The Intel Z690 Motherboard Overview (DDR5): Over 50+ New Models
by Gavin Bonshor on November 9, 2021 9:00 AM ESTASUS ROG Strix Z690-E Gaming WIFI (DDR5)
Moving onto ASUS's mid-range Z690 options, and we have its gaming-focused Strix series with solid features, which over the last couple of years have been at competitive price points. The ASUS ROG Strix Z690-E Gaming WIFI is no different with an all-around solid feature set, with a similar aesthetic to last year's Z590 version. Looking at the design, ASUS has gone with a very smart brushed aluminum rear panel cover, with a ROG Strix graffiti-styled chipset heatsink. ASUS does include RGB LEDs integrated into the rear panel cover, but this looks like the only place that features it on the board, outside of the inclusive RGB and Addressable headers which can be found on the edge of the PCB.
Looking at PCIe options, ASUS includes one full-length PCIe 5.0 x16, one full-length PCIe 4.0 x4, one full-length PCIe 3.0 x4, and one PCIe 3.0 x1 slot. There are enough storage options for its pedigree including one PCIe 5.0 x4 M.2 slot, two PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slots, and six SATA ports with support for RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 arrays. The ASUS ROG Strix Z690-E Gaming WIFI also includes four memory slots, which are capable of supporting DDR5-6400, with a maximum capacity of up to 128 GB.
Touching on the rear panel connectivity options, ASUS hasn't provided a full list at the time of writing, but we know it includes. There's one USB 3.2 G2x2 Type-C, with one USB 3.2 G2 Type-C, two USB 3.2 G2 Type-A, four USB 3.2 G1 Type-A, and four USB 2.0 ports, with an HDMI and DisplayPort video output pairing. A total of five 3.5 mm audio jacks and S/PDIF optical output are powered by a SupremeFX ALC4080 HD audio codec and Savitech SV3H712 amplifier pairing, while networking is handled by an Intel I225-V 2.5 GbE controller and Intel Wi-Fi 6E CNVi.
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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?