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MSI · LGA 1700 · Z690

MSI PRO Z690-A DDR4

ATX · DDR4 · 4 DIMMs · 14-phase VRM

Quality
60
VRM
40
Value
123
Amazon
$92
MSI PRO Z690-A DDR4
View MSI PRO Z690-A DDR4 Gallery in high resolution
$92
Unavailable Updated 4 months, 2 weeks ago Prime FBA
Overall59.6
VRM40.0
Chipset86.0
Expansion / storage83.0
Connectivity49.0
Audio40.0
Quality / price122.5
$92 on Amazon Motherboard table Compare this motherboard

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Written analysis

MSI PRO Z690-A DDR4 at a glance

The MSI PRO Z690-A DDR4 uses the ATX form factor, LGA 1700 socket, and Z690-A chipset. This is a high-end platform with the feature headroom expected in an enthusiast gaming or productivity build.

Memory support is DDR4 across 4 DIMM slots, with up to 128 GB and rated overclocked speeds up to 5333 MT/s. XMP / EXPO memory-profile support is recorded for easier tuning.

Best fit: a mainstream gaming, home, or office system with moderate expansion needs.

Power delivery

The calculated VRM score is 40.0, placing the power delivery in the entry-level class. The board lists 14 CPU power phases, 55 A power stages in a 14+1+1 layout. CPU power input is listed as 2. It is best paired with mainstream 65–105 W-class processors and good case airflow.

Expansion and storage

The expansion and storage score is 83.0: well equipped . The platform supports PCIe 5.0. Physical expansion includes 3 ×16 slots, and 1 ×1.

On-board storage consists of 4 M.2 slots and 6 SATA ports. Supported M.2 lengths are listed as 22110, 2280, 2260, 2242. That is enough NVMe capacity for a multi-drive gaming or creator setup without immediately relying on an add-in card.

Connectivity and rear I/O

The connectivity score is 49.0, rated essential. There is no recorded onboard Wi-Fi ; wired networking is 1x Intel® I225-V 2.5Gbps LAN at up to 2500 Mbps. The recorded USB provision is 8 rear connections and 1 front-panel connections. The specification sheet below separates every USB speed and connector type.

Display connectivity includes HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4. These motherboard outputs require a processor with integrated graphics.

Audio

The audio score is 40.0. This is a standard onboard solution using Realtek® ALC897 Codec. It covers normal gaming and communication; demanding headphones or production work still benefit from an external interface.

Buying verdict

Overall quality is 59.60, a mainstream result. The essential platform features are covered, while premium I/O and tuning extras are more selective.

At the recorded Amazon price, the quality-to-price score is 122.5—an excellent value relative to the other boards in the catalog.

Board data

Full specifications

Platform, expansion, storage, rear I/O, internal headers, networking, audio, and board controls in one sheet.

General

Manufacturer
MSI
Motherboard
MSI PRO Z690-A DDR4
Chipset / socket
Z690-A / LGA 1700
Form factor
ATX
Launch price
—
Amazon price
$92
Availability
Unavailable
Price updated
4 months, 2 weeks ago

VRM

CPU phases
14 (55 A)
Power design
14+1+1
EPS connector
2

Memory

Type / slots
DDR4 / 4 DIMMs
Max capacity / OC
128 GB / 5333 MT/s
Per DIMM
32 GB
XMP / EXPO
Yes

PCIe

Supported version
PCIe 5.0
x16 physical
3
x16 Gen 5
1
x16 Gen 3
2
x1 physical
1
x1 Gen 3
1

Storage

M.2 slots
4
M.2 lengths
22110, 2280, 2260, 2242
SATA ports
6

Display outputs

HDMI
Yes · 2.1 · 4K 60Hz
DisplayPort
Yes · 1.4 · 4K 60Hz
USB-C DisplayPort
No

USB

Rear USB 2.0
4
Rear USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A 5 Gbps
2
Rear USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A 10 Gbps
1
Rear USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C 20 Gbps
1
Front USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C 10 Gbps
1
Header USB 2.0
4
Header USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A 5 Gbps
4

Networking

Ethernet
1x Intel® I225-V 2.5Gbps LAN
LAN ports
1
LAN speed
2500 Mbps
Wi-Fi
Not included
Bluetooth
No

Audio

Chipset
Realtek® ALC897 Codec
Analog jacks
—
Gold-plated jacks
No
Optical S/PDIF
No
Spatial audio
No

Buttons

BIOS flashback
Yes
Clear CMOS
No
Q-Flash Plus
No
Smart button
No
Onboard start / reset
No

Additional information

Memory notes
The motherboard supports DDR4 memory. Standard JEDEC & POR speeds are 1R 2133/ 2666/ 2933/ 3200 MHz. Max overclocking frequency depends on the memory configuration: 1DPC 1R up to 5333+ MHz, 1DPC 2R up to 4800+ MHz, 2DPC 1R up to 4400+ MHz, and 2DPC 2R up to 4000+ MHz. It supports un-buffered memory. For more information on compatible memory, refer to the manufacturer's website.
Display notes
HDMI port supports HDR. Video outputs are available only on processors featuring integrated graphics. Graphics specifications may vary depending on the CPU installed.
Expansion notes
PCI_E1 (from CPU) Supports up to PCIe 5.0 x16. PCI_E3 & PCI_E4 (from Z690 chipset) Supports up to PCIe 3.0 x4 & 3.0 x1. 1x PCIe 3.0 x1 slot (from Z690 chipset).
M2_1
4.0 4 · 2242, 2260, 2280, 22110 · CPU
M2_2
4.0 4 · 2242, 2260, 2280 · Z690 chipset
M2_3
3.0 4 · SATA · 2242, 2260, 2280 · Z690 chipset
M2_4
4.0 4 · SATA · 2242, 2260, 2280 · Z690 chipset
Storage notes
Intel® Optane™ Memory Ready for M.2 slots that are from Z690 Chipset. Supports Intel® Smart Response Technology for Intel Core™ processors. The 6 SATA 6Gb/s ports are from the Z690 chipset.
USB notes
Includes a USB Hub GL850G. Features one internal TBT connector (Supports RTD3) for a Thunderbolt add-in card.
Audio notes
7.1-Channel High Definition Audio; Supports S/PDIF output
Button notes
The board features a 'Flash BIOS Button'. It does not have a Clear CMOS button, but it does include a 'Clear CMOS jumper'.
Fan / RGB headers
1 CPU · — OPT · 1 AIO · 6 chassis · — ARGB · — RGB
Other headers
Front audio · System panel · TPM · Thunderbolt
Dimensions
30.5 cm x 24.4 cm

Extracted notes sit here. Official manufacturer copy is at the bottom of the page.

Amazon

Price history

Nearby quality

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VRM fit

VRM-appropriate CPUs

LGA 1700 processors whose TDP sits in this board’s VRM window. Socket match is required; chipset extras still matter on sTR5. This is a power-delivery filter, not a ranked CPU guide.

Open LGA 1700 CPUs in the CPU table

Discussion

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Vendor copy

Official manufacturer data

Raw manufacturer text kept for reference. Structured specs above are extracted from this copy and are the source for scores and tables.

Memory

4x DDR4 memory slots, support up to 128GB 1
Supports 1R 2133/ 2666/ 2933/ 3200 MHz (by JEDEC & POR)
Max overclocking frequency:
1DPC 1R Max speed up to 5333+ MHz
1DPC 2R Max speed up to 4800+ MHz
2DPC 1R Max speed up to 4400+ MHz
2DPC 2R Max speed up to 4000+ MHz
Supports Dual-Channel mode
Supports non-ECC, un-buffered memory
Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)
Please refer www.msi.com for more information on compatible memory

Graphics

1x HDMI™ 2.1 with HDR port, supports a maximum resolution of 4K 60Hz 12
1x DisplayPort 1.4 port, supports a maximum resolution of 4K 60Hz 12
Available only on processors featuring integrated graphics.
Graphics specifications may vary depending on the CPU installed.

Expansion slots

3x PCIe x16 slots
PCI_E1 (from CPU)
Supports up to PCIe 5.0 x16
PCI_E3 & PCI_E4 (from Z690 chipset)
Supports up to PCIe 3.0 x4 & 3.0 x1
1x PCIe 3.0 x1 slot (from Z690 chipset)

Storage

6x SATA 6Gb/s ports (from Z690 chipset)
4x M.2 slots (Key M)
M2_1 slot (from CPU)
Supports PCIe 4.0 x4
Supports 2242/ 2260/ 2280/ 22110 storage devices
M2_2 slot (from Z690 chipset)
Supports PCIe 4.0 x4
Supports 2242/ 2260/ 2280 storage devices
M2_3 slot (from Z690 chipset)
Supports PCIe 3.0 x4
Supports SATA 6Gb/s
Supports 2242/ 2260/ 2280 storage devices
M2_4 slot (from Z690 chipset)
Supports PCIe 4.0 x4
Supports SATA 6Gb/s
Supports 2242/ 2260/ 2280 storage devices
Intel® Optane™ Memory Ready for M.2 slots that are from Z690 Chipset
Support Intel® Smart Response Technology for Intel Core™ processors

USB

Intel® Z690 Chipset
1x USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 20Gbps Type-C port on the back panel
2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 10Gbps ports (1 Type-C internal connector and 1 Type-A port on the back panel)
6x USB 3.2 Gen 1 5Gbps ports (2 Type-A ports on the back panel, and 4 ports are available through the internal USB connectors)
4x USB 2.0 Type-A ports on the back panel
USB Hub GL850G
4x USB 2.0 ports are available through the internal USB connectors

Internal I/O

1x 24-pin ATX main power connector
2x 8-pin ATX 12V power connector
6x SATA 6Gb/s connectors
4x M.2 slots (M-Key)
1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 10Gbps Type-C port
2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 5Gbps connectors (supports additional 4 USB 3.2 Gen 1 5Gbps ports)
2x USB 2.0 connectors (supports additional 4 USB 2.0 ports)
1x 4-pin CPU fan connector
1x 4-pin water-pump fan connector
6x 4-pin system fan connectors
1x Front panel audio connector
2x System panel connectors
1x Chassis Intrusion connector
1x Clear CMOS jumper
1x TPM module connector
1x Tuning controller connector
1x TBT connector (Supports RTD3)

Rear I/O

Keyboard / Mouse
DisplayPort
USB 2.0
LAN port
Audio connector
Flash BIOS Button
USB 2.0
HDMI™
USB 3.2 Gen 1 5Gbps Type-A
USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 20Gbps Type-C
USB 3.2 Gen 2 10Gbps Type-A

Audio

Realtek® ALC897 Codec
7.1-Channel High Definition Audio
Supports S/PDIF output

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