Best Z690 motherboard in 2024 – Top 5 picks for performance
We look at the best Z690 motherboards from all major manufacturers, so you've got a reliable base for your Intel Core i9-12900K, Core i7-12700K, & Core i5-12600K processor
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Our best Z690 motherboard selection is here! Z690 motherboards were released on the 4th of November 2021 alongside Intel 12th-gen CPUs and DDR5 RAM. And you can find out which we think is the best Z690 motherboard below. We’ve outlined a few of the best Z690 motherboards to suit your 12th, 13th, or even 14th-generation CPU. Here are the best Z690 motherboards, in our opinion.
The last generation arrived with Intels Alder Lake CPUs, the Z690 chipset, and DDR5 RAM all launching simultaneously, giving the enthusiast a lot to think about. For the first time in years, we got Intel processors competing with AMD but it doesn’t stop there. The Z690 chipset brings about support for PCIe gen 5.0 for your GPU and storage needs, and more importantly, on the high-end motherboards, we have support for DDR5 memory. For the top selection of Z690 mobos, we have the ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Hero WiFi, Gigabyte Z690 AORUS Master, and ASUS TUF Gaming Z690-Plus WiFi.
- 01The best, high-end Z690 motherboardASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Hero WiFi
- 02The best Z690 motherboard for the enthusiastsGIGABYTE Z690 AORUS Master
- 03A solid mid-range Z690 motherboardASUS TUF Gaming Z690-Plus WiFi
Best Z690 motherboard – ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Hero WiFi
ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Hero WiFi
Form Factor
ATX
Socket
LGA 1700
Chipset
Z690
DDR5?
Yes
- Dual Thunderbolt 4 USB-C
- PCIe Slot Q-Release
- 20+1 power stages (90A)
- No 10Gb Ethernet
- Less power stages than more premium models
The ASUS ROG Maximus Hero is one of the best Z690 motherboards on the market. While it may lack the extra power stages and 10Gb we see in ASUS top SKUs, this is still an incredible option.
The design of the new Z690 Hero is slightly different from the previous generation, now featuring some lovely personalization with the Polymer Lighting I/O cover and accompanying RGB lighting. On to the important stuff, this Z690 comes with 20+1 power stages, Intelligent Control, which is ASUS’ AI overclocking, networking, and two-way noise cancellation tools. Taking care of cooling, we have a large VRM heatsink and integrated aluminum I/O cover, with a high-conductivity thermal pad. There are also three M.2 heatsinks, two M.2 backplates, plus a ROG water cooling zone.
A very handy Clear CMOS button means you won’t have to fiddle around trying to extract the CMOS battery when it’s time to clear the system. It’s all handled by one convenient button. Aside from the above, we obviously have fast DDR5 RAM and PCIe 5.0 support, along with Dual Thunderbolt 4 USB-C and a ROG Hyper M.2 card with Gen 5 M.2 support, giving you some serious connectivity.
Runner up Z690 motherboard – GIGABYTE Z690 AORUS Master
GIGABYTE Z690 AORUS Master
Form Factor
ATX
Socket
LGA 1700
Chipset
Z690
DDR5?
Yes
- 20+1+2 Direct Digital VRM Design
- AQUANTIA 10 GbE BASE-T LAN
- Intel Thunderbolt 4
- Very expensive
Gigabyte’s line of Aorus Master motherboards are to be marveled at, they are amazing. Sure most of us will never even consider buying one of these but the Z690 Aorus Master is a sublime option for the enthusiast.
The design of this new chipset looks even nicer than the previous gen with an incredible-looking I/O cover and matching M.2 sink. This board features a commanding 20+1+2 Direct Digital VRM Design, tantalum polymer capacitors, and cutting-edge thermal design. The thermal reactive ‘armor’ uses NanoCarbon fins-array III and we also see a direct touch heat pipe II and NanoCarbon baseplate too.
Not only that, the Aorus Master comes with a BIOS flashback utility, so you can easily and confidently rectify any BIOS-related issues.
With the Z690 chipset comes DDR5 support and what is most impressive about the Master board is the fact you can drive your RAM kit up to 6600MHz. This depends on your memory modules but that is some going.
A solid choice Z690 motherboard – ASUS TUF Gaming Z690-Plus WiFi
ASUS TUF Gaming Z690-Plus WiFi
Form Factor
ATX
Socket
LGA 1700
Chipset
Z690
DDR5?
No, DDR4
- 14+2 power stages
- Thunderbolt 4
- 4xM.2/NVMe SSD
- DDR4
The ASUS TUF Gaming motherboard is a fan favorite, offering incredible price to performance and solid value for those on tighter budgets. The TUF Gaming Z690 features an enhanced power solution, with 14+2 DrMOS power stages and Digi+ VRM for maximum durability and performance. As expected the cooling solution is more than sufficient, with a VRM heatsink, PCH fanless heatsink, M.2 heatsink, hybrid fan headers, and Fan Xpert 4 utility. The TUF also features Realtek audio.
Unfortunately, this is a DDR4 memory model, so no advantages of the latest blistering DDR5 memory speeds here, however, it can go up to 5333MHz, which is not too bad.
Best ITX Z690 motherboard – ASUS ROG Strix Z690-I Gaming WiFi
ASUS ROG Strix Z690-I Gaming WiFi
Form Factor
Mini-ITX
Socket
LGA 1700
Chipset
Z690
DDR5?
Yes
- 14+2 power stages
- Thunderbolt 4
- 4xM.2/NVMe SSD
- DDR4
The ASUS ROG Strix Z690-I is easily one of the best Mini-ITX motherboards for this chipset, it’s feature-packed, designed to perfection, and incredibly reliable.
This board obviously has DDR5 RAM and PCIe support but also comes with two Thunderbolt 4 USB Type-C ports. We see 10+1 power stages with a ProCool II power connector and durable capacitors to support multi-core CPUs. The thermal design has been optimized, with an Integrated I/O cover and VRM heatsinks that feature high-conductivity thermal pads. This board supports HDMI 2.1 and industry-leading gaming audio, giving your next small form factor system everything it needs.
Best budget Z690 motherboard – ASUS Prime Z690-P
ASUS Prime Z690-P
Form Factor
ATX
Socket
LGA 1700
Chipset
Z690
DDR5?
Yes
- 14+2 power stages
- Thunderbolt 4
- 4xM.2/NVMe SSD
- DDR4
Our budget pick is about as low as we would recommend for this chipset (DDR5 compatible) and yes, it’s another ASUS board. The ASUS Prime Z690-p is an updated version of a very affordable and reliable option. With PCIe 5.0, DDR5, and Thunderbolt 4 support, we have the makings of a quality board here and it doesn’t stop there. This features 14+1 Power Stages, Wi-Fi6, and 2.5Gb Ethernet, giving enthusiasts everything they need on a budget.
Is a Z690 motherboard worth it?
In short, yes. Whether it’s for gaming or multitasking, we are potentially looking at the best of the best (until AMD’s anticipated parry). The main reason to opt for a Z690 is obviously for the Alder Lake 12th Gen i9-12900K/KF and i7-12700K/KF processors, with Intels hybrid architecture now coming to the x86 desktop world.
So if you are after the best modern hardware or you’re an enthusiast who loves to push their system to its theoretical limits, a Z690 is certainly the way to go at the moment. We have top-tier features and performance across several SKUs and manufacturers, giving you everything you need to take things to the next level.
Does motherboard choice affect PC performance?
A motherboard is the backbone of a PC and it affects the performance of the computer in several ways. The type of processor socket and the memory (RAM) compatibility are two important factors that are determined by the motherboard. A motherboard with a socket type that is compatible with your processor will ensure that your processor can perform at its best. Similarly, choosing a motherboard with support for faster memory types, such as DDR4, can provide a performance boost compared to a motherboard with support for slower memory types, such as DDR3.
Additionally, the number and type of expansion slots on the motherboard can affect performance. For example, if you want to use multiple graphics cards in your system, you’ll need a motherboard with multiple PCI Express slots. On the other hand, if you need multiple storage devices, you’ll want a motherboard with multiple SATA ports.
Another important aspect that is determined by the motherboard is the power delivery system. A high-end motherboard will typically have a more robust power delivery system, which is important for high-performance CPUs and GPUs. A good power delivery system will ensure that the components receive the power they need to perform at their best, which can improve overall system performance.
What CPUs are compatible with the Z690 motherboards?
As we mentioned earlier, the Z690 motherboards belong to the LGA 1700 CPU socket, this is the same socket type as both the Intel 12th and 13th generation CPUs, and now even the 15th gen. This means that ANY of the 12th, 13th, or 14th generating CPUs will work correctly with the Z690 motherboard.
FAQs
Is a Z690 a good motherboard?
Intel Z690 has support for PCIe Gen 5, and plenty of connectivity to choose from. And since the Z690 runs on the LGA 1700 socket, the Z690 motherboards are also compatible with the latest 13th-generation Intel CPUs, if you’re trying to save some money, but want a good CPU. The Z690 does provide a great motherboard option.
Is Z690 only DDR5?
No, although DDR5 is the main version of Z690 motherboards as DDR5 had just become the new memory standard. There are DDR4 variants of most major Z690 variants. Intel wanted to ease the transition to DDDr5 as much as possible, as DDR5 memory was incredibly expensive upon launch but now has become a more value-worthy option.
Final word
Intel’s 12th generation of processors coinciding with a new chipset and DDR5 memory is a very exciting time for PC gamers and the wider PC community. Finding the best Z690 is fairly easy, they come with incredible features and support the latest and greatest the hardware world has to offer. If you’re in the market for a more advanced option on the same socket, there are now Z790 motherboards available for your viewing pleasure.
