The Intel Z690 Motherboard Overview (DDR4): Over 30+ New Models
by Gavin Bonshor on November 24, 2021 2:00 PM ESTASUS Prime Z690-P WIFI D4 & Z690-P D4 (DDR4)
Sitting at the entry-level of the Z690 models from ASUS for the launch of Intel's 12th generation of desktop processors are the ASUS Prime Z690-P WIFI D4 and Prime Z690-P D4. Both of these models share an identical PCB and aesthetic, with all the same features except one. The Z690-P WIFI includes an Intel Wi-Fi 6 CNVi, while the Z690-P does not. Focusing on the design, the Prime Z690-P WIFI and Z690-P include a black and white patterned PCB, with simplistic silver heatsinks with diagonal lines that fit and match with the rest of the PCB. There is no fancy RGB LED lighting integrated into any section of the board, but ASUS does include three addressable RGB headers and two Aura RGB headers for users to add their own.
Included for PCIe support is a total of five slots that consists of one full-length PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, one full-length PCIe 4.0 x4 slot, two full-length PCIe 3.0 x4 slots, and one smaller PCIe 3.0 x1 slot. For storage, there's three PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slots, with one of these supporting SATA drives too. Both the ASUS Prime Z690-P WIFI and Z690-P also include four straight-angled SATA ports that can support RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 arrays. ASUS has also provided four memory slots that are capable of supporting up to DDR4-5333, with a combined capacity of up to 128 GB.
The ASUS Prime Z690-P WIFI D4 rear panel
The only difference between both the Prime Z690-P WIFI D4 and Z690-P D4 is that the WIFI version includes an Intel Wi-Fi 6 CNVi, while the other does not. Everything else is the same, including one USB 3.2 G2x2 Type-C, one USB 3.2 G2 Type-A, two USB 3.2 G1 Type-A, and two USB 2.0 ports. There's also one Realtek RTL8125 2.5 GbE port, a PS/2 combo port, and five 3.5 mm audio jacks and S/PDIF optical output powered by an unspecified Realtek ALC HD audio codec.
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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.