MSI PRO Z690-A DDR4
MSI PRO Z690-A DDR4 Specifications Review
MSI PRO Z690-A DDR4 by MSI COMPUTER is a Standard-ATX form factor motherboard based on the high-end Z690-A chipset and LGA 1700 socket, offering the most advanced features and connectivity options. It is designed to support DDR4 memory, with 4 slots, a maximum capacity of 128 GB, and an overclocking speed of up to 5333 MHz.
VRM Quality
The MSI PRO Z690-A DDR4 comes with an entry-level VRM setup, delivering 55 A across 14 phases. Works best with CPUs in the ~65–105 W TDP range. Can technically run higher-TDP processors at stock, but will likely experience thermal throttling under sustained heavy loads. Suited for budget gaming, office PCs, and home builds without heavy CPU demands.
See the VRM Appropriate CPU Specification Table at the bottom of this page for recommended CPU options.
Expansion and Storage Overview
The MSI PRO Z690-A DDR4 offers a well-equipped expansion and storage configuration with PCIe 5.0 support, meaning it uses PCI Express 5.0, the newest standard offering extremely high bandwidth for next-generation graphics cards and ultra-fast NVMe storage. It also includes 3 x16 slots , and 1 x1 slot. These PCIe slots are used to connect expansion cards — with the x16 slots typically reserved for graphics cards, while x8, x4, and x1 slots are used for devices like capture cards, sound cards, or network adapters.
For storage, this motherboard provides 4 M.2 slots and 6 SATA ports. M.2 slots are high-speed connectors for modern NVMe SSDs, which are much faster than older storage, while SATA ports are used for traditional hard drives and 2.5-inch SSDs. Together, they allow you to mix fast primary storage with larger, more affordable drives for bulk data.
Connectivity Overview
This motherboard has essential connectivity features with wired 1x Intel® I225-V 2.5Gbps LAN Ethernet . USB connectivity covers basic needs. Please refer to the specification table for details.
For video output, this motherboard includes HDMI version 2.1 , DisplayPort version 1.4 . These video outputs are intended for integrated graphics and will only function if your CPU includes integrated GPU capabilities.
Audio Quality
The motherboard includes a standard audio chipset (Realtek® ALC897 Codec) that covers basic needs for casual listening. While adequate for everyday use with mainstream headphones or desktop speakers, discerning users may want to add a USB DAC or sound card for improved fidelity, especially for music production or high-end headphones.
Overall Quality and Value
MSI PRO Z690-A DDR4 is a dependable choice with a respectable overall quality score of 59.60. It provides all the essential features and stable performance expected in a mainstream system, covering typical use cases without unnecessary extras.
This motherboard offers an impressive 122.5% performance-to-price ratio, delivering excellent value by combining strong performance with reasonable cost, making it a smart choice for budget-conscious buyers who don’t want to sacrifice quality.
General Information
| Manufacturer | MSI COMPUTER |
|---|---|
| Motherboard Name | MSI PRO Z690-A DDR4 |
| Current Price Amazon | $92❗N/A |
| Amazon Price Updated | 3 months ago. |
| Motherboard Available | False |
| Chipset / Socket | Z690-A / LGA 1700 |
| Form Factor | Standard-ATX |
VRM Configuration
| CPU Power Phases (Amps) | 14 (55 A) |
|---|---|
| Power Design | 14+1+1 |
Memory Information
| Type / Slots | DDR4 / 4 slots |
|---|---|
| Max Capacity / Max OC | 128 GB / 5333 MHz |
PCIe Slot Configuration
| Supported Version | PCIe 5.0 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slot Size | Physical Slots | Gen5 | Gen3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| x16 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| x1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Storage Configuration
| M.2 Slot Count | 4 slots |
|---|---|
| M.2 Supported Lengths | 22110, 2280, 2260, 2242 |
| SATA Ports | 6 |
Onboard Audio Features
| Audio Chipset | Realtek® ALC897 Codec |
|---|
Motherboard Display Outputs
| HDMI Output | HDMI - Version 2.1 (Max: 4K 60Hz) |
|---|---|
| DisplayPort Output | DisplayPort - Version 1.4 (Max: 4K 60Hz) |
USB and Thunderbolt Connectivity
Rear USB Ports
| USB 2.0 Type-A (480 Mbps) | 4 |
|---|---|
| USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A (5 Gbps) | 2 |
| USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A (10 Gbps) | 1 |
| USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C (20 Gbps) | 1 |
Front USB Ports
| USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C (10 Gbps) | 1 |
|---|
Internal USB Headers
| USB 2.0 Header (480 Mbps) | 4 |
|---|---|
| USB 3.2 Gen 1 Header (5 Gbps) | 4 |
Networking Information
| Ethernet | Chipset: 1x Intel® I225-V 2.5Gbps LAN LAN Ports: 1 |
|---|---|
| Wi-Fi |
Module: Not Included |
| Bluetooth | Supported: No |
Button Features
| Buttons |
BIOS Flashback |
|---|
Quality & Features
Additional Information
| RAM | 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 | HDMI port supports HDR. Video outputs are available only on processors featuring integrated graphics. Graphics specifications may vary depending on the CPU installed. |
| Expansion | 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 |
M.2 Slot Details:
|
| Audio | 7.1-Channel High Definition Audio; Supports S/PDIF output |
| Buttons | The board features a 'Flash BIOS Button'. It does not have a Clear CMOS button, but it does include a 'Clear CMOS jumper'. |
| Dimensions | 30.5 cm x 24.4 cm |
Note: The specifications and descriptions above are extracted by AI to present the official manufacturer data in a clearer and more natural way for easier understanding. However, this AI-processed information may contain inaccuracies. Please verify all details by consulting the official manufacturer's information provided below.
MSI PRO Z690-A DDR4 Compared to Motherboards with Similar Performance and Features
Motherboard Quality & Features per Price Table
| Motherboard (Desc) | Price (Desc) | Overall_Q (Desc) | VRM_Q (Desc) | Chipset (Desc) | Exp_Str (Desc) | Connect (Desc) | Audio (Desc) | Q&F/Price (Desc) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
$200
|
0.0%
|
67.4%
|
48.0%
|
92.0%
|
105.0%
|
52.0%
|
40.0%
|
64.0%
|
|
|
$130
|
0.0%
|
66.4%
|
40.0%
|
94.0%
|
93.0%
|
65.0%
|
40.0%
|
97.1%
|
|
|
$170
|
0.0%
|
65.2%
|
37.0%
|
92.0%
|
93.0%
|
56.0%
|
48.0%
|
72.9%
|
|
|
$308
|
↑
0.8%
|
59.8%
|
32.0%
|
67.0%
|
56.0%
|
59.0%
|
85.0%
|
36.8%
|
|
|
$92❗
|
0.0%
|
59.6%
|
40.0%
|
86.0%
|
83.0%
|
49.0%
|
40.0%
|
122.5%
|
|
|
$130
|
0.0%
|
58.2%
|
34.0%
|
89.0%
|
65.0%
|
60.0%
|
43.0%
|
85.1%
|
|
|
$144❗
|
0.0%
|
57.4%
|
43.0%
|
65.0%
|
69.0%
|
67.0%
|
43.0%
|
76.0%
|
|
|
$443
|
0.0%
|
57.0%
|
43.0%
|
70.0%
|
66.0%
|
63.0%
|
43.0%
|
24.4%
|
|
|
$140❗
|
↑
53.1%
|
56.6%
|
24.0%
|
92.0%
|
67.0%
|
54.0%
|
46.0%
|
76.8%
|
Motherboard Comparison and Detail Specifications Table
| Specification | Perf Chart | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price |
$200
|
0.0%
|
$130
|
0.0%
|
$170
|
0.0%
|
$308
|
↑
0.8%
|
$92❗
|
0.0%
|
$130
|
0.0%
|
$144❗
|
0.0%
|
$443
|
0.0%
|
$140❗
|
↑
53.1%
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Manufacturer | GIGABYTE | MSI | GIGABYTE | ASUS | MSI COMPUTER | MSI | MSI | ZXKLXYY | GIGABYTE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chip/Socket | Z790 / LGA 1700 | Z790 / LGA 1700 | Z790 / LGA 1700 | B760I / LGA 1700 | Z690-A / LGA 1700 | Z790-S / LGA 1700 | B760 / LGA 1700 | B760M / LGA 1700 | Z790 / LGA 1700 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Form | Standard-ATX | Standard-ATX | Standard-ATX | Mini-ITX | Standard-ATX | Standard-ATX | Standard-ATX | Micro-ATX | Standard-ATX | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CPU Phases | 16 (60 A) | 14 (55 A) | 12 (60 A) | 8 (80 A) | 14 (55 A) | 12 (55 A) | 12 (75 A) | 12 (75 A) | 8 (60 A) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PWR Design | 16+1+１ | 14+1+1 | 12+1+1 | 8+1+2 | 14+1+1 | 12+1+1 | 12+1+1 | 12+1+1 | 8+1+1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mem Slots | 4 / DDR5 | 4 / DDR5 | 4 / DDR5 | 2 / DDR5 | 4 / DDR4 | 4 / DDR5 | 4 / DDR5 | 4 / DDR5 | 4 / DDR5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Max Mem | 256 GB / 7600 MHz | 256 GB / 7200 MHz | 256 GB / 7600 MHz | 96 GB / 7600 MHz | 128 GB / 5333 MHz | 256 GB / 6600 MHz | 256 GB / 7000 MHz | 256 GB / 7800 MHz | 256 GB / 7600 MHz | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PCIe | PCIe 5.0 | PCIe 5.0 | PCIe 5.0 | PCIe 5.0 | PCIe 5.0 | PCIe 5.0 | PCIe 5.0 | PCIe 5.0 | PCIe 4.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PCIe Slots | 1x16 Gen5 | 1x16 Gen4 | 2x16 Gen3 | 2x1 Gen3 | 1x16 Gen5 | 1x16 Gen4 | 1x16 Gen3 | 1x1 Gen3 | 1x16 Gen5 | 1x16 Gen4 | 1x16 Gen3 | 2x1 Gen3 | 1x16 Gen5 | 1x16 Gen5 | 2x16 Gen3 | 1x1 Gen3 | 1x16 Gen5 | 1x16 Gen3 | 3x1 Gen3 | 1x16 Gen5 | 1x16 Gen3 | 1x1 Gen4 | 1x16 Gen5 | 1x4 Gen3 | 1x16 Gen4 | 2x16 Gen3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| M.2 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SATA | 6 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Audio | Realtek® Audio CODEC | Realtek® ALC897 Codec | Realtek® ALC892/ALC897 | ROG SupremeFX S1220A | Realtek® ALC897 Codec | Realtek® ALC897 Codec | Realtek® ALC897 Codec | Realtek® ALC897 Codec | Realtek® Audio CODEC | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| S/PDIF | ❌ | ❌ | ✔️ | ❌ | ❌ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HDMI | ✔️ (2.1) | ✔️ (2.1) | ✔️ (2.1) | ✔️ (2.1) | ✔️ (2.1) | ✔️ (1.4) | ✔️ (2.1) | ✔️ (2.1) | ✔️ (2.1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| DP | ✔️ (1.2) | ✔️ (1.4) | ✔️ (1.2) | ✔️ (1.4) | ✔️ (1.4) | ✔️ (1.4) | ✔️ (1.4) | ✔️ (1.4) | ✔️ (1.2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LAN | Realtek® 2.5GbE LAN chip… (1 ports) | Intel® 2.5Gbps LAN (1 ports) | Realtek® 2.5GbE LAN chip… (1 ports) | Intel® 2.5Gb Ethernet (1 ports) | 1x Intel® I225-V 2.5Gbps… (1 ports) | Realtek® RTL8125BG 2.5Gb… (1 ports) | Realtek® 2.5Gbps LAN (1 ports) | Realtek® 2.5Gbps LAN (1 ports) | Realtek® 2.5GbE LAN chip… (1 ports) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 802.11ac | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6E | ❌ | Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BT | v5.1 | v5.3 | v5.3 | v5.3 | ❌ | v5.3 | v5.3 | v5.3 | v5.3 | Rear USB |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| USB Headers |
|
|
|
|
|
|
❌ |
❌ |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Front USB |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
VRM Appropriate CPU Specification Table
| CPU | Price | App_Performance | Game_Performance | TDP/Max | C/SC/T | L2/L3 Cache | Base/Boost | Code Name | GPU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
$375
|
0.0%
|
50.5%
|
76.8%
|
65 W / 154 W | 14 / 8 / 20 | 2048.0 kB / 24.0 MB | 2.70 GHz / 5.20 GHz | Raptor Lake-R | UHD Graphics 770 | |
|
$280
|
0.0%
|
47.8%
|
75.0%
|
65 W / 154 W | 14 / 8 / 20 | 1280.0 kB / 24.0 MB | 2.60 GHz / 5.00 GHz | Raptor Lake-R | UHD Graphics 770 | |
|
$268
|
0.0%
|
47.7%
|
74.7%
|
65 W / 154 W | 14 / 8 / 20 | 1280.0 kB / 24.0 MB | 2.70 GHz / 5.00 GHz | Raptor Lake-S | UHD Graphics 770 | |
|
$405
|
↑
44.7%
|
45.6%
|
73.0%
|
65 W / 154 W | 14 / 8 / 20 | 1280.0 kB / 24.0 MB | 2.50 GHz / 4.80 GHz | Raptor Lake-S | UHD Graphics 770 | |
|
$448
|
↓
-0.3%
|
43.0%
|
72.7%
|
65 W / 180 W | 12 / 4 / 20 | 1280.0 kB / 25.0 MB | 2.10 GHz / 4.90 GHz | Alder Lake-S | UHD Graphics 770 | |
|
$327
|
↓
-2.7%
|
43.0%
|
72.7%
|
65 W / 180 W | 12 / 4 / 20 | 1280.0 kB / 25.0 MB | 2.10 GHz / 4.90 GHz | Alder Lake-S | None | |
|
$212
|
↓
-1.5%
|
36.1%
|
64.8%
|
65 W / 154 W | 10 / 4 / 16 | 1280.0 kB / 20.0 MB | 2.50 GHz / 4.70 GHz | Raptor Lake-R | UHD Graphics 730 | |
|
$188
|
↓
-4.1%
|
36.1%
|
64.8%
|
65 W / 148 W | 10 / 4 / 16 | 1280.0 kB / 20.0 MB | 2.50 GHz / 4.70 GHz | Raptor Lake-R | None | |
|
$387
|
↑
0.8%
|
35.0%
|
64.0%
|
65 W / 154 W | 10 / 4 / 16 | 1280.0 kB / 20.0 MB | 2.50 GHz / 4.60 GHz | Raptor Lake-S | UHD Graphics 730 | |
|
$234
|
0.0%
|
35.0%
|
64.0%
|
65 W / 148 W | 10 / 4 / 16 | 1280.0 kB / 20.0 MB | 2.50 GHz / 4.60 GHz | Raptor Lake-S | None | |
|
$268
|
0.0%
|
33.9%
|
63.7%
|
65 W / 117 W | 6 / 0 / 12 | 1280.0 kB / 18.0 MB | 3.30 GHz / 4.80 GHz | Alder Lake-S | UHD Graphics 770 | |
|
$210
|
0.0%
|
32.3%
|
62.5%
|
65 W / 117 W | 6 / 0 / 12 | 1280.0 kB / 18.0 MB | 3.00 GHz / 4.60 GHz | Alder Lake-S | UHD Graphics 770 | |
|
$165
|
↓
-0.3%
|
29.8%
|
62.1%
|
65 W / 117 W | 6 / 0 / 12 | 1280.0 kB / 18.0 MB | 2.50 GHz / 4.40 GHz | Alder Lake-S | None | |
|
$248
|
↑
0.2%
|
29.8%
|
62.1%
|
65 W / 117 W | 6 / 0 / 12 | 1280.0 kB / 18.0 MB | 2.50 GHz / 4.40 GHz | Alder Lake-S | UHD Graphics 730 | |
|
$250
|
↑
38.9%
|
22.9%
|
57.1%
|
60 W / 110 W | 4 / 0 / 8 | 1280.0 kB / 12.0 MB | 3.50 GHz / 4.70 GHz | Raptor Lake-R | UHD Graphics 730 | |
|
$115❗
|
0.0%
|
22.9%
|
57.1%
|
58 W / 110 W | 4 / 0 / 8 | 1280.0 kB / 12.0 MB | 3.50 GHz / 4.70 GHz | Raptor Lake-R | None | |
|
$94
|
↓
-27.8%
|
22.2%
|
56.7%
|
58 W / 89 W | 4 / 0 / 8 | 1280.0 kB / 12.0 MB | 3.40 GHz / 4.50 GHz | Raptor Lake-S | None | |
|
$94
|
↓
-27.8%
|
22.2%
|
56.7%
|
60 W / 89 W | 4 / 0 / 8 | 1280.0 kB / 12.0 MB | 3.40 GHz / 4.50 GHz | Raptor Lake-S | UHD Graphics 730 | |
|
$135
|
0.0%
|
21.3%
|
53.0%
|
58 W / 89 W | 4 / 0 / 8 | 1280.0 kB / 12.0 MB | 3.30 GHz / 4.30 GHz | Alder Lake-S | None | |
|
$275
|
↑
63.6%
|
21.3%
|
53.0%
|
60 W / 89 W | 4 / 0 / 8 | 1280.0 kB / 12.0 MB | 3.30 GHz / 4.30 GHz | Alder Lake-S | UHD Graphics 730 |
Official Manufacturer Data
Memory:
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 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.
Storage:
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
Expansion 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)
USB:
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:
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)
Back Panel I/O:
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:
7.1-Channel High Definition Audio
Supports S/PDIF output
Add Comment on MSI PRO Z690-A DDR4