The ASRock Z390 Phantom Gaming 9 proves to be a capable board with killer good looks. Small changes, like moving the M.2 heatsink from the top slot to the bottom one in order to position it for better airflow (and better aesthetics) lead to an overall improvement on an already rock-solid, time-tested template I have come to know from ASRock boards in the past. The Phantom Gaming theme is attractive, but still neutral enough to match a large range of components and color schemes. ASRock's BIOS is detailed and easy to navigate, and their software is concise.

Memory stability was also great, and it is good to see that ASRock is still prioritizing performance and compatibility with their boards. CPU overclocking went about as I expected, matching the other two boards I have tested with this i9-9900K sample. ASRock has plenty of tweaking built into these boards to keep even the most avid enthusiasts occupied. ASRock has a history of providing premium LAN connectivity at a relatively low price point, and it is good to see the brand expanding that with this new Phantom Gaming 2.5 Gigabit LAN offering. While the number of buyers who can fully take advantage of these features is quite low, that number is increasing rapidly. Furthermore, the LAN-tuning software that is bundled with the Phantom can offer significant advantages even to users who can not yet approach the bandwidth limits of this board.

I do have a few small concerns. While I commend ASRock for not jamming every conceivable piece of software they can on to their driver disk, it does still contain some bloat. A-Tuning or the Phantom Gaming skinned version of it is not included, and I think it should be. This is a nitpick as it is easily available over ASRock's website, and while it is useful, it is certainly not necessary. My biggest issue with the Phantom Gaming 9 is the price. At US$269.99, the Gaming 9 is just US$30 cheaper than the ASRock Z390 Taichi Ultimate. The two boards are almost identical, aside from looks; the biggest difference is the LAN. The Taichi Ultimate has full 10 Gigabit as opposed to the Phantom Gaming's 2.5 Gigabit.

With all that said, the ASRock Z390 Phantom Gaming 9 is an excellent performer in all categories and has a much bolder aesthetic than the Taichi line. Additionally, 2 Gigabit Internet is starting to become more common here in North America, while 10 Gigabit is still a ways out. Therefore, I can comfortably recommend the ASRock Z390 Phantom Gaming 9 to anyone looking for a high-end Z390 board for gaming.