Gigabyte has introduced its first Mini-ITX motherboard for AMD’s latest X870 chipset, named the X870I Aorus Pro Ice. This compact board comes in a sleek white color, matching the “Ice” theme Gigabyte uses for many of its white products. The release of this Mini-ITX board is exciting for some users but has left others wondering if it meets all the expectations.
Key Features and Specifications
The X870I Aorus Pro Ice motherboard from Gigabyte offers a range of features with some limitations. It includes a single PCIe 5.0 x16 slot and two NVMe M.2 slots—one PCIe 5.0 and one PCIe 4.0—though limited slots may restrict storage options. USB connectivity is minimal, with just one USB4 port and a 10 Gbps USB 3.2 Type-C port, which might be limiting for a new release.
On the back, there’s an HDMI 2.1 port (supporting 4K at 60 Hz), a USB4 port with 4K at 240 Hz via DisplayPort, additional USB 3.2 and USB 2.0 ports, 2.5 Gbps Ethernet, WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 support, dual audio jacks, and a BIOS flash button. Internally, the board has a USB 3.2 Gen 1 header, two SATA ports, an 8-2-1 VRM setup with 110 A for stable power, and debug LEDs. Some placements, like the front audio header, are awkward for setup, but the board offers solid basics in a compact form.
Price and Final Thoughts
Gigabyte has set a price of around $300 for the X870I Aorus Pro Ice. For this price point, the motherboard offers decent features but falls short in a few areas, especially in terms of USB connectivity and output options. While Mini-ITX boards are always limited by size, this release feels basic and may leave users looking for more advanced features disappointed.
In summary, the X870I Aorus Pro Ice is a good-looking Mini-ITX board for those who like a white aesthetic, but it lacks some essential features expected in a 2024 Mini-ITX motherboard.
