29.03.2024

ASRock Z390 Taichi Preview

Are you tired of reviewers and tech personalities like myself going on and on about how Coffee Lake changed the game and how great six cores and twelve threads are, and the joyous end of the long reign of the quad core?

Does this introduction seem strangely familiar, as if you had just read it this morning? If so, thanks for coming back. If not, welcome; this is the second preview for the launch of the Z390 chipset, so if you like it, please check out my MEG Z390 GODLIKE preview as well.

The embargo on the 9th Generation Core processors from Intel is still in effect, so as with earlier today, this preview will focus on the Z390 chipset, and the ASRock Z390 Taichi in particular. I’ll briefly touch on the changes again just in case you missed the earlier article (you read everything I write the minute it comes out, right?). First, USB 3.1 Gen 2 is now natively supported, where on Z370, motherboard manufacturers had to use third-party storage controllers. The second major change is CNVi support. CNVi is Intel’s high speed wireless solution; the 2×2 802.11ac connection boasts up to 1.73 Gb/s throughput. The Z390 chipset is compatible with 8th Gen Core processors as well.

The ASRock Z390 Taichi is a mainstream board positioned just below the ASRock Z390 Taichi Ultimate in ASRock’s lineup. The board boasts a full coverage M.2 heatsink, dual Gigabit LAN, and ASRock’s Hyper BCLK Engine II. Not only are there three M.2 slots, but a full eight SATA 6 Gb/s ports, of which two ports are powered by an additional ASMedia controller. The ASRock Z390 Taichi follows the tried and true design path ASRock has had such success with over the last few generations: a theme of cogs and gears with a neutral color tone. The ASRock Z390 Taichi has seen some minor, but important tweaks. Can one of the best board families on the market get even better?

ASRock Z390 Taichi Preview

Specifications

Specifications
CPU Support: Intel Core 9000 series and 8th Gen Intel Core
Power Design: CPU Power: 12 phase
Memory Power: 2 phase
Chipset: Intel Z390
Integrated Graphics: Dependent on installed CPU
Memory: 4x DIMM, Support Dual Channel DDR4-4200+(OC) MHz
BIOS: Dual AMI UEFI BIOS
Expansion Slots: 3x PCIe 3.0 x16 slots (x16/x0/x0 or x8/x8/x0 or x8/x4/x4)
2x PCIe 3.0 x1 slots
Storage: 8x SATA 6 Gb/s port
3x M.2 port (SATA3/PCIe 3.0 x4)
Networking: 1x Intel I219V
1x Intel I211AT
1x Intel 802.11ac Wi-Fi
Rear Ports: 2x Antenna ports
1x HDMI port
1x Optical SPDIF out port
2x LAN (RJ45) ports
1x USB 3.1 (Gen2) Type-C port
3x USB 3.1 (Gen2) Type-A port
4x USB 3.1 (Gen1) ports
1x Clear CMOS button
1x DisplayPort 1.2
5x 3.5 mm Audio jacks
1x PS/2 Mouse/Keyboard combo port
Audio: 1x Realtek ALC1220 Codec
Fan Headers: 8x 4-pin
Form Factor: ATX Form Factor: 12.0 in x 9.6 in, 30.5 cm x 24.4 cm
Exclusive Features:
  • Triple Ultra M.2
  • Full coverage M.2 Heatsink
  • Intel Wi-Fi 802.11ac
  • PCIe steel slots
  • Front USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-C
  • Dual Intel Gigabit LAN
  • Polychrome RGB
  • Super Alloy
  • Purity Sound 4
  • Hyper BCLK Engine II
  • USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-A and Type-C
  • Supports Nvidia SLI
  • Supports AMD Quad CrossFire

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