The Intel Z690 Motherboard Overview (DDR5): Over 50+ New Models
by Gavin Bonshor on November 9, 2021 9:00 AM ESTEVGA Z690 Classified (DDR5)
As with the EVGA Z690 Dark K|NGP|N edition, we also have limited information on the more conventional EVGA Z690 Classified model. EVGA did skip a Classified series model for Z590, but it's making a comeback for Z690, with a similarly premium and elegant aesthetic that we are used to from EVGA. From the image EVGA has provided, there's a nice RGB-enabled rear panel cover, with a wave of heatsinks located across the board. EVGA is also using right-angled connectors like the Dark series, which makes cable management easier. There is also an overclocker's toolkit located in the top-right hand corner of the PCB, including a power button, a reset button, and two 2-digit LED debuggers.
In the top right-hand corner are four memory slots that will support DDR5 memory, but EVGA hasn't unveiled a list of specifications at this time. We do know that the EVGA Z690 Classified will feature a 19-phase power delivery, with two 2.5 GbE controllers and a Wi-Fi 6E CNVi. It'll also include an 8-channel HD audio codec of some kind, and will certainly feature plenty of PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2, with eight SATA ports.
EVGA also mentions that the actual heatsinks and motherboard may change closer to the launch, but we will update this page when more information and specifications are released.
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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?