NZXT N5 Z690 Review: Late to the Party, but Worth it?

NZXT N5 Z690 offers four M.2 sockets, Wi-Fi 6E and more for under $240.

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NZXT N5 Z690
(Image credit: © Tom's Hardware)

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 Firmware 

As we know, NZXT worked with ASRock to help develop this board, and it shows with the overall setup of the BIOS. Not much has changed from the Z590 version. Things looke the same with a black-and-purple color scheme, NZXT’s colors. Across the top are several headers, including Main, Overclocking, Advanced, Tool, PC Monitoring, and more. Editable fields are on the left, while descriptions of each selection are on the right. The colors used in the BIOS (black, white and purple) is easy to read and match the brand colors. Most options are found under the sub-heading(s), and you do not have to dig down to find commonly used features. That said, CPU, DRAM, and Voltage have their sections. We didn’t have any issues inside this BIOS.

Joe Shields
Joe Shields
Staff Writer, Components

Joe Shields is a staff writer at Tom’s Hardware. He reviews motherboards and PC components.

4 Comments Comment from the forums
  • Darkbreeze
    This is literally a board with no reason to exist. Another fine blunder by the folks at NZXT.
    Reply
  • Co BIY
    Darkbreeze said:
    This is literally a board with no reason to exist. Another fine blunder by the folks at NZXT.

    Why?

    If this had come out earlier when Adler Lake was fresh I think this would be a popular option. 4 M.2 and no money wasted on RGB.
    Reply
  • Co BIY
    Also - strong link to AnandTech for a board Tom's hasn't reviewed yet! Thanks.
    Reply
  • Darkbreeze
    Co BIY said:
    Why?

    Why? Because you can get a variety of motherboards that don't have these shortcomings,

    No USB 3.2 Gen2x2 (20 Gbps)
    Dated mid-range audio
    Hot running, paltry 50A MOSFETs

    for less than that board costs, and they not only look better but have additional options not found on that NZXT board.
    Reply