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.

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.

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  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.

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  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.

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.

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.

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

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.

PERFORMANCE

Prime Z690 series is built to handle the additional cores and increased bandwidth of 12th 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

  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 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.

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.

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

*Testing configuration: CPU: 11th Gen Intel Core Processor ; Motherboard: ROG MAXIMUS XIII HERO; Graphics card: NVIDIA RTX 3070; DRAM: G.SKILL F4-3200C16Q-32GVK; Power: SUPER FLOWER 550W; HDD: ADATA SX910 SSD 128G; Cooling: Enermax T.B.APOLLISH; Game: CALL OF DUTY: MODERN WARFARE ; Voice Communication App: Discord (In-app noise canceling effects disabled) ; Background noise: Keyboard typing, mouse clicking, people talking, and music playing
*Actual performance varies by configuration