ASRock Z790 Nova Motherboard Review: Striking a Balance Between Style and Performance
ASRock's Z790 Nova motherboard, priced at $329.99 with a discounted rate on Newegg for $289.99, enters the motherboard arena with a stylish black-on-black design accented with unique blue and purple colors. This ATX-sized board stands out with its high-end features and premium appearance, catering to users who appreciate both aesthetics and functionality.
Design and Aesthetics: Sleek and Modern
The Z790 Nova's appearance is one of its standout features. The board, mostly covered by heatsinks and shrouds, exudes a premium vibe. Its unique color accents add a distinctive touch to the overall black design. The board's design also includes integrated RGB lighting zones, enhancing its visual appeal within a PC build.
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M.2 Storage and Connectivity Options
For those invested in M.2 storage, the Z790 Nova offers an impressive six M.2 sockets, including one PCIe 5.0 slot. This abundance of storage options is typically seen in higher-priced motherboards, making the Nova a value-packed choice for storage enthusiasts. Additionally, the board includes Wi-Fi 7 and robust power delivery systems, ensuring compatibility with the latest hardware and technologies.
Power Delivery and Audio Performance
The Z790 Nova features 90A SPS MOSFETs for Vcore, ensuring stable and efficient power delivery for high-performance processors. It also boasts flagship-class audio capabilities, offering a quality sound experience for gaming and multimedia applications.
Performance and Benchmarking
In testing with the Intel Core i9-14900K processor, the Z790 Nova exhibited impressive performance, particularly in productivity tasks. Its gaming performance is also notable, making it a strong contender for various applications. The board's well-rounded features, combined with its strong performance metrics, position it as a competitive option in the current motherboard landscape.
Unboxing and Accessories
The Z790 Nova comes with a comprehensive set of accessories to facilitate setup and customization. This includes SATA cables, thermistors, M.2 screws and standoffs, a graphics card holder, and more, providing users with everything needed to get started.
Unique Features of the Z790 Nova
ASRock's Z790 Nova stands out with its sleek design, incorporating an 8-layer PCB and 2 Oz copper for durability and performance. The motherboard also includes a pair of 8-pin high-density power connectors for the processor and a variety of fan and pump headers, offering flexibility for cooling solutions. The integrated RGB lighting and unique design elements contribute to its distinctive appearance.
PCIe Slots and Expansion Capabilities
The Z790 Nova includes three PCIe slots, with the top two reinforced to support heavy graphics cards. The top slot offers PCIe 5.0 x16 speeds, while the second slot provides PCIe 4.0 x4 speeds. The board's multiple M.2 sockets, including a PCIe 5.0 x4 socket, offer extensive storage expansion possibilities.
User Interface and Control Options
The motherboard features a 4.3-inch color LCD touchscreen, providing a user-friendly interface for settings adjustments and system monitoring. The interface's simplicity and accessibility make it easy for users to manage their system settings and preferences.
Wi-Fi Connectivity and Additional Features
The Z790 Nova includes integrated Wi-Fi capabilities, enhancing the user experience with wireless connectivity options. The board also features a variety of headers and switches for additional customization and control, including RGB headers, temperature sensor headers, and system panel headers.
Conclusion: The ASRock Z790 Nova as a Versatile and Stylish Option
The ASRock Z790 Nova motherboard successfully combines style, performance, and a wealth of features at a competitive price point. Its aesthetic appeal, coupled with robust power delivery, extensive storage options, and strong performance, make it an attractive choice for a wide range of users. Whether for gaming, productivity, or general use, the Z790 Nova offers a compelling package that balances functionality and style.
