Above the RAM slots are the first three (of seven) 4-pin fan headers. In this case, it’s the CPU_FAN1/2 and AIO_PUMP headers. Each header supports PWM and DC-controlled devices. Power output varies among the headers, with the CPU_FAN1 capable of 1A/12W, while the rest are 3A/36W. There’s plenty of power to go around. The BIOS or the FANTastic Tuning found in the A-Tune application controls any pumps or fans. On the right edge, working our way down, the first item is the 2-character Dr. Debug display, convenient power and reset buttons, two 3-pin ARGB headers (another and an RGB header are on the bottom edge), the 24-pin ATX power connector for the board, and finally, a front panel USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 (20 Gbps) Type-C header.
Power delivery on the Taichi Creator consists of 21 phases, 18 of which are dedicated to Vcore. Power is supplied via the 8-pin EPS connector(s) to a Monolithic Power Systems MPS2512 controller. From there, it moves to the 80A MPS2425 SPS MOSFETs. The 1,440A available is enough, even for the flagship Ryzen 9 7950X or 9950X. We've also included some pictures of the other controlling ICs on the board. This includes ASMedia ASM1074(x2 – USB 3.0), ASM1164 (PCIe to SATA controller), the Monolithic Power Systems VRMs, and the Realtek audio and power controller.
On the bottom half of the board, starting on the left, we see the audio solution, flagship Realtek ALC4082, a couple of dedicated audio caps, and the audio separation line. It doesn’t come with additional amplifiers or DACs, but it is the best codec available.
In the middle of the board are three full-length PCIe slots for graphics and expansion. The top two slots connect to the CPU, with the top-most running at PCIe 5.0 x16 and the bottom slot at x8. With both slots populated, they’ll run at x8/x8. The good news is, there’s plenty of room between the slots for a thick graphics card and other high-bandwidth add-in cards. The bottom slot connects through the chipset and runs at PCIe 3.0 x4 speeds.
In between the slots and around the PCIe slots are four M.2 sockets. The top M.2 socket, under the larger easy-release heatsink, is one of two CPU-connected PCIe 5.0 x4 (128 Gbps) sockets; the other is hidden under the plate heatsink. Also under the plate heatsink are two more M.2 sockets, though these are PCIe 4.0 x4 (64 Gbps). All M.2 sockets support devices up to 80mm.
As is common with X870 and B850, there is some lane-sharing between the sockets and the USB4 ports. If M2_2 is occupied, both rear USB4 Type-C ports and M2_2 downgrade to x2 mode. You can use x4 via a BIOS setting, but that disables those USB4 ports altogether. If M2_4 is occupied, PCIE3 (bottom slot) and M2_4 downgrade to x2 mode. Last on the bottom half, along the right edge, there isn’t much outside the four SATA ports and one 19-pin USB 3.2 Gen 1 connector.
Along the bottom edge are a slew of headers for additional connectivity. From left to right, you have the following:
Before getting to the rear IO, we snapped a few pictures of the onboard ICs that control some of the board's features including ASMedia 1074 (two, USB 3.0), ASM1164 (PCIe to SATA controller), the Monolithic Power Systems VRMs (MPS2425) and controller (MPS2512), and some Realtek ICs for USB-C power and audio.
(Image credit: Future) (Image credit: Future) (Image credit: Future) (Image credit: Future) (Image credit: Future) (Image credit: Future) (Image credit: Future) The rear IO on the Creator is busy, offering tons of USB connectivity. Starting on the left are two buttons: one to clear the CMOS and the other to perform a BIOS flashback. Next are the Wi-Fi 7 connectors and an HDMI (v2.1) output for integrated video. Next are 12 USB ports. You get 10 total Type-A ports: two 10 Gbps, six 5 Gbps, and two USB 2.0 ports. The two Type-C ports are 40 Gbps USB4. Above that are the two fast LAN ports at 5 and 10 GbE, respectively. Last but not least is the simple audio stack consisting of two 3.5mm jacks (mic, line out) and the SPDIF.
Current page: ASRock X870 Taichi Creator Features and Specifications
Key considerations
- Investor positioning can change fast
- Volatility remains possible near catalysts
- Macro rates and liquidity can dominate flows
Reference reading
- https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/motherboards/SPONSORED_LINK_URL
- https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/motherboards/asrock-x870-taichi-creator-review-a-taichi-for-creatives#main
- https://www.tomshardware.com
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Informational only. No financial advice. Do your own research.