ASRock Z890 Lightning WiFi

Name: ASRock Z890 Lightning WiFi
Brand: ASRock
SKU: 9478

Manufacturer: ASRock

The ASRock Z890 Lightning WiFi is an ATX form factor motherboard built around the Z890 chipset and LGA 1851 socket, targeting Intel's current-generation platform. It ships with integrated wireless connectivity spanning Wi-Fi 4 through Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be), alongside Bluetooth 5.4, making it a solid choice for cable-free setups. The board also includes RGB lighting and carries a three-year warranty.

On the memory side, four DDR5 slots support dual-channel configurations up to 256GB, with a standard ceiling of 5600 MHz and overclocked speeds reaching 9066 MHz. Storage options include four M.2 sockets, four SATA 3 connectors, and full RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 support. The rear I/O offers two USB 4 40Gbps ports, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, and an HDMI 2.1 output, while expansion is handled by one PCIe 5.0 x16 slot and one PCIe 4.0 x16 slot. Audio runs through a 7.1-channel codec rated at 120 dB SNR, with S/PDIF output also present.

Pros

Supports Wi-Fi 7 along with all previous Wi-Fi generations back to Wi-Fi 4, ensuring broad wireless compatibility
Two Thunderbolt 4 ports and two USB 4 40Gbps ports provide high-bandwidth connectivity for demanding peripherals
Four M.2 sockets offer generous NVMe storage expansion without relying on adapters
DDR5 memory can be overclocked up to 9066 MHz across four slots with a 256GB capacity ceiling
Full RAID support across modes 0, 1, 5, and 10 gives meaningful flexibility for storage redundancy and performance setups
Eight fan headers allow thorough cooling management across the system

Cons

No USB-C ports on the rear I/O outside of the Thunderbolt 4 and USB 4 connections, leaving no mid-speed USB-C option
HDMI is the only video output, with no DisplayPort available for users needing multiple display connections
No dual BIOS, meaning there is no automatic fallback if a firmware update fails
ECC memory is not supported, limiting the board for workloads that require error-correcting RAM
No easy CMOS reset mechanism, which can complicate BIOS recovery after a failed overclock

Who is this for?

This motherboard is a strong fit for enthusiast desktop builders targeting Intel's current-generation platform who want room to grow. The combination of a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot and four M.2 sockets makes it well-suited for users running high-end discrete GPUs alongside multiple fast NVMe drives. The extensive wireless feature set, including Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4, appeals to those who prefer a clean, cable-free desk setup without sacrificing connectivity. Power users who plan to push memory performance will also appreciate the DDR5 overclocking headroom reaching 9066 MHz, and the presence of Thunderbolt 4 makes it a practical choice for anyone working with high-speed external storage or professional peripherals. The RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 support further extends its appeal to those managing multiple drives with redundancy or performance in mind.

Who is this NOT for?

This board is not a good match for users who require ECC memory support, such as those running workstations handling critical data integrity tasks or entry-level server workloads. The absence of dual BIOS and an easy CMOS reset mechanism makes it less forgiving for less experienced builders who may encounter issues during overclocking or firmware updates. Users needing multiple video outputs — for instance, a multi-monitor setup driven from the motherboard itself — will find the single HDMI 2.1 port limiting, particularly with no DisplayPort available. It is also unsuitable for legacy system builds, as there are no PCI, PCIe 2.0, PS/2, or eSATA ports, and the platform is tied exclusively to LGA 1851 CPUs.

General info:

CPU socket	LGA 1851
chipset	Z890
form factor	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	244 mm
width	305 mm
Has integrated CPU	✕

The ASRock Z890 Lightning WiFi uses an LGA 1851 socket paired with the Z890 chipset and follows the standard ATX form factor, measuring 305 mm wide and 244 mm tall. It accommodates a single CPU and does not include an integrated processor or onboard graphics. Wireless connectivity is a notable strength, with built-in support spanning Wi-Fi 4 through Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) along with Bluetooth 5.4, though aptX audio is not supported. The board outputs video via HDMI 2.1 and is designed with overclocking in mind, while also featuring RGB lighting. It does not offer dual BIOS or a dedicated easy CMOS reset mechanism, and there is no support for integrated graphics passthrough. A three-year warranty is included.

Memory:

maximum memory amount	256GB
RAM speed (max)	5600 MHz
overclocked RAM speed	9066 MHz
memory slots	4
DDR memory version	5
memory channels	2
Supports ECC memory	✕

This motherboard supports DDR5 memory across four slots arranged in a dual-channel configuration, with a maximum capacity of 256GB. The standard RAM speed tops out at 5600 MHz, while overclocking can push that figure to 9066 MHz. ECC memory is not supported.

Ports:

USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-A)	2
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-A)	4
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 panel offers a varied USB lineup, including two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, four USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, and two USB 2.0 ports. High-speed connectivity is covered by two USB 4 40Gbps ports and two Thunderbolt 4 ports, both available as Type-C; there are no USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 or USB 4 20Gbps ports. Video output is handled solely by an HDMI output, as there are no DisplayPort, DVI, or VGA connectors present. A single RJ45 port provides wired network access, while legacy PS/2 and eSATA ports are absent entirely.

Connectors:

USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (through expansion)	4
USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 ports (through expansion)	1
USB 2.0 ports (through expansion)	4
SATA 3 connectors	4
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-provisioned, with four M.2 sockets and four SATA 3 connectors available for storage — there are no SATA 2, U.2, or mSATA options. USB expansion headers include four USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, four USB 3.0 ports, four USB 2.0 ports, and one USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 port, all accessible through internal connectors. Cooling is supported by eight fan headers, and a TPM connector is present for security module installation.

Expansion slots:

PCIe 4.0 x16 slots	1
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	1
PCIe x8 slots	0

The board provides three expansion slots in total: one PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, one PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, and one PCIe x4 slot. There are no PCIe 3.0, PCIe 2.0, PCIe x1, PCIe x8, or legacy PCI slots present.

Audio:

Signal-to-Noise ratio (DAC)	120 dB
audio channels	7.1
Has S/PDIF Out port	✓
audio connectors	5

The onboard audio supports a 7.1-channel configuration and delivers a signal-to-noise ratio of 120 dB from the DAC, with five audio connectors available on the rear panel. An S/PDIF Out port is also present for digital audio passthrough 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 board supports four RAID modes: RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, and RAID 10, covering a range of performance and redundancy configurations. RAID 0+1 is not supported.

Final Verdict

The ASRock Z890 Lightning WiFi is a feature-rich ATX motherboard that covers the essentials of a modern Intel LGA 1851 build while pushing into more advanced territory with its Wi-Fi 7 support, Thunderbolt 4 ports, and PCIe 5.0 slot. Its DDR5 overclocking ceiling, four M.2 sockets, and broad RAID support make it genuinely capable for enthusiast workloads, while the eight fan headers and USB 4 connectivity reflect a board designed with headroom in mind. It does carry some practical limitations — particularly around BIOS recovery features and the lack of ECC or multi-display output — but these are unlikely to affect its core audience. For builders investing in Intel's current platform who want strong wireless, high-speed I/O, and meaningful storage flexibility under a three-year warranty, the ASRock Z890 Lightning WiFi presents a well-rounded and capable foundation.