The new Intel Z390 chipset is here; we present to you, the ASRock Z390 Extreme4 – a mid-range motherboard boasting a strong lineup of features and ready for Intel’s Next-Gen CPUs.
As we find ourselves at the end of another year, a new chipset has arisen over in the Intel camp. On paper little has changed since the previous chipset generation and enthusiasts/gamers should expect an incremental improvement to existing technologies.
What is likely to be the most compelling attraction to this chipset is the support for Intel’s next-gen CPUs – of which we’ll be returning to this article to inject our performance results and reveal what is truly on offer.
So, in the spotlight today we have the ASRock Z390 Extreme4. As we come to expect from the Extreme4, this is a mid-range motherboards carrying a good blend of features and performance. Some of these features include, dual M.2 slots, USB 3.0 and 3.1 headers and NVIDIA NVLink, SLI/AMD Crossfire support.
About ASRock
ASRock Inc. is established in 2002, specialized in the field of motherboards. ASRock strives to build up its own brand. With the 3C design concept, “Creativity, Consideration, Cost-effectiveness”, the company explores the limit of motherboards manufacturing while paying attention on the eco issue at the same time, developing products with the consideration of eco-friendly concept.
ASRock has been growing fast and become world third largest motherboard brand with headquarter in Taipei, Taiwan and branches in Europe and the USA. The young and vibrant company targets from mainstream to enthusiast MB segments for different kinds of users, owning reputation around the world market with its reliability and proficiency.
ASRock has been growing fast and become world third largest motherboard brand with headquarter in Taipei, Taiwan and branches in Europe and the USA. The young and vibrant company targets from mainstream to enthusiast MB segments for different kinds of users, owning reputation around the world market with its reliability and proficiency.
Technical Specifications
Below are the technical specifications concerning the Z370 Extreme4, all of which is supplied directly by ASRock:
CPU
– Supports next-gen CPUs and 8th Gen Intel® Core™ processors (Socket 1151)
– Digi Power design
– 12 Power Phase design
– Supports Intel® Turbo Boost 2.0 Technology
– Supports Intel® K-Series unlocked CPUs
– Supports ASRock BCLK Full-range Overclocking
Chipset
• Intel® Z390 Chipset
Main Memory
• 4 x DDR4 memory slots, support up to 64GB
– Supports DDR4 Up to 4300MHz
• Dual channel memory architecture
• Supports ECC, un-buffered memory
– ECC UDIMM memory (non-ECC mode)
• Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Profile (XMP 2.0)
Slots
• 3 x PCIe 3.0 x16 slots (Modes: 16, 8, 4)
• 3 x PCIe 3.0 x1 slot
• M.2 Socket (Key E), supports type 2230 WiFi/BT module and Intel® CNVi
(Integrated WiFi/BT).
Onboard Graphics
• 1 x D-Sub
• 1 x HDMI™ port (1.4b)
• 1 x Displayport™ port (1.2)
Multi-GPU
– Supports AMD Quad CrossFireX, 3-Way CrossFireX and CrossFireX
– Supports NVIDIA® Quad SLI and SLI
– Supports NVIDIA® NVLink with dual NVIDIA® GeForce® RTX series graphics cards
Storage
• 6 x SATA 6Gb/s ports – Supplied by Intel® Z390 Chipset
• 2 x SATA 6Gb/s ports – Supplied by ASMedia ASM1061
• 2 x M.2 slots (Gen3 x4)
– (Supports Intel Optane Memory)
Audio
– 7.1 CH HD Audio with Content Protection (Realtek ALC1220 Audio Codec)
– Premium Blu-ray Audio support
– Supports Surge Protection
– Supports Purity SoundTM 4
– Nichicon Fine Gold Series Audio Caps
– 120dB SNR DAC with Differential Amplifier
– NE5532 Premium Headset Amplifier for Front Panel Audio Connector
(Supports up to 600 Ohm headsets)
– Pure Power-In
– Direct Drive Technology
– PCB Isolate Shielding
– Impedance Sensing on Front Out port
– Individual PCB Layers for R/L Audio Channel
– RGB LED
– 15μ Gold Audio Connector
– Supports DTS Connect
LAN
– Gigabit LAN 10/100/1000 Mb/s
– Giga PHY Intel® I219V
– Supports Wake-On-LAN
– Supports Lightning/ESD Protection
– Supports Energy Efficient Ethernet 802.3az
– Supports PXE
Back Panel I/O Ports
– 1 x Antenna Bracket
– 1 x PS/2 Mouse/Keyboard Port
– 1 x D-Sub Port
– 1 x HDMI Port
– 1 x DisplayPort 1.2
– 1 x Optical SPDIF Out Port
– 1 x USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-A Port (10 Gb/s) (ReDriver) (Supports ESD Protection)
– 1 x USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-C Port (10 Gb/s) (ReDriver) (Supports ESD Protection)
– 4 x USB 3.1 Gen1 Ports (Intel® Z390) (Supports ESD Protection)
– 1 x RJ-45 LAN Port with LED (ACT/LINK LED and SPEED LED)
– HD Audio Jacks: Rear Speaker / Central / Bass / Line in / Front Speaker / Microphone
Dimension
• 12 inch x 9.6 inch ( 30.5 cm x 24.4 cm )
• ATX Form Factor
– Supports next-gen CPUs and 8th Gen Intel® Core™ processors (Socket 1151)
– Digi Power design
– 12 Power Phase design
– Supports Intel® Turbo Boost 2.0 Technology
– Supports Intel® K-Series unlocked CPUs
– Supports ASRock BCLK Full-range Overclocking
Chipset
• Intel® Z390 Chipset
Main Memory
• 4 x DDR4 memory slots, support up to 64GB
– Supports DDR4 Up to 4300MHz
• Dual channel memory architecture
• Supports ECC, un-buffered memory
– ECC UDIMM memory (non-ECC mode)
• Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Profile (XMP 2.0)
Slots
• 3 x PCIe 3.0 x16 slots (Modes: 16, 8, 4)
• 3 x PCIe 3.0 x1 slot
• M.2 Socket (Key E), supports type 2230 WiFi/BT module and Intel® CNVi
(Integrated WiFi/BT).
Onboard Graphics
• 1 x D-Sub
• 1 x HDMI™ port (1.4b)
• 1 x Displayport™ port (1.2)
Multi-GPU
– Supports AMD Quad CrossFireX, 3-Way CrossFireX and CrossFireX
– Supports NVIDIA® Quad SLI and SLI
– Supports NVIDIA® NVLink with dual NVIDIA® GeForce® RTX series graphics cards
Storage
• 6 x SATA 6Gb/s ports – Supplied by Intel® Z390 Chipset
• 2 x SATA 6Gb/s ports – Supplied by ASMedia ASM1061
• 2 x M.2 slots (Gen3 x4)
– (Supports Intel Optane Memory)
Audio
– 7.1 CH HD Audio with Content Protection (Realtek ALC1220 Audio Codec)
– Premium Blu-ray Audio support
– Supports Surge Protection
– Supports Purity SoundTM 4
– Nichicon Fine Gold Series Audio Caps
– 120dB SNR DAC with Differential Amplifier
– NE5532 Premium Headset Amplifier for Front Panel Audio Connector
(Supports up to 600 Ohm headsets)
– Pure Power-In
– Direct Drive Technology
– PCB Isolate Shielding
– Impedance Sensing on Front Out port
– Individual PCB Layers for R/L Audio Channel
– RGB LED
– 15μ Gold Audio Connector
– Supports DTS Connect
LAN
– Gigabit LAN 10/100/1000 Mb/s
– Giga PHY Intel® I219V
– Supports Wake-On-LAN
– Supports Lightning/ESD Protection
– Supports Energy Efficient Ethernet 802.3az
– Supports PXE
Back Panel I/O Ports
– 1 x Antenna Bracket
– 1 x PS/2 Mouse/Keyboard Port
– 1 x D-Sub Port
– 1 x HDMI Port
– 1 x DisplayPort 1.2
– 1 x Optical SPDIF Out Port
– 1 x USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-A Port (10 Gb/s) (ReDriver) (Supports ESD Protection)
– 1 x USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-C Port (10 Gb/s) (ReDriver) (Supports ESD Protection)
– 4 x USB 3.1 Gen1 Ports (Intel® Z390) (Supports ESD Protection)
– 1 x RJ-45 LAN Port with LED (ACT/LINK LED and SPEED LED)
– HD Audio Jacks: Rear Speaker / Central / Bass / Line in / Front Speaker / Microphone
Dimension
• 12 inch x 9.6 inch ( 30.5 cm x 24.4 cm )
• ATX Form Factor
Box, Bundle & First Look
In a similar way to the last generation, the Z390 Extreme4 arrives in a large box which features the distinct accents that ASRock are now using on their mainstream motherboard models. Over on the back of the box we have a diagram of the board, pinpointing significant features and all of the technical specifications.
Within the box there are a large number of bundled accessories which include the following:
– Quick Installation Guide
– Software/Driver CD
– I/O Shield
– 4 x SATA Data Cables
– 1 x ASRock SLI_HB_Bridge_2S Card
– 3 x Screws for M.2 Sockets
Although we receive an SLI bridge with this motherboard, it is only compatible with GTX 10-Series graphics cards – such as the GTX 1070, 1080 and 1080 Ti, since it is a HB Bridge. Therefore, the new NVIDIA RTX 20-series graphic cards are not compatible.
With Z390 Extreme4, ASRock has carried across similar characteristics to that of the previous generation, Z370 Extreme4. We have a matt black PCB with gunmetal heatsinks, black slots and reinforced PCI-e slots. Overall the layout and design is definitely very appealing and one which should match up with other system components very well.
ASRock has also included their own RGB lighting technology on Z390 Extreme4 – ASRock Polychrome SYNC. This can be modified in their software and affects the Z390 heatsink, Rear IO shield and audio section.
Z390 Extreme4 conforms to the ATX form factor, measuring in at 30.5 cm x 24.4 cm.
Closer Look
Next, we’ll move in for a closer look at the features that Extreme4 has to offer, beginning at the CPU socket.
Since we’re dealing with a Z390 motherboard, the socket is LGA1151 – supporting next-Gen Intel CPUs and the current Intel 8th Generation. Covering the VRMs we have two large heatsinks which are not connected but act independently. ASRock are using a 12 phase digital power design which also adopts their Super Alloy feature-set. This consists of components such as XXL Aluminium heatsinks, premium 60A power chokes, premium memory chokes, dual-stack MOSFET (DSM), combo CAPs (Nichicon 12K Black CAPs) and a high-density glass fabric PCB.
Behind the heatsinks we have 8pin + 4pin CPU power sockets – slightly more than we’d usually expect for a motherboard of this calibre. Perhaps this indicates higher TDP for next-generation CPUs?
Also in this region we have a CPU fan header and dedicated water pump header (both 4-pin) – which delivers a maximum of 1.5A of power, helping to deliver the correct power for most liquid coolers on the market.
Memory remains the same for this new chipset – we have four DIMM slots, supporting dual channel DDR4 with XMP 2.0. A total of 64GB can be installed and frequencies of up to DDR 4300+ (OC) are supported.
Also in the memory region we have twin USB 3.0 ports… and a USB 3.1 Gen1 header. It’s great to see a generous amount of headers here and that we have support for 3.1 for newer cases offering this on the front panel.
SATA ports still make an appearance on this motherboard, with a total of eight being present. Six are supplied directly from the Intel Z390 chipset while the other two are provided by ASMedia ASM1061. The Intel Z390 chipset sits immediately behind these ports and features a substantial heatsink over the top of it.
Observing the motherboard from a birdseye perspective, there are a selection of PCI-e slots to make use of. PCI-e functionality consists of the following:
• 3x PCI-e 3.0 x16 slots (Modes: 16, 8, 4)
• 4x PCI-e 3.0 x1 slots
Along with AMD CrossfireX and NVIDIA SLI, NVIDIA® NVLink is also available – giving support for dual NVIDIA GeForce® RTX series graphics cards.
There are three M.2 slots in amongst these PCI-e slots, one of which allows typpe 2230 WiFi/BT modules to be installed for WiFi functionality. The other two M.2 slots (at the top and bottom of the board) are PCI-e Gen4 x4 ready.
The lower M.2 slot features a detachable heatsink/cover. Removing this cover reveals a thermal strip which bonds with the drive – the intension is to help keep M.2 SSD temperatures down. We’ll reveal more on this in the full review.
After removing the plastic cover which conceals the bottom-left edge of Extreme4, we can check out the audio components – the audio solution centres around the Realtek ALC1220 codec and is known as Purity Sound 4.
In this region we also have:
• Nichicon Fine Gold Series audio CAPs
• 120dB SNR DAC with Differential Amplifier
• NE5532 Premium Headset Amplifier for Front Panel Audio Connector
• Pure Power-In
• Direct Drive Technology
• PCB Isolate Shielding
• Impedance Sensing on Front Out port
• Individual PCB Layers for R/L Audio Channel
• RGB LED
ASRock’s audio quality on motherboards have offered a strong solution in the past and this combination of top-notch componentry is sure to deliver up some excellent sound.
Finally we arrive at the rear IO section of Z390 Extreme4 and this consists of the following (in no particular order):
– 1 x Antenna Bracket
– 1 x PS/2 Mouse/Keyboard Port
– 1 x D-Sub Port
– 1 x HDMI Port
– 1 x DisplayPort 1.2
– 1 x Optical SPDIF Out Port
– 1 x USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-A Port (10 Gb/s) (ReDriver) (Supports ESD Protection)
– 1 x USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-C Port (10 Gb/s) (ReDriver) (Supports ESD Protection)
– 4 x USB 3.1 Gen1 Ports (Intel® Z390) (Supports ESD Protection)
– 1 x RJ-45 LAN Port with LED (ACT/LINK LED and SPEED LED)
– HD Audio Jacks: Rear Speaker / Central / Bass / Line in / Front Speaker / Microphone
It’s notable that there aren’t many USB ports on this model, which is something of a disappointment. Though we do see USB 2.0 completely phased out.
CLOSING WORDS
Since this is just a preview we can only comment on observations at this stage and what we’ve seen up to this point is very pleasing.The Z390 Extreme4 is a stylish looking motherboard which offers a good selection of features. Though we do note, this new chipset doesn’t appear to bring anything ‘revolutionary’ to the table but rather incremental modifications and adjustments from the previous generation.
We’ll be back later to bring you our verdict on performance in the near future. Watch this space.
