The Intel Z690 Motherboard Overview (DDR4): Over 30+ New Models
by Gavin Bonshor on November 24, 2021 2:00 PM ESTGIGABYTE Z690 Aero G (DDR4)
Similar to GIGABYTE's Z690 Aero D which has support for DDR5 memory, GIGABYTE has also launched a content-creator focused model for users planning to use DDR4 memory with Intel's Alder Lake. The GIGABYTE Z690 Aero G DDR4 has a more simplistic design, with a contrasting black and silver look throughout. Unlike the DDR5 supported Z690 Aero D, the Z690 Aero G DDR4 does include integrated RGB LED lighting, including a strip built into the rear panel cover, and more RGB LED lighting going diagonally across the chipset heatsink.
Focusing on PCIe support, the GIGABYTE Z690 Aero G DDR4 includes one full-length PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, with two full-length PCIe 3.0 x4 slots. Storage options include four PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slots, with six SATA ports capable of supporting Intel RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 arrays. In terms of memory support, there are four memory slots located in the top right-hand corner, which can support up to DDR4-5333, with a combined capacity of up to 128 GB.
The rear panel of the GIGABYTE Z690 Aero G DDR4 is spearheaded by dual USB 3.2 G2x2 Type-C, two USB 3.2 G2 Type-A, four USB 3.2 G1 Type-A, and two USB 2.0 ports. Networking options consist of an Intel I225-V 2.5 GbE controller and an Intel AX-201 Wi-Fi 6 CNVi, with two 3.5 mm audio jacks and S/PDIF optical output providing basic audio access. Finishing off the rear panel is a single HDMI 2.1 video output and a DisplayPort video input.
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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.