Gigabyte Z890M Aorus Elite WiFi7 Ice: $209 White Micro ATX Board Offers PCIe 5.0 and Full Heatsink Coverage

Gigabyte has released the Z890M Aorus Elite WiFi7 Ice, a Micro ATX motherboard priced at $209 on Amazon. The board is designed for Intel Core Ultra 200S Plus processors and aims to replicate the capabilities of full-size ATX models in a smaller physical footprint. Reviewers note that the design prioritizes aesthetics for white-themed computer builds, citing its visual appeal as a primary strength.

Storage connectivity includes three M.2 sockets and four SATA ports. The primary M.2 slot connects directly to the processor via PCIe 5.0 x4 lanes. The remaining two M.2 slots connect through the chipset using PCIe 4.0 x4 lanes, with one slot accommodating modules up to 110mm in length. The board supports RAID configurations 0, 1, 5, and 10 for NVMe drives.

Power delivery consists of 15 phases, with 12 dedicated to the CPU core. The system utilizes 60A DrMOS components and dual 8-pin EPS connectors to provide a total of 720A. This configuration supports the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus, Core Ultra 5 250K Plus, and Core Ultra 9 285K processors. Reviewers advise monitoring case airflow to prevent thermal issues during heavy overclocking sessions on the higher-end chips.

Heatsink coverage distinguishes this model from other budget options. The board features full coverage on the lower half, a feature often omitted in this price range. A large heatsink protects the primary M.2 socket. Two RGB lighting zones are positioned near the voltage regulator modules and beneath the chipset heatsink. Six 4-pin fan headers provide power, each capable of delivering up to 2A or 24W.

Networking options include 2.5 GbE Ethernet and Wi-Fi 7 wireless connectivity. The wireless chip is limited to 160 MHz channels. Audio is handled by a Realtek ALC897 codec, which reviewers describe as sufficient for general use but basic for audiophiles or music producers.

Expansion slots include two full-length PCIe options. The primary slot is reinforced and runs at PCIe 5.0 x16 speeds, fed by the CPU. The secondary slot connects to the chipset at PCIe 4.0 x4 speeds. Reviewers note that large graphics cards may obstruct access to the secondary slot.

Memory support extends to DDR5-9200 at overclocked settings. Testing revealed that a DDR5-8800 kit did not function properly, while a DDR5-8200 kit ran without issues. The reviewer recommends consulting the Qualified Vendor List for optimal stability.

Rear input and output ports include four USB 2.0, four USB 3.2 Gen 1, and one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A port. A single USB4 Type-C port operates at 40 Gbps and supports DisplayPort output. A separate DisplayPort 2.1 output is also available. A front-panel HDMI port allows for secondary display connections. The single Type-C port on the rear panel is noted as a limitation compared to high-end boards.

Performance testing yielded average results, with strong scores in 3DMark benchmarks and real-world gaming scenarios. The board includes AI Perfdrive software, which provides customizable BIOS presets for one-click CPU performance adjustments. 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 features such as EZ-Latch and EZ-Click M.2 mounting are included in the design.