Key points
- The Gigabyte Z690I Aorus Lite has a more limited range of connectivity options than the Aorus Ultra.
- The Aorus Lite is a more budget-friendly option, but it has a more limited range of features.
The Gigabyte Z690I Aorus Ultra and Lite are two of the most popular mini-ITX motherboards on the market. Both boards are designed for Intel’s 12th-generation Core processors and offer a wide range of features, but there are some key differences between the two. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the Gigabyte Z690I Aorus Ultra vs Lite and help you decide which board is right for you.
Features
Gigabyte Z690I Aorus Ultra
The Gigabyte Z690I Aorus Ultra is the more feature-rich of the two boards. It comes with a 16-phase VRM with 90A power stages, which provides plenty of power for even the most demanding processors. The board also has four DDR5 memory slots, which support up to 128GB of RAM. In terms of storage, the Aorus Ultra has four SATA ports and three M.2 slots, which provide plenty of options for storage expansion.
Gigabyte Z690I Aorus Lite
The Gigabyte Z690I Aorus Lite is a more budget-friendly option than the Aorus Ultra. It comes with a 12-phase VRM with 70A power stages, which is still plenty of power for most users. The board also has four DDR5 memory slots, but it only supports up to 64GB of RAM. In terms of storage, the Aorus Lite has four SATA ports and two M.2 slots.
Connectivity
Gigabyte Z690I Aorus Ultra
The Gigabyte Z690I Aorus Ultra has a wide range of connectivity options. It comes with two Thunderbolt 4 ports, which provide up to 40Gbps of bandwidth. The board also has five USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, one USB 3.2 Gen 1 port, and one USB 2.0 port. In terms of networking, the Aorus Ultra has a 2.5GbE LAN port and a Wi-Fi 6E module.
Gigabyte Z690I Aorus Lite
The Gigabyte Z690I Aorus Lite has a more limited range of connectivity options than the Aorus Ultra. It comes with two USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, one USB 3.2 Gen 1 port, and one USB 2.0 port. In terms of networking, the Aorus Lite has a 1GbE LAN port and a Wi-Fi 6 module.
Form Factor
Both the Gigabyte Z690I Aorus Ultra and Lite are mini-ITX motherboards. This means that they are both very small, which makes them ideal for building compact PCs. However, the Aorus Ultra is slightly larger than the Aorus Lite. The Aorus Ultra measures 6.7 x 6.7 inches, while the Aorus Lite measures 6.7 x 6.3 inches.
Price
The Gigabyte Z690I Aorus Ultra is more expensive than the Aorus Lite. The Aorus Ultra typically costs around $250, while the Aorus Lite typically costs around $200.
Which Board is Right for You?
The Gigabyte Z690I Aorus Ultra and Lite are both excellent mini-ITX motherboards. The Aorus Ultra is the more feature-rich board, but it is also more expensive. The Aorus Lite is a more budget-friendly option, but it has a more limited range of features.
If you need a mini-ITX motherboard with plenty of features and power, then the Gigabyte Z690I Aorus Ultra is the best choice. However, if you are on a budget, then the Gigabyte Z690I Aorus Lite is a great option.
Wrap-Up
The Gigabyte Z690I Aorus Ultra and Lite are two of the best mini-ITX motherboards on the market. Both boards offer a wide range of features, but there are some key differences between the two. The Aorus Ultra is the more feature-rich board, but it is also more expensive. The Aorus Lite is a more budget-friendly option, but it has a more limited range of features. Ultimately, the best board for you depends on your individual needs and budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between the Gigabyte Z690I Aorus Ultra and Lite?
A: The Gigabyte Z690I Aorus Ultra is the more feature-rich board. It comes with a more powerful VRM, more memory slots, more storage options, and more connectivity options. The Aorus Lite is a more budget-friendly option, but it has a more limited range of features.
Q: Which board is better for gaming?
A: The Gigabyte Z690I Aorus Ultra is the better board for gaming. It has a more powerful VRM, which can provide more stable power to the CPU. The Aorus Ultra also has more memory slots, which allows you to install more RAM.
Q: Which board is better for overclocking?
A: The Gigabyte Z690I Aorus Ultra is the better board for overclocking. It has a more powerful VRM, which can provide more stable power to the CPU. The Aorus Ultra also has more BIOS options, which gives you more control over the overclocking process.