The motherboard is quite heavy because from the front we see a scattering of different heatsinks at once. With such a weight, you need to think about the metal plate on the back side, but it is not here yet. I would not be surprised if in the next generation it will be and possibly even completely copper for better heat dissipation.
Read more @ Overclockers Russia (Russian)
One of the distinguishing features of the Formula series is the VRM’s cooling system, since its two EK CrossChill III blocks are really integral chambers with Custom liquid cooling systems. On the surface we see that it is built by EK, although the mouths provided with aluminum plugs are compatible with other systems such as Corsair’s HydroX and 1/2 ”, 1/4” and 3/8 ”fittings. But the surface will not be the blocks as such, but a matte white aluminum cover with a smooth finish and a lighting area above the port cover.
Read more @ Professional Review (Spanish)
On a standard ATX format, this motherboard uses, as its name suggests, the Intel Z690 chipset on an LGA 1700 socket. It will therefore accept 12th generation Intel Alder Lake-S processors. As for several generations in the mainstream sector, this motherboard is able to manage 128 GB of memory at most, but this is done here in DDR5. This memory can go up to a frequency of 6400 MHz. For the power supply stage, it’s very strong. Indeed, we have no less than 18 + 1 Renesas ISL99390 90 A power supply phases. Everything is controlled via a Renesas RAA229131 controller.
Read more @ HardwareCooking (French)
In terms of the power section, as for most of the boards on the Z690 chipset, there was a strengthening of the VRM compared to the predecessor on the Z590. And so we have as many as 20 phases with 90 A transistors from Intersil, which provides a load capacity that goes far beyond what you can get from the top Intel Core i9-12900K at home. The specification is similar to the above-mentioned MSI MEG Z690 UNIFY, providing two PCIe x16 slots with the option to work in x8 / x8 mode, as many as five M.2 connectors, a lot of high-speed USB 3.2 Gen 2 sockets and a Wi-Fi 6 network card.
Read more @ ITHardware (Polish)
This motherboard has just about everything I can think of, and then still goes beyond that! You get an insane 24+1 teamed power stage design, rated for 105A, which is pretty much the most advanced configuration for the Z690 launch. It also has a new “cold-forged heatsink” and their most premium armour and cooling design overall, but again, this is their flagship board. You get a staggering range of connectivity too, with Intel WiFi 6E, AQtion 10 GbE and Intel 2.6 GbE LAN with ASUS LANGuard.
Read more @ eTeknix
The ASUS ROG Z690-I Gaming WiFi comes equipped with the latest Intel LGA1700 socket, ready for the new 12th Gen Intel Core processors. It’s certainly not backwards compatible with anything, as the CPU is more rectangular on these new models. Power comes from an impressive 10+1 Power Stage design, backed up with high-quality alloy chokes and durable capacitors. While their flagships may have double the Power Stages, that’s still a mighty set up for this form factor. Networking comes from both the WiFi 6E and a 2.5 GbE LAN option, and even more impressive, there are two Thunderbolt 4 USB Type-C (USB 4.0) connectors!
Read more @ eTeknix
The ASUS TUF Gaming Z690-Plus WiFi D4 is one of the boards I’ve been most excited to actually test for this launch. Sure, the more extreme models are cool, but realistically, I’m more likely to buy the TUF Gaming version myself. It’s well enough equipped, with a 14+1 DrMOS Power Stage 80A design, which should be more than enough to hit big boost clocks on the new CPUs from Intel. You get the latest PCIe 5.0 interface, four PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots, the latest Intel WiFi 6 and Intel 2.5 Gb Ethernet, a good mixture of the latest USB technologies, and a Thunderbolt 4 header (on the motherboard, not the rear I/O).
Read more @ eTeknix
It comes with an impressive 20+1 90A Power Stage design, easily one of the more robust in the Z690 lineup. Plus, everything from the VRM to all the M.2 mounts is heavily armoured with huge heatsinks and various cooling technologies to ensure maximum performance at all times. Connectivity is taken very seriously here too, with PCIe 5.0, onboard M.2 Gen 4.0, as well as a ROG Hyper M.2 PCIe Card. You get USB 3.2 Gen 2×2, and (20Gbps), and a pair of Thunderbolt 4 ports (40Gbps, DisplayPort 1.4, and Thunderbolt Video supported).
Read more @ eTeknix
ASUS TUF Gaming Z690-Plus WiFi D4 is based on a 6-layer PCB made in the standard ATX format (305 x 244 mm). “Standard” is a praise. Recently, board builders have come to love making unusual board geometries. And all would be fine, but sometimes the attachment points are cut off, and sometimes in critical places in the area of the RAM slots. In this regard, the model in question is ok. The board is mounted on 9 points, there are no weak points.
Read more @ OC Club (Russian)
In our mind this makes the Strix almost impossible to buy, and the Hero a bargain. Part of this is based upon the aesthetic considerations. The Strix looks, dare we say it, a little cheap. Or, rather, cheaper than we’d expect a Strix to look. Normally that is the ROG range that has all the lighting bells and whistles and plenty of features, but in Z690 guise the Strix E is bordering on average. The ROG Maximus Hero on the other hand looks like a premium product, and has all the features and tricks up its sleeve that we’d expect to find on anything carrying that Republic of Gamers logo.
Read more @ OC3D