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Contents Safety information...v About this guide...vi ROG STRIX Z790-A GAMING WIFI specifications summary vii Package contents...xii Chapter 1: Product Introduction 1.1 Before you proceed 1-1 1.2 Motherboard layout 1-2 Chapter 2: Basic Installation 2.1 Building your PC system 2-1 2.1.1 CPU installation 2-1 ... connections 2-31 2.5 Starting up for the first time 2-34 2.6 Turning off the computer 2-34 Chapter 3: BIOS and RAID Support 3.1 Knowing BIOS 3-1 3.2 BIOS setup program 3-2 3.3 ASUS EZ Flash 3 3-3 3.4 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 3-4 3.5 RAID configurations 3-5 iii
Contents Safety information...v About this guide...vi ROG STRIX Z790-A GAMING WIFI specifications summary vii Package contents...xii Chapter 1: Product Introduction 1.1 Before you proceed 1-1 1.2 Motherboard layout 1-2 Chapter 2: Basic Installation 2.1 Building your PC system 2-1 2.1.1 CPU installation 2-1 ... connections 2-31 2.5 Starting up for the first time 2-34 2.6 Turning off the computer 2-34 Chapter 3: BIOS and RAID Support 3.1 Knowing BIOS 3-1 3.2 BIOS setup program 3-2 3.3 ASUS EZ Flash 3 3-3 3.4 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 3-4 3.5 RAID configurations 3-5 iii
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...as specified in DisplayPort 1.4. *** Support 4K@60Hz as specified in HDMI® 2.1. **** VGA resolution support depends on the CPU types. ROG STRIX Z790-A GAMING WIFI specifications summary CPU Chipset Memory Graphics Expansion Slots Storage Intel® Socket LGA1700 for 13th Gen Intel® Core™ & 12th Gen ... Processors* Supports Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 and Intel® Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0** * Refer to www.asus.com for CPU support list. ** Intel® Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0 support depends on processors' or graphic cards' resolution. Intel®...
...as specified in DisplayPort 1.4. *** Support 4K@60Hz as specified in HDMI® 2.1. **** VGA resolution support depends on the CPU types. ROG STRIX Z790-A GAMING WIFI specifications summary CPU Chipset Memory Graphics Expansion Slots Storage Intel® Socket LGA1700 for 13th Gen Intel® Core™ & 12th Gen ... Processors* Supports Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 and Intel® Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0** * Refer to www.asus.com for CPU support list. ** Intel® Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0 support depends on processors' or graphic cards' resolution. Intel®...
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...x BIOS FlashBack™ button 1 x Clear CMOS button (continued on the next page) viii ROG STRIX Z790-A GAMING WIFI specifications summary Ethernet Wireless & Bluetooth® USB Audio Back Panel I/O Ports 1 x Intel® 2.5Gb Ethernet ASUS LANGuard Wi-Fi 6E 2x2 Wi-Fi 6E (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax) Supports 2.4/5/6GHz frequency... band Bluetooth® v5.3** * WiFi 6E 6GHz regulatory may vary between countries. ** The Bluetooth® version may...
...x BIOS FlashBack™ button 1 x Clear CMOS button (continued on the next page) viii ROG STRIX Z790-A GAMING WIFI specifications summary Ethernet Wireless & Bluetooth® USB Audio Back Panel I/O Ports 1 x Intel® 2.5Gb Ethernet ASUS LANGuard Wi-Fi 6E 2x2 Wi-Fi 6E (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax) Supports 2.4/5/6GHz frequency... band Bluetooth® v5.3** * WiFi 6E 6GHz regulatory may vary between countries. ** The Bluetooth® version may...
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...DIMM - Q-LED (CPU [red], DRAM [yellow], VGA [white], Boot Device [yellow green]) - VRM heatsink design ASUS EZ DIY - BIOS FlashBack™ button - ProCool II (continued on the next page) ix M.2 heatsink - M.2 heatsink backplate - ROG STRIX Z790-A GAMING WIFI specifications summary Internal I/O connectors Special Features Fan and Cooling related 1 x 4-pin CPU Fan header 1 x 4-pin CPU ... 20-3 pin System Panel header with Chassis intrude function 1 x Thermal Sensor header 1 x Thunderbolt™ (USB4®) header Extreme Engine Digi+ - 5K Black Metallic Capacitors ASUS Q-Design -
...DIMM - Q-LED (CPU [red], DRAM [yellow], VGA [white], Boot Device [yellow green]) - VRM heatsink design ASUS EZ DIY - BIOS FlashBack™ button - ProCool II (continued on the next page) ix M.2 heatsink - M.2 heatsink backplate - ROG STRIX Z790-A GAMING WIFI specifications summary Internal I/O connectors Special Features Fan and Cooling related 1 x 4-pin CPU Fan header 1 x 4-pin CPU ... 20-3 pin System Panel header with Chassis intrude function 1 x Thermal Sensor header 1 x Thunderbolt™ (USB4®) header Extreme Engine Digi+ - 5K Black Metallic Capacitors ASUS Q-Design -
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... 4 (with AI Overclocking - TPU - Turbo app - GameFirst VI - Power Saving - Easy Optimization with AI Cooling II) - ROG STRIX Z790-A GAMING WIFI specifications summary Special Features Software Features - Pre-mounted I/O shield - Aura RGB header - Sonic Radar III - SafeDIMM Aura Sync - Support: up to... 30W charging - ROG CPU-Z - Aura Sync - Output: 5/9V max. 3A, 12V max. 2.5A - DTS® Sound Unbound ASUS Exclusive Software Armoury Crate - Two-Way AI Noise Cancellation AI Suite 3 - PC Cleaner ...
... 4 (with AI Overclocking - TPU - Turbo app - GameFirst VI - Power Saving - Easy Optimization with AI Cooling II) - ROG STRIX Z790-A GAMING WIFI specifications summary Special Features Software Features - Pre-mounted I/O shield - Aura RGB header - Sonic Radar III - SafeDIMM Aura Sync - Support: up to... 30W charging - ROG CPU-Z - Aura Sync - Output: 5/9V max. 3A, 12V max. 2.5A - DTS® Sound Unbound ASUS Exclusive Software Armoury Crate - Two-Way AI Noise Cancellation AI Suite 3 - PC Cleaner ...
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... utilities for the latest specifications. • MyASUS offers a variety of support features such as helping to troubleshoot issues, optimizing product performance, integrating ASUS software, and recovery drive creation. ROG STRIX Z790-A GAMING WIFI specifications summary BIOS Manageability Operating System Form Factor 256 Mb Flash ROM, UEFI AMI BIOS WOL by PME, PXE Windows® 11 Windows...
... utilities for the latest specifications. • MyASUS offers a variety of support features such as helping to troubleshoot issues, optimizing product performance, integrating ASUS software, and recovery drive creation. ROG STRIX Z790-A GAMING WIFI specifications summary BIOS Manageability Operating System Form Factor 256 Mb Flash ROM, UEFI AMI BIOS WOL by PME, PXE Windows® 11 Windows...
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xii Package contents Check your motherboard package for the following items. Motherboard Cables Additional Cooling Kit Miscellaneous Documentation 1 x ROG STRIX Z790-A GAMING WIFI motherboard 2 x SATA 6Gb/s cables 1 x Thermal pad for M.2 1 x ASUS Wi-Fi moving antennas 1 x Cable Ties package 1 x M.2 Backplate Q-Latch package 1 x M.2 Q-Latch package 1 x ROG Key Chain 1 x ROG Strix stickers 1 x ROG Strix thank you card 2 x M.2 rubber packages 1 x M.2 backplate rubber package 1 x User guide If any of the above items is damaged or missing, contact your retailer.
xii Package contents Check your motherboard package for the following items. Motherboard Cables Additional Cooling Kit Miscellaneous Documentation 1 x ROG STRIX Z790-A GAMING WIFI motherboard 2 x SATA 6Gb/s cables 1 x Thermal pad for M.2 1 x ASUS Wi-Fi moving antennas 1 x Cable Ties package 1 x M.2 Backplate Q-Latch package 1 x M.2 Q-Latch package 1 x ROG Key Chain 1 x ROG Strix stickers 1 x ROG Strix thank you card 2 x M.2 rubber packages 1 x M.2 backplate rubber package 1 x User guide If any of the above items is damaged or missing, contact your retailer.
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... to avoid touching the ICs on them. • Whenever you uninstall any component, place it on installing your motherboard, please scan the QR code below: ROG STRIX Z790-A GAMING WIFI 1-1 Chapter 1 Chapter 1: Product Introduction Product Introduction 1 1.1 Before you proceed Take note of the header/jumper/connector. • For more information on a grounded antistatic pad or...
... to avoid touching the ICs on them. • Whenever you uninstall any component, place it on installing your motherboard, please scan the QR code below: ROG STRIX Z790-A GAMING WIFI 1-1 Chapter 1 Chapter 1: Product Introduction Product Introduction 1 1.1 Before you proceed Take note of the header/jumper/connector. • For more information on a grounded antistatic pad or...
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...; (USB4®) header 18. CPU socket 2. BIOS FlashBack™ LED Page 1-4 1-5 1-7 1-8 1-9 1-10 1-11 1-12 1-12 1-13 1-14 1-15 1-16 1-16 1-17 1-18 1-19 1-20 1-20 ROG STRIX Z790-A GAMING WIFI 1-3 Chapter 1 Layout contents 1. M.2 Slot 7. USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C® Front Panel connector 9. Aura RGB header 13. CPU Over Voltage jumper 14. DIMM slots 3. USB 2.0 header...
...; (USB4®) header 18. CPU socket 2. BIOS FlashBack™ LED Page 1-4 1-5 1-7 1-8 1-9 1-10 1-11 1-12 1-12 1-13 1-14 1-15 1-16 1-16 1-17 1-18 1-19 1-20 1-20 ROG STRIX Z790-A GAMING WIFI 1-3 Chapter 1 Layout contents 1. M.2 Slot 7. USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C® Front Panel connector 9. Aura RGB header 13. CPU Over Voltage jumper 14. DIMM slots 3. USB 2.0 header...
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DO NOT install a DDR, DDR2, DDR3, or DDR4 memory module to the DDR5 slot. Recommended memory configurations ROG STRIX Z790-A GAMING WIFI 1-5 DIMM slots The motherboard comes with Dual Inline Memory Modules (DIMM) slots designed for DDR5 (Double Data Rate 5) memory modules. A DDR5 memory module is notched differently from a DDR, DDR2, DDR3, or DDR4 module. Chapter 1 2.
DO NOT install a DDR, DDR2, DDR3, or DDR4 memory module to the DDR5 slot. Recommended memory configurations ROG STRIX Z790-A GAMING WIFI 1-5 DIMM slots The motherboard comes with Dual Inline Memory Modules (DIMM) slots designed for DDR5 (Double Data Rate 5) memory modules. A DDR5 memory module is notched differently from a DDR, DDR2, DDR3, or DDR4 module. Chapter 1 2.
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Chapter 1 ROG STRIX Z790-A GAMING WIFI 1-7 3. Expansion slots Unplug the power cord before adding or removing expansion cards. Failure to do so may cause you physical injury and damage motherboard components.
Chapter 1 ROG STRIX Z790-A GAMING WIFI 1-7 3. Expansion slots Unplug the power cord before adding or removing expansion cards. Failure to do so may cause you physical injury and damage motherboard components.
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... of 350 W. • We recommend that complies with more high-end PCI Express x16 cards, use a PSU with 1000W power or above to a power supply. ROG STRIX Z790-A GAMING WIFI 1-9
... of 350 W. • We recommend that complies with more high-end PCI Express x16 cards, use a PSU with 1000W power or above to a power supply. ROG STRIX Z790-A GAMING WIFI 1-9
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If you installed SATA storage devices to the SATA6G_1-4 ports, you to the RAID Configuration Guide. ROG STRIX Z790-A GAMING WIFI 1-11 Before creating a RAID set, refer to connect SATA devices such as optical disc drives and hard disk drives via a SATA cable. Chapter 1 7. You can create a RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 configuration with the Intel® Rapid Storage Technology through the onboard Intel® Z790 chipset. SATA 6Gb/s port The SATA 6Gb/s port allows you can download the RAID Configuration Guide from the ASUS website.
If you installed SATA storage devices to the SATA6G_1-4 ports, you to the RAID Configuration Guide. ROG STRIX Z790-A GAMING WIFI 1-11 Before creating a RAID set, refer to connect SATA devices such as optical disc drives and hard disk drives via a SATA cable. Chapter 1 7. You can create a RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 configuration with the Intel® Rapid Storage Technology through the onboard Intel® Z790 chipset. SATA 6Gb/s port The SATA 6Gb/s port allows you can download the RAID Configuration Guide from the ASUS website.
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Chapter 1 10. ROG STRIX Z790-A GAMING WIFI 1-13 USB 2.0 header The USB 2.0 header allows you to 480 Mb/s connection speed. The USB 2.0 header provides data transfer speeds of up to connect a USB module for additional USB 2.0 ports. The USB 2.0 module is purchased separately. DO NOT connect a 1394 cable to the USB connectors. Doing so will damage the motherboard!
Chapter 1 10. ROG STRIX Z790-A GAMING WIFI 1-13 USB 2.0 header The USB 2.0 header allows you to 480 Mb/s connection speed. The USB 2.0 header provides data transfer speeds of up to connect a USB module for additional USB 2.0 ports. The USB 2.0 module is purchased separately. DO NOT connect a 1394 cable to the USB connectors. Doing so will damage the motherboard!
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... the 12V connector is aligned with a maximum power rating of 3A (12V). Failure to do so may cause severe damage to connect RGB LED strips. ROG STRIX Z790-A GAMING WIFI 1-15 Aura RGB header The Aura RGB header allows you install or remove any component, ensure that the power supply is switched off or the...
... the 12V connector is aligned with a maximum power rating of 3A (12V). Failure to do so may cause severe damage to connect RGB LED strips. ROG STRIX Z790-A GAMING WIFI 1-15 Aura RGB header The Aura RGB header allows you install or remove any component, ensure that the power supply is switched off or the...
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... button to reboot the system. • Chassis intrusion header (CHASSIS) The 2-pin header allows you to connect the chassis-mounted intrusion detection sensor or switch. ROG STRIX Z790-A GAMING WIFI 1-17 The chassis intrusion sensor or switch sends a high-level signal to connect the Storage Device Activity LED. Chapter 1 • System Power LED header (PLED...
... button to reboot the system. • Chassis intrusion header (CHASSIS) The 2-pin header allows you to connect the chassis-mounted intrusion detection sensor or switch. ROG STRIX Z790-A GAMING WIFI 1-17 The chassis intrusion sensor or switch sends a high-level signal to connect the Storage Device Activity LED. Chapter 1 • System Power LED header (PLED...
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...; I/O card and Thunderbolt™ cables are purchased separately. • Please visit the official website of your Thunderbolt™ card to the PCIEX16(G4)_2 slot. ROG STRIX Z790-A GAMING WIFI 1-19 Ensure to the PCIEX16(G4)_2 slot. Chapter 1 17.
...; I/O card and Thunderbolt™ cables are purchased separately. • Please visit the official website of your Thunderbolt™ card to the PCIEX16(G4)_2 slot. ROG STRIX Z790-A GAMING WIFI 1-19 Ensure to the PCIEX16(G4)_2 slot. Chapter 1 17.
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Chapter 2: Basic Installation Basic Installation 2.1 Building your motherboard. ROG STRIX Z790-A GAMING WIFI 2-1 The motherboard layout may cause the load lever to spring back and cause damage to hold onto the load lever when releasing the load ...models. 2.1.1 CPU installation • Ensure that you install the correct CPU designed for LGA1155, LGA1156, LGA1151, and LGA1200 sockets on the LGA1700 socket. • ASUS will not cover damages resulting from incorrect CPU installation/removal, incorrect CPU orientation/placement, or other damages resulting from negligence by the user.
Chapter 2: Basic Installation Basic Installation 2.1 Building your motherboard. ROG STRIX Z790-A GAMING WIFI 2-1 The motherboard layout may cause the load lever to spring back and cause damage to hold onto the load lever when releasing the load ...models. 2.1.1 CPU installation • Ensure that you install the correct CPU designed for LGA1155, LGA1156, LGA1151, and LGA1200 sockets on the LGA1700 socket. • ASUS will not cover damages resulting from incorrect CPU installation/removal, incorrect CPU orientation/placement, or other damages resulting from negligence by the user.
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To install a CPU heatsink and fan assembly Chapter 2 ROG STRIX Z790-A GAMING WIFI 2-3 2.1.2 Cooling system installation • Apply Thermal Interface Material to the CPU cooling system and CPU before you install the cooling system, if necessary. • Ensure to remove the CPU Socket lever protector on the lever latch before installing the cooling system, failure to do so may cause damages to your system.
To install a CPU heatsink and fan assembly Chapter 2 ROG STRIX Z790-A GAMING WIFI 2-3 2.1.2 Cooling system installation • Apply Thermal Interface Material to the CPU cooling system and CPU before you install the cooling system, if necessary. • Ensure to remove the CPU Socket lever protector on the lever latch before installing the cooling system, failure to do so may cause damages to your system.