ASUS ROG Strix Z790-H Gaming WiFi 6E LGA1700 Motherboard: specs explained

The ASUS ROG Strix Z790-H Gaming WiFi is an ATX motherboard for Intel's LGA 1700 socket. It supports DDR5 memory, a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, four PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots and WiFi 6E, wrapped in ROG's monochrome look with Aura lighting. It is aimed at gaming and high-performance builds around 12th, 13th and 14th Gen Intel Core processors.

Socket and processor support

The board uses the Intel LGA 1700 socket. ASUS lists support for 14th, 13th and 12th Gen Intel Core processors, as well as Pentium Gold and Celeron. Processor support often depends on the BIOS version installed on the board, so check ASUS's support page for the CPU you intend to use, especially for newer generations.

Power delivery and cooling

A motherboard's power delivery (the VRM) supplies steady power to the processor. ASUS lists 16+1 power stages rated for 80A, dual ProCool II power connectors, alloy chokes and durable capacitors. In general, stronger power delivery helps multi-core processors hold their performance under heavy load.

For heat, ASUS describes large heatsinks joined by an L-shaped heatpipe, thermal pads linking them to the VRM, and an integrated I/O cover.

Memory, graphics and storage

• DDR5 memory: ASUS cites speeds up to 7800 MT/s. DDR5 and DDR4 modules are not interchangeable, so make sure your memory is DDR5.
• PCIe 5.0 x16 SafeSlot: the main graphics card slot, reinforced, and with Q-Release for removing a card more easily. PCIe 5.0 offers double the bandwidth of PCIe 4.0, though most current graphics cards do not fully use it.
• Four PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots: for NVMe SSDs, all with heatsinks. The top slot also has a Combo-sink extension and backplate for extra cooling.

Connectivity

The rear panel has a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C port, and the board adds a front-panel connector for that standard on compatible cases. ASUS lists seven USB 3.2 Gen 2 and Gen 1 ports in total, plus HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4 outputs for systems using the processor's integrated graphics. Wireless is WiFi 6E, which adds the 6 GHz band for compatible routers and devices.

Looks

The finish is monochrome with an iridescent ROG logo, and Aura lighting for subtle effects.

Size

It is a full ATX board, listed at about 10.8 x 2.8 x 14.1 inches in packaging dimensions, and weighs 4.4 lb (about 2 kg).

Who it suits

It suits people building or upgrading a gaming or creative PC around a recent Intel Core chip who want DDR5, several fast SSD slots and built-in WiFi. It does not suit those who plan to reuse DDR4 memory or an older socket.

What to check before you buy

• CPU compatibility: confirm the exact processor and whether it needs a BIOS update.
• Memory type: it takes DDR5 only.
• Case size: an ATX board needs a compatible ATX case.
• Cooler: check that your CPU cooler fits the LGA 1700 mounting.
• Storage plans: note which M.2 slots share bandwidth or SATA ports in the manual.
• Front USB-C: you need a case with a matching front-panel connector to use that header.

The short version

• ATX motherboard for Intel LGA 1700 (12th to 14th Gen Core).
• 16+1 power stages rated 80A, large VRM heatsinks with heatpipe.
• DDR5 up to 7800 MT/s, PCIe 5.0 x16 and four PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots.
• WiFi 6E, USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C, HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4.
• Aura lighting and a monochrome ROG finish.

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