- The Gigabyte Z890 AORUS motherboard holds 256GB of DDR5-7200 memory
- Motherboard requires two 128GB CQDIMM modules instead of four smaller units
- Optimized BIOS and motherboard design ensure stability at extreme memory frequencies
Gigabyte introduced the Z890 AORUS Tachyon ICE CQDIMM Edition motherboard at CES 2026, aimed at high-performance consumer applications.
The motherboard relies on two DIMM slots instead of the traditional four, requiring users to install more expensive 128GB modules to reach a total of 256GB of memory.
The innovation focuses on CQDIMM hardware combined with optimized BIOS tuning.
CQDIMM technology
Motherboard circuitry reduces memory channel loading, improving signal integrity and supporting stable operation at full capacity.
The BIOS architecture manages timing, voltage and signal, allowing DDR5-7200 frequencies even with high capacity modules.
These hardware and firmware optimizations overcome the longstanding trade-offs between capacity, frequency, and stability that have historically limited consumer DDR5 memory.
By using two 128GB CQDIMM modules instead of four 64GB CUDIMMs, the motherboard reaches 256GB on DDR5-7200 without compromising performance.
Traditional configurations require four modules, which forces frequencies up to DDR5-4400 due to electrical and signal limitations.
Gigabyte’s approach optimizes system design, reduces channel loading, and enables higher stable frequencies at extreme capacities.
Professional testing, including CPU-Z verification, confirms that the motherboard boots and operates reliably under these conditions, setting an industry milestone for consumer platforms.
Gigabyte has partnered with leading memory manufacturers, including Adata, Kingston, and TeamGroup, to co-develop compatible CQDIMM modules.
These collaborations aim to ensure maximum compatibility and performance across the growing high-capacity, high-frequency memory ecosystem.
Through these partnerships, CQDIMM technology achieves higher frequencies and stability, addressing the demands of AI computing, content creation, and other data-intensive workloads.
We still don’t know how much the Gigabyte Z890 AORUS Tachyon ICE CQDIMM Edition motherboard will cost.
However, it’s likely to come at a high premium given the memory configuration it requires, as right now 64GB DDR5 modules sell for around $10 per GB, so 128GB devices could easily cost much more.
This means that two 128GB modules can add up to around $5,000 for the RAM alone.
Considering the potential cost of this device, some observers note that it may make more sense to buy a Threadripper Pro system and fill it with cheaper 64GB modules to achieve the same total capacity.
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