The Intel Z690 Motherboard Overview (DDR5): Over 50+ New Models
by Gavin Bonshor on November 9, 2021 9:00 AM ESTASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Hero (DDR5)
Acting as the 'entry-level' if it can be called that to ASUS's ROG Maximus series is the Hero, or the ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Hero to be exact. Adopting a more futuristic and modern design compared to last year's ROG Maximus XIII Hero, the new Z690 Hero includes its dot matrix display integrated into the rear panel cover and chipset heatsink, which looks fancy and neat. All across the board are oodles of matte black including the M.2 heatsinks, with a central M.2 heatsink that has a black treadplate-looking design on it for contrast.
Looking at the lower half of the board, it is dominated by PCIe slots, including two full-length PCIe 5.0 slots operating at either x16 or x8/x8, with a third full-length PCIe 3.0 x4 slot. Storage options are aplenty including four PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slots, with a fifth M.2 slot locked down to PCIe 3.0 x4. Other storage options include six SATA ports that benefit from support for RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 arrays. Located in the top-right hand corner are four memory slots that are capable of supporting up to DDR5-6400 with a maximum combined capacity of 128 GB.
On the rear panel of the Z690 Hero are a pair of Thunderbolt 4 Type-C ports, with one USB 3.2 G2 Type-C, six USB 3.2 G2 Type-A, and two USB 2.0 ports. Networking options include an Intel I225-V 2.5 GbE controller with an Intel Wi-Fi 6E CNVi offering both wireless and BT 5.2 device connectivity. There are five 3.5 mm audio jacks and S/PDIF optical output powered by a SupremeFX ALC4082 HD audio codec and ESS Sabre 9018Q2C DAC pairing, while the board also has one HDMI 2.1 video output. Finishing off the rear panel is a pair of buttons, one for BIOS Flashback and another to clear the CMOS.
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Pneumothorax - Tuesday, November 9, 2021 - link
These prices are insane. You need to add $300 tax on top of any ADL build for Z690/DDR5.Gasaraki88 - Tuesday, November 9, 2021 - link
OMG... those mobo prices... wowOxford Guy - Wednesday, November 10, 2021 - link
‘Video cards are insane so why not us?’TeddyBaeeer - Tuesday, November 9, 2021 - link
Gigabyte Z690i Aorus Ultra is NOT DDR5. It is ddr4 and your link goes to the ddr4 boardSamus - Tuesday, November 9, 2021 - link
Cheapest ITX board is $400-$440. Yikes.Oxford Guy - Wednesday, November 10, 2021 - link
And some have tried to dismiss the apparent fact that inflation is a significant cause. Supply constraint doesn’t explain all of it nor does an increase in sedentary entertainment due to Covid.You’ve got your shrinkflation and your price inflation. Both are occuring.
zodiacsoulmate - Wednesday, November 10, 2021 - link
The MSI Z690 Ace is E-ATX, not ATX.How do I know? i preordered it on the 4th, and newegg is showing availability on Dec 3rd… It is so much better than the HERO at 600 dollar
zodiacsoulmate - Wednesday, November 10, 2021 - link
I thought thunderbolt port support displayport protocol? So will those thinderbolt 4 port without dp input port, output video from integrated GPU?zodiacsoulmate - Wednesday, November 10, 2021 - link
Another error in the article, the ALC4082 should include MSI Z690 AceInjuis - Wednesday, November 10, 2021 - link
The inflation just never stops, does it?