ASRock Z790 PG Riptide WiFi Motherboard Review

Features and Specifications

Features

• Supports 14^th, 13^th & 12^th Gen Intel^® Core™ Processors (LGA1700)
• 16+1+1 Power Phase, SPS for VCore+GT, 8-Layer PCB
• 4 x DDR5 DIMMs, supports up to 8000+(OC)
• 1 PCIe 5.0 x16, 1 PCIe 4.0 x16, 1 PCIe 3.0 x1
• Graphics Output Options: 1 HDMI, 1 DisplayPort, 1 eDP
• Realtek ALC1220 7.1 CH HD Audio Codec,
  Nahimic Audio
• 8 SATA3, 1 Blazing M.2 (PCIe Gen5 x4),
  4 Hyper M.2 (PCIe Gen4 x4)
• 1 USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C (Front)
  2 USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A (Rear)
  1 USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-C (Rear)
  6 USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A (4 Rear, 2 Front)
• Intel^® Killer 2.5G LAN
• 802.11be WiFi 7 + Bluetooth
• Supports ASRock Lightning Gaming Ports,
  Toolless Multi-Layer M.2 Heatsink

Overview

Riptide is named after a specific kind of water current with strong waves that occurs in the ocean, representing the philosophy of sea’s double-side, calm and unlimited strength. Built around powerful gaming-related features, the Riptide has given a powerful smash and immersed users in the sense of stability.

20K Capacitor

20K black capacitors with lifespans of at least 20,000 hours, provides even longer component durability compares with normal capacitors, extending MTBF to give better system stability.

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.

SPS (Smart Power Stage)

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.

Hi-Density Power Connector

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.

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, ensures a reliable and long-lasting system while delivering ultimate performance without any compromise.

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 – PCIE Gen5 Blazing M.2

The Blazing M.2 accommodates the latest PCI Express 5.0 standard to perform twice the bandwidth compared to previous generation, with a breathtaking 128GB/s transfer speed, it is ready to unleash the full potential of future ultrafast SSDs.

XXL M.2 Heatsink

The extra large aluminum alloy M.2 heatsink effectively improves heat dissipation to keep those high speed M.2 SSDs as cool as possible, it is able to give better stability while maintaining top performance.

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.

Intelligent Cooling Design – 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 E3100 2.5 Gbps Ethernet controller is designed specially for competitive gamers and performance-hungry users. The enhanced detection and prioritization engine provides the ultimate networking experience for gaming and multimedia applications.

Wi-Fi 7 802.11be

Latest WiFi 7 technology delivers extreme wireless internet speeds and low latency, with higher throughput and Multi-RU as well as puncturing technology. The new WiFi 7(802.11be) technology is able to accelerate cloud-based gaming, 8K video streaming, and video conferencing.

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.

Dual USB 3.2 Gen2 Ports

This motherboard has a pair of onboard Type-A USB 3.2 Gen2 ports built on the rear i/o for supporting next generation USB 3.2 Gen2 devices and to deliver up to 10 Gbps data transfer rates.

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!

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, M.2)
  – Dual Channel DDR5
  Rock-Solid Durability
  – Server-Grade Low-Loss PCB
  – 16+1+1 Power Phase, 90A SPS for VCore+GT with Enlarged Heatsink Armor
  – Flexible Integrated I/O Shield
  – 20K Long-lasting Black Caps (high quality and conductive polymer capacitors)
  Ultrafast Connectivity
  – Killer 2.5G LAN, 802.11be Wi-Fi 7 Module
  – ASRock Lightning Gaming Ports
  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 8000+(OC)*
  – Max. capacity of system memory: 192GB
  – Supports Intel^® Extreme Memory Profile (XMP) 3.0

  * 1DPC 1R Up to 8000+ 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 5600+ 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
  – 1 x DisplayPort 1.4 with DSC (compressed), supports HDCP 2.3 and max. resolution up to 8K 60Hz / 5K 120Hz

  * 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 with Content Protection (Realtek ALC1220 Audio Codec)
  – Impedance Sensing on Rear Out port
  – Individual PCB Layers for R/L Audio Channel
  – Nahimic Audio
• LAN
  – 2.5 Gigabit LAN 10/100/1000/2500 Mb/s
  – Killer E3100G
  – Supports Killer LAN Software
• Wireless LAN
  – 802.11be 2×2 Wi-Fi 7 Module
  – Supports IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be
  – Supports 2.4GHz/5GHz/6GHz* frequency band
  – Supports 320MHz channel bandwidth with 6GHz* frequency band
  – 1 antenna to support 2 (Transmit) x 2 (Receive) diversity technology
  – Supports Bluetooth 5.4
  – Supports MU-MIMO

  *Wi-Fi 7 (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 7 functionality.
• Slots
  CPU:
  – 1 x PCIe 5.0 x16 Slot (PCIE1), supports x16 mode*
  Chipset:
  – 1 x PCIe 4.0 x16 Slot (PCIE2), supports x4 mode*
  – 1 x PCIe 3.0 x1 Slot (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
  If M.2_GEN5 is occupied, PCIE1 will downgrade to x8 mode.
• Storage
  CPU:
  – 1 x Blazing M.2 Socket (M.2_GEN5, Key M), supports type 2280 PCIe Gen5x4 (128 Gb/s) mode*
  – 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*
  – 1 x Hyper M.2 Socket (M2_4, Key M), supports type 2260/2280 PCIe Gen4x4 (64 Gb/s) mode*
  – 8 x SATA3 6.0 Gb/s Connectors

  * Supports Intel^® Volume Management Device (VMD)
  Supports NVMe SSD as boot disks
  If M.2_GEN5 is occupied, PCIE1 will downgrade to x8 mode.
• RAID
  – Supports RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5 and RAID 10 for SATA storage devices
  – Supports RAID 0, RAID 1 and RAID 5 and RAID 10 for M.2 NVMe storage devices
• USB
  – 1 x USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C (Front)
  – 2 x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A (Rear)
  – 1 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-C (Rear)
  – 6 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A (4 Rear, 2 Front)
  – 6 x USB 2.0 (2 Rear, 4 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)
  – 2 x USB 2.0 Headers (Support 4 USB 2.0 ports)
  – 1 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Header (Supports 2 USB 3.2 Gen1 ports)
  – 1 x Front Panel Type C USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Header (20 Gb/s)

  * 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 Mounting Points
  – 1 x HDMI Port
  – 1 x DisplayPort 1.4
  – 2 x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A Ports (10 Gb/s)
  – 1 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-C Port
  – 4 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A Ports (USB32_56 are Lightning Gaming Ports.)
  – 2 x USB 2.0 Ports
  – 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
  – 1 x ASRock WiFi 2.4/5/6 GHz Antenna
  – 1 x ARGB Splitter Cable
  – 1 x Thermistor Cable
• 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.