The Intel Z690 Motherboard Overview (DDR4): Over 30+ New Models
by Gavin Bonshor on November 24, 2021 2:00 PM ESTASUS TUF Gaming Z690-Plus WIFI D4 & Z690-Plus D4 (DDR4)
As it currently stands at the time of writing, ASUS's more wallet-friendly TUF Gaming series is limited to support for DDR4 memory. Whether ASUS intends to launch TUF Gaming models in the future with DDR5 support remains to be seen, however. The ASUS TUF Gaming Z690-Plus WIFI D4 and Z690-Plus D4 share the same core feature set, PCB, aesthetic, and layout, with the only difference being that the Wi-Fi model is using an Intel Wi-Fi 6 CNVi. For the aesthetic, ASUS has gone with a black and grey patterned PCB, black and grey alternating memory slots, with black brushed aluminum power delivery heatsinks, and a matte black rear panel cover and chipset heatsink. There's limited RGB LED lighting with a set of LEDs built-in underneath the chipset heatsink.
Looking at expansion support, the TUF Gaming Z690-Plus WIFI and Z690-Plus include one full-length PCIe 5.0 x16, one full-length PCIe 3.0 x4, one half-length PCIe 3.0 x4, and two smaller PCIe 3.0 x1 slots. Storage options include four PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slots, with four SATA ports with support for RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 arrays. In the top right-hand corner is a total of four memory slots, with support for DDR4-5333 and a maximum capacity of up to 128 GB.
The ASUS TUF Gaming Z690-Plus Gaming WIFI includes an Intel Wi-Fi 6 CNVI, which is the only difference between both models. Aside from that, both Z690 TUF Gaming models share the same connectivity on the rear panel including one USB 3.2 G2x2 Type-C, one USB 3.2 G2 Type-C, two USB 3.2 G2 Type-A, and four USB 3.2 G1 Type-A ports. Powering the audio is an unspecified Realtek HD audio codec which includes five 3.5 mm audio jacks and S/PDIF optical output, while ASUS also includes a DisplayPort and HDMI video output pairing. Wired networking capability comes via a single Intel I225-V 2.5 GbE controller.
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DigitalFreak - Wednesday, November 24, 2021 - link
The ASUS ROG Strix Z690-A Gaming WIFI D4 has a header and BIOS support for a TB4 add-in card. That's probably the best you're going to get on a Z690 DDR4 board.tamilgun - Monday, January 10, 2022 - link
i love intel system ..very good speedy systemhttps://tamilguns.net/
DigitalFreak - Wednesday, November 24, 2021 - link
ASUS ROG Strix Z690-A Gaming WIFI D4 (DDR4) - " On the memory front, there are four memory slots, with support for DDR5-6400 and a combined capacity of 128 GB."That's what happens when you copy / paste. :-)
meacupla - Wednesday, November 24, 2021 - link
I wonder if mobo makers will bother with DDR4/5 combo mobos this time around.Oxford Guy - Thursday, November 25, 2021 - link
I recall reading here that it's not possible to have an Alder Lake board with support for both RAM types. That is re-affirmed here with this less clear wording:'Intel's Alder Lake and Z690 combined actually offer support for both DDR5 and DDR4 memory. This means that those motherboard vendors either have to build their motherboards for one or the other, so it's Z690 with DDR5 or Z690 with DDR4, and no in-between.'
TheinsanegamerN - Sunday, November 28, 2021 - link
That's no different from skylake with ddr3/4, or phenom with ddr3/2. You can have both slots on one motherboard, but can only use one at a time. So will they make a board with two slots for both?Oxford Guy - Thursday, December 2, 2021 - link
The article here said hybrid boards aren’t going to happen. Intel either doesn’t want them or there is some other reason. That is what I remember reading. It doesn’t appear to be the same situation vis-a-vis one or more previous platforms where hybrid boards were made.stayfrosty - Wednesday, November 24, 2021 - link
The ASRock Z690M Phantom Gaming 4 does not do x8/x8 unfortunately :( If both x16 slots are used they can only do x16/x4And so my search continues for a x8/x8 capable z690 ddr4 board that's actually available to buy in Europe :/
Spoelie - Wednesday, November 24, 2021 - link
It's curious that I can't find anywhere in the MSI documentation any confirmation that the MSI Pro Z690-A WIFI DDR4 actually includes WIFI 6E support rather than 6 -- just looking at the spec sheet would let one suspect it is only supporting 6 (only mentioning 2.4 & 5ghz bands, not 6)timecop1818 - Wednesday, November 24, 2021 - link
Why would anyone give a fuck about Wi-Fi on a desktop board. I'm more angry that Asus decided to remove Intel lan on ddr4 boards in favor of realtek shit. I'm talking about prime/etc series not the gaudy gaymer shit.