Gigabyte Z890M Aorus Elite WiFi7 Ice lists at $209 for white builds
The Micro ATX board offers full heatsink coverage and Wi-Fi 7, but its audio codec and single USB-C port lag behind higher-end competitors.
By Leila Reynolds ·
Gigabyte has placed the Z890M Aorus Elite WiFi7 Ice on Amazon for $209. The Micro ATX motherboard targets builders seeking a white-themed system without the cost of full-size ATX components. It carries over most specifications from the larger ATX version while reducing the physical footprint.
The board supports Intel Core Ultra 200S Plus processors. It includes three M.2 sockets and four SATA ports for storage. Networking features include a 2.5 GbE Ethernet port and Wi-Fi 7. The review notes the wireless chip is limited to 160 MHz channels. Audio is handled by a Realtek ALC897 codec, which the reviewer describes as basic but sufficient for most users.
Heatsink coverage differentiates this model from other budget options. The design includes full coverage on the lower half of the board, an area where competitors often cut costs. A large heatsink is mounted on the primary M.2 socket. Two RGB lighting zones are located near the VRMs and under the chipset. Six 4-pin fan headers provide up to 24W each.
Data transfer speeds are high on the primary storage interface. The main M.2 socket connects through the CPU at PCIe 5.0 x4 speeds. The other two M.2 sockets connect through the chipset at PCIe 4.0 x4. One of these accepts modules up to 110mm in length. RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 are supported for NVMe drives. Two full-length PCIe slots are available, with the primary slot running at PCIe 5.0 x16.
Power delivery consists of 15 phases, with 12 dedicated to the core voltage. Dual 8-pin EPS connectors feed 60A DrMOS parts, totaling 720A. This setup supports the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus, Core Ultra 5 250K Plus, and Core Ultra 9 285K. The reviewer advises caution when overclocking the higher-end chips and recommends maintaining good case airflow.
Memory support extends to DDR5-9200 with overclocking. In testing, a DDR5-8800 kit failed to function correctly, while a DDR5-8200 kit ran without issues. The reviewer suggests sticking to the qualified vendor list for best results. The rear I/O includes nine USB ports: four USB 2.0, four USB 3.2 Gen 1, and one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A. A single USB4 Type-C port offers 40 Gbps speeds and DisplayPort output.
Performance benchmarks showed average results. The board performed well in 3DMark tests and real-world gaming scenarios. It also includes AI Perfdrive, a feature that provides customizable BIOS presets for CPU optimization. The package includes two white SATA cables, a rubber pad, an extra M.2 thermal pad, and an EZ connector for the front panel.
Installation features include EZ-Latch and EZ-Click M.2 mounting. The review lists these tool-free elements among the board's strengths. The sparse rear I/O and single Type-C port are cited as drawbacks compared to high-end models.
