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Skilled’s Score
Professionals
- Premium construct high quality
- Filled with options
- Intuitive BIOS and software program
- CPU cooler LGA 1200/1700 suitable
Cons
- Cheaper options can be found with most of those options
- DDR5 solely, and shall be restricted with 4 sticks to base pace
- Thick plates could intervene with some cumbersome GPU coolers
Our Verdict
The Asus ROG Most Z690 Excessive is actually a motherboard for the PC fanatic who calls for the perfect of the perfect, value be damned.
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Intel has lastly rejoined the aggressive panorama in opposition to AMD with its Z690 platform, matching high-end muscle with the ferocious Core i9-12900K CPU. With nice energy comes not-so-great pricing, nevertheless. The Asus ROG Maximus Z690 Excessive’s $1,099 price ticket eclipses the $649 value of previous juggernaut motherboards just like the X299 Asus Rampage VI Excessive, recasting what a high-end motherboard ought to price.
We’ll talk about the specs, options, and efficiency you need to anticipate from a motherboard of this caliber, and whether or not it delivers sufficient to justify your buy.
The specs
The Asus ROG Maximus Z690 Excessive is filled with numerous options and a formidable spec listing, together with DDR5 memory support and Thunderbolt 4. Needless to say it’s an prolonged measurement, or E-ATX, which means it’s bigger than a typical ATX motherboard and should not slot in all circumstances. You’ll get an built-in I/O protect, too—no worries about forgetting this step of the construct course of!
You’ll discover Wi-Fi 6E together with 10GB ethernet. Thunderbolt 4 accompanies the various USB Gen 2 ports on the again. You’ll have 5 slots for M.2, and two of them are on the included ROG Dimn2 card that attaches subsequent to the RAM.
Listed here are some vital specs to concentrate on:
- E-ATX 12×13 inches, or 305x330mm (wider than an ATX motherboard)
- Intel Twelfth-gen Alder Lake CPU assist with 24+1 energy phases (LGA 1700)
- DDR5 RAM solely, 4 slots
- PCI-E 5.0
- 5 M.2 slots
- Thunderbolt 4
- USB-C Gen 2
- Wi-Fi 6E
- 10GB LAN (Marvel AQtion and an Intel 2.5GB LAN)
- ROG SupremeFX ALC4082 With ESS ES9018QC2 DAC
- 2-inch OLED Dwell Sprint, and AniMe Matrix show
- 3- and 4-pin RGB headers
- Clear CMOS and BIOS flashbacks buttons
- ROG Dimn2 M.2 adapter card
- A number of fan and water cooling headers
- HDMI port for built-in graphics (when GPU not accessible)
- Six SATA 6GB/S ports
- M.2 latch, and PCI-E button for releasing GPUs
- CPU cooler backwards compatibility with LGA 1200 or 1700
Thiago Trevisan / IDG
Design
Excessive. That phrase describes why many would really like this motherboard, proper? Minimalist, RGB-agnostic afficionados needn’t apply; this motherboard packs some critical “Occasions-Sq.-Degree” lights. With a 2-inch OLED and animated Matrix show, it may be configured to point out something from CPU stats to animations. Whenever you’re paying for further options, that features eye sweet.
Thiago Trevisan / IDG
Additionally, it’s heavy. Like, actually heavy, however in a great way. Weighing in at over six kilos, it’s mighty to carry. The construct high quality is spectacular, with an armor again plate and loads of cowl for the entrance areas. The VRM heatsinks are big too, and naturally you’ll get loads of M.2 cooling with the lined plates a effectively.
It’s a really enticing motherboard general, with nice management over the RGB lighting through Asus Aura software program, so it may be personalized nevertheless you’d like.
One vital factor to remember is that the highest M.2 cowl does keep barely raised, so in the event you’re doing a water-cooled graphics card with a thick backplate, reminiscent of these with energetic cooling, be aware of clearance points. Likewise, in the event you’re doing a GPU on the underside PCI-E slot, a thick GPU cooler can intervene with a few of the cables, stopping a stable connection. (This occurred to me with an Asus Strix GPU cooler and the RGB and USB ports on the underside of the motherboard.)
Thiago Trevisan / IDG
Distinctive options
Many motherboards have distinctive options, however what units aside a board at this degree, and value, is the sheer quantity and mixture of options. Let’s break down a few of the most fascinating:
- Robust networking choices with 10GB, 2.5GB LAN, and Wi-Fi 6E for optimum flexibility
- Connectivity choices proceed to impress, with Thunderbolt 4 and lots of USB ports, together with kind C, and 60W charging potential
- Improbable M.2 SSD assist, though bear in mind solely the highest M.2 is PCI-E Gen 5, however that may include some restrictions
- DDR5 is right here, however bear in mind it’s dearer than DDR4 for minimal efficiency good points. There’s additionally a giant subject with working quad RAM sticks—they received’t do XMP profiles—so it’s possible you’ll need to stick to two RAM sticks of upper capability
- M.2 latch and PCI-E slot straightforward launch/entry—we hope to see this on much more motherboards sooner or later!
- Nice VRM and CPU efficiency, however you may get comparable or higher with some cheaper motherboards such because the Asus Z690 Apex (it received’t be as function packed, nevertheless)
- Need to do two GPUs, for both higher spacing to enhance thermals when doing content material creation, and even…gasp…the already defunct SLI/NV Hyperlink? You are able to do that right here, with 4-slot NVlink assist
- OLED show may be very cool (PC fanatics will recognize it!)
- Asus software program has a formidable suite with Armoury Crate, permitting fan management, Ai overclocking, and RGB customization
- LGA 1700 would require a brand new bracket for many coolers, however Asus motherboards are suitable with LGA 1200 out of the field, too
- You’ll get some neat objects within the field, like an RGB controller that may show helpful in fashionable builds
Efficiency and BIOS
With a robust CPU such because the Intel Core i9-12900K, you’ll need to ensure you’re maximizing its potential with a board like this.
The Asus BIOS continues to be some of the nice and intuitive to make use of, and in the event you’re doing any overclocking, you’ll actually spend numerous time right here. You’ll be able to tweak many CPU settings, and your RAM has huge potential as effectively.
Let’s get the DDR5 subject out of the best way—you’ll need to stick to 2 RAM modules if you wish to use the XMP profile and get the utmost rated pace. It might be a good suggestion to get greater capability in the event you want it, as going to 4 RAM sticks will restrict your DDR5 speeds to the bottom 4800Mhz. That is…not excessive, but it surely’s how it’s at current. Reminiscence is all the time Twin Channel, after all.
Asus
VRM temperatures with the facility stage elements are greater than enough for even a robust, hot-running 12900K.
It looks as if a lot of contemporary overclocking is extra CPU restricted, as they arrive working fairly scorching from the manufacturing facility as is—so any minor enhancements with guide tinkering can have diminishing returns.
Asus has a wonderful suite of AI overclocking and optimization instruments, as effectively. You will discover these each within the BIOS, in addition to the Armoury Crate Software program.
Clear CMOS and BIOS flashback can be accessible, making overclocking makes an attempt simpler to get well from. You’ll even get LN2 Mode swap for customers desirous to push it additional with liquid nitrogen; plus a retry button, thermal headers, and many others. (Don’t really feel disregarded; we’re not doing any liquid-nitrogen cooling both!)
Backside line
Are there cheaper options available on the market for Z690, such because the Asus ROG Strix or Gigabyte Aorus Master? Positive, they usually even pack lots of the identical options because the ROG Maximus Z690 Excessive. The magic is within the particulars in the event you can abdomen the worth, nevertheless. Right here, you’ll get all the options packed collectively—to not point out a really spectacular and premium design. You may additionally need to try the Asus ROG Apex or Formula motherboards, which have a lot of the options, however much less of a value premium. (Take a look at Alaina Yee’s tips on what to look for in a motherboard for your 12th-gen CPU.)
It’s not even the most costly possibility available on the market, both. In order for you a water-cooled resolution, you could find the liquid cooling-focused Glacial version of this motherboard for rather more—and MSI’s luxurious Godlike lately made an look for Z690 as effectively.
This motherboard is for the one who needs a particularly high-end construct and to tick all the efficiency and aesthetic choices. With PC elements all skyrocketing in value the previous couple of years, it was solely a matter of time earlier than motherboards obtained increasingly costly, too.
It’ll go well with each content material creators, with its huge connectivity suite, in addition to fanatic PC builders and avid gamers, with a plethora of efficiency and aesthetic niceties.
Small quirks and the excessive price ticket maintain it from being a 5-star product and extremely really useful motherboard, particularly when contemplating that another motherboards with comparable (however not all) options are available at a whole bunch of {dollars} much less. When you love the design and should have all of its many options, nevertheless, it’s an incredible product for the discerning high-end fanatic who doesn’t thoughts shelling out the money.
Editor’s word: This text was revealed on March 22, however was up to date so as to add the video evaluation.
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