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.
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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.