The manufacturer of computer components ASRock has shown a new series of motherboards with the Z790 chipset compatible with the Alder Lake (12th) and Raptor Lake (13th) generations of Intel processors. The company’s intention is to expand its catalog and adjust to more types of user profiles.
Among the new ASRock motherboards with the Z790 chipset there are models that support very high-speed network connections with Wi-Fi 7 and Ethernet over RJ45 at 5 gigabits per second. The combination results in products that are more oriented to mount high-end processors, although basically there should be no impediment to use, for example, the Core i3 series of Intel processors.
ASRock has expanded the Phantom Gaming line with the new motherboards, which will now be referenced that way instead of using its initials, PG, in order to make it easier to identify. Recently shown boards are the Z790 NOVA WiFi 7, Z790 RIPTIDE WiFi 7, and Z790 Lightning WiFi, all of which include powerful VRMs and heat dissipation solutions.
Although the ASRock Z790 Nova WiFi 7 It is oriented to support the most powerful processors of the last two generations of Intel Core, it does not belong to the standard line of Taichi, which represents the company’s ceiling at the range level to cost around $500 per unit. For its part, Z790 Nova WiFi 7 will be somewhat cheaper at US$300-400 (it is important to note that the amount will go up when it reaches the Eurozone) and features a 20+1+1 phase VRM design and with six M.2 slots, of which five are quad-lane PCIe Gen 4 (x4) and one quad-lane PCIe Gen 5.
For its part, the plate Phantom Gaming Z790 RIPTIDE Wi-Fi 7 It has the same connections at the network level as the Nova WiFi 7, wifi 7 for wireless connections and connection to Ethernet via RJ45 connector at 5 gigabits per second.
However, at the connection level, the Z790 RIPTIDE WiFi 7 is much more modest by making available a USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C on the front, two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A on the back, a USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-C on the rear, four USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A on the rear, two USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A on the front, two USB 2.0 Type-A on the rear, and four USB 2.0 Type-A At the front.
The Nova WiFi 7 makes available one USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C on the front, one USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C on the rear, four USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A on the rear, three USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A on the rear, four USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A on the front, two USB 2.0 Type-A on the rear, and four USB 2.0 Type-A on the front.
To end the Phantom Gaming line, the Z790 Lightning Wi-Fi It is a cheaper model that would have to move at a price of between 200 and 250 dollars, but with the “disadvantage” of implementing Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5Gbps Ethernet as network connections. Of course, it is very likely that these network connections, especially the second, are more than enough for the average user. At the level of USB connections there are more amount of USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A to the detriment of the other types.
ASRock has opened within the Taichi line, a so-called LITE basically composed of models of motherboards cut with Z790 or B650E chipset. At the design level, nothing should change since they use the same PCB as the “older” models, but the design has been modified with attenuated heat sinks and RGB Lightning lighting that has been reduced or eliminated. The result is that the LITE variants should cost about $100 less than the standard ones.
Another detail to take into account is that ASRock has indicated the possible commercialization of new Intel processors based on the LGA1700 socket, so the company will most likely provide the firmware updates required to provide compatibility to its already commercialized motherboards.
