Z690 Chipset Motherboards and Alder Lake CPU

[tonymacx86]

This is the Z690 Chipset Motherboards and Alder Lake CPU general compatibility thread. Please note these are just released and have no Intel Mac counterpart for compatibility.

For reference here are some links to parts on Amazon:

Intel Alder Lake CPUs:

Intel: Intel Processors

Discover the best Intel® Core™ processors for building a PC. Maximize your gaming experience, entertainment, and content creation with Intel.

amzn.to

Z690 Motherboards:

Amazon.com : z690 motherboards

 

[ori69]

I ordered. The processor will come 04.11.2021. But the motherboard is not known when. The only cooling that was available to Socket 1700 is Noctua. DDR5 I have not seen anywhere in Sales. That's why I ordered Gigabyte Z690 Gaming X DDR4.

 

[Jamesbond007]

I ordered. The processor will come 04.11.2021. But the motherboard is not known when. The only cooling that was available to Socket 1700 is Noctua. DDR5 I have not seen anywhere in Sales. That's why I ordered Gigabyte Z690 Gaming X DDR4.

What do you plan to use the new CPU and motherboard for?

I am sure at least some people will want to know if these so called "Alder Lake" CPUs and the corresponding motherboards will be able to run MacOS Monterey when they finally are available generally.

Add : But not me. I am pouring cold water on them. These CPUs and corresponding motherboards will not be supported on macOS. CPU integrated graphics most probably won't work. Even if they can be made to work with macOS Monterey, I expect lots of issues and loss of functionality. And there may be problems with various Mac applications. I am not interested in them and my money is better spent elsewhere.

 

[ori69]

What do you plan to use the new CPU and motherboard for?

I am sure at least some people will want to know if these so called "Alder Lake" CPUs and the corresponding motherboards will be able to run MacOS Monterey when they finally are available generally.

For music and film production. Only the X299 platform had such performance.

 

[djlild7hina]

Newegg accidentally shipped some early. Just got mine in but no RAM or motherboard yet. Still undecided.

 

[ori69]

Newegg accidentally shipped some early. Just got mine in but no RAM or motherboard yet. Still undecided.

I read about it. They apparently called people and asked for anyone not to talk about it.
Today, in one store I found a motherboard with delivery on 04.11.2021.

Which motherboard did you order?

 

[CaseySJ]

This may become my most watched and most anticipated thread in the short term! There’s a lot of interest in this topic.

We must, of course, respect Intel’s embargo until November 4 for any items that were shipped early.

P.S. DDR5 DIMMs are hard to find, but I see quite a few preorders for upcoming releases.

 

[ori69]

This may become my most watched and most anticipated thread in the short term! There’s a lot of interest in this topic.

We must, of course, respect Intel’s embargo until November 4 for any items that were shipped early.

P.S. DDR5 DIMMs are hard to find, but I see quite a few preorders for upcoming releases.

The good news is that Apple in the new MacBooks already used DDR5.

I hope that for 3 days I will get the equipment and start test it.
Do you have any suggestions?

 

[CaseySJ]

...
Do you have any suggestions?

Oh yes! Here are some initial questions:

• Does BIOS have an option to enable/disable E-cores?
• Some things to confirm:
  • Does BIOS still have option to enable/disable iGPU?
  • Does BIOS still have option to enable/disable Hyperthreads?
  • Does BIOS still have option to enable/disable CFG-Lock?

Fortunately the Gigabyte Z690 Gaming X DDR4 uses a Realtek 2.5GbE port instead of the problematic Intel I-225V.

I'm waiting for MSI to reveal their Z690 Meg Ace. I believe they have a launch event on the 4th.

 

[djlild7hina]

It's quite hard to find DDR5 memory, and I will most likely get the Corsair Dominator Platinums since this will be my gaming rig. The ASUS motherboard prices are crazy but I'm looking at the Maximus Z690 HERO? It'll be a while for me to get it up and running