The Intel Z690 Motherboard Overview (DDR4): Over 30+ New Models
by Gavin Bonshor on November 24, 2021 2:00 PM ESTGIGABYTE Z690M Aorus Elite AX & Elite (DDR4)
While there is just one micro-ATX sized model on the Z690 chipset with DDR5 support, the majority of what's available in terms of micro-ATX can be found with DDR4 support. One of these is the GIGABYTE Z690M Aorus Elite AX DDR4, which is the smaller sibling of the full-sized Z690 Aorus Elite AX DDR4 model. Both of the Z690 Aorus Elite AX DDR4 models share a similar feature set and aesthetic, although the micro-ATX version uses a lighter black rear panel cover than the ATX model. The GIGABYTE Z690M Aorus Elite AX DDR4 also omits any integrated RGB, unlike the bigger variant which does.
The only difference between the GIGABYTE Z690M Aorus Elite AX and the Z690M Aorus Elite is the regular Elite omits any form of wireless CNVi. Everything else down to the controllers, rear I/O connectivity, and aesthetic is identical.
Due to its smaller size, there's a constraint on PCIe support, with the board featuring just two full-length PCIe slots, including one operating at PCIe 5.0 x16 and the other electronically locked down to PCIe 3.0 x4. Size hasn't limited memory support, however, as the board has four slots in total with support for DDR4-5333 and a total combined capacity of 128 GB. There are also storage options aplenty with three PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slots present, although only one of these features an M.2 heatsink, while six SATA ports with right-angled connectors can also provide RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 array support.
Looking at rear panel connectivity, the GIGABYTE Z690M Aorus Elite AX DDR4 includes one USB 3.2 G2x2 Type-A, one USB 3.2 G2 Type-A, four USB 3.2 G1 Type-A, and four USB 2.0 ports. Users looking to utilize Intel's integrated graphics can use the HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4 video output pairing, while onboard audio options include two 3.5 mm audio jacks and S/PDIF optical output which are powered by an unspecified Realtek HD audio codec. GIGABYTE includes an Intel AX201 Wi-Fi 6 CNVi which adds both wireless and BT 5.2 device support, with a single Intel I225-V 2.5 GbE controller providing wired networking access.
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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.