March 2021 – Page 3 – Motherboard Review

ASRock Launches Z590 OC Formula Motherboard

March 30, 2021 by Stephen

Taipei, Taiwan, March 30, 2021 — The leading global motherboard manufacturer, ASRock, proudly announces the return of its OC Formula motherboard lineup with the overclocker-designed Z590 OC Formula built for Intel’s 11^th-generation desktop processors.

For years, ASRock has set the standard for overclocking with its previous OC Formula motherboards and its engineers have learnt from world-renowned overclocker Nick Shih, diligently studying what they need to break world records and perform their best.

“As Intel^® launches its Z590 chipset to power the 11^th Gen Intel^® Core™ processors, ASRock once again is your partner in conquering the overclocking world with the Z590 OC Formula,” said Chris Lee, general manager of ASRock motherboard business unit.

ASRock’s Overclocking Leadership

Back by popular demand from overclockers, the ASRock Z590 OC Formula is filled with overclocking-friendly specs such as SMD Type DIMM Slots, a 12-layer server-grade low loss PCB, and 16 power phase 90A smart power stage technology.

ASRock’s SMD DIMM Slots help reduce signal loss, as well as improve RAM stability under high frequency so you can maximize your memory overclocking potential. The 12-layer server-grade PCB prevents PCB bending and improves signal integrity, giving higher performance as well as system stability. Smart power stage technologies are optimized for monitoring the current and temperature of each power phase which means the CPU gets a smooth supply of power resulting in enhanced overclocking performance and capability.

The Z590 OC Formula features unique PCB Backdrill craftsmanship which removes the excess stub in multilayered printed wiring boards. This benefits extreme memory overclocking by allowing signal to flow between layers with less loss through attenuation while also improving impedance matching.

To ensure that overclockers have easy access to key performance data, the motherboard also includes an OLED display. The motherboard also features an OC button for easy control of the overclocking features.

Fast Overclocking, Hardcore Gaming: Z590 OC Formula is Packed With Industry-Defining Specs

Aside from the world’s leading overclocking features, the Z590 OC Formula has industry-leading specs that everyone from overclockers, gamers to power users need.

The WiFi 6E technology that extends to the whole new 6GHz spectrum band, providing more WiFi capability gives better and faster internet traffic. The onboard 2.5Gb/s LAN high-performance network delivers plenty of bandwidth to devices like NAS backup devices or allowing gamers to enjoy the lowest latency so they can rack up the most kills. The board is also equipped with USB 3.2 Gen-2×2 headers, providing the most convenient connectivity for USB storage devices in need of superfast 20Gb/s transfer speeds.

PCIe4.0, the latest interconnect standard which doubles bandwidth available with PCIe 3.0, comes standard on the board to ensure that SSDs and GPUs perform their best. For the richest and clearest audio on the market, the Z590 OC Formula has ESS 9218 DAC Wima audio caps built-in delivers true HiFi audio without distortion to give crystal clear audio quality, and with the 112dB THD+N there is support for higher impedance for up to 600ohm using headphones.

ASUS ROG STRIX B550-I GAMING – OC Club

March 30, 2021 by Stephen

In this article, we are talking about the ASUS ROG Strix B550-I Gaming – the direct successor to the really successful ROG Strix B450-I Gaming. In my opinion, the model based on the AMD B450 chipset was simply the best “motherboard” of the ITX-format among the competitors – a loud statement, given the fact that I regard myself more as ASUS haters than fans. The new model inherited most of the “chips” of the previous one, received a number of new, more complete appearance, but the price, suddenly, the same penny per penny – $ 230 recommended. And this is taking into account the fact that the B550 chipset itself is noticeably more expensive than the B450, as well as the manufacturer’s revision of the pricing policy for video cards and boards.

ASUS ROG MAXIMUS XIII HERO – TechPowerUp

March 30, 2021 by Stephen

The ASUS ROG Maximus XIII Hero features a robust VRM cooling solution, all paired with no less than 16 power stages from Infineon. BIOS flashback has also been included, as well as ASUS’s excellent BIOS designed to provide an optimal, stress-free overclocking experience. The ASUS ROG Maximus XIII Hero also offers great connectivity with not only WiFi 6, but also dual 2.5 Gb/s Ethernet, Thunderbolt 4 and four M.2 slots. All of this performance is bundled into a sleek, modern package with excellent RGB options for those who want more flare in their final build.

GIGABYTE Z590 AORUS MASTER – iXBT

May 4, 2021March 30, 2021 by Stephen

Gigabyte Z590 Aorus Master comes in a standard branded box (a kind of grooved surface is very pleasant to the touch). The kit is placed in traditional compartments inside.
The delivery set is not bad: in addition to traditional elements such as a user manual and SATA cables, there is an antenna for the built-in Wi-Fi module on a magnetic base, screws for M.2 slots, splitters for connecting backlights, a proprietary G-Connector adapter, wires with temperature sensors, a noise detector , bonus stickers.

ASUS ROG MAXIMUS XIII HERO – iXBT

May 4, 2021March 30, 2021 by Stephen

The board also has 6 SATA ports and 8 fan connectors. The processor power system is traditionally very powerful for ROG models, it is able to ensure the operation of any compatible processors with a margin for overclocking. The board has a competent cooling system for each potentially heating element, including drives in M.2 slots (there are thermal pads for cooling drives on both sides). The networking capabilities are excellent: two fast 2.5 Gbps wired controllers and one state-of-the-art wireless.

BIOSTAR Racing Z490GTN – eTeknix

March 29, 2021 by Stephen

The addition of the M.2 2230 WiFi module is nice to see. Allowing for WiFi 6 will be a welcome addition. But wait, they didn’t actually include the module needed to use this feature so you will have to go and buy one for yourself. Not the end of the world, just an extra expense when other competitor boards may come with a similar solution. There is also the case of the M.2 being mounted on the backside of the motherboard. This is nice to see as at least they didn’t just get rid of it, just moved it so users can still make use of this nice NVMe Gen 3 speeds.

ASUS TUF GAMING X570-PRO (WI-FI) – TweakTown

March 29, 2021 by Stephen

ASUS branded TUF (The Ultimate Force) motherboards first appeared over ten years ago with the introduction of the Sabertooth 55i; since then, this range has grown immensely alongside ROG as a high quality, highly durable brand for those seeking top-level performance without the aesthetics that often come on ROG themed solutions.
The X570 Pro Wi-Fi continues this with a fully-featured motherboard built on the flexible AMD X570 chipset, keeping some of the staples found on ROG platforms like Aura Sync, BIOS flashback, and Turbo LAN. Let us get to the board specifications down below.

Intel B560 Motherboard Overview – AnandTech

March 29, 2021 by Stephen

Intel’s 500 series chipsets, including Z590 and B560, are set to be compatible with both 10th generation Comet Lake and 11th Generation Rocket Lake processors. The only platform that enables PCIe 4.0 will be a Rocket Lake processor at least at an i5 level, coupled with a Z590 or B560 motherboard. Alongside a full PCIe 4.0 x16 slot for graphics, one of the main benefits from PCIe 4.0, regardless of the 500-series motherboard model, is going to be had through storage. B560 will enable one PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slot from the CPU, with additional slots being PCIe 3.0 from the chipset. This sounds very identical to Z590, however the devil is in the details and our table below.

ASUS ROG STRIX B550-XE GAMING WIFI – TweakTown

March 26, 2021 by Stephen

B550-Xe, as it will be known going forward, shares its aesthetic with the rest of the ROG B550 platforms as well. Black heat sinks on a black PCB with touches of RGB allow for customization within any consumer’s build-theme. Heatsinks cover all of the motherboard’s most essential parts, including the updated VRM stack, chipset, and Gen 4.0 capable M.2 slots. VRM cooling goes a bit further with a custom-designed Delta Superflo fan that ASUS says can lower temps by 9c, allowing for increased headroom.

NZXT N7 B550 – HKEPC

May 6, 2021March 26, 2021 by Stephen

NZXT launched the new N7 B550 MATTE BLACK motherboard, the first AMD motherboard, using the AMD B550 chipset, supporting the latest AMD Ryzen 5000 series CPU, using a matte black full-covered metal shell and covering the entire motherboard, bringing simplicity and clarity In addition to satisfying the enjoyment of visual beauty, the beautiful appearance is also easy to match with different styles of chassis, with NZXT chassis, water-cooled and lighting products, which can better show the strength of faith.