Stephen 
Among these motherboards that make it possible to break records, both on the side of processors and on the side of RAM. A map with masochistic tendencies that will appreciate that you torture it. You can raise the temperature, if not freeze it from cold. And precisely, supporting nitrogen is his specialty. Today we introduce you to the new snow queen: the ASUS ROG MAXIMUS Z690 APEX.
Read more @ CowcotLand (French)
“AlderLake” ADL was meant to be designed for efficiency – this was the very point of the hybrid “big.LITTLE” architecture – that despite the huge changes required for software support – at least in the Windows x86 world – it would be worth it. While the performance was good (despite the loss of AVX512 vs. RKL/TGL/ICL) the (turbo) power required reached new levels which brought power efficiency down.
“RaptorLake” RPL brings slightly updated big Cores and 2x more Little Atom cores in order to improve power efficiency – that also improves raw performance due to higher/longer turbo headroom due to lower power and lower thermals. For laptop/tablet platforms this will help tremendously – but for desktops and (low-end) workstations/servers – more compute power would have been preferred.
Windows 11 (22H2) is now more mature and a lot of software (like Sandra) had time to update and optimise – thus in effect RPL will perform better due to updated software ecosystem. Firmware, BIOS, etc. are also updated and likely helping overall performance.
Read more @ SiSoftware
Taking place this week is the IEEE’s annual VLSI Symposium, one of the industry’s major events for disclosing and discussing new chip manufacturing techniques. One of the most anticipated presentations scheduled this year is from Intel, who is at the show to outline the physical and performance characteristics of their upcoming Intel 4 process, which will be used for products set to be released in 2023. The development of the Intel 4 process represents a critical milestone for Intel, as it’s the first Intel process to incorporate EUV, and it’s the first process to move past their troubled 10nm node – making it Intel’s first chance to get back on track to re-attaining fab supremacy.
Read more @ AnandTech
More @ Tom’s Hardware
NZXT offers this N5 Z690 motherboard in both white and black versions for $ 239.99 . A price that places it in direct competition with the excellent MSI Z690 PRO-A. The Match is difficult but the atypical design of this N5 Z690 gives it a serious advantage. NZXT therefore seems to be on the right track to become a serious competitor to the biggest brands that are already well established.
Read more @ Overclocking (French)
We’ll be focussing on the N7 Z690 here, which has on-board 802.11ax Wi-Fi, PCIe 5.0 support, three M.2 slots for the latest SSDs. Its main feature, though, is the large shroud that covers the PCB, which is available in black or white. There are plenty of black motherboards out there, but relatively few white ones, but with white cases and graphics cards in hot demand, clearly owners of those will want to pair them with a white motherboard too.
Read more @ Forbes
We show in our video there is a setting in the BIOS of the NZXT N7 Z690 that encourages you to select your chosen CPU cooler. Behind the scenes this setting adjusts the power limits for your 12th Gen Intel CPU and that strikes us as a good way to help the novice PC builder who has no clue about PL1 and PL2 and just wants to get on with their life.
Read more @ KitGuru
In today’s review, we will be looking at the Gigabyte Z690 AORUS Xtreme WaterForce. By combining the flagship Xtreme motherboard with Gigabyte’s WaterForce line, we get a limited edition product of only 200 ever produced! Gigabyte uses the AORUS naming convention to serve as the company’s gaming-orientated line of Intel and AMD motherboards. These AORUS Z690 branded motherboards come in multiple models comprising of the Pro, Ultra, Elite, Tachyon, Master, and Xtreme, some of which overlap in features and suggested price points.
Read more @ TechPowerUp
There is an outside chance that you are unaware that NZXT sells motherboards, in which case you might find our previous N7 Z590 review useful so do please take a look. The main appeal of NZXT motherboards is that they look immaculate inside NZXT cases such as the H7 Flow, however here at KitGuru we also demand features and performance. Did the NZXT N5 Z690 really make me smile or is that a grimace of pain?
Read more @ KitGuru
According to renowned hardware leaker Moore’s Law is Dead, Intel Meteor Lake CPUs may ditch LGA 1700, which suggests Raptor Lake will be the last generation to support the socket. While the new design is supposedly only slightly larger than LGA 1700 in terms of footprint, it’ll potentially include 50% more pins than the current-gen standard.
MLID claims Meteor Lake uses an LGA 2551 socket, but an additional Benchlife leak clarifies that it’s actually LGA 1851 (via Videocardz). The insider info suggests that the 2551-pin version could be a BGA variant, but says it’ll likely not be used for desktop products.
Read more @ PCGamesN
The B660 Master comes with almost everything you’d expect from a B660 board. There are three M.2 sockets, capable 16-phase 60A power delivery, a last-gen flagship audio codec, along with integrated Intel Wi-Fi 6 and 2.5 GbE. Gigabyte uses a black and gray heatsink combination here, which some may not find particularly appealing. That said, this is still a good-looking board and the heatsinks and shrouds covering most of the board, delivering a premium look.
Read more @ Tom’s Hardware