Hey there, geeks! Are you thinking about getting a new motherboard for building your new PC or just wanting to know, like all PC enthusiasts, about the best motherboards? In this piece, we will tell you everything you need to know about motherboards, and then we will classify the top 7 best Z690 motherboards in 2024.
In a hurry? Here are our top 3 favorite picks when it comes to the best Z690 Motherboards in 2024!
What Are Motherboards?
“If the CPU can be regarded as the brain of the computer, then the motherboard can be described as the central nervous system.” If you were ever to dissect the computer’s interior, you would observe many electrical circuits and wirings inside. It also consists of different components.
Those components like CPU, GPU, or any other cards are connected across each other through the motherboard. The motherboard is a central connector that transfers all the essential data from one component to another. Thus, the primary function of a motherboard is to manage all the subsystems of the computer.
Both desktops and laptops contain the motherboard, but in laptops, the components are put much more intricately than in desktops. As a result, desktop components are much more interchangeable.
Related: Best Headsets For Discord
What Are The 3 Things That Motherboards Do?
Let us try and put everything into context, shall we? We now understand that the motherboard acts like a nervous system sending signals from one computer component to another. Let us break the functions of a motherboard into three things:
- It provides ports for connecting floppy drives, hard drives, and optical drives. Moreover, it provides ports for attaching the CPU, GPU, and other disks.
- The motherboard carries power ports that provide power to various components. For instance, graphics cards and other disk drives draw their power directly from the motherboard.
- It has an inbuilt chipset that acts as an interface between all the components.
Before going ahead and reading about the top 7 best Z690 motherboards in 2024, let us have an overview of the new Intel Z690 Chipset and what it brings to the table.
The new Intel Z690 Chipset is the newest offering from Intel, with some significant and exciting upgrades. It is Intel’s 12th Generation Chipset and has been named Alter Lake. The new Chipset from Intel comes integrated with the new DDR5 RAM, PCle 5.0, and wireless connectivity. The all-new DDR5, PCle 5.0, will enhance the performance enormously. It will ultimately lead to a greater multitasking experience packed with faster computing.
Why Should You Buy Or Upgrade To The Z690?
The Z690 brings a lot of basic configurations to the table, and one needs to utilize it in order to appreciate the chipset fully. The newer DDR5 RAM packs many advantages with its task-superior multitasking capability. While playing games, the seamless experience while playing 4K/8K with higher FPS will surely take the experience to a whole new level.
The Z690 poses a robust Thermal Configuration, which offers a comprehensive heatsink system. It will lead to fast heat dissemination and ultimately result in a better user experience. It also comes with better wireless connectivity so that you do not lose out on the fun.
1. Gigabyte Z690 AORUS Master – Best Overall
Specifications
- Form Factor: ATX
- Chipset: Intel Z690
- Memory: Supports DDR5, 4 x DDR% sockets
- Video Outputs:
- Ports: 11x rear IO, 9x internal
- Network: 1 x 10 GbE LAN, 1 x Wi-Fi 6E
- Storage: 4x M.2, 6x SATA
- VRM: 19+2+1 Phase
Gigabyte has always been able to deliver excellent quality motherboards. Gigabyte’s AORUS is no exception. It provides some of the latest offerings available in the market. Furthermore, it can deliver a powerful performance along with some fascinating features.
An Advanced Thermal system supports its robust design. The backplate is made up of Aluminium backed by 2X copper PCB. Some of Gigabyte’s high-end technology, like the NanoCarbon Fins-Array III and Direct-Touch Heatpipe II, make the motherboard one of the best in the market. This system will ensure that heating is not an issue even during heavy usage.
Why Is This The Best Z690 Motherboard In 2024?
As it is based on the Z690 chipset, it comes in with the all-new DDR5 capability, supports up to 6000MHz, and hosts the next Generation PCle 5.0. It comes with 1x PCle 5.0 x16 SMD slots made using the Ultra Durable SMD PCle 5.0 Armour. It makes the motherboard not only the best in class today but also makes it future-ready.
As for aesthetics, it supports an RGB fusion 2.0 with two addressable LED headlights and 2x RGB LED headers.
When it comes to connectivity, it comes with Wi-Fi that supports 2.4/5/6 GHz carrier frequency bands. The latest Bluetooth 5.3 ensures you enjoy the latest offering and have a tremendous gaming experience. Moreover, it supports 11ax 160 MHz of wireless standard and up to 2.4 Gbps data for seamless transfer.
One of the downsides, however, is the absence of HDMI output on the rear I/O.
2. ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Hero – Runner Up
Specifications
- Form Factor: ATX
- Chipset: Intel Z690
- Memory: Supports DDR5, 128GB, DDR5-6400
- Video Outputs: HDMI
- Ports: 11x rear IO, 9x internal
- Network: 1 x 2.5 GbE LAN, 1 x Wi-Fi 6E
- Storage: 5x M.2, 6x SATA
- VRM: 19+2+1 Phase
ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Hero kicks the ball out of the park in terms of its design element. The RGB lighting looks very cool and makes the overall feel of the machine perfect. ASUS ROG is a high-end, top-of-the-line product that has most outfits accounted for.
ASUS claims an AI-based motherboard that intelligently figures out the best configuration and thereby makes specific advanced tweaks to give you the best possible performance. The AI-Cooling feature allows the motherboard to assess the heat profile and accordingly manage the thermal requirement simultaneously, giving you a quiet environment to work.
The AI-Overclocking evaluates the CPU profile of the system and accordingly optimizes the system. It boasts of other exciting technology like Two-Way AI Noise cancellation and AI-Networking.
The Z690 is the new top-of-the-line chipset from Intel, and while utilizing the chipset, the ASUS does not disappoint in its performance. With the new DDR5, the ROG delivers an impressive overclocking system that delivers throughout. While the components deliver, the cooling mechanism needs to be robust to give the user sustainability in power delivery.
The exceptional VRM chipset with a dedicated Water-Cooling system provides the perfect companion in terms of heat dissipation. The Three M.2 Drives are equipped with three dedicated heatsinks, a dedicated chipset heat sink, and an L-shaped Heatpipe for even distribution of heat sets for optimum performance and increased user reliability.
Regarding connectivity, the ASUS ROG possesses the latest in class technology, including Wi-Fi 6E, PCle 5.0, and 2 thunderbolts 4 USB type-C ports- for super seamless connectivity and data transfer.
The one thing that ASUS does so brilliantly is its optimization. Builders have next-level control over system performance thanks to the ROG Maximus Z690 Hero’s abundance of simple and adaptable tools.
Thanks to its robust build quality and performance, it has unquestionably established itself as one of the best high-end Z690 Motherboards available in 2024.
3. MSI MPG Z690 Carbon WIFI – Premium Pick
Specifications
- Form Factor: ATX
- Chipset: Intel Z690
- Memory: Supports DDR5-6666, 128GB, DDR5-6400
- Video Outputs: HDMI and DisplayPort
- Ports: 9x rear IO, 7x internal
- Network: 1 x 2.5 GbE LAN, 1 x Wi-Fi 6E
- Storage: 5x M.2, 6x SATA
- VRM: 18+1+1 Phase
Next in our line-up is the MSI MPG Z690 Carbon Wi-Fi, which provides a solid case for consideration. It is chosen for a variety of factors, including its excellent feature set and significant overclocking potential. The MSI MPG Z690 Carbon Wi-Fi should unquestionably be another board to take into consideration if you’re in the market for a new motherboard.
The MSI MPG Z690 Carbon Wi-Fi combines Core Boost technology with two 8-pin power connectors to achieve optimal performance. The eight-layer PCB material provides the stability required and high system performance that lasts for a long time.
Like all Z690-based motherboards, it houses the latest DDR5, which takes the experience to a whole new level. Apart from the features like Enhanced Audio, advanced LAN capability, USB, and superior connectivity, what really stands out is the aesthetic appeal of, what MSI calls, the Mystic Light. The RGB setup provides more than 16.8 million colors that will light up the system and the whole gaming adventure.
Additionally, a sizable metal heatsink that helps dissipate heat cools the components. The heatsinks have enough finning, which increases surface area and enhances heat transfer. On top of that, the 18+1+1 power design VRM provides the perfect power delivery to overclock its powerful processor.
4. ASUS TUF Gaming Z690-Plus WIFI
Specifications
- Form Factor: ATX
- Chipset: Intel Z690
- Memory: Supports DDR5-6666, 128GB, DDR5-6400
- Video Outputs: HDMI and DisplayPort
- Ports: 10x rear IO, 7x internal
- Network: 1 x 2.5 GbE LAN, 1 x Wi-Fi 6E
- Storage: 3x M.2, 6x SATA
- VRM: 14+1 Phase
Next, we bring you an affordable option from ASUS. The ASUS TUF Gaming Z690-Plus Wi-Fi utilizes all the attributes of the latest Intel Kari lake processor and, for about $250, instantly makes it one of the best in the segment.
This motherboard is made for hard-core gamers out there who like to grind in for long hours. With an impressive Cooling system that uses a Two-Way AI Noise-cancellation mechanism and an upgraded power management system, this machine will surely deliver an impressive power-packed performance.
In order to deliver stable power delivery, it houses an enhanced power solution with 14+1 DrMOS, six layers of PCB, ProCool sockets, and alloy chokes, along with robust capacitors.
For connectivity, PCle 5.0, USB 3.2 Gen 2X2 Type-C, and Thunderbolt 4 support provide the user with future-proof capability. The motherboard looks scintillating with the RGB effects. It is delicately served with RGB headers and RGB strip header support.
Considering the price at which this beauty sells and the performance that it delivers, this is one of the best when it comes to budget Z690 Motherboards.
5. Gigabyte Z690-I AORUS Ultra
Specifications
- Form Factor: Mini-ATX
- Chipset: Intel Z690
- Memory: Supports DDR5-6666, 64GB, DDR5-6400
- Video Outputs: DisplayPort + HDMI
- Ports: 8x rear IO, 7x internal
- Network: 1 x 2.5 GbE LAN, 1 x Wi-Fi 6E
- Storage: 5x M.2, 6x SATA
- VRM: 10+1+2 Phase
Gigabyte calls this motherboard the ‘New King of Gaming.’ And looking at the specifications, they have done a masterful job building this machine. It provides a robust build quality.
The 10+1+2 VRM setup robustly stabilizes the power delivery. With the ability to overclock its potential with its overclocking technology and to put the cherry on top, Intel’s Alder Lake does provide one of the most exciting yet potent motherboards in 2024.
When it comes to connectivity, it supports both a Display port and an HDMI, USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C with Intel 2.5 GbE LAN. The all-new Intel WIFI 6 and VT5 with special AORUS antenna work together to give the gamer a seamless experience.
The Dual channel DDR5, along with 2 DIMM (could have been more), provide for excellent multitasking and seamless gameplay in 4K Ultra High definition and better FPS.
The heat dissipation system built in does a great job thanks to the existence of multiple heatsinks. The Thermal Reactive Armour guards the heatsink to deliver the best possible system optimization to keep the system cool even under tremendous stress.
The Gigabyte Z690 AORUS does not fall short in terms of appearance. With a black and silver color scheme accentuated by RGB lighting, it offers a streamlined and upscale appearance. The motherboard really comes to life with the illumination, which can be adjusted to match the rest of your system.
Thus, at an affordable price point and having a minimalist yet powerful appearance, Gigabyte has tried to deliver the best possible performance, which should push you towards checking it once.
6. ASUS ROG Strix Z690-G Gaming
Specifications
- Form Factor: Micro-ATX
- Chipset: Intel Z690
- Memory: Supports DDR5-6666, 128GB, DDR5-6400+
- Video Outputs: DisplayPort + HDMI
- Ports: 10x rear IO, 7x internal
- Network: 1 x 2.5 GbE LAN, 1 x Wi-Fi 6E
- Storage: 3x M.2, 6x SATA
- VRM: 14+1 Phase
Next, down the line, we look at another budget offering of ASUS with their Rog Strix Z690 Gaming Wi-Fi motherboard. When we discuss the positives, we will have to discuss the RGB lighting. It gives the look and finishing that it deserves.
The Intel LGA 1700 socket makes the whole motherboard ready for 13th Gen Intel Core processors and supports the 12th Gen Intel Core, Pentium, Gold, and Celeron Processors. Thus, this is the choice for you if you are looking for a compact yet decently-priced motherboard.
When it comes to power delivery, the 14+1 DRMos with ProCool II power connector really support the device. On top of that, the integrated I/O cover and VRM heatsink really do a decent job. There is further protection of three M.2 heatsinks and M.2 backplates for two M.2 slots.
The motherboard comes equipped with Asus AI overclocking and Two-Way noise cancellation to make your work absolutely stress-free. ASUS ROG Strix Z690 does come with a lot of features. Firstly, It houses three M.2 slots for faster storage connectivity. Secondly, the Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5 GbE LAN take networking to a whole new level.
It doesn’t fall short in the aesthetics department. The motherboard has a modern, elegant appearance, with a black and silver color scheme enhanced by RGB lighting. It really brings the motherboard to life, and the lighting can be adjusted to match the rest of your system.
Thus, among the best micro ATX form factors, and at this price point, this has to be one of the best. It has an excellent built quality and does an overall decent job in terms of its performance.
7. MSI Pro Z690-A Wi-Fi
Specifications
- Form Factor: ATX
- Chipset: Intel Z690
- Memory: Supports DDR5-6666, 128GB, DDR5-6400+
- Video Outputs: DisplayPort + HDMI
- Ports: 6x rear IO, 9x internal
- Network: 1 x 2.5 GbE LAN, 1 x Wi-Fi 6E
- Storage: 4x M.2, 6x SATA
- VRM: 8+4 Phase
If you are looking for a budget-friendly model but want a motherboard that performs decently, this is an excellent option to check out. The MSI Pro Z690-A WiFI is a good motherboard at this price point, considering the features that it comes with.
The VRM looks a bit underwhelming, but complaining would be a mistake. In fact, you can expect some good overclocking results thanks to its 8+4 Phase.
Additionally, it has two sizable heatsinks for adequate cooling, guaranteeing consistent performance even when overclocked. For the pricing point, the VRM’s general setup is quite good.
It has four M.2 slots and six SATA ports for your device. It supports Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5 GbE LAN ports for wireless connectivity, which is quite impressive.
Thanks to the black and white color scheme, the board has a sleek and contemporary appearance, and its angular shape gives it a bit of an aggressive feel. Gamers may be slightly disappointed by the lack of RGB lighting on the board as those make the look and feel really luxurious.
All in all, we can say that there will be a good range of ports and other features, and also considering the price range, this is undoubtedly one of the best budget picks.
How We Selected The Top 7 Best Z690 Motherboards In 2024
When selecting the best motherboards, it becomes essential to test them in and out and check every feature of those motherboards. We have selected these motherboards by putting them through different tests to check their overall performance.
While selecting these motherboards, we have paid particular attention to checking the power delivery and the working of the VMR design thus provided. We looked at the devices’ thermal capacity and how they react when put through a lot of long-term stress.
We are focused on the number of ports and expendable slots while finding these motherboards because those make the motherboard handy and expandable in the future. We have checked if those motherboards have multiple certain functionalities like M.2 slots for your storage needs, Wi-Fi 6E, and 1.2GbP for your connectivity needs.
When it comes to a good motherboard setup, aesthetic appeal plays a significant role. Throughout our list, we have made sure that we list those with a better aesthetic feel.
The price of the motherboard plays a significant role in making a decision, and we have also tried to test those devices according to the price at which they retail.
Our team of specialists paid close attention to the power delivery and VRM subsystems when testing motherboards because they are essential for assuring stable performance and reproducible overclocking results.
Factors to Consider While Buying a Motherboard – A Buying Guide
Form Factor
When deciding to buy a motherboard, the first thing you need to do is select the form factor that you want. There are different form factors in the market, but ATX motherboards are the most common that you’ll find.
Most people usually use the ATX motherboard, which has more functionalities and expansion slots. Micro ATX motherboards are also famous because of their small form factor. During our selection, we mentioned motherboards with ATX and micro ATX as form factors.
Processor Socket
After having decided on the form factor, the other thing you need to look at is the kind of processor sockets that you want for your motherboard. Currently, there are namely three processor sockets in use: LGA, PGA, and BGA. Now, you will have to understand that different brands use different processor sockets for motherboards.
For example, Intel uses LGA, and AMD uses PGA. BGA socket is not standard as it has a drawback in that it is not flexible. They are bound to the motherboard, making it difficult for later upgrades.
RAM
Random Access Memory (RAM) becomes very important because it will directly affect the user experience with your motherboard. We recommend looking for a motherboard that supports at least four memory slots such that you can boost the app whenever you want.
In terms of memory, we recommend that at least 16 GB should be supported by a motherboard. It is also essential to buy the type of ram according to the needs. The latest Intel Z690 supports DDR5RAM, entirely an upgrade from the earlier DDR4 RAM. However, the DDR5 RAM will surely not be coming cheap!
PCI Slots
These are located in the motherboard, allowing the Expansion Card to be connected. The number of slots you require will clearly depend on how you plan to use your computer.
Features
When you enter the market, many motherboards provide different kinds of functionalities. It depends on your personal preference as to what kind of functionalities you want out of your motherboard and, consequently, out of your computer. Some features you can choose include- RGB lighting, good audio functionalities, better Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, etc.
Final Thoughts
To conclude, the motherboard, a connector to the various parts of the computer, becomes very important for someone looking to build a powerful computer setup. For this reason, it is also sometimes called the computer’s central nervous system.
We hope you’ve got all the information you need to pick the best option!
