Gigabyte B650 Aorus Elite AX ICE Review: Stylish White PCB and Powerful VRM Design

A modern AM5 motherboard with a white PCB design, powerful VRM, DDR5 support, and extensive connectivity for high-performance builds.

Hardware by Katmin on Sep 09, 2025

Over the last few years, we have seen fewer and fewer motherboards with white PCBs. A few years ago, some brands experimented with this design direction, but it eventually fell out of favor.

Now, Gigabyte has brought it back with a brand-new white PCB motherboard called the B650 Aorus Elite AX ICE. It is refreshing to see a new board that combines functionality with an eye-catching aesthetic.

Gigabyte, B650 Aorus Elite, AX ICE, Review, Stylish White PCB, Powerful VRM Design, NoobFeed

What Comes in the Box

When unboxing the B650 Aorus Elite AX ICE, the accessories are fairly minimal. You get SATA cables for 2.5in SSDs or spinning hard drives, a Wi-Fi antenna for the built-in Wi-Fi 6, and a G connector to simplify front panel wiring.

There’s also some documentation showcasing the B650 product stack. While the extras aren’t extensive, they cover the essentials.

Key Features and Connectivity

Looking closely at the board, several features stand out, including multiple headers and RGB options such as a front panel audio header, two 3-pin 5V addressable RGB headers, a 4-pin 12V RGB header, and several PWM fan headers.

For front panel connectivity, it provides USB 2.0 headers, a reset button, and connectors for switches and lights. Storage options include four SATA ports, a right-angled USB 3.2 Type-A header, and a USB Type-C front panel header.

Graphics support is provided by a strategically placed HDMI port, making it convenient for cases with integrated displays and direct use with integrated GPUs. Power delivery is handled by a 24-pin ATX power connector, an 8-pin EPS connector, and a supplemental 4-pin EPS connector.

Additionally, the top edge of the board features more 5V RGB headers, three extra PWM fan headers for CPU cooling setups, and expansion options with a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, along with two PCIe 3.0 slots.

Gigabyte, B650 Aorus Elite, AX ICE, Review, Stylish White PCB, Powerful VRM Design, NoobFeed

VRM and Cooling Setup

The motherboard uses a 12+2+2 phase digital twin VRM setup with 60A DrMOS power stages. Cooling is handled by an extensive heatsink system, including a heat pipe connecting the top heatsink to the I/O cover, which doubles as a large heatsink. This ensures effective thermal management even under heavy loads.

Memory and Storage

The AM5 socket supports up to four DDR5 DIMMs with a maximum of 192GB of RAM at speeds up to 8000MT/s. For storage, the board introduces a spring-loaded, toolless design for M.2 drives. You simply pop the latch, install the drive, and secure it with the spring-loaded clip—no tools required.

Rear I/O Layout

Wi-Fi 6E antenna connectors, a Q-Flash button, several USB Type-A ports, HDMI for an integrated GPU, a USB Type-C port, a 2.5Gb Ethernet port, and an audio interface are all located on the back. Compatibility with a wide range of peripherals and networking needs is ensured by this well-rounded setup.

First Impressions of the White PCB

Since white versions of these components exist, it’s a little surprising that Gigabyte didn’t go fully white. Still, the board manages to deliver a clean and unique aesthetic.

Ease of Use and Installation

The toolless M.2 installation, which enables quick and easy drive configuration, is one of the most notable enhancements. But unlike other boards, the top PCIe slot does not have a release button.

This implies that it might be difficult to remove a GPU, particularly if a large air cooler is being used. It adds a small annoyance, but it's not a deal breaker.

Gigabyte, B650 Aorus Elite, AX ICE, Review, Stylish White PCB, Powerful VRM Design, NoobFeed

Availability and Pricing

The B650 Aorus Elite AX ICE is not widely available yet, and pricing information is limited. Gigabyte introduced this board toward the end of last year or early this year, but it still feels rare in the market. As it becomes more widely available, it will be a welcome choice for those who want to create a system with a white theme.

Final Thoughts

The Gigabyte B650 Aorus Elite X AX ICE is an all-around reliable and fashionable motherboard that combines contemporary technologies with the unique allure of a white PCB.

Despite its flaws, it is notable for its robust VRM setup, wide connection, toolless M.2 installation, and sleek appearance. This board is a great option to take into consideration if you want to create with a white motif.

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