What To Know
- However, if you’re looking for a motherboard with more advanced features and overclocking capabilities, the Ultra Plus is a better choice.
- However, the Ultra Plus offers a few additional features that set it apart from the Ultra Lite, such as an additional M.
The Gigabyte Z690I Aorus Ultra Lite and Ultra Plus are two feature-packed Mini-ITX motherboards designed for enthusiasts and builders seeking a compact yet powerful platform for their latest Intel 12th-generation processors. Both motherboards offer a comprehensive suite of features, but they also have some key differences that set them apart. In this detailed comparison, we will delve into the specifications, performance, and overall value of the Gigabyte Z690I Aorus Ultra Lite vs. Plus to help you make an informed decision about which motherboard is the best fit for your needs.
Specifications
| Feature | Gigabyte Z690I Aorus Ultra Lite | Gigabyte Z690I Aorus Ultra Plus |
| — | — | — |
| Socket | LGA 1700 | LGA 1700 |
| Chipset | Intel Z690 | Intel Z690 |
| Form Factor | Mini-ITX | Mini-ITX |
| Memory | 4x DDR5 DIMM slots, up to 128GB | 4x DDR5 DIMM slots, up to 128GB |
| Storage | 4x SATA III ports, 1x M.2 PCIe 4.0 x4 slot | 4x SATA III ports, 2x M.2 PCIe 4.0 x4 slots |
| Expansion Slots | 1x PCIe 5.0 x16 slot | 1x PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, 1x PCIe 4.0 x1 slot |
| Networking | 2.5GbE LAN, Wi-Fi 6E | 2.5GbE LAN, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2 |
| Audio | Realtek ALC4080 codec | Realtek ALC1220 codec |
| RGB Lighting | 3x RGB headers, 1x ARGB header | 3x RGB headers, 1x ARGB header |
Performance
Both the Gigabyte Z690I Aorus Ultra Lite and Ultra Plus offer excellent performance thanks to their Intel Z690 chipset and support for Intel’s 12th-generation processors. In benchmarks, both motherboards deliver similar results in terms of CPU and memory performance. However, the Ultra Plus has a slight edge in storage performance due to its additional M.2 slot.
Features
The Gigabyte Z690I Aorus Ultra Lite and Ultra Plus both offer a wide range of features, including:
- Support for Intel’s 12th-generation processors
- DDR5 memory support
- PCIe 5.0 x16 slot
- 2.5GbE LAN
- Wi-Fi 6E
- Bluetooth 5.2
- RGB lighting
However, the Ultra Plus offers a few additional features that set it apart from the Ultra Lite:
- Additional M.2 slot
- PCIe 4.0 x1 slot
- Bluetooth 5.2
- Higher-quality audio codec
Overclocking
Both the Gigabyte Z690I Aorus Ultra Lite and Ultra Plus support overclocking, but the Ultra Plus offers more advanced overclocking features. The Ultra Plus has a dedicated overclocking BIOS with more granular voltage and frequency settings. It also has a built-in overclocking utility that makes it easy to overclock your system without having to manually adjust settings.
Value
The Gigabyte Z690I Aorus Ultra Lite is priced at around $250, while the Ultra Plus is priced at around $300. The Ultra Plus offers a few additional features, but whether or not it’s worth the extra cost depends on your individual needs. If you’re looking for a basic Mini-ITX motherboard with solid performance, the Ultra Lite is a great option. However, if you’re looking for a motherboard with more advanced features and overclocking capabilities, the Ultra Plus is a better choice.
Which Motherboard is Right for You?
Ultimately, the best motherboard for you depends on your specific needs and budget. If you’re looking for a basic Mini-ITX motherboard with solid performance, the Gigabyte Z690I Aorus Ultra Lite is a great option. However, if you’re looking for a motherboard with more advanced features and overclocking capabilities, the Ultra Plus is a better choice.
Wrap-Up: The Verdict
Both the Gigabyte Z690I Aorus Ultra Lite and Ultra Plus are excellent Mini-ITX motherboards that offer a wide range of features and excellent performance. However, the Ultra Plus offers a few additional features that set it apart from the Ultra Lite, such as an additional M.2 slot, PCIe 4.0 x1 slot, Bluetooth 5.2, and a higher-quality audio codec. If you’re looking for a basic Mini-ITX motherboard with solid performance, the Ultra Lite is a great option. However, if you’re looking for a motherboard with more advanced features and overclocking capabilities, the Ultra Plus is a better choice.
Top Questions Asked
1. What is the difference between the Gigabyte Z690I Aorus Ultra Lite and Ultra Plus?
The Ultra Plus offers a few additional features that the Ultra Lite does not, such as an additional M.2 slot, PCIe 4.0 x1 slot, Bluetooth 5.2, and a higher-quality audio codec.
2. Which motherboard is better for overclocking?
The Ultra Plus offers more advanced overclocking features than the Ultra Lite, such as a dedicated overclocking BIOS and a built-in overclocking utility.
3. Which motherboard is better for gaming?
Both motherboards offer excellent gaming performance, but the Ultra Plus has a slight edge due to its additional M.2 slot, which can be used to install a faster NVMe SSD.
4. Which motherboard is better for content creation?
The Ultra Plus is a better choice for content creation due to its additional M.2 slot, which can be used to install a faster NVMe SSD for faster storage performance.
5. Which motherboard is better for my budget?
The Ultra Lite is a more budget-friendly option than the Ultra Plus, but it still offers excellent performance and features.
