ASRock X570 Extreme4 Review

Cons

• Lack of hardware-based overclocking features. M.2 slots can be tricky to access once PC is built out.

For users looking to build out a new PC with AMD’s latest third-generation Ryzen processors, the AMD X570 is the only chipset in town that lets you leverage all of the new platform’s features. Asrock’s X570 Extreme4, to its credit, does it without collapsing into too-typical mobo overkill. This ATX-form-factor AM4 motherboard follows in the tradition of Asrock’s prior Extreme4 products for gamers and overclockers. It targets the space between high-end and midrange X570 motherboards, with a feature set that veers toward the former while costing much less than an elite tweaker board. Will it seduce you away from a flagship motherboard? Most shoppers will find the X570 Extreme4 a healthy balance, and the savings might let you buy that extra 16GB RAM kit, or step up your graphics card or Ryzen CPU, versus investing in a much pricier “overclocker special.”

Style and Temperature Control

This motherboard stands out from the multitude of black motherboards currently available, as it incorporates blue and grey accents alongside the standard black PCB. Additionally, it is equipped with steel plating on the rear I/O shroud, covering the chipset, and extending over one of the M.2 slots. This design element not only enhances visual contrast but also imparts a sense of robustness to the overall structure.

Asrock positions its RGB LEDs behind the aforementioned steel components on the motherboard, which, in my opinion, enhances the overall aesthetics of the board. While I am not particularly fond of excessive RGB lighting, in this case, they appear visually appealing without being overly ostentatious.

The cooling capabilities are characteristic of a motherboard that utilizes a premium chipset. Two black heatsinks positioned adjacent to the CPU socket assist in preventing the overheating of the board’s ten power phases and the power-regulation circuitry. Additionally, similar to all X570 motherboards I have encountered, a fan installed above the primary chipset provides additional active cooling for the X570 chipset’s higher-wattage components.

Two of the M.2 slots are equipped with cooling mechanisms, albeit in an unconventional configuration. Rather than each M.2 slot being fitted with an individual heatsink, as is common in various motherboard designs, a single large heatsink extends to encompass both M.2 slots along with the chipset. This innovative approach may prove advantageous, as the fan positioned over the chipset can circulate air, effectively cooling the heatsink that serves all three components.

I observed several minor concerns regarding this implementation. Firstly, accessing a single M.2 slot has become more complex. It is no longer sufficient to simply remove one screw and insert your M.2 SSD. Instead, three screws must be removed. While this is not a significant problem, the heatsink’s unusual shape can make it challenging to maneuver out of the case, particularly if there are numerous cables or multiple PCI Express devices in close proximity.

There is a concern regarding the RGB LEDs located on the underside of the heatsink. The issue is not related to the aesthetic appeal of the lights; rather, it pertains to the difficulty in disconnecting the power cable that connects these lights to the motherboard. After struggling with the cable for approximately fifteen minutes and trying to detach it gently, I ultimately decided to abandon the effort due to the risk of damaging the cable.

You can elevate the heatsink from the motherboard by a few inches without detaching it, allowing for the installation of your M.2 SSDs in the designated slots. However, this process should not be as difficult as it currently appears.

Extreme4: Key Features and Specifications

Asrock has designed this motherboard with an extensive array of features that fully leverage the capabilities of the X570 chipset and the latest Ryzen Zen2 processors. It offers eight SATA 3.0 ports, two M.2 ports that can function with four PCI Express 4.0 lanes or revert to PCIe 3.0 if necessary, and accommodates a total of 13 USB ports.

The motherboard is equipped with eight USB ports located on its rear I/O panel, in addition to five more that can be accessed through internal USB headers. Among these internal headers, one is designated for a Type-C USB port situated on the front panel of the case, while the other two are standard USB 2.0 headers.

Regarding the slot configuration, the system includes two PCI Express x16 slots (one functioning as a true x16 and the other configured as x4 electrically), along with three PCI Express x1 slots. Additionally, there are four DDR4 slots that support memory speeds of up to 4,666MHz. I was also pleased to note the presence of an HDMI port on the I/O panel, which allows for the utilization of the integrated graphics from an AMD A-series APU or a Ryzen G processor when necessary.

One of the notable features of this motherboard is its POST status checker, which assists in identifying the specific hardware component that may be malfunctioning if the system fails to boot. However, it is somewhat lacking in hardware-based overclocking capabilities. Unlike many high-end motherboards, it does not include an onboard or I/O-panel-mounted power or reset button, nor does it offer dedicated buttons for clearing the CMOS or flashing the BIOS. To clear the CMOS, one must short two pins on the motherboard, but the board does not provide a jumper for this purpose. Consequently, users would need to source a jumper from an older system or use a conductive object, such as a paperclip, to short the pins, which can be a somewhat concerning task.

The absence of hardware-based overclocking fail-safe features is somewhat disappointing for a motherboard that is partially intended for overclocking purposes. Additionally, the lack of a straightforward method for clearing the CMOS necessitates a cautious approach when engaging in overclocking activities.

The remaining features of the motherboard align with expectations for its price category. Alongside extensive storage support, the Extreme4 is equipped with an Intel i211AT gigabit network interface card and utilizes the Realtek ALC1220 audio codec, which has become standard in many high-end motherboards currently available.

An Overview of the BIOS

The BIOS on this motherboard appears to be quite straightforward and lacks any extravagant features. This board does not include an “easy mode” BIOS; rather, it grants immediate access to all settings upon booting. The main interface displays fundamental information regarding the BIOS version, processor, and installed RAM. It is rather minimalistic, and it would have been beneficial if Asrock had included more comprehensive system details on the screen. As it stands, it serves merely for a quick overview.

The main BIOS screen may appear unremarkable, yet the subsequent pages of the BIOS provide a wealth of features. The OC Tweaker section grants comprehensive control over RAM configurations and offers numerous options for CPU and motherboard overclocking. While it may present fewer choices compared to some premium motherboards, it is more than sufficient for those who are not engaged in competitive overclocking, ensuring that users can effectively enhance performance in a more casual manner.

In the H/W Monitor section, you can find comprehensive details regarding your system’s current power consumption and the operational status of the system fans. Additionally, there is a utility available that identifies the maximum and minimum speeds of all installed fans and adjusts their rotation speeds accordingly. Should you wish to manage this manually, you can do so in the FAN-Tastic Tuning menu, which allows you to configure the fan speed to increase or decrease at specified temperature thresholds.

The final aspect to consider in the BIOS is the Tool section, which includes four utilities, although one could argue there are technically only three. The first utility allows users to configure the RGB LED pattern. The subsequent two utilities serve a similar purpose, as they both facilitate the complete erasure of all data on an SSD. This “secure erase” feature is particularly beneficial for individuals intending to sell a used SSD, ensuring that any potentially sensitive information is thoroughly eliminated. The last utility in this section is an instant-flash option for updating the BIOS.

Applications and Drivers

Upon completing the installation of a new version of Windows 10, I successfully installed all the drivers and utilities for this motherboard without any complications. Initially, the audio driver encountered difficulties during installation; however, it was successfully installed after updating Windows 10 to the latest version.

This motherboard includes a limited selection of additional software. The essential program to install is Asrock’s Polychrome RGB control application. This software enables users to personalize the functionality and colors of the RGB LEDs on the printed circuit board and can integrate seamlessly with any other hardware that is compatible with Polychrome RGB. It serves as Asrock’s counterpart to Asus’ Aura Sync and MSI’s Mystic Light RGB control systems. The ownership of other Polychrome-compatible devices is a separate consideration.

It may be beneficial to install Asrock’s motherboard utility package, which features the A-Tuning software. This application allows users to monitor system information, modify fan settings, and overclock the CPU directly from the Windows environment. Additionally, there is a program known as the “App Shop,” which facilitates the purchase of software and provides automatic updates for your motherboard’s drivers.

The final two utilities provided are not especially beneficial. One merely reboots the system and directs it to access the BIOS. The other is a 60-day trial version of Norton Security. Unless you intend to purchase the software in the future, it is advisable to avoid installing the trial altogether to prevent the subsequent reminders.

An Exceptionally Good Value

Taking everything into account, the Asrock X570 Extreme4 stands out as a versatile and appealing AM4 motherboard that offers numerous advantages. It features a greater number of USB and storage ports compared to typical motherboards, and its BIOS is user-friendly. Additionally, in my opinion, it ranks among the most aesthetically pleasing motherboards from the first generation of AMD X570 models.

The motherboard does present some minor drawbacks, such as the absence of hardware-based overclocking capabilities and the challenging removal of the heatsink covering the M.2 slots. However, these concerns are relatively insignificant in the broader context. After all, how frequently do users replace or add M.2 drives? It is important to remember that this motherboard, priced at, was intended as a more affordable option compared to the premium X570-chipset motherboards, which offer superior connectivity and a wide range of overclocking functionalities.