• 1. Large VRM heatsink

The extended surface of the bulky heatsink covers the VRM units and coils to improve heat dissipation.

• 2. Large PCH heatsink

An enlarged surface for the chipset cooler maximizes performance and heat dissipation.

• 3. Three M.2 slots with heatsinks

Three out of the four M.2 slots feature dedicated heatsinks, keeping the M.2 SSDs at optimal operating temperatures, ensuring stable performance and reliability.

Improvements in trace routing design provide the latest Intel processors with enhanced memory bandwidth access. ASUS OptiMem II technology carefully maps memory signal paths across different layers of the PCB to reduce trace distance and adds shielding zones that significantly reduce interference.

Intel 12th and 13th generation processors bring PCIe 5.0 support to the market. PCIe 5.0 offers double the data transfer speed compared to PCIe 4.0, making it robust enough to handle new tasks with large volumes of data. PCIe 5.0 also brings other advantages, such as electrical changes to improve signal integrity, backward-compatible CEM connectors for expansion cards, and backward compatibility with previous versions of PCI Express.

The TUF GAMING Z690 series features Thunderbolt 4 support through an integrated header. With a certified Intel additional card ASUS ThunderboltEX 4, it can also enable bidirectional speeds of up to 40 Gbps on a single cable. Additionally, this card features daisy-chain functionality for connecting multiple displays and supports up to an 8K resolution display. It can also provide power of up to 100 Watts for fast device charging.

PCIe 5.0 is 2 times faster than PCIe 4.0, so we have adapted the SMT manufacturing process for faster SafeSlot, in order to ensure the highest data speeds. SafeSlot is a reinforced metal casing added to a PCIe slot to keep a card securely installed. Meanwhile, the powerful ASUS SafeDIMM slots support and protect memory modules on selected ASUS motherboards, allowing you to install your modules with speed, precision, and confidence.

The innovative Q-Latch facilitates the installation or removal of an SSD M.2 without the need for specialized tools. The design utilizes a simple locking mechanism to secure the SSD M.2, eliminating the need for screws.

A well-tuned system deserves a corresponding aesthetic. The TUF Gaming Z690 series features edge lighting to enhance its robust appearance, and now the PCH heatsink gains RGB lighting to take style even further.

ASUS Aura offers full RGB control with a variety of preset options for built-in LED lights, as well as third-party strips that you can connect to the built-in RGB headers. And all of this can be synchronized with an ever-expanding portfolio of Aura-enabled hardware.