NZXT has introduced a pair of recent motherboards designed for Intel’s twelfth Gen Core processors: the N7 Z690 and N5 Z690. The N7 Z690 positions itself because the premium mannequin of the pairing and comes with armor overlaying the overwhelming majority of the PCB, Wi-Fi 6E, and assist for reminiscence speeds as much as DDR4-4800. The N5 Z690 opts for a much less aggressive method at a extra reasonably priced worth however nonetheless comes with Wi-Fi 6E and helps all of Intel’s Alder Lake Core processors.
Beginning with probably the most premium of NZXT’s new motherboard pairing for Intel’s twelfth Gen household of processors, the NZXT N7 Z690 follows an analogous design to earlier iterations of its N collection fashions, together with the N7 Z490 which we beforehand reviewed. As with earlier N collection fashions from NZXT, these are designed round its vary of chassis, such because the H collection fashions, for a seamless look and design. Maybe probably the most outstanding function of the N7 Z690 is that it has armor plating overlaying virtually all the PCB for a cleaner and sleeker look.
There’s house beneath the glossy armor for as much as three PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 drives and 4 SATA ports for typical HDDs and optical media drives. NZXT consists of one full-length PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, with the second full-length slot working at PCIe 4.0 x4 and the underside full-length slot working at PCIe 3.0 x4. Inbetween the full-length slots are two PCIe 3.0 x1 slots, whereas the N7 Z690 consists of assist for DDR4 reminiscence at speeds as much as DDR4-4800, with 4 slots supporting as much as 128 GB in whole.Â
The NZXT N7 Z690 is on the market in each black and white and features a mid-range function controller set with a Realtek RTL8125BG 2.5 GbE controller, an Intel AX210 Wi-Fi 6E CNVi, and a Realtek ALC1220 HD audio codec.
The NZXT N5 Z690 is the extra reasonably priced of the pair and does not embody all the armor of the N7; as a substitute, choosing a extra barebone look that customers are accustomed to with entry-level motherboards. It does have the identical networking configuration because the N7 (RTL8125BG 2.5 GbE and AX210 Wi-Fi 6E), nevertheless it makes use of a less expensive and decrease grade Realtek ALC897 HD audio codec, in addition to assist for DDR4 memroy as much as DDR4-5000 speeds.
It has the identical PCIe configuration because the N7 with one full-length PCIe 5.0 x16, one full-length PCIe 4.0 x4, one full-length PCIe 3.0 x4, and two PCIe 3.0 x1 slots. The N5 Z690 even consists of 4 PCIe 4.0 x2 M.2 slots which is yet one more than the costlier N7 Z690 mannequin.
The NZXT N7 Z690 is on the market in black or white and may be bought now instantly from NZXT for $300. With out all of the armor and a decrease grade HD audio codec, the NZXT N5 Z690 can be obtainable in black or white and may be purchased from NZXT instantly for $240.
Supply: NZXT
