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ASRock Z790I Lightning WiFi specifications and in-depth review

ASRock Z790I Lightning WiFi

Manufacturer: ASRock

The ASRock Z790I Lightning WiFi is a compact Mini-ITX motherboard built on the Z790 chipset with a single LGA 1700 CPU socket, designed for small form factor builds that still demand a capable and feature-rich platform. One of its notable inclusions is easy overclocking support, which sets it apart within the Mini-ITX segment and gives enthusiasts more tuning flexibility without requiring a larger board. It comes with integrated Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, a three-year warranty, and HDMI 2.1 output, though it does not feature RGB lighting, a dual BIOS, or an integrated CPU.

Memory support covers DDR5 across two slots in dual-channel configuration, reaching up to 96GB at a standard maximum of 5600 MHz and up to 8600 MHz when overclocked. The board offers a single PCIe 5.0 x16 expansion slot, two M.2 sockets, and three SATA 3 connectors, with RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 all supported. Rear I/O includes one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A port, four USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port, HDMI 2.1, one DisplayPort output, and a single RJ45 Ethernet port. 7.1-channel onboard audio with an S/PDIF output and two audio connectors rounds out the feature set, alongside internal headers for additional USB and cooling connectivity.

Pros
  • Easy overclocking is supported, which is a meaningful advantage for a Mini-ITX board and gives enthusiasts tuning flexibility without needing a larger form factor
  • Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 are built in, covering the latest wireless standards without requiring an add-in card
  • DDR5 memory with overclocked support up to 8600 MHz across two slots gives users substantial headroom for memory performance tuning
  • RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 are all supported, offering more storage configuration options than is common for a board of this size
  • The single PCIe 5.0 x16 slot ensures compatibility with current-generation discrete graphics cards within the Mini-ITX footprint
  • A three-year warranty provides a reasonable assurance of long-term reliability for a compact platform build
Cons
  • Only two memory slots are available, so future memory upgrades require replacing existing modules rather than adding new ones
  • ECC memory is not supported, which limits the board's suitability for workloads that require error-correcting RAM
  • No TPM connector is present, restricting hardware-based trusted platform module functionality
  • There is no dual BIOS and no easy CMOS reset button, making recovery from a failed BIOS configuration more cumbersome
  • No Thunderbolt 3 or Thunderbolt 4 ports are available, which limits high-bandwidth single-cable connectivity options for peripherals and external displays
  • Only three fan headers are provided, which may not be sufficient for more complex thermal setups in demanding Mini-ITX enclosures
Who is this for?

The ASRock Z790I Lightning WiFi is a strong fit for enthusiast builders who want a compact Mini-ITX platform with overclocking capability, as the Z790 chipset and easy overclocking support make it one of the more capable small-form-factor options for users who want to tune their system beyond stock settings. Its built-in Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 make it well-suited for builds where cable management is a priority or where wireless connectivity is preferred. Users who need flexible storage arrangements will also find the combination of two M.2 sockets, three SATA 3 connectors, and support for RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 more than adequate for a range of redundancy and performance configurations within a compact chassis.

Who is this NOT for?

This board is not a suitable choice for users who require ECC memory support, as it is entirely absent, making it unsuitable for workstation-adjacent or reliability-critical workloads that depend on error-correcting RAM. Those who need Thunderbolt connectivity for high-bandwidth external devices or single-cable docking will find no such option here, as neither Thunderbolt 3 nor Thunderbolt 4 ports are present. The two-slot memory configuration also makes the board a poor fit for users who plan to gradually expand RAM over time, since upgrades will always require replacing existing modules. Additionally, builders who rely on a TPM module for hardware-level security will find no connector available for that purpose on this board.

General info:

CPU socket LGA 1700
chipset Z790
form factor Mini-ITX
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)
Has Bluetooth ✓
Bluetooth version 5.3
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 170 mm
width 170 mm
Has integrated CPU ✕

The ASRock Z790I Lightning WiFi is a Mini-ITX motherboard measuring 170 x 170 mm, built on the Z790 chipset with a single LGA 1700 CPU socket and no integrated CPU or onboard graphics. It includes built-in Wi-Fi spanning Wi-Fi 4 through to Wi-Fi 6E, alongside Bluetooth 5.3, and supports easy overclocking — a feature that is not always available on boards of this size. The board ships with HDMI 2.1 output and a three-year warranty, but does not feature RGB lighting, a dual BIOS, a one-step CMOS reset function, or aptX Bluetooth audio support.

Memory:

maximum memory amount 96GB
RAM speed (max) 5600 MHz
overclocked RAM speed 8600 MHz
memory slots 2
DDR memory version 5
memory channels 2
Supports ECC memory ✕

The ASRock Z790I Lightning WiFi supports DDR5 memory in a dual-channel, two-slot configuration with a maximum capacity of 96GB. Standard operation runs up to 5600 MHz, while overclocking extends that ceiling to 8600 MHz for users who want to push memory performance further. ECC memory is not supported on this board.

Ports:

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

The ASRock Z790I Lightning WiFi rear I/O includes one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A port, four USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, and one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port, with no USB 2.0, USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, USB 4, or Thunderbolt connections present. Video output is provided through one HDMI and one DisplayPort output, while DVI and VGA are absent. A single RJ45 Ethernet port handles wired networking, and there are no eSATA or PS/2 ports on the board.

Connectors:

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

Internally, the ASRock Z790I Lightning WiFi provides two M.2 sockets and three SATA 3 connectors for storage, with no SATA 2, U.2, or mSATA options available. USB expansion headers include two USB 3.2 Gen 1 connectors and two USB 2.0 connectors, allowing additional front panel or bracket ports to be added. The board includes three fan headers for cooling management, and there is no TPM connector present.

Expansion slots:

PCIe 4.0 x16 slots 0
PCIe 5.0 x16 slots 1
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

The ASRock Z790I Lightning WiFi offers a single PCIe 5.0 x16 slot as its only expansion option, consistent with the physical constraints of the Mini-ITX form factor. No PCIe 4.0, 3.0, or 2.0 x16 slots are available, and there are no PCIe x8, x4, or x1 slots, nor any legacy PCI slots, making the one PCIe 5.0 x16 slot the sole path for installing a discrete graphics card or other full-length add-in card.

Audio:

audio channels 7.1
Has S/PDIF Out port ✓
audio connectors 2

The ASRock Z790I Lightning WiFi features onboard 7.1-channel audio with two analog connectors on the rear I/O and an S/PDIF output for routing digital audio to external receivers or DACs.

Storage:

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

The ASRock Z790I Lightning WiFi supports RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 configurations, offering a broader range of storage redundancy and performance options than is typical for a Mini-ITX board. RAID 0+1 is the only mode not available on this platform.

Final Verdict

The ASRock Z790I Lightning WiFi stands out as one of the more capable Mini-ITX motherboards available for the LGA 1700 platform, distinguished primarily by its easy overclocking support on a Z790 chipset — a combination that gives compact build enthusiasts genuine tuning flexibility without stepping up to a larger form factor. Paired with Wi-Fi 6E, DDR5 memory support up to 8600 MHz overclocked, and a broader RAID configuration set than is typical for boards of this size, it covers a solid range of needs for performance-oriented small-form-factor builds. Its limitations — no ECC support, no Thunderbolt, no TPM connector, and just two memory slots — are real constraints that users should evaluate carefully against their specific requirements. For builders who prioritize a well-connected, overclock-ready Mini-ITX platform and can work within those boundaries, the ASRock Z790I Lightning WiFi delivers a focused and capable foundation.