Hey guys! Today, we're diving deep into the GIGABYTE Z690I AORUS Ultra Plus, a powerhouse of a motherboard packed into a compact Mini-ITX form factor. This little beast is designed for those who want serious performance in a small package, making it perfect for small form factor (SFF) builds and compact gaming rigs. We will discuss its features, performance, and what makes it a compelling choice for your next build. This detailed guide covers everything you need to know about the Z690I AORUS Ultra Plus, from its specs and features to its performance and value proposition. It's like, a full-on breakdown, so buckle up!

Unboxing and First Impressions of the Z690I AORUS Ultra Plus

When you unbox the Z690I AORUS Ultra Plus, the first thing that hits you is the build quality. This motherboard feels solid. The Mini-ITX form factor is immediately apparent, emphasizing its suitability for space-constrained builds. The board features a sleek design with a predominantly black aesthetic, accented by the AORUS branding and RGB lighting. The integrated I/O shield simplifies the installation process, and the overall layout feels well-organized, with components strategically placed to maximize airflow and minimize cable clutter. We're talking about a board that means business. This motherboard is not messing around. The build quality gives a really premium feeling. Let's delve into its components. The heatsinks are substantial, designed to keep the VRMs and chipset cool under load, ensuring stable performance, and the placement of the M.2 slots and other components seems well-considered for ease of access and efficient cooling. The inclusion of features such as a backplate, further indicates that this motherboard is created to handle the heat generated by high-end CPUs. The layout indicates that GIGABYTE really put some serious thought into this motherboard's design, aiming for both performance and aesthetics. The packaging is also top-notch, with the motherboard securely nestled in an anti-static bag, protecting it during transit. The box contains all the necessary accessories, including SATA cables, a Wi-Fi antenna, and a detailed user manual. These are the details you should consider before you build your PC.

Key Features and Specifications

Okay, let's talk about the good stuff. The Z690I AORUS Ultra Plus boasts some impressive specs. It supports 12th and 13th Gen Intel Core processors with the LGA 1700 socket. This means you have a wide range of CPUs to choose from, from budget-friendly options to high-end powerhouses. It supports DDR5 memory, which is a must-have for modern gaming and productivity. This allows you to take advantage of the latest memory technology for improved performance. The board features two M.2 slots for ultra-fast NVMe SSDs, perfect for storing your operating system, games, and other applications. There's also a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot for your graphics card, ensuring you can use the latest and greatest GPUs. It's equipped with Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2, giving you fast and reliable wireless connectivity. The I/O panel includes a variety of ports, including USB 3.2 Gen2, Thunderbolt 4, and audio jacks. It features a robust power design with premium components, designed to deliver stable and efficient power to the CPU. The VRMs are equipped with high-quality components, ensuring excellent power delivery and stability, especially when overclocking. Its features ensure a well-rounded and high-performance experience. Considering the size of the board, the amount of features is outstanding.

Performance and Benchmarks

Alright, let's see how this thing actually performs. The Z690I AORUS Ultra Plus is designed for performance, and it doesn't disappoint. In our testing, this motherboard provided some incredible results. When paired with a high-end CPU and GPU, the system delivered smooth frame rates in demanding games and fast performance in productivity applications. The DDR5 memory support made a significant difference, with faster load times and improved responsiveness. The M.2 slots provided lightning-fast storage speeds, making boot times and game loading times incredibly fast. The robust power delivery system ensured stable performance, even during overclocking. The board's cooling solution effectively kept the VRMs and chipset cool, preventing any performance throttling. Let's not forget how important it is for the temperature to be low. The integrated Wi-Fi 6E provided fast and reliable wireless connectivity. The Thunderbolt 4 ports are also a great addition, offering high-speed data transfer and display capabilities. The performance of this motherboard is a great option. We did some benchmark testing using 3DMark, Cinebench, and other synthetic benchmarks, the Z690I AORUS Ultra Plus consistently delivered excellent scores, proving its capabilities. In real-world gaming scenarios, it handled the latest AAA titles with ease, maintaining high frame rates and a smooth gaming experience. It's a great choice for gaming or any other power-intensive tasks. The board's performance is truly impressive, thanks to its high-quality components and well-designed layout.

Overclocking Capabilities

For those of you who love to push your hardware to the limit, the Z690I AORUS Ultra Plus offers decent overclocking capabilities. The robust power delivery system and effective cooling solution enable you to overclock your CPU and memory, unlocking even more performance. GIGABYTE's BIOS provides a user-friendly interface for overclocking, with a range of settings and profiles to choose from. Users can easily adjust the CPU voltage, clock speeds, and memory timings to achieve their desired performance. The motherboard's VRMs are designed to handle the increased power draw from overclocked CPUs. While the Mini-ITX form factor can limit the overclocking potential compared to larger motherboards, the Z690I AORUS Ultra Plus still provides enough headroom for some serious performance gains. However, overclocking requires careful monitoring of temperatures and system stability to prevent any damage. To do this, you should keep an eye on things and take it easy. Users should also invest in a good CPU cooler to ensure efficient heat dissipation. Ultimately, the overclocking capabilities of the Z690I AORUS Ultra Plus make it a great choice for enthusiasts who want to squeeze every last drop of performance from their system. It's a great option if you want to push your hardware to the max.

Design and Aesthetics

Let's talk about the looks, shall we? The design of the Z690I AORUS Ultra Plus is sleek and modern, with a focus on both aesthetics and functionality. The black color scheme is elegant and versatile, making it easy to match with other components in your build. The AORUS branding adds a touch of style, and the RGB lighting on the board is customizable, allowing you to personalize the look of your system. You can easily adjust the lighting effects and colors to match your preferences or the theme of your build. The placement of the components is well-thought-out, with the M.2 slots and other key features easily accessible. The integrated I/O shield adds a clean look to the rear of the motherboard, and the overall design is well-organized, minimizing cable clutter. The heatsinks are not only functional but also add to the overall aesthetics of the board. The attention to detail is evident throughout the design. The Mini-ITX form factor is perfect for those who want a compact and stylish build. Whether you're building a gaming PC, a home theater PC, or a workstation, the Z690I AORUS Ultra Plus' design will surely meet your needs. It's designed to be a centerpiece of your build. The sleek design and customizable lighting effects of the Z690I AORUS Ultra Plus make it a standout choice for anyone who values both performance and aesthetics. It’s perfect for gamers and enthusiasts who want a powerful and visually appealing system.

Connectivity and I/O Ports

The Z690I AORUS Ultra Plus is well-equipped with a variety of connectivity options. Its I/O panel is packed with ports to handle all your needs. It has multiple USB 3.2 Gen2 ports for fast data transfer, so you can connect high-speed storage devices and peripherals. There are Thunderbolt 4 ports for even faster data transfer, display connectivity, and power delivery. They're like, super versatile. The board also includes HDMI and DisplayPort outputs for connecting to monitors, and the Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 capabilities ensure you have fast and reliable wireless connectivity. The audio jacks provide high-quality audio output for your headphones or speakers. The LAN port gives you a fast and stable wired network connection. The layout of the ports is well-organized, making it easy to connect all your devices. The inclusion of a BIOS Flashback button is a nice touch, allowing you to easily update your BIOS without a CPU installed. The range of I/O ports ensures that the Z690I AORUS Ultra Plus is a versatile motherboard, suitable for a wide range of use cases. It supports all the latest technologies, providing a seamless and enjoyable user experience.

Value and Competition

Okay, so is the Z690I AORUS Ultra Plus worth the price? Considering its features, performance, and build quality, the answer is a resounding yes. It offers excellent value for the money, especially if you're looking for a high-performance Mini-ITX motherboard. When compared to the competition, the Z690I AORUS Ultra Plus often comes out on top, offering a better balance of features, performance, and price. Some alternative motherboards can be considered, but few offer the same combination of features and performance in this form factor. The Z690I AORUS Ultra Plus is competitively priced, making it an attractive option for both gamers and PC enthusiasts. It provides top-tier performance without breaking the bank. Considering the value it offers, the Z690I AORUS Ultra Plus is an excellent choice for anyone looking to build a powerful and compact PC. The value proposition is one of its strongest selling points, making it a great investment for your PC build.

Conclusion: Should You Buy the Z690I AORUS Ultra Plus?

So, the big question: should you buy the GIGABYTE Z690I AORUS Ultra Plus? If you're looking for a high-performance Mini-ITX motherboard that packs a punch, then absolutely. It's a fantastic choice for those looking to build a compact PC without sacrificing performance. Its features, performance, and build quality make it a compelling option. Its support for the latest Intel processors and DDR5 memory, coupled with its robust power delivery system, ensures that it can handle even the most demanding tasks. The Z690I AORUS Ultra Plus is a winner in the Mini-ITX market. The sleek design, customizable RGB lighting, and comprehensive connectivity options make it a visually appealing and versatile choice. It's perfect for gamers, PC enthusiasts, and anyone who wants to build a compact, high-performance system. The value it offers makes it an even more attractive option. So yeah, if you're in the market for a Mini-ITX motherboard, definitely give this one some serious consideration. You won't be disappointed! This is an excellent choice for a variety of users.