Gigabyte Z890M Aorus Elite WiFi7 Motherboard Review: Icy-white SFF Board Offers Full-size Features For Intel

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Tom’s Hardware reviewed Gigabyte’s Z890M Aorus Elite WiFi7 Ice, a white Micro ATX motherboard listed at $209. It offers three M.2 sockets, including PCIe 5.0 support, nine rear USB ports and Wi-Fi 7, but has just one rear USB-C port and a basic audio codec.

Tom’s Hardware has reviewed Gigabyte’s Z890M Aorus Elite WiFi7 Ice, a $209 Micro ATX motherboard for Intel’s Core Ultra 200S Plus processors. The review highlights its white finish, three M.2 sockets and nine rear USB ports, while flagging a single rear USB-C connection and a basic audio codec among its compromises.

The board is built around Intel’s Z890 chipset and targets compact PC builds using a Micro ATX case. Tom’s Hardware says the model brings much of the feature set of the larger ATX version into a smaller footprint. Its most distinctive selling point, in the reviewer’s assessment, is the icy-white appearance, with heatsinks covering all three M.2 sockets and adding to the board’s finished look.

For storage, it provides three M.2 sockets and four SATA ports. The supplied review details identify two M.2 sockets as PCIe 5.0-capable, with one listed as PCIe 5.0 x4. The board also has two full-length PCIe slots, one reinforced. Networking includes 2.5 GbE and Wi-Fi 7; the wireless connection is described as 160 Hz in the review material, a specification the review treats as slower than some Wi-Fi 7 alternatives.

The rear panel has nine USB ports, including one 40 Gbps USB-C port with DisplayPort capability. That provides a fast connection and video output, but the board has only one Type-C port on the rear I/O. Other details include two RGB lighting zones, positioned near the VRMs and beneath the chipset heatsink, and a basic audio codec that the review describes as typical for this class of board.

Compact Builds Get a White Z890 Option

The review gives builders considering a smaller Intel system a closer look at a motherboard that combines a compact format with a conspicuous white design. At the listed $209 price, its storage options, 2.5 GbE, Wi-Fi 7 and USB4-capable rear connection make it a feature-rich candidate for a Micro ATX build, according to the reported specifications.

Those features are relevant to people choosing parts for a compact PC, where board size and connector selection can shape the rest of the build. The single rear USB-C port may limit convenience for users with multiple modern peripherals, while the basic audio codec may matter to buyers who depend on motherboard audio. The review offers a product assessment, not evidence that the board outperforms competing models in every use case.

Core Ultra 200S Plus Platform Fit

The Z890M Aorus Elite WiFi7 Ice is designed for Intel’s Core Ultra 200S Plus processors, and its Micro ATX dimensions suit cases that accept that motherboard format. Gigabyte’s naming and feature set place it alongside the company’s larger ATX Aorus Elite option, though this model uses a smaller board layout.

Tom’s Hardware presents the product as a choice for a white-themed compact build. The review material lists full M.2 heatsink coverage and two RGB zones as visual and build-oriented features, alongside practical specifications such as four SATA ports and two full-length PCIe slots. The provided details do not include benchmark results, testing methodology or comparative performance figures, so this report focuses on the stated features and reviewer’s described strengths and drawbacks.

“one of the better-looking Micro ATX boards around”

— Tom’s Hardware review

Testing Details and Value Comparisons

The supplied review details do not include benchmark results, temperatures, power measurements or a full comparison with competing boards. They also do not establish how the listed Amazon price may change over time, or whether it applies across retailers and regions. The assessment of the 160 Hz Wi-Fi 7 specification is presented as a drawback, but no comparative wireless test data is included here.

Buyers should also check the board’s current CPU support list and case compatibility before purchasing. The available details identify the intended processor family and form factor, but do not specify BIOS requirements, memory configurations tested or the exact audio codec model.

Check Pricing and Compatibility

The immediate next step for prospective buyers is to compare the board’s current retailer price and confirm compatibility with their chosen processor, case, memory and other components. Gigabyte’s specifications and support information can clarify details not included in the review excerpt, including BIOS support and the audio codec.

The supplied material does not announce a firmware update, upcoming test or other product development. The review’s practical takeaway is to weigh the board’s white Micro ATX design and storage and connectivity options against its single rear USB-C port and basic audio before deciding whether it fits a particular build.

Source: Tom’s Hardware

Key Questions

What is the Gigabyte Z890M Aorus Elite WiFi7 Ice?

It is a Micro ATX motherboard based on Intel’s Z890 platform and designed for Core Ultra 200S Plus processors.

How much does the motherboard cost?

The review material lists it at $209 on Amazon. Prices can vary by retailer and over time.

How many M.2 sockets does it have?

It has three M.2 sockets. The supplied details identify two as PCIe 5.0-capable and list one as PCIe 5.0 x4.

What are the main drawbacks noted in the review?

The review flags one rear USB-C port, a basic audio codec and Wi-Fi 7 described as 160 Hz among the board’s limitations.

Source: Tom’s Hardware