Essential Information
- The ROG Strix Z690 and Z790 motherboards are two of the most popular choices for gamers and enthusiasts looking to build a high-performance PC.
- The ROG Strix Z690 motherboard uses the Intel Z690 chipset, while the ROG Strix Z790 motherboard uses the Intel Z790 chipset.
- The ROG Strix Z690 motherboard has a single RGB header, while the ROG Strix Z790 motherboard has two RGB headers.
The ROG Strix Z690 and Z790 motherboards are two of the most popular choices for gamers and enthusiasts looking to build a high-performance PC. Both motherboards offer a wide range of features and capabilities, but there are some key differences between the two. In this blog post, we will compare the ROG Strix Z690 and Z790 motherboards in detail to help you decide which one is right for you.
Chipset
The ROG Strix Z690 motherboard uses the Intel Z690 chipset, while the ROG Strix Z790 motherboard uses the Intel Z790 chipset. The Z790 chipset is a newer chipset that offers some additional features and capabilities over the Z690 chipset. For example, the Z790 chipset supports PCIe 5.0, which is the latest and fastest PCIe standard.
Socket
Both the ROG Strix Z690 and Z790 motherboards use the LGA 1700 socket. This means that they are compatible with all 12th and 13th generation Intel Core processors.
Memory
The ROG Strix Z690 motherboard supports up to 128GB of DDR4 memory, while the ROG Strix Z790 motherboard supports up to 128GB of DDR5 memory. DDR5 memory is the latest and fastest memory standard, and it offers some significant performance benefits over DDR4 memory.
Storage
The ROG Strix Z690 motherboard has six SATA ports and three M.2 slots. The ROG Strix Z790 motherboard has four SATA ports and four M.2 slots. Both motherboards support NVMe SSDs, which are the fastest type of storage available.
Expansion Slots
The ROG Strix Z690 motherboard has three PCIe x16 slots and three PCIe x1 slots. The ROG Strix Z790 motherboard has four PCIe x16 slots and two PCIe x1 slots. Both motherboards support NVIDIA SLI and AMD CrossFireX multi-GPU configurations.
Networking
The ROG Strix Z690 motherboard has a Gigabit Ethernet port and a Wi-Fi 6E module. The ROG Strix Z790 motherboard has a 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet port and a Wi-Fi 6E module. Wi-Fi 6E is the latest and fastest Wi-Fi standard, and it offers some significant performance benefits over Wi-Fi 6.
Audio
The ROG Strix Z690 motherboard has a Realtek ALC4080 audio codec. The ROG Strix Z790 motherboard has a Realtek ALC4082 audio codec. Both motherboards offer high-quality audio performance, but the ALC4082 codec is slightly better than the ALC4080 codec.
RGB Lighting
The ROG Strix Z690 and Z790 motherboards both have RGB lighting. The ROG Strix Z690 motherboard has a single RGB header, while the ROG Strix Z790 motherboard has two RGB headers. Both motherboards are compatible with Aura Sync, which allows you to synchronize the lighting with other ROG components.
Price
The ROG Strix Z690 motherboard is typically priced around $250, while the ROG Strix Z790 motherboard is typically priced around $300. The Z790 motherboard is more expensive than the Z690 motherboard, but it offers some additional features and capabilities.
Which Motherboard is Right for You?
The ROG Strix Z690 and Z790 motherboards are both excellent choices for gamers and enthusiasts. The Z690 motherboard is a more affordable option, while the Z790 motherboard offers some additional features and capabilities. Ultimately, the best motherboard for you will depend on your specific needs and budget.
Popular Questions
Q: What are the key differences between the ROG Strix Z690 and Z790 motherboards?
A: The key differences between the ROG Strix Z690 and Z790 motherboards are the chipset, memory support, storage options, expansion slots, networking, audio, and RGB lighting. The Z790 motherboard offers some additional features and capabilities over the Z690 motherboard, but it is also more expensive.
Q: Which motherboard is better for gaming?
A: Both the ROG Strix Z690 and Z790 motherboards are excellent choices for gaming. However, the Z790 motherboard offers some additional features that may be beneficial for gamers, such as support for PCIe 5.0 and Wi-Fi 6E.
Q: Which motherboard is better for overclocking?
A: Both the ROG Strix Z690 and Z790 motherboards have good overclocking capabilities. However, the Z790 motherboard has a slightly better power delivery system, which may allow for higher overclocks.