Gigabyte Aorus Z390 I Pro WIFI with Ncase M1 and NH-U14S

knewt

Caliper Novice
Original poster
Sep 4, 2019
33
15
Hi,

Im looking to build a Z390-based system (i7 9700k) in a NCase M1 V6. Of course I want to use the USB-C and A ports in the front, so my motherboard options are limited according to the list in that other thread.

Im down to two motherboard options, ASUS STRIX Z390-I Gaming and Gigabyte AORUS Z390-I PRO WIFI. The more popular ASRock board does not have the headers for USB-C in front.

The more expensive ASUS motherboard has everything I need, except its more expensive and will not fit a Noctua NH-C14S (so the best air-cooled option seems to be Noctua NH-U9S).

I want to investigate if the Gigabyte board can 1) fit a C14S and 2) if there are any obvious limitations in this board compared to the ASUS one. I was not able to find much information about this, or even about this board at all in this forum. Is there a reason the board is not very popular?

Any input would be greatly appreciated. Anyone running the same or similar setup? Thanks!
 

Amonchakai

SFF Lingo Aficionado
Jun 28, 2019
99
36
Hi,

My plan is also to use the aorus Z390i and the noctua C14S.

I have seen there :

That someone did that setup (in a different case), so I hope it will work. The only thing which could go wrong, is if this guy put the cooler in a different orientation than we would expect...

Regarding the board itself, I did not see any major flaws with it. The header for USB - C is a gen 3.1 and not a 3.2 as in the Asus strix one. But I don't really care, and the board it is like 100$ cheaper than the Asus one (at least where I live).
 
  • Like
Reactions: knewt

knewt

Caliper Novice
Original poster
Sep 4, 2019
33
15
Hi,

My plan is also to use the aorus Z390i and the noctua C14S.

I have seen there :

That someone did that setup (in a different case), so I hope it will work. The only thing which could go wrong, is if this guy put the cooler in a different orientation than we would expect...

Regarding the board itself, I did not see any major flaws with it. The header for USB - C is a gen 3.1 and not a 3.2 as in the Asus strix one. But I don't really care, and the board it is like 100$ cheaper than the Asus one (at least where I live).

Cool, so it looks like it will fit on the board itself and not have issues like ASUS motherboard have where the heatsinks was in the way. Now we just need to know if the top-panel of the Ncase can close with this on, and not the same issue as with the Auros x570 threads that came up recently.. Glad im not alone looking at this board. Im also saving quite a bit.

Where did you find info about the ASUS Strix header being USB-C 3.2? According to this source, the ASUS board has Type-C 3.0 port in the back and Type-C 3.1 header. https://www.anandtech.com/show/1384...ming-asrock-z390-phantom-gaming-itx-ac-review

It does seem like the Gigabyte board has Type-C 3.1 port in the back but only Type-C 3.0 header, so the reverse compared to ASUS. https://bit-tech.net/reviews/tech/motherboards/gigabyte-z390-i-aorus-pro-wifi-review/1/

But according to this review, the Type-C header is 3.1! What... https://www.eteknix.com/aorus-z390-i-pro-wifi-mini-itx-motherboard-review/

But Gigabytes webpage clearly states Type-C 3.1 front headers, so we can conclude this. https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/Z390-I-AORUS-PRO-WIFI-rev-10#kf
  • 1 x USB Type-C™ port with USB 3.1 Gen 1 support, available through the internal USB header
  • 1 x USB Type-C™ port on the back panel, with USB 3.1 Gen 2 support

The ASUS website confirms that front connector is Type-C 3.1 Gen 2, so its a generation newer compared to the Gigabyte board. It seems the naming standard for USB-C is a bit wonky. https://www.asus.com/Motherboards/ROG-STRIX-Z390-I-GAMING/specifications/
  • 1 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 front panel connector port(s)
  • Back-port seems to be Type 3.1 Gen 1 if I understand information on their website correctly. Not as clear as on Gigabytes.

So it seems reverse. Gigabyte has Type-C 3.1 Gen 1 in the front, Gen 2 in the back. ASUS has Type-C 3.1 Gen 2 in the front, Gen 1 in the back.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Amonchakai

Amonchakai

SFF Lingo Aficionado
Jun 28, 2019
99
36
Sorry, I got confused with the naming. I replied out of memory and made a mistake with the USB 3.1 gen 1 and 2...

Yes, you are right.

For the top panel, I really hope there won't be any issues as I already bought the board. Well, shipping is planned for end of September, I will know soon enough