ASRock Z790 PG Lightning WiFi Motherboard Review

Features and Specifications

Features

• Supports 14^th, 13^th & 12^th Gen Intel^® Core™ Processors (LGA1700)
• 16+1+1 Power Phase, Dr.MOS for VCore+GT,
  8-Layer PCB
• Supports DDR5 7600+ (OC)
• 1 PCIe 5.0 x16, 1 PCIe 4.0 x16, 2 PCIe 3.0 x1
• Graphics Output Options: 1 HDMI, 1 eDP
• Realtek ALC897 7.1 CH HD Audio Codec,
  Nahimic Audio
• 6 SATA3, 3 Hyper M.2 (PCIe Gen4 x4)
• 1 USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C (Rear)
  2 USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A (Rear)
  1 USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-C (Front)
  8 USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A (4 Rear, 4 Front)
• Intel^® Killer 2.5G LAN
• Killer 802.11ax WiFi 6E + Bluetooth
• Supports ASRock Auto Driver Installer, Toolless Multi-Layer M.2 Heatsink

Overview

Phantom Gaming is designed by gamers and for gamers! Underneath its relentless appearance lie plentiful gaming oriented features and excellent gaming capabilities. It’s all about bringing a new gaming experience to gamers!

16+1+1 Power Phase Design

Featuring sturdy components and completely smooth power delivery to the CPU. Plus, it offers unmatched overclocking capabilities and enhanced performance with the lowest temperature for advanced gamers as well.

Dr.MOS

Dr.MOS is the integrated power stage solution which is optimized for synchronous buck-set down voltage applications! Compared to traditional discrete MOSFETs, it intelligently delivers higher current for each phase, thus providing improved thermal result and superior performance.

Hi-Density Power Connector

CPU overclocking requires higher current, ASRock Hi-Density Power connectors is able to withstand current higher traditional CPU 8-pin and ATX 24-pin connector, giving a more stable system as well as lowering the risk of fire under heavy overclocking.

CPU Indicator

Tune your computer quickly with ASRock CPU Indicator. It rates your CPU by assigning points based on its performance and capabilities, helping users optimize overclocking settings for enhanced performance.

8 Layer PCB design

The 8 Layer PCB provides stable signal traces and power shapes delivering lower temperature and higher energy efficiency for memory overclocking! Thus, it’s able to support the latest memory modules with most extreme memory performance!

DDR5 EXPO & XMP Support

Server Grade Low Loss PCB

The server grade low loss PCB improves signal integrity, allowing motherboard to support PCIe 5.0 for both graphics card and M.2 SSD, it also improves memory OC potential to deliver the most extreme memory performance.

PCIe 5.0 + Surface-Mount Tech

Compares to conventional DIP style PCIe slot, the SMT type PCIe slot improves signal flow and maximize stability under high speed, a key breakthrough to fully support the lighting speed of the latest PCIe 5.0 standard.

The latest PCI Express 5.0 is capable to perform a breathtaking bandwidth of 128GBps, ready to unleash the full potential of future high end graphic cards.

High Speed M.2 Solution – Hyper M.2 Gen4x4

Supports PCI Express 4.0 M.2 SSDs, it is capable of perform twice the speed compared to previous 3rd generation, giving a lightning fast data transferring experience.

Aluminium Heatsink

The first thing that catches the eye is the optimized Aluminum Heatsink Design. Heatsinks are crucial for efficient heat dissipation, especially during heavy workloads like gaming or productivity tasks. Motherboard that built with heatsinks can effectively manage thermal performance, hence ensure system stability and durability effortlessly.

KiLLER E3100

The Killer Ethernet controller is designed specially for competitive gamers and performance-hungry users, this motherboard comes with both Killer E3100 2.5G Ethernet & WiFi 6E solution, the enhanced detection and prioritization engine provides the ultimate networking experience for gaming and multimedia applications.

USB 3.2 Gen2x2 20Gbps Type-C

The latest USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C delivers up to 20 Gbps data transfer rate which is 2x as fast as previous generation, providing a blazing fast data transfer interface with reversible USB Type-C design that fits the connector either way.

Front USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-C

Front USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-C header delivers up to 5 Gbps data transfer rate and next generation reversible USB design to the front panel of computer case.

Nahimic Audio by Steelseries

Whether you are using headphones, a headset, external or internal speakers, via USB, Wi-Fi, analog output or even HDMI, Nahimic Audio offers you the most engaging listening experience, vibrant and rich with details.

POLYCHROME RGB

This motherboard features onboard RGB headers and an addressable RGB header that allow motherboard to be connected to compatible LED devices such as strip, CPU fans, coolers, chassis and so on. Users may also synchronize RGB LED devices across the Polychrome RGB Sync-certified accessories to create their own unique lighting effects.

Specifications

• Unique Feature
  Superb Productivity
  – PCIe Gen5 (Graphics)
  – Dual Channel DDR5
  Rock-Solid Durability
  – 16+1+1 Power Phase, 50A Dr.MOS for VCore+GT with Enlarged Heatsink Armor
  – Flexible Pre-Installed I/O Shield
  Ultrafast Connectivity
  – Killer 2.5G LAN, Killer
  802.11ax Wi-Fi 6E Module
  – Killer DoubleShot™ Pro
  EZ Update
  – ASRock Auto Driver Installer
  EZ Troubleshooter
  – ASRock Post Status Checker
• CPU
  – Supports 14^th, 13^th & 12^th Gen Intel^® Core™ Processors (LGA1700)
  – Supports Intel^® Hybrid Technology
  – Supports Intel^® Turbo Boost Max 3.0 Technology
  – Supports Intel^® Thermal Velocity Boost (TVB)
  – Supports Intel^® Adaptive Boost Technology (ABT)
• Chipset
  – Intel^® Z790
• Memory
  – Dual Channel DDR5 Memory Technology
  – 4 x DDR5 DIMM Slots
  – Supports DDR5 non-ECC, un-buffered memory up to 7600+(OC)*
  – Max. capacity of system memory: 192GB
  – Supports Intel^® Extreme Memory Profile (XMP) 3.0

  * 1DPC 1R Up to 7600+ MHz (OC), 4800 MHz Natively. 1DPC 2R Up to 6800+ MHz (OC), 4400 MHz Natively. 2DPC 1R Up to 6000+ MHz (OC), 4000 MHz Natively. 2DPC 2R Up to 5200+ MHz (OC), 3600 MHz Natively.
• BIOS
  – 128Mb AMI UEFI Legal BIOS with GUI support
• Graphics
  – Intel^® Xe Graphics Architecture (Gen 12)
  – 1 x eDP 1.4, supports max. resolution up to Full HD 60Hz
  – 1 x HDMI 2.1 TMDS Compatible, supports HDCP 2.3 and max. resolution up to 4K 60Hz

  * Intel^® UHD Graphics Built-in Visuals and the VGA outputs can be supported only with processors which are GPU integrated.
• Audio
  – 7.1 CH HD Audio (Realtek ALC897 Audio Codec)
  – Nahimic Audio
• LAN
  – 2.5 Gigabit LAN 10/100/1000/2500 Mb/s
  – Killer E3100G
  – Supports Killer LAN Software
  – Supports Killer DoubleShot™ Pro
• Wireless LAN
  – 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6E Module
  – Supports IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax
  – Supports Dual-Band 2×2 160MHz with extended 6GHz band support*
  – 2 antennas to support 2 (Transmit) x 2 (Receive) diversity technology
  – Supports Bluetooth 5.3 + High speed class II
  – Supports MU-MIMO
  – Supports Killer LAN Software
  – Supports Killer DoubleShot™ Pro

  * Wi-Fi 6E (6GHz band) will be supported by Microsoft^® Windows^® 11. The availability will depend on the different regulation status of each country and region. It will be activated (for supported countries) through Windows^® Update and software updates once available.
  A 6GHz compatible router is required for 6E functionality.
• Slots
  CPU:
  – 1 x PCIe 5.0 x16 Slot (PCIE1), supports x16 mode*
  Chipset:
  – 1 x PCIe 4.0 x16 Slot (PCIE4), supports x4 mode*
  – 2 x PCIe 3.0 x1 Slots (PCIE2 and PCIE3)*
  – 1 x M.2 Socket (Key E), supports type 2230 WiFi/BT PCIe WiFi module and Intel^® CNVio/CNVio2 (Integrated WiFi/BT)*
  – Supports AMD CrossFire™

  * Supports NVMe SSD as boot disks
• Storage
  CPU:
  – 1 x Hyper M.2 Socket (M2_1, Key M), supports type 2260/2280 PCIe Gen4x4 (64 Gb/s) mode*
  Chipset:
  – 1 x Hyper M.2 Socket (M2_2, Key M), supports type 2260/2280 PCIe Gen4x4 (64 Gb/s) mode*
  – 1 x Hyper M.2 Socket (M2_3, Key M), supports type 2260/2280 PCIe Gen4x4 (64 Gb/s) mode*
  – 6 x SATA3 6.0 Gb/s Connectors

  * Supports Intel^® Volume Management Device (VMD)
  Supports NVMe SSD as boot disks
• RAID
  – Supports RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5 and RAID 10 for SATA storage devices
  – Supports RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5 and RAID 10 for M.2 NVMe storage devices
• USB
  – 1 x USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C (Rear)
  – 2 x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A (Rear)
  – 1 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-C (Front)
  – 8 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A (4 Rear, 4 Front)
  – 3 x USB 2.0 (1 Rear, 2 Front)

  * All USB ports support ESD Protection
• Connector
  – 1 x eDP Signal Connector
  – 1 x Thermistor Cable Header
  – 1 x SPI TPM Header
  – 1 x Power LED and Speaker Header
  – 1 x RGB LED Header*
  – 3 x Addressable LED Headers**
  – 1 x CPU Fan Connector (4-pin)***
  – 1 x CPU/Water Pump Fan Connector (4-pin) (Smart Fan Speed Control)****
  – 1 x Chassis Fan Connector (4-pin)*****
  – 4 x Chassis/Water Pump Fan Connectors (4-pin) (Smart Fan Speed Control)******
  – 1 x 24 pin ATX Power Connector
  – 2 x 8 pin 12V Power Connectors (Hi-Density Power Connector)
  – 1 x Front Panel Audio Connector
  – 1 x Thunderbolt™ AIC Connector (5-pin) (Supports ASRock Thunderbolt™ 4 AIC Card)
  – 1 x USB 2.0 Header (Supports 2 USB 2.0 ports)
  – 2 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Headers (Support 4 USB 3.2 Gen1 ports)
  – 1 x Front Panel Type C USB 3.2 Gen1 Header

  * Supports in total up to 12V/3A, 36W LED Strip
  ** Support in total up to 5V/3A, 15W LED Strip
  *** CPU_FAN1 supports the fan power up to 1A (12W).
  **** CPU_FAN2/WP supports the fan power up to 2A (24W).
  ***** CHA_FAN5 supports the fan power up to 1A (12W).
  ****** CHA_FAN1~4/WP support the fan power up to 2A (24W).
  CPU_FAN2/WP and CHA_FAN1~4/WP can auto detect if 3-pin or 4-pin fan is in use.
• Rear Panel I/O
  – 2 x Antenna Ports
  – 1 x PS/2 Mouse/Keyboard Port
  – 1 x HDMI Port
  – 2 x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A Ports (10 Gb/s)
  – 1 x USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C Port (20 Gb/s)
  – 4 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Ports
  – 1 x USB 2.0 Port
  – 1 x RJ-45 LAN Port
  – HD Audio Jacks: Line in / Front Speaker / Microphone
• Software and UEFI
  Software
  – ASRock Motherboard Utility (Phantom Gaming Tuning)
  – Killer Control Center
  – ASRock Polychrome SYNC*
  UEFI
  – ASRock EZ Mode
  – ASRock Full HD UEFI
  – ASRock My Favorites in UEFI
  – ASRock Auto Driver Installer
  – ASRock Instant Flash
  – ASRock Easy RAID Installer

  *These utilities can be downloaded from ASRock Live Update & APP Shop.
• Accessories
  – 1 x User Manual
  – 2 x SATA Data Cables
  – 2 x ASRock WiFi 2.4/5/6 GHz Antennas
  – 1 x ARGB Splitter Cable
  – 1 x Thermistor Cable
  – 1 x Screw for M.2 Socket
  – 1 x Standoff for M.2 Socket
• Form Factor
  – ATX Form Factor: 12.0-in x 9.6-in, 30.5 cm x 24.4 cm
  – 8 Layer PCB

More information on ASRock’s website.