Gigabyte brings back DDR4 with an anime-themed motherboard
In an era of rapid hardware transitions, Gigabyte is leaning into pragmatism and aesthetics. The company has launched the B760M Aorus Ari WiFi6E DDR4, a micro-ATX motherboard that offers a rare opportunity: building a modern LGA1700 system without the mandatory premium of a DDR5 upgrade.
The core appeal of this board is its ability to bridge the gap between modern connectivity and budget-conscious memory choices. Structurally, the B760M Aorus Ari WiFi6E DDR4 is a near-identical twin to the B760M Aorus Elite WiFi6E-P Gen5, with the primary distinction being the memory architecture. Leveraging the inherent flexibility of the Intel B760 chipset, Gigabyte has implemented four DDR4 UDIMM slots, supporting up to 128GB of capacity. Through XMP profiles or manual overclocking, the board can reach speeds of up to DDR4-5333.
Visually, the board features the brand's anime mascot, Ari. Unlike the backlit versions seen on the B850 Aorus Elite-P Ice, the illustrations on this model—located on the I/O cover and the backplate—are static, offering a more subtle aesthetic for those who want themed flair without the RGB overhead.
Despite the reliance on DDR4, the technical specifications remain cutting-edge. Key features include:
- Two PCIe slots: one Gen 5 x16 and one Gen 4 x4;
- Two Gen 4 x4 M.2 slots equipped with Thermal Guard heatsinks;
- 2.5GbE LAN connectivity;
- Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 support.
To streamline the building process, Gigabyte has integrated EZ-Latch mechanisms for tool-free installation of M.2 drives and graphics cards. Power delivery is handled by a 12+1+1 twin hybrid VRM system utilizing 60A DrMOS components, which is sufficient to support high-end 12th, 13th, and 14th-generation Intel CPUs. Large metal heatsinks cover both the top and side VRM sections to manage thermal loads effectively.
The I/O panel is well-equipped, featuring a USB-C 20Gbps port, several USB 3.2 ports (5 and 10Gbps), and standard HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.2 outputs. Additionally, the board includes WiFi Compass, a utility designed to assist users in positioning antennas for optimal signal strength.
Priced at HK$ 1,599 (approximately £154) in Hong Kong, the board sits at a logical price point. Given that the DDR5-based B760M Aorus Elite WiFi6E-P Gen5 retails for around £140 in the UK, this variant serves as a sensible option for users looking to repurpose existing DDR4 modules while still benefiting from PCIe 5.0 and high-speed networking.
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