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Gigabyte Z890I Aorus Ultra specifications and in-depth review

Gigabyte Z890I Aorus Ultra

Manufacturer: Gigabyte

The Gigabyte Z890I Aorus Ultra is a compact Mini-ITX motherboard designed around Intel's LGA 1851 socket and Z890 chipset, making it a capable foundation for a space-conscious build without sacrificing modern feature support. It includes Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) alongside Bluetooth 5.4, RGB lighting, and a three-year warranty, rounding out a well-specified package in a 170 × 170 mm footprint.

On the connectivity side, the board offers a Thunderbolt 4 port, a USB 4 40Gbps port, and a mix of USB 3.2 Gen 2 and Gen 1 Type-A outputs at the rear, complemented by internal headers for further expansion. DDR5 memory is supported across two slots with a maximum capacity of 128 GB, rated up to 6400 MHz natively and 8800 MHz overclocked via two memory channels. Storage options include two M.2 sockets, two SATA 3 connectors, full RAID 0/1/5/10 support, and a single PCIe 5.0 x16 slot for discrete graphics. Audio reaches 7.1 channels with an S/PDIF output and two rear audio connectors.

Pros
  • Wi-Fi 7 support alongside the full backward-compatible wireless stack ensures future-ready and versatile connectivity
  • A Thunderbolt 4 port and a USB 4 40Gbps port on a Mini-ITX board provide high-bandwidth external device options in a compact footprint
  • DDR5 memory with overclocked speeds up to 8800 MHz offers significant headroom for memory-intensive workloads
  • The single PCIe 5.0 x16 slot delivers the latest interface generation for discrete graphics cards
  • RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 support gives meaningful storage configuration flexibility for a board of this size
  • A three-year warranty provides extended coverage relative to many competing products in this category
Cons
  • Only two M.2 sockets and two SATA 3 connectors limit storage expansion potential significantly in a built-out system
  • With just two memory slots, there is no room to add modules beyond the initial installation
  • No dual BIOS means there is no automatic fallback if a firmware update fails
  • The absence of an easy CMOS reset mechanism can complicate BIOS recovery situations
  • Only three fan headers may prove insufficient for builds requiring more granular thermal management
  • No USB-C ports on the rear panel aside from the Thunderbolt 4 and USB 4 connections leaves no mid-speed USB-C option for everyday peripherals
Who is this for?

This board is well suited to users building a compact high-performance desktop where space is a constraint but modern connectivity is not negotiable. The LGA 1851 socket with Z890 chipset, PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, and DDR5 support up to 8800 MHz overclocked make it a strong fit for enthusiasts who want a capable system in a Mini-ITX chassis. The inclusion of Wi-Fi 7, Thunderbolt 4, and USB 4 40Gbps also makes it particularly attractive for users who rely on fast external storage, high-bandwidth displays, or wireless networking at the leading edge of current standards.

Who is this NOT for?

Users who need extensive internal expandability will find this board limiting, as only two M.2 sockets, two SATA 3 connectors, and a single expansion slot leave little room to grow a multi-drive or multi-card setup. It is equally unsuitable for workstation users requiring ECC memory support for error-corrected computing environments. Those who prioritize build resilience through features like dual BIOS or a quick CMOS reset will also find the omission of both frustrating, particularly in overclocking scenarios where firmware recovery may be needed.

General info:

CPU socket LGA 1851
chipset Z890
form factor Mini-ITX
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 170 mm
width 170 mm
Has integrated CPU ✕

The Gigabyte Z890I Aorus Ultra is built around a single LGA 1851 socket paired with the Z890 chipset, housed in a compact Mini-ITX form factor measuring 170 × 170 mm. It supports overclocking and includes RGB lighting, while lacking a dual BIOS, an easy CMOS reset option, integrated graphics, and an integrated CPU. Wireless connectivity spans Wi-Fi 4 through Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) alongside Bluetooth 5.4, though aptX audio is not supported. Video output is handled via an HDMI 2.1 port, and the board carries a three-year warranty.

Memory:

maximum memory amount 128GB
RAM speed (max) 6400 MHz
overclocked RAM speed 8800 MHz
memory slots 2
DDR memory version 5
memory channels 2
Supports ECC memory ✕

The board uses DDR5 memory across two slots arranged in a dual-channel configuration, supporting a maximum capacity of 128 GB. Native RAM speeds reach up to 6400 MHz, while overclocking can push that figure to 8800 MHz. ECC memory is not supported on this platform.

Ports:

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

The rear I/O panel provides a solid range of USB connectivity, including three USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, and a USB 4 40Gbps port alongside a Thunderbolt 4 port, both of which use the USB-C form factor. There are no USB 2.0, eSATA, or PS/2 ports present. Display output is covered by one HDMI and one DisplayPort, with no DVI or VGA connectivity available. Networking is handled by a single RJ45 port.

Connectors:

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

Internal expansion is supported through headers for two USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, two USB 3.0 ports, one USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port, and two USB 2.0 ports. Storage connectivity includes two M.2 sockets and two SATA 3 connectors, while SATA 2, U.2, and mSATA are not available. The board also provides three fan headers and a TPM connector for security module support.

Expansion slots:

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

The board features a single PCIe 5.0 x16 slot as its only expansion option, with no PCIe 4.0, 3.0, or 2.0 x16 slots present. There are likewise no PCIe x8, x4, or x1 slots, and no legacy PCI slots, which is consistent with the board's compact Mini-ITX layout.

Audio:

audio channels 7.1
Has S/PDIF Out port ✓
audio connectors 2

Audio support extends to 7.1 channels, with two analog audio connectors on the rear panel and an S/PDIF output for digital audio passthrough to external receivers or DACs.

Storage:

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

The board supports four RAID configurations — RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 — covering a range of performance and redundancy setups, while RAID 0+1 is not available.

Final Verdict

The Gigabyte Z890I Aorus Ultra makes a compelling case for users who refuse to compromise on connectivity or platform currency just because they are building small. Anchored by an LGA 1851 socket, a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, and DDR5 memory with overclocking headroom up to 8800 MHz, it brings enthusiast-grade fundamentals into a 170 × 170 mm footprint, and its Wi-Fi 7 and Thunderbolt 4 support ensure it stays relevant well beyond the current hardware cycle. The inherent constraints of Mini-ITX — limited storage ports, only two memory slots, and a single expansion slot — mean it is best matched with users who plan carefully rather than those expecting room to grow, and the absence of dual BIOS is a notable gap for aggressive overclockers. For the right builder, however, it represents a well-rounded and feature-complete platform that punches well above what its physical dimensions might suggest.