The Intel Z690 Motherboard Overview (DDR4): Over 30+ New Models

MSI Pro Z690-P (DDR4)

As it stands, the MSI Pro Z690-P is the entry-level model for users looking to utilize Intel Alder Lake's power, but for a much lower price than some other Z690 models on the market. Due to this, the MSI Pro Z690-P DDR4 has a modest feature set and aesthetic, with small power delivery heatsinks, a combined rear panel cover and VRM heatsink, and a small chipset heatsink. The design follows a primarily black color theme, with a grey and black printed PCB. 

Dominating the relatively bare PCB, the MSI Pro Z690-P DDR4 has one full-length PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, with one full-length PCIe 3.0 x4 slot, and three PCIe 3.0 x1 slots. Storage options are an obvious sacrifice on this model compared to other Z690 boards, with two PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slots, four SATA ports with support for RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 arrays, as well as one M.2 2230 Key-E slot for users looking to add a wireless CNVi. Located in the top right-hand corner are four memory slots, with support for DDR4-5200 and a combined capacity of up to 128 GB.

Despite the entry-level status of the Z690-P DDR4, it does include one USB 3.2 G2x2 Type-C port which is good to see, as well as four USB 3.2 G1 Type-A, and two USB 2.0 ports. Users looking to utilize Intel's integrated graphics can use one of two video outputs consisting of one HDMI 1.4b and one DisplayPort 1.4 output. For networking, MSI is using one Realtek RTL8125BG 2.5 GbE controller, with five 3.5 mm audio jacks and S/PDIF optical output providing plenty of audio options.