Gigabyte Puts White Intel Motherboard on Shelves for $209
The Z890M Aorus Elite WiFi7 Ice brings full heatsink coverage and PCIe 5.0 storage to a compact form factor, though rear I/O remains limited.
By Olga Kaur ·
Gigabyte has listed the Z890M Aorus Elite WiFi7 Ice on Amazon at a price of $209. The new Micro ATX board targets builders who want Intel Core Ultra 200S Plus compatibility in a smaller chassis. It carries over most features from the full-size ATX version, though the design prioritizes aesthetics over raw connectivity options.
The board features full heatsink coverage across the lower half of the circuit board, a design choice that distinguishes it from many competitors in this budget class. A large heatsink is also attached to the primary M.2 socket. Two RGB lighting zones provide visual accents near the voltage regulator modules and under the chipset. Six 4-pin fan headers are available, each capable of delivering up to 24 watts of power.
Storage connectivity includes three M.2 sockets and four SATA ports. The primary M.2 slot connects directly to the CPU via PCIe 5.0 x4 lanes. The remaining two slots connect through the chipset at PCIe 4.0 x4 speeds, with one slot supporting modules up to 110 millimeters in length. The board supports RAID levels 0, 1, 5, and 10 for NVMe drives. Two full-length PCIe slots are present, including a reinforced CPU-fed slot at PCIe 5.0 x16 and a chipset-fed slot at PCIe 4.0 x4.
Network capabilities include 2.5 GbE Ethernet and Wi-Fi 7. The wireless chip is limited to 160 MHz channels. Audio is handled by a Realtek ALC897 codec, which reviewers noted is sufficient for general use but lacks features for audiophiles. Power delivery consists of 15 phases, with 12 dedicated to the CPU core. Dual 8-pin EPS connectors feed the system, utilizing 60A DrMOS parts to provide a total of 720 amps.
Memory support extends to DDR5-9200 at overclocked settings. During testing, a kit rated at DDR5-8800 failed to function correctly, while a DDR5-8200 kit ran without issues. The reviewer advised users to consult the memory qualification vendor list for the most stable results. 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 with 40 Gbps bandwidth and DisplayPort output is also included, alongside a separate DisplayPort 2.1 output.
Performance benchmarks showed average results, with strong scores in 3DMark and game tests. The board supports AI Perfdrive, a feature that allows users to apply one-click BIOS presets for CPU improvements. The package includes two white SATA cables, a rubber pad, an extra M.2 thermal pad, an EZ connector for the front panel, and an installation guide. Tool-free mounting options like EZ-Latch and EZ-Click are included for easier assembly.
The reviewer noted that the board’s primary strength is its appearance, making it a strong candidate for white-themed builds. However, the limited number of rear I/O ports, particularly the single Type-C connection, was cited as a drawback compared to higher-end models. A large graphics card may block the second PCIe slot, which is a consideration for users planning to add additional expansion cards.
Source: Tom's Hardware
