ASRock Z890 Pro-A
ASRock Z890 Pro-A Specifications Review
ASRock Z890 Pro-A by ASRock is a Standard-ATX form factor motherboard based on the high-end Z890 chipset and LGA 1851 socket, offering the most advanced features and connectivity options. It is designed to support DDR5 memory, with 4 slots, a maximum capacity of 256 GB, and an overclocking speed of up to 9066 MHz.
VRM Quality
The ASRock Z890 Pro-A has a mid-range VRM configuration, providing 60 A over 16 phases. Suitable for CPUs in the ~140 W TDP range, it can power higher-TDP chips at stock, but sustained overclocking is not recommended due to thermal and voltage ripple considerations. Ideal for mainstream gaming, light workstation work, and general-purpose builds.
See the VRM Appropriate CPU Specification Table at the bottom of this page for recommended CPU options.
Expansion and Storage Overview
The ASRock Z890 Pro-A offers a very extensive expansion and storage configuration with PCIe 5.0 support, meaning it uses PCI Express 5.0, the newest standard offering extremely high bandwidth for next-generation graphics cards and ultra-fast NVMe storage. It also includes 1 x16 slot , 2 x4 slots , and 1 x1 slot. These PCIe slots are used to connect expansion cards — with the x16 slots typically reserved for graphics cards, while x8, x4, and x1 slots are used for devices like capture cards, sound cards, or network adapters.
For storage, this motherboard provides 4 M.2 slots and 4 SATA ports. M.2 slots are high-speed connectors for modern NVMe SSDs, which are much faster than older storage, while SATA ports are used for traditional hard drives and 2.5-inch SSDs. Together, they allow you to mix fast primary storage with larger, more affordable drives for bulk data.
Connectivity Overview
This motherboard includes basic to moderate connectivity options, such as wired 2.5 Gigabit LAN 10/100/1000/2500 Mb/s ethernet supporting speeds up to 2500 Gbps. USB ports are adequate for everyday devices, and more details are available in the specs table.
For video output, this motherboard includes HDMI version 2.1 , DisplayPort version 1.4 , USB-C DisplayPort . These video outputs are intended for integrated graphics and will only function if your CPU includes integrated GPU capabilities.
Audio Quality
The motherboard includes a standard audio chipset (Realtek ALC897 Audio Codec) that covers basic needs for casual listening. While adequate for everyday use with mainstream headphones or desktop speakers, discerning users may want to add a USB DAC or sound card for improved fidelity, especially for music production or high-end headphones.
Overall Quality and Value
ASRock Z890 Pro-A delivers a strong overall quality score of 66.20. It offers reliable performance, durable construction, and a comprehensive set of features suitable for demanding workloads, gaming, and productivity, without venturing into the extreme performance segment of premium boards.
This motherboard offers an impressive 66.2% performance-to-price ratio, delivering excellent value by combining strong performance with reasonable cost, making it a smart choice for budget-conscious buyers who don’t want to sacrifice quality.
General Information
| Manufacturer | ASRock |
|---|---|
| Motherboard Name | ASRock Z890 Pro-A |
| Current Price Amazon | $190 |
| Amazon Price Updated | 6Â hours, 59Â minutes ago. |
| Motherboard Available | True |
| Chipset / Socket | Z890 / LGA 1851 |
| Form Factor | Standard-ATX |
VRM Configuration
| CPU Power Phases (Amps) | 16 (60 A) |
|---|---|
| Power Design | 16+1+1+1+1 |
Memory Information
| Type / Slots | DDR5 / 4 slots |
|---|---|
| Max Capacity / Max OC | 256 GB / 9066 MHz |
PCIe Slot Configuration
| Supported Version | PCIe 5.0 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slot Size | Physical Slots | Gen5 | Gen4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| x16 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| x4 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| x1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Storage Configuration
| M.2 Slot Count | 4 slots |
|---|---|
| M.2 Supported Lengths | 2230, 2242, 2260, 2280 |
| SATA Ports | 4 |
Onboard Audio Features
| Audio Chipset | Realtek ALC897 Audio Codec |
|---|---|
| Analog Audio Jacks | 3 jacks |
Motherboard Display Outputs
| HDMI Output | HDMI - Version 2.1 (Max: 4K 120Hz) |
|---|---|
| DisplayPort Output | DisplayPort - Version 1.4 (Max: 8K 60Hz / 5K 120Hz) |
| DP over USB-C | DisplayPort over USB-C (Max: 8K 60Hz / 5K 120Hz) |
USB and Thunderbolt Connectivity
Rear USB Ports
| USB 2.0 Type-A (480 Mbps) | 4 |
|---|---|
| USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A (5 Gbps) | 2 |
| USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A (10 Gbps) | 1 |
| USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C (20 Gbps) | 1 |
| USB4 / Thunderbolt Type-C (40 Gbps) | 1 |
| Power Delivery (W) | 15W |
Front USB Ports
| USB 2.0 Type-A (480 Mbps) | 4 |
|---|---|
| USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A (5 Gbps) | 4 |
| USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C (20 Gbps) | 1 |
Internal USB Headers
| USB 2.0 Header (480 Mbps) | 4 |
|---|---|
| USB 3.2 Gen 1 Header (5 Gbps) | 4 |
| USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Header (20 Gbps) | 1 |
Networking Information
| Ethernet | Chipset: 2.5 Gigabit LAN 10/100/1000/2500 Mb/s LAN Ports: 1 |
|---|---|
| Wi-Fi |
Module: Not Included |
| Bluetooth | Supported: No |
Button Features
| Buttons |
BIOS Flashback |
|---|
Quality & Features
Additional Information
| RAM | Supports DDR5 non-ECC, un-buffered memory and Clocked Unbuffered DIMM (CUDIMM). Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Profile (XMP) 3.0x. Speed breakdown by configuration: 1DPC 1R Up to 9066+ MHz (OC), 5600 MHz Natively. 1DPC 2R Up to 6800+ MHz (OC), 5600 MHz Natively. 2DPC 1R Up to 6533+ MHz (OC), 4800 MHz Natively. 2DPC 2R Up to 5600+ MHz (OC), 4400 MHz Natively. |
|---|---|
| Display | Graphics are based on Intel® Xe LPG Graphics Architecture. Video outputs can only be used with processors that have integrated GPUs. The HDMI port is TMDS/FRL 8G Compatible and supports HDR. The DisplayPort uses DSC (compressed). The Intel® Thunderbolt™ 4 port supports video output. All ports support HDCP 2.3. The system supports two 4K displays or one 8K display. To display via a Thunderbolt monitor, a CPU with embedded graphics must be used. |
| Expansion | The PCIe 5.0 x16 slot (PCIE1) supports bifurcation via PCIe riser cards, allowing it to be split into x8/x8 or x8/x4/x4 configurations. The board also includes one M.2 Socket (Key E) for a type 2230 WiFi/BT module. Supports NVMe SSD as boot disks. |
| Storage |
M.2 Slot Details:
|
| Audio | 7.1 CH HD Audio. HD Audio Jacks: Line in / Front Speaker / Microphone. |
| Networking | 2 x Antenna Mounting Points |
| Dimensions | 30.5 cm x 24.4 cm |
Note: The specifications and descriptions above are extracted by AI to present the official manufacturer data in a clearer and more natural way for easier understanding. However, this AI-processed information may contain inaccuracies. Please verify all details by consulting the official manufacturer's information provided below.
ASRock Z890 Pro-A Compared to Motherboards with Similar Performance and Features
Motherboard Quality & Features per Price Table
| Motherboard (Desc) | Price (Desc) | Overall_Q (Desc) | VRM_Q (Desc) | Chipset (Desc) | Exp_Str (Desc) | Connect (Desc) | Audio (Desc) | Q&F/Price (Desc) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
$190
|
0.0%
|
67.8%
|
50.0%
|
77.0%
|
85.0%
|
76.0%
|
51.0%
|
67.8%
|
|
|
$170
|
↓
-7.6%
|
67.2%
|
48.0%
|
95.0%
|
92.0%
|
61.0%
|
40.0%
|
75.1%
|
|
|
$220
|
↑
2.8%
|
67.0%
|
34.0%
|
94.0%
|
94.0%
|
73.0%
|
40.0%
|
57.8%
|
|
|
$160âť—
|
0.0%
|
67.0%
|
34.0%
|
94.0%
|
94.0%
|
73.0%
|
40.0%
|
79.6%
|
|
|
$195
|
0.0%
|
66.2%
|
34.0%
|
75.0%
|
104.0%
|
78.0%
|
40.0%
|
64.5%
|
|
|
$190
|
0.0%
|
66.2%
|
48.0%
|
95.0%
|
89.0%
|
59.0%
|
40.0%
|
66.2%
|
|
|
$180
|
0.0%
|
65.8%
|
37.0%
|
75.0%
|
104.0%
|
73.0%
|
40.0%
|
69.5%
|
|
|
$198
|
0.0%
|
65.8%
|
37.0%
|
75.0%
|
104.0%
|
73.0%
|
40.0%
|
63.1%
|
|
|
$190
|
↓
-5.0%
|
64.6%
|
41.0%
|
77.0%
|
56.0%
|
68.0%
|
81.0%
|
64.6%
|
Motherboard Comparison and Detail Specifications Table
| Specification | Perf Chart | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price |
$190
|
0.0%
|
$170
|
↓
-7.6%
|
$220
|
↑
2.8%
|
$160âť—
|
0.0%
|
$195
|
0.0%
|
$190
|
0.0%
|
$180
|
0.0%
|
$198
|
0.0%
|
$190
|
↓
-5.0%
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Manufacturer | ASUS | ASRock | MSI | MSI | MSI | ASRock | MSI | MSI | ASUS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chip/Socket | B860 / LGA 1851 | Z890 / LGA 1851 | Z890 / LGA 1851 | Z890 / LGA 1851 | B860 / LGA 1851 | Z890 / LGA 1851 | B860M / LGA 1851 | B860M / LGA 1851 | B860-I / LGA 1851 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Form | Standard-ATX | Standard-ATX | Standard-ATX | Standard-ATX | Standard-ATX | Standard-ATX | Micro-ATX | Micro-ATX | Mini-ITX | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CPU Phases | 12 (80 A) | 16 (60 A) | 12 (55 A) | 12 (55 A) | 12 (55 A) | 16 (60 A) | 12 (60 A) | 12 (60 A) | 10 (80 A) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PWR Design | 12(80A) + 1(80A) + 2(80A) + 1(80A) | 16+1+1+1+1 | 12+1+1+1 | 12+1+1+1 | 12+1+1+1 | 16+1+1+1+1 | 12+1+1+1 | 12+1+1+1 | 10(80A)+1(80A)+2(80A)+1(80A) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mem Slots | 4 / DDR5 | 4 / DDR5 | 4 / DDR5 | 4 / DDR5 | 4 / DDR5 | 4 / DDR5 | 4 / DDR5 | 4 / DDR5 | 2 / DDR5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Max Mem | 256 GB / 8666 MHz | 256 GB / 9066 MHz | 256 GB / 8800 MHz | 256 GB / 8800 MHz | 256 GB / 8800 MHz | 256 GB / 9066 MHz | 256 GB / 8800 MHz | 256 GB / 8800 MHz | 128 GB / 9066 MHz | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PCIe | PCIe 5.0 | PCIe 5.0 | PCIe 5.0 | PCIe 5.0 | PCIe 5.0 | PCIe 5.0 | PCIe 5.0 | PCIe 5.0 | PCIe 5.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PCIe Slots | 1x16 Gen5 | 1x16 Gen4 | 1x1 Gen4 | 1x16 Gen5 | 2x4 Gen4 | 1x1 Gen4 | 1x16 Gen5 | 2x16 Gen4 | 1x16 Gen3 | 1x16 Gen5 | 2x16 Gen4 | 1x16 Gen3 | 1x16 Gen5 | 3x16 Gen4 | 1x16 Gen5 | 2x4 Gen4 | 1x1 Gen4 | 1x16 Gen5 | 3x16 Gen4 | 1x16 Gen5 | 3x16 Gen4 | 1x16 Gen5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| M.2 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SATA | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Audio | Realtek® ALC892/ALC897 | Realtek ALC897 Audio Codec | Realtek® ALC897 | Realtek® ALC897 Codec | Realtek® ALC897 | Realtek ALC897 Audio Codec | Realtek® ALC897 Codec | Realtek® ALC897 Codec | Realtek ALC1220P | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| S/PDIF | ✔️ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✔️ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HDMI | ✔️ (2.1) | ✔️ (2.1) | ✔️ (2.1) | ✔️ (2.1) | ✔️ (2.1) | ✔️ (2.1) | ✔️ (2.1) | ✔️ (2.1) | ✔️ (2.1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| DP | ✔️ (1.4) | ✔️ (1.4) | ✔️ (1.4) | ✔️ (1.4) | ✔️ (1.4) | ✔️ (1.4) | ✔️ (1.4) | ✔️ (1.4) | ✔️ (1.4) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LAN | 1 x Realtek 2.5Gb Ethern… (1 ports) | 2.5 Gigabit LAN 10/100/1… (1 ports) | Realtek® 8125D 2.5Gbps L… (1 ports) | Realtek® 8125D 2.5Gbps L… (1 ports) | Intel® Killer™ E5000 5Gb… (1 ports) | 2.5 Gigabit LAN 10/100/1… (1 ports) | Realtek® 8126 5Gbps LAN (1 ports) | Intel® Killer™ E5000 5Gb… (1 ports) | 1 x Intel® 2.5Gb Ethernet (1 ports) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | ❌ | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 7 | ❌ | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BT | v5.4 | ❌ | v5.4 | v5.4 | v5.4 | ❌ | v5.4 | v5.4 | v5.4 | Rear USB |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| USB Headers |
|
|
❌ |
❌ |
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Front USB |
|
❌ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
VRM Appropriate CPU Specification Table
| CPU | Price | App_Performance | Game_Performance | TDP/Max | C/SC/T | L2/L3 Cache | Base/Boost | Code Name | GPU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
$634âť—
|
↑
24.8%
|
77.4%
|
78.3%
|
65 W / 182 W | 24 / 16 / 24 | 3072.0 kB / 36.0 MB | 2.50 GHz / 5.60 GHz | Arrow Lake-S | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU | |
|
$220
|
0.0%
|
68.8%
|
81.2%
|
125 W / 159 W | 18 / 12 / 18 | 3072.0 kB / 30.0 MB | 4.20 GHz / 5.30 GHz | Arrow Lake Refresh | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU | |
|
$200
|
↑
0.0%
|
68.8%
|
81.2%
|
125 W / 159 W | 18 / 12 / 18 | 3072.0 kB / 30.0 MB | 4.20 GHz / 5.30 GHz | Arrow Lake Refresh | None | |
|
$372
|
0.0%
|
63.5%
|
79.2%
|
65 W / 182 W | 20 / 12 / 20 | 3072.0 kB / 30.0 MB | 2.40 GHz / 5.30 GHz | Arrow Lake-S | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 32EU | |
|
$310
|
↓
-1.9%
|
63.5%
|
79.2%
|
65 W / 182 W | 20 / 12 / 20 | 3072.0 kB / 30.0 MB | 2.40 GHz / 5.30 GHz | Arrow Lake-S | None | |
|
$200
|
0.0%
|
56.3%
|
75.4%
|
125 W / 159 W | 14 / 8 / 14 | 3072.0 kB / 24.0 MB | 4.20 GHz / 5.20 GHz | Arrow Lake-S | None | |
|
$195
|
↓
0.0%
|
56.3%
|
75.4%
|
125 W / 159 W | 14 / 8 / 14 | 3072.0 kB / 24.0 MB | 4.20 GHz / 5.20 GHz | Arrow Lake-S | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU | |
|
$0
|
0.0%
|
52.1%
|
74.9%
|
65 W / 121 W | 14 / 8 / 14 | 3072.0 kB / 24.0 MB | 3.50 GHz / 5.10 GHz | Arrow Lake-S | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU | |
|
$346
|
0.0%
|
49.2%
|
74.2%
|
65 W / 121 W | 14 / 8 / 14 | 3072.0 kB / 24.0 MB | 3.40 GHz / 5.00 GHz | Arrow Lake-S | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 24EU | |
|
$179
|
0.0%
|
43.4%
|
72.6%
|
65 W / 121 W | 10 / 4 / 10 | 3072.0 kB / 20.0 MB | 3.30 GHz / 4.90 GHz | Arrow Lake-S | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 16EU | |
|
$165
|
↑
0.1%
|
43.4%
|
72.6%
|
65 W / 121 W | 10 / 4 / 10 | 3072.0 kB / 20.0 MB | 3.30 GHz / 4.90 GHz | Arrow Lake-S | None |
Official Manufacturer Data
Memory:
- 4 x DDR5 DIMM Slots
- Supports DDR5 non-ECC, un-buffered memory up to 9066MHz+(OC)*
- Supports Clocked Unbuffered DIMM (CUDIMM)
- Max. capacity of system memory: 256GB
- Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Profile (XMP) 3.0x
*1DPC 1R Up to 9066+ MHz (OC), 5600 MHz Natively.
1DPC 2R Up to 6800+ MHz (OC), 5600 MHz Natively.
2DPC 1R Up to 6533+ MHz (OC), 4800 MHz Natively.
2DPC 2R Up to 5600+ MHz (OC), 4400 MHz Natively.
Graphics:
- 1 x HDMI 2.1 TMDS/FRL 8G Compatible, supports HDR, HDCP 2.3 and max. resolution up to 4K 120Hz
- 1 x DisplayPort 1.4 with DSC (compressed), supports HDCP 2.3 and max. resolution up to 8K 60Hz / 5K 120Hz
- 1 x Intel® Thunderbolt™ 4, supports HDCP 2.3 and max. resolution up to 8K 60Hz / 5K 120Hz** * Intel® UHD Graphics Built-in Visuals and the VGA outputs can be supported only with processors which are GPU integrated. ** Supports two 4K displays or one 8K display Only the CPU's embedded graphics can be displayed through Thunderbolt™ ports. If you want to display to a Thunderbolt™ monitor, please use CPU models with embedded graphics.
Storage:
- 1 x Blazing M.2 Socket (M2_1, Key M), supports type 2280 PCIe Gen5x4 (128 Gb/s) mode*
- 1 x Hyper M.2 Socket (M2_2, Key M), supports type 2280 PCIe Gen4x4 (64 Gb/s) mode*
Chipset:
- 1 x Hyper M.2 Socket (M2_3, Key M), supports type 2280 PCIe Gen4x4 (64 Gb/s) mode*
- 1 x Hyper M.2 Socket (M2_4, Key M), supports type 2230/2242/2260/2280 SATA3 6.0 Gb/s & PCIe Gen4x4 (64 Gb/s) modes*
- 4 x SATA3 6.0 Gb/s Connectors
* Supports Intel® Volume Management Device (VMD)
Supports NVMe SSD as boot disks
Expansion Slots:
- 1 x PCIe 5.0 x16 Slot (PCIE1), supports x16 mode*
Chipset:
- 2 x PCIe 4.0 x4 Slots (PCIE3 and PCIE4), support x4 mode*
- 1 x PCIe 4.0 x1 Slot (PCIE2)*
- 1 x M.2 Socket (Key E), supports type 2230 WiFi/BT PCIe WiFi module and Intel® CNVio/CNVio2 (Integrated WiFi/BT)
* PCIE1 supports PCIe riser cards to extend one x16 slot to x8/x8 or x8/x4/x4 slots.
Supports NVMe SSD as boot disks
USB:
- 1 x Thunderbolt™ 4 Type-C (Rear)
- 1 x USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C (Rear)
Chipset:
- 1 x USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C (Front)
- 1 x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A (Rear)
- 6 x USB 3.2 Gen1 (2 Rear, 4 Front)
- 8 x USB 2.0 (4 Rear, 4 Front)
* All USB ports support ESD Protection
Internal I/O:
- 1 x Power LED and Speaker Header
- 1 x RGB LED Header*
- 3 x Addressable LED Headers**
- 2 x CPU Fan Connectors (4-pin) (Smart Fan Speed Control)***
- 5 x Chassis Fan Connectors (4-pin) (Smart Fan Speed Control)***
- 1 x AIO Pump Fan Connector (4-pin) (Smart Fan Speed Control)***
- 1 x 24 pin ATX Power Connector
- 2 x 8 pin 12V Power Connectors (Hi-Density Power Connector)
- 1 x Front Panel Audio Connector
- 2 x USB 2.0 Headers (Support 4 USB 2.0 ports)
- 2 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Headers (Support 4 USB 3.2 Gen1 ports)
- 1 x Front Panel Type C USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Header (20 Gb/s)
* Supports in total up to 12V/3A, 36W LED Strip
** Support in total up to 5V/3A, 15W LED Strip
*** CPU_FAN1 supports the fan power up to 1A (12W).
CPU_FAN2, CHA_FAN1~5 and AIO_PUMP support the fan power up to 3A (36W).
CPU_FAN2, CHA_FAN1~5 and AIO_PUMP can auto detect if 3-pin or 4-pin fan is in use.
Back Panel I/O:
- 1 x HDMI Port
- 1 x DisplayPort 1.4
- 1 x Thunderbolt™ 4 Type-C Port (40 Gb/s for USB4 protocol; 40Gb/s for Thunderbolt™ protocol)*
- 1 x USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C Port (20 Gb/s)
- 1 x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A Port (10 Gb/s)
- 2 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Ports
- 4 x USB 2.0 Ports
- 1 x RJ-45 LAN Port
- 1 x BIOS Flashback Button
- HD Audio Jacks: Line in / Front Speaker / Microphone
* Supports USB PD 3.0 up to 5V@3A (15W) charging
Audio:
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