GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Elite AX LGA 1700 ATX Motherboard, Support Intel Core 14th/13th/12th Gen, DDR5, 16+1+2 Power Phase, 4X M.2, PCIe 5.0, USB-C 3.2, WIFI6E, 2.5GbE, Q-Flash, EZ-Latch, RGB Fusion vs SHANGZHAOYUAN B85M PRO LGA 1150 Motherboard for Intel 4th Gen Core i7 i5 i3/Pentium/Celeron Series Processors (Micro-ATX, DDR3, PCIe 3.0, NVME M.2, SATA 3.0, VGA/DVI/HDMI-Compatible, Gigabit LAN)

Socket Compatibility and Processor Support

The GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Elite AX supports Intel Core 14th, 13th, and 12th generation processors via its LGA 1700 socket, while the SHANGZHAOYUAN B85M PRO is designed for 4th generation Intel Core i7, i5, i3, Pentium, and Celeron CPUs using the older LGA 1150 socket. This means the Z790 AORUS Elite AX is compatible with modern, high-performance CPUs released in recent years, whereas the B85M PRO is limited to legacy hardware from around 2013–2015. The Z790’s support for newer generations ensures future-proofing for upgrades, while the B85M PRO is restricted to older platforms with no compatibility beyond 4th gen Intel processors.

Memory and Storage Standards

The GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Elite AX uses DDR5 memory with four DIMM slots and supports XMP 3.0, enabling faster memory speeds and improved performance. In contrast, the SHANGZHAOYUAN B85M PRO relies on dual-channel DDR3 memory with a maximum capacity of 32GB across four slots, supporting frequencies up to 1866MHz. For storage, the Z790 features four PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slots, allowing for ultra-fast NVMe SSDs, while the B85M PRO includes one M.2 slot that supports both NVMe and SATA modes automatically. The Z790’s use of DDR5 and PCIe 4.0 represents a significant leap in speed and efficiency over the B85M PRO’s DDR3 and older storage interface standards.

Power Delivery and Thermal Design

The GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Elite AX employs a 16+1+2 phase digital VRM design with 70A power stages, providing robust power delivery for high-end CPUs. It also features advanced thermal solutions including M.2 Thermal Guard III, fully covered MOSFET heatsinks, and a 6-layer PCB for better heat dissipation. The SHANGZHAOYUAN B85M PRO uses a simpler 4-phase power supply with all-solid-state capacitors and an 8-layer PCB, which offers stable performance but lacks the high-current handling and cooling enhancements found in the Z790. The Z790’s superior power architecture and thermal protection make it better suited for overclocking and sustained heavy workloads.

Connectivity and Expansion Options

The GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Elite AX delivers next-generation connectivity with four PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slots, USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C ports, Wi-Fi 6E, and a 2.5GbE LAN port. It also supports PCIe 5.0, offering future-ready bandwidth for cutting-edge GPUs and expansion cards. The SHANGZHAOYUAN B85M PRO provides only one PCIe x16 3.0 slot, two PCI slots, three SATA 3.0 ports, and a single Gigabit LAN connection. While it includes VGA, DVI, and HDMI outputs for display output, it lacks modern interfaces like USB-C or Wi-Fi 6E. The Z790’s extensive connectivity options far exceed those of the B85M PRO, especially for users requiring fast data transfer and wireless networking.

Form Factor and Physical Dimensions

The GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Elite AX is an ATX motherboard, offering ample space for components and airflow, ideal for full-sized cases. The SHANGZHAOYUAN B85M PRO is Micro-ATX, making it more compact and suitable for smaller builds. However, the Z790’s larger size allows for better component spacing, enhanced cooling, and greater expansion potential. Despite the B85M PRO’s smaller footprint, it does not offer any inherent advantage in performance or feature set—only in physical size. Users prioritizing space-saving will find the B85M PRO viable, but at the cost of scalability and upgrade path.

Price and Value Comparison

The GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Elite AX is priced at $189.99, while the SHANGZHAOYUAN B85M PRO costs $79.99—about 58% cheaper. This price difference reflects the vast gap in technology, supported processors, memory standards, and connectivity. The Z790 offers significantly more advanced features, including DDR5, PCIe 5.0, Wi-Fi 6E, and modern M.2 support, justifying its higher cost. The B85M PRO’s low price makes it attractive for budget builds, but only if paired with outdated 4th gen Intel CPUs. For users seeking long-term value and performance, the Z790’s premium price is warranted by its capabilities.

Which should you buy?

If you're building a modern system with a 12th, 13th, or 14th generation Intel CPU, the GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Elite AX is the clear choice—its $189.99 price brings DDR5 support, PCIe 5.0, Wi-Fi 6E, and robust power delivery that the $79.99 SHANGZHAOYUAN B85M PRO cannot match. The B85M PRO is only suitable for legacy systems with 4th gen Intel processors and minimal needs, such as basic office computing or retro gaming. Given the Z790’s support for current-gen CPUs and future-proof features, it offers far greater long-term value despite being nearly three times more expensive. Unless you’re working with an old CPU and strict budget constraints, the Z790 AORUS Elite AX is the superior investment.