Z690 vs Z790 Motherboards
Both are the enthusiast LGA1700 chipset, a generation apart, and both take 12th, 13th and 14th generation Intel Core processors and allow overclocking on K-series chips. Z790 is a modest refresh: the chipset trades some of its PCIe 3.0 lanes for PCIe 4.0 lanes and adds a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 port, and Z790 boards are generally rated for faster DDR5. A Z690 board needs a BIOS update before it will start with a 13th or 14th generation processor.
Buy on price and features rather than on the number. A well-specified Z690 board with a current BIOS runs the same processors at the same speed as a Z790 board. Prefer Z790 when the prices are close, when you want the fastest DDR5 kits, or when you would rather not deal with a BIOS update before first boot.
What you give up, in numbers
How the two sizes actually differ once you look at every board on sale, rather than at what the standard permits. Measured across 53 Z690 and 91 Z790 boards at the retailers we track (52 and 90 in stock today), and updated daily.
The picks on each side
The cheapest board on each side, and the cheapest one that clears a floor worth clearing: enough power headroom for the socket’s top processor, and Wi-Fi 6E or better. Recalculated daily from live prices.
Z690
Z790
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Common questions
Does Z690 support 13th and 14th gen processors?
Yes, after a BIOS update. A Z690 board with its original BIOS may not start with a newer chip, so look for a board with a BIOS flashback button or one already updated by the seller.
Is Z790 faster than Z690?
Not with the same processor and memory. The chipset does not change processor performance. Z790 boards tend to support higher DDR5 speeds and offer more PCIe 4.0 lanes from the chipset.
Do Z690 and Z790 boards use DDR4 or DDR5?
Either, depending on the board. Each board is built for one memory type. DDR4 versions are more common on Z690 and usually have DDR4 or D4 in the name.
Keep going
Browse every Z690 board or Z790 board with filters, put two specific boards head to head, or read up on choosing a case to fit the board you pick.