The next level up in performance

(Image credit: Aorus)

Intel’s new 12th Gen platform has arrived! Whether you’re a content creator, mega multitasker or gamer, there’s a 12th Gen processor to suit you. Of course, the CPUs themselves are just a part of the platform. There’s a brand-new range of awesome AORUS motherboards to suit the budget of any gamer and enthusiast.

Introducing the AORUS Z690 motherboard range

AORUS motherboards are built with the needs of gamers in mind, and enthusiasts will find an AORUS model suit. A user that wants absolutely everything will want to look at the flagship AORUS XTREME, which includes essentially every conceivable 2022 feature. If you want to show off your water-cooled rig, there’s the gorgeous and feature packed AORUS XTREME WATERFORCE.

The Z690 AORUS MASTER and AORUS ULTRA will find their way into many gamers’ rigs. These ever-popular models offer a great blend of all the features, while offering terrific value.

GIGABYTE offers many mid-range boards to suit your needs and budget including the PRO, ELITE and ULTRA series. GIGABYTE hasn’t forgotten small form factor fans either. You’ll want to take a look at the Z690M AORUS ELITE and Z690I AORUS ULTRA.

GIGABYTE also knows that many gamers have DDR4 memory that they’re happy with. With that in mind, there are many AORUS options that support DDR4 memory. All of the PRO, ELITE and ULTRA models are available with either DDR4 or DDR5 options. You can save some money while still enjoying everything that a 12th Gen CPU paired with an AORUS Z690 motherboard has to offer.

Let’s take a look at some of the features that makes AORUS boards so appealing.

Z690 AORUS MASTER. Engineered to keep the components cool, while looking fantastic. (Image credit: Aorus)

Bulletproof VRM designs

Across the entire range, AORUS motherboards have high quality direct digital VRM designs, with stronger, more efficient and reliable components than ever before. So, whether you want your rig to stay cool and quiet, out of sight and mind, or you want to overclock to the max, you can rest assured that your AORUS board will take all the punishment you can throw at it, and then some.

Z690 AORUS XTREME VRM cooling — Z690 AORUS XTREME. All AORUS Z690 motherboards feature high quality and effective VRM cooling. (Image credit: Aorus)

Premium cooling

A strong VRM needs capable cooling. AORUS boards feature an Xtreme Thermal Design. Unlike some other VRM cooling designs, the AORUS Fins-Array III—with its NanoCarbon coating and Direct-Touch heatpipes—is built to perform. It features a massive surface area, helping to keep your VRM cool while still looking great!

On the topic of cooling, GIGABYTE knows how important it is to keep your M.2 NVMe drive running cool to maintain maximum performance at all times. The AORUS M.2 Thermal Guard Xtreme provides effective SSD cooling thanks to its Fins-Array design, complete with a heatpipe and NanoCarbon coating. This means your SSD will stay at peak performance for longer under the most punishing loads.

Z690 AORUS PRO. The AORUS Xtreme Thermal Design is engineered for high-performance and reliability. (Image credit: Aorus)

Engineered to extract the best from DDR5 memory

DDR5 is brand new, but GIGABYTE’s engineering prowess comes to the fore yet again. All AORUS motherboards are built from the ground up to support this new technology. AORUS boards are all designed with the most efficient signal routing for improved stability, even at the high memory clocks. The SMD stainless steel slot design adds durability too, so in the years to come, an AORUS motherboard can be ready to meet the demands of increasingly fast DDR5 memory modules.

Z690 AORUS PRO memory — Z690 AORUS PRO. High-performance has never looked so cool. (Image credit: Aorus)

Connectivity for 2022 and beyond

AORUS Z690 motherboards incorporate all the latest in connectivity and expansion options. Even the more affordable boards are packed with features that would have been exclusive to flagship boards just a generation or two ago. All AORUS Z690 boards come equipped with USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 along with a Type-C header for connection to a chassis with Type-C USB.

When compared to their predecessors, AORUS boards come with more PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots. Most ATX AORUS boards support up to four at the same time (the AORUS MASTER supports five!). So, you can safely run your OS and game libraries and still have slots left over for your miscellaneous storage.

Z690 AORUS XTREME connectivity — Z690 AORUS XTREME. Connectivity and the latest Wi-Fi 6 support is generous across the AORUS range. (Image credit: Aorus)

Networking for gamers

Anyone that’s had experience with Wi-Fi knows how dropouts, lost packets and slow pings can ruin your gaming experience. The need for reliable Wi-Fi is vital. AORUS has you covered with Wi-Fi on almost all models. The AORUS Smart Antenna with its omnidirectional 4dBi signal gain helps maintain the best possible connection, helping to ensure that your headshots hit where they’re supposed to.

If you prefer wired networking, there’s good news. All AORUS Z690 motherboards come equipped with 2.5G Ethernet. Say goodbye to 1999 era 1G Ethernet! The AORUS MASTER and XTREME come with 10G for the lowest pings and fastest file transfers.

Z690 AORUS ELITE AX. The sleek and elegant look is a great foundation for a stunning 12th Gen build. (Image credit: Aorus)

Get the most out of your game with AORUS

So, no matter your budget, there’s an AORUS motherboard to suit you. An AORUS motherboard paired with your choice of 12th Gen processor can elevate your game to higher levels than ever before. Even the more affordable boards can never be considered ‘budget’ thanks to loads of features, and all are designed with GIGABYTE’s legendary reliability and durability in mind.