Gigabyte releases white Micro ATX Z890M board at $209

Gigabyte has listed the Z890M Aorus Elite WiFi7 Ice on Amazon for $209. This Micro ATX motherboard targets Intel Core Ultra 200S Plus processors and packs features typically found in larger ATX boards into a smaller chassis. The primary selling point for white-themed builds is its aesthetic design, which reviewers have noted as a standout quality among comparable options.

The board offers extensive thermal management that distinguishes it from budget competitors. While many rivals leave the lower half of the board uncovered, this model provides full heatsink coverage. A large heatsink also protects the primary M.2 socket. Two RGB lighting zones are located near the VRMs and under the chipset heatsink, adding visual appeal to the white design.

Storage and connectivity options include three M.2 sockets and four SATA ports. The primary M.2 slot operates at PCIe 5.0 x4 speeds, while the other two run at PCIe 4.0 x4. One of the secondary slots supports modules up to 110mm. The board supports RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 configurations for NVMe drives. Networking is handled by 2.5 GbE Ethernet and Wi-Fi 7, though the wireless chip is limited to 160 MHz channels.

Power delivery consists of 15 phases, with 12 dedicated to Vcore. The system uses dual 8-pin EPS connectors and 60A DrMOS parts, totaling 720A of capacity. This setup is sufficient for Core Ultra 7 270K Plus, Core Ultra 5 250K Plus, and Core Ultra 9 285K processors. However, reviewers advise caution with heavy overclocking on the higher-end chips and recommend maintaining good airflow within the case.

Memory support extends to DDR5-9200 in overclocking scenarios. In testing, a DDR5-8800 kit did not function properly, while a DDR5-8200 kit ran without issues. The review recommends using memory on the Qualified Vendor List for the best results. The rear I/O panel 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 at 40 Gbps provides DisplayPort output, alongside a separate DisplayPort 2.1 connector.

The board features two full-length PCIe slots. The primary slot is reinforced and runs at PCIe 5.0 x16, connected directly to the CPU. The secondary slot operates at up to PCIe 4.0 x4 and is fed by the chipset. A large graphics card may physically block access to the second slot. Audio is handled by a Realtek ALC897 codec, which is considered adequate for general use but may not satisfy audiophiles or music producers.

Performance testing showed average results across various benchmarks. The board performed well in 3DMark and real-world gaming scenarios. It also includes AI Perfdrive technology, which offers customizable BIOS presets for one-click 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.

Installation is simplified by tool-free features such as EZ-Latch and EZ-Click M.2 mounting. These design elements were listed among the board's strengths in the review. The combination of compact size, full thermal coverage, and modern connectivity makes this a practical choice for users building white-themed systems with Intel's latest processors.