The Intel Z690 Motherboard Overview (DDR4): Over 30+ New Models
by Gavin Bonshor on November 24, 2021 2:00 PM ESTASRock Z690M Phantom Gaming 4 (DDR4)
The ASRock Z690M Phantom Gaming 4 (DDR4) is perhaps one of the most basic-looking ASRock Phantom Gaming series models we've ever seen, but also one of the most basic of any Z690 model at launch. Despite representing the gaming-focused Phantom Gaming range, the Z690M Phantom Gaming 4 (DDR4) uses a micro-ATX sized PCB, with a modest and entry-level feature set. Looking at the aesthetic, ASRock has gone with a black and grey patterned PCB, with small and thin silver heatsinks keeping the power delivery and chipset cool. ASRock is also advertising the Z690M Phantom Gaming 4 (DDR4) features a 7-phase power delivery, with an 8-pin and 4-pin 12 ATX CPU power input pairing.
Looking at PCIe slot support, ASRock includes two full-length PCIe 4.0 slots that can operate at x16 and x8/x8, with a small PCIe 3.0 x1 slot. The obvious lack of PCIe 5.0 support on any of the full-length slots look to be a cost-cutting measure, as just by looking at the PCB, it's as basic as it gets for a desktop model. In the top right-hand corner are four memory slots, with support for DDR4-4800, with a combined capacity of up to 128 GB. For storage, there's two PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slots, with four SATA ports that include support for RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 arrays.
On the rear panel are two USB 3.2 G2 Type-A, and four USB 3.2 G1 Type-A ports, with three 3.5 mm audio jacks powered by a Realtek ALC897 HD audio codec. Providing networking support is a single Intel I219-V Gigabit Ethernet controller, with a single HDMI 2.1 video output finishing off a very basic and bare rear panel.
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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.