OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Motherboards Methodology v3.0
Motherboards Methodology v3.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Motherboards Methodology v3.0: the technical score from the specifications is the base, and independent expert and video reviews (up to ±0.5 points), owner opinions (up to ±0.3) and best-of lists (up to +0.3) move it up or down.
Explore Motherboards Methodology v3.0

GIGABYTE X299 AORUS Master review: 109 specs compared

Avg. price:~£440CPU socket:LGA 2066Chipset:Intel X299Form factor:E-ATX

GIGABYTE X299 AORUS Master Review: Compare 109 technical specifications and 3 expert and video reviews to see how this product ranks in the Motherboards category and whether it is worth buying.

GIGABYTE X299 AORUS Master
7.2/10

Overall score

Score
7.2/ 10
✕
What it is
Our main score for this model, 1–10. It combines specs, expert reviews, best-of lists, owners and ratings from across the web.
How we count it
Parts: Technical score 40%, Reviews score 20%, List score 20%, Sentiment score 10%, User score 10%
Marks: Each part gets a mark out of 10. For reviews, lists and owners, a typical model in this category gets about 8 and the best one gets 10.
No data yet: A part with no data shows "?". It counts as the mark of a weaker model in this category (4 in 5 models with data score higher). This way, models with reviews, lists and owners usually come out ahead.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 61% of models
Score components

40%

7.2

Technical score

20%

7.2

Reviews score

20%

?

List scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 7.5, the mark of a weaker model in this category

10%

?

Sentiment scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 7.0, the mark of a weaker model in this category

10%

7.2

User score

â–²Better than 61% of motherboards
7.5

Value for money

Value for money
7.5/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the motherboard's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a motherboard that offers a strong balance of features, performance, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 66% of models
Score components

70%

7.2

Overall score

30%

8.2

Price

â–¼Worse than 66%
7.2

Technical score

Technical score
7.2/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 40% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 70% of models
Score components

19%

6.9

Memory

16%

8.1

Platform

16%

6.5

Storage

15%

8.8

Network

13%

5.5

Ports

8%

4.4

Expansion

8%

8.6

Power & Cooling

5%

9.3

Audio

â–²Better than 70%
7.2

Reviews score

Reviews score
7.2/ 10
✕
What it is
Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
How we count it
Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.8 for now.
Share: Reviews count 20% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 65% of models

7.2

Mark 8.2 is below the typical mark 8.3 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

80%

8.3

Average grade

20%

8.0

Popularity

Grades by review (3)
2 reviews: 0 with a printed score, 2 estimated from the review. 1 video review, counting half as much as a written test. Reviews count 20% of the overall score.
Ratings from across the web count in the User score, not in this score.
â–¼Worse than 65%
7.2

User score

User score
7.2/ 10
✕
What it is
How happy buyers are with this model, based on ratings from across the web.
How we count it
Enough data: A model needs at least 1 rating from across the web. Without one, it counts as 7.9, the mark of a weaker rated model in this category.
Share: User score counts 10% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 64% of models

7.2

Mark 8.0 is below the typical mark 8.4 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

70%

8.4

Rating

30%

6.9

Popularity

â–¼Worse than 64%
?

List score

List score
7.5/ 10
✕
What it is
How often independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers put this model in their best-of lists for this category.
How we count it
Points: The model in the most lists of this category gets 10; the others get 8 to 10 in proportion. In no list yet: 7.5. Lists count 20% of the overall score.
Enough data: Every list counts, even a single one. With fewer than 5 best-of lists in the category, this part is left out.
Lists with this model (0)
Not in any best-of list yet, so this part counts as 7.5. Models in a list get 8 to 10.
Not in any best-of list yet
  • gigabyte-x299-aorus-master
  • gigabyte-x299-aorus-master
  • gigabyte-x299-aorus-master
  • gigabyte-x299-aorus-master
  • gigabyte-x299-aorus-master
gigabyte-x299-aorus-master
gigabyte-x299-aorus-master
gigabyte-x299-aorus-master
gigabyte-x299-aorus-master
gigabyte-x299-aorus-master
Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.

What reviewers say about the GIGABYTE X299 AORUS Master

Based on 2 · 2

Reviewers agree the heatsinks are excellent and keep things cool, with no recurring complaints mentioned.
Praised
Pick a topic to see who said what
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Motherboards model ranking

Ranked #671 of 2,078 models in Motherboards (Overall score)

Technical Specifications of motherboard GIGABYTE X299 AORUS Master

Technical score
Technical score
7.2/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 40% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 70% of models
Score components:

19%

6.9

Memory

16%

8.1

Platform

16%

6.5

Storage

15%

8.8

Network

13%

5.5

Ports

8%

4.4

Expansion

8%

8.6

Power & Cooling

5%

9.3

Audio

7.2
Reviews score
7.2
User score
7.2
List score
?
Value for money
Value for money
7.5/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the motherboard's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a motherboard that offers a strong balance of features, performance, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 66% of models
Score components:

70%

7.2

Overall score

30%

8.2

Price

7.5
CPU socket
LGA 2066
This motherboard uses LGA 2066, which is more up-to-date than 51.5% of Motherboards and the same as 2% of Motherboards.
CPU platform
Intel
Chipset
Intel X299
This motherboard uses Intel X299, which is less capable than 65.8% of Motherboards and as capable as 2% of Motherboards.
Form factor
E-ATX
Integrated graphics support
no
This motherboard does not support integrated graphics. 89.9% of motherboards support this feature.
Show more
DDR memory version
DDR4
This motherboard uses DDR4, which is more modern than 13.4% of Motherboards and the same as 50.4% of Motherboards.
Memory slots
8
Market range: <2 – >4
This motherboard has 8 Memory slots, which is more than 93.9% of motherboards and equal to 5.8% of motherboards.
Maximum memory capacity
128 GB
Market range: <32 GB – >256 GB
This motherboard supports up to 128 GB of memory, which is more than 40.1% of motherboards and equal to 31.9% of motherboards.
Memory channels
4
Maximum RAM speed
4,000 MT/s
Market range: <2.1k MT/s – >8k MT/s
This motherboard supports memory speeds up to 4,000 MT/s, which is lower than that of 56.9% of motherboards and equal to that of 1.1% of motherboards.
Show more
N. of M.2 sockets
3
Market range: <0 – >4
This motherboard has 3 M.2 sockets, which is more than 65.1% of motherboards and equal to 18.9% of motherboards.
M.2 slot interface per slot
1x PCIe 3.0 x4/x2, 2x PCIe 3.0 x4/x2/SATA
This motherboard offers M.2 slots: 1x PCIe 3.0x4/x2, 2x PCIe 3.0x4/x2/SATA, which is slower than 56.1% of Motherboards.
N. of SATA 3 connectors
8
Market range: <4 – >8
This motherboard has 8 SATA 3 connectors, which is more than 85.5% of motherboards and equal to 11.1% of motherboards.
Supported RAID levels
0/1/5/10
This motherboard RAID support: 0/1/5/10, which is more flexible than 32.5% of Motherboards and the same as 67.5% of Motherboards.
NVMe RAID support
yes
This motherboard supports NVMe RAID. 40.2% of motherboards support this feature.
VROC key required for some configurations
Show more
N. of PCIe 5.0 x16 slots
0
Market range: <0 – >1
This motherboard has 0 PCIe 5.0x16 slots, which is fewer than 31.6% of motherboards and equal to 68.4% of motherboards.
N. of PCIe 4.0 x16 slots
0
Market range: <0 – >1
This motherboard has 0 PCIe 4.0x16 slots, which is fewer than 44.8% of motherboards and equal to 55.2% of motherboards.
N. of PCIe 3.0 x16 slots
4
Market range: <0 – >3
This motherboard has 4 PCIe 3.0x16 slots, which is more than 93.9% of motherboards and equal to 3.4% of motherboards.
PCIe slot electrical configuration
x16/x0/x4
This motherboard splits its PCIe lanes as x16/x0/x4, which is more generous than 51% of Motherboards and the same as 9.6% of Motherboards.
PCIe bifurcation support
yes
This motherboard supports PCIe bifurcation. 40.3% of motherboards support this feature.
Show more
Total USB ports (rear I/O)
8
Market range: <6 – >10
This motherboard has 8 USB ports (rear I/O), which is more than 40.6% of motherboards and equal to 30.3% of motherboards.
Total USB ports (including headers)
17
Market range: <11 – >19
This motherboard has 17 USB ports (including headers), which is more than 71.3% of motherboards and equal to 10.4% of motherboards.
Total USB-C ports (rear I/O)
1
Market range: <0 – >2
This motherboard has 1 USB-C ports (rear I/O), which is more than 35.8% of motherboards and equal to 48.3% of motherboards.
Total USB-C ports (including headers)
2
Market range: <0 – >3
This motherboard has 2 USB-C ports (including headers), which is more than 51.7% of motherboards and equal to 33% of motherboards.
N. of USB 3.2 Gen2x2 ports (USB-C)
0
Market range: <0 – >1
This motherboard has 0 USB 3.2 Gen2x2 ports (USB-C), which is fewer than 18% of motherboards and equal to 82% of motherboards.
10Gbps excluded.
Show more
LAN speed
2.5 Gbps
Market range: <1 Gbps – >2.5 Gbps
This motherboard supports LAN speeds up to 2.5 Gbps, which is higher than that of 49% of motherboards and equal to that of 41.4% of motherboards.
also includes 1GbE secondary port
LAN controller
Realtek RTL8125 + Intel I219-V
This motherboard has a Realtek RTL8125 + Intel I219-V LAN controller, which is faster than 86.2% of Motherboards and equal to 0.2% of Motherboards.
dual LAN
N. of RJ45 ports
2
Market range: <1 – >2
This motherboard has 2 RJ45 ports, which is more than 85.6% of motherboards and equal to 13.3% of motherboards.
Wi-Fi connectivity
yes
This motherboard supports Wi-Fi connectivity. 50% of motherboards support this feature.
Wi-Fi version
Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
This motherboard uses Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), which is newer than 49.8% of Motherboards and the same as 10.4% of Motherboards.
Show more
Audio codec
Realtek ALC1220-VB
This motherboard uses Realtek ALC1220-VB, which is higher-end than 80.4% of Motherboards and the same as 3.8% of Motherboards.
with ESS DAC.
Audio channels
7.1
This motherboard offers 7.1 audio channels, which is more than 4.7% of motherboards and equal to 95.3% of motherboards.
Audio SNR
130 dB
Market range: <95 dB – >120 dB
This motherboard has an audio SNR of 130 dB, which is higher than that of 97.9% of motherboards and equal to that of 2% of motherboards.
via ESS DAC.
Headphone amp support
yes
This motherboard supports a headphone amp. 41.2% of motherboards support this feature.
Smart Headphone Amp.
N. of 3.5mm audio jacks
5
Market range: <2 – >6
This motherboard has 5 3.5mm audio jacks, which is more than 50.6% of motherboards and equal to 36.3% of motherboards.
Show more
VRM phases
12
This motherboard has 12 VRM phases, which is more than 55.4% of motherboards and equal to 4.4% of motherboards.
N. of CPU power connectors
2
Market range: <1 – >2
This motherboard has 2 CPU power connectors, which is more than 54.9% of motherboards and equal to 44.8% of motherboards.
N. of fan headers
8
Market range: <3 – >8
This motherboard has 8 fan headers, which is more than 82.2% of motherboards and equal to 15% of motherboards.
Pump header
yes
This motherboard has a pump header. 22.1% of motherboards include this feature.
Pump header max current
3 A
Market range: <0 A – >3 A
This motherboard supports up to 3 A on the pump header, which is higher than that of 77.8% of motherboards and equal to that of 22.2% of motherboards.
Show more

GIGABYTE X299 AORUS Master vs the average motherboard

246810TotalPlatformMemoryStorageExpansionPortsNetworkAudioPower & Cooling
  • 1 more RJ45 ports
    This motherboard has more RJ45 ports than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 RJ45 port/s.
    2 vs 1
  • 4 more memory slots
    This motherboard has more memory slots than the average motherboard (8 vs 4). The average motherboard has 4 memory slot/s.
    8 vs 4
  • More capable LAN controller
    This motherboard has a faster LAN controller than the average motherboard (Realtek RTL8125 + Intel I219-V vs Killer + Intel + Realtek).
    dual LAN
    Realtek RTL8125 + Intel I219-V vs Killer + Intel + Realtek
  • 2 more PCIe x8 slots
    This motherboard has more PCIe x8 slots than the average motherboard (2 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 PCIe x8 slot/s.
    2 vs 0
  • 1 more M.2 sockets
    This motherboard has more M.2 sockets than the average motherboard (3 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 M.2 socket/s.
    3 vs 2
  • More capable onboard audio
    This motherboard has a higher-end audio codec than the average motherboard (Realtek ALC1220-VB vs Realtek ALC897).
    with ESS DAC.
    Realtek ALC1220-VB vs Realtek ALC897
  • 1 more CPU power connectors
    This motherboard has more CPU power connectors than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 CPU power connectors.
    2 vs 1
  • Integrated I/O shield
    This motherboard has an integrated I/O shield, while the average motherboard does not. 46.6% of motherboards include an integrated I/O shield.
  • Integrated I/O shield
    This motherboard has an integrated I/O shield, while the average motherboard does not. 46.6% of motherboards include an integrated I/O shield.
  • More up-to-date socket
    This motherboard uses a more up-to-date socket than the average motherboard (LGA 2066 vs LGA 1151).
    LGA 2,066 vs LGA 1,151
  • Includes dual BIOS
    This motherboard has dual BIOS, while the average motherboard does not. 22.4% of motherboards include dual BIOS.
  • Includes POST code display
    This motherboard has a POST code display, while the average motherboard does not. 26.7% of motherboards include a POST code display.
  • Rear-panel CMOS reset button
    This motherboard has a rear-panel CMOS reset button, while the average motherboard does not. 26.5% of motherboards include a rear-panel CMOS reset button.
  • Broader Windows support
    This motherboard supports a wider range of Windows versions than the average motherboard (Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 7 vs Windows 11, Windows 10).
    Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 7 vs Windows 11, Windows 10
  • 4 more memory slots
    This motherboard has more memory slots than the average motherboard (8 vs 4). The average motherboard has 4 memory slot/s.
    8 vs 4
  • 1 more M.2 sockets
    This motherboard has more M.2 sockets than the average motherboard (3 vs 2). The average motherboard has 2 M.2 socket/s.
    3 vs 2
  • 4 more SATA 3 connectors
    This motherboard has more SATA 3 connectors than the average motherboard (8 vs 4). The average motherboard has 4 SATA 3 connectors.
    8 vs 4
  • 2 more PCIe x8 slots
    This motherboard has more PCIe x8 slots than the average motherboard (2 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 PCIe x8 slot/s.
    2 vs 0
  • 3 more PCIe 3.0x16 slots
    This motherboard has more PCIe 3.0x16 slots than the average motherboard (4 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 PCIe 3.0x16 slot/s.
    4 vs 1
  • 1 more USB 3.2 Gen2 USB-C ports
    This motherboard has more USB 3.2 Gen2 USB-C ports than the average motherboard (1 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 USB 3.2 Gen2 USB-C port/s.
    1 vs 0
  • 1 more USB 3.2 Gen1 headers
    This motherboard has more USB 3.2 Gen1 headers than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 USB 3.2 Gen1 header/s.
    two internal headers
    2 vs 1
  • 2 more total USB connections
    This motherboard has more total USB connections than the average motherboard (17 vs 15). The average motherboard has 15 total USB connections.
    17 vs 15
  • 1 more USB4 or Thunderbolt headers
    This motherboard has more USB4 or Thunderbolt headers than the average motherboard (1 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 USB4 or Thunderbolt header/s.
    1 vs 0
  • 1 more USB 3.2 Gen2 headers
    This motherboard has more USB 3.2 Gen2 headers than the average motherboard (1 vs 0). The average motherboard has 0 USB 3.2 Gen2 header/s.
    1 vs 0
  • 2 more USB 3.2 Gen1 ports
    This motherboard has more USB 3.2 Gen1 ports than the average motherboard (6 vs 4). The average motherboard has 4 USB 3.2 Gen1 port/s.
    6 vs 4
  • 1 more total USB-C connections
    This motherboard has more total USB-C connections than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 total USB-C connections.
    2 vs 1
  • 1 more RJ45 ports
    This motherboard has more RJ45 ports than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 RJ45 port/s.
    2 vs 1
  • More capable LAN controller
    This motherboard has a faster LAN controller than the average motherboard (Realtek RTL8125 + Intel I219-V vs Killer + Intel + Realtek).
    dual LAN
    Realtek RTL8125 + Intel I219-V vs Killer + Intel + Realtek
  • Supports Bluetooth
    This motherboard supports Bluetooth, while the average motherboard does not. 49% of motherboards support Bluetooth.
  • More capable onboard audio
    This motherboard has a higher-end audio codec than the average motherboard (Realtek ALC1220-VB vs Realtek ALC897).
    with ESS DAC.
    Realtek ALC1220-VB vs Realtek ALC897
  • 15 dB higher audio SNR
    This motherboard has a higher audio SNR than the average motherboard (130 dB vs 115 dB). The average motherboard has audio SNR of 115 dB.
    via ESS DAC.
    130 dB vs 115 dB
  • 2 more 3.5mm audio jacks
    This motherboard has more 3.5mm audio jacks than the average motherboard (5 vs 3). The average motherboard has 3 3.5mm audio jacks.
    5 vs 3
  • 1 more CPU power connectors
    This motherboard has more CPU power connectors than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 CPU power connectors.
    2 vs 1
  • 2.5 more fan headers
    This motherboard has more fan headers than the average motherboard (8 vs 5.5). The average motherboard has 5.5 fan header/s.
    8 vs 5.5
  • 1 more RGB headers
    This motherboard has more RGB headers than the average motherboard (2 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 RGB header/s.
    2 vs 1
  • Includes onboard RGB lighting
    This motherboard has onboard RGB lighting, while the average motherboard does not. 50% of motherboards include onboard RGB lighting.
  • More VRM phases
    This motherboard has more VRM phases than the average motherboard (12 vs 10). The average motherboard has 10 VRM phase/s.
    12 vs 10
  • 1 A higher pump header current limit
    This motherboard has a higher pump header current than the average motherboard (3 A vs 2 A). The average motherboard provides pump header current of 2 A.
    3 A vs 2 A
  • More basic chipset
    This motherboard uses a more basic chipset than the average motherboard (Intel X299 vs Intel B860).
    Intel X299 vs Intel B860
  • Slower NVMe storage slots
    This motherboard has slower M.2 slots than the average motherboard (1x PCIe 3x4/x2, 2x PCIe 3x4/x2/SATA vs 1x PCIe 5x4, 2x PCIe 4x4).
    1x PCIe 3.0x4/x2, 2x PCIe 3.0x4/x2/SATA vs 1x PCIe 5.0x4, 2x PCIe 4.0x4
  • No integrated graphics support
    This motherboard does not support integrated graphics, while the average motherboard does. 89.8% of motherboards support integrated graphics.
  • 1 fewer DisplayPort outputs
    This motherboard has fewer DisplayPort outputs than the average motherboard (0 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 DisplayPort outputs.
    0 vs 1
  • 2.93x more expensive
    GIGABYTE X299 AORUS Master is more expensive than the average motherboard (£440 vs £150).
    £440 vs £150
  • Fewer BIOS update methods
    This motherboard offers fewer BIOS update methods than the average motherboard (UEFI utility, flashback vs UEFI utility, flashback, Windows app).
    UEFI utility, flashback vs UEFI utility, flashback, Windows app
  • Less recent Bluetooth version
    This motherboard has a less recent Bluetooth version than the average motherboard (4.2 vs 5.4).
    4.2 vs 5.4
  • 1 fewer PCIe x1 slots
    This motherboard has fewer PCIe x1 slots than the average motherboard (0 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 PCIe x1 slot/s.
    0 vs 1
  • 2.93x more expensive
    GIGABYTE X299 AORUS Master is more expensive than the average motherboard (£440 vs £150).
    £440 vs £150
  • 2.3% worse value for money
    GIGABYTE X299 AORUS Master has worse value for money than the average motherboard (7.52 vs 7.7).
    7.52 vs 7.7
  • More basic chipset
    This motherboard uses a more basic chipset than the average motherboard (Intel X299 vs Intel B860).
    Intel X299 vs Intel B860
  • No integrated graphics support
    This motherboard does not support integrated graphics, while the average motherboard does. 89.8% of motherboards support integrated graphics.
  • Fewer BIOS update methods
    This motherboard offers fewer BIOS update methods than the average motherboard (UEFI utility, flashback vs UEFI utility, flashback, Windows app).
    UEFI utility, flashback vs UEFI utility, flashback, Windows app
  • 14.9% lower maximum RAM speed
    This motherboard has a lower maximum RAM speed than the average motherboard (4,000 MT/s vs 4,699.5 MT/s). The average motherboard supports RAM speed of 4,699.5 MT/s.
    4,000 MT/s vs 4,699.5 MT/s
  • 20% lower overclocked RAM speed
    This motherboard has a lower overclocked RAM speed than the average motherboard (4,000 MT/s vs 5,000 MT/s). The average motherboard supports overclocked RAM speed of 5,000 MT/s.
    4,000 MT/s vs 5,000 MT/s
  • Slower NVMe storage slots
    This motherboard has slower M.2 slots than the average motherboard (1x PCIe 3x4/x2, 2x PCIe 3x4/x2/SATA vs 1x PCIe 5x4, 2x PCIe 4x4).
    1x PCIe 3.0x4/x2, 2x PCIe 3.0x4/x2/SATA vs 1x PCIe 5.0x4, 2x PCIe 4.0x4
  • 1 fewer PCIe x1 slots
    This motherboard has fewer PCIe x1 slots than the average motherboard (0 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 PCIe x1 slot/s.
    0 vs 1
  • Less generous lane split
    This motherboard splits its PCIe lanes less generously than the average motherboard (x16/x0/x4 vs x16/x0/x4, x8/x8/x4).
    x16/x0/x4 vs x16/x0/x4, x8/x8/x4
  • 1 fewer DisplayPort outputs
    This motherboard has fewer DisplayPort outputs than the average motherboard (0 vs 1). The average motherboard has 1 DisplayPort outputs.
    0 vs 1
  • Less recent Bluetooth version
    This motherboard has a less recent Bluetooth version than the average motherboard (4.2 vs 5.4).
    4.2 vs 5.4

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

9.0
igorsLAB
≈ estimated
11/02/2019
Hands-on test · heatpipe cooling and heat map
Verdict
The GIGABYTE X299 AORUS Master is unlikely to have thermal problems, even without case airflow.
9.0
igorsLAB
≈ estimated
10/02/2019
Hands-on test · VRM cooling under 300 W load
Verdict
The GIGABYTE X299 AORUS Master passed the high-load VRM test comfortably, with temperatures staying in a safe range.

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

9.0
thetechrevolutionist.com
≈ estimated
07/01/2019
First look · High-end X299 board
Verdict
The Gigabyte X299 AORUS Master is overbuilt to power 18-core chips, but its VRM fan sits in a cramped space.
6.0
overclocking.com
≈ estimated
15/06/2019
Lab test · Storage speeds
Verdict
The GIGABYTE X299 Aorus Master is slower than rival boards on SATA, but its USB 3.0 port delivers strong write speeds for external drives.

Third-party reviews

What customers like about GIGABYTE X299 AORUS Master

  • Excellent VRM thermal performance with active cooling and a fin-array heatsink
  • Robust power delivery (12-phase digital VRM) suitable for high-core count HEDT processors and overclocking
  • Superior build quality featuring a thick metal backplate for structural strength and heat dissipation
  • High-end audio solution with ESS SABRE 9218 DAC and 130dB SNR
  • Triple M.2 slots, all equipped with thermal guards to prevent throttling
  • Connectivity features including 2.5GbE LAN and built-in Wi-Fi

What customers don't like about GIGABYTE X299 AORUS Master

  • Considered an aging platform (LGA 2066 / X299) that has been largely superseded by newer chipsets
  • Small VRM fan is tucked away, leading to concerns about potential dust buildup and long-term effectiveness
  • Gigabyte's BIOS and software interface can be intimidating or less intuitive for new users
  • High price point relative to mainstream platforms, though competitive within the HEDT segment
  • Omission of certain enthusiast-level BIOS settings (like PWM switching frequency) noted by some advanced overclockers

Verdict

The Gigabyte X299 Aorus Master is a high-end E-ATX motherboard designed for Intel Core X-series processors on the LGA 2066 socket, featuring a robust 12-phase digital VRM with 60A Smart Power Stages and an advanced thermal design that includes a fins-array heatsink and an active cooling fan. It boasts quad-channel DDR4 support for up to 128GB (overclockable to 4000MHz+), triple M.2 slots with dedicated thermal guards, and multi-GPU capabilities supporting up to 4-way SLI or CrossFire configurations. High-speed connectivity is a standout with onboard Realtek 2.5GbE LAN alongside Intel Gigabit LAN, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, and an ESS SABRE 9218 DAC for audiophile-grade 130dB SNR audio. Pros include its exceptional power delivery for heavy overclocking, superior cooling solutions, and a balanced price-to-performance ratio for a flagship-class board. However, potential cons include the omission of more modern Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) standards found on newer 'X' refresh models and the large E-ATX form factor which may limit chassis compatibility.

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