Consider the Z790 model and check reviews for compatibility with your needs.
Consider the Z790 model and check reviews for compatibility with your needs.
I’m considering the Gigabyte Z790 motherboard. Initially I was aiming for premium options, but now I’m focusing on mid-range models. Is the Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Elite Ax suitable for my needs? It seems to include everything I require. I intend to use an i7 13700K or KF and possibly an i9, though I doubt it. I’ll turn off features I don’t need—like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, built-in audio, and power-saving settings. I plan to overclock the i7, aiming for a match with the 13900K. For RAM, I think 7200MHz would be ideal. I’ll likely adjust timings and overclock as well. This is just an upgrade—CPU, motherboard, and RAM only changing.
It's a very solid board, especially when you factor in its cost. Solid VRM design, comprehensive features—just the one thing it lacks is a POST code, which might be tricky to obtain on boards under $400. Spend on a quality cooler and you'll see significant improvement. The 7200MT/s rating is near the maximum this board can handle. Achieving that speed will require some work, but it's doable. Be aware that in at least one BIOS version, the board doesn't support high memory voltages. If you're aiming for faster timings or higher frequencies, you may run into problems since the board tends to struggle above 1.4V.
The 8-layer boards from ASUS, Gigabyte, and MSI offer improved performance but come at a higher price. Prices begin near $400 in the US. For budgets under $300, the Aorus Elite AX provides solid performance, while options under $400 include the Z790I Edge—considered top for overclocking outside the Z790 Apex, Z790 Dark, and slightly surpassing Tachyon—and the Z690 Dark for greater expansion potential. The Z790-F Strix exists as an 8-layer board but costs just over $400 with a less impressive feature set than the Aorus Elite, making its extra 50% not justified for most users. Whether these boards justify the cost depends on your needs. The NH-D15 is a bare minimum for overclocking 8-core processors; ideally, aim for a 360mm AIO rather than a custom loop. Invest in a quality contact frame right away—it’s a worthwhile upgrade. Choose the Thermalright model for easier installation and better value compared to the Thermal Grizzly, especially if you can find it for around $10 instead of $30+. These frames are difficult to install post-assembly, so spending the extra upfront is better than delaying.
Sure, I can rephrase that. Also, it seems lapping the IHS might assist in reducing 5 to 10 degrees as well.
I've noticed AM5 isn't really compatible with LGA 1700. The IHS are already fairly flat out of the box, but the real problem is they get bent due to ILM. AM5 performs better mainly because its IHS are very thick, which shortens them and reduces thermal resistance. Lapping Intel chips is mainly practical when you need them at very low temperatures. There might be some advantage in removing the chips and using liquid metal instead of solder, but it doesn't seem worth the effort unless you're pushing them to extreme temperatures. If you're serious about high performance, using custom water is essential. The 13700K (SP 87) with E cores enabled can handle 5.5GHz Prime95 Small FFTs on water without exceeding 90°C, especially if you turn off Hyper-Threading while keeping the E cores active. Running at around 5.8GHz Linpack remains stable in the mid-90s max, and for serious cooling you'll likely need custom water.
I aimed to turn off hyper threading and the E cores to lower temperatures and allow better overclocking on the P-cores. Since I mainly play games, an 8C/8T setup seems suitable for me.
Checking if 5.8ghz is achievable on a 13700k processor is possible, but results may vary. Expect performance based on your system's overall specs and usage.
Missed a stress test and quickly restarted to attempt 5.9GHz, but the experience hasn't been fully documented yet on my Unify-X (profile saved elsewhere). The current specs show 5.8GHz on the P cores, 4.5GHz on the E cores, and 4.5GHz Ring with A.90 BIOS affecting ring overclocking. It passed 10 Linpack Xtreme loops with tight timings, but I can't capture a screenshot due to memory constraints. The Apex is running at 5.5GHz Prime95 and 5.6GHz near the cap without core or hyperthreading enabled. If pushed harder, you might hit 5.7-5.9GHz, but cooling becomes crucial once you reach that range.