Highlights
- Both the Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Elite AX and ASUS TUF Gaming Z690-Plus are based on the Intel Z690 chipset, which is designed for the latest 12th-generation Intel Core processors (also known as Alder Lake).
- The Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Elite AX has a black and silver design with RGB lighting, while the ASUS TUF Gaming Z690-Plus has a black and yellow design with RGB lighting.
- The Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Elite AX has a built-in Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX210 adapter, while the ASUS TUF Gaming Z690-Plus has a built-in Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201 adapter.
The Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Elite AX and ASUS TUF Gaming Z690-Plus are two high-end ATX motherboards designed for gaming and content creation. Both motherboards offer a range of features, including support for the latest Intel 12th-generation Core processors, DDR5 memory, PCIe 5.0, and high-speed storage. In this comparison, we will look at the key differences between these two motherboards to help you decide which one is the best choice for your needs.
Chipset and Socket
Both the Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Elite AX and ASUS TUF Gaming Z690-Plus are based on the Intel Z690 chipset, which is designed for the latest 12th-generation Intel Core processors (also known as Alder Lake). The Z690 chipset supports a range of features, including DDR5 memory, PCIe 5.0, and Thunderbolt 4.
Form Factor and Design
The Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Elite AX and ASUS TUF Gaming Z690-Plus are both ATX motherboards, which means they are designed for full-size cases. The Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Elite AX has a black and silver design with RGB lighting, while the ASUS TUF Gaming Z690-Plus has a black and yellow design with RGB lighting.
CPU Support
Both the Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Elite AX and ASUS TUF Gaming Z690-Plus support the latest Intel 12th-generation Core processors, including the Core i9-12900K, Core i7-12700K, and Core i5-12600K. These processors offer a significant performance boost over previous-generation processors, thanks to their new architecture and increased core count.
Memory Support
Both the Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Elite AX and ASUS TUF Gaming Z690-Plus support DDR5 memory, which is the latest type of memory available. DDR5 memory offers significantly faster speeds than DDR4 memory, and it is also more power-efficient. The Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Elite AX supports up to 128GB of DDR5 memory, while the ASUS TUF Gaming Z690-Plus supports up to 64GB of DDR5 memory.
Storage Support
Both the Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Elite AX and ASUS TUF Gaming Z690-Plus offer a range of storage options, including M.2 NVMe SSDs and SATA SSDs/HDDs. The Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Elite AX has four M.2 NVMe SSD slots, while the ASUS TUF Gaming Z690-Plus has three M.2 NVMe SSD slots. Both motherboards also have multiple SATA ports for connecting traditional SATA SSDs and HDDs.
Expansion Slots
The Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Elite AX and ASUS TUF Gaming Z690-Plus both offer a range of expansion slots, including PCIe 5.0 and PCIe 4.0 slots. The Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Elite AX has three PCIe 5.0 slots and two PCIe 4.0 slots, while the ASUS TUF Gaming Z690-Plus has two PCIe 5.0 slots and one PCIe 4.0 slot. These slots can be used to install graphics cards, sound cards, network cards, and other expansion cards.
Networking
Both the Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Elite AX and ASUS TUF Gaming Z690-Plus offer a range of networking options, including Wi-Fi 6 and Ethernet. The Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Elite AX has a built-in Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX210 adapter, while the ASUS TUF Gaming Z690-Plus has a built-in Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201 adapter. Both motherboards also have a 2.5GbE Ethernet port for wired networking.
Audio
The Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Elite AX and ASUS TUF Gaming Z690-Plus both offer high-quality audio solutions. The Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Elite AX has a Realtek ALC4080 audio codec, while the ASUS TUF Gaming Z690-Plus has a Realtek ALC4082 audio codec. Both codecs offer support for 7.1-channel surround sound and high-resolution audio.
Rear Panel I/O
The Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Elite AX and ASUS TUF Gaming Z690-Plus both offer a range of rear panel I/O ports, including USB ports, audio ports, and video outputs. The Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Elite AX has a total of 10 USB ports, including two USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C ports, four USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, and four USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports. The ASUS TUF Gaming Z690-Plus has a total of 12 USB ports, including two USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C ports, six USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, and four USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports.
Pricing and Availability
The Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Elite AX and ASUS TUF Gaming Z690-Plus are both available now. The Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Elite AX is priced at around $270, while the ASUS TUF Gaming Z690-Plus is priced at around $250.
The Verdict: Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Elite AX vs. ASUS TUF Gaming Z690-Plus
The Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Elite AX and ASUS TUF Gaming Z690-Plus are both excellent motherboards for gaming and content creation. They offer a range of features, including support for the latest Intel 12th-generation Core processors, DDR5 memory, PCIe 5.0, and high-speed storage. The Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Elite AX has a slight edge in terms of features, but the ASUS TUF Gaming Z690-Plus is more affordable. Ultimately, the best motherboard for you will depend on your specific needs and budget.
Quick Answers to Your FAQs
Q: Which motherboard is better for gaming, the Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Elite AX or the ASUS TUF Gaming Z690-Plus?
A: Both motherboards are excellent for gaming, but the Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Elite AX has a slight edge in terms of features. It has more PCIe 5.0 slots and a better audio codec.
Q: Which motherboard is better for content creation, the Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Elite AX or the ASUS TUF Gaming Z690-Plus?
A: Both motherboards are excellent for content creation, but the Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Elite AX has a slight edge in terms of features. It has more PCIe 5.0 slots and a better audio codec.
Q: Which motherboard is more affordable, the Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Elite AX or the ASUS TUF Gaming Z690-Plus?
A: The ASUS TUF Gaming Z690-Plus is more affordable than the Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Elite AX.