ASRock Z790 PG Sonic Edition Review

Name: ASRock Z790 PG Sonic Edition
Brand: ASRock
Price: 250 USD

ir_cow

on Mar 7th, 2023,

in Motherboards.

Manufacturer: ASRock

Board Software »

BIOS Overview

Clocks	Range	Interval
BCLK Frequency:	97.5–500 MHz	0.010 MHz
CPU P-Core Ratio:	4–85	1
CPU E-Core Ratio:	4–85	1
CPU Cache/Ring Ratio:	4-85	1
DRAM Frequency:	DDR5-800 - DDR5-12800	N/A
CPU Voltages	Range	Interval
CPU Voltage:	0.8–1.55 V	0.005 V
CPU Input Voltage:	1.7–2.1 V	0.010 V
VCCSA Voltage:	0.001-2.00 V	0.001 V
VDD2 (IMC):	1.0–1.5 V	0.010 V
VDDQ_TX:	0.005–1.65 V	0.005 V
DRAM Voltages	Range	Interval
DRAM VDD:	0.800–2.070	0.010 V
DRAM VDDQ:	0.800–2.07	0.010 V
DRAM VPP:	1.5–2.135 V	0.010 V

Taking a look at the ASRock Z790 PG Sonic Edition BIOS, first impressions are good for this time around for ASRock. Not only does it keep with the Sonic theme, there is a Easy Mode as well. ASRock often gets flak for not usually including a Easy Mode, because of how useful it is to new users. Upon first boot, you'll come across the "EZ Mode." This menu is designed for casual users, who do not want to dive deep into the BIOS settings. Here "EZ Mode" is straight forward with options to set drive boot priority, enable memory XMP profiles and change internal power limit based on the CPU cooler used, to name a few. A few extra tools like BIOS flashing, Fan tuning and RGB control can be done here as well without ever entering the Advanced BIOS.

After pressing F6 in the easy mode, you'll be greeted with the main menu that allows you to pick different categories. Those looking to dive deep into the BIOS will find themselves mostly confined to the OC Tweaker section as this is where all the CPU, memory, and voltage settings can be found. However, this ASRock Z790 PG Sonic Edition motherboard has a few quirks that are worth mentioning. Firstly, ASRock locked down the default power limit (PL1/PL2) to 253 watts as a maximum and requires manually unlocking it. This will give you a prompt warning not to or risk damaging components. Secondly, related to overclocking is Undervolt Protection. When enabled (default), no voltage adjustment will be allowed inside the OS. This can cause confusion for those looking to overclocking the CPU or even undervolt as it just will not work.

ASRock has swapped the VDD_IMC and VDD_CPU voltages. This isn't the first time either. "VDD_IMC" is actually the VDDQ_TX and "VDD_CPU" really VDD2. This can be confirmed by setting one to a specific voltage and checking in hardware monitoring software. While VDDQ_TX is a supporting memory voltage, the CPU IMC as specified by Intel for these 12th/13th generation Intel processors is listed as the CPU VDD2 rail, not CPU VDDQ_TX.