INTRODUCTION

    With the veil over the latest Core Ultra 200S CPUs finally lifted and numerous models based on the Z890 chipset getting released by numerous motherboard manufacturers it's time for yet another such review. Yes, Intel didn't quite deliver in the gaming segment with their latest CPUs but on one hand they've promised gains before the end of the year (via BIOS and driver updates) while on the other processing power/performance is certainly a step up compared to their 13/14th lines. Today with me I have one of the latest Z890 models to get released by ASRock and more specifically their Taichi Lite model.

    ASRock Inc. is established in 2002, specialized in the field of motherboards. ASRock strives to build up its own brand. With the 3C design concept, “Creativity, Consideration, Cost-effectiveness”, the company explores the limit of motherboards manufacturing while paying attention on the eco issue at the same time, developing products with the consideration of eco-friendly concept. ASRock has been growing fast and become world third largest motherboard brand with headquarter in Taipei, Taiwan and branches in Europe and the USA. The young and vibrant company targets from mainstream to enthusiast MB segments for different kinds of users, owning reputation around the world market with its reliability and proficiency.

    The ATX sized Z890 Taichi Lite motherboard by ASRock is based on the brand new LGA1851 socket by Intel (Core Ultra 200S CPU support) and sports a 20+1+2+1+1 power phase design (110A SPS), 8-layer 2oz thickened copper server-grade PCB, 20K Black capacitors (20000 hours lifetime) and numerous buttons tailored for demanding users and overclockers (rear clear CMOS and update BIOS and internal power on/off and reset buttons). It also features a total of 4 UDIMM DDR5 RAM slots (up to 256GB and frequencies up to 9600MHz/9600MT/s), two PCIe x16 slots (1xPCie 5.0 EMI shielded and reinforced, and 1xPCIe 4.0), six M.2 slots (1xGen5 tool-less/ 5xGen4), four native SATA III/6G ports (RAID 0/1/5/10 supported both for M.2 and SATA ports), Realtek RTL8126 5Gbps LAN, Dragon RTL8125BG 2.5Gbps LAN, Intel 2x2 Wi-Fi 7 Module (with Bluetooth 5.4 and MU-MIMO) and the Realtek ALC4082 5.1 channel HD audio codec  with Nahimic audio (ESS SABRE9219 DAC). Moving to motherboard connectivity here we find a single HDMI v2.1 port (TMDS/FRL 8G Compatible), two antenna ports, two USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports (support HDCP 2.3 and a max. resolution up to 8K 60Hz / 5K 120Hz), USB-C 2x2 port (front via internal header), four USB 3.2 Gen2 ports (rear), eight USB 3.2 Gen1 ports (4xrear, 4xfront via internal header), six USB 2.0 ports (2xrear, 4xfront via internal header), 5Gbps RJ45 port, 2.5Gbps RJ45 port and the high definition onboard audio ports. Having already reviewed a member of the Taichi family of motherboards (X670E Taichi) I am very curious to see just how well the Z890 Taichi Lite will perform (even though it's the "entry" level Taichi model of that line).