Z790 platform with 13600K compatible motherboard and RAM options available.
Z790 platform with 13600K compatible motherboard and RAM options available.
They're likely to be about 100 dollars more expensive, I think. If I upgrade, I'd probably choose the 14700K model instead, since it should work well with the Elite AX. I also noticed that MSI has significantly more USB ports at the rear, particularly USB 3.2 Gen 2, compared to Gigabyte.
The Elite AX should work just fine. It offers more high-speed USB ports. If you only value the total number of Type A ports and most of your gear is peripherals that don’t require top speeds, the Elite remains the better choice. However, if you need faster connections, the Tomahawk would be more suitable.
I chose the tomahawk after hearing suggestions from Buildzoid. The Msi Pro felt like a strong board for its cost, while the tomahawk added a few extra features. The VRM handled heat well, the PHIC chip was nicely cooled, and the LLC worked smoothly. It’s been a reliable board for me; I can’t recommend others since I haven’t tried them, but Msi gives it a thumbs up.
I chose the tomahawk after hearing suggestions from Buildzoid. The Msi Pro felt like a strong board for its cost, while the tomahawk added a few extra features. The VRM handled heat well, the PHIC chip was nicely cooled, and the LLC worked smoothly. It’s been a reliable board for me; I can’t recommend others since I haven’t tried them, but Msi gives it a thumbs up.
No one has checked VRM performance or temperatures before. I saw some videos and articles online discussing this. The M.2 heatsinks with NVMe 4 drives work well, especially the top model. It seems the higher one can fit a custom heatsink too, and there’s likely enough room.
Nighting experienced temperatures above 55°C during the stress test, but the setup includes strong airflow with fans at 1400rpm in a cool room, providing ample cooling.
I don't know if there are any Strix motherboards similar to Gigabyte.
I know this was a tough decision, but your feedback really made it easier. Thanks a ton for the help! I’m super happy I got the ASRock Z790 Taichi Lite for just $370—way under what I thought I’d pay. It turned out to be exactly what I needed without breaking the bank. Hope you didn’t regret it!