technically 6(USB C). but on all my desktops I have a hard time using more than 3, I think 5 USB-A is plenty. who doesn't use a hub not to much the front IO your case has.
Connect a mouse and keyboard, that's 2 ports taken up from the beginning.
Some other USB things I have plugged into my PC all the time:
Webcam Microphone SD card reader Scanner UPS (for status monitoring)
And some other things that I will plug in occasionally and leave connected for a while:
Flash drive Smartphone DAC (sound card) Video capture device Game controller
Having only 5 USB ports ports reeks of cost-cutting. Why should we be expected to use hubs when the Z690 chipset can power up to 14 USB ports? We should only see that few ports on a barebones motherboard using the cheapest chipset and removing all features to reach the absolute lowest price point.
Depends on materials used. If its mostly plastic then it won't do anything for RFI and may trap more heat than it sheds. There's no mention in this article about said material. I would prefer functionality and view coverings like these as added cost that is absent corresponding benefits. Fortunately, there are still a few motherboards that cater to people like me though I probably won't buy any of those either since its still not worth the cost or time when nearly any laptop running something as mundane as a C2D from 2009 is sufficient for basic compute tasks. Gaming happens on a $30 no-contract phone or a console which I highly suggest to the PC community as a much more cost effective alternative as a GPU's costs alone can buy said phone, console, and budget PC, leaving you with lots of money to purchase games for years while burning a lot less electrical energy for which we're still generally consuming fossil fuels to generate.
I realize you like to troll people here a lot but still... This is a hardware enthusiast site not grandmas love computer forums 😂 My FX 8350 still works fine for basic computer needs also. Heck I should just use my socket-A Athlon 1400 maybe? I'm pretty sure most people on this site need more CPU power than that. I could be wrong though 😜
This is exactly the right place to drop satire, sarcasm, and a little dash of pointing out the obvious to get people to buy less ewaste and throw away less energy. The fact that you're pulling out "need more CPU power" and making an accusation of trolling in an article about a gaming/entertainment product which is absolutely a want and not a need says a lot. Hopefully, others will get the message and maybe if word spreads a bit, we'll still have a livable planet in the future. But you do you and selfishly burn everything you can, I guess. Some people simply cannot be changed.
We’ve updated our terms. By continuing to use the site and/or by logging into your account, you agree to the Site’s updated Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Facebook
Twitter
RSS
16 Comments
Back to Article
DabuXian - Tuesday, September 27, 2022 - link
5 USB ports on a $300 mobo lolcyrusfox - Tuesday, September 27, 2022 - link
technically 6(USB C). but on all my desktops I have a hard time using more than 3, I think 5 USB-A is plenty. who doesn't use a hub not to much the front IO your case has.cyrusfox - Tuesday, September 27, 2022 - link
*not to mention, not to much...The Von Matrices - Tuesday, September 27, 2022 - link
Connect a mouse and keyboard, that's 2 ports taken up from the beginning.Some other USB things I have plugged into my PC all the time:
Webcam
Microphone
SD card reader
Scanner
UPS (for status monitoring)
And some other things that I will plug in occasionally and leave connected for a while:
Flash drive
Smartphone
DAC (sound card)
Video capture device
Game controller
Having only 5 USB ports ports reeks of cost-cutting. Why should we be expected to use hubs when the Z690 chipset can power up to 14 USB ports? We should only see that few ports on a barebones motherboard using the cheapest chipset and removing all features to reach the absolute lowest price point.
meacupla - Tuesday, September 27, 2022 - link
Are we even looking at the same thing? I am seeing 8 USB ports on the rear I/O.2x USB-A 2.0
5x USB-A 3.2
1x USB-C 3.2
Going to the NZXT product page, it even lists which USB ports have which configuration.
edzieba - Wednesday, September 28, 2022 - link
Yep, 8 rear connectors, plus another 7 on internal headers.FacePlants - Sunday, October 2, 2022 - link
You can't be looking at the same thing because the Anand article doesn't even show the rear I/Ocrimsonson - Monday, October 3, 2022 - link
If you click the gallery, they have more photos including the rear panel.zmeul - Tuesday, September 27, 2022 - link
another rebranded AsRock board with useless features .. why!?Duwelon - Tuesday, September 27, 2022 - link
Clean looks. Competition. What's not to like?Threska - Tuesday, September 27, 2022 - link
I could see the "armor" acting as a heat sink, structural reinforcement, and RFI reduction. Not to mention aesthetics.PeachNCream - Wednesday, September 28, 2022 - link
Depends on materials used. If its mostly plastic then it won't do anything for RFI and may trap more heat than it sheds. There's no mention in this article about said material. I would prefer functionality and view coverings like these as added cost that is absent corresponding benefits. Fortunately, there are still a few motherboards that cater to people like me though I probably won't buy any of those either since its still not worth the cost or time when nearly any laptop running something as mundane as a C2D from 2009 is sufficient for basic compute tasks. Gaming happens on a $30 no-contract phone or a console which I highly suggest to the PC community as a much more cost effective alternative as a GPU's costs alone can buy said phone, console, and budget PC, leaving you with lots of money to purchase games for years while burning a lot less electrical energy for which we're still generally consuming fossil fuels to generate.atragorn - Friday, September 30, 2022 - link
I realize you like to troll people here a lot but still...This is a hardware enthusiast site not grandmas love computer forums 😂
My FX 8350 still works fine for basic computer needs also. Heck I should just use my socket-A Athlon 1400 maybe?
I'm pretty sure most people on this site need more CPU power than that.
I could be wrong though 😜
PeachNCream - Friday, September 30, 2022 - link
This is exactly the right place to drop satire, sarcasm, and a little dash of pointing out the obvious to get people to buy less ewaste and throw away less energy. The fact that you're pulling out "need more CPU power" and making an accusation of trolling in an article about a gaming/entertainment product which is absolutely a want and not a need says a lot. Hopefully, others will get the message and maybe if word spreads a bit, we'll still have a livable planet in the future. But you do you and selfishly burn everything you can, I guess. Some people simply cannot be changed.shabby - Saturday, October 1, 2022 - link
Z690 wont support raptor lake?R7 - Saturday, October 1, 2022 - link
It will.