At a Glance
- The Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Master supports up to 128GB of DDR5 memory at speeds up to 6600MHz, while the ASUS Z690 Hero supports up to 128GB of DDR5 memory at speeds up to 6400MHz.
- The Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Master features a sleek black and silver design with RGB lighting accents, while the ASUS Z690 Hero features a more subdued black and gray design with customizable RGB lighting.
- The Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Master features a slightly stronger power delivery system with 19 phases and 90A power stages compared to the ASUS Z690 Hero’s 18 phases and 90A power stages.
The launch of Intel’s 12th-generation Alder Lake CPUs has sparked a fierce competition among motherboard manufacturers to offer the best platform for these high-performance processors. Two of the most prominent contenders in this race are the Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Master and the ASUS Z690 Hero. Both motherboards boast an impressive array of features and capabilities, making them ideal candidates for high-end gaming and content creation systems. In this comprehensive comparison, we will delve into the key differences between these two motherboards to help you make an informed decision about which one best suits your needs.
Chipset and CPU Support
Both the Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Master and the ASUS Z690 Hero are based on Intel’s Z690 chipset, which provides support for the latest 12th-generation Intel Core processors. This chipset offers a wide range of features, including support for PCIe 5.0 and DDR5 memory, providing a significant performance boost over previous generations.
Power Delivery and VRM
The power delivery system is a crucial aspect of a motherboard, as it ensures stable and reliable power supply to the CPU. The Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Master features a 19-phase digital VRM with 90A power stages, while the ASUS Z690 Hero boasts an 18-phase digital VRM with 90A power stages. Both motherboards provide excellent power delivery, ensuring sufficient headroom for overclocking and demanding workloads.
Memory Support
Both motherboards support DDR5 memory, which offers significantly faster speeds than DDR4. The Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Master supports up to 128GB of DDR5 memory at speeds up to 6600MHz, while the ASUS Z690 Hero supports up to 128GB of DDR5 memory at speeds up to 6400MHz. Both motherboards also feature advanced memory overclocking capabilities, allowing users to push their memory to its limits.
Expansion Slots
Expansion slots provide connectivity to various components, such as graphics cards, storage devices, and peripherals. The Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Master offers four PCIe 5.0 x16 slots and one PCIe 4.0 x1 slot, while the ASUS Z690 Hero offers four PCIe 5.0 x16 slots and two PCIe 4.0 x1 slots. Both motherboards provide ample expansion options, ensuring support for multiple high-performance components.
Storage Options
Storage options are essential for storing operating systems, applications, and data. The Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Master features six SATA 6Gb/s ports and four M.2 PCIe 4.0 x4 slots, while the ASUS Z690 Hero offers four SATA 6Gb/s ports and five M.2 PCIe 4.0 x4 slots. Both motherboards provide ample storage options, allowing users to configure their systems with a combination of SATA and NVMe SSDs.
Connectivity
Connectivity is crucial for connecting peripherals, networks, and other devices. The Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Master offers a comprehensive range of connectivity options, including 2.5GbE Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.2. The ASUS Z690 Hero also offers a wide range of connectivity options, including 2.5GbE Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.2. Both motherboards provide excellent connectivity, ensuring seamless data transfer and network access.
Aesthetics and Lighting
Aesthetics and lighting play a significant role in the overall appeal of a motherboard. The Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Master features a sleek black and silver design with RGB lighting accents, while the ASUS Z690 Hero features a more subdued black and gray design with customizable RGB lighting. Both motherboards offer a variety of lighting zones, allowing users to personalize their systems to match their preferences.
Verdict: Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Master vs ASUS Z690 Hero
The Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Master and the ASUS Z690 Hero are both excellent motherboards for Intel’s 12th-generation CPUs. They offer a wide range of features and capabilities, ensuring support for high-performance components and demanding workloads. The Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Master provides a slightly stronger power delivery system, while the ASUS Z690 Hero offers more storage options. Ultimately, the best choice between these two motherboards depends on your specific requirements and preferences.
What People Want to Know
Q: Which motherboard has a better power delivery system?
A: The Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Master features a slightly stronger power delivery system with 19 phases and 90A power stages compared to the ASUS Z690 Hero’s 18 phases and 90A power stages.
Q: Which motherboard has more storage options?
A: The ASUS Z690 Hero offers more storage options with five M.2 PCIe 4.0 x4 slots compared to the Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Master‘s four M.2 PCIe 4.0 x4 slots.
Q: Which motherboard has better connectivity?
A: Both the Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Master and the ASUS Z690 Hero offer excellent connectivity options, including 2.5GbE Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.2.
Q: Which motherboard is more aesthetically appealing?
A: The aesthetics of a motherboard are subjective, but the Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Master features a more aggressive design with RGB lighting accents, while the ASUS Z690 Hero offers a more subdued design with customizable RGB lighting.
Q: Which motherboard is more affordable?
A: The pricing of motherboards can vary depending on the retailer and region, but the Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Master is typically priced slightly lower than the ASUS Z690 Hero.