Asus PRIME Z690-A Intel Z690 LGA 1700 ATX motherboard

Performance

Cooling

Personalization

Connectivity

Intel® Socket LGA1700 for 12^th Gen Intel^® Core™, Pentium^® Gold and Celeron^® Processors

Expansion slots
1 x PCIe 5.0 x16 SafeSlot
1 x PCIe 3.0 x4
2 x PCIe 3.0 x1
1 x PCIe 3.0 x16 (max @ x4)

16+1 DrMOS

4 x DIMM
DDR5 6000(OC)
Dual Channel
OptiMem II

4 x M.2 slots
2 x M.2 22110 PCIe 4.0 x4 mode
1 x M.2 2280 (PCIe 4.0 x4 mode)
1 x M.2 2280 (PCIe 4.0 x4 & SATA modes)

CPU fan headers

VRM heatsinks

Two M.2 heatsinks for three M.2 slots

AIO pump header & CHA fan header

Chipset heatsink

W_PUMP+ header

CHA fan headers

Aura lighting

Crystal Sound 3
・Realtek^® S1220A Codec
・DTS:X^® Ultra
Two-way AI Noise Cancelation

2x AURA Addressable Gen 2 headers

1x AURA RGB header

1x AURA Addressable Gen 2 headers

HDMI^® port
DisplayPort

4 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports
(4 X Type-A)

1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C^®

3 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports
(2 x Type-A, 1 x Type-C^®)

Intel® 2.5Gb Ethernet

5 x Audio Jacks

1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C^® Connector

1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 header

4 x SATA 6Gb/s

Thunderbolt™ header

2 x USB 2.0 headers

FLEXIBILITY

Comprehensive controls form the foundation of the ASUS Prime series. The Prime Z690 motherboard packs flexible tools to tune every aspect of your system, enabling performance tweaks to perfectly match the way you work to maximize productivity.

5-Way Opitmization

ASUS 5-Way Optimization makes your PC smart. Along with taking care of complex tuning and dynamically optimizing essential aspects of your system, it provides overclocking profiles that are tailored for your rig.

Easy Optimization is an automated tuning utility that enhances overclocking and cooling profiles for your unique system configuration.

A stress test feature allows you to optimize and overclock for CPU- or memory-centric workloads.

TPU

EPU

Digi+ VRM Control

Turbo App

CPU Performance Boost

The TurboV Processing Unit (TPU) is an intelligent system-tuning utility that automatically fine-tunes voltages, monitors system stats and adjusts overclocking parameters for optimal performance.

All-Around Energy Efficiency

The Energy Processing Unit (EPU) automatically optimizes power consumption and maximizes energy savings with Away mode — a smart setting that creates an extreme energy-saving scenario by shutting down unused I/O controllers.

Precise Digital Power Control

The Digi+ voltage-regulator module (VRM) delivers real-time control over voltage droop, automatically switching frequency and power-efficiency settings. It also allows you to fine-tune your CPU for ultimate stability and performance.

App-Specific Optimization

Turbo App allows you to define CPU overclocking, apply fan profiles, prioritize network data and optimize audio settings at the app level, so your system is set up exactly as needed.

ASUS AI Overclocking

ASUS AI Overclocking is an intelligent utility that helps you get the most out of your build by automatically profiling your CPU and cooling system to predict optimal voltage and frequency settings.

Accessible via the AI Suite software in Windows or directly through the UEFI, the intuitive AI Overclocking user interface enables users of all levels. A range of customizable settings are available for seasoned overclockers, and an auto-tuning option is available for beginners.

AI Overclocking at a Glance

Designed by Experts

At the heart of AI Overclocking is a proprietary algorithm developed by ROG R&D engineers who worked with world-renowned overclockers to create a tool for users of all levels.

Predictive Edge

The algorithm analyzes your CPU and cooling system and, based on what it finds, predicts optimal settings. The software then uses these settings to automatically guide the clocking process, balancing frequency and voltage.

Real-time Adjustments

The software monitors workload, system temperature, fan speed and power draw every minute and it makes real-time adjustments to ensure ongoing optimal performance.

AI Cooling

ASUS AI Cooling function will automatically manage and control motherboard-connected fans to ensure optimal settings based on current system load and temperature.

Self-Adaptive Fan Tuning

CPU Temperature Detection

AI Cooling detects CPU temperatures and uses a proprietary algorithm to calculate the lowest fan speed required to effectively cool the system and keep fan noise down.

Automated Optimization

Under stable system loads, the software then automatically lowers fan* speed to the optimal setting, decreasing fan noise without compromising performance.

*Fans need to be connected to the following headers for AI Cooling control: CPU_FAN / CPU_OPT / CHA_FAN / W_PUMP+/ AIO Pump

Ongoing Monitoring

AI Cooling continues to monitor the system and adjust fan speed based on current load.

Automatic Tuning

Manual Tuning

One-click Activation

AI Cooling can easily be activated via the Fan Xpert 4 dashboard in Armoury Crate. Once activated, it will override all manual controls.

Fan Speed References

For those who prefer manual control, AI Cooling provides reference points on a graph that details fan speed in relation to temperature, providing a guide for fan settings.

UEFI BIOS

The renowned ASUS UEFI BIOS provides everything you need to configure, tweak and tune your system. It offers intelligently simplified options for PC DIY beginners, as well as comprehensive features for seasoned veterans.

Advanced Mode

EZ Mode

Advanced Tuning for Serious Tweakers

An intuitive Advanced mode offered via the UEFI lets you take complete control. A built-in search feature makes it easy to find options, and various advanced functions let you intelligently make nuanced adjustments so you can dial in performance just the way you want.

MemTest 86

This memory testing software is pre-installed into the UEFI BIOS and lets you pinpoint memory issues with just one click, without the need for a USB stick or going into the OS. It stores the memory report in the BIOS archives for reference.

Prediction

AI Overclocking monitors system vitals such as temperature, fan speed, and power draw to estimate overclocking performance.

AI Overclocking Guide

Refer to the guide offered in the UEFI BIOS for step-by-step instructions detailing how to use AI Overclocking.

Search Function

Quickly and easily find the option or setting you need.

ASUS User Profile

Port configuration settings between different BIOS versions or share them with friends.

FlexKey

Remap the reset button on the chassis to toggle Aura lighting, activate the DirectKey to go straight to the UEFI BIOS, or reset the system.

COOLING

Prime Z690 series is engineered with multiple onboard heatsinks and an array of hybrid fan headers to ensure your rig stays cool and stable under intense workloads.

Heatsinks

Removable captive screws reduce risk of drops or loss during heatsink removal.

M.2 Heatsink

Two M.2 heatsinks take care of the three M.2 slots, warding off throttling that can occur with M.2 storage during sustained transfers.

VRM Heatsink and Thermal Pads

The two VRM heatsinks on Prime Z690-A are significantly larger than those found on earlier Z590 motherboards. Together with the thermal pads, they improve heat transfer from the MOSFETs and chokes for better cooling performance.

M.2 Backplate

An M.2 backplate helps ensure that high-performance drives deliver peak performance, even when airflow is restricted. The backplate includes the Q-Latch mechanism to allow you to secure or remove an M.2 SSD without the need for traditional screws.

Cooler by Design

Prime Z690 series features comprehensive cooling controls that are configurable via Fan Xpert 4 software or via the UEFI BIOS.

PERFORMANCE

Prime Z690 series is built to handle the additional cores and increased bandwidth of 12^th Generation Intel^® processors. ASUS Z690 motherboards provide all the fundamentals to boost daily productivity, so your system will be ready for action with stable power, intuitive cooling and flexible transfer options.

Robust Power Design

Stable power is essential to extract every last bit of performance out of 12^th Generation Intel processors. Prime Z690-A is geared to cater to the demands of these high-core-count CPUs.

ProCool Connectors

16+1 DrMOS

ProCool Connectors

Proprietary connectors augment the motherboard's link to the PSU with 8+8 pin connectors that pass 12 volts of power directly to the processors. Each jack features solid pins that can handle more current than hollow-pin connectors.

16+1 DrMOS

A VRM with 16+1 DrMOS delivers the power and efficiency that the latest Intel processors demand.

Memory

DDR5

OptiMem II

DDR5 Performance Enhancement

Prime Z690-A enhances DDR5 performance by providing overclocking options for not only high-speed kits, but even entry-level memory modules that have a locked power management IC (PMIC).

A dedicated circuit on the motherboard safely circumvents DDR5 memory PMIC restrictions, allowing you to step past the default 1.1-volt limit and push frequency and timings to the max.

Ordinarily, a restricted PMIC that has been unlocked requires the system to be fully power-cycled each time memory voltage is adjusted. Prime Z690-A leverages onboard hardware and firmware to cleverly work around this irksome limitation, enabling voltage adjustments to be applied through the same soft system-reset process employed for previous generations of DDR memory.

For users new to memory overclocking, Prime Z690-A includes the exclusive ASUS Enhanced Memory Profile (AEMP) firmware feature for PMIC-restricted memory modules. AEMP automatically detects the memory chips on your kit and then presents optimized frequency, timing and voltage profiles that you can effortlessly apply to unleash performance.

Storage

Four M.2 slots (up to 64 Gbps)

Prime Z690-A offers a total of four M.2 slots that support data-transfer speeds of up to 64 Gbps via PCIe^® 4.0, enabling quicker boot-up and app load times with OS or application drives.

* Actual transmission speeds will be lower than the theoretical maximum speed.

Connectivity

PCIe 5.0^®

USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C^®

Thunderbolt™4 Support

Intel^® 2.5 Gb Ethernet

PCIe^® 5.0 Slot

The 12^th Gen Intel processors bring PCIe 5.0 support to the market. PCIe 5.0 offers twice the data transfer speed of PCIe 4.0, making it robust enough to handle new data-heavy tasks. PCIe 5.0 also brings other benefits, such as electrical changes to improve signal integrity, backward-compatible CEM connectors for add-in cards, and backward compatibility with previous versions of PCI Express.

USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C^®

Numerous USB ports support high-end rigs loaded with peripherals, including both front and rear USB Type-C® connectors with fast USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 for transmission speeds of up to 20 Gbps.

Thunderbolt™4 Support

Prime Z690-A features Thunderbolt™ 4 support via an on-board header. With the latest Intel-certified ASUS ThunderboltEX 4 add-on card, it can enable bi-directional speeds of up to 40 Gbps on a single cable. Additionally, this card has a daisy-chain function for multi-screen connection and supports up to an 8K resolution display. It can also provide up to 100 watts of power to fast-charge devices.

Intel^® 2.5 Gb Ethernet

Intel^® Ethernet Connection I225-V reduces CPU overhead and offers exceptionally high TCP and UDP throughput for faster, smoother data transfer.

Lower CPU workload

High TCP and UDP throughput

LANGuard

ASUS LANGuard is a hardware-level network protection feature that integrates advanced signal-coupling technology and premium anti-EMI surface-mounted capacitors to improve throughput and ensure a more reliable connection.

CUSTOMIZATION

Prime Z690 series adds the nuanced details that improve every experience, from exclusive codecs that provide pristine audio quality to intuitive RGB lighting controls that let you customize your system to create a uniquely personal look.

Audio

Two-Way AI Noise Cancelation

Exclusive Codec

Crystal Sound 3

TWO-WAY AI NOISE CANCELATION

This utility leverages a massive deep-learning database to reduce background noise from the microphone and incoming audio, while preserving vocals at the same time. This removes distracting keyboard clatter, mouse clicks and other ambient noises so you can hear and be heard with crystal clarity while gaming or in calls.

500M

Deep-learning database

Audio

Input/output

High

Fidelity

Minimal

Performance Impact

Personalization

Aura Sync

Addressable Gen 2 RGB Header

Armoury Crate

Aura Sync

Outshine the Competition

A well-tuned enthusiast system deserves a matching aesthetic. ASUS Aura offers full RGB lighting control with a variety of functional presets for the built-in RGB LEDs as well as strips and devices connected to the onboard RGB headers — and it can all be synced with an ever-growing portfolio of Aura-capable hardware.

Static

Breathing

Strobing

Rainbow

Color Cycle

Starry Night

Music Effect

Smart