With the launch of 13th Gen Core processors, Intel additionally launched a brand new high finish chipset – the Z790. However how do these new motherboards examine to the earlier Gen Z690 and which must you use in your subsequent gaming computer or workstation construct? Learn on to study extra on Z690 vs Z790.
What’s Z790 (…and what’s a chipset)?
A chipset is a element on a motherboard that’s designed by Intel or AMD to work completely with their particular processors and basically facilitates communication between the CPU, storage, RAM, GPU, and I/O. Sure chipsets solely assist sure options resembling PCIe Gen 5, DDR5 RAM, USB 3.2 Gen 2, and many others. Particular chipsets additionally solely assist particular processors, so when selecting a motherboard, be sure that the included chipset helps your processor of alternative.
Z790 is the Intel chipset that helps 12th and 13th Gen Intel Core processors (ie. Core i5-12600k, i9-13900k, and many others). It makes use of the identical LGA 1700 socket because the previous gen Z690, however features a few further options that chipset doesn’t. However are these further options value it?
Z690 vs Z790 – How do Options Evaluate?
| Z690 | Z790 | |
| Intel Socket | LGA 1700 | LGA 1700 |
| twelfth Gen Assist | Sure | Sure |
| thirteenth Gen Assist | Sure (with BIOS replace) | Sure |
| Assist Overclocking | Sure | Sure |
| Max RAM velocity | 6400 | 6800 |
| Max RAM Capability | 128GB | 128GB |
| Whole PCIe Lanes | 28 | 28 |
| PCIe Gen 5 Lanes | 20 | 20 |
| PCIe Configurations | 1×16+1×4 or 2×8+1×4 | 1×16+1×4 or 2×8+1×4 |
| Max USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Ports | 4 | 5 |
| Max USB 3.2 Gen 2×1 Ports | 10 | 10 |
| Max USB 3.2 Gen 1×1 Ports | 10 | 10 |
| Max USB 2.0 Ports | 14 | 14 |
As you may see, with a number of minor exceptions, the 2 chipsets are extraordinarily comparable when it comes to options. One further notable distinction is that due to the extra obtainable I/O throughput of Z790, these boards usually tend to have Thunderbolt 4/USB 4 ports, although each chipsets technically assist them.
Efficiency
We’ve examined and retested each 12th Gen and 13th Gen processors on Z690 and Z790 chipset boards. However did we discover any notable efficiency distinction?
Nope.
It’s more likely you’ll see greater variations processor to processor than you’ll between two equivalent motherboard fashions with differing chipsets. Don’t make this alternative based mostly on efficiency.
Which to decide on?
Given the practically equivalent characteristic set and the truly equivalent efficiency, it’s laborious to justify paying a premium for Z790 over Z690 in all however the absolute highest finish builds. Until you’re feeling the necessity for Thunderbolt 4 (and may’t discover a Z690 board that helps it) or have some DDR5-6800 RAM that wants a house, Z690 is probably going the only option in your subsequent construct.
Configure a customized gaming PC or workstation PC with Z690 motherboard right here!
Josh has been with Velocity Micro since 2007 in varied Advertising, PR, and Gross sales associated roles. Because the Director of Gross sales & Advertising, he’s chargeable for all Direct and Retail gross sales in addition to Advertising actions. He enjoys Seinfeld reruns, the Atlanta Braves, and Beatles songs written by John, Paul, or George. Sorry, Ringo.
