Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Elite Vs ASRock B650 Pro RS Black Friday 2026

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

The Gigabyte Z790 AORUS ELITE AX and ASRock B650 Pro RS serve different processor platforms, so the right Black Friday 2026 choice depends first on whether a build uses a compatible Intel LGA1700 or AMD AM5 CPU. Gigabyte pairs its Z790 board with a PCIe 5.0 graphics slot and four M.2 connectors; ASRock brings AM5 support and a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot at a simpler connectivity level.

I researched and compared specs, reviews and owner feedback across seven ATX motherboards to make the platform differences easier to scan. My pick for most people building an AM5 system is the ASRock B650 Pro RS when wired networking suits the setup. Intel builders should start with the Gigabyte Z790 AORUS ELITE AX. The rest of this guide covers the trade-offs, standout features and questions to check before buying.

How We Picked

• Platform fit: identified each board’s CPU socket so shoppers can rule out incompatible options before comparing features.
• Expansion: compared PCIe graphics slots, M.2 connectors and available storage expansion.
• Connectivity: considered Wi-Fi, wired Ethernet, USB and onboard audio features that affect everyday use.
• Memory and power: reviewed DDR5 support and manufacturer-listed power delivery features for different build plans.
• Owner feedback and value: researched and compared reviews and owner feedback, prioritizing practical features and avoiding price-dependent claims.

Comparison Table

Product	Best for	CPU socket	M.2 slots	Networking
Gigabyte Z790 AORUS ELITE AX (rev. 1.0)	Intel builds with Wi-Fi and multiple SSDs	LGA1700	4	Wi-Fi 6E, 2.5GbE
ASRock B650 Pro RS	Wired AM5 builds	AM5	3; 1 PCIe 5.0	2.5GbE; no Wi-Fi
MSI MAG B650 TOMAHAWK WIFI	AM5 builds needing wireless	AM5	3	Wi-Fi 6E, 2.5GbE
MSI MAG Z790 TOMAHAWK WIFI	Intel builds with four SSDs	LGA1700	4	Wi-Fi 6E, 2.5GbE
Gigabyte B650 AORUS ELITE AX	AM5 builds needing PCIe 5.0 storage	AM5	3; 1 PCIe 5.0	Wi-Fi 6E, 2.5GbE
ASRock B650E Steel Legend WiFi	AM5 builds seeking PCIe 5.0 graphics and storage	AM5	3; 1 PCIe 5.0	Wi-Fi 6E, 2.5GbE
ASUS TUF Gaming Z790-Plus WiFi	Intel builds with Wi-Fi and four SSDs	LGA1700	4	Wi-Fi 6E, 2.5GbE

Best Picks Reviewed

#1 · Top pick

Gigabyte Z790 AORUS ELITE AX (rev. 1.0)

The Gigabyte Z790 AORUS ELITE AX (rev. 1.0) is the best Intel motherboard for builders who want Wi-Fi and broad storage expansion, with 4 M.2 slots.

Best for: Intel LGA1700 builds with Wi-Fi and several NVMe drives

CPU socket

LGA1700

Memory

4 DDR5 DIMM slots

M.2 slots

4

Networking

Wi-Fi 6E, 2.5GbE

Pros

• Four M.2 connectors give room for multiple NVMe drives.
• PCIe 5.0 x16 graphics slot supports a current-generation expansion path.
• Integrated Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5GbE offer flexible networking.

Cons

• LGA1700 makes the board incompatible with AM5 processors.
• DDR5 memory is required.

Is the Gigabyte Z790 AORUS ELITE AX (rev. 1.0) worth buying on Black Friday 2026?

The Gigabyte Z790 AORUS ELITE AX (rev. 1.0) is worth considering for an Intel LGA1700 build that needs Wi-Fi and multiple SSD connections. Four M.2 slots, DDR5 support and a PCIe 5.0 graphics slot make it a versatile feature set.

Check Price on Amazon

See today’s Black Friday price on Amazon

#2

ASRock B650 Pro RS

The ASRock B650 Pro RS is the best value-focused AM5 motherboard for wired-network builders, with 3 M.2 slots.

Best for: AM5 builds with wired Ethernet and practical storage expansion

CPU socket

AM5

Memory

4 DDR5 DIMM slots

M.2 slots

3, including 1 PCIe 5.0

Networking

2.5GbE, no onboard Wi-Fi

Pros

• AM5 socket supports compatible AMD Ryzen processors.
• Three M.2 slots include one PCIe 5.0 connection.
• 2.5GbE Ethernet provides fast wired networking.

Cons

• No built-in Wi-Fi; wireless access requires a separate adapter.
• The primary graphics slot is PCIe 4.0.

Is the ASRock B650 Pro RS worth buying on Black Friday 2026?

The ASRock B650 Pro RS is worth considering for an AM5 system that uses wired Ethernet and needs three M.2 slots. The board supports DDR5 and includes one PCIe 5.0 M.2 connection, but wireless networking requires a separate adapter.

Check Price on Amazon

See today’s Black Friday price on Amazon

#3

MSI MAG B650 TOMAHAWK WIFI

The MSI MAG B650 TOMAHAWK WIFI is the best AM5 motherboard for builders who want onboard wireless, with 3 M.2 slots.

Best for: AM5 gaming and desktop builds needing Wi-Fi

CPU socket

AM5

Memory

4 DDR5 DIMM slots

M.2 slots

3

Networking

Wi-Fi 6E, 2.5GbE

Pros

• Built-in Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5GbE suit flexible home networking.
• Three M.2 slots provide space for multiple SSDs.
• ATX layout offers several expansion options.

Cons

• All three M.2 slots use PCIe 4.0.
• AM5 compatibility excludes Intel processors.

Is the MSI MAG B650 TOMAHAWK WIFI worth buying on Black Friday 2026?

The MSI MAG B650 TOMAHAWK WIFI is worth considering for an AM5 build that needs onboard wireless and three M.2 slots. Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5GbE cover common networking needs, while the board’s storage connections use PCIe 4.0.

Check Price on Amazon

See today’s Black Friday price on Amazon

#4

MSI MAG Z790 TOMAHAWK WIFI

The MSI MAG Z790 TOMAHAWK WIFI is the best Intel alternative for builders who want extensive SSD expansion, with 4 M.2 slots.

Best for: Intel LGA1700 systems with Wi-Fi and four SSD connections

CPU socket

LGA1700

Memory

4 DDR5 DIMM slots

M.2 slots

4

Networking

Wi-Fi 6E, 2.5GbE

Pros

• Four M.2 slots provide useful SSD capacity and upgrade flexibility.
• Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5GbE support wireless and wired connections.
• PCIe 5.0 graphics support suits a higher-end Intel build.

Cons

• LGA1700 limits processor compatibility to supported Intel CPUs.
• DDR5 memory is required for this version.

Is the MSI MAG Z790 TOMAHAWK WIFI worth buying on Black Friday 2026?

The MSI MAG Z790 TOMAHAWK WIFI is worth considering for an Intel LGA1700 build with multiple SSDs and integrated Wi-Fi. Four M.2 slots and Wi-Fi 6E are the main practical draws; confirm CPU and memory compatibility before ordering.

Check Price on Amazon

See today’s Black Friday price on Amazon

#5

Gigabyte B650 AORUS ELITE AX

The Gigabyte B650 AORUS ELITE AX is the best balanced AM5 board for builders who want Wi-Fi and PCIe 5.0 storage, with 3 M.2 slots.

Best for: AM5 builds pairing wireless networking with a PCIe 5.0 SSD

CPU socket

AM5

Memory

4 DDR5 DIMM slots

M.2 slots

3, including 1 PCIe 5.0

Networking

Wi-Fi 6E, 2.5GbE

Pros

• A PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot supports a faster storage upgrade path.
• Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5GbE provide two networking options.
• Three M.2 slots give room for additional drives.

Cons

• AM5 socket is not compatible with Intel processors.
• Check case clearance and board revision before purchase.

Is the Gigabyte B650 AORUS ELITE AX worth buying on Black Friday 2026?

The Gigabyte B650 AORUS ELITE AX is worth considering for an AM5 build that needs Wi-Fi and a PCIe 5.0 SSD connection. Three M.2 slots and 2.5GbE add flexibility, while DDR5 is required for the memory configuration.

Check Price on Amazon

See today’s Black Friday price on Amazon

#6

ASRock B650E Steel Legend WiFi

The ASRock B650E Steel Legend WiFi is the best premium AM5 pick for builders who want PCIe 5.0 graphics and storage, with 3 M.2 slots.

Best for: AM5 builds prioritizing PCIe 5.0 graphics and Wi-Fi

CPU socket

AM5

Memory

4 DDR5 DIMM slots

M.2 slots

3, including 1 PCIe 5.0

Networking

Wi-Fi 6E, 2.5GbE

Pros

• PCIe 5.0 support covers both the graphics slot and one M.2 connection.
• Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5GbE offer versatile networking.
• ATX design provides room for expansion cards.

Cons

• A premium feature set is unnecessary for basic builds.
• AM5-only compatibility rules out Intel processors.

Is the ASRock B650E Steel Legend WiFi worth buying on Black Friday 2026?

The ASRock B650E Steel Legend WiFi is worth considering for an AM5 build that benefits from PCIe 5.0 graphics and storage support. Wi-Fi 6E, 2.5GbE and three M.2 slots round out a feature-rich board for a more expandable system.

Check Price on Amazon

See today’s Black Friday price on Amazon

#7

ASUS TUF Gaming Z790-Plus WiFi

The ASUS TUF Gaming Z790-Plus WiFi is the best Intel pick for builders seeking broad expansion, with 4 M.2 slots.

Best for: Intel LGA1700 systems with Wi-Fi and multiple SSDs

CPU socket

LGA1700

Memory

4 DDR5 DIMM slots

M.2 slots

4

Networking

Wi-Fi 6E, 2.5GbE

Pros

• Four M.2 slots support a multi-drive setup.
• Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5GbE handle wireless and wired networking.
• PCIe 5.0 graphics support offers room for compatible upgrades.

Cons

• The ASUS TUF Gaming Z790-Plus WiFi DDR5 version does not use DDR4 memory.
• LGA1700 limits processor choices to supported Intel CPUs.

Is the ASUS TUF Gaming Z790-Plus WiFi worth buying on Black Friday 2026?

The ASUS TUF Gaming Z790-Plus WiFi is worth considering for an Intel LGA1700 system that needs integrated Wi-Fi and several SSD connections. Four M.2 slots, Wi-Fi 6E and DDR5 support make it a practical ATX option for an expandable build.

Check Price on Amazon

See today’s Black Friday price on Amazon

Which is better, Gigabyte Z790 AORUS ELITE AX or ASRock B650 Pro RS?

Neither motherboard is a universal winner: the Gigabyte Z790 AORUS ELITE AX uses Intel LGA1700, while the ASRock B650 Pro RS uses AMD AM5. Choose the board that matches your processor and its supported CPU list.

The Gigabyte Z790 AORUS ELITE AX has four M.2 slots and Wi-Fi 6E. The ASRock B650 Pro RS has three M.2 slots, including one PCIe 5.0 connection, plus 2.5GbE Ethernet. It has no onboard Wi-Fi, so wireless users need an adapter or another board.

Choose a processor platform first, then compare storage and networking. Switching between Intel and AMD requires a compatible CPU; a new build also needs matching memory and a suitable cooler.

What should shoppers compare before buying a motherboard on Black Friday 2026?

Compare socket, expansion and networking. Intel LGA1700 processors require a compatible LGA1700 board; AMD AM5 processors require an AM5 board.

Check the number and PCIe generation of the M.2 slots. PCIe 5.0 matters only when the connected drive or graphics card supports it. Confirm whether the board has onboard Wi-Fi or requires Ethernet or a separate adapter.

Before buying, verify the exact model and revision, memory type, case compatibility and front-panel connections. Choose features that match the build rather than relying on the chipset name alone.

Is the ASRock B650 Pro RS a good AM5 motherboard?

The ASRock B650 Pro RS suits AM5 builds that need DDR5, three M.2 slots and wired networking. One M.2 slot supports PCIe 5.0, and Ethernet supports 2.5GbE.

The graphics slot uses PCIe 4.0. Builders seeking PCIe 5.0 graphics support can compare the ASRock B650E Steel Legend WiFi. Wireless users need a separate adapter or a motherboard with built-in Wi-Fi.

For a wired AM5 system, the ASRock B650 Pro RS provides core storage and networking features without built-in Wi-Fi.

Which motherboard is best for Wi-Fi and multiple SSDs?

For Intel LGA1700 builds, the Gigabyte Z790 AORUS ELITE AX and MSI MAG Z790 TOMAHAWK WIFI offer Wi-Fi 6E and four M.2 slots.

For AMD AM5 builds, the Gigabyte B650 AORUS ELITE AX and MSI MAG B650 TOMAHAWK WIFI include Wi-Fi 6E and three M.2 slots. The Gigabyte B650 AORUS ELITE AX has one PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot; all three M.2 slots on the MSI MAG B650 TOMAHAWK WIFI use PCIe 4.0. The ASRock B650 Pro RS has no built-in Wi-Fi.

Count the drives required and check the motherboard manual for shared bandwidth or slot-space limits.

Should a Black Friday 2026 build choose Intel Z790 or AMD B650?

Intel Z790 boards in this guide—the Gigabyte Z790 AORUS ELITE AX, MSI MAG Z790 TOMAHAWK WIFI and ASUS TUF Gaming Z790-Plus WiFi—use LGA1700. The ASRock and Gigabyte B650 boards use AMD AM5. Select the platform to match the processor.

Compare the CPU, memory and motherboard as a set. These listed boards use DDR5, but check the exact model’s CPU support list and BIOS requirements. The ASRock B650E Steel Legend WiFi adds PCIe 5.0 graphics support alongside storage support.

For a new build, choose the processor first, then select a board with the required storage and networking. For an upgrade, check the current socket, motherboard revision and BIOS compatibility.

Buying Guide

Match the socket to the processor

Choose a supported Intel LGA1700 processor and board, or a compatible AMD Ryzen processor and AM5 board. Check CPU support and BIOS requirements.

Choose the right network connection

Select onboard Wi-Fi for a PC without nearby Ethernet. The ASRock B650 Pro RS has 2.5GbE but no Wi-Fi; several alternatives include Wi-Fi 6E.

Count the M.2 slots you need

Four slots support builds with several NVMe drives; three suit many systems. Check PCIe generations and the motherboard manual.

Check memory and case fit

These models use DDR5 and full-size ATX layouts. Confirm memory compatibility, case support, cooler clearance and front-panel headers.

Compare the complete feature set

For Black Friday 2026, check the exact board revision, networking, storage and warranty. Choose a model that provides the connections and expansion your build needs.

FAQ

Gigabyte Z790 AORUS ELITE AX vs ASRock B650 Pro RS: which motherboard is better?

The Gigabyte Z790 AORUS ELITE AX is the better fit for a compatible Intel LGA1700 build with Wi-Fi and four M.2 slots. The ASRock B650 Pro RS suits an AM5 build with wired networking and three M.2 slots. The CPU platform decides compatibility.

Does the ASRock B650 Pro RS have Wi-Fi?

The ASRock B650 Pro RS does not include onboard Wi-Fi. The motherboard provides 2.5GbE wired networking, so wireless connectivity requires a separate adapter or another compatible solution. Choose a Wi-Fi-equipped AM5 board if an integrated wireless connection is important.

Does the Gigabyte Z790 AORUS ELITE AX support DDR5?

The Gigabyte Z790 AORUS ELITE AX (rev. 1.0) supports DDR5 memory through 4 DIMM slots. Use a compatible DDR5 kit and check the board’s memory support information for the selected processor and memory speed.

Which AM5 motherboard has PCIe 5.0 graphics support?

The ASRock B650E Steel Legend WiFi includes PCIe 5.0 graphics support and a PCIe 5.0 M.2 connection. The Gigabyte B650 AORUS ELITE AX offers PCIe 5.0 storage, while the ASRock B650 Pro RS uses a PCIe 4.0 graphics slot.

Are Z790 and B650 motherboards compatible with the same processor?

No. Z790 motherboards in this guide use Intel’s LGA1700 socket, while B650 and B650E motherboards use AMD’s AM5 socket. Select a processor that matches the motherboard socket, then confirm exact CPU support and BIOS requirements with the manufacturer.

What should I prioritize when comparing motherboards on Black Friday 2026?

Prioritize CPU socket compatibility, the number and generation of M.2 slots, integrated Wi-Fi, DDR5 support and case fit. Compare the exact board model and revision so the selected motherboard has the connections and expansion features required for the planned build.