We take a detailed look at a new Intel Z890 motherboard from AORUS, which features CQDIMM DDR5 support.
Product on Review: Z890 AORUS ELITE DUO X Motherboard
Manufacturer: GIGABYTE
Street Price: USD 280 | GBP 280 | AUD 400
The Z890 AORUS ELITE DUO X represents one of GIGABYTE’s more distinctive approaches to Intel’s latest desktop platform, combining enthusiast-grade features with an unconventional memory layout focused heavily on next-generation DDR5 performance. Built around the Intel Z890 chipset and designed for Intel Core Ultra 200S processors on the LGA1851 socket, the board immediately stands out with its dual-DIMM “DUO X” architecture, a design intended to improve signal integrity and push memory frequencies beyond what traditional four-slot layouts can typically sustain. Support for both high-speed DDR5 memory and emerging CQDIMM modules gives the board a unique edge for users chasing extreme memory bandwidth and capacity.
Power delivery is another major focus of the Z890 AORUS ELITE DUO X, with GIGABYTE implementing a 16+1+2 Twin Digital VRM configuration using 60A DrMOS stages alongside premium chokes, capacitors, and a 2X copper PCB design. Thermal management has clearly been prioritised as well, with the board featuring the company’s VRM Thermal Armor Advanced cooling solution, integrated heatpipe design, large M.2 heatsinks, and a dedicated PCB thermal plate. Storage support is extensive, including a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot alongside four additional PCIe 4.0 M.2 connectors, giving high-end builders plenty of room for fast NVMe storage without sacrificing expansion flexibility.
Connectivity is equally modern, with the rear I/O panel offering USB4 Type-C with DisplayPort output capability, 5GbE LAN, Wi-Fi 7 support, and a generous selection of USB connectivity options. Audio duties are handled by the Realtek ALC1220 codec paired with WIMA audiophile-grade capacitors, while DIY-friendly features such as WIFI EZ-Plug, M.2 EZ-Latch Plus, reinforced PCIe construction, and tool-less M.2 installation continue GIGABYTE’s focus on easier system assembly. The board also includes full-length PCIe 5.0 graphics support, RGB Fusion lighting connectivity, and support for extremely high DDR5 overclocking speeds exceeding DDR5-10000 under the right conditions.
In this review, we’ll be taking a closer look at how the Z890 AORUS ELITE DUO X performs in practice, including storage performance testing, VRM thermal analysis, and a selection of synthetic benchmarks to see how the board handles Intel’s latest platform under load.
Closer Look Video
For our coverage of the Z890 AORUS ELITE DUO X, we’ve produced a video review which provides a detailed tour of the motherboard and highlights key features.
Click here to view the Z890 AORUS ELITE DUO X.
Test Setup & Methodology
Notes: We’ve revamped our benchmark regime by removing a number of tests which reveal little, to no difference between each motherboard model. Gaming performance is one such area which has been removed due to the inability for each motherboard to offer any advantage over another. Instead, we have focussed on meaningful/tangible analysis which examines the VRM/chipset design, and the storage performance which will be far more informative to the end user.
TEST SETUP
CPU Intel Core Ultra 9 285KCooling: Corsair iCUE LINK TITAN 360 RX RGB
Memory: 32GB Kingston FURY Renegade 7600 MHz
Storage: Silicon Power A55 512GB + Silicon Power XPower XS70
PSU: Corsair HX1050 80 Plus Gold Certified PSU
Monitor: AOC U2879VF
BENCHMARKS
PCMark 10 – Overall Extended ScoreSiSoftware SANDRA – SATA/PCIe Storage Tests
SiSoftware SANDRA – Overall System Score
OTHER SOFTWARE
Temperature Analysis: HWMonitorStress Testing Software: AIDA64 Stability Test
CPU Specification Monitoring: CPU-Z
Benchmarks: Power Consumption
In this first test we analyse the power efficiency from the wall for each motherboard (Minus the GPU). While each model uses the same chipset/platform, energy results can fluctuate between manufacturers due to the features and specifications that are integrated. First of all, for the idle tests the system is cold booted into Windows and no additional applications are executed – wattage is noted on the external energy monitor we use and then we open Aida64 stability test and execute a stress test, noting the highest reading on the monitor. Below are the results of this energy test.
Benchmarks: VRM & PCH Cooling
Each motherboard manufacturer designs their board with a unique set of heatsinks to cover key areas like the VRM/mosfets and the chipset itself. We load up Aida64 stability test again and perform a 20 minute run, recording the maximum value for both attributes.
Benchmarks: PCMark 10
PCMark 10 features a comprehensive set of tests that cover the wide variety of tasks performed in the modern workplace. With a range of performance tests, custom run options, and the new Battery Life Profile, PCMark 10 is the complete PC benchmark for the modern office.
Benchmarks: SATA Performance
In order to ascertain the SATA performance for our motherboards we use SiSoftware SANDRA and the File System Bandwidth performance test. This allows us to obtain the sequential read/write transfer rates for the drive being tested – Crucial MX300 SSD.
Benchmarks: PCIe M.2 Performance
In order to ascertain the PCIe M.2 performance for our motherboards we use SiSoftware SANDRA and the File System Bandwidth performance test. This allows us to obtain the sequential read/write transfer rates for the drive being tested – Kingston KC2500.
Benchmarks: Geekbench
Geekbench 6 measures your processor’s single-core and multi-core power, for everything from checking your email to taking a picture to playing music, or all of it at once. Geekbench 6’s CPU benchmark measures performance in new application areas including Augmented Reality and Machine Learning, so you’ll know how close your system is to the cutting-edge.
Conclusion
The Z890 AORUS ELITE DUO X manages to strike an impressive balance between enthusiast-focused features, modern platform support, and overall value. While many Z890 motherboards have pushed aggressively into premium pricing territory, GIGABYTE has delivered a board that still feels high-end without completely abandoning affordability. Its understated design works particularly well, offering a sleek and clean aesthetic with restrained RGB implementation that should appeal to users wanting a more refined-looking system rather than an overly flashy one.
One of the board’s biggest strengths is its forward-looking memory support. The inclusion of support for the latest CQDIMM DDR5 modules gives the Z890 AORUS ELITE DUO X an advantage for users wanting to maximise memory performance on Intel’s latest platform. Combined with the dual-DIMM layout, the board feels purpose-built for high-frequency DDR5 operation and enthusiast tuning. GIGABYTE’s BIOS implementation also deserves credit, with features such as Ultra Turbo Boost helping simplify performance tuning for users who want additional performance without spending hours manually tweaking settings.
Connectivity and ease-of-use are equally strong areas for the board. The inclusion of 5GbE networking, Wi-Fi 7, multiple high-speed USB options, and support for up to five SSDs provides excellent versatility for gaming, content creation, and workstation builds alike. GIGABYTE’s continued focus on builder-friendly features also makes a noticeable difference during assembly and upgrades, particularly the quick-release mechanisms for both M.2 drives and PCIe devices. These small quality-of-life improvements are becoming increasingly important as systems grow more complex, and the implementation here is genuinely useful rather than feeling like a gimmick.
Performance throughout testing proved consistently solid, with strong storage results, capable VRM cooling, and dependable benchmark numbers across the board. The power delivery and thermal solutions appear more than capable of handling Intel’s latest processors under sustained workloads, while the overall feature set remains highly competitive within this price range. At around $280 USD, the Z890 AORUS ELITE DUO X delivers a surprisingly well-rounded package considering the level of connectivity and next-generation support on offer.
The board is not entirely without compromise, however. The rear I/O configuration includes a surprisingly large stack of USB 2.0 ports, which feels somewhat outdated on an otherwise modern motherboard platform. Some users may have preferred to see more high-speed USB options instead. Still, that minor drawback does little to overshadow what is otherwise an excellent mid-range Z890 offering.
For users looking to step into Intel’s latest platform with strong DDR5 support, excellent storage flexibility, modern networking, and enthusiast-friendly features without overspending, the Z890 AORUS ELITE DUO X stands out as one of the more compelling options currently available.
PROS
+ Looks sleek, stylish
+ Features minimal RGB lighting
+ 5GbE networking
+ Provides support for new CQDIMM DDR5
+ BIOS has Ultra Turbo Boost
+ Consistently good performance
+ Great connectivity options
+ Quick release for M.2 and PCIe
+ Offers up to 5 SSD slots
+ Reasonably priced at $280 USD
CONS
– Features an entire stack of USB 2.0 ports
+ Looks sleek, stylish
+ Features minimal RGB lighting
+ 5GbE networking
+ Provides support for new CQDIMM DDR5
+ BIOS has Ultra Turbo Boost
+ Consistently good performance
+ Great connectivity options
+ Quick release for M.2 and PCIe
+ Offers up to 5 SSD slots
+ Reasonably priced at $280 USD
CONS
– Features an entire stack of USB 2.0 ports
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