GIGABYTE Z490 AORUS Master (Intel 1200)

I really enjoyed reviewing the Z490 AORUS Master. This motherboard worked perfectly with the new 11th gen 11900K. No need in upgrading to a new motherboard. Just update your bios and you are ready to go!

Intel has already announced that its next generation Rocket Lake processors will launch sometime in Q1. While the GIGABYTE Z490 Aorus Master ($390) should eventually support the 11th generation processors, GIGABYTE also mentions PCIe 4.0 support, but only in the animations on its product web page. They have said that the design conforms to PCIe 4.0 specifications, which will be enabled when appropriate hardware is released. We expect some vendors to announce that their 400-series does support PCIe 4.0 with a BIOS update in that regard, as it does require some advance planning in the design phase.

The Gigabyte Z490 AORUS Master is a great looking motherboard. The AORUS theme of black and gray is not as flashy as some designs, but there is excellent attention to detail. Additionally, the neutral color tones will make the Master a great platform for a wide variety of builds. Premium features like double-sided M.2 heatsinks and DUAL BIOS are rare inclusions and a welcome addition. The RGB LEDs are the best I have seen on a Gigabyte board, with great brightness and diffusion. While the implementation lags behind some other boards in terms of complexity and customization, it is a big step forward.