This is a bonus of this motherboard since fans directly connected to these headers can be fine-tuned with NZXT's CAM software. Other usual headers can be located around the NZXT N7 Z690, including 24-pin ATX, USB-C and USB 3.x front panel connections, and more fan headers than you'll know what to do with. RAM speeds cap out at DDR4-5000, which is rapid, and NZXT added three PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots for speedier SSD drives to be used. Three full-size PCIe 5.0 slots are available for GPUs and other expansion cards. To connect power to the CPU, NZXT offers an 8+4 CPU 12V header configuration, though only a single 8-pin cable is required. 13 is a good number, and NZXT is using quality VRMs. Generally speaking, the more phases one has on a motherboard, the cooler the voltage regulator modules (VRM) will run and the better the overall system stability will be. To power the newer processors, NZXT is making full use of a 12+1 DrMOS power phase design, which determines what's providing power to the CPU. (Image credit: Rich Edmonds / Windows Central) Great VRM cooling for overclocking Intel CPUs. There's also PCIe 5.0 functionality present, but NZXT opted to stick with DDR4 for RAM instead of upgrading the slots to support DDR5. You could even mod each panel to create a truly unique-looking PC build to better fit a desired theme.Īs the name implies, the NZXT N7 Z690 rocks Intel's Z690 chipset, which opens up support for 12th Gen Alder Lake processors like the exceptionally good Intel Core i9-12900K. The best part about the shrouding is that it can all be easily removed and the motherboard used bare. There's no RGB lighting, no aggressive "gamer" styling, nor is there much in the way of clutter. It's gorgeous and NZXT continues to use metal shrouding to cover the PCB with the NZXT N7 Z690, creating a clean look that fits well with branded cases and other PC hardware. (Image credit: Rich Edmonds / Windows Central)Įven though we're onto version three of NZXT's N7 Intel motherboard, I've yet to see another manufacturer attempt to copy the design. Removal of the magnetically attached metal covers is a painless process. You won't notice a difference unless you have a vast number of USB accessories to connect. The older N7 Z590 had a total of seven USB-A 3.x ports while the newer board has just five. The board itself has two PCIe x16 slots for the best graphics card, as well as three PCIe x1 slots.Īn interesting observation is the reduction in USB ports with the N7 Z690 motherboard. While it does only support DDR4 RAM and not the newer DDR5, this does mean you can use existing memory modules and save a little on a newer PC build. Priced at $300, one would expect the NZXT N7 Z690 to have high-end features and it certainly ticks a lot of boxes. 3x PCIe 4.0 M.2 (x4/x2 SSD support, 1x SATA)
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