Motherboard Asrock Z790 PG Lighting LGA1700 DDR5

Asrock Z790 PG Lighting is an ATX motherboard for LGA1700, aimed at mid-range to high-end gaming and enthusiast configurations with DDR5. The combination of Intel Z790 chipset, support for DDR5 up to 6800+ MHz (OC), and PCIe 5.0 x16 slot prepares you for more serious future GPU upgrades. You get rich connectivity – plenty of USB, eight SATA ports, and four M.2 slots for SSDs. This is a board for someone who wants serious control over their configuration and does not compromise on expandability.

What you get

The LGA 1700 socket with Intel Z790 chipset means direct support for 12th and 13th generation Intel Core, as well as Pentium Gold and Celeron – from budget to powerful multi-core CPUs. The four DDR5 slots with a maximum capacity of 128 GB and frequencies up to 6800+ MHz (OC) give you serious headroom for high-end gaming, streaming, and heavy multi-tasking. With 4 x Hyper M.2 slots (one with PCIe Gen4x4 & SATA3 and three with PCIe Gen4x4), you can build a fast NVMe storage array without relying solely on 2.5" devices. The eight SATA3 ports with RAID 0, 1, 10, and JBOD are convenient if you work with many HDD/SSD – for backup, game library, or media server. The built-in 2.5G LAN card gives you higher network throughput compared to standard gigabit, which helps with online gaming and transferring large files on a local network.

• Support for 13th and 12th generation Intel Core, Pentium Gold, and Celeron processors in LGA1700 socket – a flexible choice from budget to multi-core CPUs.
• DDR5 memory with up to 4 slots, maximum capacity 128 GB, and frequency up to 6800+ MHz (OC) – a stable foundation for fast and ample RAM configuration.
• 1 x PCIe 5.0 x16 slot for graphics card plus 1 x PCIe 4.0 x16 (x4) and 3 x PCIe 3.0 x1 – plenty of room for GPU, capture cards, audio, or additional controllers.
• 4 x Hyper M.2 slots (1 x PCIe Gen4x4 & SATA3 and 3 x PCIe Gen4x4) – flexible configuration with fast NVMe and/or SATA M.2 SSDs.
• 8 x SATA3 6.0 Gb/s with support for RAID 0, 1, 10, and JBOD – convenient for arrays with HDD/SSD, NAS-like solutions, or large RAID arrays for work and archiving.
• Built-in Dragon RTL8125BG 2.5 Gigabit LAN (up to 2500 Mb/s) – better LAN connectivity for online gaming and fast transfer in the home network.
• Realtek ALC897 7.1-Channel HD Audio – decent built-in audio for gaming, movies, and everyday use without the need for a separate sound card.
• Rich set of USB: USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C, USB 3.2 Gen2, multiple USB 3.2 Gen1 and USB 2.0 – enough ports for peripherals, external drives, and front panel.
• 1 x M.2 Socket (Key E) for WiFi/BT module – easy upgrade to wireless connectivity if you need it in the future.
• 24-pin + 2 x 8-pin power connectors – stable power delivery to CPU and motherboard for higher loads and overclocking.

Who it is suitable for

This motherboard is suitable for gamers and enthusiasts who want a stable DDR5 LGA1700 build with overclocking capability, plenty of storage, and future upgrade potential to a stronger GPU. It is also very suitable for people who work with large files and need a combination of NVMe and RAID arrays with HDD/SSD. If you are looking for a compact system (mATX/ITX) or require built-in Wi-Fi out of the box, this is not the most suitable choice.

The combination of Z790 chipset, PCIe 5.0 x16, four DDR5 slots, and a serious number of M.2 and SATA ports makes Asrock Z790 PG Lighting a very balanced foundation for a modern and expandable Intel gaming or work build. This is a board that you can comfortably upgrade in the coming years without feeling limited by its capabilities.