ASUS Prime Z690-A review 

ASUS Prime series motherboards are expertly engineered to unleash the full potential of 12^th Generation Intel processors. Boasting a robust power design, comprehensive cooling solutions and intelligent tuning options, Prime Z690-A provides users and PC DIY builders a range of performance tuning options via intuitive software and firmware features.

ASUS Prime Z690-A offers a sleek, futuristic-looking build with a black and white finish, space-shuttle-inspired design elements, metallic nameplate and PCB cover.

ASUS Prime Z690-A specs :

Supported CPU

CPU Socket Type	LGA 1700 * Designed with dual mounting holes compatible with both Intel LGA1700 and LGA1200 cooling brackets.
CPU Type	Supports 12th Gen Intel Core Processors Supports Intel Pentium Gold / Celeron Processors * Refer to www.asus.com for CPU support list.
Supported CPU Technologies	Supports Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 and Intel Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0* * Intel Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0 support depends on the CPU types.

Chipsets

Chipset	Intel Z690

Onboard Video

Onboard Video Chipset	Supported only by CPU with integrated graphic

Memory

Number of Memory Slots	4×288pin (DDR5)
Memory Standard	DDR5 6000(OC) / 5800(OC) / 5600(OC) / 5400(OC) / 5200(OC) / 5000(OC) / 4800 * Refer to www.asus.com for the Memory QVL (Qualified Vendors Lists).
Maximum Memory Supported	128GB
Channel Supported	Dual Channel

Expansion Slots

PCI Express 5.0 x16	1 x PCI Express 5.0 x16 * Actual support may vary by CPU. * Please check PCIe bifurcation table in support site.
PCI Express 3.0 x16	1 x PCI Express 3.0 x16 * Supports x4 mode.
PCI Express x4	1 x PCI Express 3.0 x4
PCI Express x1	2 x PCIe 3.0 x1

Storage Devices

SATA 6Gb/s SATA 6Gb/s	4 x SATA 6Gb/s
M.2	Intel 12th Gen Processors: M.2_1 slot (Key M), type 2242/2260/2280/22110 - Intel 12th Gen processors support PCIe 4.0 x4 mode. Intel Z690 Chipset:** M.2_2 slot (Key M), type 2242/2260/2280 (supports PCIe 4.0 x4 mode) M.2_3 slot (Key M), type 2242/2260/2280/22110 (supports PCIe 4.0 x4 mode) M.2_4 slot (Key M), type 2242/2260/2280 (supports PCIe 4.0 x4 & SATA modes) * Intel Rapid Storage Technology supports NVMe RAID 0/1/5, SATA RAID 0/1/5/10. ** Intel Rapid Storage Technology supports Intel Optane Memory H Series on PCH attached M.2 slots.
Intel Optane Ready	Yes

Onboard Audio

Audio Chipset Audio Chipset	Realtek S1220A
Audio Channels Audio Channels	7.1 Channels

Onboard LAN

LAN Chipset	Intel 2.5Gb Ethernet
Max LAN Speed	10/100/1000/2500Mbps

Rear Panel Ports

Back I/O Ports	1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 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

Internal I/O Connectors

Onboard USB

1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 connector (support(s) USB Type-C) 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 header(s) support(s) additional 2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports 2 x USB 2.0 header(s) support(s) additional 4 USB 2.0 ports

Other Connectors

Fan and Cooling related 1 x 4-pin CPU Fan header(s) 1 x 4-pin CPU OPT Fan header(s) 1 x 4-pin AIO Pump header(s) 4 x 4-pin Chassis Fan header(s) 1 x W_PUMP+ header(s) Miscellaneous 3 x Addressable Gen 2 header(s) 1 x AURA RGB header(s) 1 x Clear CMOS button 1 x COM Port header 1 x CPU Over Voltage jumper 1 x Front Panel Audio header (AAFP) 1 x Power button 1 x SPI TPM header (14-1pin) 1 x 20-3 pin System Panel header with Chassis intrude function 1 x Thermal Sensor header 1 x Thunderbolt header

Physical Spec

Form Factor	ATX
LED Lighting	RGB
Dimensions (W x L)	12.0" x 9.6"
Power Pin	1 x 24-pin Main Power connector 2 x 8-pin +12V Power connector

Windows Compatibility

Windows 11	Supported

Features

Features

Special Features: ASUS 5X PROTECTION III - DIGI+ VRM (- Digital power design with DrMOS) - Enhanced DRAM Overcurrent Protection - ESD Guards - LANGuard - Overvoltage Protection - SafeSlot - Stainless-Steel Back I/O ASUS Q-Design - M.2 Q-Latch - Q-Connector - Q-DIMM - Q-LED (CPU [red], DRAM [yellow], VGA [white], Boot Device [yellow green]) - Q-Slot ASUS Thermal Solution - M.2 heatsink backplate - M.2 heatsink - VRM heatsink design ASUS EZ DIY - Box headers - Clear CMOS button - CPU socket lever protector - ProCool - Pre-mounted I/O shield AURA Sync - AURA RGB header(s) - Addressable Gen 2 header(s) Software Features: ASUS Exclusive Software Armoury Crate - AURA Creator - AURA Sync - Fan Xpert 4 - Two-Way AI Noise Cancelation AI Suite 3 - 5-Way Optimization with AI Overclocking TPU EPU DIGI+ VRM Turbo app ASUS CPU-Z DTS:X Ultra Norton Anti-virus software (Free Trial version) WinRAR UEFI BIOS AI Overclocking Guide ASUS EZ DIY - ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 - ASUS EZ Flash 3 - ASUS UEFI BIOS EZ Mode FlexKey BIOS: 256 Mb Flash ROM, UEFI AMI BIOS Manageability: WOL by PME, PXE Operating System: Windows 11 64-bit, Windows 10 64-bit

Packaging

Package Contents	Accessories: Cables 2 x SATA 6Gb/s cables Miscellaneous 1 x M.2 Rubber Package(s) 1 x Q-connector 1 x M.2 Q-Latch package(s) Installation Media 1 x Support DVD Documentation 1 x User guide

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