Intel's X299 platform is right around the corner and during the upcoming weeks we should see all the new models. Thanks to Videocardz, we can already have a glance at Gigabyte's X299 Aorus Gaming series of motherboards, coming with plenty of new features, a lot of LEDs and an insane number of M.2 slots.


At the moment there are only a few details available. The full list of specifications as well as detailed pictures can most likely be expected to surface during the next weeks, since by then the NDA is supposed to be lifted. So far Gigabyte’s X299 Aorus Gaming series will include three models: the X299 Aorus Gaming 9, the X299 Aorus Gaming 7 and the X299 Aorus Gaming 3. While the first two models are high-end boards, the third model is targeting the mid range market.

Compared to the high-end Z270X Gaming 8, Gigabyte is keeping the same color scheme in the case of their X299 models. Apparently all the boards come with an armada of features, such as two M.2 slots for example. Apart from that they’re all based on an ATX form-factor, with black PCB and there are the usual eight DIMM slots. Apart from that the RGB lighting has been improved and now we find several RGB strips all over the motherboard. Although these boards address different market segments, they come with the same number of full-sized PCIe slots.

A closer look reveals that the X299 Aorus Gaming 9 and the Gaming 7 feature a black color scheme with eight DIMM slots. There are five PCIe Gen 3.0 with steel reinforcements and RGB lighting. On the storage side we see three M.2 slots and eight SATA ports. Furthermore we also see all the bells and whistles you'd ask for in the event of overclocking. Last but not least there should be a dedicated audio chip which might be Creative’s Sound Blaster ZxRi. According to the pictures, the main difference between these two models is the fact that the X299 Aorus Gaming 9 packs three M.2 heat sinks and a even more RGB LEDs.

The X299 Aorus Gaming 3 comes with a less “complicated” design. Like the other two models we find the same black PCB with several RGB LEDs. However the overall design is less crowded and there are less plastic covers and connectors. On the storage side we see two M.2 slots and eight SATA ports. In the case of the audio it appears that Gigabyte is using Creative’s Core3D chip instead of the ZxRi, that can be found on the Gaming 9.

Intel's X299 platform is expected to launch at Computex, which starts May 30th. At the same time Intel is expected to launch their first Core i9 series CPUs and other vendors are also supposed to show an armada of new motherboards.






Source: Videocardz