What To Know
- Both the Aero G and the Aorus Elite AX support the latest LGA 1700 socket, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of CPUs.
- For connecting peripherals and expansion cards, the Aero G and the Aorus Elite AX offer a range of PCIe slots.
- The Aero G features a sleek and minimalist design with a black and silver color scheme, while the Aorus Elite AX exudes a more aggressive look with its black and orange accents.
The world of motherboards is a vast and ever-evolving landscape, with new contenders emerging to meet the demands of cutting-edge hardware. In this blog post, we delve into the fierce battle between two formidable contenders: the Gigabyte Z690 Aero G and the Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Elite AX. Both these motherboards boast impressive features and capabilities, but which one reigns supreme? Let’s embark on a detailed comparison to uncover their strengths, weaknesses, and the ultimate victor.
Chipset and Socket
At the heart of these motherboards lies the Intel Z690 chipset, the backbone for unleashing the full potential of Intel’s 12th-generation Alder Lake processors. Both the Aero G and the Aorus Elite AX support the latest LGA 1700 socket, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of CPUs.
Power Delivery
Sustaining the power-hungry Alder Lake processors requires exceptional power delivery. The Aero G boasts a robust 16-phase digital VRM, while the Aorus Elite AX features a slightly more powerful 18-phase design. Both motherboards utilize high-quality components, including durable MOSFETs and chokes, ensuring stable and efficient power delivery for demanding workloads.
Memory Support
When it comes to memory, both the Aero G and the Aorus Elite AX support DDR5 technology, offering blazing-fast data transfer speeds. The Aero G supports up to 128GB of memory across four DIMM slots, while the Aorus Elite AX expands this capacity to 128GB across two DIMM slots per channel. Both motherboards feature XMP profiles for effortless overclocking, allowing users to maximize their memory’s performance.
Storage Options
Storage connectivity is crucial for storing and accessing vast amounts of data. The Aero G offers a versatile storage configuration with four M.2 slots, including three PCIe 4.0 x4 slots and one PCIe 3.0 x4 slot. The Aorus Elite AX, on the other hand, provides a total of five M.2 slots, with four PCIe 4.0 x4 slots and one PCIe 3.0 x4 slot. Both motherboards also feature multiple SATA ports for additional storage expansion.
Expansion Slots
For connecting peripherals and expansion cards, the Aero G and the Aorus Elite AX offer a range of PCIe slots. The Aero G provides three PCIe 4.0 x16 slots, one PCIe 3.0 x16 slot, and two PCIe 3.0 x1 slots. The Aorus Elite AX expands this connectivity with four PCIe 4.0 x16 slots, one PCIe 3.0 x16 slot, and two PCIe 3.0 x1 slots. Both motherboards support NVIDIA SLI and AMD CrossFireX multi-GPU configurations for enhanced graphics performance.
Connectivity and Features
Modern motherboards offer a wide array of connectivity options and features. The Aero G and the Aorus Elite AX both feature onboard Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5GbE LAN for fast and reliable network connectivity. Additionally, the Aero G includes a Thunderbolt 4 port, while the Aorus Elite AX boasts a USB Type-C port with Power Delivery 3.0 support. Other features include multiple USB ports, fan headers, and RGB headers for customizing the motherboard’s aesthetics.
Aesthetics and Design
The Aero G and the Aorus Elite AX showcase distinct aesthetics that cater to different tastes. The Aero G features a sleek and minimalist design with a black and silver color scheme, while the Aorus Elite AX exudes a more aggressive look with its black and orange accents. Both motherboards feature RGB lighting zones, allowing users to personalize the appearance of their systems.
Pricing and Availability
The Gigabyte Z690 Aero G and the Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Elite AX fall into different price ranges. The Aero G is typically priced slightly higher than the Aorus Elite AX, but the availability of both motherboards may vary depending on region and retailer.
The Verdict
After a thorough comparison, the Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Elite AX emerges as the victor in this showdown. Its slightly more powerful power delivery, expanded storage options, and additional expansion slots make it a more well-rounded and capable motherboard for demanding users. However, the Gigabyte Z690 Aero G remains a solid choice for those seeking a reliable and feature-rich motherboard at a slightly lower price point.
What You Need to Know
Q: Which motherboard has better overclocking potential?
A: Both motherboards offer excellent overclocking capabilities, but the Aorus Elite AX may have a slight edge due to its more powerful power delivery.
Q: Can both motherboards support high-speed memory?
A: Yes, both the Aero G and the Aorus Elite AX support DDR5 memory with XMP profiles for easy overclocking.
Q: Which motherboard offers more storage connectivity options?
A: The Aorus Elite AX provides more M.2 slots and SATA ports for greater storage expansion capabilities.
