The Intel Z690 Motherboard Overview (DDR4): Over 30+ New Models
by Gavin Bonshor on November 24, 2021 2:00 PM ESTASUS TUF Gaming Z690-Plus WIFI D4 & Z690-Plus D4 (DDR4)
As it currently stands at the time of writing, ASUS's more wallet-friendly TUF Gaming series is limited to support for DDR4 memory. Whether ASUS intends to launch TUF Gaming models in the future with DDR5 support remains to be seen, however. The ASUS TUF Gaming Z690-Plus WIFI D4 and Z690-Plus D4 share the same core feature set, PCB, aesthetic, and layout, with the only difference being that the Wi-Fi model is using an Intel Wi-Fi 6 CNVi. For the aesthetic, ASUS has gone with a black and grey patterned PCB, black and grey alternating memory slots, with black brushed aluminum power delivery heatsinks, and a matte black rear panel cover and chipset heatsink. There's limited RGB LED lighting with a set of LEDs built-in underneath the chipset heatsink.
Looking at expansion support, the TUF Gaming Z690-Plus WIFI and Z690-Plus include one full-length PCIe 5.0 x16, one full-length PCIe 3.0 x4, one half-length PCIe 3.0 x4, and two smaller PCIe 3.0 x1 slots. Storage options include four PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slots, with four SATA ports with support for RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 arrays. In the top right-hand corner is a total of four memory slots, with support for DDR4-5333 and a maximum capacity of up to 128 GB.
The ASUS TUF Gaming Z690-Plus Gaming WIFI includes an Intel Wi-Fi 6 CNVI, which is the only difference between both models. Aside from that, both Z690 TUF Gaming models share the same connectivity on the rear panel including one USB 3.2 G2x2 Type-C, one USB 3.2 G2 Type-C, two USB 3.2 G2 Type-A, and four USB 3.2 G1 Type-A ports. Powering the audio is an unspecified Realtek HD audio codec which includes five 3.5 mm audio jacks and S/PDIF optical output, while ASUS also includes a DisplayPort and HDMI video output pairing. Wired networking capability comes via a single Intel I225-V 2.5 GbE controller.
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ikjadoon - Wednesday, November 24, 2021 - link
Gigabyte has done a better job this time around with mini-ITX DDR4. $290 for a very well-rounded board—shame HiCookie lied so blatantly in all their 8 GHz marketing.ASRock mini-ITX: people still use type-A ports. 5x ports only?!
Windows 11, DDR5 availability & perf-price, and hybrid quirks make ADL a much better 2022 purchase for me. DDR4 price-perf + availability are nice, but not enough to overcome Panos’ major missteps on his first (and hopefully last) Windows launch.
DigitalFreak - Wednesday, November 24, 2021 - link
Why does anyone pay attention to these "extreme overclockers"? He hit (or didn't in this case) 8Ghz. Big deal. You can't actually do anything with the CPU at that speed aside from run an e-peen benchmark.ikjadoon - Wednesday, November 24, 2021 - link
Nobody paid attention until.... Gigabyte plastered his faked validations all over their Z690 marketing material. Nobody cares what any "overclocker" does these days and that's why they got jobs with motherboard vendors: the only people that can still sell a motherboard for $$$ with exaggerated hardware.https://www.techradar.com/news/no-gigabyte-didnt-s...
0ldman79 - Tuesday, December 14, 2021 - link
5 ports is a bad idea but type-A?Yeah, like 99% of USB accessories use type-A. That is still the *primary* interface for USB devices.
StormyParis - Wednesday, November 24, 2021 - link
That last page is very useful, thank you. Wish I had a table to sum up the info ;-pFordGT550 - Wednesday, November 24, 2021 - link
I can't find the Z690 Aorus Pro DDR4 in stock anywhere.bug77 - Friday, November 26, 2021 - link
I don't think it's available yet. Notice there's no price listed for it either (yeah, I've got my eyes on the same board).HLuna52180 - Friday, November 26, 2021 - link
Agreed! This is the model mobo that I want. It best fits my needs yet it's currently only available in Australia. Hope they make it into the states. I have all the other parts on order or with me already to make my Alder Lake build. Frustrating!MatarM0 - Saturday, November 27, 2021 - link
i see it in stock but it seems like it cant run any memory with 1.42v or higher depending on what newegg reviewer said and some others in the internet so hopefully they can fix it and it will be a good dealmeacupla - Wednesday, November 24, 2021 - link
I can understand mobo makers not wanting to allocate too many resources into the dead end DDR4 platform, but these lineups seem excessively weak to me.Like, really? there's not a single Z690 DDR4 mobo with thunderbolt?
And then with Z690 DDR5 mobos, there's way too much overlap in features and functionalities.