The average price of motherboards for famous brands is $196.99. You can purchase a motherboard carrying the popular brand names in this price range, such as Gigabyte, Asus, MSI, and ASRock.
The recent on the market is the Z690 series motherboard by Asus, released on November 4, 2021, alongside DDR5 and Intel 12th gen CPUs.
This high-end motherboard supports the latest Intel Alder Lake processor, DDR5 memory, and unmatched gaming performance.
Although this latest motherboard supports DDR5, it still works with DDR4 RAM. However, note that the Asus Z690 motherboard supports only DDR4 with native clock speeds of 3200MHz and above.
How Much is the Asus Z690 Motherboard?
The Z690 motherboard by Asus retails at $599.99. You can find it at other leading retailers for a similar price. The Asus Z690 is an expensive option for a new PC build but offers outstanding specs compared to competing brands like Gigabyte, MSI, and ASRock.
If you have the budget and are looking for a top-of-the-line motherboard, the Z690 should be on your list.
Asus is a well-known brand for making quality motherboards built to last. In fact, Asus had been one of the leading manufacturers of motherboards and voted as the “Best Motherboard Brand” by Tom’s Hardware Guide.
Asus Z590 vs. Asus Z690
Although belonging to the same brand, there are some critical differences between the Z590 series and the Z690 series of Asus.
The table below shows that the Z590 motherboards are cheaper, but they also come with some trade-offs.
On the other hand, the Asus Z690 motherboard is more expensive, but offering better features and performance.
| Asus Z590 | Asus Z690 | |
| Price | $344.99 | $599.99 |
| CPU Socket | LGA 1200 | LGA 1700 |
| Memory Slots | 4 | 4 |
| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR5 or DDR4 (native clock speeds up to 3200MHz) |
| RAM Speed | 5333MHz | 6400MHz |
| Maximum Capacity | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| USB 3.0 Ports | 4 | 4 |
Related: Average Cost of RAM for PC (16GB | 32GB | 64GB)
Asus Z690 vs. other Asus Motherboards
Likewise, the Z690 also offers different features compared to the other motherboard variants of Asus.
We have compared the prices and features of ROG Maximus Z690 Hero, Prime X299- A-II, ROG Maximus XII Extreme, and ROG Zenith II Extreme from the table below.
| Asus Motherboard Variant | ROG Maximus Z690 Hero | Prime X299- A II | ROG Maximus XII Extreme | ROG Zenith II Extreme |
| Price | $599.99 | $369.99 | $589.99 | $870.99 |
| CPU Socket | LGA 1700 | LGA 2066 | LGA 1200 | AMD TRX4 |
| Memory Slots | 4 | 8 | 4 | 8 |
| Memory Support | DDR5 or DDR4 (native clock speeds up to 3200MHz) | DDR4 | DDR4 | DDR4 |
| RAM Speed | 4800MHz | 2133MHz | 4700MHz | 2400MHz |
| Maximum Capacity | 128 GB | 256 GB | 128 GB | 256 GB |
| USB 3.0 Ports | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Asus Z690 vs. Gigabyte / MSI / ASRock
Like Asus, famous brands like Gigabyte, MSI, and ASRock have also released their Z690 series motherboards as their latest models.
The table compares the prices and features of some popular Z690 motherboards on the market today.
| Brands | Asus | Gigabyte | MSI | ASRock |
| Variant | ROG Maximus Z690 Hero | Z690 Aero G | MEG Z690 Ace | Z690 Taichi |
| Price | $599.99 | $289.99 | $358.95 | $489.99 |
| CPU Socket | LGA 1700 | LGA 1700 | LGA 1200 | LGA 1200 |
| Memory Slots | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Memory Support | DDR5 or DDR4 (native clock speeds up to 3200MHz) | DDR4 | DDR4 | DDR4 |
| RAM Speed | 4800MHz | 4800MHz | 4800MHz | 4400MHz |
| Maximum Capacity | 128 GB | 128 GB | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| USB 3.0 Ports | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
Is Z690 the Best Asus Motherboard?
The Z690 series is the latest flagship motherboard by Asus. It offers excellent features and performance, making it one of the best motherboards on the market today.
Moreover, it is on hype because it supports the new DDR5 memory type and Intel 12th Generation CPUs.
Indeed, Asus is the leader in the motherboard market, and they are always the frontrunner when it comes to innovation.
Asus is constantly releasing high-end motherboards built with the latest technology, giving them an edge over their competitors.
Where Can You Buy the Asus Z690?
The Asus Z690 motherboard is available for purchase on online retailers like Amazon, Newegg, and Best Buy.
There is not much of a price difference because the Asus Z690 motherboard retails at $599.99 in all these three retailers.
Is the Asus Z690 Worth It?
- Intel LGA 1700 socket: Ready for 12th Gen Intel Core processors and Windows 11,...
- Intelligent Control: ASUS-exclusive tools including AI Overclocking, AI Cooling,...
- Robust Power Solution: 20+1 teamed power stages rated for 90 A, ProCool II power...
- Optimized Thermal Design: VRM heatsinks plus integrated aluminum I/O cover,...
The Asus Z690 motherboard is definitely worth it for those who want the latest technology and great features in a single product. This is ideal for people who prioritize multitasking performance, and money isn’t an issue.
With improved compatibility with DDR5 memory modules in addition to its groundbreaking Intel Alder Lake processor – this latest Asus Z690 model has become one of the most sought-after motherboards on the market today.
However, given the shortage of DDR5 memory, it might be wiser to wait for a little longer before investing in this Asus Z690 motherboard.
In that case, one could go for any of the other models by Asus, which are comparatively cheaper and still offer great features and performance.
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Benjamin is a certified financial advisor, with over 10 years of experience in the industry. He is knowledgeable about various business and financial topics, such as retirement planning and investment management. Ben has been recognized for his work in the financial planning industry. He has also been featured in various publications.
Last update on 2024-09-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
