Uncovering the Limitations of Gigabyte's B650I Aurus Ultra

Uncovering the Limitations of Gigabyte's B650I Aurus Ultra

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Design Elements of the Gigabyte B650i Aurus Ultra
3. M.2 Drive Compatibility and Cooling
4. VRM Design and Power Delivery
5. Rear Panel Connectors and I/O Features
6. CPU Performance and Cooling
7. Debug LED and CMOS Reset
8. The Trend of Clunky Add-On Card Usage
9. Layout and Accessibility Issues
10. Conclusion

🔍 Introduction

Today, we will be reviewing the Gigabyte B650i Aurus Ultra, the Mini ITX offering from Gigabyte in their Zen 4 AM5 Ryzen 7000 lineup. This motherboard aims to compete with the MSI B650ITX in terms of pricing, but does it hold up in terms of performance and design? In this review, we will delve into the various aspects of the Gigabyte B650i Aurus Ultra and provide you with a comprehensive analysis of its features, pros, and cons.

🖥️ Design Elements of the Gigabyte B650i Aurus Ultra

The Gigabyte B650i Aurus Ultra utilizes the B650 chipset, similar to the MSI B650ITX. It features a PCIe Gen 4 x16 slot, which is suitable for future-proofing the motherboard. One standout design element of this board is its support for PCIe Gen 5 NVMe drives. The top M.2 slot is actively cooled by a mini fan and heatsink, while the other two M.2 slots are located in less accessible positions. The overall design of the board is solid, with a focus on passive cooling and robust power delivery.

💽 M.2 Drive Compatibility and Cooling

The Gigabyte B650i Aurus Ultra offers generous support for M.2 drives, with all three slots supporting PCIe Gen 4. However, installing and accessing the Second and third M.2 drives can be quite challenging. The board's design requires removing the motherboard backplate and riser assembly, which can be cumbersome. Additionally, the backside M.2 drive, although designed for heat dissipation, may prove inconvenient for future upgrades or installations. It is worth noting that only PCIe drives are compatible with this board – M.2 data drives will not work.

⚡ VRM Design and Power Delivery

The VRM design of the Gigabyte B650i Aurus Ultra features eight 105A stages for the V core, 260A stages for the SOC, and a 30A miscellaneous stage for the CPU PCIe lane. This robust power delivery ensures compatibility with any Ryzen 7000 chip without any issues. Additionally, the passive cooling on the board effectively keeps temperatures under control, with maximum temperatures reaching only 50-51 degrees Celsius under full load. Overall, the VRM design is a strong point of this motherboard.

📟 Rear Panel Connectors and I/O Features

The rear panel of the Gigabyte B650i Aurus Ultra offers a variety of connectivity options. It includes four USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, one USB 2.0 port, a single USB-C port (which supports 10 Gbps), a 2.5 Gbps Ethernet, and Wi-Fi 6E. It also features a front panel audio header, although it can be challenging to access due to its location. In comparison to the MSI board, the Gigabyte B650i Aurus Ultra provides two additional rear panel USB ports, along with a faster USB-C connection.

💻 CPU Performance and Cooling

When it comes to CPU performance, the Gigabyte B650i Aurus Ultra performs admirably. It delivers reliable and stable performance, especially when paired with Ryzen 7000 processors. The passive cooling solution on the board effectively dissipates heat, even when utilizing PCIe Gen 4 M.2 drives. This makes it possible to run the system without relying solely on the included mini fan. During testing, the board demonstrated excellent compatibility with various cooling solutions, including the Noctua NH-D15.

🔍 Debug LED and CMOS Reset

One notable omission from the Gigabyte B650i Aurus Ultra is the lack of a debug LED. This is a significant drawback for a motherboard designated as "Aorus Ultra," as it is considered a high-tier offering. Debug LEDs are essential for troubleshooting and can provide valuable insights into system issues. Additionally, the clear CMOS header is not conveniently located. Accessing it requires removing the add-on M.2 riser card, making it inconvenient for post-build activities.

🔌 The Trend of Clunky Add-On Card Usage

The Gigabyte B650i Aurus Ultra, like many other Mini ITX motherboards, follows a concerning trend of utilizing clunky add-on cards for front panel connectors. This design choice introduces added bulk and inconvenience to the build process. The included add-on card houses the front panel connectors and a fan header, further complicating cable management. This design detracts from the overall elegance of the motherboard and takes away from the convenience of building in a compact Mini ITX form factor.

🔀 Layout and Accessibility Issues

The layout of the Gigabyte B650i Aurus Ultra leaves much to be desired. The placement of various connectors and headers is somewhat random and haphazard. The CPU fan header, for example, is conveniently located, but the second mini fan header requires a dongle and is situated near the add-on card. Front panel audio is tucked away under the rear I/O heatsink, adding to the inconvenience of accessing it. Additionally, the backside M.2 drive cutout design may make future upgrades or installations challenging.

💡 Conclusion

In conclusion, the Gigabyte B650i Aurus Ultra is a well-built Mini ITX motherboard that instills confidence with its robust power delivery, passive cooling, and solid construction. However, it falls short in various areas, such as the lack of a debug LED, inconvenient CMOS reset location, clunky add-on card usage, and a less-than-ideal layout. Considering these limitations and the availability of better alternatives, the Gigabyte B650i Aurus Ultra may not be the best option for users seeking a high-performance and user-friendly Mini ITX motherboard.

Highlights:

• Robust power delivery and passive cooling
• Support for PCIe Gen 5 NVMe drives
• Compatibility with various cooling solutions
• Generous M.2 drive support
• Rear panel connectivity options
• Solid construction and overall build quality

Pros:

• Strong power delivery capabilities
• Effective passive cooling solution
• Extensive M.2 drive support
• A good number of rear panel connectors
• Sturdy and well-built construction

Cons:

• Lack of debug LED
• Inconvenient CMOS reset location
• Clunky add-on card usage for front panel connectors
• Random and haphazard layout
• Limited accessibility for certain components

FAQ:

Q: Does the Gigabyte B650i Aurus Ultra support M.2 data drives? A: No, the board supports only PCI-E drives and does not support M.2 data drives.

Q: Is the Gigabyte B650i Aurus Ultra compatible with high-end coolers like the Noctua NH-D15? A: Yes, the board performs well with high-end coolers and has demonstrated compatibility with the Noctua NH-D15.

Q: Does the Gigabyte B650i Aurus Ultra have a debug LED? A: No, the board does not have a debug LED, which makes troubleshooting more challenging.

Q: How accessible is the CMOS reset header on the Gigabyte B650i Aurus Ultra? A: The CMOS reset header is not easily accessible, as it is located underneath the add-on M.2 riser card.

Q: Does the Gigabyte B650i Aurus Ultra come with a shorter and simpler heatsink assembly? A: No, the board features an oversized heatsink assembly, which includes a riser card, making it bulkier and less elegant.

Resources:

• None Mentioned