At $289.99, the Asus TUF Gaming Z690-Plus WIFI D4 is a solid option for a more-affordable Alder Lake build, with DDR4 support, four M.2 sockets, 2.5 GbE and integrated Wi-Fi 6, an updated appearance and capable power delivery. This is an excellent low-priced option unless you need more than four SATA ports and six USB Type-A ports on the rear IO.
Read more @ Tom’s Hardware
One of the most agonizing elements of Intel’s launch of its latest 12th generation Alder Lake desktop processors is its support of both DDR5 and DDR4 memory. Motherboards are either one or the other, while we wait for DDR5 to take hold in the market. While DDR4 memory isn’t new to us, DDR5 memory is, and as a result, we’ve been reporting on the release of DDR5 since last year. Now that DDR5 is here, albeit difficult to obtain, we know from our Core i9-12900K review that DDR5 performs better at baseline settings when compared to DDR4.
Read more @ AnandTech
The motherboard is based on a black 10-layer mini-ITX PCB. In the design, elements of black and gray are mainly used, except that on the rear panel you can see other colors in the design of the I / O ports. Even with a cursory examination, it is easy to identify the differences from its predecessor – a different arrangement of some ports, an updated design of radiators and a completely different “sandwich” in the chipset area.
Read more @ GreenTech_Reviews (Russian)
When I checked the early pictures and specifications for the X570 DARK many months ago I have to admit that it felt just as good as the Z590 DARK model. Unfortunately, however unlike Intel motherboards AMD has chosen to “link” RAM performance directly with their CPUs and so anything over 4GHz needs way too much tweaking to use (both in terms of voltage and timings). Curiosity got the better of me and so i did try with the Faye 16GB 5GHz kit by Neo Forza but even 4400-4600MHz was very hard to achieve (again, much higher voltage needed with higher CAS latency – was unable to go any higher – didn’t push the motherboard a lot however).
Read more @ NikKTech
The cost of MSI MAG Z690 Tomahawk WiFi DDR4 in Russian stores is 25 thousand rubles, and the version with DDR5 memory support is only one thousand rubles more expensive. This is a low price level for motherboards based on the Intel Z690 chipset. Yes, there are models that cost 16-17 thousand rubles each, but their capabilities, to put it mildly, are rather modest.
Read more @ 3DNews (Russian)
It’s been a while since we got a new firmware update on the AMD 500-series platform. The last one, the AGESA 1.2.0.4, and its respective patches were launched back in September and with new Ryzen CPU families coming to the platform real soon, a new BETA BIOS was inbound for launch.
According to MSI, the major changes that the new AMD AGESA 1.2.0.5 BIOS firmware adds is first of all the update to the new firmware which also updates the SMU firmware for AMD’s Ryzen CPUs including Vermeer (Ryzen 5000), Cezanne (Ryzen 5000G), Picasso (Ryzen 3000G) and Raven Ridge (Ryzen 2000G).
Read more @ Wccftech
Courtesy of a premature listing, we now have our first look at board pricing for some of Intel’s upcoming B660 chipset motherboards from MSI (via @momomo_us). The models listed include the B660M Mortar, B660M Bazooka, and B660M-A featuring much lower prices than most motherboards equipped with Intel’s flagship Z690 chipset. This should make building a cheap Alder Lake system much easier on the budget, with budget-friendly B660 motherboards coming as an option in the near future.
Read more @ Tom’s Hardware / momomo_us
ASRock Z690 Extreme is one more motherboard from the Extreme series, which offers us high performance and stability. On the other hand, we won’t find too many additional things that usually raise the price but do not necessarily give us a much better experience. I wish to see at least a WiFi/Bluetooth from additional controllers that isn’t available in the European version.
Read more @ FunkyKit
For sound, it is managed by the Realtek ALC4080 7.1 high-definition codec, with jack detection, S/PDIF optical output and premium Japanese capacitors. Other aspects are the flash bios button or the reset button that allows us to reboot the board, although they are undoubtedly a better option for external connections.
Read more @ NewEsc (Spanish)
The MSI MPG Z690 Carbon WIFI motherboard can be called ideal without a twinge of conscience, since it gave us extremely positive emotions during testing / overclocking. The device offers the owner an enviable functionality, a powerful power subsystem, a reliable element base and room for experimentation (a perfectly “readable” UEFI BIOS additionally contributes to this).
Read more @ itndaily (Russian)