Overview
- These boards offer a compelling blend of features, performance, and aesthetics, making them ideal for those seeking a high-end gaming or content creation machine in a diminutive form factor.
- However, the Ultra has a slight edge in wireless connectivity, as it supports the latest Wi-Fi 6E standard and Bluetooth 5.
- The Lite, on the other hand, has a more understated and professional look, with a more subtle use of RGB lighting.
In the realm of compact PC building, the Gigabyte Z690i Aorus Ultra and Lite motherboards stand out as two exceptional options for mini-ITX enthusiasts. These boards offer a compelling blend of features, performance, and aesthetics, making them ideal for those seeking a high-end gaming or content creation machine in a diminutive form factor. In this comprehensive comparison, we delve into the intricacies of these two motherboards to help you make an informed decision based on your specific needs and preferences.
Key Differences at a Glance
| Feature | Gigabyte Z690i Aorus Ultra | Gigabyte Z690i Aorus Lite |
| — | — | — |
| Chipset | Intel Z690 | Intel Z690 |
| Socket | LGA 1700 | LGA 1700 |
| Form Factor | Mini-ITX | Mini-ITX |
| VRM Phase Count | 16 | 12 |
| Memory Slots | 2x DDR5 | 2x DDR5 |
| Storage | 4x M.2 NVMe SSD slots | 3x M.2 NVMe SSD slots |
| Networking | 2.5GbE LAN, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2 | 2.5GbE LAN, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Rear Panel I/O | 1x HDMI, 1x DisplayPort, 6x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C | 1x HDMI, 1x DisplayPort, 4x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C |
| Price | Typically higher | Typically lower |
VRM and Power Delivery
One of the most critical aspects of any motherboard is its power delivery system, which is responsible for supplying stable and sufficient power to the CPU. Both the Gigabyte Z690i Aorus Ultra and Lite employ high-quality VRM components, but the Ultra has a slight edge in this department. It boasts a 16-phase VRM with 90A power stages, while the Lite has a 12-phase VRM with 70A power stages. This difference is likely to translate into slightly better overclocking headroom and stability on the Ultra, especially for power-hungry CPUs like the Intel Core i9-12900K.
Memory Support
Both motherboards support dual-channel DDR5 memory, with a maximum capacity of 64GB and speeds up to 6400MHz. However, the Ultra again has a slight advantage in this area, as it supports XMP 3.0 profiles, while the Lite supports XMP 2.0 profiles. This means that the Ultra can potentially provide better memory overclocking compatibility and performance.
Storage Options
When it comes to storage, the Gigabyte Z690i Aorus Ultra offers a more comprehensive set of options than the Lite. It features four M.2 NVMe SSD slots, while the Lite has only three. All of the M.2 slots on both motherboards support PCIe 4.0 x4 speeds, providing lightning-fast storage performance. Additionally, the Ultra has two SATA III ports for connecting traditional 2.5-inch or 3.5-inch storage devices.
Networking
For networking, both motherboards come equipped with a 2.5GbE LAN port, providing high-speed wired connectivity. However, the Ultra has a slight edge in wireless connectivity, as it supports the latest Wi-Fi 6E standard and Bluetooth 5.2, while the Lite only supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0. Wi-Fi 6E offers faster speeds and reduced latency, making it ideal for gaming and other bandwidth-intensive applications.
Rear Panel I/O
The Gigabyte Z690i Aorus Ultra and Lite offer a similar set of rear panel I/O ports, including one HDMI port, one DisplayPort, and several USB ports. However, the Ultra has two additional USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, giving it a slight advantage in terms of connectivity. Both motherboards also feature a USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C port, which provides up to 20Gbps of bandwidth for high-speed data transfers.
Aesthetics and Features
In terms of aesthetics, both motherboards feature a sleek and stylish design with a mix of black and silver accents. The Ultra has a slightly more aggressive and gamer-oriented aesthetic, with RGB lighting on the heatsink and rear I/O panel. The Lite, on the other hand, has a more understated and professional look, with a more subtle use of RGB lighting.
Both motherboards come with a range of additional features and technologies, such as:
- Q-Flash Plus: Allows for BIOS updates without a CPU or memory installed.
- Smart Fan 6: Provides advanced fan control options for optimal cooling.
- RGB Fusion 2.0: Allows for customizable RGB lighting effects.
- App Center: Provides a suite of software utilities for managing and monitoring your system.
Which Motherboard is Right for You?
Ultimately, the best choice between the Gigabyte Z690i Aorus Ultra and Lite depends on your specific needs and budget. If you are looking for the most powerful and feature-rich motherboard for your mini-ITX build, the Ultra is the better option. It offers a superior VRM, better memory overclocking support, more storage options, and more comprehensive networking capabilities. However, if you are on a tighter budget or prioritize aesthetics and a more understated feature set, the Lite is an excellent choice that still delivers solid performance and a great user experience.
Popular Questions
1. Which motherboard has better overclocking potential?
The Gigabyte Z690i Aorus Ultra has a slightly better VRM and memory overclocking support, giving it a slight edge in overclocking potential.
2. How many M.2 SSD slots do these motherboards have?
The Gigabyte Z690i Aorus Ultra has four M.2 NVMe SSD slots, while the Lite has three.
3. Which motherboard has better wireless connectivity?
The Gigabyte Z690i Aorus Ultra supports Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2, while the Lite only supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0.
4. Which motherboard has more rear panel USB ports?
The Gigabyte Z690i Aorus Ultra has two additional USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, giving it a slight advantage in terms of connectivity.
5. Which motherboard is better for gaming?
Both motherboards are suitable for gaming, but the Gigabyte Z690i Aorus Ultra has a slight edge in terms of overclocking potential and wireless connectivity, which can be beneficial for gaming performance.