ASUS ROG Strix Z790-F Gaming WiFi Motherboard: features, specs and who it suits

The ASUS ROG Strix Z790-F Gaming WiFi is an ATX motherboard for Intel's LGA 1700 socket. It is built for gaming and performance PCs, with DDR5 memory, four M.2 storage slots, PCIe 5.0 and built-in Wi-Fi 6E. ASUS says its power delivery and cooling are designed to cope with powerful 13th Gen Intel Core processors.

Processor support

The LGA 1700 socket is listed for 13th Gen and 12th Gen Intel Core processors, plus Pentium Gold and Celeron chips of the 12th generation. As a general rule, check the manufacturer's support list for your exact processor, as some boards need a BIOS update before they recognise a newer chip. The board's BIOS FlashBack button is meant for that: it lets you update the BIOS from a USB drive without a processor installed.

Power delivery and cooling

ASUS lists a 16+1 power design with each stage rated for 90A, dual ProCool II power connectors, alloy chokes and durable capacitors. The power stages convert the supply's 12V to the low voltage the processor needs, and a stronger design typically helps hold voltage steady with multi-core chips under sustained load. For cooling, the board has large heatsinks with an integrated I/O cover, high-conductivity thermal pads and an L-shaped heatpipe linking them.

Storage and expansion

There are four M.2 slots, all PCIe 4.0 and all with heatsinks; one also has a backplate. PCIe 4.0 NVMe drives are fast enough for loading games and large files. The main x16 slot is PCIe 5.0 and is described as a SafeSlot, which ASUS reinforces for heavier graphics cards. The listing mentions DDR5 memory, which is not interchangeable with DDR4.

Connectivity

Wireless networking is Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax), with Intel 2.5Gb Ethernet and ASUS LANGuard. The USB selection includes a rear USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C port and a front-panel connector with Power Delivery 3.0 up to 30W, plus Gen 2 and Gen 1 ports. For video outputs, the board has HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4, which work with processors that have integrated graphics.

Software and build features

ASUS lists AI Overclocking, AI Cooling II, AI Networking and Two-Way AI Noise Cancelation to simplify tuning. There is a 60-day AIDA64 Extreme trial, and the UEFI BIOS includes MemTest86. Builder-friendly parts include PCIe Slot Q-Release, M.2 Q-Latch, a pre-mounted I/O shield, Q-LED, and Clear CMOS and BIOS FlashBack buttons. Lighting is Aura, with an iridescent ROG logo and a monochrome finish.

Who it suits

It suits builders putting together a performance desktop around a 12th or 13th Gen Intel processor who want plenty of storage slots and modern connectivity. It is less relevant for anyone with an AMD processor or an older Intel chip on a different socket.

What to check before you buy

• Processor: confirm it fits LGA 1700 and check whether it needs a BIOS update.
• Memory: the board uses DDR5, so older DDR4 modules will not fit.
• Case: make sure it takes a full ATX board (about 13.3 x 10.8 inches per the listing).
• Cooler: check that your cooler fits the LGA 1700 mounting.
• Storage: count your M.2 drives against the four slots.
• Power supply: confirm it has the dual 8-pin connectors and enough capacity for your parts.

The short version

• ATX motherboard for LGA 1700 (13th and 12th Gen Intel Core).
• 16+1 power stages rated at 90A each, with large heatsinks and an L-shaped heatpipe.
• Four PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots and a PCIe 5.0 x16 SafeSlot.
• Wi-Fi 6E, 2.5Gb Ethernet, USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C, HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4.
• BIOS FlashBack and tool-free features for easier building.

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