GIGABYTE has developed a reputation as one of the world’s top motherboard manufacturers, and their latest models — the AORUS Z890, X870E, and X870 series — keep that track record going. They’re focused on giving users a top-of-the-line experience across the board, with advances in performance and AI integration while keeping them as easy to install as possible.
With the holiday season fast approaching, now’s the time to think about upgrading the setup for yourself or a loved one. To make an informed decision, you need as much info as possible, and we’re here to help. Here are the most important things to know about the latest AORUS motherboards.
Different Categories Mean Lots of Options
All of the AORUS 800 series motherboards have different versions split across four categories: XTREME, MASTER, PRO, and ELITE. Each has a different focus that makes it the right fit for different people.
XTREME versions are the pinnacle, with the highest level of craftsmanship and engineering and all the premium features. These options include the Z890 AORUS XTREME AI TOP and X870E AORUS XTREME AI TOP, which are designed for both gaming and AI computing. These will be the right match for the most passionate PC enthusiasts who want the absolute best of the best.
MASTER versions deliver high performance and complete feature sets with no compromises. That includes the Z890 AORUS MASTER and X870E AORUS MASTER. They don’t have all the bells and whistles of the XTREME versions, but these are a great choice for tech-savvy people who know exactly what they want and what they don’t need.
PRO versions are for people looking for a little style. Examples include the Z890 AORUS PRO ICE and X870E AORUS PRO. There are black variants and white variants, designed with aesthetics in mind. If you’re a modding enthusiast or want your build to look its best, this one’s for you.
ELITE versions are the best gateway to the rest of the AORUS family, with options like the Z890 AORUS ELITE WIFI7 and X870 AORUS ELITE WIFI7 ICE. A simplified building process makes these the right fit for mainstream gamers or PC builders who aren’t super experienced. ELITE versions also offer black and white variants, making it easier to find the right customized build.
Elite Memory Performance
All three of the Z890, X870E, and X870 series come with AORUS AI SNATCH, an auto-overclocking software that can boost DDR5 performance by up to 20% with one click. This also optimizes the balance between performance and stability to eliminate the need for constant trial and error.
On top of that, the Z890 series also comes with D5 Bionic Corsa, a suite of AI-driven innovations across software, hardware, and firmware that provides even higher peaks in CPU and memory performance. It can push DDR5 memory to an unprecedented 9,500 MT/s or more. The X3D Turbo mode on X870E and X870 series is specially designed for AMD’s Ryzen™ 7 9800X3D processor to maximize gaming performance by adjusting core count with just one click.
Excellent Thermal Management
That level of performance wouldn’t mean much if the system was constantly overheating, so AORUS has also put in extensive work to keep your system running efficiently. The DDR5 Wind Blade is an active coolant system that can reduce temperatures by up to 10℃ (or up to 18℃ in XTREME models).
The Wind Blade and vented back panel work together with advanced VRM and M.2 thermal management to create a heat dissipation system that synergizes together. The M.2 Thermal Guard XL offers up to 9 times optimized heat dissipation, while the M.2 Thermal Guard Ext. provides up to 4 times M.2 slots coverage. All this adds up to ensuring stability even while performance is pushed to its limits.
DIY Friendly
Who says a powerful motherboard has to be a pain to deal with? The AORUS 800 series has innovative designs that make it easy to deal with. The WIFI EZ-Plug allows you to snap in the Wi-Fi antenna without having to twist SMA connectors. The PCle EZ-Latch Plus provides easy graphics card detachment with one click.
The Sensor Panel Link has an onboard HDMI or Type-C connector to simplify sensor panel installation without cable management headaches. The M.2 EZ-Latch Plus and EZ-Latch Click make it possible to install M.2 SSDs and heatsinks with no need for screws or tools. All of these features make building your system simple and pain-free. Also, with Debug LEDs and control buttons on the EZ-Debug zone to provide a handy and organized troubleshooting process, building a PC is never so easy.
High-Level Connectivity and Convenience
Maintaining connection with minimal downtime is important and is a key feature looking toward the future. With that in mind, AORUS motherboards have a directional ultra-high gain antenna that provides exceptional bandwidth with minimal latency. Coupled with auto-detect AORUS Wi-Fi compass and Wi-Fi 7, this means you’ll have the strongest Wi-Fi signal, extremely fast file transfer speeds, and VR gamers will get the most immersive experiences.
The Z890 series also has dual Thunderbolt 4 compatible USB4 ports with 40Gb/s speeds, and the AI TOP models support dual Thunderbolt 5 ports for faster speeds. These ports allow you to connect up to 10 devices, including 4K or 8K displays. Furthermore, all the AORUS models are equipped with up to 10GbE LAN that makes your system very versatile, capable of carrying out tasks ranging from gaming to high-end content creation.
