GIGABYTE Z790 UD AC (LGA 1700/ Intel Z790/ ATX/ DDR5/ Triple M.2/ PCIe 5.0/ USB 3.2 Gen2X2 Type-C/Intel Wi-Fi/ 2.5GbE LAN/PCIe EZ-Latch/Multi-Key/Motherboard)

This Gigabyte Z790 UD AC version motherboard with 6 PCI-E slots has ~200+ reviews, while the Gigabyte Z790 UD AX version with one less PCI-E slot has only ~65 reviews. Both motherboards apparently released at the same time, but with AX only have a more recent wireless chipset. I would say, most people desire more PCI(-E) slots than anything else or any other feature, as quite obviously, motherboard manufacturers likely dislike motherboards being easily upgraded.I found, almost all motherboards on the market to date using-up all of the numerous PCI-E port/lanes with mostly undesirable hardware features, with most features commonly being out-dated within a year or so.Although the Gigabyte UD AC version has the extra PCI-E slot near the graphics 16x's slot and mostly being covered/unused by the primary add-in graphics card, if ever falling back to CPU integrated graphics, the port next to the primary 16x's slot would then be accessible. The extra slot would likely be usable either prior to somebody purchasing a graphics card, or later within the board's lifetime.One significant downside, most of the PCI-E slots are only 1x's speed.PROS1) Motherboard provides several extra PCI-E slots, except minus the PCI-E slot #2 if using a typical large size discrete graphics card within slot #1.CONS1) Very tight or little room for plugging in cables into the SATA side ports!2) Pins are likely a larger diameter than typical motherboard pins, more durable however plugging in connectors will be very difficult or tight fitting. Using a thick DeOxit oil helped a little with tight fitting adapters/plugs.3) Most CPUs of this period lack CSM integrated graphics, only EFI/UEFI graphics, so the BIOS/EFI CSM option will constantly revert to disabled until adding a discrete PCI-E graphics card with CSM/EFI capability.4) Several other Gigabyte AMI BIOS/EFI options tend to be elusive and mysteriously toggling on and off. The Gigabyte AMI BIOS/EFI has a really dumb upfront menu called "Tweak" menu. No options for disabling NVME storage devices, for hiding while installing operating systems on other storage drives.INSTALLING WINDOWS 7 FOR LICENSE MIGRATION1) If the CPU you're using does not have CSM/BIOS integrated graphics/display (eg.Intel Core i7-12700K does not have CSM inigrated graphics, only EFI graphics!), will need an add-in PCI-E CSM/BIOS compatible graphics/display card. And to be able to enable the BIOS/EFI CSM boot option/capabilty, will also need a more recent video card capable of UEFI/CSM boot capabilities, as the Windows 7 installation may hang on a more recent CSM/UEFI graphics/displays.For example, I have two discrete PCI-E graphics/display add-in cards. One being EVGA nVidia GTX 670 (used on Windows XP and Windows 7) and the other a more recent Intel Arc 750 for Windows 10 and later. The Intel Arc would allow viewing the BIOS/EFI settings and enabling CSM boot options, but would either hang or freeze during the initial Windows 7 boot CD install. (eg. Frozen or endless pulsating color Windows icon.) Installed my old nVidia GTX 670 PCI-E graphics card with BIOS/EFI CSM still activated, I was able to boot further into the Windows install CD process. NOTE: Turn-off CPU integrated graphics, else graphics/display will be corrupted/blurry and the Windows 7 not start at all!2) Once you've rebooted approximately a million times, finally getting the right incantation for enabling CSM booting and Windows 7 CD-ROM is also now booting, will need a PS/2 mouse (or keyboard), as Windows 7 install CD (and operating system) will deactivate/drop USB keyboard/mouse hardware due to incompatible motherboard USB port/hub BIOS/EFI drivers. Having a PS/2 plugged in also averts the long undesirable boot delay! Windows 7 install CD should now be starting along with the on-screen keyboard if using a PS/2 mouse.ac3) After installing Windows 7, the following reboot(s) the motherboard BIOS/EFI may not automatically find the boot partition on the drive, and I happened to have The rEFInd Boot Manager installed on one of my USB drives and using BIOS/EFI F12 key/boot options during BIOS/EFI starting, the rEFInd boot manager will readily detect the Windows 7 100MB FAT partition, and allow booting the installed Windows 7 installation.4) Once Windows 7 install has booted and running, first install KB4474419 for fixing SHA1/SHA2 driver signing, and subsequently download the Windows 7 RTL8125 2.5GB ethernet network adapter driver from the RealTek website. I happened to also deactivate driver signing via bcdedit and gpedit, but likely not required.5) Internet should automatically start working using DHCP configuration, with subsequently being able to readily activate your Windows 7 operating system. Should also be able to upgrade over the Windows 7 install, with probably more preferably using an older version of Windows 10 install CDs. However, still resulted with no Windows 10 license error codes. Possibly I first need to upgrade to Windows 8, using the included Windows 8 key only for re-provisioning the motherboard/licensing. But it is very doubtful.WINDOWS 10/11 UPGRADE LEGALITIESFUNNY. I have a valid Windows 7 Professional RETAIL license purchased (just prior to microsoft.com store being standardized, but purchased from Microsoft) and used on a Gigabyte Z77UP7 motherboard, now after successfully installing and properly activating Windows 7 on my Gigabyte Z790 UD motherboard, subsequently performing an upgrade over Windows 7 with an older Windows 10 v1903 CD, I still get an error during activation, 0xC004F213! Subsequent license key changes result in my usual 0x803fa067 hex error code. Likely something about not having a license! This is bate and switch! There is a scenario where the official Windows 7 license is migrated to a digital license being physically attached to the motherboard, making installing Windows 10/11 with the digital license supposedly not possible. However, the official Windows 7 retail license should still be transferable to other motherboards. My first error was another hex error, associated with not having a license, now after all this, I get another different hex error code. After looking over my notes, I see possibly skipped first upgrading to Windows 8 and using the Window 8 license key only for the license/motherboard re-provisioning. I doubt upgrading first with Windows 8 will resolve this, as I think Microsoft intentionally forcing all official retail licenses to be attached to the motherboard, regardless of whether or not the retail versions boost of such feature. Nothing but headaches with Windows, and Microsoft wants another $100-200 for a newer key. (Always been really funny how users owning multiple license keys, cannot easily manage or keep track of their keys.)

The Gigabyte Z790 UD AC motherboard is a testament to Gigabyte’s commitment to quality and innovation. As a tech enthusiast, I was eager to test this motherboard in my latest PC build, and it has not disappointed.First and foremost, the build quality of the Z790 UD AC is impressive. The board feels sturdy and well-crafted, with a clean and aesthetically pleasing design. The layout is thoughtfully arranged, providing easy access to all the necessary ports and slots, which is a boon for both novice and experienced builders.One of the standout features of this motherboard is its support for the latest Intel 12th and 13th Gen processors. This compatibility ensures that users can leverage the latest advancements in CPU technology, providing a future-proof platform for high-performance computing.The Z790 UD AC also shines in terms of connectivity. It comes equipped with Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2, offering fast and reliable wireless connections. Additionally, the board boasts a plethora of USB ports, including USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C, ensuring ample connectivity options for all your peripherals.For storage, the motherboard offers multiple M.2 slots with PCIe 4.0 support, allowing for lightning-fast data transfer speeds and ample room for high-speed SSDs. This feature is particularly appealing for gamers and content creators who require quick access to large files.The motherboard’s audio capabilities are also noteworthy. The Realtek ALC897 codec provides crisp and clear audio, enhancing the gaming and multimedia experience. Whether you’re gaming, watching movies, or listening to music, the sound quality is immersive and satisfying.Overclocking potential is another area where the Z790 UD AC excels. The board features robust power delivery and comprehensive cooling solutions, including Smart Fan 6 technology, which allows for fine-tuned control over fan speeds and temperatures. This ensures stable performance even under heavy loads, making it an excellent choice for enthusiasts looking to push their systems to the limit.In conclusion, the Gigabyte Z790 UD AC motherboard is a solid choice for anyone looking to build a high-performance PC. Its combination of build quality, connectivity options, and support for the latest technologies make it a versatile and future-proof platform. Whether you’re a gamer, content creator, or just looking for a reliable motherboard for everyday computing, the Z790 UD AC is sure to meet and exceed your expectations.

Since its first day, this MOBO has had quirks. The video output was finicky. A few weeks later, the machine would drop the internet connection pretty regularly (it's plugged into ethernet) while all other devices were unaffected. Intermittently, I would randomly get BSOD, and then the computer would run okay for many hours. As of last week, it won't even boot to windows, even when running windows startup repair. It can boot up the Bios and that's just about it.I removed all the hardware and tested for bad CPU, RAM, SSD, and video card. They all work on my other workstation.I tried to contact customer service to get this looked at/repaired, as it's under warranty. When you go to their support site, their Chat service is down. There is no customer service number or email address. They direct you to their E-support site (where their chat is down), so you need to fill out their e-support report section listing the hardware in the system and the problem.It has taken four business days to get a response. That response merely asked if my hard drives are bad. I responded. I am praying it is not going to take more days to get a response to my reply; get this RMA'd and working. I've used various Gigabyte components over the years and always had good, stable builds...However, this experience right now has me tempted to just buy a competitor's board and have a working computer again and not wait the many weeks this is likely to take, given their response times.