It must be taken into account that each manufacturer decides how to use the chipset, so the fact that it supports the number of interfaces that appear in the diagram does not mean that we see them being used on said motherboard and there will be omissions or simply all available ports will not be used for space due to the fact that it is not practical to do so.
In the diagram we can see optional items, an example is the 2.5 Gbps Ethernet interface, which is a much better network controller than the 1 Gbps one, not only because it allows faster data transfer , but due to the fact that it does not force the processor to forward packets. Another example is Intel Extreme Tuning, although this component is on a separate chip without it many motherboards cannot offer one-click overclocking options. The rest of the non-mandatory chipset stuff isn’t aimed at the PC gaming market and so we’ll ignore them, plus you won’t find them on a gaming motherboard.
Don’t buy more than you need
When choosing a gaming motherboard with a Z690 chipset keep in mind the components you are going to choose to build your computer, we know that from the start you will be limited by your budget and not all of you will build a PC with the highest specs possible at all times. For example, some motherboards offer a large number of phases and VRMs that support very high amperage, but that only makes sense if you’re going to put in a very powerful power supply to power the hardware that needs it.
If the CPU, graphics card and the rest of the components aren’t going to stress the motherboard VRM and the PSU that your chosen configuration requires is rather modest, then our recommendation is that that extra cash you go invest in the motherboard you invest in other components for the PC. For example, you can upgrade to a better 80 PLUS certified PSU, better cooling, upgrade RAM, or add more NVMe SSDs for storage.
The most complete motherboards with Z690 chipset
To write this article, we took into account one of the particularities of Intel Core 12 processors, which is none other than the fact that they can support two different types of RAM: DDR4 or DDR5. Manufacturers therefore faced the situation of creating a large number of different motherboards with the Z690 chipset, and in some cases creating two versions of each model, one for each type of memory.
This is why we have chosen 5 different motherboards for this comparison: the first is high-end, two at a moderate price for classic ATX cases and one for each of the types of memory supported. On the other hand, we left the fourth and fifth options for those who wish to build a system based on a Mini-ITX case.
With that introduction done, we’ll break down each of these five we’ve chosen.
ASUS ROG MAXIMUS APEX, the best of the Z690 motherboards
We start with the most powerful and advanced on the list, the ASUS ROG MAXIMUS Z690 APEX, which is an impressive graphics card with an impressive 24 VRMs of the type RAA22010540 from Renesas, which have the capacity to support up to 105 amps. We are therefore faced with a motherboard designed for extreme overclocking of both CPU and RAM.
Starting with system memory, this board supports the powerful new DDR5 with speeds of up to 6600MHz with Intel XMP 3.0 support, so you can use the most powerful fifth-generation DDR memory of the market. And if what worries you is the storage capacity, know that you have up to 5 d sockets. Of course, that’s tricky because two of them are done through ROG DIMMs, so we really have 3 M.2 sockets like the rest. As for SATA connectors, we support up to 6 on this motherboard.
As for wireless connectivity, we have integrated the 2×2 type Intel Wi-Fi 6E radio with support for 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax networks with 2.4 frequencies, 5 and 6 GHz (except to support Bluetooth 5.2). Although if you prefer to connect via cable, you will have an Ethernet transfer speed of 2.5 Gbps.
Finally, and as is normal in any high-end motherboard, we have to talk about the audio controller and ASUS is known for its sound cards. In this case, they have integrated the ROG SupremeFX 7.1 with the ALC4080 hardware codec with the ability to reproduce sound with 32-bit quality and a frequency of 384 KHz and a Savitech SV3H712 AMP amplifier so that you can mount an impressive audio configuration around from your PC.
Oh, we forgot, as in the rest of the cards with the Z690 chipset, we have a slot with 16 fifth generation PCIe lanes, but in this case there are two of them and they are reinforced. Only when two graphics cards are connected do they function as two 8-way slots and thus share their bandwidth.
ASUS ROG Z690-I GAMING WIFI, the best option for Mini-ITX
Mounting a compact PC inside a Mini-ITX case should not be an obstacle if we want to base it on an Intel Core 12 and we will also install a graphics card designed for this type of tower, especially if we want have an HTPC with the ability to play AAA games in the market under our TV. Therefore, the ASUS ROG STRIX Z690-I does not disappoint at all.
To start, we have 2 DIMM memory sockets, up to 64 GB in total of DDR5 type where we can install modules ranging from 4800 MHz to 6400 MHz, all with Intel XMP 3.0 support. To connect our graphics card we have a PCI Express 5.0 slot and if we want to have an M.2 SSD the options are reduced to 2, less than the usual 3 of other configurations. But that’s not a bad thing, as it has a built-in Intel Wi-Fi 6E radio, which usually takes up one of the M.2 slots on motherboards that don’t have it. If you are interested in using SATA type units, this board does not miss having four connectors.
Like the ROG MAXIMUS APEX, it uses the same audio codec and could be called a small computer version of said motherboard. That’s why we put it second on the list. However, its overclocking capability is lower as it has a 10+1 phase configuration and uses VRMs of up to 105 amps each. Truly a fully recommended option if you plan to build a PC with Mini-ITX
GIGABYTE Z690 UD, excellent balance
As a cheap option for motherboards with Z690 chipset and DDR5 support, we chose the GIGABYTE Z690 UD, which also has a 16+1+2 configuration of the type OnSemi NCP303160 with 60 A. As for DDR5, we can install memories ranging from 4000 MHz to 6000 MHz. In total there are 4 sockets that allow us to install up to 128 GB of this type of memory in four DIMM modules up to 32 GB each. Regarding storage, we have three M.2 slots with a PCIe Gen 4 interface to connect a latest generation NVMe SSD and two SATA 6 Gb/s connectors if we still need to use an old hard drive in our PC. All this with support for RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5 and RAID 10.
Although not only DDR5 lives our motherboard and PCI Express 5.0 support is important, which comes in a socket for 16 connection lanes and where you will have to connect the graphics card. The second of the same type is intended for PCI Express 4.0 and works as a switch with NVMe SSD drives. Apart from that, it has a x4 slot and another x1, in case we want to connect a sound card or a video capture card.
When it comes to connectivity, we have a Realtek RT8125BG as a red controller, where we allow us to use 2.5 Gbps hasta reds, no WiFi radio available, so if you’re interested, you can sacrifice one of the M.2 ranuras for it. It also has an audio DSP also from Realtek for 7.1 sound and several USB ports, but it does not have basic support for Thunderbolt 4/USB4 and therefore we will have to buy an external expansion card for it.
ASRock Z690M-ITX/AX for Mini-ITX with DDR4
For the option of Mini-ITX cases with DDR4 memory support, we decided to go with this ASRock model, which is the most modest in terms of overclocking, since it only has 8 Dr.MOS type phases. This card has a 16-lane PCI Express 5.0 port to connect the motherboard, being the only one of its kind but having two M.2 slots with a fourth generation interface. However, the second slot is switched with the four SATA connectors, so using a conventional hard drive will leave us without access to the second M.2. Fortunately, we have WiFi 6E and Bluetooth wireless connectivity. Apart from LAN connectivity with 2.5G speed. The only thing we are missing? Thunderbolt 4 support.
As for memory, we have 2 DIMM sockets for DDR4 with support for overclocking to 5000 MHz and a capacity of up to 64 GB, so you can install the fastest memories of this type on the market , making it the best option on the list. you use it.
ASUS Prime Z690M-PLUS D4
The latest of the Z690 motherboards is also the latest to support DDR4 memory, as it has 4 DIMM sockets with dual-channel support and a capacity of up to 128 GB of memory. Its form factor is Micro-ATX, so you will be able to install it in most conventional gaming towers without any problem.
As for the analog power supply circuit, it has a 10+1 Dr.MOS type VRM, a ProCool socket with 4+ 8 contacts and all this accompanied by large heat sinks that cover the phases, the chipset itself. same and the NVMe SSD unit.
If we talk about expansion ports, we have to comment on its three slots for NVMe M.2 SSD, its 1 Gbit per second LAN through its Ethernet port, support for USB 3.2 Gen 2 with ports of the type like Type C and USB4 or Thunderbolt 4. The only weak point? The fact that it doesn’t have a built-in Intel WiFi 6E radio from Intel, so you’ll need to have your internet router nearby or buy it separately.
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