Have you decided on Intel for your next build? That’s cool. We’ve picked the 5 best Z790 motherboards for 2025.
Released in Q4 2022 alongside Intel’s Raptor Lake line of desktop processors. The Z790 series upgrades the existing Z690 motherboard with PCB design, PCIe signal integrity, and enhanced support for faster DDR5 memory and I/O options. As of 2025, we know that the Arrow Lake (Z890) platform is available as an option.
However, Raptorlake is much faster than Arrowlake in gaming performance, provides similar Multithreaded performance, and it becomes hard to pass with reduced prices.
In this article, we have provided the 5 best z790 motherboards based on the official manufacturer’s data and real-world usability and discussed the following:
Without wasting your precious time, let’s get on with the recommendations.
Disclaimer – Specifications and pricing information are subject to change without notice. Before purchasing, kindly refer to the manufacturer’s data and avoid compatibility issues. Our pricing data is from Newegg, dated 09 July 2025.
1. Asus Prime Z790-A WiFi
Price: $219. Best for Mid-Range All-Rounder Builds
Why Buy?The Prime series from Asus has always been a perfect blend of affordability and performance. It is equipped with a 16-phase VRM design that can handle CPUs up to the Core i9 14900. You can get away with 14900K or 14900KS, but it is recommended to stick below that. This board might not attract creative professionals due to the lack of native Intel Thunderbolt support.
2. ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 DARK HERO
Price: $998.Best for Enthusiasts & Overclockers
For Gamers, content creators, and even LN2 overclockers, this motherboard is one way to enter the hall of fame. It has native Thunderbolt support for those who need it. The recommended CPU for this motherboard is 14900K / 14900KS
3. MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi
Price: $179.99.Best for PCIe 5.0 Storage Users On a Budget
Why Buy?The MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi is optimized for PCIe 5.0 SSDs without compromising GPU bandwidth. The PCIe 5.0 x16 slot operates independently, avoiding lane-sharing issues from the CPU. The board recommends CPUs up to Core i9 14900.
4. Gigabyte Z790 AORUS PRO X
Price: $329.99Best for Memory Overclockers on a budget
Why Buy?It is the only motherboard below the $500 price point to support DDR5 speeds beyond 8000 MHz.It also offers a rare 5GbE LAN. Some users report that you need to update your BIOS for 14th-gen i9 stability. To avoid the stability problem, you may run the 14900K / KS at Intel’s recommended power settings.
5. ASRock Z790M PG Lightning/D4
Price: $119.99. Best Budget DDR4 Option
Why Buy?The ASRock Z790M PG Lightning/D4 is a micro-ATX budget board offering DDR4 support. It is recommended that users with CPUs up to 14600K check this one out. Please note that you should avoid high-speed storage drives because the bandwidth is shared between the SATA / M.2 lanes.
Key Considerations When Choosing
Final Recommendation
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