INTRODUCTION

   Thanks to support for Intel's latest Core i9-12900k CPU and DDR5 RAM Z690 motherboards may sit at the top of the consumer market currently but it's no secret that until now both the Z590 and X570 motherboards have been the weapon of choice for Intel and AMD users alike (demanding ones anyways). Now even though AMD should be unveiling their X670 chipset in a few months (most likely by March or April - delays aside due to chip shortage) since from all the motherboards to arrive in the lab only a single one was based on the AMD X570 chipset (every other was based on the Intel Z490/Z590 ones) i wanted to close 2021 with yet another such review and so today with me i have the one model every enthusiast and overclocker using an AMD Ryzen 5000 CPU was looking forward to, the X570 DARK by EVGA.

   EVGA is the #1 NVIDIA authorised partner in channel sales throughout North America and UK. Based on the philosophy of intelligent innovation, market knowledge, and the real time operation, EVGA continues to identify the need in the market place and providing the solution to that need. By offering product differentiation, a 90 day Step-Up programme, and other customer focused programmes, EVGA is a clear leader in all categories: etail, retail, distribution, and system integration. With headquarters in Brea, CA, EVGA's global coverage includes EVGA GmbH in Munich, EVGA LATAM in Miami, and EVGA Hong Kong.

   Just like with their Z590 DARK motherboard EVGA has used a rather industrial look/design for their X570 DARK model so no problems in that regard (at least not from me). The X570 DARK is aimed towards enthusiasts and overclockers so aside the three PCIe Gen 4.0 slots (two x16 EMI shielded and reinforced ones and one regular x4) and two PCIe Gen 4.0 M.2 slots it's also equipped with a 17-phase digital VRM which is cooled by a large heatsink paired with two fans (probably 40mm ones). Of course the X570 DARK also sports two DIMM slots (dual-channel configuration – 64GB total supported with speeds exceeding 4800MHz), dual Intel I225-V 2.5GbE LAN ports, AX200 Dual-Band WiFi 6/BT 5.2 (2x2 antenna based), NU Audio amplifier (for stereo speakers and headphones/headsets), Realtek ALC1220 High Definition Audio onboard audio card, ARGB compatibility (onboard ARGB, two RGB and two ARGB headers), eight native SATA 6Gb/s ports (support RAID 0/1/10), probeit connector and right angled ports (power and SATA). Needless to say, once again we find numerous features aimed towards serious overclockers including PCIe disable switches (allow the end user to disable PCIe slots for troubleshooting), CPU slow-mode switch (can be used to change the CPU ratio on-the-fly to minimum), triple BIOS selection switch, safeboot button (boots directly into the BIOS without changing your settings - handy if your system will not boot with those settings) and two multi-function indicators. As for rear connectivity here, we find a PS/2 connector, 2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, 2 WiFi/BT Antenna ports, 4 USB 3.2 Gen2 ports, 2 Intel I225-V 2.5GbE RJ45 ports, USB 3.2 Gen2 type-C port and the optical out and analog audio ports. EVGA seems to have released yet another top-of-the-line model with the new X570 DARK so let's see what it's capable of.