Manufacturer of computer components ASRock showed a new line of motherboards with the Z790 chipset compatible with the generations of Intel Alder Lake (12th) and Raptor Lake (13th) processors. The company’s intention is to expand its catalog and adapt to more types of user profiles.

Among ASRock’s new motherboards with the Z790 chipset are models that support very high-speed network connections with Wi-Fi 7 and Ethernet over RJ45 at a speed of 5 gigabits per second. The result of this combination is products that are more oriented towards the use of high-end processors, although in principle it should not prevent the use of, for example, Intel Core i3 series processors.

ASRock has expanded the Phantom Gaming line with new motherboards that will now be referred to this way instead of using their initials, PG, to make them easier to identify. The newly shown boards are the Z790 NOVA WiFi 7, Z790 RIPTIDE WiFi 7 and Z790 Lightning WiFi, all of which feature powerful VRM and heat dissipation solutions.

Although ASRock Z790 Nova WiFi 7 It is oriented to support the most powerful processors of the last two generations of Intel Core, it does not belong to the standard Taichi series, which represents the ceiling of the company’s range at a price of around $500 per unit. The Z790 Nova WiFi 7 will be slightly cheaper at $300-$400 (it’s important to note that the amount will increase when it reaches the Eurozone) and features a 20+1+1 phase VRM design and six M.2 slots, five of which are four-lane PCIe Gen 4 (x4) and one four-lane PCIe Gen 5.

On the other hand, the plate Phantom Gaming Z790 RIPTIDE Wi-Fi 7 It has the same network-level connectivity as the Nova WiFi 7, WiFi 7 for wireless connection and connection to Ethernet via RJ45 connector with a speed of 5 gigabits per second.

On the connectivity level, however, the Z790 RIPTIDE WiFi 7 is much more modest, making available USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C on the front, two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A on the back, USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-C on the back, four USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A on the back, two USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A on the front, two USB 2.0 Type-A on the back and four USB 2.0 Type-A on the front.

Nova WiFi 7 makes available one USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C on the front, one USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C on the back, four USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A on the back, three USB 3.2 Gen1 Type- And on the back, four USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A on the front, two USB 2.0 Type-A on the back, and four USB 2.0 Type-A on the front.

To end the Phantom Gaming line, Wi-Fi Z790 Lightning It is a cheaper model, which would have to range in price between 200 and 250 dollars, but with the “disadvantage” of the implementation Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5 Gbps Ethernet such as network connections. Of course, it is very likely that these network connections, especially the latter, are more than enough for the average user. They exist at the USB connection level more USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A at the expense of other types.

ASRock opened up within the Taichi series, the so-called LITE basically composed of motherboard models cut with the Z790 or B650E chipset. On the design level, nothing should change, as they use the same PCB as the “older” models, but the design has been modified with muted coolers and RGB Lightning lighting that has been reduced or removed. As a result, the LITE variants should cost about $100 less than the standard ones.

Another detail to consider is that ASRock has indicated the possible commercialization of new Intel processors based on the LGA1700 socket, so the company will most likely provide the firmware updates needed to ensure compatibility with its already commercially available motherboards.