This year’s Computex tech show, in contrast to previous years, did not feature an abundance of motherboard innovations. While a handful of vendors presented prototype Z790 refresh boards in anticipation of the forthcoming Raptor Lake refresh, it was the ASRock Z790 and B650E Taichi Lite motherboards that particularly captured my interest.
The ASRock Z790 Taichi Lite that I am reviewing is based on a straightforward concept. It maintains all the functionalities of its standard version while eliminating the high-end design elements, resulting in a price reduction of.
ASRock acknowledges that the aesthetically pleasing cogs-and-wheels design of the Z790 Taichi comes with a significant manufacturing cost. While I completely understand the desire to showcase your build in a glass-sided case, the addition of a graphics card, a substantial air cooler, or water tubing often obscures much of the motherboard. In fact, for many users with closed cases, visibility may be entirely limited.
Throughout history, I have found Taichi boards to be quite remarkable. They first emerged in the mid-2010s, a time characterized by an overwhelming presence of RGB lighting, where nearly every product was labeled as ‘gaming.’ In contrast, ASRock’s Taichi series distinguished itself by offering an impressive combination of affordability, a minimalist black and white design, and a robust array of features.
In recent years, ASRock has positioned the Taichi brand as a flagship offering. The striking cyberpunk design, characterized by its cogs, wheels, and retro analogue elements, is visually impressive; however, this aesthetic has contributed to increased pricing. Consequently, the Taichi Lite represents a nostalgic return to the brand’s original ethos.
The Z790 Taichi Lite, while differing in appearance, encompasses all the high-end features found in the Z790 Taichi. Its extensive list of specifications includes dual Thunderbolt 4 Type-C ports, superior audio and VRM solutions, ample storage capacity, and dual LAN connectivity. No other motherboard within the same price bracket as the Z790 Taichi Lite offers such a comprehensive array of features.
The Z790 Taichi Lite features some RGB lighting elements. The combination of white printed cogs and wheels with a predominantly black design is not unattractive; however, it does convey a mid-tier, somewhat utilitarian aesthetic. For those who prioritize functionality over aesthetics and seek value for money rather than excessive embellishments, this motherboard is likely to be appealing.
The Z790 Taichi Lite is an E-ATX motherboard that boasts numerous impressive features. It includes eight fan headers, making it well-suited for water cooling setups. Beneath the lower M.2 heatsink, there is a row of RGB LEDs, complemented by four additional RGB headers, three of which are addressable. While the design of the board may appear somewhat understated, it provides ample opportunities for creating a visually striking and fully equipped build.
You will observe a 6-pin power connector located next to the front USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 port. When power is connected to this port, it enables 60W fast charging capabilities. In the absence of this connection, the port’s charging capacity is restricted to 27W.
The system is equipped with dual PCIe 5.0 x16 slots and can accommodate up to 192GB of DDR5 memory operating at 7200MHz. Although the Wi-Fi card may appear somewhat unattractive, it will be concealed beneath a graphics card, rendering it a non-issue.
The motherboard is equipped with five M.2 slots; however, only four can be utilized simultaneously. This may appear unusual, but the two main slots are compatible with either a PCIe 4.0 or a PCIe 5.0 drive. Consequently, a PCIe 4.0 drive can take advantage of the larger heatsink while maintaining the full speed of the PCIe 5.0 x16 slot. It is important to note that when the PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot is occupied, the primary x16 slot’s performance is reduced to x8.
It can become somewhat perplexing when numerous slots are filled, making it advisable to consult the motherboard manual prior to purchasing the Z790 Taichi Lite, or any Z790 motherboard for that matter.
The motherboard is equipped with eight SATA ports, a feature that is becoming increasingly uncommon. When combined with the M.2 slots, this configuration offers substantial storage capabilities.
The VRM stands out as a significant feature. It boasts a 24-phase configuration with 105A stages, which are effectively cooled by substantial heatsinks. The Z790 Taichi Lite is fully capable of powering a liquid nitrogen-cooled Core i9 13900K effortlessly, and it is also equipped to manage any forthcoming refreshed K model under similar conditions.
In terms of connectivity options, the Z790 Taichi Lite offers a feature set that surpasses all competitors within its price bracket. Starting with the rear I/O, the standout features include dual USB 4/Thunderbolt 4 ports, which provide support for 27W power delivery and display connectivity. Additionally, the board is equipped with two USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, six USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, and a pair of USB 2.0 ports.
The audio component is of exceptional quality. It features a Realtek ALC4082 codec paired with an ESS Sabre 9218 DAC and WIMA capacitors. Discovering a superior integrated solution will be quite challenging.
The board’s networking features exhibit variability based on specific requirements. It is equipped with Intel WiFi 6E, alongside Killer E3100G 2.5G and Intel I219-V 1G wired LAN ports. This configuration may attract users who need dual LAN options; however, the inclusion of 5G or even 10G would enhance support for high-speed SSD NAS. Nonetheless, I recognize Asrock’s rationale for opting for dual LAN instead of a single, faster port.
The Z790 Taichi Lite is constructed on a well-established platform. Engineers have had the opportunity to refine PCB layouts, and the BIOS microcode has benefited from several years of bug fixes and enhancements. Consequently, Z790 motherboards are expected to deliver performance that is consistent within a narrow margin of error.
In the previous testing of the LGA 1700 platform, I configured the test CPU according to Intel’s default specifications. For the i9 13900K, this entails a PL1 of 125W, a PL2 of 253W, and a Tau of 56 seconds. However, adjusting these settings can be quite intricate, requiring navigation through multiple submenus and adjustments. This complexity is likely to deter most users from engaging with it. Therefore, for the Z790 Taichi and the other motherboards presented in the graphs above, I opted to maintain their default configurations. While this approach may not be optimal in terms of heat generation and power consumption, and while motherboard manufacturers may exercise some flexibility, it provides a more accurate representation of the out-of-the-box performance of each motherboard.
The results are as follows. The Z790 Taichi Lite presents no unexpected outcomes. It demonstrates strong multithreaded performance, and its scores in PCMark and 3DMark Storage indicate that it is a competent all-around performer. Additionally, there are minimal concerns regarding its gaming capabilities.
I typically avoid CPU overclocking in the present day. The primary constraint is the cooling system, and given the high-quality VRM found in the Z790 Taichi Lite, overclocking would not provide significant insights into the board’s performance. I observed that the VRM heatsinks became noticeably warm during a Cinebench loop at default settings. With a recorded temperature of 60°C, it is advisable to ensure adequate airflow.
Efficient memory performance necessitates a meticulously optimized trace layout and BIOS configuration. I successfully booted two 24GB modules of G.Skill DDR5-7200 at a frequency of 7600MHz; however, achieving this required significantly high IMC voltage. My CPU struggles to manage extremely high memory speeds effectively, a characteristic I have observed across numerous motherboards. I believe it will be beneficial to install a Raptor Lake refresh processor to determine if I can achieve DDR5-8000. According to reports, this should be considerably simpler, and I am confident that the Z790 Taichi Lite motherboard will be well-suited to work with one of these upcoming CPUs.
The ASRock Z790 Taichi Lite represents a welcome shift in a market that has experienced continuous price hikes in recent years. Investing in a motherboard alone, prior to accounting for the costs of a GPU, memory, and CPU, can be quite daunting, especially when a console can be acquired for a significantly lower total expense. It is my sincere hope that other motherboard manufacturers recognize this trend. In certain instances, simplicity can indeed be more advantageous.
This motherboard is equipped with premium hardware. In addition to the 10G LAN, it includes features such as a PCIe M.2 add-in card and an integrated LCD. Beyond these offerings, there is little else to mention. Furthermore, motherboards that possess these additional features are typically priced significantly higher than.
If you prioritize functionality over aesthetics, the Z790 Taichi Lite stands out as one of the premier choices available. This motherboard is positioned at the flagship level, devoid of superfluous features that often prove to be redundant once the side panel of the case is closed. In essence, the Z790 Taichi Lite provides unique offerings that are unmatched by other products in the market.
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