Introduction
This article is part of our Intel 12th-gen Core CPU Preview article building up for the launch this November 4. Intel details the CPU architecture and platform primer this October 26th in their Blueprint Series media session for the 12th-generation Core CPU and 600-series platform.
We have an easy to digest article covering this deck highlighting the big changes that should be expected from Intel Alder Lake CPUs and we highlight advise to read-up on our Intel 12th-gen CPU article to you up to speed on some of the changes coming off last-gen.
In our lab, there is a total of six (6) motherboards for review during launch and we’ve elected to only launch with four (4) due to time constraints. Still, we promise to provide the most comprehensive coverage of Intel’s 12th-gen CPU as well as the accompanying Z690 chipset and DDR5 memories in the Southeast Asia.
This article will serve as the intro segment for our review and will merge with our review article once it releases.
ASUS’ entry-level line-up has never stopped being entry-level by the turn of the last decade. At this point-in-time, what used to be the DELUXE line, an offshoot of their mainstream P-series boards from the older 2000’s has evolved to a sort of entry line for ASUS. With the debut of their PRIME line, ASUS has create a sub-series of boards dedicated for their entry model motherboards and following their mantra of making everything premium, the PRIME board series became a respectable product family eventually evolving to what is today.
With the Z690 release, the ASUS PRIME motherboards will follow the status elevation of the entire product stack. With ROG, ROG STRIX, TUF GAMING and PROART all receiving a price tier increment, the ASUS PRIME actually breaks out as the entry-series, now sharing that distinction with the TUF GAMING line sub-series.
The ASUS PRIME Z690 will consist of five motherboards on launch and they are as follows:
PRIME Z690-A | PHP 15,630 |
PRIME Z690-P WIFI | PHP 13,540 |
PRIME Z690-P | PHP 12,510 |
PRIME Z690-P WIFI D4 | PHP 13,200 |
PRIME Z690-P D4 | PHP 12,160 |
In this article, we will be covering the PRIME Z690-A, the topboard of the PRIME family. ASUS has deemed it time to really dress out the PRIME boards and with this release, we’re not getting any slim board with a light PCB, ASUS is now decking out the PRIME to look its price. With this generation inspired by an astro theme, we finally now get a themed look for the PRIME boards but is the new look just for show or is ASUS bringing the good stuff? Find out more as we take a closer look at the ASUS PRIME Z690-A.
ASUS PRIME Z690-A Specifications | |
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CPU Support | Intel 12th-generation Core CPU (LGA1700) |
Power Delivery Design | 16+1 |
Chipset | Intel Z690 |
Memory Support | 4 x DIMM, Max. 128GB, DDR5-6000 (OC) |
Expansion Slots | 1x PCIe 5.0 x16 (CPU) 1x PCIe 3.0 x16 1x PCIe 3.0 x4 2x PCIe 3.0 x1 |
Storage Interface/s | 4x M.2 4x SATA |
Networking | Intel 2.5GbE |
Audio | Realtek S1220A |
Fan Headers | 7x 4-pin 1x pump header |
Dimensions | ATX 30.5cm x 24.4cm |
Rear I/O Ports | 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 port(s) (1 x USB Type-C) 3 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 port(s) (2 x Type-A, 1 x Type-C) 4 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 port(s) (4 x Type-A) 1 x DisplayPort 1 x HDMI port 1 x Intel 2.5Gb Ethernet port 5 x Audio jacks 1 x Optical S/PDIF out port |
Features | ASUS 5X PROTECTION III
ASUS Q-Design
ASUS Thermal Solution
ASUS EZ DIY
AURA Sync
|
PRIME Z690-A Packaging and Box Contents
The ASUS PRIME Z690-A’s retail box includes a user manual, an installation disc, the Q-connector for the front panel header, spare M.2 Q-latch screw, M.2 support pads and a single pair of SATA cables.
This will be a trend going forward as you will see even in the highest end motherboard, albeit with some inclusions but still, its going to be quite polarizing to see people’s reaction on the reduction on the inclusions as the increased cost would probably have people think the deserve the extra coddling while others may feel satisfied of the reduced box content waste.
I will take this time an make a statement and I will do this for every review I make going forward for motherboards: THERE IS A VERY SMALL AMOUNT OF PEOPLE WHO STILL HAVE CD-ROM DRIVES. Please provide software and drivers via USB flash drive.
PRIME Z690-A Design and Layout
The ASUS PRIME Z690-A is a standard ATX size motherboard and will feature designs inspired by space elements primarily by space shuttles and the International Space Station or ISS. Most of these elements are infused into PRIME Z690-A, the flagship entry into the PRIME family. The rest of the family isn’t so inspired. Quite honestly, they lack the space theme that the Z690-A has.
The overall board design retains much of the traditional board layout we’ve seen so far but the most common change is the increase to 4 M.2 slots on most boards. The PRIME Z690-A subscribes to this same design element, infusing a long M.2 slot combo cover along the second PCIe x16 slot on the bottom while leaving a single M.2 slot exposed.
The rest of the design features a black PCB adorned with sandblasted silver heatsinks white shrouds. The PCH and I/O shroud have smoked acrylic integrated into the design, a callback to cockpit designs and their solar-filtering viewports.
The ASUS PRIME Z690-A features an RGB light bar on the PRIME print just between where the plastic and metal meet at the I/O shroud. This lighting is AURA SYNC and is controlled through ASUS’ software and can be synced with the rest of the board or completely disabled. ASUS does not have BIOS RGB control.
ASUS makes good use of the CPU socket area here and despite looking quite busy, has ample space. There are quite some key things here to observe namely the dual-mount support for both LGA1200 and LGA1700 brackets. This means you can extend the life of your current cooler without asking your cooler manufacturer for a custom bracket. ASUS also added padded covers on the CPU slot release lever. This protects the VRM heatsink from getting scratched up by the level when releasing the CPU.
The VRM heatsinks are wide but shallow, enough to give the impression of heft. The PRIME Z690-A does bulk up more than previous -A motherboards. The power delivery design for this board features 16-power phases in teamed arrangement with 60 amp driver MOSFETs.
The PRIME Z690-A features the most traditional expansion slot array for most ASUS boards for Z690 for the best compatibility it seems. The PRIME Z690-A has two x16 slots, the upper slot is a PCIe Gen5 x16 slot while the lower x16 slot can do x4 when populated and runs off PCIe Gen3. The pair of 1x slots are PCIe Gen3 and the single x4 slot is a Gen3 as well. The PCIe Gen5 x16 slot is steel reinforced using ASUS SafeSlot design.
The PRIME Z690-A supports up to 4x M.2 slots. The first slot on top is wired directly to the CPU while the lower ones are from the chipset. The lower right one (M.2_4) supports SATA M.2 devices.
The board welcomes some of the most welcome improves for Z690 namely the rich array of USB3.2 gen2 ports allowing this board to support at least 4 10Gbps devices with the 4-pair on besides the video displays still supporting 5Gbps USB3.2 Gen1.
- 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 port(s) (1 x USB Type-C)
- 3 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 port(s) (2 x Type-A, 1 x Type-C)
- 4 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 port(s) (4 x Type-A)
- 1 x DisplayPort
- 1 x HDMI port
- 1 x Intel 2.5Gb Ethernet port
- 5 x Audio jacks
- 1 x Optical S/PDIF out port
Initial Thoughts and Impressions
It’s certainly refreshing to see ASUS elevate the status of their PRIME series but as we’ll see in our review, not everything would sit well with everyone. That said, this would apply to the rest of the product stack and while the Z690-A would enjoy a more aesthetically-pleasing facelift, the rest of the PRIME series wouldn’t be so lucky, resembling the former styling with a bit more heft.
Intel’s Alder Lake platform would see some technical changes towards to the motherboard landscape and with PCIe Gen5 and DDR debuting with this release, many motherboard make will be making sure they arrive with these offerings. It does end with the users footing the bill for first-adoption. Companies do make it a point to really deck out their board with Z690 and with the ASUS PRIME Z690-A, we see ASUS really pushing the limit of keeping it as a general-purpose motherboard especially for mainstream system builders while keeping the entire feature set as essential as possible.
This gives the PRIME Z690-A a nice uplift in quality standards and should stand toe-to-toe even with the likes of a MAXIMUS motherboard when it comes to essential features but as you’ll see in our other preview articles, the level of quality for high-end board have changed very much.
Look forward to our full review of the ASUS PRIME Z690-A once embargo lifts.