Gigabyte Z590 Aorus Elite AX LGA1200 DDR4 ATX Motherboard

Gigabyte Z590 Aorus Elite AX - Description

LGA1200 DDR4 ATX Motherboard

Gigabyte Z590 AORUS Elite AX is an ATX motherboard for 11th Gen Intel® Core™ processors, featuring advanced connectivity with Intel® WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5, 2.5Gb Ethernet, and multiple USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C® ports. It offers a robust Direct 12+1 Phase Digital Power Design with premium components, a fully covered thermal design with high-performance MOSFET heatsinks and thermal pads, and three M.2 slots (one PCIe 4.0 x4 and two PCIe 3.0 x4) with thermal guards. Built on a durable 6-layer 2X copper PCB, it supports dual-channel DDR4 with reinforced DIMM slots, PCIe 4.0 x16 graphics, high-fidelity AMP-UP audio with ALC1220-VB codec and premium capacitors, as well as RGB FUSION 2.0 lighting with multiple addressable headers. Additional features include an integrated I/O shield, front USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C® support, and an onboard Q-FLASH button for easy BIOS updates.

Power:

12+1 Phases Digital Power Design:

This motherboard employs a Direct 12+1 Phase Digital VRM design to deliver clean, stable, and efficient power to the CPU, even under intense loads and high overclocking conditions. It utilizes a digital PWM controller in conjunction with 12+1 DrMOS power stages directly linked to the CPU (eliminating the need for PWM doublers), capable of handling up to 720A total current. High-quality all-solid capacitors improve transient response and reduce voltage fluctuations, while the dual 8-pin + 4-pin CPU power connectors ensure a secure and low-resistance power connection.

Power Architecture:

Equipped with a smart PWM controller, the power system dynamically adjusts voltage delivery across the 12+1 phases to meet the CPU’s real-time demands—especially critical during overclocking. Premium ferrite chokes minimize electrical noise and ripple, ensuring cleaner power delivery. The robust 12-phase VRM setup provides the headroom and stability needed to power high-TDP and overclocked processors reliably.

Power Efficiency:

Optimized for efficiency, this power delivery system reduces energy loss and heat generation compared to conventional designs. Lower operating temperatures enhance VRM reliability and lifespan while also improving thermal headroom for sustained CPU overclocking and peak performance.

Thermal:

Thermal Design:

The Z590 AORUS ELITE AX features a Fully Covered Thermal Design, incorporating large, high-coverage MOSFET heatsinks and thick, high-conductivity thermal pads to maximize cooling performance—ideal for overclockers, gamers, and power users.

Fully Covered Thermal Design:

Large MOSFET heatsinks and integrated molding improve airflow and heat dissipation. The LAIRD 5 W/mK thermal pad and dual M.2 thermal guards further enhance cooling efficiency.

LAIRD 5 W/mK Thermal Pad:

A thicker 1.5mm thermal pad with 5 W/mK conductivity transfers up to 2.7x more heat than conventional pads.

2X M.2 Thermal Guards:

Integrated M.2 heatsinks keep high-speed PCIe 4.0/3.0 SSDs cool, preventing performance throttling.

Fully Covered MOSFET Heatsink:

2X Large Surface:

Doubled surface area for better MOSFET heat dissipation.

Real One-piece Build:

A true single-piece heatsink design (TMOS) offers improved cooling versus multi-piece designs.

Multi-Cut Design:

Airflow channels and inlets significantly enhance heat transfer performance.

2 Thermal Guard:

The AORUS M.2 Thermal Guard is an ultra-efficient cooling solution designed to protect high-speed M.2 SSDs from throttling and bottlenecks by dissipating heat before it affects performance, ensuring long-term durability and stability.

Smart Fan 6:

Smart Fan 6 integrates advanced cooling controls to keep gaming PCs both cool and quiet. Multiple PWM/DC fan and pump headers allow flexible configuration, while users can customize fan curves based on readings from various onboard temperature sensors through an intuitive interface.

Performance:

XMP 5000+:

Shielded Memory Routing:

All memory traces are routed through the PCB’s inner layers and shielded by a large ground layer to minimize interference from external sources.

Support for DDR4 XMP Up to 5000MHz and Beyond:

This motherboard is validated for compatibility with memory profiles up to 5000MHz and beyond. Users simply need XMP-capable memory and to enable the XMP function in the BIOS to unlock this performance.

Single 32GB Support:

With updated Intel memory reference code, each slot supports up to 32GB, enabling a total capacity of 128GB across all four DIMM slots. This brings HEDT-level memory capacity to mainstream platforms, ideal for memory-intensive tasks like rendering and video editing.

Memory Layout – Daisy Chain Design:

Optimized daisy-chain routing eliminates the stub effect, enabling speeds up to DDR4-5000+ MHz in one-DIMM-per-channel configurations. This design delivers higher memory frequencies and denser capacity, giving professional gamers faster and more responsive system memory performance.

PCIe 4.0 Hardware Design:

Includes a low-impedance PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slot, a reinforced PCIe 4.0 x16 slot for improved strength, and a PCIe 4.0-ready mid-loss PCB to maintain excellent signal integrity.

3X PCIe 4.0/3.0 x4 M.2:

Equipped with three high-speed M.2 connectors—each with its own Thermal Guard—this setup prevents thermal throttling and maximizes storage performance for demanding users.

Connectivity:

2.5GbE LAN:

Provides up to twice the speed of standard 1GbE for smoother, lag-free gaming and supports Multi-Gig speeds (10/100/1000/2500 Mbps) via an RJ-45 port for versatile high-performance networking.

Intel® WiFi 6 802.11ax:

The Intel WiFi 6 + Bluetooth 5 module supports gigabit wireless speeds up to 2.4Gbps, offering smoother streaming, improved gaming stability, and extended Bluetooth range compared to BT 4.2.

USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C:

Delivers up to 20 Gbps via dual 10 Gbps lanes for top-tier external storage and pro-grade peripherals. Gen 2 reaches up to 10 Gbps, while Gen 1 provides 5 Gbps for standard modern USB devices.

Audio:

AMP-UP Audio:

Offers Hi-Res certified sound with frequency reproduction above 40kHz for premium audio quality. Powered by the Realtek ALC1220 HD codec with 120dB(A) SNR and a Smart Headphone Amp for optimal impedance detection, it prevents distortion and low volume. The VB series controller boosts microphone clarity with up to 110/114dB(A) SNR for front and rear inputs, enhancing both gaming and streaming experiences.

Personalization:

The Z590 AORUS ELITE AX features RGB Fusion 2.0, allowing users to customize onboard lighting, external light strips, and AORUS devices with RGB or addressable RGB LEDs for a unique and stylish build.

RGB Fusion – Multi-Zone Light Show Design:

Offering more LED customization than ever, RGB Fusion 2.0 gives complete control over motherboard lighting, enabling users to match their PC’s look to their style. The updated software includes full RGB support and an intuitive interface for easy personalization.

RGB Fusion Software:

With a user-friendly interface, RGB Fusion 2.0 enables lighting control across all supported devices, including motherboards, graphics cards, and peripherals. Profiles can be saved and shared, and the new gaming mode syncs effects with selected games for a more immersive experience.

GIGABYTE RGB Fusion App:

The mobile app lets users adjust lighting colors, modes, and speeds remotely, making it easy to customize their PC’s look without being at the desk.

Ultra Durable:

GIGABYTE is known for producing durable, high-quality motherboards using premium components and reinforced slots for enhanced strength.

Q-Flash Plus:

Allows BIOS updates without installing a CPU, memory, or graphics card. Simply place the renamed BIOS file (“gigabyte.bin”) on a USB drive, insert it, and press the dedicated Q-Flash Plus button.

PCIe Armor:

One-piece stainless steel shielding strengthens PCIe connectors, ensuring they can handle the weight of heavy graphics cards.

4X Memory Armor:

Exclusive stainless steel reinforcement prevents PCB bending and distortion while protecting against ESD interference.

Solid Pin:

Solid plated 24-pin ATX and 8+4-pin ATX 12V connectors provide a larger contact area, improved heat resistance, and longer lifespan for stable power delivery under heavy CPU loads.

Software:

GIGABYTE pairs robust hardware with intuitive software for complete system control.

BIOS:

The EASY MODE interface displays essential system info—CPU clock, memory, storage, and fan status—on a single page. It includes a My Favorites menu, detailed storage views, a pre-save changelog, and an intuitive curve graph for loadline calibration adjustments.

APP CENTER:

A centralized hub for all GIGABYTE utilities and drivers, allowing quick installation and updates.

EasyTune™:

A Windows-based tool for fine-tuning system settings, adjusting clocks and voltages, or using Smart Quick Boost to auto-overclock with a single click.

System Information Viewer:

Monitors system status, fan speeds, and component temperatures, while allowing users to set alerts, customize cooling profiles, and log system behavior.

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