Consider your needs and the compatibility of your components before choosing between Z690 and Z790 motherboards.
Consider your needs and the compatibility of your components before choosing between Z690 and Z790 motherboards.
If you don’t require the additional PCIe Gen 4 lanes and other features of the Z790 chipset, investing more isn’t necessary. The stability issues are the opposite: A Z690 board is likely more reliable due to its longer availability and extensive development. The main compatibility worry for Z690 is that the built-in BIOS may not support the 13th generation, though this can be resolved with a BIOS flashback.
It’s clear if you rely solely on a few manufacturers, you’ll end up paying a premium for a motherboard. Having tested boards from all major makers, they generally perform similarly, with each generation offering its own strengths. Right now, I’d say Gigabyte stands out for Z790 models like the Aorus Elite. I wouldn’t fully rely on just two brands; both have had their share of quality problems—X99 EVGA boards are average compared to others, and ASUS has faced significant quality control issues in recent years, such as bent components and faulty capacitors. They’re still part of the same category overall. Z790 also includes an extra USB port and switches to a Gen 4 M.2 slot, but that’s about it. According to reports on the Dark platform, its BIOS is better than many Z790 boards even with Raptor Lake. EVGA has improved their BIOS for Z690 across Alder and Raptor Lake lines. I still wouldn’t suggest the Z690 Classified unless you’re looking for a used unit; it’s costly for the performance it offers, and you’d likely find a better deal from other vendors. Many Z690 boards have received minimal updates for the Raptor Lake CPUs compared to Z790 models. For example, the Unify-X Z690 has seen tuning issues on Raptor Lake while working fine on Alder Lake, and it supports Raptor Lake on Z790 boards. The Z690 line will likely need more BIOS refinement before it matches the 13th-gen experience. It’s not a deal-breaker to choose Z690, but the problems you might encounter are largely minor, and the concerns aren’t worth the hassle.
You're considering different options for your Z790 setup. The EVGA Z690 offers a good balance between cost and performance, especially with its solid VRM design. It's more affordable than the Z790 Classified and provides decent stability for everyday use. On the other hand, the Z790 itself is budget-friendly compared to pricier Z790 variants, saving you around $200. The BIOS updates from EVGA should support 13th-gen CPUs, which is promising.
For your needs, stability and reliability are key. The Dark model is geared more toward extreme overclocking, while the Classified is better suited for gaming and general tasks. Since you prioritize long-term performance, the Dark could be a solid choice if you're comfortable with some customization. However, the Classified offers a more balanced path if you want to stay within your budget while still getting decent stability.
If you're leaning toward gaming or work-related tasks, the Z790 remains a strong pick. If you're unsure about future upgrades, consider the Z690 for its versatility and lower cost. Your plan to save money by opting for an RTX 4090 instead of a high-end GPU is also a smart move if you can find a suitable model.
In summary:
- **Dark**: Good for stability-focused builds, but not ideal for extreme OC.
- **Classified**: Balanced choice for gaming and daily use.
- **Z790**: Affordable, reliable, and future-proof if you plan to upgrade later.
Your decision should align with your long-term goals and budget. Let me know if you need more details!
Thanks for the response. No extra PCIe gen 4 needed—just two M.2 SSDs for dual boot (W10 and Linux) with an RTX GPU (still deciding which one). A 32GB DDR5 RAM at 6000MHz should suffice. I might upgrade later if needed. I’ve looked into BIOS flashing across all brands; each has a utility, so no CPU required for updates. A lot of thought went into this.
The Dark board targets advanced overclockers while still offering reliable performance for regular users. Its VRM design and memory support are notably stronger, making it a solid choice even when memory upgrades aren’t necessary. The price gap between Dark and Classified models is minimal, so investing in the Dark can yield better value overall. For those planning future upgrades, the Dark provides a clear advantage, especially with its improved VRM and BIOS options. It’s straightforward to overclock, and having three BIOS chips adds flexibility—though you’ll need to be careful with the socketed chip if you encounter issues.
Thanks for your feedback. I feel confident enough now, leaning more toward the Dark option initially. However, doubt crept in and I considered the Classified as a stronger choice. The Dark still costs about 200 more than the Classified (419 euros vs 630), including VAT and shipping. But if the added value matters long-term—like stability and reliability due to used parts—I really appreciate it. (Prices for EVGA Z790 are around 700 dollars for Classy and roughly 900 for Dark in the EU, possibly even higher like 850 or 1050 euros.) I’d rather avoid stressing over all the settings until I truly need them with OC. I almost forgot two more questions if you’re okay with me asking. Since you know your stuff, here’s what I need:
1. What RAM should I choose for the Dark? There’s no clear listing for RAM QVL on the board, so stability is key. Should I go with Samsung or Micron controllers for DDR5? Some recommend Samsung, but I’m not sure which is best for this model. I’m leaning toward G-Skill or Corsair.
2. I’ve heard some users lost their M2 slots due to BIOS flash issues. Can I fix that by using Intel ME firmware? Should I flash the BIOS first, then install W10, and reboot with ME firmware? Or is there another order I should follow? Thanks again for your advice!
The $200 price tag for a Dark model is quite steep unless you’re willing to push it right away. It’s acceptable, but the real advantage lies in memory overclocking potential. I’m accustomed to seeing this gap narrow down to $50-100, at which point it makes sense to invest. However, reaching $200 opens doors to higher-end chips like the 13900K instead of the 13700K. If you can locate a used Dark priced a bit above the Classified, that would be my top choice. Alternatively, opting for a mid-range board such as Z690 Ultra or Z790 Aorus Elite could be more practical.
Right now, Micron DDR5 is quite slow. They have some experimental stuff that looks promising, but with Micron ICs you can’t reach speeds in the 6000MT/s range. Anyone claiming otherwise is mistaken—Samsung’s DDR5 isn’t outstanding, though it’s better than Micron. It’s quite sensitive, XMP settings rarely work across all boards, and it generally underperforms Hynix. Samsung’s 8GB modules were strong for DDR4, but on DDR5 they’re not the clear leaders.
Hynix memory comes in two forms: M die and A die. The M die doesn’t reach the high speeds of A die (though on the Dark it does, around 7400MT/s at 1T), but it’s much faster and more affordable. A die is slower but offers better performance than Samsung. It can hit speeds above 8000MT/s with good cooling and a capable motherboard. However, Hynix tends to cost more, especially in high-speed packages like 7200CL34 or 6400CL32.
If you only need XMP support, any kit delivering 6000MT/s should suffice. Brands like G.Skill, TeamGroup, and OEM options, along with Corsair, are commonly used on the Dark. For future overclocking, Hynix is worth considering, but for now, Samsung remains a solid choice unless you’re aiming for cutting-edge performance.
Thanks for your understanding and quick replies. I feel more confident now that I’ve learned enough, thanks to your support. Just need to place the order for the Dark this week and get some good RAM with XMP support—preferably around 6000MHz and the lowest CAS possible within my budget. Faster is better, but it should cost a bit more. Appreciate all the help! Have a great day.