ASRock Z890 Pro RS WiFi Hands-On Test

The performance review embargo has finally lifted today for the Intel Core Ultra desktop processors (Series 2) and alongside the new CPUs, we can also see a plethora of reviews for the Z890 chipset motherboards from all Intel board partners. In this article, we’ll talk about the ASRock Z890 Pro RS WiFi, one of the new Z890 chipset motherboards from ASRock which we did a quick unbox and preview earlier this month.

While the ASRock Z890 Pro RS WiFi is based on the high-end Z890 chipset, it comes equipped with the essential features necessary to support Intel’s Core Ultra Series 2 processors, rather than boasting advanced specs aimed at enthusiasts. The Pro series is traditionally marketed towards mainstream DIY users, and this model follows that pattern. The question remains, though: how well does it stack up against other Z890 chipset motherboards with its more modest feature set? Let’s explore its performance and capabilities in the broader competition.

Quick Recap

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The ASRock Z890 Pro RS WiFi, although based on the enthusiast-oriented Z890 chipset, is designed with mainstream users in mind, prioritizing affordability over premium features. One notable aspect is that it comes in two colors—white and black—catering to the growing demand for white-themed builds in the DIY PC community.

While it supports Intel’s latest Core Ultra processors, the board is equipped with essential features rather than high-end specifications. It uses a 16+1+1 phase VRM design that is adequate for general use and moderate overclocking, but it might struggle to handle the power demands of higher-tier CPUs like the Core Ultra 9 285K. However, it should perform well when paired with mid-range CPUs like the Core Ultra 5 245KF.

Other key features include support for PCIe 5.0 and Gen5 M.2 SSDs, ensuring compatibility with modern storage and GPU standards. In terms of connectivity, the board offers USB 3.2 ports, HDMI outputs, 2.5G LAN, and WiFi 6E. However, it lacks support for more advanced connectivity options like WiFi 7.

BIOS

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The BIOS layout of the ASRock Z890 Pro RS WiFi White remains largely consistent with its previous-generation models, maintaining a user-friendly interface. However, the motherboard includes several new options specifically tailored for Intel’s latest CPUs, allowing users to fine-tune performance more effectively. This added flexibility ensures users can optimize their CPU performance according to their needs.

Considering this is a motherboard aimed at mainstream users, the range of BIOS options is quite generous. Even enthusiasts on a budget will find enough freedom to tweak system performance without the need for a premium, high-end board. After all, the Z890 chipset is designed to provide some level of overclocking and customization, balancing both accessibility and power-user functionality.

Test system list

CPU load test and thermals

In this test, the ASRock Z890 Pro RS WiFi motherboard was paired with Intel’s Core Ultra 7 265KF, a flagship processor with a listed turbo power limit of 250W, similar to the Core Ultra 285K. During testing, the power consumption occasionally exceeded this limit by 10-30W with Intel’s default settings, yet the temperatures remained impressively stable, rarely surpassing 80°C, thanks to the efficient cooling from the Cooler Master MasterLiquid 360 ION.

However, when switching to an unlocked power limit mode, the CPU’s power draw soared beyond 300W, pushing the load temperatures to reach as high as 96°C, and in some cases, up to 100°C. The rise in temperatures can be attributed to the shifted thermal hotspot in Intel’s new processors. Fortunately, Cooler Master is expected to release an offset mounting kit to address this issue and enhance cooling performance for users running in this higher power mode.

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When reviewing the sensor readings from HWinfo64, the results were somewhat unexpected, especially in the VRM area, where temperatures were surprisingly low, and there was no sensor for the chipset region. To get a more accurate understanding of the thermal performance, we used a thermal imaging camera during benchmark and stress tests.

For the VRM region, the temperature on the heatsink was observed to range between 50-54°C under load. Meanwhile, the chipset heatsink maintained a temperature of around 53°C. This shows that the onboard sensors might not be capturing entirely accurate readings, but overall, the temperatures in these areas are well within safe limits. So far, there are no major concerns regarding overheating, and the load temperatures seem to be stable.

Memory Overclocking

Although the ASRock Z890 Pro RS WiFi is positioned for mainstream users, it includes high-end features like the patent-pending Memory OC Shield, designed to reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI). This shielding improves stability during memory overclocking, making it easier to run DDR5 modules at higher frequencies.

During testing, reaching DDR5-8000 was fairly straightforward with several of our DDR5 kits, which initially surprised us. While a few kits struggled to surpass DDR5-8266, they eventually did after further adjustments. We expect newer CU-DIMM memory kits to perform even better, as they are likely to become the standard for DDR5 performance in the near future. However, older DDR5 kits will still perform well, as the new Core Ultra CPUs natively support speeds up to 6400MT/s, so you can run your existing DDR5-6000 kits at DDR5-7200 easier nowadays.

Thoughts on the ASRock Z890 Pro RS WiFi

Based on our testing, the ASRock Z890 Pro RS WiFi is a solid entry-level Z890 chipset motherboard. ASRock has kept features at the bare minimum, making it a budget-friendly option while still allowing you to experience Intel’s Core Ultra desktop processors (Series 2) without unnecessary extras. It lacks the premium quality-of-life features found on higher-end boards, like the Z890 Taichi, but does include practical additions such as M.2 latches, which offer convenience for modern builds.

Although this motherboard is aimed at mainstream users, it does offer some room for overclocking and system optimization, even though the overclocking options are not as advanced as those on higher-tier boards. One suggestion for improvement would be the inclusion of a Q-code debug LED, along with onboard power and reset buttons—essentials for a Z890 board in 2024, especially for enthusiasts. While these features are often reserved for more expensive models, their absence here does feel like a bit of a compromise.

While both the ASRock Z890 Pro RS WiFi and its white variant are listed on Newegg for $229, there’s a slight difference in pricing in Malaysia. The Z890 Pro RS WiFi will retail at RM 1,329, whereas the white version will be priced at RM 1,349. This makes them some of the more affordable Z890 chipset motherboards on the market.

Overall, it’s a reasonable option for mainstream users. However, given that it’s a Z890 board, a few more advanced features would have been appreciated. Upgrading from Intel’s 13th or 14th generation CPUs might not provide significant performance improvements, but this board becomes a more compelling choice for users moving up from 12th-gen or older CPUs, where the benefits are more substantial.