What To Know
- Aesthetically, the Z690 UD exhibits a sleek black PCB with subtle silver accents, while the Aorus Elite boasts a more aggressive design with a black and gray color scheme and RGB lighting.
- The Z690 UD utilizes the Intel Z690 chipset, while the Aorus Elite employs the slightly more advanced Z690 Aorus Ultra chipset.
- The Z690 UD and Aorus Elite both incorporate Realtek audio codecs, but the Aorus Elite’s ALC1220-VB codec offers slightly better audio quality and more advanced features.
In the realm of PC hardware, the motherboard serves as the backbone of your system, connecting all the essential components. For enthusiasts seeking a high-performance platform for their Intel 12th Gen processors, the Gigabyte Z690 UD and Aorus Elite emerge as formidable contenders. This blog post will delve into an in-depth comparison of these two motherboards, highlighting their key features, performance, and value to help you make an informed decision.
Features and Specifications
Form Factor and Aesthetics
Both the Z690 UD and Aorus Elite adopt the ATX form factor, providing ample space for expansion and customization. Aesthetically, the Z690 UD exhibits a sleek black PCB with subtle silver accents, while the Aorus Elite boasts a more aggressive design with a black and gray color scheme and RGB lighting.
Socket and Chipset
Both motherboards feature the LGA 1700 socket, supporting Intel‘s 12th Gen Alder Lake processors. The Z690 UD utilizes the Intel Z690 chipset, while the Aorus Elite employs the slightly more advanced Z690 Aorus Ultra chipset.
Memory Support
Both motherboards support DDR5 memory, with the Z690 UD offering up to 128GB of capacity at speeds up to 6000MHz. The Aorus Elite, on the other hand, supports up to 128GB of DDR5 at speeds up to 6400MHz, providing slightly higher memory bandwidth potential.
Storage Options
The Z690 UD offers six SATA III ports and three M.2 slots, including one PCIe 5.0 x4 slot. The Aorus Elite, however, features a more robust storage configuration with eight SATA III ports and four M.2 slots, including two PCIe 5.0 x4 slots.
Expansion Slots
Both motherboards provide a generous selection of expansion slots. The Z690 UD includes two PCIe 4.0 x16 slots, three PCIe 3.0 x1 slots, and one PCIe 3.0 x4 slot. The Aorus Elite offers a similar configuration but adds an additional PCIe 3.0 x16 slot for enhanced expandability.
Performance
CPU and Memory Performance
In terms of CPU performance, both motherboards deliver excellent results, supporting the full capabilities of Intel’s 12th Gen processors. However, the Aorus Elite’s slightly higher memory bandwidth potential may provide a marginal advantage in memory-intensive applications.
Storage Performance
The Aorus Elite‘s additional M.2 slots and PCIe 5.0 support offer a significant advantage in storage performance. PCIe 5.0 provides blazing-fast data transfer speeds, enabling faster boot times, game loading, and file transfers.
Features and Functionality
Connectivity
Both motherboards offer a comprehensive range of connectivity options, including multiple USB ports, Gigabit Ethernet, and Wi-Fi. However, the Aorus Elite features a higher-end Intel Wi-Fi 6E adapter, providing faster wireless speeds and reduced latency.
Audio
The Z690 UD and Aorus Elite both incorporate Realtek audio codecs, but the Aorus Elite’s ALC1220-VB codec offers slightly better audio quality and more advanced features.
BIOS and Overclocking
Both motherboards provide user-friendly BIOS interfaces with advanced overclocking capabilities. The Aorus Elite, however, offers a slightly more intuitive and feature-rich BIOS, making it easier to tweak and optimize system performance.
Value and Pricing
The Gigabyte Z690 UD is typically priced around $200, while the Aorus Elite retails for around $250. For the additional $50, the Aorus Elite offers a higher-end chipset, enhanced storage performance, and improved connectivity.
Final Thoughts: The Best Choice for Your Needs
Choosing between the Gigabyte Z690 UD and Aorus Elite ultimately depends on your specific needs and budget. If you prioritize value and seek a solid foundation for your PC build, the Z690 UD is an excellent choice. However, if you demand the highest performance and premium features, the Aorus Elite is worth the extra investment.
What You Need to Learn
1. Which motherboard has better memory support?
The Aorus Elite supports DDR5 memory up to 6400MHz, while the Z690 UD supports up to 6000MHz.
2. Which motherboard offers more storage options?
The Aorus Elite has four M.2 slots and eight SATA III ports, while the Z690 UD has three M.2 slots and six SATA III ports.
3. Which motherboard has better connectivity?
The Aorus Elite features a higher-end Intel Wi-Fi 6E adapter, providing faster wireless speeds and reduced latency.
