Z690 or Z790?
Z690 or Z790?
Struggling to Decide Between Z690 and Z790 Motherboards for My Build. Despite My Google Searches, I'm Still Unsure. Your Insights Would Be Invaluable. Thank You! Components: • Intel Core i5-13600KF • CORSAIR VENGEANCE RGB DDR5 32GB (2x16GB) 6000MHz • WD_Black SN770 1TB NVMe SSD • ZOTAC Gaming GeForce 3070 AMP Holo Your Assistance is Highly Appreciated!
Z690 needs a BIOS upgrade to function properly, may take longer to update, and in theory could offer more memory support—though this is more complex than it seems. If conditions match between boards, opt for the Z790 version as it’s simpler. In reality, keeping a Z690 board is still reasonable—it’s cheaper and its features are generally comparable or slightly better (like Z690 Carbon vs. Z790 Carbon).
Relies on the cost gap. To my knowledge, Gigabyte invested some work to improve memory layout on their Z790 boards compared to Z690, making them quite similar in features but superior in memory support. If you're near $20, it's worth the extra; otherwise, the Z690 should still handle DDR5 6000. Also, consider the Z690 Carbon/Force version—same board, different appearance. In the US, prices have stayed fairly stable between the Z790 Aorus Elite AX and Z690, offering more capabilities.
I’d pay the extra ten dollars mainly because the rear IO of the Z690 Plus doesn’t appeal to me. It’s still a decent board, but the available features don’t quite match the price point. If it suits your needs, you can go without it and save a few bucks.