The Intel Z690 Motherboard Overview (DDR5): Over 50+ New Models
by Gavin Bonshor on November 9, 2021 9:00 AM ESTASUS ROG Strix Z690-G Gaming WIFI (DDR5)
WIth smaller micro-ATX options being notedly limited on Z690, ASUS has announced one solitary model for those looking to build a system with a smaller footprint. The ASUS ROG Strix Z690-G Gaming WIFI, with the G reminiscent of the older ROG Maximus Gene models. The micro-ATX form factor is the best of both worlds when it comes to size, with more PCIe and memory than a mini-ITX model, but with enough size disparity from ATX to allow users to create something smaller. The ROG Strix Z690-G Gaming WIFI features a primarily black aesthetic, with Strix based graffiti stylings on the rear panel cover and chipset heatsink, with small elements of RGB LEDs illuminating the ROG logos.
Looking at PCIe support, the ROG Strix Z690-G Gaming WIFI includes one full-length PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, a second full-length slot electronically locked down to PCIe 4.0 x4, and a smaller PCIe 3.0 x1 slot. For memory, ASUS includes four memory slots with support for DDR5-6000 and a combined capacity of up to 128 GB. Focusing on storage, there's three PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slots, with six SATA ports with support for RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 arrays.
On the rear panel is one USB 3.2 G2x2 Type-C, one USB 3.2 G2 Type-C, two USB 3.2 G2 Type-A, four USB 3.2 G1 Type-A, and two USB 2.0 ports. The board includes a solid networking array consisting of an Intel I225-V 2.5 GbE controller and an Intel Wi-Fi 6E CNVi, while onboard audio is powered by a SupremeFX ALC4080 HD audio codec and provides five 3.5 mm audio jacks and S/PDIF optical output. ASUS does include a BIOS Flashback button and a clear CMOS button, while users looking to use Intel's integrated graphics can use either the single HDMI or the DisplayPort video output.
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mode_13h - Friday, November 12, 2021 - link
I was really disappointed not to see more discussion of costs and why the price distribution of these boards tends to skew so high.However, I was most surprised to see how much lower some of the entry-level models are priced. Do we think these will be produced in sufficient volume, or are they primarily there as a means of upselling would-be buyers who, out of frustration at seeing them always out-of-stock eventually end up buying one of the more expensive models?
mikk - Saturday, November 13, 2021 - link
MSI Pro Z690-A WIFI, MSI Pro Z690-A and many more have the cheaper Realtek ALC897 Codec, the audio table is not accurate and it says Z490 instead of Z690.ajollylife - Sunday, November 14, 2021 - link
Wtf is with the PCIe 3.0 slots? I'm looking at the Gigabyte Aorus Master, has 10gig onboard, great, but then the other two pcie slots are pcie 3.0 So confused.mode_13h - Sunday, November 14, 2021 - link
From what I've read, PCIe 4.0 tends to require retimers, which adds cost and takes space. Those could be reasons why we don't see more PCIe 4.0 slots.back2future - Monday, November 15, 2021 - link
maybe mainboards start getting reshaped/redesigned (vertical m.2, backside slots/connectors, ?) instead of using retimers (chipset TDP includes retimer power?, cooling power for peripherals on PCIe 5.x speeds on 4GB/(s*lane)=~2 lanes sufficient for fastest available (2021, consumer) SSDs )?ecclesiastes121314 - Wednesday, February 23, 2022 - link
2 ram slots? I've seen this on a few of these new DDR5 boards. Most people here are talking about Thunderbolt 4 and USB4. Yes these are very useful to a select group of people yet these can be achieved with add on cards. Then you can pay for the devices to take advantage of these technologies. Reducing ram slots from 4 to 2. Wow. Yes you can buy high density ram. But this is forcing you that direction. What is wrong with 4x16 or 4x32 ram kits? If you (me) are interested in high performance video then affordable and available ram is a huge consideration. Is it just me?