Hey everyone! Today, we're diving headfirst into the Gigabyte Z690I AORUS Ultra Plus, a motherboard that packs a serious punch into a tiny form factor. If you're building a compact gaming rig or a sleek, space-saving workstation, this little beast might be exactly what you need. We'll be going over everything from its features and performance to its pros and cons, so you can decide if it's the right fit for your build. Let's get started, shall we?

Unboxing and First Impressions: What's in the Box?

First impressions matter, right? When you unbox the Z690I AORUS Ultra Plus, you're greeted with a premium feel. Gigabyte has clearly put effort into the packaging, reflecting the board's high-end aspirations. Inside the box, you'll find the motherboard itself, nestled securely. Along with the board, you'll get a bunch of essential accessories. These typically include the following: the motherboard, a manual, a quick installation guide, Wi-Fi antennas, SATA cables, a driver disk, and some AORUS-branded goodies. The inclusion of Wi-Fi antennas is a massive plus, especially for a board designed with space-saving in mind. You're less likely to be hard-wiring Ethernet in a small form factor build. The overall presentation is clean and professional, giving you a sense of quality right from the start. The board itself is visually striking, with a predominantly black color scheme accented by the signature AORUS branding. The heatsinks are well-designed and look robust, hinting at the powerful components lurking beneath. The layout is surprisingly spacious, considering its Mini-ITX form factor, and everything feels well-placed and accessible. This is good news, as a clean layout is crucial when dealing with a case where every millimeter counts. Overall, the unboxing experience sets a positive tone, suggesting a high-quality product ready to deliver top-notch performance. We're already itching to get this thing installed and see what it can do!

Key Features and Specifications: A Deep Dive into the Specs

Alright, let's get into the nitty-gritty and take a look at the key features and specifications of the Z690I AORUS Ultra Plus. This board is packed with features that make it a compelling choice for a Mini-ITX build. The Z690 chipset is the heart of the board, supporting 12th generation Intel Core processors (LGA 1700 socket). This means you have access to some of the most powerful CPUs on the market, from the Core i3 all the way up to the Core i9. This level of flexibility is fantastic, as it allows you to build a system tailored to your specific needs and budget. Let's talk about memory. The board supports dual-channel DDR4 memory, with speeds up to 5333MHz (OC). The memory slots are located on the front of the board, which is a common design choice for Mini-ITX motherboards. This allows for easy installation and removal of memory sticks. The board also features a single PCIe 5.0 x16 slot for your graphics card. This slot is reinforced with metal armor to provide extra support for heavy GPUs and prevent any bending or damage. Storage options are plentiful, with two M.2 slots for NVMe SSDs. One slot supports PCIe 4.0 x4 SSDs, while the other supports PCIe 3.0 x4 SSDs. This gives you plenty of flexibility when it comes to storage capacity and speed. It also has four SATA III ports for additional storage devices like SSDs and HDDs. Connectivity is a strong point for this board. It comes equipped with Intel Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.2, providing fast and reliable wireless connectivity. The rear I/O panel includes a generous selection of ports, including multiple USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, and a USB Type-C port with Thunderbolt 4 support. The inclusion of Thunderbolt 4 is a game-changer, allowing for high-speed data transfer, video output, and power delivery via a single cable. Audio is handled by the Realtek ALC4080 audio codec, which provides high-quality audio output. This is a nice upgrade, ensuring you get clear and immersive sound. The board also features a comprehensive set of headers, including fan headers, RGB headers, and front panel connectors. This provides plenty of options for customizing your build and keeping it cool. Overall, the Gigabyte Z690I AORUS Ultra Plus is a feature-rich motherboard that's well-equipped to handle even the most demanding builds. From its high-speed memory support to its robust connectivity options, it's clear that Gigabyte has put a lot of thought into this board's design.

Performance Testing and Benchmarks: Does it Deliver the Goods?

So, the big question: Does the Z690I AORUS Ultra Plus deliver the performance it promises? Let's take a look at some performance testing and benchmarks. To test the board, we paired it with a high-end Intel Core i7 processor, 32GB of DDR4 memory, and a powerful graphics card. We ran a series of benchmarks, including Cinebench R23 for CPU performance, 3DMark for gaming performance, and CrystalDiskMark for storage performance. In Cinebench R23, the board delivered excellent CPU performance, with scores that were comparable to those of larger ATX motherboards. The board handled the high-core-count processor with ease, demonstrating its robust power delivery system. In 3DMark, the board performed admirably, with the graphics card achieving its full potential. The PCIe 5.0 x16 slot ensured that the graphics card had sufficient bandwidth to deliver smooth and responsive gaming experiences. We tested multiple games to get an overall sense of performance, with no noticeable bottlenecks or slowdowns. Storage performance was also impressive, thanks to the two M.2 slots. The PCIe 4.0 x4 slot delivered blistering-fast speeds, allowing for rapid game loading and application launching. The SATA III ports performed as expected, allowing for the use of more affordable storage options. We tested various storage devices, and the speeds were stable and consistent. We also looked at the board's thermal performance. The heatsinks did an excellent job of keeping the VRM and chipset cool, even under heavy loads. The board remained stable throughout our testing, with no signs of overheating or throttling. The board supports fan control, allowing you to customize your cooling configuration for optimal performance. The BIOS is easy to navigate, with an intuitive user interface and a wealth of overclocking options. It's easy to fine-tune your system to achieve the best possible performance. We also tested the board's power efficiency. We found that the board consumed a reasonable amount of power, especially considering its high-performance capabilities. The power delivery system is well-designed and efficient, helping to reduce energy consumption. Overall, the Gigabyte Z690I AORUS Ultra Plus delivered exceptional performance in our testing. It's a high-performing motherboard that's well-suited for gaming, content creation, and other demanding tasks. It's clear that Gigabyte has prioritized performance in the design of this board, and it shows.

Pros and Cons: Weighing the Good Against the Bad

Okay, guys, now for the nitty-gritty: the pros and cons of the Z690I AORUS Ultra Plus. Every product has its strengths and weaknesses, and it's essential to understand them before making a purchase. Let's start with the positives. One of the biggest pros is its compact size. It's a Mini-ITX motherboard, making it perfect for small form factor builds where space is at a premium. The board supports the latest 12th gen Intel Core processors, giving you access to some of the most powerful CPUs on the market. The robust power delivery system ensures stable and reliable performance, even under heavy loads. The board has great connectivity options, including Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, and Thunderbolt 4. The inclusion of two M.2 slots for NVMe SSDs allows for lightning-fast storage. The board's audio quality is top-notch, thanks to the Realtek ALC4080 audio codec. The BIOS is easy to use and provides a wealth of overclocking options. The board's thermal performance is excellent, with well-designed heatsinks that keep the components cool. The price is competitive, especially considering the features it offers. Now, let's talk about the cons. The Mini-ITX form factor can be limiting. It only has a single PCIe x16 slot, which means you can only install one graphics card. The dual-channel memory configuration may not be ideal for some users. The price point is slightly higher compared to some other motherboards, but the features justify the price. The small size can make it more challenging to work with during the build process, especially when installing components. Some users might find the BIOS a bit overwhelming, with so many options. Despite these cons, the Gigabyte Z690I AORUS Ultra Plus is an outstanding motherboard for small form factor builds. The pros outweigh the cons, making it a great choice for gamers, content creators, and anyone who wants a compact and powerful system.

Installation and Compatibility: Making Sure Everything Fits

Alright, let's talk about installation and compatibility. This is a crucial step in the build process, and getting it right ensures that your system runs smoothly. The Z690I AORUS Ultra Plus follows the Mini-ITX form factor, making it compatible with a wide range of compact cases. Before you start, make sure your case supports the Mini-ITX form factor. Most modern cases do, but it's always good to double-check. The CPU installation is straightforward, following the standard LGA 1700 socket design. Make sure to align the CPU correctly and secure it with the lever. Installing the memory is also easy, with the DIMM slots clearly marked. Just make sure to install the memory modules in the correct slots for dual-channel operation. When it comes to the graphics card, you'll need to remove the appropriate expansion slot cover on your case. The PCIe 5.0 x16 slot is reinforced, so you can install your graphics card without worrying about damaging the slot. When installing the M.2 SSDs, make sure to remove the heatsink covers and install the SSDs in the appropriate slots. The manual provides clear instructions on how to do this. For storage devices, the SATA III ports are conveniently located and easy to access. The manual provides clear instructions on how to connect your storage devices. Connecting the front panel connectors can be a bit tricky, but the manual provides a clear diagram of the pin layout. Take your time and make sure everything is connected correctly. Once you've installed all the components, connect the power cables and turn on your system. If everything is connected correctly, your system should boot up without any issues. If you encounter any problems, refer to the troubleshooting section of the manual. Compatibility is another important consideration. Make sure the components you choose are compatible with the motherboard. The motherboard supports DDR4 memory, so ensure you have DDR4 memory modules. The board is also compatible with 12th gen Intel Core processors. Before installing your components, check the Gigabyte website for the latest BIOS and driver updates. The latest updates will improve the stability and performance of your system. Overall, installing the Gigabyte Z690I AORUS Ultra Plus is a relatively straightforward process. Take your time, follow the instructions in the manual, and you should be good to go. Compatibility is crucial, so always double-check the compatibility of your components before making a purchase.

Conclusion: Is the Z690I AORUS Ultra Plus Right for You?

So, after everything we've covered, the big question is: Is the Z690I AORUS Ultra Plus the right motherboard for you? Let's recap. We've explored its features, performance, pros, and cons. This motherboard is a powerhouse packed into a small form factor, perfect for compact builds. It's equipped with the latest technology, including support for 12th gen Intel Core processors, high-speed memory, and lightning-fast storage options. The connectivity options are impressive, with Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, and Thunderbolt 4. In terms of performance, it delivers excellent results, comparable to larger ATX motherboards. Its robust power delivery and efficient cooling ensure stable operation under heavy loads. However, it's not perfect for everyone. It's a Mini-ITX board, which means limited expansion options. It only has one PCIe x16 slot, and the dual-channel memory configuration might not be ideal for some users. The price point is a bit higher than some other motherboards. Overall, if you're looking to build a compact and powerful system, the Z690I AORUS Ultra Plus is an excellent choice. It's ideal for gamers, content creators, and anyone who wants a high-performance system in a small package. If you prioritize expandability or are on a tight budget, there might be other options that are better suited to your needs. But if you value performance, features, and a small form factor, you can't go wrong with this motherboard. It's a solid choice that delivers on its promises. So, there you have it, folks! The Z690I AORUS Ultra Plus is a fantastic piece of hardware that deserves a spot in your build if you're after a high-performance Mini-ITX system. Happy building!