ASRock Z790 Pro RS/D4 Motherboard Review Best DDR4 Choice for Intel CPUs

Description

Sleek Design and Build Quality

The ASRock Z790 Pro RS/D4 motherboard caught my eye immediately with its sleek black and silver design, which feels like it was made to complement any high-end PC build. The ATX form factor fits perfectly into mid-tower and full-tower cases, making it versatile for most users. Its layout is well thought out, with ample spacing around the PCIe slots and memory slots, making installation and upgrades a breeze. The addition of reinforced PCIe slots is a welcome touch as it provides extra durability when using heavy GPUs. However, I did notice that the board lacks an onboard Wi-Fi module, which might be a dealbreaker for users who rely on wireless connectivity instead of Ethernet.

Performance and Compatibility

This motherboard supports both 12th and 13th Gen Intel Core processors, making it a solid choice if you’re looking to future-proof your build. The 14+1+1 power phase design with Dr. MOS ensures stable power delivery to the CPU and GPU, even under heavy loads. During testing with an Intel Core i7-13700K, I was pleased with how smoothly it handled multitasking, gaming, and rendering tasks. DDR4 memory support up to 5333+ MHz (overclocked) is impressive and provides a noticeable boost in performance for tasks like video editing and gaming. On the downside, the lack of DDR5 support might make this less appealing for users looking to embrace the latest memory technology.

Good Points of the ASRock Z790 Pro RS/D4

• Supports PCIe 5.0 on the primary x16 slot, ensuring compatibility with next-gen GPUs and storage solutions.
• Four DDR4 DIMM slots offer flexibility for memory upgrades.
• Multiple M.2 slots, including one with a heatsink, are perfect for high-speed NVMe SSDs.
• The Dr. MOS power stages provide efficient power delivery, even during overclocking.

Areas for Improvement

• No integrated Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, which feels like a missing feature in today’s market.
• Lack of DDR5 support, potentially limiting future upgrade paths.
• The BIOS interface, while functional, feels a bit outdated compared to competitors.

Connectivity and Expansion Options

The variety of connectivity options is one of this motherboard’s strong points. With 1 PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, 1 PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, and 2 PCIe 3.0 x1 slots, there’s enough room for GPUs, capture cards, or other expansion cards. I also appreciated the multiple M.2 slots and their strategic placement, which ensures optimal airflow over the SSDs. Rear I/O ports include HDMI and DisplayPort, which is great if you’re using the integrated graphics from Intel CPUs. That said, the limited number of USB Type-C ports might be a downside for users like me who rely on fast data transfer between devices.

Cooling and Thermal Performance

Thermals are managed exceptionally well, thanks to the integrated heatsinks over the M.2 slots and VRMs. Even after hours of gaming, the motherboard remained cool to the touch, and I didn’t experience any thermal throttling. However, the absence of additional fan headers could be a limitation for users planning to run extensive cooling setups. My setup features an AIO cooler, and the motherboard handled it flawlessly, but I can imagine air-cooled systems might need more flexibility in fan connections.

Market Rivals

Compared to MSI Z790 Tomahawk and ASUS ROG Strix Z790-A, this motherboard holds its ground in terms of price-to-performance ratio. The MSI alternative offers integrated Wi-Fi, which ASRock lacks, but the Z790 Pro RS/D4 compensates with its robust power delivery system. On the other hand, the ASUS ROG Strix has a slightly more polished BIOS and better aesthetics, but it comes at a higher cost. If budget constraints are important, this ASRock motherboard offers many of the same features at a more affordable price point.

Worth Every Penny

From a value perspective, this motherboard delivers an excellent balance of performance and features. It’s not the cheapest option out there, but the inclusion of PCIe 5.0, high-speed memory support, and reliable power delivery makes it a great investment for anyone building a gaming or workstation PC. That said, the lack of integrated Wi-Fi might add to the overall cost if you have to purchase a separate module. For someone like me, who prioritizes stability and performance, this motherboard strikes the right balance without digging too deep into the wallet.