The best motherboards using the Z690 chipset support a move up to the LGA 1700 socket standard for the 12th, 13th, and 14th generations of Intel Core processors (CPU), bringing cutting-edge DDR5 memory support and PCIe 5.0 lanes for the latest graphics cards (GPU).
Despite Z790 motherboards offering extras like faster memory clock speed support, Z690 hardware remains popular and generally more affordable. Just be sure you get a Z690 board with DDR5 memory support for better future-proofing unless you plan on sticking with DDR4 for awhile.
We've collected a bunch of Z690 motherboards from a range of prices and features to help you get the perfect centerpiece for your next PC build. Whether you're an enthusiast or a casual user, there's a Z690 motherboard for you right here.
Best overall
MSI's MPG Z690 Carbon Wi-Fi we reviewed favorably remains a top pick for enthusiasts who want DDR5 RAM support, two PCIe 5.0 slots, five M.2 sockets, and Wi-FI 6E built right in. It can handle overclocking through its BIOS, and it's available at Adorama for considerably less money than when it launched.
Enthusiast alternative
The ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Hero we reviewed remains a top, if pricey, option for enthusiasts who need PCIe 5.0 and DDR5 support in a stunning board design. It supports custom water-cooling loops, it has a ton of ports, and its performance is stellar with stable overclocking support. It even comes with Wi-Fi 6E support. You can usually find it for around $460.
Compact contender
Considering the Mini-ITX form factor, ASUS has crammed an impressive feature set into this petite board. Features include Wi-Fi 6E, PCIe 5.0 slot, DDR5 RAM support, and two M.2 sockets for the internals. Two external USB-C and Thunderbolt 4 ports support the latest and fastest external hard drives, making this tiny board a big deal. You can usually find it for about $190.
Best budget
On the cheaper end of the spectrum is the MSI PRO Z690-A ATX LGA 1700 motherboard, a fantastic option from MSI. Save a bit of cash with DDR4 RAM that you might already own, and enjoy the built-in Wi-Fi 6 support, PCIe 5.0 compatibility, four M.2 sockets, and USB-C. It's a capable Z690 motherboard for a lower price at about $230.
Premium performance
If you want the best, you need the ROG Maximus Formula. With tremendous support for overclocking to the absolute limit, ASUS includes sturdy heatsinks to keep overheating risks at bay. Features Wi-Fi 6E and DDR5 RAM support, two USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports, five M.2 sockets, and 10Gb Ethernet. You can pick it up for about $450 at Amazon.
Best for DDR4
The MAG Tomahawk sticks with DDR4 RAM, supporting speeds of up to 5200MHz overclocked. Built-in Wi-Fi 6, four M.2 sockets, PCIe 5.0 support, and USB-C bolster this board as a competitive choice should you lean towards dual-channel DDR4 memory with no plans of upgrading in the near future. You can pick it up for about $280 at Adorama.
Choosing the best Intel Z690 motherboard
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Building a computer for Intel Core processors using the LGA 1700 socket — including 12th, 13th, and 14th Gen chips — means you need to know what motherboard to buy. Our top pick is the MSI MPG Z690 Carbon for anyone who wants a powerful motherboard with overclocking support, PCIe 5.0 and DDR5 compatibility, and Wi-Fi 6E.
In our MSI MPG Z690 Carbon review, it was noted that "it has pretty much everything you'll need without unnecessary bloat or inflated price. I'm talking dual PCIe 5.0 slots, DDR5 support, five M.2 slots, 2.5Gb LAN and Wi-Fi 6E networking, and an 18+1+1 power delivery design that can handle an overclocked Intel Core i9-12900K."
We've also included plenty of alternatives to fit your budget and required specs, like the affordable PRO Z690-A DDR4 Wi-Fi from MSI. The ASUS ROG Strix Z690-I Gaming is also less than $200 despite DDR5 RAM support and PCIe 5.0 compatibility.
For enthusiasts pushing their rig to the max, the ASUS ROG Maximus Formula and ROG Maximus Hero are some of the best Intel Z690 motherboards available today. They're great boards for overclockers, with heatsinks ready to handle fine-tuning and wireless networking hardware.
Should you upgrade to a Z790 board instead?
Motherboards with the Z790 chipset differ from Z690 in a few ways. They were released alongside 13th Gen Intel CPUs, but it still works with 12th and 14th Gen hardware. The Z690 chipset came with 12th Gen chips, but it will work with 13th and 14th Gen chips.
The PCIe lane setup is different, with Z790 sacrificing some PCIe 3.0 lanes for more PCIe 4.0. Z790 boards also offer support for higher memory speeds, which might be crucial to your build. For many people, however, a Z690 board will be more than enough.
If you're using a Z690 board with a newer Intel chip, like from the 13th or 14th Gen lineups, you might need to hit the motherboard with a BIOS update. Beyond that, in many cases you'll be able to find a Z690 motherboard at a better price than its Z790 successor.
