ASRock Z790 Phantom Gaming NOVA Motherboard Review – A Well-Priced High-End Board

CPU Power Consumption Tests

ASRock has been updating its Z790 motherboard lineup with a range of fresh new options. We recently covered the Z790 Taichi LITE which offers the same Taichi specs at a lower price point, along with all the goodies you'd expect from a top-end motherboard and now the company has launched its brand new Phantom Gaming flagship, the Z790 PG Nova, which aims to excel as a high-end motherboard with a good price proposition.

The Phantom Gaming NOVA is equipped with all the latest features that you'd expect from a 2023 motherboard such as WIFI 7, 14th Gen CPU support, and the gaming aesthetics that the PG brand is known for. So without further ado, let's see what the Nova can do and what it has to offer for the gaming masses.

The Intel LGA 1700 Platform

Intel's Raptor Lake-S desktop CPUs feature support on LGA 1700 socket which is also used by the Alder Lake CPUs. The Raptor Lake-S CPUs launched alongside the 700-series motherboards. You can expect all the top-notch specs from the Z790 motherboards with the best overclocking & fine-tuning capabilities.

Another interesting thing to talk about the Z790 PCH is its process node and dimensions. The Z790 PCH is based on the 14nm node and measures at 98mm2 which is slightly larger than the Z590 PCH featured on LGA 1200 socket motherboards.

Intel Desktop Platform Chipset Comparison

Chipset Name	Arrow Lake-S (ARL-S) PCH / 800 Series (Z890)	Raptor Lake-S (RPL-S) PCH / 700 Series (Z790)	Alder Lake-S (ADL-S) PCH / 600 Series (Z690)	Rocket Lake-S (RKL-S) PCH / 500 Series (Z590)	Comet Lake-S (CML-S) PCH / 400 Series (Z490)	Coffee Lake S (CFL-S) PCH / 300 Series (Z390/H370, B360, Q370, H310)	Coffee Lake S (KBL-R) PCH / Z370 Platform
Process Node	7nm	14nm	14nm	14nm	14nm	14nm	22nm
Processor	24C, 20C, 14C, 12C, TBD)	24,16C,12C,10C,6C,4C	16C,12C,10C,6C,4C (Full corporate/consumer SKU stack at launch)	8C, 6C (Full corporate/consumer SKU stack at launch)	10C, 8C, 6C, 4C, 2C (Full corporate/consumer SKU stack at launch)	8C, 6C, 4C, 2C (Full corporate/consumer SKU stack at launch)	8C, 6C, 4C (6 Consumer SKUs at Launch)
Memory	Up To DDR5-6400 (Native)	Up To DDR5-5600 (Native) Up To DDR4-3200 (Native)	Up To DDR5-4800 (Native) Up To DDR4-3200 (Native)	Up To DDR4-3200 (Native)	Up To DDR4-2933 (Native)	Up To DDR4-2666 (Native)	Up To DDR4-2666 (Native)
Media, Display & Audio	eDP / 4DDI (DP, HDMI) Display Capabilities	eDP / 4DDI (DP, HDMI) Display Capabilities	eDP / 4DDI (DP, HDMI) Display Capabilities	DP 1.2 & HDMI 2.0, HBR3 HDCP 2.2 (HDMI 2.0a w/LSPCON) 12-bit AV1/HEVC & VP9 10-bit Enc/Dec, HDR, Rec.2020, DX12 Integrated Dual-Core Audio DSP With USB Audio offload SoundWire Digital Audio Interface	DP 1.2 & HDMI 1.4 HDCP 2.2 (HDMI 2.0a w/LSPCON) HEVC & VP9 10-bit Enc/Dec, HDR, Rec.2020, DX12 Integrated Dual-Core Audio DSP SoundWire Digital Audio Interface	DP 1.2 & HDMI 1.4 HDCP 2.2 (HDMI 2.0a w/LSPCON) HEVC & VP9 10-bit Enc/Dec, HDR, Rec.2020, DX12 Integrated Dual-Core Audio DSP SoundWire Digital Audio Interface	DP 1.2 & HDMI 1.4 HDCP 2.2 (HDMI 2.0a w/LSPCON) HEVC & VP9 10-bit Enc/Dec, HDR, Rec.2020, DX12 Integrated Dual-Core Audio DSP
I/O & Connectivity	Integrated USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (20G) Integrated Intel Wireless-AC (Wi-Fi6E/ 7 BT CNVio) with Gig+ Integrated SDXC 4.0 Controller Thunderbolt 4.0	Integrated USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (20G) Integrated Intel Wireless-AC (Wi-Fi6E/ 7 BT CNVio) with Gig+ Integrated SDXC 4.0 Controller Thunderbolt 4.0	Integrated USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (20G) Integrated Intel Wireless-AC (Wi-Fi6E/ 7 BT CNVio) with Gig+ Integrated SDXC 4.0 Controller Thunderbolt 4.0	Integrated USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (20G) Integrated Intel Wireless-AC (Wi-Fi6E/ BT CNVi) Integrated SDXC 3.0 Controller Thunderbolt 4.0 (Maple Ridge)	Integrated USB 3.2 Gen 2 Integrated Intel Wireless-AC (Wi-Fi / BT CNVi) Integrated SDXC 3.0 Controller Thunderbolt 3.0 (Titan Ridge) w/ DP 1.4	Integrated USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 Gbps) Integrated Intel Wireless-AC (Wi-Fi / BT CNVi) Integrated SDXC 3.0 Controller Thunderbolt 3.0 (Titan Ridge) w/ DP 1.4	Integrated USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 Gbps) Thunderbolt 3.0 (Alpine Ridge)
Storage	PCIe 5.0 (CPU Lanes), 8x SATA 3.0	Next-Gen Intel Optane memory PCIe 5.0 (CPU Lanes), 6x SATA 3.0	Next-Gen Intel Optane memory PCIe 5.0, 6x SATA 3.0	Next-Gen Intel Optane memory PCIe 4.0, 6x SATA 3.0	Next-Gen Intel Optane memory PCIe 3.0, 6x SATA 3.0	Next Gen Intel Optane memory PCIe 3.0, 6x SATA 3.0	Next Gen Intel Optane memory PCIe 3.0, 6x SATA 3.0
Max PCH PCIe Lanes	Up To 24 (Gen 4)	Up To 20 (Gen 4) Up To 8 (Gen 3)	Up To 12 (Gen 4) Up To 16 (Gen 3)	Up To 24 (Gen 3)	Up To 24 (Gen 3)	Up To 24 (Gen 3)	Up To 24 (Gen 3)
Max CPU PCIe Lanes	Up To 20 (Gen 5) Up To 4 (Gen 4)	Up To 16 (Gen 5) Up To 4 (Gen 4)	Up To 16 (Gen 5) Up To 4 (Gen 4)	Up To 20 (Gen 4)	Up To 16 (Gen 3)	Up To 16 (Gen 3)	Up To 16 (Gen 3)
Max USB Ports	Up To 5 (USB 3.2 Gen 2z2) Up To 10 (USB 3.2 Gen 2x1) Up To 10 (USB 3.2 Gen 1x1) Up To 14 (USB 2.0)	Up To 5 (USB 3.2 Gen 2x2) Up To 10 (USB 3.2 Gen 2x1) Up To 10 (USB 3.2 Gen 1x1) Up To 14 (USB 2.0)	Up To 4 (USB 3.2 Gen 2x2) Up To 10 (USB 3.2 Gen 2x1) Up To 10 (USB 3.2 Gen 1x1) Up To 14 (USB 2.0)	Up To 3 (USB 3.2 Gen 2x2) Up To 10 (USB 3.2 Gen 2x1) Up To 10 (USB 3.2 Gen 1x1) Up To 14 (USB 2.0)	Up To 10 (USB 3.2) Up To 14 (USB 2.0)	Up To 10 (USB 3.1) Up To 14 (USB 2.0)	Up To 10 (USB 3.0) Up To 14 (USB 2.0)
Security	Intel TET Intel Boot Guard	N/A	N/A	N/A	Intel SGX 1.0	Intel SGX 1.0	Intel SGX 1.0
Power Management	C10 & S0ix Support for Modern Standby	C10 & S0ix Support for Modern Standby	C10 & S0ix Support for Modern Standby	C10 & S0ix Support for Modern Standby	C10 & S0ix Support for Modern Standby	C10 & S0ix Support for Modern Standby	C8 Support
Launch	2024	2022	2021	2021	2019	2018	2017

The LGA 1700 socket is here now. The new socket adds more pins to the socket and changes the dimensions entirely. The new LGA 1700 socket offers 500 more pin connections to the CPU, allowing for more communication channels with the board itself and accommodating electrical pin configurations that are required to support 14th, 13th & 12th Gen CPUs.

So as for the socket details, Intel has gone with an asymmetrical design since the Alder Lake CPUs are no longer square-shaped. The latest desktop CPUs will come in a 37.5x45.0mm package and are supported by the 'V0' socket which we know as LGA 1700.

The socket also changes the mounting positions to a 78x78mm grid rather than a 75x75mm grid. The Z-height has also changed to 6.529mm compared to 7.31mm on the previous LGA 12**/115* sockets.

Cooler Compatibility With LGA 1700 Socket

To make their existing coolers compatible with Intel's Raptor Lake & Alder Lake CPU lineup, many cooling brands have released LGA 1700 upgrade kits which feature mounting hardware for the new socket. But the Intel Raptor Lake and the Alder Lake CPU platform aren't just featuring a brand new mounting design but the CPU dimensions themselves have changed too.

The LGA 1700 (V0) socket not only has an asymmetrical design but also comes with a lower Z-stack height. This means that proper mounting pressure is needed to make full contact with the Intel Alder Lake IHS. Certain cooler manufacturers have already been using larger cold plates for Ryzen and Threadripper CPUs to make proper contact with the IHS but these are mostly higher-end and new cooling designs. Those who are still running older AIOs with round cold plates could have trouble maintaining the required pressure distribution which could lead to inadequate cooling performance.

The ASRock Z790 Phantom Gaming NOVA motherboard comes in a large cardboard package. The front is themed in blue and black. You can also note the Phantom Gaming logo on the front which looks great. For those who aren't aware, the Phantom Gaming brand is a direct replacement for the FATAL1TY gaming series which ASRock used to offer in the past. The front also lists support for Intel 14th generation Core processors while the motherboard is clearly labeled as a gaming product.

The backside of the package lists the specifications and special features of the motherboard such as the Composite VRM heatsink, the Deluxe 6 M.2 slots, a toolless multi-layer M.2 heatsink, WIFI 7 support, a server-grade / low-loss 8-layer PCB and an optimized 20+1+1 phase VRM.

The motherboard itself is packaged in an anti-static wrap and held in a foam package which keeps it stable during shipping. The internal package is made out of cardboard too.

Inside the package is another box that contains the accessories and is located right below the box holder for the board itself.

Following is the full list of accessories in the package:

• - 1 x User Manual
• - 4 x SATA Data Cables
• - 1 x Graphics Card Holder
• - 1 x ASRock WiFi 2.4/5/6 GHz Antenna
• - 1 x ARGB Splitter Cable
• - 3 x Thermistor Cables
• - 5 x Screws for M.2 Sockets
• - 5 x Standoffs for M.2 Sockets

With all the accessories done, it's time to put that box aside and take the motherboard out of its package.

Straight out of the package, the ASRock Z790 Phantom Gaming Nova blasts apart with its futuristic gaming tone. The motherboard is all black with hints of purple and pink over the PCH/IO covers & heatsinks. The motherboard comes in the standard ATX form factor and the first impressions are very positive as it feels like a premium product.

In terms of pricing, the motherboard retails at $329.99 US which makes it a very high-end offering so I am expecting to to offer great looks, great features, and great performance. Plus, there's also an updated heatsink design which I will dive into shortly.

The board uses the LGA 1700 socket to support Intel Core processors. The socket is compatible with Intel's 14th, 13th & 12th Generation core family. The socket has a protective cover on top of it that points out the exclusivity with Raptor Lake 13th Gen & Alder Lake 12th Gen CPUs, refraining users from running older 11th and 10th generation CPUs as they won't fit in the socket at all and forcing them in the socket is only going to cause permanent damage to your motherboard.

Next to the socket are four DDR5 DIMM slots that can support up to 192 GB of dual-channel memory.

These slots are rated to support XMP profiles up to 8200 MT/s (OC Plus). Each slot is labeled, making it easier to install DIMMs in the proper orientation. DDR5 memory comes with a different latch position so forcing a DDR4 module into a DDR5 slot will cause permanent damage. Each slot is also combined with a reinforced design to make sure signal integrity remains good while keeping the slots durable for long-term usage.

Following is the full memory support list:

• 1DPC 1R Up to 8000+ MHz (OC), 4800 MHz Natively
• 1DPC 2R Up to 6800+ MHz (OC), 4400 MHz Natively
• 2DPC 1R Up to 6000+ MHz (OC), 4000 MHz Natively
• 2DPC 2R Up to 5600+ MHz (OC), 3600 MHz Natively

The ASRock Z790 Phantom Gaming NOVA motherboard features a 20+1+1 (VCore/ VccGT/VccAUX)  phase digital power delivery that utilizes the 90A SPS power stages for both the Vcore and VccGT. It also utilizes the Japanese 20K long-lasting capacitors.

The VRMs receive ample cooling from the updated Composite VRM heatsink which features two VRM heatsink stacks.

The CPU is supplied power through an 8+8 pin power connector configuration. This will feed the CPU with up to 300 Watts of power. The Intel 14th 13th & 12th Gen Unlocked CPUs are very power-hungry with the maximum turbo power rated at 253W for the Core i9-14900K and more if you are planning to overclock these chips.

Getting a closer look at the VRM heatsinks reveals an aluminum fin design on both XXL VRM heat sinks. Each heatsink has thermal pads located underneath for efficient transfer of heat. The topmost heatsinks are situated underneath an I/O cover which looks great.

There's also a singular heat pipe that connects the two MOSFET heatsinks for better heat dissipation.

Taking a closer look at the heatsink underneath the I/O cover, you can note a small cut-out which is for the active cooling fan featured on the heatsink itself. This provides better airflow to the heat sink, keeping the VRMs running cooler under load.

Expansion slots include three PCI Express x16 (1 x Gen 5.0 x16 / 1x Gen 4.0 x16 / 1x Gen 3.0x1) and six M.2 slots.

ASRock makes use of an 8-layer server-grade PCB which not only ensures better memory overclock potential but also prevents signal losses on the PCIe Gen 5.0 slots and the M.2 SSDs. The Nova also makes use of SMT (Surface Mount Technology) which improves signal flow & stability to ensure up to 128 GB/s transfer speeds through the PCIe 5.0 link while the reinforced Steel Slot PCIe 5.0 adds extra anchor points and a stronger latching system to make sure that even the biggest of graphics cards is installed well.

The Nova comes packed with six M.2 slots of which there's one PCIe Gen 5.0 x4 with a toolless heat sink design which makes it all the more easier to remove and install your brand new SSDs. The rest of the five M.2 heatsinks are scattered across the lower half of the motherboard with one even being adjusted next to the PCH area with its own heatsink. The rest of the M.2 slots operate at Gen 4.0 x 4 speeds. Using the Gen5 M.2 slot will restrict the topmost PCIe x16 slot to x8 speeds since it shares lanes with the dGPU CPU lanes (x16).

CPU:

• - 1 x Blazing M.2 Socket (M2_1, Key M), supports type 2260/2280 PCIe Gen5x4 (128 Gb/s) mode
• - 1 x Hyper M.2 Socket (M2_2, Key M), supports type 2260/2280 PCIe Gen4x4 (64 Gb/s) mode

Chipset:

• - 1 x Hyper M.2 Socket (M2_3, Key M), supports type 2260/2280 PCIe Gen4x4 (64 Gb/s) mode
• - 1 x Hyper M.2 Socket (M2_4, Key M), supports type 2260/2280 PCIe Gen4x4 (64 Gb/s) mode
• - 1 x Hyper M.2 Socket (M2_5, Key M), supports type 2260/2280 SATA3 6.0 Gb/s & PCIe Gen4x4 (64 Gb/s) modes
• - 1 x Hyper M.2 Socket (M2_6, Key M), supports type 2260/2280 PCIe Gen4x4 (64 Gb/s) mode
• - 4 x SATA3 6.0 Gb/s Connectors

The Z790 PCH is housed beneath a large heatsink with the NOVA logo etched over it and looks great. This heatsink cover cools the PCH and the four M.2 Gen4 x4 SSDs.

The PCH/SSD and the I/O cover come with RGB illumination that can be adjusted with ASRock's own Polychrome Sync software. There are plenty of ARGB/RGB headers on the motherboard for those who like to light up their PCs. The I/O cover has a small acrylic window which diffuses the lighting and gives off a nice effect. As for the PCH cover, it needs to be removed to access the CMOS battery.

Storage options include four SATA III ports rated to operate at 6 GB/s. These can support 4 different storage devices at once. There are also 3 USB 3.2 front panel connectors (1 x Gen 2x2 Type-C + 4 x Gen 1). 2 USB 2.0 (4 USB 2.0 ports) front panel connectors are also included.

ASRock uses the Realtek ALC4082 Audio Codec to drive the 7.1 channel HD Audio on the board. The audio components are separated on their own PCB segment and support Impedance sensing on the rear-out port.

ASRock doesn't miss out on those nifty DIY-friendly features such as a DEBUG LED, Power On/Off & Reset buttons. There are plenty of fan, thermal sensor and USB headers on the board.

The full list of connectors on the motherboard is listed as follows.

• - 3 x Thermistor Cable Headers
• - 1 x SPI TPM Header
• - 1 x Power LED and Speaker Header
• - 1 x RGB LED Header
• - 3 x Addressable LED Headers
• - 1 x CPU Fan Connector (4-pin)
• - 1 x CPU/Water Pump Fan Connector (4-pin) (Smart Fan Speed Control)
• - 5 x Chassis/Water Pump Fan Connectors (4-pin) (Smart Fan Speed Control)
• - 1 x VRM Fan Connector (4-pin) (Smart Fan Speed Control)
• - 1 x 24 pin ATX Power Connector (Hi-Density Power Connector)
• - 2 x 8 pin 12V Power Connectors (Hi-Density Power Connector)
• - 1 x Front Panel Audio Connector (15μ Gold Audio Connector)
• - 1 x Thunderbolt AIC Connector (5-pin) (Supports ASRock Thunderbolt 4 AIC Card)
• - 2 x USB 2.0 Headers (Support 4 USB 2.0 ports)
• - 2 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Headers (Support 4 USB 3.2 Gen1 ports)
• - 1 x Front Panel Type C USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Header (20 Gb/s)
• - 1 x Dr. Debug with LED
• - 1 x Power Button with LED
• - 1 x Reset Button with LED

ASRock is using Intel's WiFi 7 BE200 WiFi Module to power wireless connectivity with up to 5.8 Gbps data transfer rates, up to 320 MHz bandwidth, and Bluetooth 5.3. In terms of Ethernet, there is a single 2.5 GbE LAN port powered by the Killer E3100G controller.

The motherboard comes with the following I/O connectors:

• - 2 x Antenna Ports
• - 1 x HDMI Port
• - 1 x DisplayPort 1.4
• - 1 x Optical SPDIF OutPort
• - 1 x USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C Port (20 Gb/s)
• - 4 x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A Ports (10 Gb/s)
• - 3 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Ports
• - 2 x USB 2.0 Ports
• - 1 x RJ-45 LAN Port
• - 1 x Clear CMOS Button
• - 1 x Line Out Jack (Gold Audio Jack)
• - 1 x Microphone Input Jack (Gold Audio Jack)

For testing, I used the Intel Core i9-13900K which was sent to us by Intel on a range of Z790 motherboards.

Intel Z790 Motherboards Test Platform:

Processors	Intel Core i9-13900K
Motherboard	Maxsun iCraft B760M Cross Gigabyte Z790 AORUS PRO X (F5) Biostar Z790A-Silver (Z79BCC13.BST) ASRock Z790 Phantom Gaming NOVA (2.01) Gigabyte Z790 AORUS Master X (Launch) MSI MEG Z790 ACE MAX (Launch) MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk MAX WIFI (7E25vA0) ASRock Z790 Taichi LITE (1.06) MSI MEG Z790 ACE (7D86v164) ASRock Z790 Taichi Carrara (7.04) ASRock Z790 Steel Legend (8.05) Gigabyte Z790 AERO G (F5) ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 HERO (0904)
Power Supply	MSI MEG Ai1300P 1300W PSU
Solid State Drive	T-Force A440 Pro 2 TB (Gen4x4)
Memory	G.SKILL Trident Z5 32 GB (2 x 16GB) CL34 7200 Mbps
Video Cards	MSI GeForce RTX 4090 SUPRIM X
Cooling Solutions	Corsair H150i (With LGA 1700 Mounting Kit)
OS	Windows 11 64-bit

Our test rig includes the T-Force A440 Pro 2 TB Gen4x4 SSD that boots up our main OS. In addition to these, we are running an MSI GeForce RTX 4090 SUPRIM X graphics card and an MSI MEG Ai1300P 1300W PSU. For this specific review, we used G.Skill's latest Trident Z5 DDR5-7200 memory kit running at CL34 timings.

3DMark Time Spy CPU Performance

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Blender

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Cinebench R20

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Cinebench R23

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CPU-Z

CPUz is a freeware that gathers information on some of the main devices of your system such as the Processor name and number, codename, process, package, cache levels, Mainboard, chipset, Memory type, size, timings, and module specifications (SPD), and Real-time measurement of each core's internal frequency, memory frequency.

Geekbench 5

Geekbench 5, the latest major upgrade to Primate Labs’ easy-to-use cross-platform benchmark, is now available for download. Geekbench 5 allows you to measure your system’s power more accurately than ever before.

HandBrake

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PCMark 10

PCMark 10 is a complete PC benchmarking solution for Windows 10. It includes several tests that combine individual workloads covering storage, computation, image and video manipulation, web browsing, and gaming. Specifically designed for the full range of PC hardware from netbooks and tablets to notebooks and desktops, PCMark 10 offers complete Windows PC performance testing for home and business use.

POV-Ray

The POV-Ray package includes detailed instructions on using the ray-tracer and creating scenes. Many stunning scenes are included with POV-Ray so you can start creating images immediately when you get the package.

SuperPI

Super PI is used by many overclockers to test the performance and stability of their computers. In the overclocking community, the standard program provides a benchmark for enthusiasts to compare “world record” pi calculation times and demonstrate their overclocking abilities. The program can also be used to test the stability of a certain overclock speed.

WinRAR

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V-Ray Render Benchmark

V-Ray  Benchmark is a free standalone application to test how fast your system renders. Three custom-built test scenes are also included to put each V-Ray 5 render engine through its paces.

Battlefield V

Battlefield V brings back the action of the World War 2 shooter genre. Using the latest Frostbite tech, the game does a good job of looking gorgeous in all ways possible. From the open-world environments to the intense and gun-blazing action, this multiplayer and single-player FPS title is one of the best-looking Battlefields to date. The game was tested at max settings at 1440p.

DOOM Eternal

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GTA V

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Metro Exodus

Metro Exodus continues the journey of Artyom through the nuclear wasteland of Russia and its surroundings. This time, you are set over the Metro, going through various regions and different environments. The game is one of the premier titles to feature NVIDIA’s RTX technology and does well in showcasing the ray-tracing effects in all corners. The game was tested at Ultra setting with RTX settings turned off at 1440p.

Shadow of The Tomb Raider

Sequel to The Rise of the Tomb Raider, Shadow of The Tomb Raider is visually enhanced with an updated Foundation Engine that delivers realistic facial animations and the most gorgeous environments ever seen in a Tomb Raider Game. The game is a technical marvel and really shows the power of its graphics engine in the latest title.

Sid Meier's Civilization VI

Civilization VI is the pinnacle of the series. It features huge, sweeping changes, and nothing was left out. Everything has found a purpose, they all work together in tandem but also have a reason to stand alone. It uses a more fleshed-out engine that now supports DirectX 12 capabilities. We tested the game with every setting maxed out (4x MSAA, 4096x4096 shadow textures) at 1440P in DirectX 12.

The Intel Raptor Lake CPUs feature the brand new hybrid architecture approach composed of Raptor Cove and Gracemont cores. The chip also relies on a brand new 10nm Enhanced SuperFin process node which delivers up to 6.0 GHz clock speeds on the flagship Core i9-13900KS.

The faster clocks along with the addition of more cores should lead to more power consumption but Intel is also touting increased efficiency per watt thanks to the overall performance increases we get this generation.

In terms of packaging, Intel's Raptor Lake Desktop CPUs ship with a Solder TIM interface and higher-quality gold plating under the IHS. The thermal testing was carried out with the Corsair H150i AIO liquid cooler:

ASRock seems to have wanted to go all out within the Phantom Gaming segment with its Nova and based on what the motherboard has to offer, it looks like the company achieved the goal. The Nova is a high-end motherboard with a premium gaming look and an absolute bang for the buck in the $300 US range.

As I have said, gamers will love the aggressive tone and all-black color scheme that ASRock is using on the PG NOVA. Sure the motherboard has all the ARGB/RGB goodies on it too but even without them, the motherboard stands out with its own unique design and the large "NOVA" branding with Phantom Gaming accents across the PCH & I/O covers. ASRock is also catching up with some of the more interesting trends in the motherboard industry such as toolless M.2 designs & while I do miss a PCIe slot release feature which is becoming a common site on boards, I hope that the next lineup from ASRock also implements them for a friendlier DIY design.

On the performance front, ASRock doesn't hold back and offers a 22-phase VRM design with 90A power stages that is more than enough to support power-guzzling monsters such as the Intel Core i9-14900K CPU. It handled our overclocked Core i9-13900K CPU well throughout the tests and I was also able to run some tests with the 14900K sample that Intel had sent us. The motherboard is able to support the chip out of the box without requiring any BIOS update though I would recommend using the latest BIOS to get the most out of the motherboard, especially if you are planning to use higher-speed memory kits. The motherboard is rated to support up to DDR5-8000+ which is a great thing and there is a large list of support memory kits within the QVL list over here.

VRM cooling is another strong aspect and the active cooler does keep the temps cool throughout stock and overclocked runs. As for noise output, the noise of the fan wasn't noticeable however you do get to hear the fan spinning as the temperatures increase. In terms of I/O, the major features are support for WIFI 7 and a wide variety of USB 3.2 Gen 2/1 ports. There's no USB4 support however ASRock provides a Thunderbolt4 connector for its TB4 AIC which can be bought separately. On the storage front, you are getting six M.2 slots which is insane and five of those are natively Gen4 x4 while 1 even gets you Gen5 x4 speeds.

With the NOVA, ASRock has a very solid option in the $300 US Z790 motherboard category with aesthetics that gamers would love and performance that will be more than enough for Intel's 14th Gen Core i9 CPUs. The motherboard definitely got a recommendation from me and to make things even better, the board can currently be found for $279.99 US.

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