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These are the Z690 motherboards with the most VRM for your Intel CPU

The need of each entails a type of board and different hardware needs, it is not easy for us to mark a limit of phases and their divisions to say “from here it is valid and downwards it is not”, it is not as simple as that. And it is not because having a greater number of power phases remains an element that a specific user has: the overclocker.

And we are not talking about an overclocker that is going to go up 100 MHz (which is already quite a lot because of how tight current Intel processors come), but we are talking about a very advanced user, with extensive knowledge of CPU and memory overclocking, with experience and about All with a very high-end or premium cooling system, ideally elite with LN2 or LN2 + helium.

The rest of the users do not need what we are going to show here beyond pure whim or visual taste for the model in question. Having said this and clarified, before starting we must also say logical things:

  • More does not mean, strictly speaking, better.
  • There are VRM systems that have not been confirmed for various reasons.
  • There are very few vendors of VRM chips and drivers of this caliber.

With this understood, we go with the main models by number of power phases:

ASUS ROG MAXIMUS Z690 EXTREME GLACIAL

Z690 Glacial Extreme

One of the star motherboards of this generation, without a doubt, the most expensive, but it is also the one with the best cooling system integrates and also the one with the most total phases. We are talking about a 24 + 1 + 2 configuration, where the central phases are managed by a 12 + 1 dual system under Renesas RAA229131, being the MOSFETs of the CPU, iGPU, Auxiliary PWM and Auxiliary for the MOSFETs the following:

  • CPU MOSFET -> Renesas RAA22010540 with 105A and SPS
  • iGPU MOSFET -> Renesas RAA22010540 with 105A and SPS
  • Auxiliary PWM -> MPS MP2940A
  • Auxiliary MOSFET -> MPS MP86992 with 70A and SPS

As we can see, the system is very complete and it is the best we can currently buy in terms of Z690 boards with better VRMs.

ASUS ROG MAXIMUS Z690 EXTREME

ASUS-ROG-Z690-XTREME

It enters for obvious reasons: it is the same as its GLACIAL version but without the full cover EK water block. The chip layout is logically the same as its bigger sister, so it’s just the same:

  • CPU MOSFET -> Renesas RAA22010540 with 105A and SPS
  • iGPU MOSFET -> Renesas RAA22010540 with 105A and SPS
  • Auxiliary PWM -> MPS MP2940A
  • Auxiliary MOSFET -> MPS MP86992 with 70A and SPS

That said, the price difference is logically the cooling arrangement and exclusivity.

ASUS ROG MAXIMUS Z690 APEX

ASUS-ROG-Z690-APEX

It is the board designed for ASUS overclock and curiously although it also copies the specifications in terms of chips of its superior sisters, the company has made a small change by implementing a 12 + 0 system. Why? Well, it is due to the disuse of two DDR5 RAM modules, since it only integrates two slots. In addition to this, we know its PWM and MOSFET system for memories:

  • CPU MOSFET -> Renesas RAA22010540 with 105A and SPS
  • iGPU MOSFET -> Renesas RAA22010540 with 105A and SPS
  • Auxiliary PWM -> MPS MP2940A
  • Auxiliary MOSFET -> MPS MP86992 with 70A and SPS
  • Memory PWM -> Anpec APW8723A
  • Memory MOSFET -> OnSemi 1H 4C10C and 2L 4C10C

The rest of the ASUS range already goes to 20 + 1 + 2 (HERO) and from there down.

ASROCK Z690 AQUA

On this board we find a very capable system, but lower than the ASUS range including the HERO, but it is not a worse motherboard for that, far from it. Actually, ASUS configurations are only integrated by them and it is not common as we advance in models.

The configuration of this board is 19 + 1 + 2 with Renesas RAA229131 in 19 + 1 and without double output, and it integrates the following chips and configurations:

  • CPU MOSFET -> Renesas RAA22010540 with 105A and SPS
  • iGPU MOSFET -> Renesas RAA22010540 with 105A and SPS
  • Auxiliary PWM -> Unknown at the moment
  • Auxiliary MOSFET -> Unknown at the moment
  • Memory PWM -> Unknown at the moment
  • Memory MOSFET -> Unknown at the moment

It is the most that ASROCK has on the market (although there is still no official photo), followed by the next plate.

ASROCK Z690 TAICHI

ASRock Z690 Taichi

Exactly the same configuration as its higher sister, but it is known to integrate Renesas chips in auxiliary PWM and auxiliary MOSFET:

  • CPU MOSFET -> Renesas RAA22010540 with 105A and SPS
  • iGPU MOSFET -> Renesas RAA22010540 with 105A and SPS
  • Auxiliary PWM -> Renesas RAA
  • Auxiliary MOSFET -> Renesas ISL
  • Memory PWM -> Unknown at the moment
  • Memory MOSFET -> Unknown at the moment

The rest of the ASRock range already downgrades its phase and VRM system.

EVGA Z690 DARK KINGPIN

EVGA Dark Kingpin Z690 Motherboards

It is possibly the last to arrive and therefore there is not too much data in detail to have a clear reading, it would be necessary to analyze its PCB in depth. What we do know is that it integrates an 18 + 0 + 2 configuration, the main PWM being a Renesas RAA2291131 with the following arrangement:

  • CPU MOSFET -> Renesas RAA22010540 with 105A and SPS
  • iGPU MOSFET -> Unknown at the moment
  • Auxiliary PWM -> Double phase, not confirmed in its version
  • Auxiliary MOSFET -> Unknown at the moment
  • Memory PWM -> Unknown at the moment
  • Memory MOSFET -> Unknown at the moment

The EVGA Z690 CLASSIFIED is the only model that it seems that the firm will launch on the market and at the moment everything about it in relation to the VRM and phase system is unknown.

GIGABYTE Z690 AORUS XTREME WATERFORCE

AORUS-Z690-Xtreme-WaterForce

The best of the best in GIGABYTE has a 20 + 1 + 2 configuration with a Renesas RAA229131 main PWM in 20 + 0 and direct configuration, it does not have dual configuration in this regard. Its characteristics are as follows:

  • CPU MOSFET -> Renesas RAA22010540 with 105A and SPS
  • iGPU MOSFET -> Renesas RAA22010540 with 105A and SPS
  • Auxiliary PWM -> MPS MP2940A
  • Auxiliary MOSFET -> MPS MP87992 with 70A and SPS
  • Memory PWM -> Unknown
  • Memory MOSFET -> Unknown

It is basically what ASUS uses in its TOP boards, but with fewer phases and direct, without a dual control system.

GIGABYTE Z690 AORUS XTREME

Z690-AORUS-XTREME

As in the case of the GLACIAL and the XTREME of its direct rival, the WATERFORCE and this XTREME do not differ in anything, except in a single component. They are not identical boards curiously, because this XTREME changes its auxiliary PWM system:

  • CPU MOSFET -> Renesas RAA22010540 with 105A and SPS
  • iGPU MOSFET -> Renesas RAA22010540 with 105A and SPS
  • Auxiliary PWM -> Renesas RAA229130 in 1 + 2 configuration
  • Auxiliary MOSFET -> MPS MP87992 with 70A and SPS
  • Memory PWM -> Unknown
  • Memory MOSFET -> Unknown

As we can see, only one change and it should be for the better, but … GIGABYTE will have its reasons, surely due to temperatures.

GIGABYTE Z690 AORUS MASTER

GIGABYTE-Z690-AORUS-MASTER

It is the last of the GIGABYTE boards that stands out in this section, since it gets 19 + 1 + 2 with a Renesas RAA229131 main PWM in a direct 19 + 1 configuration. From here there are some changes to the comprehensive system:

  • CPU MOSFET -> Renesas RAA22010540 with 105A and SPS
  • iGPU MOSFET -> Renesas ISL99390 with 90A SPS
  • Auxiliary PWM -> MPS MP2940A
  • Auxiliary MOSFET -> MPS MP87992 with 70A and SPS
  • Memory PWM -> Unknown
  • Memory MOSFET -> Unknown

As we can see, the changes are minor, but they place it one notch below the rest of the models.

MSI MEG Z690 GODLIKE

MSI-Z690-GODLIKE

It is the top of the range of the brand and as such integrates a 20 + 0 + 2 configuration with a Renesas RAA229121 main PWM in 20 + 0 and direct mode. Curiously, and despite the fact that it is the best that MSI has, it hardly differs from the rest of the models as we will see later, but in the meantime its configuration and chips are:

  • CPU MOSFET -> Renesas RAA22010540 with 105A and SPS
  • iGPU MOSFET -> Unknown
  • Auxiliary PWM -> MPS MP2940A
  • Auxiliary MOSFET -> MPS MP87992 with 70A and SPS
  • Memory PWM -> Unknown
  • Memory MOSFET -> Unknown

Having seen this GODLIKE, let’s see the rest of the boards, because it’s funny how MSI has segmented the ranges.

MSI MEG Z690 ACE

MSI-MEG-Z690-ACE

The configuration is 19 + 1 + 2, but unlike the GODLIKE the main PWM, being the same, is not configured in the same way due to the smaller number of phases, so this time it is 19 + 0 with direct system. Regarding the global configuration:

  • CPU MOSFET -> Renesas RAA22010540 with 105A and SPS
  • iGPU MOSFET -> Renesas RAA22010540 with 105A and SPS
  • Auxiliary PWM -> MPS MP2940A
  • Auxiliary MOSFET -> MPS MP87992 with 70A and SPS
  • Memory PWM -> Unknown
  • Memory MOSFET -> Unknown

MSI MEG Z690 UNIFY-X

MEG-Z690-UNIFY-X

It perfectly copies the characteristics of the ACE model, but its main PWM is a 19 + 0 + 2 with a Renesas RAA229131 in direct 19 + 0 configuration. Specifications are identical to the top model:

  • CPU MOSFET -> Renesas RAA22010540 with 105A and SPS
  • iGPU MOSFET -> Renesas RAA22010540 with 105A and SPS
  • Auxiliary PWM -> MPS MP2940A
  • Auxiliary MOSFET -> MPS MP87992 with 70A and SPS
  • Memory PWM -> Unknown
  • Memory MOSFET -> Unknown

MSI MEG Z690 UNIFY

MEG-Z690-UNIFY

There is not a single difference compared to the X model, so in terms of VRM and MOSFET we are buying the same motherboard:

  • CPU MOSFET -> Renesas RAA22010540 with 105A and SPS
  • iGPU MOSFET -> Renesas RAA22010540 with 105A and SPS
  • Auxiliary PWM -> MPS MP2940A
  • Auxiliary MOSFET -> MPS MP87992 with 70A and SPS
  • Memory PWM -> Unknown
  • Memory MOSFET -> Unknown

And so far the main models of Z690 boards in terms of VRM and MOSFET are concerned. Which one will you choose?

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