Gigabyte Z690 Aero D vs Aero G Motherboard Comparison
In the Z690 Aero lineup for LGA 1700 socket, Gigabyte offers two motherboards: (Aero D) and (Aero G). Both of the motherboards possess enough potential to satisfy creators’ needs. In terms of specifications, there are a lot of similarities and differences as well. The Gigabyte Z690 Aero D costs more than the Aero G model but offers some important features for the same such as: Onboard Thunderbolt 4 ports, 10GBE LAN, WiFi 6E, better connectivity, etc. Check out the specifications comparison table below for Gigabyte Z690 Aero D vs Aero G motherboards.
Gigabyte Z690 Aero D vs Aero G – Specifications Comparison
| Z690 Aero D (Check Price) | Z690 Aero G (Check Price) | |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1700 | LGA1700 |
| Chipset | Intel Z690 Express Chipset | Intel Z690 Express Chipset |
| Form Factor | E-ATX | ATX |
| RAM | Support for DDR5 6400(O.C.) / 6200(O.C.) / 6000(O.C.) / 5800(O.C.) / 5600(O.C.) / 5400(O.C.) / 5200(O.C.) / 4800 / 4000 MHz memory modules 4 x DDR5 DIMM sockets supporting up to 128 GB (32 GB single DIMM capacity) of system memory Dual channel memory architecture Support for ECC Un-buffered DIMM 1Rx8/2Rx8 memory modules (operate in non-ECC mode) Support for non-ECC Un-buffered DIMM 1Rx8/2Rx8/1Rx16 memory modules Support for Extreme Memory Profile (XMP) memory modules | Support for DDR5 6000(O.C.) / 5800(O.C.) / 5600(O.C.) / 5400(O.C.) / 5200(O.C.) / 4800 / 4000 MHz memory modules 4 x DDR DIMM sockets supporting up to 128 GB (32 GB single DIMM capacity) of system memory Dual channel memory architecture Support for ECC Un-buffered DIMM 1Rx8/2Rx8 memory modules (operate in non-ECC mode) Support for non-ECC Un-buffered DIMM 1Rx8/2Rx8/1Rx16 memory modules Support for Extreme Memory Profile (XMP) memory modules |
| Audio | Realtek ALC4080 codec (Rear) Realtek ALC897 codec (Front) | Realtek ALC4080 codec |
| LAN | Marvell AQtion AQC113C 10GbE LAN chip (10 Gbps/5 Gbps/2.5 Gbps/ 1 Gbps/100 Mbps) (LAN2) Intel 2.5GbE LAN chip (2.5 Gbps/1 Gbps/100 Mbps) (LAN1) | Intel 2.5GbE LAN chip (2.5 Gbps/1 Gbps/100 Mbps) |
| Thunderbolt 4 | 2 x Thunderbolt 4 Ports (Onboard) | 2 x Thunderbolt add-in card connectors |
| Expansion Slots | 1 x PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, running at x16 (PCIEX16) 1 x PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, running at x8 (PCIEX8)* *The PCIEX8 slot shares bandwidth with the PCIEX16 slot. When the PCIEX8 slot is populated, the PCIEX16 slot operates at up to x8 mode. 1 x PCIe 3.0 x16 slot, running at x4 (PCIEX4) | 1 x PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, running at x16 (PCIEX16) 2 x PCIe 3.0 x16 slots, running at x4 (PCIEX4_1, PCIEX4_2) |
| WiFi | Intel WIFI 6E 802.11ax 2T2R | WIFI6 2×2 802.11ax 2T2R |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.2 |
| Multi-Graphics Technology | Support for AMD Quad-GPU CrossFire and 2-Way AMD CrossFire technologies | Support for AMD Quad-GPU CrossFire and 2-Way AMD CrossFire technologies |
| No. of M.2 Slots | 4 x NVMe PCIe 4.0 x4 | 4 x NVMe PCIe 4.0 x4 |
| Storage Interface | CPU: 1 x M.2 connector (Socket 3, M key, type 2260/2280/22110 PCIe 4.0 x4/x2 SSD support) (M2A_CPU) Chipset: 2 x M.2 connectors (Socket 3, M key, type 2260/2280/22110 PCIe 4.0 x4/x2 SSD support) (M2P_SB, M2Q_SB) 1 x M.2 connector (Socket 3, M key, type 2260/2280/22110 SATA and PCIe 4.0 x4/x2 SSD support) (M2M_SB) 6 x SATA 6Gb/s connectors | CPU: 1 x M.2 connector (Socket 3, M key, type 2260/2280/22110 PCIe 4.0 x4/x2 SSD support) (M2A_CPU) Chipset: 2 x M.2 connectors (Socket 3, M key, type 2260/2280/22110 PCIe 4.0 x4/x2 SSD support) (M2P_SB, M2Q_SB) 1 x M.2 connector (Socket 3, M key, type 2260/2280/22110 SATA and PCIe 4.0 x4/x2 SSD support) (M2M_SB) 6 x SATA 6Gb/s connectors |
| USB | Chipset+Intel Thunderbolt 4 Controller: 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C (Rear) Chipset: 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C (Header) 6 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports (red) (Rear) Chipset+USB 3.2 Gen 1 Hub: 4 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Header) Chipset+2 USB 2.0 Hubs: 6 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports (Header) | Chipset: 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 type-C (1 x Rear, 1x Header) 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C (Rear) 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A (red) (Rear) 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Header) 2 x USB 2.0/1.1 (Rear) Chipset+USB 3.2 Gen 1 Hub: 4 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Rear) Chipset+USB 2.0 Hub: 4 x USB 2.0/1.1 (Header) |
| Power Connectors | 1 x 24-pin ATX main power connector 1 x 8-pin ATX 12V power connector 1 x 4-pin ATX 12V power connector | 1 x 24-pin ATX main power connector 1 x 8-pin ATX 12V power connector 1 x 4-pin ATX 12V power connector |
| Fan Headers | 1 x CPU fan header 1 x water cooling CPU fan header 3 x system fan headers 3 x system fan/water cooling pump headers | 1 x CPU fan header 1 x water cooling CPU fan header 4 x system fan headers 2 x system fan/water cooling pump headers |
| LED Headers | 2 x addressable LED strip headers 2 x RGB LED strip headers | 2 x addressable LED strip headers 2 x RGB LED strip headers |
| Operating System | Support for Windows 11 64-bit Support for Windows 10 64-bit | Support for Windows 11 64-bit Support for Windows 10 64-bit |
| Price | Check current Price & Availability (Z690 Aero D) | Check current Price & Availability (Z690 Aero G) |
Most of the content creators in the current scenario go for motherboards with onboard Thunderbolt slots, this gives the Gigabyte Z690 Aero D an edge over Aero G. You can also equip incorporate Thunderbolt 4 slot in the Z690 Aero G via AIC (Check Price). Both of the motherboards support DDR5 RAM only but the Z690 Aero D boasts higher overclocking capabilities up to 6400 MHz compared to 6000 MHz of Aero G.
The Gigabyte Z690 Aero D comes with two PCIe 5.0 x16 slots. But note that only one slot operates at x16 whereas the other operates at x8. In case both of the slots are populated, then both of them will run at x8 mode. The Z590 Aero G on the other hand comes with only one PCIe 5.0 slot running at x16. You’ll also find PCIe 3.0 x16 slots in both motherboards where the Z690 Aero D equips one PCIe 3.0 x16 slot running at x4 and the Aero G features two same slots running at x4.
In terms of USB connectivity, the Z690 Aero D takes the lead again offering 6 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports on the back panel along with Thunderbolt 4 ports / 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C ports. On the back panel of Z690 Aero G, you’ll find one USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C port, one USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C port, two USB 2.0/1.1 ports, four USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports.
If you’re fine with the specifications of either of these motherboards, then the price will be the deciding factor:
| Gigabyte Z690 Aero D | Gigabyte Z690 Aero G | |
|---|---|---|
| Current Price & Availability | Check Price & Availability | Check Price & Availability |
