{"id":2999,"date":"2022-12-08T20:46:58","date_gmt":"2022-12-08T20:46:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.velocitymicro.com\/blog\/?p=2999"},"modified":"2022-12-12T14:40:08","modified_gmt":"2022-12-12T14:40:08","slug":"z690-vs-z790","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.velocitymicro.com\/blog\/z690-vs-z790\/","title":{"rendered":"Z690 vs Z790 – Which to Choose?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Z690<\/p>\n

With the launch of 13th<\/sup> Gen Core processors<\/a>, Intel also released a new top end chipset \u2013 the Z790. But how do these new motherboards compare to the previous Gen Z690 and which should you use for your next gaming pc or workstation build? Read on to learn more on Z690 vs Z790.<\/p>\n

What is Z790 (\u2026and what\u2019s a chipset)?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Z690
Asus ROG STRIX Z790-E<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A chipset is a component on a motherboard that\u2019s designed by Intel or AMD to work exclusively with their specific processors and essentially facilitates communication between the CPU, storage, RAM, GPU, and I\/O. Certain chipsets only support certain features such as PCIe Gen 5, DDR5 RAM<\/a>, USB 3.2 Gen 2<\/a>, etc. Specific chipsets also only support specific processors, so when choosing a motherboard, make sure that the included chipset supports your processor of choice.<\/p>\n

Z790 is the Intel chipset that supports 12th<\/sup> and 13th<\/sup> Gen Intel Core processors (ie. Core i5-12600k, i9-13900k, etc). It uses the same LGA 1700 socket as the preceding gen Z690, but includes a few additional features that chipset does not. But are those additional features worth it?<\/p>\n

Z690 vs Z790 \u2013 How do Features Compare?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nZ690<\/strong><\/td>\nZ790<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Intel Socket<\/strong><\/td>\nLGA 1700<\/td>\nLGA 1700<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
12th Gen Support<\/strong><\/td>\nYes<\/td>\nYes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
13th Gen Support<\/strong><\/td>\nYes (with BIOS update)<\/td>\nYes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Support Overclocking<\/strong><\/td>\nYes<\/td>\nYes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Max RAM speed<\/strong><\/td>\n6400<\/strong><\/td>\n6800<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Max RAM Capacity<\/strong><\/td>\n128GB<\/td>\n128GB<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Total PCIe Lanes<\/strong><\/td>\n28<\/td>\n28<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
PCIe Gen 5 Lanes<\/strong><\/td>\n20<\/td>\n20<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
PCIe Configurations<\/strong><\/td>\n1×16+1×4 or 2×8+1×4<\/td>\n1×16+1×4 or 2×8+1×4<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Max USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Ports<\/strong><\/td>\n4<\/strong><\/td>\n5<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Max USB 3.2 Gen 2\u00d71 Ports<\/strong><\/td>\n10<\/td>\n10<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Max USB 3.2 Gen 1\u00d71 Ports<\/strong><\/td>\n10<\/td>\n10<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Max USB 2.0 Ports<\/strong><\/td>\n14<\/td>\n14<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

As you can see, with a few minor exceptions, the two chipsets are extremely similar in terms of features. One additional notable difference is that because of the additional available I\/O throughput of Z790, those boards are more likely to have Thunderbolt 4\/USB 4 ports, though both chipsets technically support them.<\/p>\n

Performance<\/strong><\/h2>\n

We\u2019ve tested and retested both 12th<\/sup> Gen and 13th<\/sup> Gen processors on Z690 and Z790 chipset boards. But did we find any notable performance difference?<\/p>\n

Nope.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s much more likely you\u2019ll see bigger variations processor to processor than you will between two identical motherboard models with differing chipsets. Don\u2019t make this choice based on performance.<\/p>\n

Which to choose?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Given the nearly identical feature set and the actually identical performance, it\u2019s hard to justify paying a premium for Z790 over Z690 in all but the absolute highest end builds. Unless you feel the need for Thunderbolt 4 (and can\u2019t find a Z690 board that supports it) or have some DDR5-6800 RAM that needs a home, Z690 is likely the best choice for your next build.<\/p>\n

Configure a custom gaming PC<\/a> or workstation PC<\/a> with Z690 motherboard here!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

With the launch of 13th Gen Core processors, Intel also released a new top end chipset \u2013 the Z790. But…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3005,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[25,24],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\r\nZ690 vs Z790 - Which to Choose?<\/title>\r\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"how do new Z790 motherboards compare to the previous Gen Z690 and which should you pick? 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