Upgrading the ASRock Z690M Phantom Gaming 4: RAM, SSD and CPU

Updated Oct. 27, 2026 · Written from this device's verified specifications

The ASRock Z690M Phantom Gaming 4 is a micro ATX board for 12th, 13th and 14th Gen Intel Core processors (LGA1700). It takes DDR4 memory, two M.2 SSDs and four SATA drives, so there is plenty of room to grow an existing build. Two things to know before you buy anything. First, don't confuse it with the full-size ATX Z690 Phantom Gaming 4: that board has extra PCIe and M.2 slots and parts lists for it may not match yours. Second, ASRock discontinued this board in August 2022, so anything you find is likely new-old-stock - check the warranty and return policy before buying. One warning about shop listings: some memory retailers claim "PCIe NVMe Gen 5.0" support for this board. That is generic boilerplate. The board has no PCIe 5.0 anywhere, so ignore those claims.

At a glance

  • 4 DDR4 DIMM slots, up to 128 GB total (32 GB per module)
  • Two M.2 slots, both PCIe Gen4 x4; 4 SATA3 ports for 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch drives
  • LGA1700 socket for 12th-14th Gen Intel Core; BIOS update may be needed for 13th/14th Gen
  • No WiFi included - the Key E 2230 slot is empty and needs a module plus antennas
4 x DDR4 DIMM (dual channel, up to 128 GB)4 × DDR4 DIMM · up to 128 GB total · 5333 MT/s
2 x M.2 (PCIe Gen4/NVMe) + 4 x SATA32 × DDR4 M.2 2242 / M.2 2280 (NVMe / SATA)
1 x LGA1700 (12th-14th Gen Intel Core)LGA1700 · Ryzen 7000
CPU · LGA17004 × DIMM · DDR4up to 128 GB total2 x M.2 (PCIe Gen4/NVMe) + 4 xSATA32 × DDR4 M.2 2242 / M.2 2280 (NVMe /SATA)
Schematic of the upgradeable slots (not to scale). Check the owner's manual for their exact positions.

Lifecycle and support

No longer sold new. The manufacturer hasn't published an end-of-support date.

2021202220232024202520262027Today11 · Release · Dec. 17, 202122 · End of sale · August 2022
Filled dots: dates published by the manufacturer. Hollow dots: estimates from third-party sources.
MilestoneDate
Release
First available to buy.		 Dec. 17, 2021 Estimate Third-party press coverage (4gamer/Guru3D announcement), not an ASRock statement; the 4gamer URL carries the exact date 2021-12-17
Source ↗
End of sale
No longer sold new by the manufacturer (Dell calls this 'End of Life', Lenovo 'Withdrawn').		 August 2022 Estimate Distributor (Ask Corp) EOL listing dated 2022/Aug, not an ASRock announcement
Source ↗

Dates not listed haven't been published by the manufacturer or a reliable third party.

RAM: DDR4 in four slots, up to 128 GB

There are four 288-pin DDR4 DIMM slots - desktop DIMMs, not the short laptop SO-DIMMs. Nothing is soldered, so all of it is upgradable. The maximum is 32 GB per module and 128 GB in total.

What fits:

- DDR4 unbuffered (non-registered) desktop DIMMs.
- Up to 32 GB per stick, 128 GB across four slots.

What to watch out for:

Dual channel needs identical modules in pairs: use two or four matched sticks. One or three sticks will work but run single channel, which costs you memory bandwidth.

Speed needs some care. The board runs DDR4-3200 natively. Faster kits - up to 5333 and beyond - are XMP overclocking results, not guarantees, and how far you get depends on your CPU's memory controller. If you want a fast kit, check ASRock's Memory QVL for the exact module list and enable XMP in the BIOS afterwards.

Server memory is out: registered and buffered DIMMs are not supported. ECC UDIMMs physically fit and will run, but in non-ECC mode, so don't pay extra for ECC expecting it to be active.

Buying tip: buy matched kits (2 or 4 identical modules) rather than mixing sticks, and favour DDR4-3200 for guaranteed out-of-the-box speed unless you are happy to tune XMP settings.

Buying tips

  • Buy matched kits of 2 or 4 identical modules to get dual channel
  • DDR4-3200 is the safe native speed; faster kits depend on the CPU and XMP
  • Desktop 288-pin DIMMs only - SO-DIMMs and registered server RAM won't fit
  • Check ASRock's Memory QVL for modules validated at high XMP speeds

Cheapest compatible right now

See all compatible parts and prices →

Storage: two M.2 slots and four SATA ports

You get two M.2 slots (both PCIe Gen4 x4, 64 Gb/s) plus four SATA3 ports for conventional 2.5-inch or 3.5-inch drives. The board defines no drive bays of its own, so how many SATA drives you can physically mount depends on your case. No per-drive capacity limit is documented, so current consumer SSD sizes should simply work. NVMe SSDs can be used as boot drives.

The two M.2 slots are not identical:

- M2_1 (attached to the CPU) takes 2242 or 2280 length drives and is NVMe only. The standoff comes set for 2280; if you buy a 2242 drive you must relocate the standoff before screwing the drive down.
- M2_2 (attached to the chipset) takes 2280 drives only, and it is the only slot that accepts a SATA M.2 SSD - a SATA M.2 drive will not work in M2_1. It is also the only confirmed slot for Intel Optane Memory H Series: ASRock's product page names M2_2 specifically, while the manual is vaguer and suggests Optane under both sockets. Treat M2_2 as the safe choice.

What to watch out for:

Both slots are Gen4 x4, so a PCIe 3.0 drive will work but will run at its own slower speed. There is no PCIe 5.0 support despite what some shop listings say. The small Key E 2230 slot is for a WiFi/Bluetooth module, not storage.

If you want RAID, SATA 0/1/5/10 and NVMe 0/1/5 are supported, but NVMe RAID 5 needs an extra M.2 expansion card according to ASRock's product page. Also check the manual for any SATA port sharing conflicts in your BIOS version before you plan a mixed M.2 plus SATA setup.

Buying tip: for the main drive, pick any NVMe Gen4 2280 SSD - that fits either slot. Only buy a SATA M.2 drive if you plan to put it in M2_2, and only buy 2242 if you are willing to move the standoff.

Buying tips

  • Any NVMe Gen4 2280 SSD fits either M.2 slot
  • SATA M.2 drives must go in M2_2; M2_1 is NVMe only
  • 2242 drives fit M2_1 only after moving the standoff
  • Ignore "PCIe 5.0 NVMe" claims on shop pages - this board tops out at Gen4
  • The Key E 2230 slot is for WiFi/BT, not storage

CPU: LGA1700, 12th to 14th Gen Intel Core

The processor sits in a socketed LGA1700 socket with a retention plate, so it is replaceable. ASRock supports 12th Gen (Alder Lake) and also 13th/14th Gen (Raptor Lake) Core chips, with Intel Hybrid Technology and Turbo Boost Max 3.0. This is an Intel socket only - AMD processors do not fit.

What to watch out for:

Early boards need a BIOS update before a 13th or 14th Gen CPU will work. That means you may have to install a 12th Gen chip first (or have the seller update the board) to flash the BIOS. Check ASRock's CPU Support List for your exact CPU and the BIOS version it requires before buying.

Power is the other limit. The board uses a 7-phase Dr.MOS design and ASRock publishes no official maximum CPU TDP. It runs 125 W K-series parts, which are on ASRock's support list, but sustained all-core loads on i9-13900K or 14900K-class chips will stress the voltage circuitry. For a high-end chip, plan on strong cooling and expect it to be working hard under long loads.

Before installation, check the socket's protective PnP cap and look for bent pins; the socket pins are delicate and damage is not covered.

Buying tip: match the CPU to ASRock's CPU Support List and your BIOS version first, and weigh a mid-range chip over an i9 unless you specifically need top-end multi-core performance.

Buying tips

  • Verify ASRock's CPU Support List for your BIOS version before ordering
  • You may need a BIOS update before a 13th/14th Gen chip will post
  • 125 W K-series parts are supported; the board has no published TDP ceiling
  • Inspect the socket cap and pins carefully before fitting a CPU

How to upgrade

Before you start

  • Back up anything important - storage upgrades and BIOS updates carry a small risk.
  • Shut down, switch the PSU off and unplug the power cable.
  • Ground yourself to avoid static damage to the board and parts.
  • Open the case; for exact disassembly and mounting details, follow the owner's manual.
  • Install the part (seat RAM modules firmly, secure M.2 drives with the screw, lock the CPU under its retention plate).
  • Close the case and reconnect power.
  • Start the PC and confirm the BIOS/firmware sees the new part - check total RAM, the drive in the boot list, and the CPU model and BIOS version. Enable XMP if you bought fast RAM.

Good to know

  • The board was discontinued in August 2022, so stock is new-old-stock - check warranty terms.
  • Don't confuse this micro ATX board with the full-size ATX Z690 Phantom Gaming 4, which has more PCIe and M.2 slots.
  • No official maximum CPU TDP is published; treat very high-end CPUs as a stress point for the 7-phase power design.
  • Source listings disagree slightly on Optane: ASRock's product page names M2_2 only, while the manual suggests both M.2 sockets. M2_2 is the only confirmed Optane-capable slot.

Frequently asked questions

How much RAM can the ASRock Z690M Phantom Gaming 4 take?

Up to 128 GB total, using four DDR4 DIMMs of up to 32 GB each. Use two or four identical modules to get dual channel; one or three sticks run single channel.

Does it support DDR5?

No. The board has four DDR4 DIMM slots only. Retailers list DDR4 kits at 3200 up to 5333, but anything above DDR4-3200 is an XMP overclock and depends on your CPU's memory controller - check ASRock's Memory QVL.

Does it support PCIe 5.0 SSDs?

No. Both M.2 slots are PCIe Gen4 x4. Shop listings that mention "PCIe NVMe Gen 5.0" for this board are generic text and are wrong - the board has no PCIe 5.0 at all.

Can I install a 13th or 14th Gen Intel CPU?

Yes, but early boards need a BIOS update first. Check ASRock's CPU Support List for the exact BIOS version your chip needs before buying. The board takes 12th-14th Gen Intel Core processors in its LGA1700 socket; AMD chips will not fit.

Does it have WiFi built in?

No. The Key E 2230 slot is empty. You can add your own WiFi/Bluetooth module, but you will also need antennas.

Can I use ECC or server memory?

Registered and buffered server DIMMs are not supported. ECC UDIMMs physically fit and will run, but in non-ECC mode, so ECC will not be active.

Official documents and references

This guide was written with AI assistance from the compatibility data PartsPrices verified against the manufacturer's documents. Always check your exact model and the owner's manual before buying or opening your computer.