Gigabyte X870E Aorus Master X3D Ice

Name: Gigabyte X870E Aorus Master X3D Ice
Brand: Gigabyte
SKU: 6203

Manufacturer: Gigabyte

The Gigabyte X870E Aorus Master X3D Ice is a high-end motherboard designed for AM5 CPUs, offering advanced connectivity and expansion options. It supports Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4, providing modern wireless capabilities for demanding setups.

This motherboard features up to 256GB of DDR5 memory with speeds up to 5200 MHz, and supports RAM overclocking to 9000 MHz. It offers multiple USB 3.2 Gen 2, USB 4, and Thunderbolt 4 ports, along with five M.2 sockets for extensive storage expansion. Additionally, it supports RAID 0, 1, and 10 configurations for flexible storage setups.

Pros

Supports up to 256GB of DDR5 memory, allowing for high capacity in demanding applications.
Features 2 PCIe 5.0 x16 slots, providing excellent bandwidth for modern high-performance GPUs.
Offers multiple RAID configurations, including RAID 1, RAID 5, and RAID 10, for flexible storage and data protection options.
Includes Thunderbolt 4 support, providing fast external device connectivity and data transfer.
Has RGB lighting, adding visual customization to the build.

Cons

Lacks support for PCIe 4.0 x16 and PCIe 3.0 x16 slots, limiting compatibility with older hardware.
Does not support ECC memory, which may be important for users requiring error correction in critical applications.
No integrated graphics support, requiring a discrete GPU for video output.
Does not support RAID 0+1, which may limit certain redundancy configurations.

Who is this for?

This motherboard is well-suited for high-performance users who need a versatile and powerful platform for gaming, content creation, or heavy computing tasks. With support for up to 256GB of DDR5 memory and multiple RAID configurations for improved data management, it’s ideal for users requiring large memory capacities and robust storage options. Additionally, the inclusion of Thunderbolt 4 and PCIe 5.0 slots ensures that the system can handle modern GPUs and fast external devices, making it a great choice for performance-driven builds.

Who is this NOT for?

This motherboard may not be the best option for users who require integrated graphics or need to build a more compact system. With no integrated GPU and a relatively large ATX form factor, it’s not ideal for budget builds or small form factor setups. Additionally, those requiring ECC memory for mission-critical applications may find this motherboard lacking, as it does not support error-correcting memory.

General info:

CPU socket	AM5
chipset	X870
form factor	ATX
release date	September 2025
supports Wi-Fi	✓
Wi-Fi version	Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax), Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be)
Has Bluetooth	✓
Bluetooth version	5.4
HDMI version	HDMI 2.1
Easy to overclock	✓
has RGB lighting	✓
Easy to reset BIOS	✓
Has dual BIOS	✕
has aptX	✕
CPU sockets	1
Has integrated graphics	✕
warranty period	3 years
height	244 mm
width	305 mm
Has integrated CPU	✕

The Gigabyte X870E Aorus Master X3D Ice motherboard is equipped with an AM5 CPU socket and supports the X870 chipset, making it suitable for a variety of high-performance builds. It features Wi-Fi 7 for modern wireless connectivity, along with Bluetooth 5.4 for seamless pairing with compatible devices. The board also offers RGB lighting for aesthetic customization and easy overclocking capabilities for enhanced performance. With a 3-year warranty, it also includes convenient features like an HDMI 2.1 output and a clear CMOS button for BIOS reset, though it lacks dual BIOS support.

Memory:

maximum memory amount	256GB
RAM speed (max)	5200 MHz
overclocked RAM speed	9000 MHz
memory slots	4
DDR memory version	5
memory channels	2
Supports ECC memory	✕

The Gigabyte X870E Aorus Master X3D Ice motherboard supports up to 256GB of DDR5 memory, ensuring ample capacity for demanding applications and multitasking. It features a maximum RAM speed of 5200 MHz, which can be overclocked to 9000 MHz for enhanced performance. With four memory slots and dual-channel support, this motherboard offers flexibility for memory upgrades and optimization, although it does not support ECC memory for error correction.

Ports:

USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-A)	7
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-A)	0
USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-C)	1
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-C)	0
USB 2.0 ports	0
USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 ports	1
USB 4 40Gbps ports	2
USB 4 20Gbps ports	0
Thunderbolt 4 ports	2
Thunderbolt 3 ports	0
has an HDMI output	✓
DisplayPort outputs	0
RJ45 ports	2
Has USB Type-C	✓
eSATA ports	0
DVI outputs	0
has a VGA connector	✕
PS/2 ports	0

The Gigabyte X870E Aorus Master X3D Ice motherboard offers a wide range of connectivity options, including 7 USB 3.2 Gen 2 USB-A ports and 2 USB 4 40Gbps ports for high-speed data transfer. It also supports Thunderbolt 4 with two ports, providing excellent support for external devices and displays. Additionally, this motherboard features an HDMI output, 2 RJ45 ports for networking, and USB Type-C, while lacking older ports like PS/2, VGA, and DVI.

Connectors:

USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (through expansion)	4
USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 ports (through expansion)	1
USB 2.0 ports (through expansion)	4
SATA 3 connectors	2
fan headers	8
USB 3.0 ports (through expansion)	4
M.2 sockets	5
Has TPM connector	✓
U.2 sockets	0
Has mSATA connector	✕
SATA 2 connectors	0

The Gigabyte X870E Aorus Master X3D Ice motherboard provides extensive connectivity options, including 5 M.2 sockets for high-speed storage expansion and 8 fan headers to support multiple cooling solutions. It also offers additional USB ports through expansion, such as 4 USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, 4 USB 3.0 ports, and 1 USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 port. For secure booting, it features a TPM connector, while lacking mSATA and U.2 sockets.

Expansion slots:

PCIe 4.0 x16 slots	0
PCIe 5.0 x16 slots	2
PCIe 3.0 x16 slots	0
PCIe x1 slots	0
PCI slots	0
PCIe 2.0 x16 slots	0
PCIe x4 slots	1
PCIe x8 slots	0

The Gigabyte X870E Aorus Master X3D Ice motherboard features a variety of expansion slots, including 2 PCIe 5.0 x16 slots for high-performance GPUs and one PCIe x4 slot for additional expansion cards. It lacks PCIe 4.0, PCIe 3.0, and PCI slots, offering a more streamlined selection for modern hardware needs. With no PCIe x1 or PCIe 2.0 slots, the board focuses on higher-bandwidth slots for demanding applications.

Audio:

Signal-to-Noise ratio (DAC)	120 dB
audio channels	5.1
Has S/PDIF Out port	✓
audio connectors	2

The Gigabyte X870E Aorus Master X3D Ice motherboard features a 120 dB signal-to-noise ratio for high-quality audio output. It supports 5.1 audio channels, providing a surround sound experience, and includes an S/PDIF Out port for digital audio connectivity. The board also offers two audio connectors, making it suitable for connecting external audio devices.

Storage:

Supports RAID 1	✓
Supports RAID 10 (1+0)	✓
Supports RAID 5	✓
Supports RAID 0	✓
Supports RAID 0+1	✕

The Gigabyte X870E Aorus Master X3D Ice motherboard offers robust storage options, supporting RAID 1, RAID 5, and RAID 10 configurations for enhanced data redundancy and performance. It also supports RAID 0 for maximum speed, while RAID 0+1 is not supported. These RAID options provide flexibility for a variety of storage needs, from simple setups to more advanced, fault-tolerant configurations.

Final Verdict

The motherboard provides excellent performance and versatility for high-demand users, especially those focusing on RAID configurations and large memory capacities. With support for up to 256GB of DDR5 RAM, multiple PCIe 5.0 slots, and advanced connectivity options like Thunderbolt 4, it's a solid choice for building a future-proof system for gaming, content creation, or data-intensive tasks. However, it may not suit those looking for integrated graphics or compact builds. Overall, this motherboard is a powerful choice for users who require top-tier performance and flexibility in a larger form factor.