Experts recommended cheap and affordable options for the best z690 motherboards for gaming, multitasking, and mining.
When talking about the RAM configuration, these gaming boards contain the same DDR4 and DDR5 modules but the frequency will be different and better. Besides 3200MHz frequency, now you can obtain 4800MHz faster memory performance.
Users who cannot compromise on connectivity must be happy to know that there are 4 USB 3.2 Gen 2X2 ports on Z690. The difference is that fewer 2.0 ports will be seen on its chassis as they were present on the Z590 version.
The addition of M.2 NVMe SSD slots and SATA 3.0 ports can also be seen due to the change in the chipset. Moreover, most of these boards are ATX form factors unless you want to get into a smaller shape. This form means everything is in abundance for serious overclockers.
On the other hand, the inclusion of Wi-Fi 6 or 6E will offer 9 Gbps up to 30Gbps speed for quicker networking needs. Comparing the LAN speed by Intel, Z590 used to give 2.5G but these motherboards serve you 5Gb/s for rapid networking facility.
A cooling system like optimized, premium or comprehensive will contain several features. They include PCH fanless heat sinks, backplates, M.2 heatsinks or hybrid fans that will make the overheating get in control.
List of Best Z690 Motherboards
- ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Apex Gaming Motherboard (Best Z690 Motherboard For Gaming)
- GIGABYTE Z690 AORUS Elite AX DDR4 Gaming Motherboard (Best Gigabyte Z690 Motherboard)
- Biostar Z690GTA Racing ATX Gaming Motherboard (Cheapest Z690 Motherboard)
- ASUS ROG Strix Z690-F Gaming WiFi ATX Gaming Motherboard (Best Asus Z690 Motherboard)
- MSI MPG Z690 Carbon WiFi Gaming Motherboard (Best MSI Z690 Motherboard)
- MSI PRO Z690-A DDR4 ProSeries Motherboard
- ASUS Prime Z690M-PLUS D4 Intel Z690 LGA 1700 mATX Motherboard
- GIGABYTE Z690 Gaming X DDR4 Gaming Motherboard
- ASUS Prime Z690-A LGA 1700 ATX Motherboard (Best Z690 Motherboard DDR5)
- ASUS TUF Gaming Z690-Plus WiFi D4 ATX gaming motherboard
1- ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Apex Gaming Motherboard
Say hello to the latest in motherboard technology from ASUS. With a ton of new features this board will not disappoint. It has dual M.2 heatsinks, wireless 6E for faster speeds, high-conductivity thermal pad, and more!
With the ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Formula, you can take on all your games and get new levels of performance with Intel’s 12th gen processor. Powered by high conductivity thermal pads and certified cooling components, this motherboard delivers lower operating temperatures and enhanced overclocking potential.
To give an unbeatable gaming experience, these features work in collaboration. With LiveDash 2 inch OLED screen, you know what power mode it is in. The support for Wi-Fi 6 technology will offer remarkable networking speed.
PCIe 5.0 cards available lets you get ahead of the curve with 24+0 teamed power stages for low latency without bottlenecking after a while. Its dual M.2 heatsinks embedded with backplates are known for optimized thermal solution.
Whether you are a professional gamer or PC modder, the new ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Formula is the cream of your crop. With next-generation WiFi 6E and robust support for all major VR displays, this should be at the top of every enthusiast’s wish list.
Let both memories like DDR4 and DDR5 run through this board instead of only DDR4 that was part of the Z590 unit.
The ASUS Zenith 5 is the ultimate custom-built powerhouse designed to easily and reliably break every performance barrier. Powered by Intel’s new 8th Generation Core V2 processors, WiFi 6E Ready, it also comes with the Industry First onboard 802.11ac Wave 2 Wi-Fi add-in card.
Even the PCI express lanes are 5.0 compared to the older circuit board z590 that offered pcie 4.0. Increasing the bandwidth twice as before, there will be nothing stopping you.
2- GIGABYTE Z690 AORUS Elite AX DDR4 Gaming Motherboard
The Gigabyte Z690 AORUS Elite AX motherboard has a cutting edge thermal design and increased MOSFET heatsinks due the high-level demands of today’s modern processor. The DDR4 memory can provide incredible command power to keep your components working efficiently and at their best.
With all these features, this is an excellent choice for any gaming enthusiasts looking for something that will help their system perform as well as it can. The Gigabyte Z690 AORUS Elite AX is the perfect choice for professional gamers.
Its Intel LGA 1700 Socket makes it capable of accepting the latest 12th Gen Intel Core Series Processors. Although DDR4 compatibility provides faster speeds than traditional memory in Z590 boards, this version can also run DDR5 upgrade.
There are 16+1 +2 Digital VRM power stages that provide up to 70A current capacity, ensuring the most efficient transfer of electrical energy possible. Unique thermal design provides complete coverage with 8 separate heat-pipes for better heat dissipation.
A high coverage MOSFET heatsinks keep your CPU cooler than ever before! Achieve next gen connectivity with PCIe 5.0 enabled devices, 4x NVMe PCIe slots considered superfast due to better transfer rate speed than Z590.
With Intel’s 12th Generation Core-series processors, GIGABYTE Z690 AORUS Elite AX delivers the performance and scalability for a competitive edge in all types of content creation.
With a high die count compared to previous generations, this product is an excellent choice for those seeking total freedom. Its cutting-edge thermal design provides unmatched cooling with fully covered MOSFET heatsinks and enlarged thermal guards.
They prevent heat from spreading out across surfaces or infiltrating externally to keep your system stable under heavy loads. In addition, PCIe 5.0 makes your connection faster than ever before as it offers up to 20 giga transfers per second. That is nearly 3x faster than PCIe 4.0!
3- Biostar Z690 GTA Racing ATX Gaming Motherboard
Looks like the ideal perfect cooling solution for your eye straining, back aching days. With all these graphics inside your rig coupled with that constant overboosting from playing games 24 hrs a day, the heat starts building up.
But the Biostar Z690GTA Racing is equipped with high quality and top-notch features to cool down your system even in extreme conditions.
It has a water cooling design to maintain optimal temperature no matter what type of performance you put it through! Featuring AMD Radeon VII/ 7nm Navi, this Gaming Motherboard will get rid of any worries about overheating. It brings smarter thermal solutions at higher clock speeds together with liquid made composite glass insulated copper layers.
You get to transfer heat quickly from the processor chipsets. With 12th generation Intel Core processors and the Z690 single-chip architecture, Biostar Racing is a powerhouse. With its memory clocking technology, you will be covered no matter how demanding your tasks are.
And with HDMI 2.0 and USB 3.2 Gen2 Type C, whether it is a video game or a music creation app on a laptop, Biostar has what you are looking for. Plus the WiFi 6 & 6E module makes kicking back more relaxing than ever before. This networking feature offers double the speed and bandwidth as Z590 does.
Supports the latest Intel processor the 12th Generation 6 Core LGA 1700 through this ATX motherboard. It maintains up to 128GB of DDR4 Memory and unlimited storage capacity using 6 SATA III ports. The Biostar Racing series is capable of handling almost any modern game that comes out today with PCIe 5.0 and 4.0 connectivity.
Shifting its load to DIMMs will provide you with this power ride in your rig. Biostar Z690GTF can satisfy your need for lag-free computing. With the WiFi 6 & 6E module, the esports requirement is met!
4- ASUS ROG Strix Z690-F Gaming WiFi ATX Gaming Motherboard
Get the latest 12th-Gen Intel Core support with ASUS ROG Strix Z690-F. With new, stronger WiFi 6E capabilities, the latest headset technology for high-definition audio, plus Thunderbolt 4 and DisplayPort 1.4 outputs to match it all up .
You are covered for any game, tournament experience or session of binge TV viewing! The patented ProCool II power connector supports 16+1 power stages that boost your gaming CPU performance, kindling blue flames into OC combustion chambers.
Combine this with Optimal Thermal Design that keeps those temperatures as cool as possible with a VPD MB heatsink and PCH fanless heatsink to maintain your focus on what is important.
ASUS’s ROG Strix Z690-F Gaming WiFi 6E ATX Motherboard with Intel 12th Gen LGA1700 gives gamers the edge over their enemies. With double sided M.2 heatsinks and 16+1 power stages, Alight’s superior audio, you are simply getting all the power you need.
There are 4 HDMI 2.0 ports for flawless video signals. Right side Dual Secure USB enables you to access your confidential data more securely through a USB port that is encrypted on the motherboard and this gaming board is also supported by i9-12900K board.
Besides an SSL certificate, ASUS also includes Fan Xpert 4 utility that senses how hot components like GPUs and CPUs are. You can adjust fan speeds accordingly to cool them down without causing excess noise or any risk of damage. So if longevity is what you are after in your next gaming computer, this Expert makes it easier to make the decision.
Optimized thermal design creates optimal heat dissipation for voltage regulators, so they can work more efficiently while lessening their destructive effects on other components.
This board offers HDMI 2.0 and high fidelity audio with ALC4080 and DTS Sound Unbound. For immersive sound with headphone amplifiers and Sonic Studio III you can optimize these settings with each game.
5- MSI MPG Z690 Carbon WiFi Gaming Motherboard
The MSI MPG Z690 Carbon WiFi Motherboard comes with amazing features for enthusiasts who are looking to take the next step. This board features overclocking and it is able to handle up to 2 DIMMs per socket. An 8x USB 3.1 port, 4x SATA-III ports, Quad Channel Memory Support DDR5 is available and this gaming board is also compatible with i5-12400 and i5-12600K board
Like the previous version Z590, users only used to get DDR4 memory with lesser speed as compared to this chipset. WiFI radio inside PCB is perfectly aligned with back panel space where antennas can protrude outwards. Doubling the transfer speed of the previous generation, you can get 30Gbps of rate for any overclocking for gaming you need.
This motherboard now has luxurious black brushed aluminum cover on rear durable I/O shield alongside a whole new set of optimizations. If you want something more extravagant than normal, this motherboard might be the perfect choice.
It supports the 12th Gen of Intel’s version including Core, Pentium and Celeron processors with LGA 1700 socket. Having DDR5 Memory, up to 5600(OC) MHz will make it a better version that has more potential than Z590. The top-notch and exclusive 2 DIMM solution gives an incredible performance for your memory.
There are 4 M.2 Connectors present onboard for the best storage performance. In addition to this, Shield Frozr design keeps M.2 SSDs safe while preventing throttling, making them run faster.
An outstanding Cooling Solution involving Aluminum Cover, VRM Heat-pipe, 7W/mK thermal pads makes your system operate at best temperatures. Get your tough gaming jobs handled with the MSI MPG Z690 Carbon WiFi Gaming Motherboard.
Not only does it support up to 5600(OC) MHz DDR5 Memory, this beast also has a Quad-Lightning Gen 4 M.2 solution for incredible speeds and overall performance!
6- MSI PRO Z690-A DDR4 ProSeries Motherboard
Ready to take on the future with a motherboard that has been assembled with care and thought. With MSI’s Z690-A PRO motherboard you will be able to support up to 12th Gen Intel Core, Pentium, Celeron processors for LGA 1700 socket. Further you get to see DDR4 Memory, running at 5600(OC) MHz.
You can also enjoy increased performance from Lightning M.2. It provides PCIe Gen4 x4 maximizes performance for NVMe based SSDs. The premium thermal solution will keep your system cool through any challenge you throw at it.
Enjoy a cooler system without worrying about overheating! Save time setting up your new gaming PC with this high quality product. The MSI PRO Z690-A is your long term solution for premium performance. Stocked with features to make sure you can do everything even faster, this motherboard offers top tier service to the ATX form factor board.
With high end memory modules and lightning fast connecting M.2 slot, this board can take on any workload emergency or project that comes your way. Housed in a head-turning design, this system will keep you looking good while having it all working well enough beneath the surface.
Its M.2 Lightning Slot that runs PCIe Gen4 x2 maximizes SSD speeds, lightning fast 2.5G LAN. An extended heatsink design keeps temps low and allows overclocking without frustration.MSI PRO Z690-A DDR4 ProSeries Motherboard is also perfect choice for Radeon RX 6950 XT board.
Let MSI Command Center put you in control over everything from just a few clicks away. There is no downtime too tough for this board, if it can be beat by either man or machine.
Rotate your chair, turn your headlamps off, and grind your teeth together for a second. Maintaining stability in high-level computing can be tough at the best of times. MSI PRO Z690-A DDR4 ProSeries Motherboard is here to change that with 12th Gen Intel Core on the LGA 1700 socket.
7- ASUS Prime Z690M-PLUS D4 Intel Z690 LGA 1700 mATX Motherboard
Meet the Prime series of gaming motherboards from ASUS. The result of decades spent perfecting, this lineup is designed for those with a hunger for everything and anything that holds their interests. This particular model comes with 3 M.2 slots and 10+1 DrMOS surround power supply for maximum performance.
Its voltage stability on Intel’s Z-Series CPUs like the newest 8700K coffee lake chip! You can plug right in without having to worry about rear space thanks to several PCIe x16 ATX slot designs. With HDMI & USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C connectivity, you will never want for connections or ports anywhere within reach again!
Looking for a new motherboard? ASUS Prime Z690M-PLUS D4 has you covered. Featuring an LGA 17x socket, 3 M.2 slots, 10+1 DrMOS fan headers, and 8 USB ports including 2 Type-C, it outdated your average motherboard experience!
The ASUS Prime Z690M-PLUS D4 is everything you need in an affordable motherboard. Featuring lush RGB configuration, robust overclocking and DDR4 Memory 128GB, this product delivers a wealth of features to make your PC a powerhouse!
The motherboard’s Intel 1 Gb LAN provides steadfast network security letting you connect multiple devices seamlessly. With projected speeds up to 20 times faster than the traditional Ethernet standard ’gigabit Ethernet.
And ASUS Aura Sync gives you complete control over every aspect of your lighting as well as adding that extra flavor that sets your rig apart from all the rest!
Quiet and stylish, this is designed for those who want a powerful computer without all of the noise. For gamers and prosumers, this slim and affordable motherboard offers beastly performance with loads of connectivity options to keep you connected to work or family.
You will enjoy our 2 RAM slot design where one memory sticks next to your gaming graphics card for an optimized layout that provides convenient access when upgrading your system.
8- GIGABYTE Z690 Gaming X DDR4 Gaming Motherboard
The Gigabyte Z690 Gaming X is a mid-range desktop board with 12th gen Intel Core processors that are equipped for versatile desktop configurations. With the integrated 60A DrMOS, you will have access to more power than ever before so this motherboard can take on any form of computing you might need it for.
And because this has a 16+1 pump design and high quality components, it will be compatible with overclocking enthusiasts who want stable performance out of their rig. Built for competition, from running everyday tasks without hassle to handling intensive gaming sessions.
There are no bottlenecks or performance hiccups that could slow you down during any task. This is the perfect Intel processor based platform to build your best gaming rig on. With its 12th Generation Intel Core Processor compatibility, you can be sure that all that power will stay with you for years to come.
This motherboard also supports DDR4 memory, which means faster data transfer and more system stability than ever before. Every component on this board was carefully designed to increase performance. Fans are placed in places where they can cool parts most effectively, while heat pipes connect crucial areas of the board without obstruction.
The Gigabyte Z690 Gaming X has 16+1+2 phases of 64A power design so it stays safe even under any stressful conditions. And with Gigabyte’s new twin hybrid digital VRM design, you are getting immense power to run any system.Gigabyte Z690 Gaming X also supported by Radeon RX 6750 XT board.
From dual NVMe PCIe M.2 slots, to 10 USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports and improved power supply durability with 60A DrMOS PWM units. Plus, DDR4 memory overclocking +33% on your new Intel Core processors will deliver blistering performance without compromising protection or cooling!
Dual PCI Express 5.0 allows for up to 4x faster transfers than ever before while the next gen connectivity standards offer a future-proofed motherboard.
9- ASUS Prime Z690-A LGA 1700 ATX Motherboard
Intense yet graceful, the ASUS Prime Z690-A is a high-end Intel LGA 1700 socket motherboard with unparalleled memory capabilities. With this new board, achieve ultimate excellence in computing performance and system stability.
The 12th Gen Intel Core processors supporting PCIe 5.0 and DDR5 memory at speeds up to 2933 MHz is incredible. On the outside, the robust ProCool sockets meet your cooling needs for Intel RST Performance 4K or 2D Advanced Extreme Performance modes.
While on the inside you get AI overclocking that is smarter than ever before. Intelligent noise cancellation allows true chip leadership for intelligent cooling. Its powerful 16+1 DrMOS power phases provide stable power delivery for demanding loads of energy efficient hardware class.
This ASUS Prime Z690-A is ready for 12th Gen Intel Core processors and Windows 11 with 256MB DDR5 memory. A PCIe 5.0 and front panel USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C ports offer amazing connectivity.
Have you been looking for a problem solver like none other? Well look no further than the Asus Prime Z690-A! With all of these helpful features, we are sure it will be just what you have been waiting for.
Looking to take your computer’s power and performance to the next level? Asus Prime Z690-A is a fantastic choice for you. With support for DDR5 memory, PCIe 5.0, Intel 2.5 Gb Ethernet, and Thunderbolt 4 header support; there are no limits as to what it can provide for you!
It also features AI overclocking, AI cooling and two way AI noise cancellation all designed with you in mind. Giving you an amazing experience with zero compromises is the specialty of this circuit board.
10- ASUS TUF Gaming Z690-Plus WiFi D4 ATX gaming motherboard
Ready for 12th Gen Intel Core processors, support PCIe 5.0 and out of box Windows 11 ready. Having 14+2 DrMOS power stages, ProCool sockets, military-grade TUF components, and Digi+ VRM for maximum durability and performance.
A VRM heatsink, PCH fanless heatsink, M.2 heatsink, hybrid fan headers and Fan Xpert 4 utility so your PC stays stable under any conditions. With its 6 AX201 (802.11 ax), Intel I225-V 2.5Gb LAN technology which includes WiFi 6 AX 201 wireless networking. Its standards with speeds up to 60% faster than 802.11ac Wave 2 in long range connections.
ASUS TUF Gaming Z690-Plus is an Intel LGA with a PCIe 5.0 system that offers the most current generation of CPUs and features like VRMs, M.2 or NVMe SSD slots. With TurboLAN technology to offer you the fastest connectivity available on our market today.
This motherboard not only has Military Grade components with Digi+ VRM and ProCool Sockets for maximum durability. It is designed for gamers who need high quality gaming boards and want everything they buy to be top notch quality. This board is exactly what they are looking for.
Built for gamers the world over who demand nothing less than perfection, this motherboard features powerful performance. An advanced cooling system tailor-made for hardcore gaming and immersive VR encounters, plus professional-grade quality you can rely on even in heated battles.
Your data moves faster with up to five simultaneous TCP/IP streams that are not possible with regular Ethernet connections. Enjoy blisteringly fast speeds all game long wherever you take it and at whatever length.
Best Z690 Motherboards Buying Guide
With the advancement of technology, brands have been growing equipment that will further make your system better. Now you will have less time to wait for file transfers or knocking your enemies down. Even if it is crypto mining, your high end processor and rig will never heat up.
Socket:
Z690 motherboards have beaten the LGA 1200 of Z590 with their LGA 1700. The Z series of motherboards are mainly built for overclockers, and gaming enthusiasts. But they are compatible with Alder lake’s processors like core i5-12600K or i9-12900k since they are already made overclockable.
Memory:
This is a DDR5 module that can also run DDR4 as well compared to Z590 motherboards, that cannot run dual memory like Z690 does. In the previous module, there were 2x DIMM channels but now the frequency will be changed. You can get 4800MHz of maximum frequency instead of 3200MHz.
Ports:
More USB 3.2 gen 2 x2 ports can be seen on the Z690 motherboard so if you demand better connectivity, you must look into the ATX form factor. Besides that, thunderbolt 4, HDMI 2.0, display port 1.4 will also be present so that multi screen setup is made easy.
PCIe:
The previous version offered PCIe 4.0 version while a Z690 will serve you dual the bandwidth with PCIe 5.0. It can give you access to 32Gt/s rather than 16GT. The only thing that is similar is the no upgrade to the M.2 connectors. In addition, the older version had 24x PCIe 3.0 slots while this board contains 12x PCIe 4.0 and 16x PCIe 3.0 lanes.
Networking:
Being the supporter of 12th generation intel core processors, your board must be really good at its networking. It must give out Wifi 6 or 6E with 2.5G LAN and ethernet. The turbo boost technologies let your system run faster without lag.
Cooling:
Get your board to actively cool down the extra heat that might be generated when you push the system. There are several heatsinks, VRM support, I/O shields, baseplates, fans or fanless designs. It is an important factor to maintain a healthy balance during the operation.