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It’s worth noting that while we’re reviewing the Aorus Pro DDR5 model, there’s also a DDR4 version. Sadly, though it’s easily found in my native Australia, is not available in the US or the EU. That’s a real shame as the Aorus Pro DDR4 looks like it’s one of the better featured DDR4 boards, though I guess we can understand the desire to keep the DDR4 models more on the budget end of things.
Read more @ PC Gamer
The integrated LED lighting is also an absolute eye-catcher, which can be adjusted as desired thanks to Polychrome Sync. There are only a few drawbacks in detail, such as the lack of a debug display, which the ASRock Z690 Extreme, for example, only shows relatively roughly with four PSC LEDs compared to the ASRock Z690 Taichi.
Read more @ OCInside (German)
Instead of “ROG Maximus XIV Hero”, ASUS has now chosen the name “ROG Maximus Z690 Hero” and has therefore said goodbye to the Roman numerals, at least in the Maximus series. As expected, as the entry-level model in the ASUS premium range, the ROG Maximus Z690 Hero has a number of features on board that make the heart of the enthusiast beat faster. The LGA1700 CPU can be boosted thanks to the 20+1 phase design, which also applies to the DDR5 memory, which is mandatory. Other highlights include Thunderbolt 4 with two USB Type-C ports and, of course, PCIe 5.0 support.
Read more @ Hardwareluxx (German)
The exterior design is very attractive. Very high quality printing, thick cardboard, and all the information on the box is explanatory. There is nothing superfluous. The background is predominantly black on the front and back, and red on the two sidewalls, which corresponds to the style of ROG. They removed the pink insert, but this does not mean that cyberpunk is gone, they just got a little tired of it and want something more calm.
Read more @ Overclockers Russia (Russian)
This collaboration with EKWB has taken the MPG Z690 Carbon WiFi feature-set and placed an EK-Quantum Matrix7 monoblock over the 18 VRM power stages. In addition to this, an M.2 socket is also directly cooled, thus allowing for near-ambient temperatures during large data transfers. This helps alleviate potential heat-related issues that can accompany these intense user workloads. Fear not, though, the remaining four M.2 sockets include full heatsink coverage. To round out the experience, the newest WiFi 6E technology and 2.5G LAN are present and accounted for.
Read more @ TechPowerUp
The ASUS white motherboards have nearly always been part of their Prime range, although naturally those of you who have been around for a while will remember models like the Sabranco, but for the Z690 they have moved their white one to the Maximus Formula. Throughout the lifespan of the ASUS ROG Maximus range there have usually been two, the more affordable Formula and the high end Extreme. Recently they’ve enlarged the range with the even more affordable Hero, leaving the Formula in the middle of the pack.
Read more @ OC3D
The Biostar Z690A Valkyrie supports the twelfth generation Intel processors using the LGA 1700 socket. The board boasts 20-phase (19+1) VRMS to handle the power requirements of the flagship 24-thread Intel Core i9-12900K. To cool the VRM, Biostar has once again added active cooling: two 25mm fans on each VRM heatsink along with a solid copper base. These fans can be audible (especially under load), but you can control them through the BIOS and Biostar’s Aurora software.
Read more @ Overclockers
Because not all users can afford a 500 euro motherboard for Intel’s new Alder Lake platform , today we bring you the MSI MAG Z690 Tomahawk WiFi in its DDR5 compatible version (because there is a cheaper DDR4 Tomahawk). A versatile board with good capacity in every way, 16+1+1 phase VRM suitable for overclocking, 4 M.2 slots with heatsinks with 3 of them PCIe 4.0 and good external connectivity with Wi-Fi and USB Gen2x2. Perhaps it is the plaque you are looking for for your New Year’s gift, shall we begin?
Read more @ Professional Review (Spanish)
Fresh out of the oven, we have with us the incredible MSI MEG Z690 GODLIKE , a beastly board in every aspect, practically the best we can find for Z690 on the market. Only suitable for the biggest overclockers and foodies, this model offers a completely sublime design with great size, full of heatsinks, cases and RGB. As if that were not enough, it has a large LCD touch screen and BIOS notifications by voice!
Read more @ Professional Review (Spanish)
On a technical level, practically nothing changes compared to the standard model, and we have an impressive 18 + 1 + 1 phase VRM and Core Boost and Game Boost functions to get the most out of the Alder Lake CPUs and DDR5 RAM. Connectivity is tailored to the needs of the most demanding users with 5 M.2 slots, Wi-Fi, USB Gen2x2 and a high-end sound card. Let’s see how it looks with our EK mount, let’s start!
Read more @ Professional Review (Spanish)