Price When Reviewed

$330

Best Prices Today: Gigabyte Z690i Aorus Ultra Plus ITX

The small kind issue gaming PC isn’t just a fad: It’s now a mainstream selection that guarantees a pint-sized powerhouse with fewer compromises in 2022. 

With the arrival of Intel’s 12th-generation Alder Lake, new applied sciences corresponding to DDR5 and PCIe Gen 5 are right here. That’s not even the thrilling half—CPUs such because the Core i9-12900K blaze the path for gaming and may moonlight as workstations, too. (This mainstream show of CPU virtuosity is partly responsible for the decline in high-end desktops.)

All that energy can now match within the palm of your palms due to the Gigabyte Z690i Ultra Plus. It’s the current improve meant to deal with points within the unique Z690i Ultra. We’ll talk about the strengths and weak spot of this motherboard, pricing, options, and if it’s going to work in your construct.

Gigabyte Z690i Aorus Ultra Plus ITX: The specs

What precisely are you able to pack right into a small motherboard? As it seems, quite a bit! Let’s take a fast peep at what’s included, and we’ll talk about what options and specs matter most.

A particular word: The unique Z690i Ultra had just a few difficulty, largely with system instability when mixed with PCIE Gen 4 GPUs. The firm opened up an upgrade program that enables house owners of the unique Z690i Ultra to improve to the Z690i Ultra Plus. 

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• Mini-ITX kind issue (6.7 x 6.7 inches)  
• Support for Intel 12th-gen Alder Lake LGA 1700 CPUs
• 10+1+2 Digital VRM with 105 amps
• DDR5 RAM (DDR4 model additionally obtainable) 
• PCIe Gen 5 16x Slot 
• Two M.2 slots 
• HDMI and DisplayPort out 
• 8 USB ports on again, plus entrance USB3.2 Type C  
• Intel Wi-Fi 6E 
• Intel 2.5Gbe LAN
• RGB fusion header
• 2 SATA 6GB/S ports 
• Q Flash Plus BIOS 
• Realtek ALC4080 Codec
• MSRP $330

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Gigabyte Z690i Aorus Ultra Plus ITX: The options

Impressive record of specs, proper? It has virtually all the pieces you’d need—the one Z690 Mini ITX motherboard that packs slightly bit additional is the Asus Strix-I that we lately reviewed. That consists of Thunderbolt 4, and a daughtercard supplying you with 4 SATA ports. It is available in at an MSRP of $439, nevertheless—far more costly than the $330 Gigabyte Ultra Plus Z690i right here. 

Let’s see the way it fares:

Positive options: 

1. Networking? Check! Newest Wi-FI 6E, and Intel 2.5Gbe LAN
2. Great energy supply 10+1+2 Direct Digital VRM—Handles i9 12900ok? Definitely!
3. PCIe Gen 5 16x slot
4. DDR5 RAM, however DDR4 model can be obtainable, which is extra of a rarity for ITX Z690 
5. Update BIOS with out CPU performance (you’ll want this while you least count on it, belief us..) 
6. M.2 slot—make that double M.2 slots! 
7. Realtek onboard audio 
8. Improved Gigabyte BIOS for tinkerers 
9. MSRP of $330—cheaper than the $439 Asus possibility, and solely lacking just a few options 

Downsides:

1. You’ll want an LGA 1700 particular cooler or bracket; no backwards compatibility with LGA 1200 as with the Asus Z690 choices 
2. Limited to simply two SATA ports
3. Previous Ultra model had points which will scare off some new consumers, however Gigabyte appears to have addressed them on this up to date model 
4. Seem to be U.S solely, so abroad consumers will likely be restricted

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Gigabyte Z690i Aorus Ultra Plus ITX: Design

It has a backplate! Sorry, needed to get that one out of the best way first. Otherwise, It’s slightly bundle of energy. Adorable, isn’t it? With a pleasant, clear design—it solely has delicate clues that it packs a punch with its Aorus styling. The construct high quality, extra importantly, feels stable. 

Tastefully performed implementation of RGB is right here, in fact. In most Mini-ITX builds, the RGB is seldom seen as a consequence of tightly packed tiny circumstances—however some do let that luminescent mild shine by way of. 

Overall, a simple design that retains the options on faucet in a clear, well-laid-out scheme. Substantial bodily really feel on the construct high quality may be very welcome as nicely, and sure, we’re a fan of backplates. (Useful or not, they’re cool!)

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Gigabyte Z690i Aorus Ultra Plus ITX: Performance and BIOS

The sizzling and heavy i9 12900Ok is now not scary for Mini-ITX boards: Much just like the Asus Strix-I, this board packs sufficient energy and cooling capabilities to tame the beast. 

Running something lower than an i9 12900Ok? Likewise, it’s going to deal with them marvelously. Indeed this board would make an ideal pairing for the 12700Ok and even the 12600Ok, relying in your use case. 

DDR5 efficiency can be right here, and whereas there are definitely some diminishing returns, it’s good to be future-proof. If you’d like to avoid wasting a couple of bucks and nonetheless preserve nice efficiency, the DDR4 model of this motherboard has an MSRP of $309. (And you’ll save on the DDR4 RAM price, too) 

PCIe Gen 5 and Gen 4 additionally retains your GPU and NVME M.2 capabilities in the identical league as the larger Z690 ATX choices.  

The Gigabyte UEFI BIOS has been vastly improved from earlier generations as nicely, making changes and essential system tweaks easy. 

I typically choose to make use of the BIOS for just a few very particular duties: setting the XMP profile for RAM, guide CPU overclocking, setting arduous drive boot order, and even a fan profile if I’m not utilizing a devoted fan controller. 

BIOS updates, and the occasional tinkering with different settings deeply imbedded inside are all easy with this BIOS. Q Flash can be obtainable with no CPU, for a BIOS replace if wanted. Gigabyte additionally affords a collection of software program that may be put in inside home windows itself, corresponding to RGB Fusion and different system controls—however typically I’d moderately maintain sure duties to the BIOS as software program is usually much less steady in my expertise.

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Bottom line

Mini-ITX builds are all the craze, and the number of motherboards is mostly a smaller pool in comparison with ATX. Gigabyte has an awesome price-to-performer right here for this section. Its up to date kind additionally squashes the problems of its Ultra predecessor, in order that can provide shoppers a confidence enhance. 

Coming in a $330 shouldn’t be low cost, however there aren’t any different choices that supply the identical function set for this value. The Asus Z690 Strix-I prices far more, and cheaper ITX boards lack the wealthy spec record of the Z690i Ultra Plus. (Gigabyte additionally affords a “Lite” model of this board, however sans the next-gen options.) MSI’s Z690i Unify competitor can be costlier. While the Ultra Plus shouldn’t be as loaded because the Asus Strix, the cheaper value and *almost all* of the related options land it with a decent exhibiting.