B760 AORUS Elite AX motherboard review

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Today, we delve into a detailed analysis of the B760 AORUS Elite AX motherboard, offering a balanced mix of quality and value in Intel’s mid-range chipset. Drawing from our positive experience with the Z790 version, we anticipate an equally impressive performance from this Gigabyte offering. The B760 AORUS Elite AX boasts excellent thermal solutions, an appealing aesthetic, and a focus on cooling its 12+1+1 phase VRM and triple M.2 Gen4x4 slots. Notable external connectivity features include Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5 Gbps LAN, although it lacks USB Gen2x2.

Design and aesthetics

The B760 AORUS Elite AX adheres to the standard ATX format in both its DDR5 and DDR4 variants, the latter also available for purchase. Additionally, there is a Micro ATX variant compatible with DDR5. All versions predominantly feature black and gray tones across the aluminum heat sinks, exuding a sleek and sturdy appearance.

The top section houses an expansive aluminum heat sink for the VRM, composed of two separate blocks without a heatpipe, similar to high-end models. The vertical block extends towards the rear I/O panel, securing the backplate and providing protection. Thermal pads with 5 W/mK conductivity ensure optimal contact between the heat sink and MOSFETS.

The lower half includes passive cooling blocks for all M.2 slots: one for the primary slot featuring a Q-Latch and another for the two slots nestled between PCIe lanes. The chipset cooling block remains independent of these. The primary PCIe slot is reinforced with steel for added support and all three slots are equipped with large-sized tabs.

The rear section resembles other motherboards, featuring exposed solder points for DDR5 slots and no metallic shielding. Additional highlights of the board include right-facing SATA ports, voltage measurement points in the top-right corner, a unified F_panel alongside the POST panel, and onboard Reset and Q-Flash Plus buttons. The board also includes four headers for RGB lighting (2x 5VDG and 2x 12VRGB).

VRM and power delivery

The B760 AORUS Elite AX incorporates a 6-layer PCB with double-thick main traces to minimize heat generation during power transfer. The VRM consists of 12 primary phases for Vcore, 1 phase for VccGT, and 1 phase for VccAUX, all powered via the ATX connector and two solid EPS headers (8 and 4 pins).

The DC-DC conversion stage features 12 On Semiconductor NCP302155 MOSFETS, rated at 60A in a 6+6 parallel phase configuration, with an additional MOSFET for VccGT and another separate high and low-side MOSFET at the bottom of the vertical row. The PWM control is managed by an On Semiconductor NCP81530R. The VRM is completed with a signal-smoothing stage composed of 14 metal-encased chokes and high-durability Black capacitors.

Socket and RAM support

The B760 AORUS Elite AX utilizes the LGA 1700 socket, ensuring compatibility with 13th Gen Intel Core i, Pentium, and Celeron processors based on the 10 nm Raptor Lake architecture. The Intel B760 chipset allows memory overclocking through XMP profiles but limits CPU frequency increases to BCLK adjustments. The motherboard supports PCIe 5.0 lanes from the CPU, though this feature remains underutilized.

This board supports up to 128 GB of DDR5 RAM at 7600 MHz, with a slightly more affordable DDR4 variant also available. Like all Intel motherboards, it supports Intel XMP 3.0 for memory overclocking, ensuring users can easily achieve optimal performance from their RAM. The four DIMM slots are reinforced with steel to provide added stability and reduce EMI. The board also comes equipped with a 6-layer PCB, allowing for better memory signal integrity, essential for higher memory speeds.

PCIe and storage

The B760 AORUS Elite AX offers three PCIe slots, with the primary x16 slot adhering to the PCIe 5.0 standard. Although the chipset does not support PCIe 5.0, the slot is wired to the CPU, allowing for future compatibility with PCIe 5.0 devices. The secondary slot operates at PCIe 3.0 x4 and the third at PCIe 3.0 x1, both linked to the B760 chipset.

Storage-wise, the motherboard features three M.2 slots, all compatible with PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe SSDs. The primary slot is connected directly to the CPU, while the other two slots link to the B760 chipset. This ensures optimal performance from the primary slot, while the other two slots share DMI bandwidth. The board also includes six SATA ports, supporting RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 configurations.

Connectivity and I/O

The B760 AORUS Elite AX is equipped with a robust set of external connectivity features, including an integrated Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX210 module, offering up to 2.4 Gbps wireless speeds and Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity. The wired networking is facilitated by a Realtek 2.5 GbE LAN controller for fast Ethernet connections.

B760 AORUS Elite AX connectivity and ports

The rear I/O panel features a range of USB ports, including two USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A, four USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A, and two USB 2.0 ports. While the board lacks USB Gen2x2 support, this is a minor drawback given the other connectivity options available. The rear I/O also includes an HDMI 2.0b output, a Q-Flash Plus button, a Wi-Fi antenna connector, a BIOS switch, and an array of audio jacks powered by the Realtek ALC1220-VB codec, providing 7.1 channel HD audio.

Bundled software and BIOS

The B760 AORUS Elite AX comes with Gigabyte’s App Center, a centralized hub for accessing utilities such as @BIOS, System Information Viewer, EasyTune, RGB Fusion 2.0, and more. The board’s BIOS offers a comprehensive list of settings, catering to both novice users and enthusiasts. The Easy Mode interface provides basic options for configuring boot order, enabling XMP profiles, and monitoring system temperatures, while the Advanced Mode allows for in-depth customization of overclocking, fan control, and other settings.

Conclusion on the B760 AORUS Elite AX motherboard

The B760 AORUS Elite AX motherboard delivers exceptional value for its price point, offering a combination of quality components, robust cooling solutions, and extensive connectivity options. While it lacks USB Gen2x2 support and CPU overclocking, the board compensates with strong VRM, triple M.2 slots, Wi-Fi 6E, and 2.5 Gbps LAN. With support for Intel’s 13th Gen processors and DDR5 memory, the B760 AORUS Elite AX is a solid choice for those seeking a mid-range Intel motherboard that won’t break the bank.