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Comparison Gigabyte Z390 AORUS PRO vs Gigabyte Z390 AORUS ULTRA

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Gigabyte Z390 AORUS PRO
Gigabyte Z390 AORUS ULTRA
Gigabyte Z390 AORUS PROGigabyte Z390 AORUS ULTRA
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12+1 phase power system. VRM cooling radiators. Two m.2 slots with heatsinks. Three PCI-E x16 slots supporting 2-Way NVIDIA GeForce or 3-Way AMD CrossFire x16+x8+x4. POST code indicator.
12-phase power system with massive lattice radiators connected by a heat pipe. Reinforced PCI-E slots with support for NVIDIA SLI and AMD CrossFire working according to the x8/x8/x4 scheme. Three radiators for cooling high-speed m.2 Ultra with PCIE 4x interface.
Featuresgaming for overclockinggaming for overclocking
SocketIntel LGA 1151 v2Intel LGA 1151 v2
Form factorATXATX
Power phases1312
VRM heatsink
LED lighting
Lighting syncGigabyte RGB FusionGigabyte RGB Fusion
Size (HxW)305x244 mm305x244 mm
Chipset
ChipsetIntel Z390Intel Z390
BIOSAmiAmi
DualBIOS
UEFI BIOS
RAM
DDR44 slot(s)4 slot(s)
Memory moduleDIMMDIMM
Operation mode2 channel2 channel
Max. clock frequency4133 MHz4400 MHz
Max. memory128 GB128 GB
XMP
Drive interface
SATA 3 (6Gbps)66
M.2 connector23
M.22xSATA/PCI-E 4x2xSATA/PCI-E 4x, 1xPCI-E 4x
M.2 SSD cooling
Integrated RAID controller
 /RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 10/
 /RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 10/
Expansion slots
1x PCI-E slots33
PCI-E 16x slots33
PCI Modes16x/0x/4x, 8x/8x/4x16x/0x/4x, 8x/8x/4x
PCI Express3.03.0
CrossFire (AMD)
SLI (NVIDIA)
Steel PCI-E connectors
Internal connections
TPM connector
USB 2.022
USB 3.2 gen111
USB C 3.2 gen11
USB C 3.2 gen21
Thunderbolt AIC connectorv3 1 pcs
RGB LED strip2
More features2xdigital LED, Serial port, Temperature sensor
Video outputs
HDMI output
Integrated audio
AudiochipRealtek ALC1220-VBRealtek ALC1220-VB
Sound (channels)7.17.1
Optical S/P-DIF
Network interfaces
Wi-FiWi-Fi 5 (802.11aс)
LAN (RJ-45)1 Gbps1 Gbps
LAN ports11
LAN controllerIntel GbEIntel GbE
External connections
USB 2.044
USB 3.2 gen132
USB 3.2 gen223
USB C 3.2 gen211
Power connectors
Main power socket24 pin24 pin
CPU power8+4 pin8+4 pin
Fan power connectors88
CPU Fan 4-pin1
CPU/Water Pump Fan 4-pin3
Chassis/Water Pump Fan 4-pin4
Added to E-Catalogoctober 2018october 2018

Power phases

The number of processor power phases provided on the motherboard.

Very simplistically, phases can be described as electronic blocks of a special design, through which power is supplied to the processor. The task of such blocks is to optimize this power, in particular, to minimize power surges when the load on the processor changes. In general, the more phases, the lower the load on each of them, the more stable the power supply and the more durable the electronics of the board. And the more powerful the CPU and the more cores it has, the more phases it needs; this number increases even more if the processor is planned to be overclocked. For example, for a conventional quad-core chip, only four phases are often enough, and for an overclocked one, at least eight may be needed. It is because of this that powerful processors can have problems when used on inexpensive low-phase motherboards.

Detailed recommendations on choosing the number of phases for specific CPU series and models can be found in special sources (including the documentation for CPU itself). Here we note that with numerous phases on the motherboard (more than 8), some of them can be virtual. To do this, real electronic blocks are supplemented with doublers or even triplers, which, formally, increases the number of phases: for example, 12 claimed phases can represent 6 physical blocks with doublers. However, virtual phases are much inferior to real ones in terms of capabilities — in fact, t...hey are just additions that slightly improve the characteristics of real phases. So, let's say, in our example, it is more correct to speak not about twelve, but only about six (though improved) phases. These nuances must be specified when choosing a motherboard.

Max. clock frequency

The maximum RAM clock speed supported by the motherboard. The actual clock frequency of the installed RAM modules should not exceed this indicator — otherwise, malfunctions are possible, and the capabilities of the “RAM” cannot be used to the fullest.

For modern PCs, a RAM frequency of 1500 – 2000 MHz or less is considered very low, 2000 – 2500 MHz is modest, 2500 – 3000 MHz is average, 3000 – 3500 MHz is above average, and the most advanced boards can support frequencies of 3500 – 4000 MHz and even more than 4000 MHz.

M.2 connector

The number of M.2 connectors provided in the design of the motherboard. There are motherboards for 1 M.2 connector, for 2 connectors, for 3 connectors or more.

The M.2 connector is designed to connect advanced internal devices in a miniature form factor — in particular, high-speed SSD drives, as well as expansion cards like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules. However, connectors designed to connect only peripherals (Key E) are not included in this number. Nowadays, this is one of the most modern and advanced ways to connect components. But note that different interfaces can be implemented through this connector — SATA or PCI-E, and not necessarily both at once. See "M.2 interface" for details; here we note that SATA has a low speed and is used mainly for low-cost drives, while PCI-E is used for advanced solid-state modules and is also suitable for other types of internal peripherals.

Accordingly, the number of M.2 is the number of components of this format that can be simultaneously connected to the motherboard. At the same time, many modern boards, especially mid-range and top-end ones, are equipped with two or more M.2 connectors, and moreover, with PCI-E support.

M.2

Electrical (logical) interfaces implemented through physical M.2 connectors on the motherboard.

See above for more details on such connectors. Here we note that they can work with two types of interfaces:
  • SATA is a standard originally created for hard drives. M.2 usually supports the newest version, SATA 3; however, even it is noticeably inferior to PCI-E in terms of speed (600 MB / s) and functionality (only drives);
  • PCI-E is the most common modern interface for connecting internal peripherals (otherwise NVMe). Suitable for both expansion cards (such as wireless adapters) and drives, while PCI-E speeds allow you to fully realize the potential of modern SSDs. The maximum communication speed depends on the version of this interface and on the number of lines. In modern M.2 connectors, you can find PCI-E versions 3.0 and 4.0, with speeds of about 1 GB / s and 2 GB / s per lane, respectively; and the number of lanes can be 1, 2 or 4 (PCI-E 1x, 2x and 4x respectively)
Specifically, the M.2 interface in the characteristics of motherboards is indicated by the number of connectors themselves and by the type of interfaces provided for in each of them. For example, the entry "3xSATA / PCI-E 4x" means three connectors that can work both in SATA format and in PCI-E 4x format; and the designation "1xSATA / PCI-E 4x, 1xPCI-E 2x" means two connectors, one of which works as SATA or PCI-E 4x, and the second — only as PCI-E 2x.

TPM connector

Specialized TPM connector for connecting the encryption module.

TPM (Trusted Platform Module) allows you to encrypt the data stored on your computer using a unique key that is practically unbreakable (it is extremely difficult to do this). The keys are stored in the module itself and are not accessible from the outside, and data can be protected in such a way that their normal decryption is possible only on the same computer where they were encrypted (and with the same software). Thus, if information is illegally copied, an attacker will not be able to access it, even if the original TPM module with encryption keys is stolen: TPM will recognize the system change and will not allow decryption.

Technically, encryption modules can be built directly into motherboards, but it is still more justified to make them separate devices: it is more convenient for the user to purchase a TPM if necessary, and not overpay for an initially built-in function that may not be needed. Because of this, there are motherboards without a TPM connector at all.

USB C 3.2 gen1

The number of USB-C 3.2 gen1 connectors provided on the motherboard.

USB-C connectors (all versions) are used to connect to the "motherboard" USB-C ports located on the outside of the case (usually on the front panel, less often on the top or side). With a special cable, such a port is connected to the connector, while one connector, usually, works with only one port. In other words, the number of connectors on the motherboard corresponds to the maximum number of USB-C chassis connectors that can be used with it.

Recall that USB-C is a relatively new type of USB connector, it is distinguished by its small size and double-sided design; such connectors have their own technical features, so separate connectors must be provided for them. Specifically, USB 3.2 gen1 (formerly known as USB 3.1 gen1 and USB 3.0) provides data transfer speeds of up to 4.8 Gbps. In addition, on a USB-C connector, this version of the connection can support USB Power Delivery technology, which allows you to supply power to external devices up to 100 W; however, this function is not mandatory, its presence in the connectors of one or another "motherboard" should be specified separately.

USB C 3.2 gen2

The number of USB-C 3.2 gen2 connectors provided in the motherboard.

USB-C connectors (all versions) are used to connect to the "motherboard" USB-C ports located on the outside of the case (usually on the front panel, less often on the top or side). With a special cable, such a port is connected to the connector, while one connector, usually, works with only one port. In other words, the number of connectors on the motherboard corresponds to the maximum number of USB-C chassis connectors that can be used with it.

Recall that USB-C is a relatively new type of USB connector, it is distinguished by its small size and double-sided design; such connectors have their own technical features, so separate connectors must be provided for them. Specifically, the USB 3.2 gen2 version (formerly known as USB 3.1 gen2 and USB 3.1) operates at speeds up to 10 Gbps and allows you to implement USB Power Delivery technology, thanks to which the power supply of USB peripherals can reach 100 W per port. However, the presence of Power Delivery in specific motherboards (and even in specific connectors on the same board) should be specified separately.

Thunderbolt AIC connector

5-pin connector that allows you to connect an expansion card. It, in turn, provides high-speed data exchange (up to 40 Gbps), the ability to connect external monitors, high-speed charging of compatible devices, etc.

RGB LED strip

Connector for connecting a decorative LED strip and other devices with LED indication. Allows you to control the backlight of the case through the motherboard and customize the glow for your tasks, including synchronize it with other components.
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