High-end Intel Z690 and LGA 1700 motherboard pictured

A first Intel Z690 motherboard that appears to be a very high-end model has reportedly been pictured. The motherboard designed by an unknown manufacturer comes with a very early design, but appears to switch to the LGA 1700 socket which will support Intel Alder Lake processors.

Intel Z690 motherboard shown for the first time? High-end Rocks design with LGA 1700 plug and 20-phase VRM

Photos of this motherboard were posted on the Bilibili forums (via @davideneco25320). The images show what appears to be a motherboard powered by an Intel Z690 chipset, but in a first design variation that is highlighted by the lack of heat sinks and a suitable mounting bracket on the LGA 1700 pad. But we’ve got a good look at what the high-end Z690 motherboards are going to deliver in terms of power and expansion.

Intel Xe-HPG graphics cards with DG2 GPUs set to launch at CES 2022

Intel opts for an asymmetrical design that poses since the Alder Lake processors are no longer square in shape. Alder Lake desktop processors will ship in a 37.5 x 45.0mm package and will be supported by the “V0” bracket we know as the LGA 1700. The new bracket also changes the mounting positions. into a 78x78mm grid rather than a 75x75mm grid. The Z height has also increased to 6.529mm from 7.31mm on previous LGA 12 ** / 115 * sockets.

This would lead to two big changes, first, the CPU coolers will need to be mounted correctly on the CPU which needs to be confirmed with the vendor prior to installation, and secondly, new and updated mounting brackets need to be shipped. by manufacturers of chillers. for Intel Alder Lake and LGA 1700 support.

The alleged Intel Z690 motherboard comes with an impressive 20 + 3-phase VRM delivery, confirming that it is a very high-end motherboard aiming for the price of US $ 500 +. The board features an 8-pin dual connector configuration, and the LGA 1700 socket features new CPU cooler mounting holes.

Intel’s new Xeon W-3300 workstation processors decimated by AMD’s Threadripper Pro, 32-core Threadripper beats 38 Xeon cores

As for I / O, the Intel Z690 motherboard has at least three 2280 M.2 slots and we can also see a single PCIe x16 slot although we are not able to confirm if they work on the protocols. Gen 4 or Gen 5 PCIe. Rumors say Intel could speed up its Z690 motherboard and miss out on Gen 5 for Alder Lake processors, but that’s yet to be confirmed. As for other features, the alleged Z690 chipset and DDR5 DIMM slots are barely visible.

The Intel 600 series platform will include SKUs Z690, B660, and H610. There is no mention of the workstation chipset, but it may come later. As for launch, the flagship Z690 will be the first to hit the market and is targeting the fourth quarter of 2021. This is also when we can start to expect to see DDR5 memory in the dots. of sale. Expect Intel’s Alder Lake platform to launch by the end of October.