Essential Information
- The Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Elite, on the other hand, has a more aggressive design with RGB lighting and a prominent Aorus logo.
- The MSI motherboard provides a slightly more affordable option with a focus on stability and overclocking, while the Gigabyte motherboard offers a more premium experience with additional features and enhanced aesthetics.
- The Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Elite features a slightly better power delivery system with 90A power stages compared to the 80A power stages on the MSI PRO Z690-A.
The release of Intel’s 12th-generation Alder Lake CPUs has sparked a fierce competition among motherboard manufacturers. Two prominent contenders in the ATX form factor are the MSI PRO Z690-A and the Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Elite. Both offer a formidable array of features and capabilities, but which one is the better choice for your next PC build? This comprehensive comparison will delve into the key differences between these two motherboards, helping you make an informed decision.
Chipset and Socket:
Both the MSI PRO Z690-A and Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Elite feature the Intel Z690 chipset, which supports the latest 12th-generation Intel Core processors. The LGA 1700 socket ensures compatibility with all Alder Lake CPUs, including the flagship i9-12900K.
Power Delivery:
The power delivery system is crucial for providing stable and reliable power to the CPU. The MSI PRO Z690-A employs an 18-phase VRM (Voltage Regulator Module) with 80A power stages, while the Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Elite features a 16-phase VRM with 90A power stages. Both motherboards offer excellent power delivery capabilities, ensuring ample headroom for overclocking and demanding workloads.
Memory Support:
Memory capacity and speed play a significant role in system performance. The MSI PRO Z690-A supports up to 128GB of DDR5 memory with speeds of up to 6400MHz in dual-channel mode. The Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Elite also supports up to 128GB of DDR5 memory but with slightly higher speeds of up to 6600MHz.
Storage Options:
Both motherboards offer ample storage options. The MSI PRO Z690-A features six SATA III ports and three M.2 slots, two of which support PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe SSDs. The Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Elite provides four SATA III ports and four M.2 slots, with three supporting PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe SSDs and one supporting PCIe 3.0 x4 NVMe SSDs.
Connectivity:
The MSI PRO Z690-A and Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Elite come equipped with a comprehensive suite of connectivity options. Both motherboards include Intel Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 for wireless connectivity, along with a 2.5GbE LAN port for wired connections. The Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Elite offers an additional 10GbE LAN port, providing even faster network speeds for demanding applications.
Features and Overclocking:
The MSI PRO Z690-A and Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Elite offer a range of features and overclocking capabilities. The MSI motherboard includes a dedicated overclocking button and a BIOS Flashback button for easy BIOS updates. The Gigabyte motherboard features a Q-Flash Plus button for BIOS updates without the need for a CPU or memory installed.
Design and Aesthetics:
The MSI PRO Z690-A sports a sleek and minimalist design with a black and gray color scheme. The Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Elite, on the other hand, has a more aggressive design with RGB lighting and a prominent Aorus logo. Both motherboards offer customizable RGB lighting, allowing you to personalize the look of your PC.
The Bottom Line: The Ultimate Choice
The MSI PRO Z690-A and Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Elite are both excellent motherboards that offer a wide range of features and capabilities. The MSI motherboard provides a slightly more affordable option with a focus on stability and overclocking, while the Gigabyte motherboard offers a more premium experience with additional features and enhanced aesthetics.
Ultimately, the best choice for your specific needs depends on your budget, priorities, and preferences. Both motherboards are excellent choices for building a high-performance PC based on Intel’s 12th-generation processors.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Which motherboard has better power delivery?
A: The Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Elite features a slightly better power delivery system with 90A power stages compared to the 80A power stages on the MSI PRO Z690-A.
Q: Which motherboard supports faster memory speeds?
A: The Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Elite supports DDR5 memory speeds of up to 6600MHz, while the MSI PRO Z690-A supports speeds of up to 6400MHz.
Q: Which motherboard has more M.2 slots?
A: The Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Elite provides four M.2 slots, one more than the MSI PRO Z690-A.
Q: Which motherboard has RGB lighting?
A: Both the MSI PRO Z690-A and Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Elite feature customizable RGB lighting.
Q: Which motherboard is more expensive?
A: The Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Elite is typically priced slightly higher than the MSI PRO Z690-A due to its additional features and premium design.