When ASRock launches a new Taichi motherboard, it’s usually about making a statement. They pack a huge number of features into a single board, aiming for that top-tier, enthusiast-grade performance that rivals anything else on the market. With the Z890 Taichi Lite, ASRock is trying something a little different. They’re taking that high-end Taichi philosophy and streamlining it, offering a board that still has a powerful feature set but for a more accessible price point.
The Intel Z890 chipset itself is Intel’s latest high-end foundation for the latest Core Ultra Series processors, so we’re talking about a platform that’s built for maximum performance. But with this “Lite” version, ASRock has focused on delivering the core essentials of a premium board without the unnecessary frills. This includes a robust power delivery system, support for lightning-fast DDR5 memory, and an impressive six M.2 slots for all your storage needs. They’re positioning the Z890 Taichi Lite as a board that delivers a no-compromise experience where it matters most: performance, cooling, and connectivity, all while ditching some of the more elaborate aesthetic elements to keep the all-important cost down.
Features
- Supports Intel® Core™ Ultra Processors (Series 2) (LGA1851)
- 20+1+2+1+1 Power Phase, 110A SPS for VCore
- 4 x DDR5 DIMMs
Supports Dual Channel, up to 9600+ (OC) - 1 PCIe 5.0 x16, 1 PCIe 4.0 x16
- Graphics Output Options: 1 HDMI, 2 Thunderbolt™ 4/USB4 Type-C
- Realtek ALC4082 5.1 CH HD Audio Codec,
ESS SABRE9219 DAC, WIMA Audio Cap, Nahimic Audio - 4 SATA3
1 Blazing M.2 (PCIe Gen5x4)
4 Hyper M.2 (PCIe Gen4x4)
1 Hyper M.2 (PCIe Gen4x4 & SATA3) - 2 Thunderbolt™ 4/USB4 Type-C (Rear)
1 USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C (Front)
4 USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A (Rear)
8 USB 3.2 Gen1 (4 Rear, 4 Front)
6 USB 2.0 (2 Rear, 4 Front) - 5Gbps LAN, 2.5G LAN
- 802.11be Wi-Fi 7 + Bluetooth
- Supports Memory OC Shield, BIOS Flashback, 20K Caps with 1000uF Capacitance
With this, ASRock claims to have crafted a motherboard that isn’t just about raw specifications. It’s about a focus on “substance over style,” as they’ve said in the past. More importantly, there’s a big emphasis on its high-end components, from a server-grade PCB to a powerful VRM design with 110A power stages. They’ve also included a comprehensive set of connectivity options, including dual Thunderbolt 4 ports, Wi-Fi 7, and dual LAN ports, designed to meet the needs of the most demanding users, and all for a price point that should be within reach for more gamers and creators than a full-fat flagship.
So, the big question for us is: how well does the Z890 Taichi Lite live up to these claims? Does it truly hit that sweet spot of performance and features that ASRock is aiming for with this “Lite” approach to their top-tier lineup? And can it deliver the premium Z890 experience without venturing into the ultra-high-end pricing territory of its bigger brother? Well, that’s what we’re going to find out!
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