NZXT N5 Z690 review. In this review we will get our hands on NZXT’s N5 model, a model that aims to the point
NZXT is a brand that has made its way into the market, among a myriad of competitors, for its being “outside the box”, Making itself appreciated for its minimalist nature, but without forgetting the details that make the difference, both in terms of performance and in terms of design.
The new generation of NZXT motherboards represents a bit the maximum maturity point of the brand, as in these latest models of the Z690 family the Californian brand has put all its experience at the service of users, with two products (N7 and N5) that make their company philosophy a must. Today is the turn of the N5, and in this review we will find out all about the “base” model, which boasts an excellent introductory price, and equally excellent specifications, for its category.
A general look | NZXT N5 Z690 review
We start from the top and then end up in the connectivity department. As for the CPU power phases, we have a design and components not bad for the quality / price ratio. We do not find a 6 Layer PCB with double RAM layer as in the N7 model, but we have a single layer of copper, with 9 phases dedicated to powering the CPU.
There is no Full Cover design in this model as in the larger model, but we have a heatsink plate for the M.2 slot. The equipment in terms of connections for the fans is very good, a topic that is not a little taken for granted as it is of fundamental importance in the construction phase of a Build. In fact we have here in addition to the obligatory connection for the CPU, the one for the eventual AIO, 4 other ports available.
We then have for the memoirs 2 slot PCIe 4.0 x4, and another 1x PCIE 3.0 x4. Instead, we move to the RGB connections department, with 2 connections to take advantage of the flusso NZXT RGBone graft by one 5V 3-pin ARGB connection and another 12V 4-pin connection. As for the I / O panel we find 1 USB 3.2 Gen 2 (Type-C) port, 1 USB 3.2 Gen 2, 4 USB 3.2 Gen 1, and the inevitable USB 2.0 ports, 2 to be precise. To complete the picture one USB 3.2 Gen 2 on the motherboard, and always on the same 4 USB 3.2 Gen 1 and two normal USB 2.0.
On board this Mobo you will find support for the PCIe Gen 5.0 protocoland an excellent connectivity sector, such as the Wi-Fi 6E and the latest standard Bluetooth V5.2. In software terms we will find instead support a NZXT CAMbrand software to control all connected RGB profiles or devices.
What we have under the body
We find in this N5 a complete and perfect power supply compartment to support an excellent 360 Degree workflownutrition 8+1 DrMOS it is balanced and balanced, allowing even a decent overclocking job. Speaking of OC, you will have the opportunity to push yours DDR4 a 5000MHz tramite XMP.
On board to manage all the crew we have a fairly discreet PWM, that is the Richtek RT3628AE. Therefore, it is from 2021, therefore very recent, in fact it supports connections Green Native AVP a 2 output (per rail) but we do not find it on top-of-the-range motherboards, but be careful not on motherboards of this range either. We have 8 stages for the Vcore, and 1 for the VCCGT, which is pretty good. For the Mosfet a Vishay da 50A, un SIC654CD. It’s not actually very popular, but Vishay does a great job with Mosfets. Not of the same quality the capacitors chosen, of the generics 0.5uH at 50A.
The audio was not left behind, with a design 8-channel in HD grazie al Realtek ALC897 come Codec. We then have the LAN department entrusted to a well-established Realtek RTL8125BG at 2.5G. But it also features Dual Band Wi-Fi 6E.
Ultimately it performed well both in conditions of operational stress and in the management of large Watt flows. And in light overclocking it held up to our set settings.
Conclusions and price
Based on the Z690 Chipset and socket 1700, it is compatible with 12 Gen CPUs, but the other side of the coin is that it still has DDR4. Pros and cons, it is a choice.
If you want a motherboard that projects you into the future of Gen, it is not for you, it will be better to wait for a new family of the manufacturer, but if you do not want to keep up with the uncertainties of the market, and prefer the current availability given by the 12Gen, a choice like the Z690 and DDR4 Chipset opens you to more Build possibilities (even if not “Future-Proof”) and in addition it will allow you to save more.
On the other hand, it was Intel that gave this possibility to producers, perhaps also due to the production difficulties in terms of chips and market crisis. It is good to make a small summary so as not to generate confusion, The socket 1700 supports the current 12 Gen (Alder Lake) and probably 99% the future 13Gen (Raptor Lake), always the socket 1700 and the current Z690 chipset supports both DDR4 and DDR5 potentially as it is at the discretion of the manufacturer. However, we do not know if the future Chipset that will host Raptor Lake will certainly continue to support DDR4.
So summing up, the NZXT N5 Z690 is an interesting choice, with goodies that we don’t find on more famous motherboards at the same price, and this does it honor, but in some details it has its flaws, a PCB not of the first order, or a power supply compartment not at the levels of the CPU as regards the RAM. It is certainly striking for his Design, and makes this virtue a strong point. Introductory price should be around € 223.55, subject to market changes. For this review of NZXT N5 Z690 that was all, if you want to continue to know the latest news from the hardware world keep following us. Greetings from TechGameWorld.com.
Points against
- Only support DDR4
- Some details