Adore it or no longer–and obviously simplest the motherboard makers find it irresistible–flagship forums at the moment incessantly push as much as and even above the $1,000 mark, all within the quest for the good options and function. The EVGA Z690 Darkish Kingpin (formally stylized Okay|NGP|N) hit the cabinets priced at $849.99 and, as of lately, is a extra affordable $699.99. Amongst flagship moboss, that worth is comparitively affordable when competition value between $900 and $1,200. The Z690 Darkish has an up to date look that carries over EVGA’s signature black styling, powerful energy supply, horizontal connectors and a novel socket orientation that units it excluding different forums.
Efficiency-wise, the Darkish Kingpin lit up the charts as one of the crucial quickest forums throughout our multi-threaded assessments, and just about did a blank sweep because the best-performing board in our Procyon Place of business assessments. Unmarried-threaded parts of our assessments didn’t fare as effectively, however the board used to be nonetheless moderate throughout maximum of the ones assessments. Gaming efficiency used to be additionally above moderate. General, it is a well-perofrming board out of the field, particularly when driven with heavy multi-threaded a lot.
This board additionally has virtually each high-end function you’ll be expecting on the flagship stage. You get two full-length PCIe 5.0 slots (and SLI fortify), 21-phase 90A MOSFETs, 3 M.2 sockets (despite the fact that none are PCIe 5.0), 8 SATA ports and a “legacy” U.2 port, a top rate (despite the fact that last-gen) audio codec with NU Audio tool and twin 2.5 GbE ports together with built-in Wi-Fi 6E.
What units the Kingpin excluding the opposite luxurious forums is the entire overclocking-focused capability. The place maximum focal point on taste and shoehorning in further options , the Kingpin has a slew of switches, buttons and headers on board (to attach the ProbeIt device) to assist push your Alder Lake gadget to the restrict. Ahead of we get into the main points and spot if this board has an opportunity to make our excellent motherboards record, listed here are its detailed specs, direct from EVGA.
Specs: EVGA Z690 Darkish Kingpin
| Socket | LGA1700 |
| Chipset | Z690 |
| Shape Issue | E-ATX |
| Voltage Regulator | 21 Section (18+2+1 90A SPS MOSFETs for Vcore) |
| Video Ports | ✗ |
| USB Ports | (1) USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Sort-C (20 Gbps) |
| (4) USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) | |
| (2) USB 2.0 (480 Mbps) | |
| Community Jacks | (2) 2.5 GbE |
| Audio Jacks | (5) Analog + SPDIF |
| Legacy Ports/Jacks | (1) PS/2 |
| Different Ports/Jack | ✗ |
| PCIe x16 | (2) v5.0 (x16/x0 or x8/x8) |
| PCIe x8 | ✗ |
| PCIe x4 | (1) v4.0 x4 |
| PCIe x1 | ✗ |
| CrossFire/SLI | Helps Nvidia SLI |
| DIMM Slots | (2) DDR5 6600+(OC), 64GB Capability |
| M.2 Sockets | (1) PCIe 4.0 x4 (64 Gbps) / PCIe (as much as 110mm) |
| (1) PCIe 4.0 x4 (64 Gbps) / PCIe (as much as 110mm) | |
| (1) PCIe 4.0 x4 (64 Gbps) / PCIe (as much as 110mm) | |
| U.2 Ports | (1) PCIe 3.0 x4 (32 Gbps) |
| SATA Ports | (8) SATA3 6 Gbps (Helps RAID 0/1/5/10) |
| USB Headers | (1) USB v3.2 Gen 2, Sort-C (10 Gbps) |
| (1) USB v3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps) | |
| (2) USB v2.0 (480 Mbps) | |
| Fan/Pump Headers | (8) 4-Pin (CPU, Pump, Aux, Pwr, Device lovers) |
| RGB Headers | (2) aRGB (3-pin) |
| (2) RGB (4-pin) | |
| Diagnostics Panel | (2) 2-character Debug LEDs, 22 LED show |
| Inside Button/Transfer | Energy/Reset buttons and PCIe/BIOS, Gradual Mode switches |
| SATA Controllers | ASMedia ASM1061 |
| Ethernet Controller(s) | (2) Intel i225V (2.5 GbE) |
| Wi-Fi / Bluetooth | Intel AX210 Wi-Fi 6E (2×2 ax, MU-MIMO, 2.4/5/6 GHz, 160 MHz, BT 5.2) |
| USB Controllers | ASMedia ASM3142 |
| HD Audio Codec | Realtek ALC1220/NU Audio + Savitech SV3H615 Amp |
| DDL/DTS Attach | ✗ / X |
| Guaranty | 3 Years |
Throughout the Field of the EVGA Z690 Darkish Kingpin
Throughout the huge EVGA Z690 Darkish Kingpin field, the corporate features a slew of equipment together with the board. You get not unusual pieces akin to SATA cables and a Wi-Fi antenna, in addition to some extra distinctive pieces, together with a full-size PCB that presentations and labels the key portions at the board. It even comes with a PCIe Liberate Lend a hand bar (an extended piece of PCB to achieve the PCIe latch) and further thermal pads for M.2 modules. Underneath is an entire record of the incorporated extras:
- Case badge
- Driving force USB disk
- Tall standoffs
- Screw units (M.2)
- PCIe Liberate Lend a hand
- Probe IT Cable
- Thermal pads
- (4) SATA cables
- Wi-Fi antenna
- PCB Legend
Design of the Z690 Darkish Kingpin
Taking the board out of the field, we’re greeted via a 10-layer black PCB, with sparse gold highlights dotting the board. There are huge, actively cooled VRM heatsinks attached by the use of a warmth pipe, coated via a vented shroud, with the Z690 Darkish branding in white. The most important distinction between this board and others is the turned around socket house, with the RAM slots up most sensible and the VRM financial institution at the left (customary) and backside. Alongside the fitting fringe of the board, you’ll to find a big notch minimize out and horizontal connectors to assist with cable control, and a number of other buttons and switches for overclocking and different board purposes. The ground portion of the board is roofed in shrouds and heatsinks, with the Darkish branding minimize out out of the massive heatsink masking all 3 M.2 sockets.
Whilst there are actually dozens of LEDs in this board, none are RGB (they are most commonly white) or designed in particular for seems. If you wish to upload RGB lights on your case, you’ll wish to use the headers hidden alongside the ground edge. General, I just like the glance of the Darkish Kingpin. Whilst it received’t stick out by itself, the stealthy black glance makes for an excellent centerpiece to your construct.
At the upper-left facet, we get a greater have a look at the vented shroud, socket house and the fitting edge. The round vents within the shroud permit recent air to achieve the small fan hidden underneath. The tiny fan used to be inaudible right through our checking out, blowing the recent air over the VRMs and stored the hardy energy bits operating cool.
Above the socket are the 2 unreinforced DRAM slots that lock the sticks down on either side. The Z690 Darkish helps DDR5 as much as 64GB with speeds indexed as much as DDR5-6600(OC). As all the time, your mileage would possibly range on attaining the ones speeds however with two slots and the use of a most of 2 sticks; the possible to achieve that top is bigger.
Above the DRAM slots at the most sensible edge, as a substitute of seeing 8-pin EPS connectors we run into the Probe IT header, which is a handy option to measure the gadget’s voltage. EVGA contains an adapter cable that connects to the header, permitting you to test the voltage with a multimeter simply. It is a nice function for the sub-ambient/excessive overclocking crowd or any person having a look to get each final Mhz out in their processor. Simply off to the fitting are a slew (22, to be particular) of standing LEDs for various capability. It presentations the standing of PCIe slots, M.2 sockets, voltage, and extra. Moreover, there are any other dozen or so LEDs on board that still point out the standing of {hardware}. Please seek advice from the handbook to peer what every does. Simply off to the fitting is a vertical USB 2.0 port used for updating the BIOS (this board has THREE) and not using a CPU put in.
The board’s correct edge is the place maximum connectivity is positioned. First, within the upper-right nook, we run right into a multi-function POST indicator with two two-character LEDs. You’ll configure the show to turn information in decimal layout (default) or hexadecimal. After POST, the similar LEDs can show {hardware} tracking main points, together with CPU temperatures and voltages. The Protected Boot and tool/reset buttons are close to the show.
Subsequent, we hit the primary two (of 7 to be had) fan headers (CPU_FAN1/2). Those headers fortify PWM lovers and output as much as 2A/24W. To the fitting of the socket between the VRMs and the fitting edge are two extra fan headers (AUX_Fan and PUMP1), whilst the final two are tucked within the bottom-right nook. The AUX header helps PWM and DC-controlled lovers, with the PUMP1 header ready to output 3A/36W.
Proceeding down the fitting edge, we undercover agent the 24-pin EPS connector to energy the board and the 2 8-pin EPS connectors (one required). Underneath is a USB 3.2 Gen1 header and a front-panel USB 3.2 Gen 2 Sort-C header. Transferring towards the center of the board, we run into 3 other switches. The primary (most sensible) is a BIOS sluggish mode transfer. Immediately underneath that may be a three-position transfer to get admission to all 3 BIOSes. In any case, 5 DIP switches are between the BIOS transfer and the USB 3.2 Gen1 connector to disable/permit PCIe slots. The one lively switches are one and two, which regulate the 2 full-length PCIe slots.
The Darkish Kingpin’s overclocking pedigree comes with a 21-phase VRM, with 18 stages devoted to Vcore. Energy is going from the 2 8-pin EPS connectors (one required) onto a Renesas RAA229131 20-channel controller. Energy flows to 18 Intersil ISLL99390 90A energy phases. Some serviette math says there’s 1,620A to be had for simply the processor, which is lots for ambient and excessive overclocking. You’ll be restricted via the temperatures lengthy earlier than this energy supply hinders development.
Having a look on the left-hand facet of the board, close to the ground, we see a most commonly hidden Realtek ALC1200 audio codec, together with 3 huge yellow Bennic logo audio capacitors. Additionally hidden below the shroud is a Savitech SV3H615 amp. EVGA works with NU Audio to assist carry high quality sound to their forums. Even though we’d like to peer the current-generation audio codec used in this flagship-class motherboard, maximum customers must be proud of this providing.
In the midst of the board are 3 PCIe slots and 3 M.2 sockets. Two of the PCIe slots are bolstered, full-length slots for graphics. Each slots fortify PCIe 5.0, with the highest slot able to operating x16, and the ground maxing out at x8. If each slots are populated, each run x8/x8. This configuration helps 2-way NVIDIA SLI. (AMD Crossfire customers needn’t follow.)
Sitting between the 2 full-length slots are 3 M.2. sockets for garage. Every slot helps as much as 110 mm modules and runs as much as PCIe 4.0 x4 (64 Gbps). You’ll simplest be capable of use PCIe-based units, as SATA fortify isn’t indexed. I want to see a PCIe 5.0 M.2 socket, then again.
Transferring correct, over the chipset heatsink and Kingpin branding, we hit the U.2 port (why does this nonetheless exist?) and 8 SATA ports. If the U.2 port is populated, the PCIe x4 slot will get disabled. Six of the SATA ports run from the chipset and fortify RAID0/1/5/10. The opposite two ports (most sensible set) run from an ASMedia chip that splits a PCIe x1 lane into two SATA ports. Not one of the SATA ports or M.2/U.2 sockets get disabled, so if you wish to have a large number of garage, the bandwidth and connectors are right here.
Around the backside are a number of headers, all hidden from above via shrouds, yielding a blank look hiding the ones unpleasant protrusions. The strip contains USB, RGB and different ports/headers. Underneath is an entire record, from left to correct:
- Supplemental 6-pin PCIe energy
- 3-pin ARGB header
- 4-pin RGB header
- Device Fan header
- (2) USB 2.0 headers
- Entrance panel header(s)
The rear IO house sports activities a pre-installed and perforated IO plate that fits the Darkish Kingpin’s black theme. The black background offers option to white writing for the ports and EVGA branding. The stark distinction makes the port labels simple to learn.
There are seven USB ports overall right here: A unmarried USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 (20 Gbps) Sort-C header, 4 USB 3.2 Gen2 (10 Gbps) ports, and two USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps) ports. In case you’re having a look to make use of the built-in graphics on maximum Intel processors, it received’t paintings with this board as there aren’t any video outputs. There’s a legacy PS/2 keyboard/mouse combo port, Wi-Fi antenna connections and two 2.5 GbE ports. There are handy Reset CMOS and BIOS replace buttons (for one among THREE BIOSes) as effectively. Closing is the audio stack: a 5-analog plus SPDIF configuration. The one worry I’ve this is the seven USB ports right here at the rear IO will not be sufficient for some customers (me).
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