Finally, it’s right here! The Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Tachyon X motherboard has simply arrived within the lab. You’re in all probability already conversant in its little sister, the Z790 Aorus Tachyon, which we examined a number of months in the past.
This Z790 Aorus Tachyon X is the fifth Tachyon to be launched, after the Intel Z590, Z690 and Z790 fashions we examined and an AMD B650E Tachyon model not accessible outdoors Asia. Hicookie, the well-known overclocker behind this line, is doing it once more, this time updating the Z790 Tachyon to incorporate the newest Gigabyte X-series options in its design.
Priced at round €700, this Z790 Aorus Tachyon X is THE Gigabyte motherboard for these desirous to get probably the most out of the newest Intel 14th gen CPUs.
Thanks to Gigabyte and Hicookie for this copy.
The bundle:
We begin with the bundle of this AORUS Z790 Tachyon X to see if it has advanced because the Z690 Aorus Tachyon. Overall, we discover a pretty customary bundle with the standard SATA cables, Wi-Fi antenna, stickers and so forth.
The bundle is due to this fact pretty easy, utilizing the identical components seen on the Z690 and Z790 Aorus Tachyon.
The numerous radiators :
The board dimensions are 305 mm x 270 mm, akin to the E-ATX format. The dominant colours on the PCB are black and grey. The design of this “Tachyon” model remains to be fairly distinctive, even when it as soon as once more follows the design of the Z690 and Z790 tachyon. Here, solely the black PCIe 5.0 slot distinguishes it from the non-X model.
Let’s begin with the radiators, of which there are 5!
First of all, the 2 radiators on the high of the motherboard, surrounding the socket. They cowl the ability provide stage and are related by a warmth pipe. Note that the radiator on the left has an element that covers the exterior connectors.
The third one covers the chipset and has a pretty big floor space, however a low peak to permit straightforward insertion of graphics playing cards. It options the AORUS emblem and a really slight RGB backlight.
Last however not least, we have now the 2 M.2 slot radiators, as soon as once more in precisely the identical shapes and colours as these seen on the Z690 Tachyon and, extra not too long ago, the Z790 Tachyon. This is a completely passive system.
Socket and PCIe :
This new AORUS Tachyon X is constructed across the Z790 chipset and the LGA1700 socket for twelfth, thirteenth and 14th era Intel processors. The area across the socket is completely clear to facilitate isolation for the XOC. We have DDR5 and PCIe gen 5 help right here. This motherboard’s reminiscence overclocking capabilities have been upgraded, with Gigabyte asserting XMP compatibility as much as 8700 Mt/s, and we’ll be testing this shortly.
Connectivity-wise, we’re fairly effectively catered for, with two PCIe 5.0 ports in X16 and X8 and a PCIe X16 3.0 port working in x4. There are 4 SSD slots in PCIe 4.0 x4, one in all which helps SATA.
Note the arrival of the extra strong PCIe 5.0 UD Slot X port. And the PCIe EZ-Latch for simpler elimination of graphics playing cards.
Clocker instruments :
As far as overclocking is anxious, this can be a motherboard designed for this self-discipline at a aggressive degree, so it has a complete host of options on the PCB in addition to BIOSes specifically designed for it.
So, from left to proper, ranging from the highest :
- Voltage factors: for measuring voltages with a multimeter instantly on the PCB.
- LIMP mode (the tortoise): just like Asus ” secure Boot “, this button permits the board to be rebooted even when the parameters chosen within the BIOS don’t enable Boot. This avoids the necessity to carry out a CMOS Clear to reboot and thus lose your encoded parameters. The board then reboots with default settings.
- Power button: powers up the motherboard.
- CPU Ratio Switch buttons: instantly enhance or lower your processor’s multiplier or BCLK.
- The retry button: throughout chilly exams, generally the OS freezes and a reset gained’t restart the motherboard: the one resolution is to carry down the START button for six or 7 seconds. The ReTry button restarts instantly.
- Clear CMOS button: deletes BIOS parameters and returns to default settings.
- Reset button: restarts the motherboard within the occasion of failure.
- Q-Led: shows a code akin to the part chargeable for the boot error. It is bigger than on earlier variations.
- SB swap: permits or disables the Dual BIOS operate.
- BIOS swap: switches between the 2 bios. You can select between an overclocking bios and a extra secure bios for H24 configuration.
- The TGR swap: just like the ” gradual mode ” button, it lowers the processor frequency, thus reducing the CPU temperature earlier than launching a benchmark and growing the possibilities of it passing. Activate it, the temperature drops and you come back it to its authentic place simply earlier than launching your benchmark.
- OC_IGNITION swap: permits overclockers and DIY fanatics to pre-test water-cooling methods when constructing their computer systems, with out having besides the system.
PCB:
Moving on to the PCB, that is designed in 10 layers, as indicated by the inscription on the underside left of the PCB. The PCB has been revised compared with the Z790 Aorus Tachyon, and now consists of the ” Back Drilling ” know-how launched by Gigabyte on its Z790 X vary.
The energy provide stage is predicated on a 15 1 2-phase energy provide. The first controller used is a Renesas RAA2291131, which instantly drives the 15 phases devoted to the CPU. The 15 CPU mosfets are all 105A Renesas RAA220105s. The GT half is managed by 1 Renesas RAA220105 105A. The IMC and PCIe elements are managed by 2 x 70A MPS MP87992. The energy provide stage is just like that of the Z690 and Z790 Aorus tachyon.
Connectors :
The rear panel options the next components. First of all, the LIMP mode (the turtle) and the button for flashing the BIOS from a USB key. As with all motherboards devoted to the XOC, there are PS/2 keyboard and mouse slots.
But why nonetheless use any such connector in 2023? Quite just because some benchmarks carry out higher below XP (Super Pi), and utilizing non-USB peripherals makes OS set up a lot simpler.
Next, by way of USB ports, this Z790 Tachyon X options three USB 3.2 gen 2 kind A, 4 USB 3.2 gen 1 kind A and one USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 kind C. Then there’s the community half, with antenna helps, dual-band WI-FI and Intel 2.5GbE Ethernet socket. Audio is dealt with by a Realtek ALC1220-VB chip with optical output and 5 jacks.
The most fascinating function of this motherboard is the HDMI socket, which extends excessive overclocking to the Intel IGP.
