Quick summary
- The ASUS TUF Z690 sports a military-inspired design with a black and gray color scheme, while the MSI Tomahawk Z690 has a more traditional black and red design.
- The ASUS TUF Z690 and MSI Tomahawk Z690 are both excellent choices for gaming motherboards, offering a range of features and capabilities to meet the needs of most gamers.
- The ASUS TUF Z690 has a slight edge in terms of power delivery, memory support, and cooling, while the MSI Tomahawk Z690 offers a more affordable price and a user-friendly BIOS interface for overclocking.
In the realm of gaming motherboards, the ASUS TUF Z690 and MSI Tomahawk Z690 stand out as two formidable contenders. Both offer an impressive array of features and capabilities, catering to the discerning needs of gamers and enthusiasts alike. However, understanding their key differences is crucial to making an informed decision when choosing the motherboard that best suits your requirements.
Feature Comparison
Form Factor:
Both the ASUS TUF Z690 and MSI Tomahawk Z690 come in the ATX form factor, providing ample space for expansion and customization.
Socket:
Both motherboards support Intel‘s 12th and 13th generation processors, featuring the LGA 1700 socket.
Memory:
The ASUS TUF Z690 supports up to 128GB of DDR5 memory, while the MSI Tomahawk Z690 supports up to 64GB of DDR5 memory.
Storage:
The ASUS TUF Z690 offers six SATA ports and three M.2 slots, while the MSI Tomahawk Z690 offers four SATA ports and two M.2 slots.
Expansion Slots:
Both motherboards provide three PCIe x16 slots, but the ASUS TUF Z690 has one more PCIe x1 slot than the MSI Tomahawk Z690.
Networking:
The ASUS TUF Z690 features a 2.5GbE LAN port and Wi-Fi 6E connectivity, while the MSI Tomahawk Z690 offers a 1GbE LAN port and Wi-Fi 6 connectivity.
Performance
Power Delivery:
The ASUS TUF Z690 boasts a 16+1 power phase design, while the MSI Tomahawk Z690 features a 14+1+1 power phase design. This difference in power delivery may result in slightly better overclocking capabilities for the ASUS TUF Z690.
Cooling:
Both motherboards have robust cooling solutions, including large heatsinks and fan headers for additional cooling. The ASUS TUF Z690 has a dedicated M.2 heatsink, while the MSI Tomahawk Z690 has a metal backplate for additional heat dissipation.
Overclocking:
Both motherboards offer extensive overclocking options, allowing users to push their hardware to the limits. The ASUS TUF Z690 has a dedicated overclocking button, while the MSI Tomahawk Z690 has a more user-friendly BIOS interface for overclocking.
Aesthetics
Design:
The ASUS TUF Z690 sports a military-inspired design with a black and gray color scheme, while the MSI Tomahawk Z690 has a more traditional black and red design.
RGB Lighting:
Both motherboards feature RGB lighting, but the ASUS TUF Z690 has more customizable lighting zones than the MSI Tomahawk Z690.
Price
The ASUS TUF Z690 typically retails for around $250, while the MSI Tomahawk Z690 can be found for around $200.
Final Thoughts
The ASUS TUF Z690 and MSI Tomahawk Z690 are both excellent choices for gaming motherboards, offering a range of features and capabilities to meet the needs of most gamers. The ASUS TUF Z690 has a slight edge in terms of power delivery, memory support, and cooling, while the MSI Tomahawk Z690 offers a more affordable price and a user-friendly BIOS interface for overclocking. Ultimately, the best choice for you will depend on your specific requirements and budget.
Information You Need to Know
Q: Which motherboard has better audio capabilities?
A: Both motherboards have Realtek ALC4080 audio codecs, providing similar audio performance.
Q: Does the ASUS TUF Z690 support PCIe 5.0?
A: No, neither the ASUS TUF Z690 nor the MSI Tomahawk Z690 supports PCIe 5.0.
Q: Can I use both Wi-Fi and Ethernet on both motherboards simultaneously?
A: Yes, both motherboards allow you to use both Wi-Fi and Ethernet at the same time for a more stable and reliable network connection.