ASRock Z390 Phantom Gaming X Review

Name: ASRock Z390 Phantom Gaming X
Brand: ASRock

Nate

on Jul 4th, 2019,

in Motherboards.

Manufacturer: ASRock

Packaging & Contents »

Introduction

After Computex and E3, there is no denying that the public eye has shifted to the team in red. With all the hype and buildup around the new Ryzen processors and X570 chipset, it can be easy to forget who still reigns supreme in enthusiast gaming. ASRock hasn't forgotten. Along with some stunning new products within the X570 ecosystem, ASRock has brought a brand new flagship to their Z390 family, the ASRock Z390 Phantom Gaming X.

ASRock introduced the Phantom Gaming line last year as a more aggressively styled alternative to their existing Taichi product lines. The Phantom Gaming family covers a broad range of components, from motherboards all the way to cases. In the motherboard space, the first iteration of Phantom Gaming shared a lot of design and parts with the award-winning Taichi boards. While that is not necessarily a bad thing, ASRock wisely invested in an updated look that better differentiates the two product stacks. The ASRock Z390 Phantom Gaming X represents the new top dog in this Phantom Gaming stack.

Now, there are several features that set the ASRock Z390 Phantom Gaming X apart. Firstly, a monstrous 14 phase VRM. Secondly, the ASRock Z390 Phantom Gaming X takes the modern Phantom Gaming style to a new level with an updated aesthetic that includes such luxuries as better RGB illumination, an integrated rear I/O shield, and a metal backplate. The ASRock Z390 Phantom Gaming X maintains the draws of the Phantom Gaming line with 2.5 G LAN support, but takes it one step further with WiFi 6 (802.11ax). It is also one of the first products to market to support the new standard, and it is a perfect fit in the Phantom Gaming theme.

So, it has the looks and features, but does it have the performance to be the top motherboard in a line of excellent boards?

Specifications

Specifications
CPU Support:	Intel Core 9000 series and 8th Gen Intel Core
Power Design:	CPU Power: 14 phase Memory Power: 2 phase
Chipset:	Intel Z390
Integrated Graphics:	Dependent on installed CPU
Memory:	4x DIMM, Support Dual Channel DDR4-4266+(OC) MHz
BIOS:	Dual AMI UEFI BIOS
Expansion Slots:	3x PCIe 3.0 x16 slots (x16/x0/x0 or x8/x8/x0 or x8/x4/x4) 2x PCIe 3.0 x1 slots
Storage:	8x SATA 6 Gb/s port 3x M.2 port (SATA3/PCIe 3.0 x4)
Networking:	1x Intel I219V 1x Intel I211AT 1x Dragon RTL8125AG 1x Intel 802.11ax (WiFi 6)
Rear Ports:	2x Antenna ports 1x HDMI port 1x Optical SPDIF out port 2x LAN (RJ45) ports 1x USB 3.1 (Gen2) Type-C port 3x USB 3.1 (Gen2) Type-A port 4x USB 3.1 (Gen1) ports 1x DisplayPort 1.2 5x 3.5 mm Audio jacks 1x PS/2 Mouse/Keyboard combo port
Audio:	1x Realtek ALC1220 Codec
Fan Headers:	8x 4-pin
Form Factor:	ATX Form Factor: 12.0 in x 9.6 in, 30.5 cm x 24.4 cm
Exclusive Features:	WiFi 6 support (802.11ax) Metal backplate Phantom Gaming 2.5 Gigabit LAN Digital PWM, 14 power phase Full-coverage M.2 heatsink Supports DDR4 4266+(OC) MHz PCIe steel slots ASRock Live Update and APP Shop Polychrome RGB Super Alloy Creative Sound Blaster Cinema 5 Hyper BCLK Engine II USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-A and Type-C Supports NVIDIA SLI Supports AMD Quad CrossFire