With the release of Z890 motherboards with the Intel Core Ultra CPUs, the Z690 chipset is now two generations old. However, the latest Arrow Lake platform has not been very successful, as we saw in our reviews of the Core Ultra 285K, 265K, and 245K. These processors offer mediocre performance gains and overall not good value. This puts the older-gen platforms, especially the flagship Z690, in a great position, as these motherboards can handle 12th to 14th CPUs, and you still get solid performance out of them.
Plus, with Black Friday only a week away, we are in one of the best times of the year to score a Z690 motherboard for less. The Z690 chipset delivers a fantastic mix of features, like PCIe 5.0, DDR5 memory support, and enhanced connectivity options, making it a future-ready choice for any performance-driven rig. In this guide, we’ll walk you through what to consider when choosing a Z690 motherboard this Black Friday, so you can find a board that matches your setup, budget, and performance needs.
Just don’t try to fit the new Intel Core Ultra CPUs into the LGA 1700 socket. Those require LGA 1851 and have only just been released, so you might find one or two discounts but don’t expect anything crazy.
Black Friday Z690 deals – early deals
MSI MEG Z690 Unify Gaming Motherboard
ASROCK Z690M Phantom Gaming 4
ASUS ROG Strix Z690-I Gaming mini-ITX Motherboard
ASRock Steel Legend Intel Z690 Motherboard
ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Formula ATX Motherboard
MSI PRO Z690-A WiFi ProSeries Motherboard
ASRock Z690 Steel Legend WiFi 6E/D5
Last year’s best deals
Here are last year’s best deals, so these motherboards are definite ones to watch this year, as we might see better discounts appear. Sore you can opt for a newer Z790, but the savings on Z690’s tend to get better every year.
- MSI Pro Z690-A | at Best Buy
- MSI Pro Z690-A DDR4 | at Best Buy
- GIGABYTE Z690 AORUS ELITE AX | at Best Buy
- MSI PRO Z690-A WIFI | at Best Buy
- GIGABYTE Z690 AERO G DDR4 | at Best Buy
- GIGABYTE Z690 AORUS PRO | at Best Buy
- MSI MAG Z690 TOMAHAWK WIFI | at Best Buy
- MSI MPG Z690 EDGE WIFI | at Best Buy
- MSI MPG Z690 FORCE | at Best Buy
- ASUS ROG Strix Z690-E Gaming | at Best Buy
Where to find the best Z690 Motherboard deals
There are many different retailers offering Black Friday Z690 motherboard deals, but our research shows Amazon has the deepest discounts on Z690 motherboards specifically. Here are the online storefronts to consider on the day and what you can expect from them right now:
- Amazon: Up to 52% off the latest Z690 models
- Newegg: Z690 motherboards from $129.99
- Best Buy: Deep deals on all Z690 boards
- Ebuyer: Save up to £152 on various models
- Scan: Z690 motherboards from £149.99
- Overclockers UK: Up to £91 off high-end models
When will Black Friday Z690 Motherboard deals start in 2025?
Black Friday is happening this year on November 29th. Based on our previous experience, though, we’re willing to stake that the offers will roll out ahead of schedule. If past years have taught us anything, some retailers will dogpile for dominance on the day to maximize their profits. What does that mean for you? Better deals sooner than the day itself.
You’ll need to know where to look, though. Amazon and Best Buy tend to be the first retailers to get in early, with the former hosting its lightning deals and early offers. Depending on the Z690 motherboard model you’ve got in mind, you should be able to get discounts in the peak trading week. Generally speaking, the deepest discounts are reserved for the day itself.
How to get the best Black Friday Z690 Motherboard deals in 2025
With Z690 Motherboards only launching last year, there’s an easy way to track their pricing history. Roughly speaking, many of the biggest and best brands offer the Alder Lake, Raptor Lake, and Refresh boards at discounted prices. However, utilizing CamelCamelCamel (for Amazon) and Honey (for most other retailers such as Best Buy and Newegg) can give you an accurate product account.
Your biggest choice will be whether to go for DDR4 memory or spring for the newer DDR5 kits. The latter will be most in demand and carry higher price tags unless in exceptional circumstances. As Alder Lake is creeping up on a year old, so too are the boards. This means this year’s Black Friday Z690 Motherboard deals will have an advantage in 2025.
What to consider when looking for Black Friday Z690 Motherboard deals
When searching for the best Z690 motherboard deals this Black Friday, it’s helpful to know exactly what to look for to get the most value. The Z690 chipset is Intel’s high-end choice for 12th, 13th, and 14th Gen CPUs, so start by considering the board’s feature set.
Many Z690 motherboards support PCIe 5.0 slots and DDR5 memory, both of which are ideal for future-proofing. If you’re trying to keep costs down, however, DDR4-compatible models are also available, offering strong performance without requiring you to invest in pricier memory right away.
Another crucial factor is VRM quality and power delivery, especially if you plan to overclock or use a high-end CPU. A robust VRM design ensures stable power, which is essential for handling intensive workloads or maintaining system stability during demanding tasks. Look for Z690 boards with good cooling and power delivery to get the best possible performance out of your processor.
Connectivity is also key with the Z690 chipset. Many boards come equipped with advanced options like Wi-Fi 6E, USB-C, USB 3.2, and even Thunderbolt support, which are great if you have multiple peripherals or need fast data transfer. Be sure the board includes the ports and connectivity options that match your setup and needs, especially if you’re connecting high-speed external storage or using wireless peripherals.
The form factor is also worth considering. Z690 motherboards are available in various sizes, such as ATX, micro-ATX, and mini-ITX, so choose one that fits your case while meeting your connectivity and expansion requirements. Your build size will dictate the form factor you need, so make sure the board fits while providing the ports and slots you require.
What socket is Z690?
Z690 motherboards utilize the LGA 1700 pin socket type for Alder Lake to Raptor Lake refresh. While not the only LGA 1700 socket board on the market, the Z690 was the first to hit it, and it is generally regarded as one of the best (if you discount the newer 700 series motherboards), especially for overclocking and DDR5 RAM support.
How much can I expect to save on Z690 motherboards?
While we can’t guarantee specifics, we wouldn’t be surprised to see some top-performing high-end Z690 motherboards selling with over $100 slashed off the sticker price.
We’re anticipating the discounts to scale, anywhere from 11% to 30% off, given what deals are out on the market. We do not yet know if boards will come in under the $100 mark, but we’ll keep you posted.