GIGABYTE shows 256GB DDR5-7200 CQDIMM demo on special Z890 AORUS Tachyon ICE at CES 2026
GIGABYTE says it ran DDR5-7200 with a full 256GB memory configuration at CES 2026. The setup used two 128GB modules on the Z890 AORUS Tachyon ICE CQDIMM Edition motherboard, with BIOS tuning used to keep the system stable at that speed.
High-capacity DDR5 configs usually force a drop in frequency, since larger modules add load and make signaling harder. GIGABYTE says the CQDIMM result comes from board-level changes that reduce channel loading, plus firmware work that manages timing and voltage behavior around the clock driver. Based on a screenshot provided, the company used ADATA memory, configured at 3600 MHz (7200 MT/s) at 52-52-52-108 setting. Please excuse the quality, but this is what the company has posted, so we used a bit of upscaling to see the data:
Source: Gigabyte
CQDIMM is GIGABYTE’s naming for a “clocked” unbuffered DDR5 DIMM aimed at higher-density, multi-rank modules. The key hardware difference versus a standard UDIMM is a clock driver (CKD) on the module (just like CUDIMM), which helps clean up clock signaling at higher data rates. GIGABYTE also frames CQDIMM in the context of 4-rank 128GB modules, which are harder to run fast than typical desktop DIMMs.
At CES, GIGABYTE presented the 2x128GB, 256GB total configuration running at DDR5-7200 and referenced CPU-Z validation as part of the demo. The company also listed ADATA, Kingston, and TeamGroup as memory partners for bringing compatible modules to market.
Z890 TACHYON CQDIMM (left) vs CUDIMM (right)
The standard Z890 AORUS TACHYON ICE is also a 2-DIMM Z890 board built around memory tuning and overclocking. On its product page, GIGABYTE lists a 128GB max capacity for the regular board, which lines up with typical 2-slot DDR5 UDIMM support. The CQDIMM Edition is therefore designed to support twice the capacity up to 2x128GB.
GIGABYTE has not shared pricing or an on-shelf date for the Z890 AORUS Tachyon ICE CQDIMM Edition or 128GB CQDIMM kits. The board is not yet listed by the company on official website.
Source: AORUS
