Today, we’re taking a quick look at the X870E AORUS ELITE WIFI7, one of Gigabyte’s latest motherboards built on the X870E chipset. Designed for a wide range of users, including gamers, content creators, and PC builders, this motherboard offers modern features like PCIe 5.0, DDR5 memory support, WiFi 7, and USB4. With a focus on both connectivity and performance, the X870E AORUS ELITE WIFI7 brings improvements over its predecessor.
In this article, we’ll look into the build quality and explore the key features, including its power delivery and thermal design, to see how well it meets the needs of those seeking an advanced and reliable option for their next system upgrade.
Unboxing
In terms of packaging, the X870E AORUS ELITE WIFI7 resembles the X670 AORUS ELITE AX, with a similar design and layout. However, on closer inspection, the AORUS logo on the front of the box features a slightly darker tone compared to the X670 packaging. Beyond these minor differences, the back of the box highlights the key features of the motherboard, providing a clear overview of its capabilities and components.
At first glance, while maintaining a similar layout, the X870E AORUS ELITE WIFI7 features a darker overall tone compared to its predecessor, the X670 AORUS ELITE AX. However, it introduces several notable improvements that enhance user convenience.
These upgrades include the WiFi EZ-Plug, which simplifies Wi-Fi antenna installation, the enhanced M.2 EZ-Latch design, making SSD installation more straightforward, and the PCIe EZ-Latch, which allows for easier graphics card removal by simply pressing a latch release button. These thoughtful features are aimed at improving the build experience for both enthusiasts and casual builders alike.
A closer examination of the features reveals that the main SSD heatsinks now incorporate a click-lock latch design, significantly simplifying the installation of M.2 SSDs. Additionally, the M.2 slots are clearly labeled for easier identification, making it more user-friendly. The inclusion of a PCIe latch release button is another noteworthy upgrade, as this feature was previously reserved for higher-end AORUS motherboards.
This enhancement underscores AORUS’s dedication to improving the usability of the AORUS Elite model, making it more accessible and convenient for users. Such thoughtful upgrades demonstrate AORUS’s commitment to enhancing the overall building experience without compromising quality. These advancements not only streamline the installation process but also reflect a keen understanding of the needs of modern PC builders.
The X870E AORUS ELITE WIFI7 motherboard delivers impressive memory support, making it an excellent choice for high-performance users. It is built with DDR5 memory technology, allowing for enhanced bandwidth and efficiency. The motherboard supports frequencies of up to 8000 MHz (OC), although actual performance can vary depending on the specific memory modules and BIOS settings used.
In terms of capacity, the X870E AORUS ELITE WIFI7 can support up to 256GB of memory if all four DIMM slots are fully populated. While this large capacity is particularly beneficial for users running demanding applications—such as content creation, gaming, or professional software—it may not be the optimal configuration for everyone. Overall, the motherboard’s memory capabilities position it as a strong contender for those looking to build a powerful and future-proof system.
Similar to its predecessor, the X870E AORUS ELITE WIFI7 features a robust VRM solution consisting of a 16+2+2 phase setup with 60A power stages. In this configuration, 16 phases—arranged in an 8+8 parallel design—are dedicated to supplying power to the CPU VCore, while the remaining 2+2 phases are allocated to support other components, such as memory and the System on Chip (SoC).
The X870E AORUS ELITE WIFI7 motherboard offers a wide array of I/O ports to meet diverse connectivity needs. With options like 2.5G Ethernet and Wi-Fi 7, users can enjoy fast and reliable internet connections. The motherboard also includes multiple USB ports, such as USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C, which provide some of the highest data transfer speeds available.
For those who prioritize audio quality, the X870E AORUS ELITE WIFI7 features the Realtek ALC1220 audio codec, ensuring superior sound output, along with an optical output option. Additional user-friendly features like BIOS Flashback for straightforward updates and a Clear CMOS button for easy BIOS resets enhance the overall experience.
BIOS Interface
Test system list
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 9 9950X |
| Motherboard | Gigabyte X870E AORUS ELITE WIFI7 |
| Memory | Kingston Fury Beast D5 DDR5-6800 (16GB x2) |
| Graphics Card | GeForce RTX 3080 10G |
| Power Supply | Cooler Master M2000 Platinum 2000W |
| Primary Storage | Kingston KC3000 2TB |
| Secondary Storage | PNY XLR8 CS3040 2TB |
| CPU Cooler | Deepcool LS720 AIO Liquid Cooler |
| Chassis | Streacom Open BenchTable |
| Operating System | Windows 11 Pro 24H2 |
CPU load test and thermals
In comparing the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X to Intel’s Core i9-13900K and 14900K, the most notable difference is in power consumption. The Ryzen 9 9950X operates more efficiently, with a stock power draw of up to 200W, while the Intel counterparts can pull up to 253W and 255W, respectively, under stock settings. This makes the Ryzen 9 9950X a better option for users concerned about power usage without sacrificing performance.
Additionally, the Ryzen 9 9950X has a built-in thermal limit that prevents temperatures from exceeding 95°C, ensuring it runs reliably even under load. This allows for potential performance gains through BIOS adjustments, especially when paired with high-performance cooling solutions. For our testing, we’re utilizing the Deepcool LS720 AIO liquid cooler, which is well-suited for maintaining optimal temperatures for the Ryzen 9 9950X at stock settings.
We ran a load test with the CPU at stock settings and tracked the temperatures in the motherboard and chipset sensors. After the stress test, we saw peak temperatures of 58.6°C for the chipset 1 sensor and 58.8°C for chipset 2, while the VRM stayed at 53°C according to HWinfo64. Everything looked solid.
We also used a thermal camera to check the VRM and chipset heatsink areas during the test. The thermal images showed temperatures that matched closely with the HWinfo64 sensor data, staying pretty consistent. Even after hours of heavy use, the temperatures stayed well under control, and there were no major issues during other benchmarks.
Memory overclocking
For memory overclocking, AMD still recommends using DDR5-6000 with a 1:1 ratio for UCLK to MCLK as the ideal setting for most users, even with the new Ryzen 9000 series CPUs. However, reaching DDR5-6400 with the same 1:1 ratio is now more achievable with these new processors, as confirmed by various reviews. It’s easier to hit these higher frequencies compared to previous attempts with the Ryzen 9 7950X and X670E motherboards.
If you’re curious about pushing beyond, DDR5-8000+ is very achievable, but at this speed, the system will shift to a 1:2 ratio. For noticeable gaming performance gains, you’ll need DDR5-8266+ or higher, though this level of tuning can be challenging for some.
On the X870E AORUS ELITE WIFI7, reaching DDR5-6400 CL30 with a 1:1 UCLK to MCLK ratio is remarkably straightforward when using DDR5 kits based on Hynix A or M die. While this is also achievable on X670E motherboards, it seems to be a bit easier on the new X870E chipset, even with demanding processors like the Ryzen 9 7950X.
We also managed to hit DDR5-8000 CL36 using the Kingston Fury Beast D5 DDR5-6800 kit. Although it required some effort, this demonstrated that DDR5-8000 is indeed attainable, as mentioned in the motherboard’s official specs. However, when pushing beyond DDR5-8000, the system failed to post, indicating that reaching higher frequencies might demand more fine-tuning or specific kit compatibility.
First Impression of the X870E AORUS ELITE WiFi7
The X870E AORUS ELITE WIFI7 excels as a versatile and powerful motherboard that offers a balance of advanced performance and future-proof technology. Building on the strengths of its predecessor, the X670E, it retains essential features such as PCIe 5.0 and DDR5 memory support while adding upgrades like USB4 and WiFi 7.
These enhancements greatly improve connectivity and network performance, making the motherboard especially appealing to gamers, content creators, and PC enthusiasts who are ready to embrace the latest advancements. However, it’s important to note that the ecosystem for WiFi 7 and USB4 is not yet mainstream, and investing in compatible products, such as WiFi 7 routers, can be expensive.
Aside from connectivity, the X870E AORUS ELITE WIFI7 continues to deliver impressive power delivery and thermal design similar to its predecessor. Whether you’re engaged in demanding gaming, intensive content creation, or everyday computing, this motherboard is well-equipped to handle AMD’s latest Zen 4 and Zen 5 processors, ensuring stability, reliability, and performance even during heavy workloads.
Considering the minimal price difference of RM 140 compared to the X870 variant – X870E at RM 1,799 while X870 at RM 1,659, the X870E AORUS ELITE WIFI7 presents better value for users seeking high performance and modern features. For those looking to build or upgrade with the latest AMD CPUs, this motherboard offers an attractive investment, combining the power and future-ready features needed for next-gen systems.
