The Intel Z590 Motherboard Overview: 50+ Motherboards Detailed
by Gavin Bonshor on January 19, 2021 10:15 AM ESTGIGABYTE Z590I Aorus Ultra
The GIGABYTE Z590I Aorus Ultra represents a small handful of mini-ITX boards so far announced for Z590, and it has got a pretty impressive feature set. GIGABYTE's mini-ITX offerings have been getting better and better over the years. The Z590I Aorus Ultra includes dual PCIe M.2 slots, a premium HD audio codec, as well as an Intel 2.5 GbE and Wi-Fi 6 network pairing.
Included in the specifications, GIGABYTE is advertising a direct 10+1 phase power delivery, with support for DDR4-5000 and up to 64 GB across two available memory slots. Along the bottom is a full-length PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, with multiple storage options, including one PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slot, one PCIe 3.0 x4/SATA M.2 slot, and four SATA ports. The PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slot is located on the front under a combined M.2 and chipset heatsink, while the PCIe 3.0 x4/SATA port is located on the back of the board. Design-wise, GIGABYTE uses its black and gray color scheme, which is a mainstay of the Aorus range, with a strip of RGB LED's located on the right-hand side of the board.
The rear panel includes one USB 3.2 G2x2 Type-A, three USB 3.2 G2 Type-A, two USB 3.2 G1 Type-A, and two USB 2.0 ports. An Intel I225-V 2.5 GbE controller drives the single RJ45 port, while there are two antenna ports for the Intel AX200 Wi-Fi 6 CNVi, which includes support for BT 5.0 devices. The GIGABYTE uses a Realtek ALC1220-VB HD audio codec to power the three 3.5 mm audio jacks, while it also includes a DisplayPort and HDMI video output pairing. Finishing off the rear panel is a small Q-Flash Plus button for users looking to flash the board's firmware.
At the time of writing, GIGABYTE hasn't shared any details on its Z590 models' pricing.
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WaltC - Wednesday, January 20, 2021 - link
If my x570 Aorus Master fan is "active", it has sure fooled me...;) It is not audible.Makaveli - Wednesday, January 20, 2021 - link
I'm on a Asus Prime X570-Pro for just over a year now and I've not heard the chipset fan once totally overblown issue. Drama queens!Samus - Thursday, January 21, 2021 - link
I think it's impressive Intel kept a PCIe4.0 chipset down to 6w TDP. Definitely doesn't need active cooling.Slash3 - Sunday, January 24, 2021 - link
The chipset isn't Gen4.Spunjji - Wednesday, January 20, 2021 - link
Not surprised if they're expecting users to overclock chips that will exceed 200W at stock settings. 😬YB1064 - Thursday, January 21, 2021 - link
Is it just me or are the MSRPs listed utterly insane? Intel has been relegated to a poor man's AMD, yet these crazy prices? As they say, a fool and his money are soon parted.Samus - Saturday, January 23, 2021 - link
I don't think it's actually the chipset costs that are inflating the price of the boards, but the ridiculous power circuit and components required to deliver over 200w of power to the CPU's in order for these board makers to take advantage of PL2.fundead - Wednesday, August 4, 2021 - link
I thought the active fan is for the 10 gig networking chip. It is facing that heatsink which is right next to the vrm heatsink.damianrobertjones - Tuesday, January 19, 2021 - link
Looking at the prices, I'm really, REALLY glad that I bought an AORUS Z490 Elite (£154, new) from eBay. I just don't understand the prices.aidan - Wednesday, January 20, 2021 - link
I've just done exactly the same, no regrets whatsoever