(Gigabyte) Z890 Aorus Elite WiFi7 in test with Core Ultra 9 285K

We’re kicking off a round of Z890 motherboard tests loaded with the most powerful CPU for the LGA 1851 platform – the Core Ultra 9 285K. We’re doing this with Gigabyte – the Z890 Aorus Elite WiFi7 from the mid-range, or the upper mid-range, if you like… There will be competing models in a similar category later on, but now to the motherboard, which has undergone many changes from the Z790 Aorus Elite AX of the previous generation.

Conclusion

With the Z890 Aorus Elite WiFi7 motherboard, Gigabyte is looking to strike the right balance between price and what owners of the more powerful Core Ultra 7 and Core Ultra 9 processor classes might expect. The Z890 Aorus Elite WiFi7 easily handles even the most powerful processor of the LGA 1851 platform – the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K. At what relative power efficiency remains to be seen when we add competing models for comparison, but based on the VRM temperature we can approve of using it with a processor this powerful already.

The highest VRM surface temperatures did not exceed 72 °C even in conditions without power supply limits. And you still have to keep in mind that we do the VRM temperature tests without heatsinks. With (VRM) heatsinks the temperature will be even lower and the potential for some further overclocking or operating in adverse conditions with higher ambient air temperatures is definitely there. In other words, the Z890 Aorus Elite WiFi7 has headroom even for the Core Ultra 9 285K.

The performance tests did not reveal any anomalies or deficiencies worthy of note. Sure, we don’t have too much to compare it to yet (this is the first motherboard tested with the CU9 285K processor), but there’s no indication that the results aren’t performing as expected in any area. Whether in terms of CPU performance or graphics card performance. All is, it seems, within the norm.

Specifications are also confirmed by speed tests of Ethernet or USB ports. Also, these tests show that there are no obvious shortcomings with the Z890 Aorus Elite WiFi7. Certainly, we often observe a similar scenario in motherboard tests and we will continue to observe it often. But this is also important – to verify the proper functionality of the basic things that should be fine. And in the case of the Gigabyte board, they certainly are.

Then, of course, we can evaluate the equipment. The latter should be average, which is fitting when reflecting on the price class. So the VRM is robust enough for even the most powerful processors that can be fitted to this motherboard, and then there’s some connectivity. Four M.2 ports, WiFi7, 2.5-gigabit Ethernet, a Realtek ALC1220 audio chip, ten USB ports, and eight internal USB ports (unfortunately without a second 19-pin for USB 3.2 gen. 1, for a full front-panel setup of better-equipped PC cases) somehow matches what can be expected in this price range. It also comes with a relatively poorer SATA port selection. There are only four of them, the same number as the M.2 ports.

Overall, the Z890 Aorus Elite WiFi7 motherboard can be mostly praised. The tool-less mechanisms for (de)mounting SSDs and SSD coolers are also handy. And also the remote button to release the latch of the first PCIe ×16 slot. The detailed fan management is also very nice. Whether everything we’ve listed is enough for the editorial award “Smart buy!” remains to be seen (after testing competing motherboards), for now we’ll stick with the provisional “Approved” sticker. Update from December 25, 2025: For the achieved performance and features in ratio to the price, we give the Z890 Aorus Elite WiFi7 motherboard the editorial award “Smart buy!“.

English translation and edit by Jozef Dudáš

Wordpress Table Plugin

Some of the tested boards are also available in the Datacomp e-store

Special thanks also to Blackmagic Design (for the license to DaVinci Resolve Studio) and Topaz Labs (for the licenses to DeNoise AI, Gigapixel AI and Sharpen AI)