White Intel Board Adds Full Heatsinks at $209

Builders seeking a white-themed Intel system now have a compact option that does not sacrifice thermal management for size. Gigabyte has listed the Z890M Aorus Elite WiFi7 Ice on Amazon for $209. The board uses the Micro ATX form factor, which suits smaller cases, but it includes full heatsink coverage on the lower half of the circuitry. This design choice distinguishes it from several competitors in the same price bracket that often leave that area bare.

The power delivery system consists of 15 phases, with 12 dedicated to the processor core. These phases use 60A DrMOS components fed by two 8-pin EPS connectors, creating a total capacity of 720A. This configuration supports the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus, Core Ultra 5 250K Plus, and Core Ultra 9 285K processors. The review notes that while the board can handle these chips, users planning to overclock the 285K or 270K Plus should ensure adequate airflow within the case.

Storage and networking features align with current standards. The board provides three M.2 sockets, with the primary slot connected to the CPU for PCIe 5.0 x4 speeds. The remaining two slots connect through the chipset at PCIe 4.0 x4, and one of those accepts modules up to 110mm in length. Four SATA ports are also available. For connectivity, the board includes 2.5 GbE wired networking and Wi-Fi 7 wireless. However, the wireless chip is limited to 160 MHz channels.

The rear I/O panel offers 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 runs at 40 Gbps and includes DisplayPort output. A separate DisplayPort 2.1 output is also present. The reviewer identified the single Type-C port as a limitation compared to higher-end models. A front-panel HDMI output is available for connecting secondary displays.

Audio performance relies on the Realtek ALC897 codec. The review describes this as a basic solution that suffices for general use but may not satisfy audiophiles or musicians. Memory support lists speeds up to DDR5-9200 in overclocked mode. In testing, a kit rated for DDR5-8800 failed to work properly, while a DDR5-8200 kit ran without issues. The reviewer advises users to check the manufacturer's Qualified Vendor List for memory compatibility.

The board includes two full-length PCIe slots. The primary slot, reinforced and fed by the CPU, runs at PCIe 5.0 x16. The secondary slot, fed by the chipset, operates at up to PCIe 4.0 x4. A caution is noted for large graphics cards, which may physically obstruct access to the second slot. Six 4-pin fan headers are provided, each capable of delivering up to 2A or 24W to support cooling solutions.

Visual design includes two RGB lighting zones, one near the voltage regulator modules and one under the chipset heatsink. The package contents include 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 installation features such as EZ-Latch and EZ-Click M.2 mounting are included.

Performance testing showed the board to be average overall. It performed well in 3DMark benchmarks and real-world gaming scenarios. The system also supports AI Perfdrive, a feature that offers customizable BIOS presets for CPU performance adjustments. The review concludes that the board is a strong choice for users prioritizing aesthetics and compact builds within the budget tier.

The Z890M Aorus Elite WiFi7 Ice is tuned specifically for Intel's Core Ultra 200S Plus processors. Its combination of full heatsink coverage, 15-phase power delivery, and PCIe 5.0 support in a Micro ATX package sets it apart from similar budget offerings. The $209 price point positions it as a direct competitor to other white-themed Intel boards on the market.