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.
Facebook
Twitter
RSS
42 Comments
View All Comments
Mat-mat - Monday, November 29, 2021 - link
For PRIME Z690-P series, would it make more sense if there will be only 3 PCIe x16 slots (the second should be 4.0 x8, but that shares the bandwidth of the M.2_2 slot (PCIe 4.0 x8 slot will run at x4 mode only when M.2_2 is occupied))?Harry Lloyd - Tuesday, November 30, 2021 - link
ASUS boards are so overpriced. Have been for many years. I love the reliability, I have never had any problems with their boards, but the feature set on their cheaper boards is awful.Just compare the Z690-P D4 to the Gigabyte UD DDR4. Double the number of USB ports on the I/O, and it has six rotated SATA ports, while the ASUS has none. Those are basic things that I need from a board, so the next time I upgrade, I doubt I will choose ASUS again.