monitor system stats and adjust overclocking parameters. DIGITAL POWER CONTROL The Digi+ voltage-regulator module (VRM) delivers real-time control over voltage droop, switching frequency, and power-efficiency settings, allowing you to fine-tune CPU voltage regulation for ultimate stability and performance.? TURBO CORE APP Modern processors feature per-core tuning, and the ASUS Turbo app makes use of this feature by letting you assign applications to specific processor cores, prioritizing computing power where it’s needed most. GAMING AUDIO SONIC STUDIO III Sonic Studio supports HRTF-based (head-related transfer function*) virtual surround for headsets, casting an immersive aural landscape that draws you deeper into the action. The intuitive Sonic Studio interface also offers a range of EQ options and one-click presets, allowing you to tailor acoustics to suit personal preferences or the characteristics of your headset. DTS SOUND UNBOUND ROG Strix Z790 motherboards are pre-loaded with the DTS® Sound Unbound™ app that envelops you in audio as never before, conjuring whole new levels of immersion for extraordinary gaming and entertainment experiences. By leveraging Windows Sonic spatial technology, DTS Sound Unbound delivers audio in a virtual 3D space — putting you right in the middle of the soundscape, where you can sense the location of every gunshot, footstep, and other sounds.* * DTS Sound Unbound requires in-game support. Check with game publishers for supported titles. AIDA64 EXTREME The ROG Strix Z790-A includes a sixty-day AIDA64 Extreme subscription, a tool that provides detailed information about hardware and software, as well as benchmarks to measure the performance of the entire system or individual components. AIDA64 Extreme includes a monitoring and diagnostics feature to detect and prevent hardware issues. All vital system sensors can be tracked in real time, allowing voltage readings, fan speeds, and temperature information to be displayed on the desktop or sent to dedicated displays or to the LCD panels of ROG AIO liquid coolers*. ARMOURY CRATE Armoury Crate is a software utility designed to give you centralized control of supported gaming products, making it easy to tune the look and feel of your system. From a single intuitive interface, Armoury Crate helps you customize RGB lighting and effects for compatible devices and synchronize them with Aura Sync to create a unified lighting scheme across your system. In addition, Armoury Crate’s Fan Xpert4 tool provides comprehensive control over fans, water pumps, and all-in-one (AIO) coolers. You can use Armoury Crate to download drivers, tools, and user manuals, and to register products. It also taps into a special news feed that connects you to the global ASUS gaming community. ?* Windows 10 or 11 required for full Aura Sync functionality within Armoury Crate. For Windows 8 and earlier versions, standalone Aura Sync software is available for free download from the product support site.