Gigabyte Z690 Aero G Motherboard

Gigabyte Z690 Aero G Motherboard

Empower your creative workflow with the Z690 AERO G DDR4 motherboard. Designed specifically for content creators using Intel® 14th, 13th, and 12th Gen processors, this ATX board combines a clean, minimalist aesthetic with powerful performance and creator-focused features. It utilizes the robust Intel® Z690 chipset while supporting widely available and cost-effective DDR4 memory (up to 5333 MT/s OC). Furthermore, it boasts extensive high-speed storage options and unique connectivity like VisionLINK USB-C®. Consequently, it’s an excellent choice for video editors, 3D artists, designers, and other creative professionals.

Discover Creator-Focused Performance & Connectivity

The Z690 AERO G DDR4 is built to handle demanding creative tasks. To begin with, it features a future-proof **PCIe 5.0 x16 slot** ready for the latest high-performance graphics cards essential for rendering and GPU-accelerated workflows. It also supports readily available **DDR4 memory**, allowing creators to build powerful systems more affordably. Storage for large project files and assets is abundant. Specifically, the board includes **four M.2 slots**, all supporting fast **PCIe 4.0 x4** speeds, alongside six traditional SATA ports.

Connectivity is tailored for creative peripherals. A standout feature is the rear **VisionLINK USB-C® port**. This port supports not only **DisplayPort™ Alt Mode** output (4K@60Hz) but also **power delivery (20V@3A)**, ideal for connecting and powering pen displays or drawing tablets with a single cable. Additionally, networking is robust, featuring fast **Intel® 2.5Gb Ethernet** and onboard **Wi-Fi 6** plus Bluetooth 5.2. High-quality audio is provided by the **Realtek® ALC4080 codec**. Furthermore, extensive USB options, including **dual USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 (20Gbps) Type-C® ports** (one rear, one front header), ensure ample connectivity for external drives, cameras, and other devices. Finally, features like Q-Flash Plus allow for easy BIOS updates without installing a CPU.

Specifications

• CPU Socket: Intel® LGA1700 (Supports 14th, 13th & 12th Gen Intel® Core™, Pentium® Gold, Celeron®)
• Chipset: Intel® Z690 Express
• Form Factor: ATX (30.5 cm x 24.4 cm)
• Memory: 4 x DIMM, Max. 128GB, DDR4 5333(OC)/…/2133 MT/s
• Expansion Slots: 1 x PCIe 5.0 x16, 2 x PCIe 3.0 x16 (x4 mode)
• Storage: 4 x M.2 slots (PCIe 4.0 x4/x2, 1x supports SATA), 6 x SATA 6Gb/s ports
• Networking: Intel® 2.5Gb Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.2
• Video Outputs: 1 x HDMI™ 1.4, 1 x USB Type-C® (DisplayPort™ 1.2 Alt Mode, 4K@60Hz, Power Delivery)
• Rear USB: 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 (Type-C®), 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Type-C®, also DP Out), 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 (Type-A), 4x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Type-A), 2x USB 2.0 (Type-A)
• Front USB: 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 (Type-C®) header, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 header (2 ports), 2x USB 2.0 headers (4 ports)
• Audio: Realtek® ALC4080 CODEC
• Special Features: Creator Focused (AERO), DDR4 Support, PCIe 5.0 x16, Quad M.2 Slots (PCIe 4.0), VisionLINK USB-C® (DP Alt Mode + Power Delivery), Wi-Fi 6, 2.5Gb LAN, ALC4080 Audio, Dual 20Gbps USB-C (Rear + Front), Q-Flash Plus

Q&A

Who is the Z690 AERO G DDR4 for?

This motherboard is specifically aimed at content creators, designers, video editors, 3D artists, and other professionals using Intel 12th, 13th, or 14th Gen CPUs who prioritize system stability, extensive high-speed storage, unique connectivity for creative peripherals (like pen displays via VisionLINK), and prefer using DDR4 memory.

Why choose the Z690 AERO G DDR4?

Key reasons include its **creator-centric design** and features like **VisionLINK USB-C®** for simplified peripheral connection. It offers excellent storage expansion with **four PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots** and supports more affordable **DDR4 RAM**. Furthermore, the inclusion of a **PCIe 5.0 x16 slot**, **Wi-Fi 6**, **2.5Gb LAN**, premium **ALC4080 audio**, and extensive high-speed USB connectivity (including **dual 20Gbps Type-C**) makes it a powerful and versatile platform for creative workloads.

What are the Pros?

Pros: Designed for creators; Supports cost-effective DDR4 memory; Unique VisionLINK USB-C® for pen displays; Quad PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots; PCIe 5.0 x16 support; Integrated Wi-Fi 6 and 2.5Gb LAN; High-quality ALC4080 audio; Extensive USB including dual 20Gbps Type-C; Clean aesthetic; Q-Flash Plus.

What are the Cons?

Cons: Uses DDR4 memory (not the latest DDR5 standard); HDMI port is only version 1.4 (limited to 4K@30Hz); Z690 chipset is older than Z790 (though still very capable).

Verdict

The Gigabyte Z690 AERO G DDR4 is a thoughtfully designed motherboard that caters specifically to the needs of content creators using the Intel LGA1700 platform. Its blend of **DDR4** support for value, massive **quad M.2 storage** potential, future-proof **PCIe 5.0** graphics slot, and unique **VisionLINK USB-C®** connectivity makes it stand out. While using the Z690 chipset and DDR4, it delivers robust performance and essential features for demanding creative applications. Therefore, if you’re a creator looking for a stable, feature-rich motherboard with excellent storage and unique peripheral support, this is a highly compelling choice. Find complete specifications on the official Gigabyte product page.