ASUS ProArt Z690-Creator WIFI LGA1700 Motherboard Preview

Introduction

Preface

This article is part of our Intel 12th-gen Core CPU Preview article building up for the launch this November 4. Intel details the CPU architecture and platform primer this October 26th in their Blueprint Series media session for the 12th-generation Core CPU and 600-series platform.

We have an easy to digest article covering this deck highlighting the big changes that should be expected from Intel Alder Lake CPUs and we highlight advise to read-up on our Intel 12th-gen CPU article to you up to speed on some of the changes coming off last-gen.

In our lab, there is a total of six (6) motherboards for review during launch and we’ve elected to only launch with four (4) due to time constraints. Still, we promise to provide the most comprehensive coverage of Intel’s 12th-gen CPU as well as the accompanying Z690 chipset and DDR5 memories in the Southeast Asia.

This article will serve as the intro segment for our review and will merge with our review article once it releases.

I’m particularly very biased towards the ProArt line from ASUS when it comes to motherboards. ASUS is obviously still learning how to best equip their ProArt motherboard. Born in the Z490 era, it was stuck with Intel until the birth of the B550-Creator. ASUS is hoping that changes with this generation. With Z690 motherboard bumping price tiering, ASUS has managed to utilize the offerings of the Z690 chipset along with the Alder Lake CPUs to push their ProArt board to stratosphere. With onboard 10GbE, four M.2 slots, eight SATA ports, built-in Thunderbolt 4, the ASUS ProArt Z690 is made for maximum IO in-mind for multimedia professionals who may need to work locally or via network, this ProArt is simply next level. Let’s check it out more in this overview.

ProArt Z690-CREATOR WIFI

PHP 24,850

ASUS PROART Z690-CREATOR WIFI Specifications
CPU Support	Intel 12th-generation Core CPU (LGA1700)
Power Delivery Design	16+1
Chipset	Intel Z690
Memory Support	4 x DIMM, Max. 128GB, DDR5-6000 (OC)
Expansion Slots	2x PCIe 5.0 x16 or x8/x8 (CPU) 1x PCIe 3.0 x16 1x PCIe 3.0 x4 2x PCIe 3.0 x1
Storage Interface/s	4x M.2 8x SATA
Networking	Intel 2.5GbE Marvell 10GbE 2×2 WIFI-6E Bluetooth 5.2
Audio	Realtek S1220A
Fan Headers	7x 4-pin 1x pump header
Dimensions	ATX 30.5cm x 24.4cm
Rear I/O Ports	2 x Thunderbolt™ 4 USB Type-C port(s) 6 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 port(s) (6 x Type-A) 2 x DisplayPort (Input only) 1 x HDMI port 1 x ASUS Wi-Fi Module 1 x Marvell AQtion 10Gb Ethernet port 1 x Intel 2.5Gb Ethernet port 5 x Audio jacks 1 x BIOS FlashBack™ button
Features	ASUS 5X PROTECTION III DIGI+ VRM (- Digital power design with DrMOS) Enhanced DRAM Overcurrent Protection ESD Guards LANGuard Overvoltage Protection SafeSlot Stainless-Steel Back I/O ASUS Q-Design M.2 Q-Latch Q-Connector Q-DIMM Q-LED (CPU [red], DRAM [yellow], VGA [white], Boot Device [yellow green]) Q-Slot ASUS Thermal Solution M.2 heatsink VRM heatsink design ASUS EZ DIY BIOS FlashBack™ button BIOS FlashBack™ LED Box Headers ProCool II Pre-mounted I/O shield AURA Sync AURA RGB header(s) Addressable Gen 2 header(s)

Packaging and Box Contents

The ASUS PROART Z690-Creator WIFI’s retail package includes a user manual, an installation disc, the Q-connector for the front panel connectors, a pair of spare M.2 Q-latch screws, M.2 support pads and two pairs of SATA cables.

I will take this time an make a statement and I will do this for every review I make going forward for motherboards: THERE IS A VERY SMALL AMOUNT OF PEOPLE WHO STILL HAVE CD-ROM DRIVES. Please provide software and drivers via USB flash drive.

Design and Layout

ASUS ProArt Z690-Creator WIFI LGA1700 Motherboard Preview - — ASUS ProArt Z690-Creator WIFI LGA1700 Motherboard

ASUS has redesigned the look of the ProArt Z690-Creator WIFI from the ground-up. They do keep the straight lines but have taken some of the more premium design treatments that the ROG Strix and ROG motherboards have been enjoying and have integrated it here.

This is most notable in the I/O shroud with the translucent plastic shroud that overlaps the metal portion of the shroud gives a really subtle look to the board.

That plastic panel and metal I/O cover actual sits on top of the actual VRM heatsink. The ASUS ProArt Z690 Creator WIFI is a 16-phase power delivery design with 70amp smart power stages designed in teaming mode. Notice the coating on the lever on the CPU release mechanism: that’s a small touch to protect the upper VRM area from rubbing against the level. Very nice attention to details there.

Another slight upgrade in looks is this stacked acrylic on metal heatsink on the PCH. Nothing vital, I just want to praise the design choice here.

In actual use, the ASUS ProArt Z690-Creator WIFI has a rich array of connectivity options. For those on network systems, the board features 10GbE Marvell LAN as well as 2.5GbE Intel LAN. This is then further supported by WIFI-6E, covering 2.4, 5 and 6Ghz range. The most important IO option here though is for the local IO including Thunderbolt 4 with video output support. The ProArt Z690-Creator WIFI supports Thunderbolt 4 Type-C both of which can do video output from the the two DisplayPort passthrough feed on the upper side of the rear IO ports. Both Thunderbolt4 ports seems to be able to out to USB-C to DP simultaneously but we will confirm once we get the proper cables.

This board also supports eight (8) SATA ports, pictured are the six side-facing while the other pair is on the lower part of the board facing forward.. M.2_4 shares bandwidth with SATA ports 5~8 so you’ll only have 4x SATA ports if you do decide to use that port.

The ASUS ProArt Z690-Creator WIFI supports 4x M.2 slots, again 1 of which shares SATA bandwidth but can run in PCIe mode. ASUS actually does have M.2 PCIe cards that can house 2 PCIe M.2 device. Those do add to cost and 4x M.2 is already rich so wanting more is obviously a specialized build.

The ASUS ProArt Z690-Creator WIFI does not have RGB lighting but has RGB and ARGB headers onboard.

Initial Thoughts and Impressions

As someone who edits video and has a penchant for streamlining workflows, the ASUS ProArt Z690-Creator WIFI charms me in many ways. If you like to stock up on SATA drives and store files locally, it has traditional SATA drives, albeit reduced to 4 when using all M.2 but in a standard solo editing rig, I would picture a 4x HDD RAID5 array and then a RAID0 M.2 drives for SSDs. This then archived to a Thunderbolt 4 DAS or similar device. For more on-the-go editors, the Thunderbolt 4 ports allows communication with more than just storage, daisy-chaining screens as well for an easier swap from your TB-capable portable to your PC.

Again, this the ProArt Z690-Creator WIFI is a situational motherboard and while it works as a good foundation for even a gaming build, its Thunderbolt capabilities does set it apart from similarly priced boards. Its not alone in this market as some creator models have already appeared from other competing brands so ASUS does need to understand that the ProArt line of motherboards needs no compromise in IO. 2x 10GbE as well as also leaving support for USB3.2 Gen2x2 would’ve been a pleasant option.

We’ll find out more about the ASUS ProArt Z690-Creator WIFI once reviews are up.