Z690 Steel Legend
- Supports 12th Gen Intel Core Processors (LGA1700)
- 13 Phase Dr.MOS Power Design
- Supports DDR4 5000MHz (OC)
- 1 PCIe 5.0 x16, 1 PCIe 4.0 x16, 1 PCIe 3.0 x16, 2 PCIe 3.0 x1
1 M.2 Key-E for WiFi - Graphics Output Options: HDMI, DisplayPort
- Realtek ALC897 7.1 CH HD Audio Codec, Nahimic Audio
- 8 SATA3
- 2 Hyper M.2 (PCIe Gen4 x4)
1 Ultra M.2 (PCIe Gen3 x4 & SATA3) - 1 USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Front Type-C
2 USB 3.2 Gen2 (Rear Type A+C)
8 USB 3.2 Gen1 (4 Rear, 4 Front) - Dragon 2.5G LAN
- ASRock Graphics Card Holder
Optimized VRM Design
Dr. MOS
Dr.MOS is the integrated power stage solution which is optimized for synchronous buck-set down voltage applications! Compared to traditional discrete MOSFETs, it intelligently delivers higher current for each phase, thus providing improved thermal result and superior performance.
13 Power Phase Design
Featuring sturdy components and completely smooth power delivery to the CPU. Plus, it offers unmatched overclocking capabilities and enhanced performance with the lowest temperature for advanced gamers as well.
6 Layer PCB
The 6 Layer PCB provides stable signal traces and power shapes delivering lower temperature and higher energy efficiency for memory overclocking! Thus, it's able to support the latest memory modules with most extreme memory performance!
2oz Copper PCB
2 ounce copper inner layers that provide stable signal traces and power shapes! Delivering lower temperature and higher energy efficiency for overclocking.
PCIe 5.0 + Surface-Mount Tech
Compares to conventional DIP style PCIe slot, the SMT type PCIe slot improves signal flow and maximize stability under high speed, a key breakthrough to fully support the lighting speed of the latest PCIe 5.0 standard.
The latest PCI Express 5.0 is capable to perform a breathtaking bandwidth of 128GBps, ready to unleash the full potential of future high end graphic cards.
Nahimic Audio
Whether you are using headphones, a headset, external or internal speakers, via USB, Wi-Fi, analog output or even HDMI, Nahimic Audio offers you the most engaging listening experience, vibrant and rich with details.
ASRock Graphics Card Holder
Install your heavy graphics card on the holder; connect it to your motherboard and chassis with screws. Flexibly slide up and down to perfectly adjust the height required for your graphics card in place.
POLYCHROME RGB
In addition to the built-in RGB illumination, it also features onboard RGB headers and an addressable RGB header that allow motherboard to be connected to compatible LED devices such as strip, CPU fans, coolers, chassis and so on. Users may also synchronize RGB LED devices across the Polychrome RGB Sync-certified accessories to create their own unique lighting effects.
* The addressable RGB LED header supports WS2812B addressable RGB LED strip (5V/Data/GND), with a maximum power rating of 3A (5V), a max of 80 LEDs and length within 2 meters.
* The RGB LED header supports standard 5050 RGB LED strip (12V/G/R/B), with a maximum power rating of 3A (12V) and length within 2 meters.
High Speed M.2 Solution
PCIe Gen4 x4 for SSD
This motherboard is capable of accomadating multiple M.2 storage devices, one of which can support PCI Express 4.0 M.2 SSD, it is capable of performing twice the speed compared to previous 3rd generation, giving a lightning fast data transferring experience.
Anti-Drop Screw
Tired of dropping screws or screws missing inside chassis?
The enhanced M.2 heatsink with anti-drop screw design that make sure installation process more easily.
Dragon 2.5 Gb/s LAN
The intelligent 2.5Gb/s LAN platform is built for maximum networking performance for the demanding requirements of home networking, content creators, online gamers and high-quality streaming media. Boost networking performance up to 2.5X the bandwidth compared to the standard gigabit Ethernet, you’ll enjoy the faster and uncompromised connectivity experience for gaming, file transfers and backups.
Front USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C
The latest USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C delivers up to 20 Gbps data transfer rate which is 2x as fast as previous generation, providing a blazing fast data transfer interface with reversible USB Type-C design that fits the connector either way.
Dual USB 3.2 Gen2 (Type-A + Type-C)
This motherboard has a pair of onboard Type-A and Type-C USB 3.2 Gen2 ports built on the rear i/o for supporting next generation USB 3.2 Gen2 devices and to deliver up to 10 Gbps data transfer rates.
EZ Setting
Auto Driver Installer
No need to worry about lack of disk drive! Asrock preinstall LAN driver to ensure that you are able to install all drivers needed in an easier way than using SCD.
step1: Install Auto Driver Installer
step2: Update drivers needed
step3: Done!
BIOS Flashback
Get the most convenient BIOS flashing with just a simple click. Users can easily achieve the latest BIOS support with a USB and power supply, No CPU, RAM or other components required.
Flexible Integrated IO Shield
Unlike most so called pre-mounted I/O shield that is only decorated with fancy color schemes. We reserve more tolerance space and allow IO shield is adjustable when installing, thus fitting chassis perfectly without any mechanical issue.
Pros: Quality build Stable performance Easy to use UEFI DDR4 RAM Price
Cons: None
Overall Review: This is my third ASRock board since 2014 (Z97 Killer, Z390 Taichi, Z690 Steel Legend). I keep buying ASRock because they make quality boards and the price is always better than the top-tier competition. The board looks goods and the white accents actually help to see parts of the board (as opposed to the standard black/dark everywhere). Plenty of connections, too, for most users. I have three front intake fans, one rear exhaust fan, and two top exhaust fans for my AIO cooler all individually connected to the board. I am running an i5-12600K stable at 5.2 GHz (P-cores) and 4.2 GHz (E-cores). Overclocking through the UEFI was easy. I changed a few settings I got from the 12600K Tom's Hardware review and then adjusted the P-cores and E-cores up to 52/42. I left the voltage settings on Auto. I am using 32 GB of Corsair LPX3000 RAM that I previously used on my Z390 Taichi. This is a plus because DDR5 RAM is very expensive and all the benchmarks I see show that in most uses, DDR5 is only about 2-5% faster. I'm sure that will change but not anytime soon. DDR5 just isn't worth it at this point. This is another quality ASRock board. If it has all the features you are looking for, go for it. If you need more features, then stick with ASRock and go up their product line. "This review is for ASRock review rebate program."