The Z690 motherboard is the cutting edge of the gaming industry, setting new standards for performance and power. Since their introduction in 2023, these motherboards have revolutionized how PC gamers build and upgrade their systems, offering unparalleled speed and flexibility at an affordable price point. With so many models on the market, however, it can be difficult to know which graphics card will best suit your needs. To make matters simpler – we’ve compiled a list of our top five picks for the best Z690 Motherboard in 2021! Whether you’re seeking unbeatable performance or just looking to boost your system’s power without breaking the bank – this list has something that’ll fulfill all your creative endeavors this year. Read on to discover what makes these boards stand out from the rest!
ASUS ROG Strix Z690-E Gaming WiFi Motherboard
The ASUS ROG Strix Z690-E Gaming WiFi 6E LGA 1700 is a cutting-edge gaming motherboard perfect for gamers looking to upgrade their systems without breaking the bank. The board features an Intel LGA 1700 socket, ready for 12th Gen Intel Core processors, and supports PCIe 5.0, DDR5, and Windows 11 straight out of the box. Advanced AI capabilities allow for overclocking, cooling, networking, and noise cancellation to be handled automatically, while the robust power solution ensures smooth and reliable performance. With the optimized thermal design, high-performance gaming networking options like WiFi 6E and Intel 2.5 Gb Ethernet with ASUS LANGuard, multiple M.2 slots, and industry-leading gaming audio, the ASUS ROG Strix Z690-E Gaming WiFi 6E LGA 1700 is the ideal choice for gamers looking to take their systems to new levels of performance and power.
Pros:
+ Intel LGA 1700 socket, ready for 12th Gen Intel Core processors
+ Supports PCIe 5.0, DDR5, and Windows 11 straight out of the box
+ AI capabilities allow for overclocking, cooling, networking and noise cancellation to be handled automatically
+ Robust power solution ensures smooth and reliable performance
+ Optimized thermal design
Cons:
– Can be difficult to install for novice users
– Can be more expensive than other models
– Not compatible with older generation processors and motherboards.
Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Pro
The Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Pro is perfect for gamers looking to upgrade their systems with the latest technology. It features an Intel LGA 1700 socket, ready for 12th Gen Intel Core processors, and supports PCIe 5.0, DDR5, and Windows 11 straight out of the box. With advanced AI capabilities, a robust power solution, optimized thermal design, and high-performance networking options like WiFi 6E and Intel 2.5 Gb Ethernet with ASUS LANGuard, the Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Pro is an ideal choice for gamers looking to take their systems to new levels of performance and power. Additionally, the board includes features such as Quad NVMe PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2, Hi-Fi Audio with ALC4080 and WIMA Audio Capacitors, RGB FUSION 2.0, Smart Fan 6 and Q-Flash Plus BIOS update without CPU, Memory, or GPU installation.
Pros:
+ Intel LGA 1700 socket, ready for 12th Gen Intel Core processors
+ Supports PCIe 5.0, DDR5, and Windows 11 straight out of the box
+ AI capabilities allow for overclocking, cooling, networking, and noise cancellation to be handled automatically
+ Robust power solution ensures smooth and reliable performance
Cons:
– Expensive
– Not compatible with older generation processors and motherboards.
ASUS TUF Gaming Z690-Plus WiFi Motherboard
The ASUS TUF Gaming Z690-Plus WiFi is a great choice for gamers who are looking to upgrade their systems with the latest technology but who don’t have an unlimited budget. It features Intel’s LGA 1700 socket, ready for 12th Gen Intel Core processors, and supports PCIe 5.0 and Windows 11 straight out of the box. An enhanced power solution featuring 14+2 DrMOS power stages and Digi+ VRM provides maximum durability and performance. Comprehensive cooling features include a VRM heatsink, PCH fanless heatsink, M.2 heatsink, hybrid fan headers, and Fan Xpert 4 utility. The TUF also offers fast connectivity including WiFi 6 AX201 (802.11 ax), Intel I225-V 2.5Gb LAN, TUF LANGuard and TurboLAN technology and 4x M.2/NVMe SSDs, a front panel USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C header, USB Gen 2×2 Type-C, and Thunderbolt 4 header, as well as Realtek audio.
Pros:
+ Intel LGA 1700 socket, ready for 12th Gen Intel Core processors
+ Supports PCIe 5.0, out-of-box Windows 11 ready, and Bluetooth v5.2
+ Enhanced Power Solution with 14+2 DrMOS power stages and Digi+ VRM for maximum durability and performance
+ Ultra-Fast Gaming Networking with WiFi 6
+ FastConnectivity
+ Realtek audio
Cons:
– Expensive
– DDR4 memory model, no advantages of the latest blistering DDR5 memory speeds.
– Maximum supported RAM speed is 5333MHz.
MSI MPG Z690 Carbon Motherboard
The MSI MPG Z690 Carbon WiFi is an outstanding motherboard for Intel’s Alder Lake platform. It packs an impressive 18+1+1 phase VRM design with 75A power stages, making it one of the best overclocking boards available on this platform. The board also looks great with its angular pattern and glowing MSI dragon on the I/O cover. Additionally, the board has plenty of features and connectivity options, including a 2.5 GbE LAN port or WiFi 6E and 4 M.2 ports running at PCIe Gen 4 speeds. The MSI MPG Z690 Carbon WiFi is an excellent choice for those looking to build a top-notch gaming PC or workstation based on the Alder Lake platform.
Pros:
– 18+1+1 Phase VRM design with 75A power stages provide excellent overclocking capabilities.
– Stylish angular pattern and glowing MSI dragon on the I/O cover give it an attractive look.
– Great connectivity options.
Cons:
– Expensive compared to other motherboards on the market.
– No built-in Bluetooth support.
ASROCK Z690 Taichi Socket LGA1700 Motherboard
The ASROCK Z690 Taichi Socket LGA1700 Motherboard is an excellent choice for those looking to build a powerful PC based on the 12th Gen Intel Core Processors. With 20 phase SPS Dr.MOS power design, it provides enough power for heavy-duty components and can support up to 128GB DDR4 RAM at a maximum clock speed of 6400MHz. It also supports Intel Hybrid Technology and Intel Turbo Boost Max 3.0 technologies, making it capable of providing the best performance possible while keeping power consumption under control. Additionally, its stylish design with a glowing ASRock logo on the I/O cover makes it an attractive-looking motherboard and a great addition to any gaming PC. Overall, the ASROCK Z690 Taichi Socket LGA1700 Motherboard is an excellent choice for a powerful and feature-rich motherboard.
Pros:
– Supports 12th Gen Intel Core Processors.
– 20 Power Phase design for optimal power delivery and performance.
– Supports Intel Hybrid Technology and Intel Turbo Boost Max 3.0 technology.
– Stylish design with a glowing ASRock logo on the I/O cover.
Cons:
– Expensive compared to other motherboards on the market.
– No built-in Bluetooth support.
– Limited BIOS features.
FAQs about z690 motherboards
Z690 motherboards typically use an Intel LGA 1700 socket, which is compatible with 12th-generation Intel Core processors. They can also support up to 128GB of DDR4 RAM at a maximum clock speed of 6400MHz. The sockets are designed for quick and easy installation, allowing users to upgrade their hardware without any time.
Yes, z690 motherboards are compatible with 12th Gen Intel Core processors. They also support PCIe 5.0, out-of-box Windows 11 ready, and Bluetooth v5.2 for enhanced performance and connectivity. Additionally, they feature an 18+1+1 phase VRM design with 75A power stages for improved overclocking capabilities.
No, most z690 motherboards don’t have built-in Bluetooth support. However, some models do come with a separate WiFi 6E module that supports Bluetooth v5.2 and is compatible with 12th Gen Intel Core processors. Additionally, you can add an external Bluetooth adapter to the motherboard for added convenience.
The z690 motherboards typically have a variety of connectivity options, including USB Type-C ports, HDMI and DisplayPort outputs, dual M.2 slots with PCIe Gen 4 speeds, 2.5 GbE LAN port or WiFi 6E module for fast internet access, and four SATA III connectors for storage expansion. Additionally, some models may also have Bluetooth v5.2 connectivity.