ASRock X870E Taichi

Name: ASRock X870E Taichi
Brand: ASRock
SKU: 1115

Manufacturer: ASRock

The ASRock X870E Taichi is a full-featured E-ATX motherboard designed around AMD's AM5 platform, pairing the X870 chipset with a broad range of connectivity and expansion options. It ships with Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) and Bluetooth 5.4 built in, alongside RGB lighting and a dedicated HDMI 2.1 output for display connectivity. The board also supports easy overclocking and includes a convenient CMOS reset mechanism.

On the memory side, the Taichi accommodates up to 256GB across four DDR5 slots in a dual-channel configuration, with support for speeds reaching 8200 MHz. Expansion is handled by two PCIe 5.0 x16 slots, while storage options include four M.2 sockets, six SATA 3 connectors, and RAID 0, 1, and 10 support. The rear I/O offers two Thunderbolt 4 ports, two USB 4 40Gbps ports, five USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, and a 130 dB signal-to-noise ratio audio subsystem with S/PDIF output rounding out the feature set.

Pros

Supports Wi-Fi 7 alongside all previous Wi-Fi generations down to Wi-Fi 4, covering a wide range of wireless environments
Two Thunderbolt 4 ports and two USB 4 40Gbps ports provide high-bandwidth connectivity options at the rear I/O
Four M.2 sockets combined with six SATA 3 connectors offer substantial storage flexibility
DDR5 memory support with up to 256GB capacity and speeds reaching 8200 MHz allows for extensive memory configurations
Eight fan headers give considerable control over system cooling layouts
130 dB signal-to-noise ratio on the DAC and S/PDIF output make the onboard audio suitable for quality listening setups

Cons

No USB 3.2 Gen 2 or Gen 1 Type-C ports on the rear I/O despite the board's high-end positioning
RAID 5 and RAID 0+1 are not supported, limiting some storage redundancy configurations
No TPM connector is present, which may be a consideration for certain security requirements
Dual BIOS is absent, removing a common safety net for failed BIOS updates
E-ATX form factor limits compatibility to cases that explicitly support this larger board size
Only a single RJ45 port is available, with no secondary wired network connection

Who is this for?

This board is well-suited to enthusiast builders and power users who want a high-end AM5 platform with extensive connectivity and future-ready features. The combination of two PCIe 5.0 x16 slots makes it a strong fit for multi-GPU or high-bandwidth expansion card setups, while the four M.2 sockets and six SATA 3 connectors serve users who require large, flexible storage configurations. Those who rely on fast external device connectivity will appreciate the Thunderbolt 4 and USB 4 40Gbps ports, and the Wi-Fi 7 support ensures the board remains relevant as wireless infrastructure continues to evolve. The eight fan headers and overclocking-friendly design also make it a practical choice for users who invest in custom cooling solutions and want fine-grained thermal control.

Who is this NOT for?

Users working in environments that require ECC memory support — such as workstation or server applications where data integrity is critical — will find this board unsuitable, as ECC is not supported. The E-ATX form factor means it will not fit in standard mid-tower or compact cases, making it a poor match for anyone building in a space-constrained or small-form-factor enclosure. Additionally, the absence of a TPM connector and dual BIOS may concern users who prioritize hardware-level security features or want a built-in recovery path for failed firmware updates. Those who need RAID 5 for parity-based redundancy across multiple drives will also need to look elsewhere.

General info:

CPU socket	AM5
chipset	X870
form factor	E-ATX
supports Wi-Fi	✓
Wi-Fi version	Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax), Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be)
Has Bluetooth	✓
Bluetooth version	5.4
HDMI version	HDMI 2.1
Easy to overclock	✓
has RGB lighting	✓
Easy to reset BIOS	✓
Has dual BIOS	✕
has aptX	✕
CPU sockets	1
Has integrated graphics	✕
warranty period	3 years
height	267 mm
width	305 mm
Has integrated CPU	✕

The ASRock X870E Taichi is built around the AM5 socket and is compatible with the X870 chipset, arriving in an E-ATX form factor measuring 305 mm wide and 267 mm tall. It supports a single CPU and has no integrated processor or onboard graphics. Wireless connectivity spans Wi-Fi 4 through Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be), complemented by Bluetooth 5.4, though aptX audio codec support is not included. The board features HDMI 2.1 output, RGB lighting, and is designed to make overclocking straightforward, with an easy CMOS reset option also on hand. Dual BIOS is not present, but the board does carry a 3-year warranty.

Memory:

maximum memory amount	256GB
RAM speed (max)	8200 MHz
overclocked RAM speed	8200 MHz
memory slots	4
DDR memory version	5
memory channels	2
Supports ECC memory	✕

The board provides four DDR5 memory slots arranged in a dual-channel configuration, supporting a maximum capacity of 256GB. RAM speeds top out at 8200 MHz, which applies to both the standard maximum and overclocked profiles. ECC memory is not supported.

Ports:

USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-A)	5
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-A)	3
USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-C)	0
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-C)	0
USB 2.0 ports	2
USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 ports	0
USB 4 40Gbps ports	2
USB 4 20Gbps ports	0
Thunderbolt 4 ports	2
Thunderbolt 3 ports	0
has an HDMI output	✓
DisplayPort outputs	0
RJ45 ports	1
Has USB Type-C	✓
eSATA ports	0
DVI outputs	0
has a VGA connector	✕
PS/2 ports	0

The rear I/O offers a well-stocked USB lineup, including five USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, three USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, and two USB 2.0 ports. There are no USB 3.2 Gen 2 or Gen 1 Type-C ports, nor any USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 or USB 4 20Gbps ports, but the board does provide two USB 4 40Gbps ports and two Thunderbolt 4 ports, all of which are Type-C. Thunderbolt 3 is absent. For display output, an HDMI port is present, while DisplayPort, DVI, and VGA connectors are not included. Networking is handled by a single RJ45 port, and there are no eSATA or PS/2 ports on the board.

Connectors:

USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (through expansion)	4
USB 2.0 ports (through expansion)	4
SATA 3 connectors	6
fan headers	8
USB 3.0 ports (through expansion)	4
M.2 sockets	4
Has TPM connector	✕
U.2 sockets	0
Has mSATA connector	✕
SATA 2 connectors	0

Internal connectivity is well covered, with four M.2 sockets and six SATA 3 connectors available for storage, while SATA 2, U.2, and mSATA are not present. Expansion USB headers include four USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, four additional USB 3.0 ports, and four USB 2.0 ports, all routed through internal connectors. Cooling is supported by eight fan headers. A TPM connector is not included on this board.

Expansion slots:

PCIe 4.0 x16 slots	0
PCIe 5.0 x16 slots	2
PCIe 3.0 x16 slots	0
PCIe x1 slots	0
PCI slots	0
PCIe 2.0 x16 slots	0
PCIe x4 slots	0
PCIe x8 slots	0

Expansion slot options are focused exclusively on two PCIe 5.0 x16 slots, with no PCIe 4.0, 3.0, 2.0, x8, x4, or x1 slots present, and no legacy PCI slots either.

Audio:

Signal-to-Noise ratio (DAC)	130 dB
audio channels	5.1
Has S/PDIF Out port	✓
audio connectors	2

The onboard audio supports a 5.1-channel configuration with a signal-to-noise ratio of 130 dB on the DAC, indicating a clean output signal. Two analog audio connectors are available, and a S/PDIF Out port is also included for digital audio passthrough.

Storage:

Supports RAID 1	✓
Supports RAID 10 (1+0)	✓
Supports RAID 5	✕
Supports RAID 0	✓
Supports RAID 0+1	✕

The board supports RAID 0, RAID 1, and RAID 10 (1+0) configurations, covering the most common setups for performance and redundancy. RAID 5 and RAID 0+1 are not supported.

Final Verdict

The ASRock X870E Taichi is a well-specified E-ATX motherboard that covers a broad range of enthusiast needs through its AM5 platform, extensive storage options, and a rear I/O built around modern high-bandwidth standards. Its dual PCIe 5.0 x16 slots combined with Thunderbolt 4 and USB 4 40Gbps connectivity position it firmly in the upper tier of consumer motherboards, and the Wi-Fi 7 support ensures the platform stays relevant as surrounding technology matures. Some users will note the absence of ECC support, a TPM connector, and dual BIOS, which narrow its appeal in workstation or security-focused builds — and the E-ATX footprint demands a compatible case. For builders who prioritize connectivity depth, storage flexibility, and a forward-looking feature set on the AM5 socket, the X870E Taichi represents a thorough and capable choice.