The Intel Z690 Motherboard Overview (DDR4): Over 30+ New Models

GIGABYTE Z690I Aorus Ultra (DDR4)

Providing options for small form factor users, there is always a large gap between the number of ATX and smaller form factors at any given chipset launch. The GIGABYTE Z690I Aorus Ultra DDR4 is the smaller sibling of the ATX sized Z690 Ultra, and as such, follows a similar principle in terms of its controller set and aesthetic. Along the right-hand side of the PCB creating an underglow effect is a strip of RGB LEDs, while the board has a black and silver theme with a grey and black patterned PCB. GIGABYTE is also advertising a 10-phase design for the CPU, with the latest 105 A premium power stages.

As this is a mini-ITX sized motherboard, the Aorus Z690I Ultra has just one full-length PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, with dual PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slots. For conventional storage, GIGABYTE includes just two SATA ports, with support for RAID 0, and 1 array. Located to the right-hand side of the LGA1700 socket is a pair of memory slots, which can support up to DDR4-5333, with a combined capacity of up to 64 GB. 

Looking at rear panel connectivity, GIGABYTE includes one USB 3.2 G2x2 Type-C, three USB 3.2 G2 Type-A, two USB 3.2 G1 Type-A, and two USB 2.0 ports. Users looking to use Intel's integrated graphics can do so via one HDMI and one DisplayPort video output pairing, while onboard audio support consists of two 3.5 mm audio jacks powered by a Realtek ALC4080 HD audio codec. Finishing off the rear panel is a single Intel I225-V 2.5 GbE controller and Intel AX201 Wi-Fi 6 CNVi pairing, while GIGABYTE also includes a small Q-Flash BIOS Flashback button.