Motherboard ASRock Z890 Pro RS LGA1851

ASRock Z890 Pro RS is an ATX motherboard with LGA 1851, aimed at powerful mid-range to high-end configurations with the new Intel Core Ultra processors. It combines a modern Intel Z890 chipset with DDR5 support and serious M.2 and PCIe potential for future upgrades. Notably, it features a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot for a graphics card and Blazing M.2 Gen5x4 for the fastest NVMe SSDs. This is what you step on if you want a new platform with a long lifespan and plenty of expansion options.

What you get

With an LGA1851 socket and support for Intel Core Ultra processors, you get the latest from the Intel ecosystem, relying on the Z890 chipset for overclocking and the full set of features. The four DDR5 slots with dual-channel configuration, up to 256 GB and frequencies up to 9066MHz+ (OC) provide you with huge capacity and speed – important for heavy multitasking, working with large files, and high FPS with lower RAM bottleneck. For storage, you have a total of four M.2 slots – including one PCIe Gen5x4 and several Gen4x4, plus four SATA 6Gb/s ports and RAID 0/1/5/10, allowing you to combine high-speed NVMe drives with reliable data arrays. 2.5G LAN provides significantly higher bandwidth than standard gigabit, which is a plus for online gaming, streaming, and working with large files over the network. On the back panel, you have a rich I/O combination with HDMI, DisplayPort 1.4, and two Thunderbolt 4 Type-C ports, which opens options for multiple monitors, fast external drives, and docking stations.

• LGA 1851 socket with support for Intel Core Ultra processors gives you access to the latest generation of Intel CPUs.
• Intel Z890 chipset and ATX form factor provide rich connectivity and a stable foundation for gaming and work.
• DDR5 memory with 4 slots, up to 256 GB and speeds up to 9066MHz+ (OC), suitable for heavy applications and future upgrades.
• Four M.2 slots, including 1 x Blazing M.2 PCIe Gen5x4 and several Hyper M.2 PCIe Gen4x4, allow a combination of ultra-fast NVMe drives and SATA/PCIe storage.
• PCIe 5.0 x16 slot for a graphics card plus additional PCIe 4.0 x4 and x1 slots provide ample space for GPU, power cards to storage, capture cards, and other expansions.
• 2.5 Gigabit LAN (Dragon RTL8125BG) offers higher network speed and lower latency compared to standard 1G solutions.
• Two Thunderbolt 4 Type-C ports on the back panel, USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C in front, and multiple USB 3.2 / USB 2.0 ports provide rich options for peripherals and fast external devices.
• 7.1 CH HD Audio with Realtek ALC897 provides decent multi-channel audio for gaming and multimedia without the need for a separate sound card.
• M.2 Key E slot for WiFi/BT module and 2 x antenna mounting points on the back panel allow you to easily add wireless connectivity if needed.
• 2 x 8-pin +12V connectors for CPU power ensure stability under higher loads and overclocking.

Who it is suitable for

This motherboard is suitable for gamers and enthusiasts who want a new Intel Core Ultra platform with the option for a strong GPU, fast DDR5, and plenty of NVMe storage. It is also a good choice for content creation, video editing, and working on heavy projects, where Thunderbolt 4 and high-speed M.2 Gen5 help significantly. If you are looking for something minimalist and cheap for an office machine, this is probably more than you need.

The combination of Z890, PCIe 5.0 x16, Gen5 M.2 slot, 2.5G LAN, and Thunderbolt 4 makes ASRock Z890 Pro RS a very strong base for a modern and long-term configuration. You get a platform that will not limit you in future upgrades of CPU, RAM, GPU, and storage.