The Intel Z690 Motherboard Overview (DDR5): Over 50+ New Models
by Gavin Bonshor on November 9, 2021 9:00 AM ESTMSI MEG Z690 Unify (DDR5) & Z690 Unify X (DDR5)
Sitting below the Godlike and Ace models in MSI's product stack is a pair of Unify branded models. Both the MSI MEG Z690 Unify and Z690 Unify X are a part of the MEG (MSI Enthusiast Gaming) series, with the same core feature set, but with two distinct differences. Aesthetically, both models share the exact same all-black aesthetic we've come to love from the Unify series. This approach was initially marketed as an alternative to RGB clad models, but it has become a solid series for enthusiasts with premium features, good power delivery specifications, and of course, pricing.
The MSI MEG Z690 Unify X with two DDR5-6800 capable memory slots
The MEG Z690 Unify features four memory slots with support for up to 128 GB of DDR5-6666 and is more suitable for gaming, while the MEG Z690 Unify X is aimed at extreme overclockers and enthusiasts with just two memory slots capable of supporting up to 64 GB of DDR5-6800.
The MSI MEG Z690 Unify with four memory slots capable of supporting DDR5-6666
Aside from the obvious differences in memory compatibility and support, both the MEG Z690 Unify and Unify X includes two full-length PCIe 5.0 slots operating at x16 and x8/x8, with a half-length PCIe 3.0 x4 slot. MSI is advertising a large 21-phase power delivery for both models, with both models sharing the same all-black and non-RGB enabled aesthetic, which is sure to please users looking for a more subtle look. Storage options are impressive across both models with four PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slots, one PCIe 3.0 x4 M.2 slot, and six SATA ports with support for RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 arrays.
Both the MSI MEG Z690 Unify and Z690 Unify X are using the same controller set, and as a consequence, the rear panels are exactly the same. On the rear panel of both boards include one USB 3.2 G2x2 Type-C, seven USB 3.2 G2 Type-A, and two USB 2.0 ports. Networking support is strong, with two Intel I225-V 2.5 GbE controllers, and an Intel AX210 Wi-Fi 6E CNVi offering both wireless and BT 5.2 support. MSI hasn't specified the audio controllers, but there are five 3.5 mm audio jacks and a S/PDIF optical output powered by a Realtek ALC4080 HD audio codec. FInishing off the rear panel is a PS/2 combo port, a BIOS flashback button, and a clear CMOS button.
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DigitalFreak - Tuesday, November 9, 2021 - link
Except DirectStorage actually exists in the XBox Series X. Once the XBSX native games start getting ported things will start to move.Bp_968 - Wednesday, November 10, 2021 - link
Why fill my pc with loud and hot hard drives? I have 2 M.2 sticks as local storage and a NAS for all the rust drives in another room. I wouldn't want to go back to the days of using my PC for that.And if you must have tons of sata just buy a SAS card. Their cheap and flexible. Each SAS port on the card fans out to 4 sata ports using a cheap cable.
The Von Matrices - Tuesday, November 9, 2021 - link
Since the 100 series chipsets, the lanes for the SATA ports are shared with other things, so you aren't getting dedicated ports like you used to. You have to disable other features if you want to use all the SATA ports. With my current Z390 board, I can't use more than 2 SATA ports without compromising on other features, and I can't use all 6 SATA ports unless I disable both M.2 slots. Since they're sharing lanes, there's little cost and little reason to not have them, and that will probably continue into the future.DigitalFreak - Tuesday, November 9, 2021 - link
Things have changed the last couple of generations. My Z690 board has 6 SATA ports and 4 PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slots. The only thing shared is SATA between one SATA port and one of the M.2 slots. As long as you don't need a M.2 SATA drive, you can run 4 NVMe drives and 6 SATA devices simultaneously..KarlKastor - Wednesday, November 10, 2021 - link
There has nothing changed. The IO-Lanes of the chipset can eather be SATA or PCIe. The reason why you have nothing shared is, because they saved money for switches. You have not the option how to use this Lanes.This happens since Rocket Lake. The CPU has additional PCIe lanes, so you don't need to share much anymore and the Board is full already. There is no space for more M.2. Backside maybe.
12345 - Monday, November 15, 2021 - link
Z690 has a x8 gen 4 link to the chipset now. You don't have to disable SATA anymore to use all m.2 slots.meacupla - Tuesday, November 9, 2021 - link
I am pretty sure intel had 8 SATA ports since Z77, but board manufacturers routed 2 SATA ports for m.2 SATA. The On Z87 and Z97, 8 SATA ports with 2 ports shared for m.2 SATA was totally a thing.KarlKastor - Wednesday, November 10, 2021 - link
The silicon has 8 ports for long time. But maximum usable for the Zxy7 was 6. Eight were workstation only.If you used shared SATA on M.2, then you had less than six SATA Ports usable.
TheinsanegamerN - Tuesday, November 9, 2021 - link
SATA SSD sales continue to remain strong, and are much mroe economical for large file storage per TB then M.2 drives (a 2TB SATA drive is around $170 now), and if you have a RAID aray with 3+ drives speeds begin to encroah on NVMe speeds, a RAID 5 array with 4 SATA III will hit 1.6GB/s read speeds.Mr Perfect - Tuesday, November 9, 2021 - link
Man, these Z-chipset boards keep going up in price. I'm curious what eventual H670 chipset boards will look like. If they've got everything you need without all the flashy bits, I'll probably shoot for one of those.