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ASRock Z690 Taichi (DDR5) Motherboard Review

Features and Specifications

Features

  • Supports 12th Gen Intel® Core™ Processors (LGA1700)
  • 20 Phase SPS Dr.MOS Power Design
  • Supports DDR5 6400MHz (OC)
  • 2 PCIe 5.0 x16, 1 PCIe 4.0 x16, 1 PCIe 3.0 x1
  • Graphics Output Options: HDMI, 2 Thunderbolt™ Type-C
  • Realtek ALC1220 7.1 CH HD Audio Codec, ESS SABRE 9218 DAC, WIMA Audio Caps
  • 6 SATA3, 1 Independent SATA3
    2 Hyper M.2 (PCIe Gen4 x4)
    1 M.2 (PCIe Gen3 x2 & SATA3)
  • 2 Thunderbolt™ 4/USB4 Type-C
    1 USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Front Type-C
    2 Rear USB 3.2 Gen2 Type A
    8 USB 3.2 Gen1 (4 Rear, 4 Front)
    1 Independent USB 3.2 Gen1 Type A Port
  • Killer E3100 2.5G LAN, Intel® Gigabit LAN
  • Killer AX1675 802.11ax (WiFi 6E) + Bluetooth
  • Lightning Gaming Ports
  • ASRock Graphics Card Holder

 

Overview

“Taichi” represents the philosophical state of undifferentiated absolute and infinite potential. It’s ASRock’s biggest offering in the easy-to-use, rock-solidly stable line of motherboards that fulfills every task – with style!

 

 

Dr. MOS

Dr.MOS design features the latest SPS (Smart Power Stage) technology. It’s optimized for monitoring current and temperature of each phase, thus delivering smoother and neater power to the CPU with enhanced performance and OC capability.

DDR5 Memory with Protection Circuit

Reinforced DIMM Slot

The reinforced DIMM slot is surfaced mounted onto the motherboard to give better physical strength as well as a more stable memory signal, with this superior revolutionary design, it is able to dramatically overclock DRAM module up to insane frequency.

DIY Friendly Design

Due to the unique electrical architecture of DDR5 DIMM, there’s a high risk of damaging the memory module if AC power isn’t disconnected properly during removal or installation. To prevent this, ASRock has implemented a trouble free protection circuit on every DDR5 motherboard, lowers the risk of damaging your memory module.

20 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.

8 Layer PCB

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!

2oz Copper PCB

2 ounce copper inner layers that provide stable signal traces and power shapes! Delivering lower temperature and higher energy efficiency for overclocking.

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.

ASRock Graphics Card Holder

Install your heavy graphics card on the holder; connect it to your motherboard and chassis with screws. Flexibly slide up and down to perfectly adjust the height required for your graphics card in place.

KiLLER Networking

KiLLER E3100 + AX1675

The Killer Ethernet controller is designed specically 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.

KiLLER Doubleshot Pro

The Killer Ethernet controller is designed specically 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.

Benefits

● Speed: DoubleShot Pro Technology delivers the maximum speed and throughput possible for your computer by allowing your computer to use all of your network adapters at the same time.
● Intelligence: The Killer Prioritization Engine to automatically classify and prioritize high priority traffic like online games, streaming video, and high quality audio to be handled by the systems fastest network interface. This will provide users with a higher quality experience with fewer interruptions.
● Maximum Control: Utilize the Killer Control Center 2.0 to see and manage which network connection your applications are using. Set limits using Visual Bandwidth Control or shut them down completely with application blocking, so they don’t interfere with higher priority apps.

Thunderbolt Technology

Thunderbolt™ 4/USB4 Type-C

Thunderbolt™ 4/USB4 technology brings speed and versatility to the most advanced USB Type-C, offering a fast and simple level of connection for work or home. It enables lightning-fast data transfer up to 40Gbps and connects external monitors, Thunderbolt™, and USB devices with a single Thunderbolt 4 cable.

Fast Charging Technology

Enjoy the superfast charging rate, up to 9V@3A 27W with the next generation PD 3.0!

High Definition Sound Effects

ESS SABRE9218 DAC

Embrace the audio stunning performance with ES9218 SABRE DAC!
√ True Hi-Fi Audio. No distorted digital signal
√ 130dB SNR
√ 112dB THD+N and supports higher impedance up to 600 Ω headphone

WIMA Audio Cap

Optimized for high end audio applications! Deliver crystal and balanced sound to satisfy even the pickiest audiophile.

Nahimic Audio

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.

Independent SATA & USB Port

Protect your valuable data from hackers! ASRock has built in one SATA & USB port that is independent from others, once this feature is activated from BIOS setting, the independent SATA & USB port is cutoff from other ports to prevent malwares and ransomware from accessing.

Lightning Gaming Ports

Aimed for die hard gamers and enthusiasts! Lightning Gaming Ports are sourced from two different controller interfaces that assist gamers in connecting the high speed mice/keyboard with the lower jitter and latency!

POLYCHROME RGB

In addition to the built-in RGB illumination, it also 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.

Front USB 3.2 Gen2x2 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.

High Speed M.2 Solution

PCIe Gen4 x4 for SSD

This motherboard is capable of accomadating multiple M.2 storage devices, one of which can support PCI Express 4.0 M.2 SSD, it is capable of performing twice the speed compared to previous 3rd generation, giving a lightning fast data transferring experience.

Anti-Drop Screw

Tired of dropping screws or screws missing inside chassis?
The enhanced M.2 heatsink with anti-drop screw design that make sure installation process more easily.

BIOS Flashback

Get the most convenient BIOS flashing with just a simple click. Users can easily achieve the latest BIOS support with a USB and power supply, No CPU, RAM or other components required.

Flexible Integrated IO Shield

Get the most convenient BIOS flashing with just a simple click. Users can easily achieve the latest BIOS support with a USB and power supply, No CPU, RAM or other components required.

 

Specifications

  • Unique Feature
    ASRock USB 4.0
    – ASRock USB 4.0 Thunderbolt™ 4 Type-C Port (40 Gb/s for USB 4.0 protocol; 40Gb/s for Thunderbolt™ protocol)
    ASRock USB 3.2 Gen2
    – ASRock Front Panel Type-C USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Header (20 Gb/s)
    – ASRock USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A Port (10 Gb/s)
    ASRock Super Alloy
    – XXL Aluminum Alloy Heatsink
    – Premium Power Choke
    – 105A SPS (Smart Power Stage)
    – Premium Memory Alloy Choke (Reduces 70% core loss compared to iron power choke)
    – Nichicon 12K Black Caps (100% Japan made high quality conductive polymer capacitors)
    – I/O Armor
    – Matte Black PCB
    – High Density Glass Fabric PCB
    – 8 Layer PCB
    – 2oz Copper PCB
    Server-Grade Low-Loss PCB
    Killer 2.5G LAN
    802.11ax Wi-Fi 6E
    Killer DoubleShot™ Pro
    ASRock Auto Driver Installer
    ASRock Steel Slots
    ASRock Full Coverage M.2 Heatsink
    ASRock Hyper M.2 (PCIe Gen4x4)
    ASRock Ultra USB Power
    ASRock Full Spike Protection (for all USB, Audio, LAN Ports)
    ASRock Live Update & APP Shop
  • CPU
    – Supports 12th Gen Intel® Core™ Processors (LGA1700)
    – Digi Power design
    – 20 Power Phase design
    – Supports Intel® Hybrid Technology
    – Supports Intel® Turbo Boost Max 3.0 Technology
    – Supports ASRock Hyper BCLK Engine V
  • Chipset
    – Intel® Z690
  • Memory
    – Dual Channel DDR5 Memory Technology
    – 4 x DDR5 DIMM Slots
    – Supports DDR5 non-ECC, un-buffered memory up to 6400+(OC)*
    – Max. capacity of system memory: 128GB
    – Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Profile (XMP) 3.0
    – 15μ Gold Contact in DIMM Slots

    *Supports DDR5 4400 (1DPC) / 3600 (2DPC) natively.
  • BIOS
    – 256Mb AMI UEFI Legal BIOS with multilingual GUI support
    – ACPI 6.0 Compliant wake up events
    – SMBIOS 2.7 Support
    – CPU Core/Cache, CPU GT, DRAM, VCCIN_AUX, +1.8V PROC, +1.05V PROC, +0.82V PCH, +1.05V PCH Voltage Multi-adjustment
  • Graphics
    – Intel® Xe Graphics Architecture (Gen 12)
    – Three graphics output options: 1 x HDMI and 2 x Intel® Thunderbolt™ 4
    – Supports Triple Monitor
    – Supports Intel® Thunderbolt™ 4 with max. resolution up to 8K (7680×4320) @ 60Hz**
    – Supports HDMI 2.1 TMDS Compatible with max. resolution up to 4K x 2K (4096×2160) @ 60Hz
    – Supports HDCP 2.3 with HDMI 2.1 TMDS Compatible Port and Intel® Thunderbolt™ 4 Ports

    *Intel® UHD Graphics Built-in Visuals and the VGA outputs can be supported only with processors which are GPU integrated.

    **Supports two 4K displays or one 8K display

  • Audio
    – 7.1 CH HD Audio with Content Protection (Realtek ALC1220 Audio Codec)
    – Premium Blu-ray Audio support
    – Supports Surge Protection
    – WIMA Audio Capacitors (For Front Outputs)
    – ESS SABRE9218 DAC for Front Panel Audio (130dB SNR)
    – Pure Power-In
    – Direct Drive Technology
    – PCB Isolate Shielding
    – Impedance Sensing on Rear Out port
    – Individual PCB Layers for R/L Audio Channel
    – Gold Audio Jacks
    – 15μ Gold Audio Connector
    – Nahimic Audio
  • LAN
    1 x 2.5 Gigabit LAN 10/100/1000/2500 Mb/s (Killer E3100G)
    – Supports Killer LAN Software
    – Supports Killer DoubleShot™ Pro
    – Supports Wake-On-LAN
    – Supports Lightning/ESD Protection
    – Supports Energy Efficient Ethernet 802.3az
    – Supports PXE
    1 x Gigabit LAN 10/100/1000 Mb/s (Intel® I219V)
    – Supports Wake-On-LAN
    – Supports Lightning/ESD Protection
    – Supports Energy Efficient Ethernet 802.3az
    – Supports UEFI PXE
  • Wireless LAN
    – 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6E Module
    – Supports IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/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 + 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
    – 3 x PCIe x16 Slots (PCIE1/PCIE2/PCIE4: single at Gen5x16 (PCIE1); dual at Gen5x8 (PCIE1) / Gen5x8 (PCIE2); triple at Gen5x8 (PCIE1) / Gen5x8 (PCIE2) / Gen4x4 (PCIE4))*
    – 1 x PCIe Gen3x1 Slot
    – Supports AMD CrossFire™
    – 1 x M.2 Socket (Key E), supports type 2230 WiFi/BT PCIe WiFi module and Intel® CNVi (Integrated WiFi/BT)
    – 15μ Gold Contact in VGA PCIe Slots (PCIE1 and PCIE2)

    *Supports NVMe SSD as boot disks
  • Storage
    – 6 x SATA3 6.0 Gb/s Connectors
    – 1 x Independent SATA3 6.0 Gb/s Connector
    – 1 x Hyper M.2 Socket (M2_1, Key M), supports type 2280 PCIe Gen4x4 (64 Gb/s) mode*
    – 1 x Hyper M.2 Socket (M2_2, Key M), supports type 2242/2260/2280 PCIe Gen4x4 (64 Gb/s) mode*
    – 1 x M.2 Socket (M2_3, Key M), supports type 2230/2242/2260/2280 SATA3 6.0 Gb/s & PCIe Gen3x2 (16 Gb/s) modes*

    *Supports Intel® Optane™ Technology (M2_2 only)
    Supports Intel® Volume Management Device (VMD)
    Supports NVMe SSD as boot disks
    Supports ASRock U.2 Kit
  • RAID
    – Supports RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5 and RAID 10 for SATA storage devices
    – Supports RAID 0, RAID 1 and RAID 5 for M.2 NVMe storage devices
  • Connector
    – 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)***
    – 2 x CPU/Water Pump Fan Connectors (4-pin) (Smart Fan Speed Control)****
    – 4 x Chassis/Water Pump Fan Connectors (4-pin) (Smart Fan Speed Control)*****
    – 1 x VRM/Water Pump Fan Connector (4-pin)******
    – 1 x 24 pin ATX Power Connector (Hi-Density Power Connector)
    – 2 x 8 pin 12V Power Connectors (Hi-Density Power Connector)
    – 1 x Front Panel Audio Connector (15μ Gold Audio Connector)
    – 2 x USB 2.0 Headers (Support 3 USB 2.0 ports) (Supports ESD Protection)
    – 1 x Independent USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A Connector
    – 2 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Headers (Support 4 USB 3.2 Gen1 ports) (ASMedia ASM1074 hub) (Supports ESD Protection)
    – 1 x Front Panel Type C USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Header (20 Gb/s) (Supports ESD Protection)
    – 1 x Clear CMOS Button
    – 1 x Dr. Debug with LED
    – 1 x Power Button with LED
    – 1 x Reset Button with LED

    *Supports in total up to 12V/3A, 36W LED Strip

    **Support in total up to 5V/3A, 15W LED Strip

    ***The CPU Fan Connector supports the CPU fan of maximum 1A (12W) fan power.

    ****CPU_FAN2/WP_3A supports the water cooler fan of maximum 3A (36W) fan power.
    CPU_FAN3/WP supports the water cooler fan of maximum 2A (24W) fan power.

    *****The Chassis/Water Pump Fan supports the water cooler fan of maximum 2A (24W) fan power.

    ******The VRM/Water Pump Fan Connector supports the VRM fan of maximum 2A (24W) fan power.
    CPU_FAN2/WP_3A, CPU_FAN3/WP, VRM_FAN1/WP, 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 HDMI Port
    – 1 x Optical SPDIF Out Port
    – 2 x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A Ports (10 Gb/s) (ReDriver) (Supports ESD Protection)
    – 2 x USB 4.0 Thunderbolt™ 4 Type-C Ports (40 Gb/s for USB 4.0 protocol; 40Gb/s for Thunderbolt™ protocol) (Supports ESD Protection)*
    – 4 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A Ports (Supports ESD Protection)**
    – 2 x RJ-45 LAN Ports with LED (ACT/LINK LED and SPEED LED)
    – 1 x BIOS Flashback Button
    – HD Audio Jacks: Rear Speaker / Central / Bass / Line in / Front Speaker / Microphone (Gold Audio Jacks with LED)

    *Supports USB PD 3.0 up to 9V@3A (27W) / 5V@3A (15W) charging

    **USB3_2, USB3_3 and USB3_4 are from Intel® Z690; USB3_1 is from ASMedia ASM3042.
    USB3_1_2 are the Lightning Gaming Ports.
    Ultra USB Power is supported on USB3_3 port.
    ACPI wake-up function is not supported on USB3_3 port.

  • Software and UEFI
    Software
    – ASRock Motherboard Utility (A-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 Internet Flash
    – ASRock Easy RAID Installer

    *These utilities can be downloaded from ASRock Live Update & APP Shop.
  • Support CD
    – Drivers, Utilities, AntiVirus Software (Trial Version)
  • Accessories
    – Quick Installation Guide, Support CD
    – 4 x SATA Data Cables
    – 1 x Graphics Card Holder
    – 1 x Wireless Dongle USB Bracket
    – 1 x 3010 Cooling Fan with Bracket and Screw Package
    – 1 x 4010 Cooling Fan Bracket and Screw Package
    – 1 x ASRock WiFi 2.4/5/6 GHz Antenna
    – 3 x Screws for M.2 Sockets
    – 1 x Standoff for M.2 Socket
  • Hardware Monitor
    – Fan Tachometer: CPU, CPU/Water Pump, Chassis/Water Pump, VRM/Water Pump, MOS Fans
    – Quiet Fan (Auto adjust chassis fan speed by CPU temperature): CPU, CPU/Water Pump, Chassis/Water Pump, VRM/Water Pump, MOS Fans
    – Fan Multi-Speed Control: CPU, CPU/Water Pump, Chassis/Water Pump, VRM/Water Pump, MOS Fans
    – Voltage monitoring: +12V, +5V, +3.3V, CPU Vcore, +0.82V PCH, +1.05V PCH, +1.05V PROC, DRAM, VCCIN_AUX, VCCSA
  • Form Factor
    – ATX Form Factor: 12.0-in x 9.6-in, 30.5 cm x 24.4 cm
    – 8 Layer PCB
    – 2oz Copper PCB

More information on ASRock’s website.

 

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