Gigabyte's $209 Z890M board fits full heatsink coverage into Micro ATX form

Gigabyte has listed the Z890M Aorus Elite WiFi7 Ice on Amazon for $209. The board is a Micro ATX model designed for Intel processors, and it packs many features from the larger ATX version into a smaller chassis. Reviewers note that its white color scheme makes it a strong choice for themed builds.

The hardware is tuned for Intel Core Ultra 200S Plus chips. Storage options include three M.2 sockets and four SATA ports. Networking features 2.5 GbE Ethernet and Wi-Fi 7, though the wireless chip is limited to 160 MHz channels. Audio uses a Realtek ALC897 codec, which is considered adequate for general use but not for audiophiles.

Heatsink coverage is a key differentiator for this board. Unlike some budget competitors that leave the lower half of the board exposed, this model covers the entire area. A large heatsink protects the primary M.2 socket. Two RGB lighting zones are located near the VRMs and under the chipset heatsink. Six 4-pin fan headers provide power, with each capable of delivering up to 24W.

The primary M.2 slot runs at PCIe 5.0 x4 speeds, connected directly to the CPU. The other two M.2 slots run at PCIe 4.0 x4 through the chipset. One of these slots supports modules up to 110mm in length. RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 are supported for NVMe drives. The board includes two PCIe slots: a reinforced CPU-fed slot at PCIe 5.0 x16 and a chipset-fed slot at up to PCIe 4.0 x4. A large graphics card may block access to the second slot.

Power delivery consists of 15 phases, with 12 dedicated to the CPU core. The system uses dual 8-pin EPS connectors and 60A DrMOS parts, totaling 720A. This setup handles the Core Ultra 9 285K, Core Ultra 7 270K Plus, and Core Ultra 5 250K Plus. Reviewers suggest that heavy overclocking on the top-tier chips requires careful case airflow.

Memory support is rated up to DDR5-9200 with overclocking. In testing, a kit rated for DDR5-8800 did not function correctly, while a DDR5-8200 kit ran without issues. Users are advised to check the Qualified Vendor List for memory compatibility. The rear 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 provides 40 Gbps connectivity and DisplayPort output.

Performance in 3DMark and real-world gaming tests was average, meeting expectations for the price range. The board supports AI Perfdrive, which allows users to apply customizable BIOS presets for CPU improvements. The box includes two white SATA cables, a rubber pad, an extra M.2 thermal pad, an EZ front panel connector, and an installation guide. Tool-free installation features like EZ-Latch and EZ-Click M.2 mounting are included.