The Intel Z690 Motherboard Overview (DDR4): Over 30+ New Models
by Gavin Bonshor on November 24, 2021 2:00 PM ESTGIGABYTE Z690M Aorus Elite AX & Elite (DDR4)
While there is just one micro-ATX sized model on the Z690 chipset with DDR5 support, the majority of what's available in terms of micro-ATX can be found with DDR4 support. One of these is the GIGABYTE Z690M Aorus Elite AX DDR4, which is the smaller sibling of the full-sized Z690 Aorus Elite AX DDR4 model. Both of the Z690 Aorus Elite AX DDR4 models share a similar feature set and aesthetic, although the micro-ATX version uses a lighter black rear panel cover than the ATX model. The GIGABYTE Z690M Aorus Elite AX DDR4 also omits any integrated RGB, unlike the bigger variant which does.
The only difference between the GIGABYTE Z690M Aorus Elite AX and the Z690M Aorus Elite is the regular Elite omits any form of wireless CNVi. Everything else down to the controllers, rear I/O connectivity, and aesthetic is identical.
Due to its smaller size, there's a constraint on PCIe support, with the board featuring just two full-length PCIe slots, including one operating at PCIe 5.0 x16 and the other electronically locked down to PCIe 3.0 x4. Size hasn't limited memory support, however, as the board has four slots in total with support for DDR4-5333 and a total combined capacity of 128 GB. There are also storage options aplenty with three PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slots present, although only one of these features an M.2 heatsink, while six SATA ports with right-angled connectors can also provide RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 array support.
Looking at rear panel connectivity, the GIGABYTE Z690M Aorus Elite AX DDR4 includes one USB 3.2 G2x2 Type-A, one USB 3.2 G2 Type-A, four USB 3.2 G1 Type-A, and four USB 2.0 ports. Users looking to utilize Intel's integrated graphics can use the HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4 video output pairing, while onboard audio options include two 3.5 mm audio jacks and S/PDIF optical output which are powered by an unspecified Realtek HD audio codec. GIGABYTE includes an Intel AX201 Wi-Fi 6 CNVi which adds both wireless and BT 5.2 device support, with a single Intel I225-V 2.5 GbE controller providing wired networking access.
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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.