Gigabyte X870E Aorus Xtreme AI Top Motherboard Review: Solid flagship, but the X3D version is what you want today

Top of the food chain, but the refreshed X3D version is the one to buy

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Gigabyte X870E Aorus Xtreme AI Top
(Image credit: © Future)

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Firmware

Gigabyte’s updated “UC BIOS 2.0” starts in Easy Mode, is laid out logically, and displays a wealth of information about the system, including processor, RAM, fan speeds, and several selectable options, such as XMP profiles, RAM tweaks, Re-Size BAR support, Smart Fan 6 access, and more. The Aorus Xtreme AI Top uses a black background with light-blue accents and white writing, providing a high-contrast screen that’s easy to read. The background is similar to the Aorus Stealth, but with a mountain lit up by the moon instead of the Aorus branding.

All headings are still displayed across the top in advanced mode; they are now larger ‘buttons’ and can be easily selected with a mouse. The highlight bar (where you are on the page) is a light blue here and easy to see. Every option you need and want is at your fingertips, and you don’t have to drill down several layers to reach the most commonly used functions – especially if you populate your selections in the Favorites section.

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Gigabyte X870E Aorus Xtreme AI Top - BIOS
(Image credit: Future)

Software

Gigabyte Control Center (GCC) is a one-stop solution for controlling various functions, including RGB and Fan control, hardware monitoring, and overclocking. It’s also helpful in finding, downloading, and installing driver updates for your system. It’s a simple application that does its job. It’s also a much cleaner tool than the previous App Center. It earns our approval for the breadth of functionality it offers users. This is the latest version from early 2026.

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Gigabyte X870E Aorus Xtreme AI Top - Gigabyte Control Center
(Image credit: Future)

Test System / Comparison Products

We’ve updated our test system to Windows 11 (23H2) 64-bit OS with all updates applied as of late September 2024 (this includes the Branch Prediction Optimizations for AMD). Hardware-wise, we’ve updated the RAM kits (matching our Intel test system), cooling, storage, and video card. Unless otherwise noted, we use the latest publicly available non-beta motherboard BIOS. The hardware we used is as follows:

TEST SYSTEM COMPONENTS

Gigabyte X870E Aorus Xtreme AI Top - testbed

(Image credit: Future)
Swipe to scroll horizontally

Sound

Integrated HD audio

Network

Integrated Networking (GbE to 10 GbE)

Graphics Driver

GeForce 561.09

Benchmark Settings

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Synthetic Benchmarks and Settings

Procyon

Version 2.8.1352 64

Office 365, Video Editing (Premiere Pro 24.6.1), Photo Editing (Photoshop 25.1.2, Lightroom Classic 13.5.1)

3DMark

Version 2.29.8294.0 64

Speed Way and Steel Nomad (Default)

Cinebench R24

Version 2024.1.0
Open GL Rendering Benchmark - Single and Multi-threaded

Blender

Version 4.2.0
Full benchmark (all 3 tests)

Application Tests and Settings

LAME MP3

Version SSE2_2019

Mixed 271MB WAV to mp3: Command: -b 160 --nores (160Kb/s)

HandBrake CLI

Version: 1.8.2

Sintel Open Movie Project: 4.19GB 4K mkv to x264 (light AVX) and x265 (heavy AVX)

Corona 1.4

Version 1.4

Custom benchmark

7-Zip

Version 24.08

Integrated benchmark (Command Line)

Game Tests and Settings

Cyberpunk 2077

Ultra RT: - 1920 x 1080, DLSS - Balanced.

F1 2024

Ultra High Preset - 1920 x 1080, 16xAF/TAA, Great Britain (Clear/Dry), FPS Counter ON

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Joe Shields
Joe Shields
Staff Writer, Components

Joe Shields is a staff writer at Tom’s Hardware. He reviews motherboards and PC components.

5 Comments Comment from the forums
  • vinay2070
    Why does every product needs to have the word AI in it? Apple didnt include the word AI in M4 or the M5 or the Neo series. And they are selling well. Maybe they know what the consumers want. MS included the word Co-pilot and most people hate it.

    AI just gives you the feeling that its here to steal your job and harevst your data.
    Reply
  • Math Geek
    i skimmed the article specifically to see what feature they are pretending is AI.

    and i left disappointed. not even a mention of what it is even referring to...

    so just a word thrown in to push the price up $100 i guess.
    Reply
  • Albert.Thomas
    This review feels... off. Based on your comments, it would seem that you should have reviewed the X3D version instead.
    Reply
  • Math Geek
    it does feel odd to review an out of date board and not the refreshed one that is available new.

    can't say i have ever seen a recommendation only if you can buy a refurb but not new stock.

    like most others, i get my hair in a tizzy when AI is thrown about all over the place. so i like to at least know what they are claiming is "AI" about it.

    i am a big fan of GB boards and currently have an x570s Elite and Extreme model in my home builds. they seem to be the right mix of price/feature for me and those i build for. many of the other brands base models are much pricier than what GB offers for similar features. of course all the top end models are crazy expensive but they are not for the average user anyway.
    Reply
  • das_stig
    It may be good but no motherboard is worth $1200, I bet the BOM is no way near it and GB using any excuse to be greedy.
    Reply