Battle of the Boards: Gigabyte Z690i Aorus Ultra Lite vs. Plus – Which One’s Right for You?
What To Know
- However, if you’re on a tighter budget or don’t need all the features of the Ultra Plus, the Ultra Lite is a great option.
- Both the Gigabyte Z690I Aorus Ultra Lite and Ultra Plus are excellent Mini-ITX motherboards that offer a range of features and performance.
- The Ultra Plus is the better choice for users who demand the best possible performance and features, while the Ultra Lite is a more budget-friendly option that still provides solid performance.
The Gigabyte Z690I Aorus Ultra Lite and Ultra Plus are two compact and feature-packed Mini-ITX motherboards designed for the latest Intel 12th-generation processors. Both boards offer a range of impressive features, but there are some key differences that set them apart. In this blog post, we will compare the Gigabyte Z690I Aorus Ultra Lite vs Plus, examining their specifications, features, and performance to help you make an informed decision.
Specifications
| Feature | Z690I Aorus Ultra Lite | Z690I Aorus Ultra Plus |
| — | — | — |
| Form Factor | Mini-ITX | Mini-ITX |
| Socket | LGA 1700 | LGA 1700 |
| Chipset | Intel Z690 | Intel Z690 |
| Memory | 4x DDR5 DIMM slots (up to 128GB, 6200MHz+) | 4x DDR5 DIMM slots (up to 128GB, 6400MHz+) |
| Storage | 1x M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 x4 slot | 2x M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 x4 slots |
| Expansion Slots | 1x PCIe 4.0 x16 slot | 1x PCIe 5.0 x16 slot |
| Rear Panel I/O | 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 2x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A, 2x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A, 1x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C, 1x 2.5GbE LAN, audio jacks | 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 2x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A, 4x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A, 1x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C, 1x 2.5GbE LAN, 1x 10GbE LAN, audio jacks |
| Power Phases | 8+1+1 | 16+1+1 |
| Price | ~$200 | ~$300 |
Features
Memory Support
One of the key differences between the Ultra Lite and Ultra Plus is their memory support. The Ultra Lite supports DDR5 memory up to 6200MHz+, while the Ultra Plus supports speeds of up to 6400MHz+. This may not seem like a significant difference, but it can impact the performance of memory-intensive applications.
Storage Options
The Ultra Plus offers more storage options than the Ultra Lite. It features two M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 x4 slots, while the Ultra Lite only has one. This allows you to expand your storage capacity without sacrificing speed.
Expansion Slots
The Ultra Plus also has a better expansion slot configuration. It features a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, which is the latest and fastest PCIe standard. The Ultra Lite, on the other hand, only has a PCIe 4.0 x16 slot.
Rear Panel I/O
The Ultra Plus has a more extensive rear panel I/O than the Ultra Lite. It includes an additional 10GbE LAN port, which is ideal for users who require high-speed network connectivity.
Power Delivery
The Ultra Plus has a more robust power delivery system than the Ultra Lite. It features a 16+1+1 phase design, while the Ultra Lite has an 8+1+1 phase design. This provides more stable power to the CPU and other components, which can improve performance and stability.
Performance
In terms of performance, the Ultra Plus generally outperforms the Ultra Lite. This is due to its better memory support, storage options, expansion slots, and power delivery. However, the Ultra Lite still offers solid performance for most users.
Which Motherboard is Right for You?
The choice between the Gigabyte Z690I Aorus Ultra Lite and Ultra Plus depends on your specific needs and budget. If you need the best possible performance, the Ultra Plus is the better choice. However, if you’re on a tighter budget or don’t need all the features of the Ultra Plus, the Ultra Lite is a great option.
Summary: Choosing the Perfect Mini-ITX Motherboard
Both the Gigabyte Z690I Aorus Ultra Lite and Ultra Plus are excellent Mini-ITX motherboards that offer a range of features and performance. The Ultra Plus is the better choice for users who demand the best possible performance and features, while the Ultra Lite is a more budget-friendly option that still provides solid performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which motherboard has better memory support?
A: The Gigabyte Z690I Aorus Ultra Plus supports faster memory speeds (up to 6400MHz+) than the Ultra Lite (up to 6200MHz+).
Q: Which motherboard has more storage options?
A: The Ultra Plus has two M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 x4 slots, while the Ultra Lite only has one.
Q: Which motherboard has a better expansion slot configuration?
A: The Ultra Plus has a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, while the Ultra Lite only has a PCIe 4.0 x16 slot.
