The Intel Z690 Motherboard Overview (DDR4): Over 30+ New Models
by Gavin Bonshor on November 24, 2021 2:00 PM ESTGIGABYTE Z690 Aorus Elite AX & Elite (DDR4)
Out of GIGABYTE's DDR4 supported Z690 options, the most premium comes via the Z690 Aorus Elite AX DDR4 and Z690 Aorus Elite DDR4. The GIGABYTE Z690 Aorus Elite AX and Elite both feature a mid-range level of features, including plenty of M.2 support and support for DDR4 memory. Looking at the design, GIGABYTE has gone with a primarily black layout with a dark silver contrasting aesthetic. There is a small element of RGB LED lighting built into the rear panel cover, with a strip creating an underglow effect on the right-hand side of the board.
Dominating the lower section of the board are the PCIe slots, with one full-length PCIe 5.0 x16 and two full-length PCIe 3.0 x4 slots. Sandwiched in between and just above the PCIe 5.0 x16 slot are the board's M.2 slots, with a combined total of four, all of which are PCIe 4.0 x4 compatible. GIGABYTE also includes six SATA ports that support Intel RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 arrays. For memory, there's a total of four memory slots with support for DDR4-5333 and a maximum combined capacity of 128 GB.
The GIGABYTE Z690 Aorus Elite AX DDR4 rear panel with Wi-Fi 6
On the rear panel of the Z690 Aorus Elite AX DDR4 model, GIGABYTE includes an Intel Wi-Fi 6 CNVi, while the standard Elite omits this. Everything else is shared across both Elite models including one USB 3.2 G2x2 Type-C, two USB 3.2 G2 Type-A, three USB 3.2 G1 Type-A, and four USB 2.0 ports. The integrated audio offers two 3.5 mm audio jacks and S/PDIF optical output, while an HDMI and DisplayPort video output pairing allows users to utilize Intel's integrated graphics. Finishing off the rear panel is an 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.