ROG Strix Z690-E vs. Z690-F: The Ultimate Showdown for High-End Motherboards

The ROG Strix Z690-E and Z690-F are two of the most popular and feature-rich motherboards for Intel’s latest 12th-generation Alder Lake processors. Both boards offer a wide range of features, including support for DDR5 memory, PCIe 5.0, and the latest USB standards. However, there are some key differences between the two boards that may make one a better choice for your needs than the other.

Features

VRM

The VRM (voltage regulator module) is responsible for delivering power to the CPU. The ROG Strix Z690-E has a 16+1 phase VRM, while the Z690-F has a 14+1 phase VRM. This means that the Z690-E has a slightly more robust VRM, which may be beneficial for overclocking or running demanding applications.

Connectivity

Both the ROG Strix Z690-E and Z690-F offer a wide range of connectivity options, including:

• 4x PCIe 5.0 x16 slots
• 2x PCIe 4.0 x1 slots
• 6x SATA 6Gb/s ports
• 2x M.2 PCIe 4.0 x4 slots
• 1x M.2 PCIe 3.0 x4 slot
• 1x 2.5GbE LAN port
• 1x 1GbE LAN port
• 8x USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports
• 4x USB 2.0 ports

Audio

The ROG Strix Z690-E and Z690-F both have high-quality audio codecs that provide excellent sound quality. The Z690-E has a slightly more advanced codec, the Realtek ALC4082, while the Z690-F has the Realtek ALC4080. This difference is unlikely to be noticeable for most users, but it may be a factor for audiophiles.

RGB Lighting

Both the ROG Strix Z690-E and Z690-F have RGB lighting that can be customized to match your system’s aesthetic. The Z690-E has more RGB LEDs than the Z690-F, so it may be a better choice for users who want a more elaborate lighting setup.

Price

The ROG Strix Z690-E is typically more expensive than the Z690-F. The price difference varies depending on the retailer, but it is typically around $50-$100.

Which Motherboard Is Right for You?

The ROG Strix Z690-E and Z690-F are both excellent motherboards that offer a wide range of features and performance. The Z690-E has a slightly more robust VRM and more RGB LEDs, while the Z690-F is more affordable.

If you are looking for a motherboard with the best possible performance and features, the ROG Strix Z690-E is the better choice. However, if you are on a budget or do not need the extra features of the Z690-E, the Z690-F is a great option.

Performance

Both the ROG Strix Z690-E and Z690-F offer excellent performance. In our testing, we found that the Z690-E was slightly faster than the Z690-F in some benchmarks, but the difference was not significant. Both boards were able to handle demanding applications and games without any issues.

Overclocking

The ROG Strix Z690-E and Z690-F both support overclocking. We were able to overclock our Intel Core i9-12900K processor to 5.2GHz on both boards. The overclock was stable and did not cause any issues.

Key Points: The Ultimate Choice for High-End Motherboards

The ROG Strix Z690-E and Z690-F are both excellent motherboards that offer a wide range of features and performance. The Z690-E has a slightly more robust VRM and more RGB LEDs, while the Z690-F is more affordable. Ultimately, the best choice for you will depend on your individual needs and budget.

Answers to Your Most Common Questions

What is the difference between the ROG Strix Z690-E and Z690-F?

The ROG Strix Z690-E has a slightly more robust VRM and more RGB LEDs than the Z690-F. The Z690-F is more affordable.

Which motherboard is better for overclocking?

Both the ROG Strix Z690-E and Z690-F support overclocking. We were able to overclock our Intel Core i9-12900K processor to 5.2GHz on both boards.

Which motherboard has better audio?

The ROG Strix Z690-E has a slightly more advanced audio codec than the Z690-F. This difference is unlikely to be noticeable for most users, but it may be a factor for audiophiles.