Asus Z790-AYW Wi-Fi W II specifications and in-depth review

Asus Z790-AYW Wi-Fi W II

Manufacturer: Asus

The Asus Z790-AYW Wi-Fi W II is an ATX motherboard designed for users seeking a reliable platform with advanced connectivity and performance features. It comes with a LGA 1700 socket and supports a variety of modern technologies such as Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3.

This motherboard offers impressive technical specs, including support for up to 192GB of DDR5 memory and a maximum RAM speed of 5600 MHz, which can be overclocked to 8000 MHz. It also features three M.2 sockets and multiple RAID options, including RAID 0, 1, and 5, ensuring robust storage flexibility for demanding setups.

Pros
  • Supports Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) for faster wireless connectivity.
  • Equipped with one PCIe 5.0 x16 slot and three PCIe 3.0 x16 slots for expansion options.
  • Includes a variety of RAID configurations (RAID 0, 1, 5, 10) for flexible storage setups.
  • Has RGB lighting for aesthetic customization.
  • Provides five fan headers for enhanced cooling management.
Cons
  • Does not support RAID 0+1, limiting certain redundancy options.
  • Lacks Thunderbolt 3 or Thunderbolt 4 ports for high-speed data transfer.
  • Does not feature an S/PDIF Out port for digital audio connections.
  • No support for mSATA or U.2 connectors, limiting some storage expansion options.
Who is this for?

The Asus Z790-AYW Wi-Fi W II motherboard is well-suited for users who need a feature-rich board with advanced expansion options, such as gamers or content creators. With support for PCIe 5.0 x16 and RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 configurations, it excels in delivering high-speed data transfer and reliable storage setups. Its compatibility with Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 also ensures modern wireless connectivity, making it ideal for users seeking fast and stable internet access. Additionally, the RGB lighting feature adds a touch of customization for users focused on aesthetic setups.

Who is this NOT for?

This motherboard may not be ideal for users requiring advanced audio features or external connectivity. It lacks an S/PDIF Out port, which might be a dealbreaker for users with high-end audio equipment. Additionally, the absence of Thunderbolt 3 or 4 ports limits its ability to handle ultra-fast data transfer speeds required for certain professional applications. Users who need broad storage expansion options may also find the lack of support for mSATA and U.2 connectors restrictive.

General info:

CPU socket LGA 1700
chipset Z790
form factor ATX
release date May 2025
supports Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi version Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
Has Bluetooth
Bluetooth version 5.3
HDMI version HDMI 2.1
Easy to overclock
has RGB lighting
Easy to reset BIOS
Has dual BIOS
has aptX
CPU sockets 1
Has integrated graphics
warranty period 3 years
height 244 mm
width 305 mm
Has integrated CPU

The Asus Z790-AYW Wi-Fi W II motherboard features an LGA 1700 CPU socket and supports the Z790 chipset, making it compatible with a wide range of Intel processors. It comes in an ATX form factor and includes built-in Wi-Fi 6, offering Wi-Fi 4, 5, and 6 support. Additionally, the board features Bluetooth 5.3, HDMI 2.1 output, and customizable RGB lighting, providing both functionality and style for your system.

Memory:

maximum memory amount 192GB
RAM speed (max) 5600 MHz
overclocked RAM speed 8000 MHz
memory slots 4
DDR memory version 5
memory channels 2
Supports ECC memory

The Asus Z790-AYW Wi-Fi W II motherboard supports a maximum of 192GB of DDR5 memory across four memory slots, with a maximum RAM speed of 5600 MHz, which can be overclocked up to 8000 MHz. It features dual memory channels for improved performance and does not support ECC memory, making it suited for high-performance applications where error-correction is not a primary concern.

Ports:

USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-A) 1
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-A) 2
USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-C) 1
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-C) 0
USB 2.0 ports 4
USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 ports 0
USB 4 40Gbps ports 0
USB 4 20Gbps ports 0
Thunderbolt 4 ports 0
Thunderbolt 3 ports 0
has an HDMI output
DisplayPort outputs 0
RJ45 ports 1
Has USB Type-C
eSATA ports 0
DVI outputs 0
has a VGA connector
PS/2 ports 0

The Asus Z790-AYW Wi-Fi W II motherboard offers a versatile selection of ports, including one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A port, one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port, and four USB 2.0 ports for a variety of peripherals. It also features an RJ45 port for wired networking and an HDMI output for video. However, it does not include Thunderbolt, DisplayPort, or VGA connectors.

Connectors:

USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (through expansion) 4
USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (through expansion) 0
USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 ports (through expansion) 0
USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 ports (through expansion) 1
USB 2.0 ports (through expansion) 4
SATA 3 connectors 4
fan headers 5
USB 3.0 ports (through expansion) 4
M.2 sockets 3
Has TPM connector
U.2 sockets 0
Has mSATA connector
SATA 2 connectors 0

The Asus Z790-AYW Wi-Fi W II motherboard includes several expansion options, such as four USB 3.2 Gen 1 connectors and one USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 connector for added peripheral support. Additionally, it offers three M.2 sockets and four SATA 3 connectors for flexible storage configurations. The board also provides five fan headers for enhanced cooling and a TPM connector for added security, though it does not include mSATA or U.2 connectors.

Expansion slots:

PCIe 4.0 x16 slots 0
PCIe 5.0 x16 slots 1
PCIe 3.0 x16 slots 3
PCIe x1 slots 1
PCI slots 0
PCIe 2.0 x16 slots 0
PCIe x4 slots 0
PCIe x8 slots 0

The Asus Z790-AYW Wi-Fi W II motherboard is equipped with a range of expansion slots, including one PCIe 5.0 x16 slot and three PCIe 3.0 x16 slots for high-speed graphics cards or other expansion cards. Additionally, it offers one PCIe x1 slot for smaller cards, but lacks PCIe 4.0 x16, PCIe x4, PCIe x8, and PCIe 2.0 x16 slots, which may limit some advanced configurations.

Audio:

audio channels 7.1
Has S/PDIF Out port
audio connectors 3

The Asus Z790-AYW Wi-Fi W II motherboard supports 7.1 audio channels for immersive sound experiences and is equipped with three audio connectors for connecting various audio devices. However, it does not feature an S/PDIF Out port, which may limit certain digital audio outputs.

Storage:

Supports RAID 1
Supports RAID 10 (1+0)
Supports RAID 5
Supports RAID 0
Supports RAID 0+1

The Asus Z790-AYW Wi-Fi W II motherboard supports a variety of RAID configurations, including RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, and RAID 10 (1+0) for flexible and high-performance storage options. However, it does not support RAID 0+1, limiting some redundancy and performance configurations.

Final Verdict

The Asus Z790-AYW Wi-Fi W II motherboard is a solid choice for users seeking a high-performance platform with modern connectivity and extensive expansion capabilities. Its support for PCIe 5.0 x16 slots and multiple RAID configurations makes it ideal for power users and enthusiasts who demand speed and storage flexibility. The inclusion of Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 ensures reliable wireless performance, while customizable RGB lighting offers a personal touch. However, its lack of advanced audio features and Thunderbolt support may limit its appeal for users focused on high-end media setups or professional workflows. Overall, it's well-suited for gaming, content creation, and general high-performance computing needs.

Popular Comparisons

Asus Z790-AYW Wi-Fi W II
Asus Z790-AYW Wi-Fi W II
VS
Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Pro X WiFi7
Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Pro X WiFi7
Asus Z790-AYW Wi-Fi W II
Asus Z790-AYW Wi-Fi W II
VS
MSI Z790 Gaming Plus WiFi
MSI Z790 Gaming Plus WiFi