Gigabyte Z690 AORUS Xtreme WaterForce Review

Name: Gigabyte Z690 AORUS Xtreme WaterForce
Brand: GIGABYTE
Price: 1800 USD

ir_cow

on Jun 7th, 2022,

in Motherboards.

Manufacturer: GIGABYTE

Board Software »

BIOS Overview

Clocks	Range	Interval
BCLK Frequency:	80–500 MHz	0.010 MHz
CPU P-Core Ratio:	8–127	1
CPU E-Core Ratio:	8–60	1
CPU Cache/Ring Ratio:	8–85	1
DRAM Frequency:	DDR5-800 - DDR5-10000	N/A
CPU Voltages	Range	Interval
CPU Voltage:	1.1–1.8 V	0.005 V
CPU Input Voltage:	1.6–2.1 V	0.010 V
VCCSA Voltage:	.08-1.50 V	0.010 V
VDD2 (IMC):	0.8–1.6 V	0.010 V
VDDQ_TX:	0.9–1.8 V	0.005 V
DRAM Voltages	Range	Interval
DRAM VDD:	0.900–1.8	0.005 V
DRAM VDDQ:	0.900–1.8	0.005 V
DRAM VPP:	1.5–2.0 V	0.005 V

The Gigabyte Z690 AORUS Xtreme WaterForce follows the Z690 AORUS Master and Tachyon BIOS layout with identical settings. Upon first boot into the BIOS, you will be greeted with the default landing page named "Easy Mode." It gives you the ability to set the memory XMP profile, drive boot priority, automatic overclocking, and fan control without digging deeply into the sub-menus. On the right side is the list of sub-menus that can be accessed by pressing the corresponding F-key or using the mouse.

Switching to Advanced Mode, we are greeted by the familiar black and orange BIOS layout Gigabyte is known for. Those familiar with Gigabyte should feel right at home. I am glad to see the Favorites menu return, which allows for the addition and subtraction of commonly used settings for future convenience.

Some notable absentees are the lack of PWM frequency control, VDDQ_TX voltage options, and the search function. Upon further investigation, PWM control could not be found either, but the search function can be brought up at any time by pressing ALT+F. That having been said, it should have been included in the help menu or as an F hotkey. On that note, memory-related VDDQ_TX voltage for direct control is seemingly absent, just like on the Z690 Master and Z690 Tachyon. By default, it will match the DRAM voltage, which is generally fine for most situations. For those who would like more control over these secondary voltages, the good news is that these can actually be independently controlled if manually entering the DRAM voltages. At that point, "DRAM Vdd/VddQ" becomes the VDDQ_TX voltage instead of what it is named for, DRAM voltage. Yes, unnecessarily complicated.

While this motherboard isn't marketed for extreme overclocking, it certainly is capable, which brings up the question of why it feel as though Gigabyte didn't put any effort into this BIOS. It is the same as for other Gigabyte motherboards. For a flagship product, I expect every knob to be adjustable even if it will never be touched.