ASRock Z890 Steel Legend WiFi

Name: ASRock Z890 Steel Legend WiFi
Brand: ASRock
SKU: 4505

Manufacturer: ASRock

The ASRock Z890 Steel Legend WiFi is an ATX form factor motherboard built around the Z890 chipset and LGA 1851 socket, making it compatible with Intel's current processor lineup for that platform. It features RGB lighting and carries a three-year warranty, while its Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) wireless connectivity is complemented by Bluetooth 5.4 for a well-rounded set of built-in communication options. The board supports overclocking and includes an HDMI 2.1 output for display connectivity.

On the memory side, the board provides four DDR5 slots with support for up to 256GB and speeds reaching 9466 MHz, operating across two channels. Storage options include four M.2 sockets, four SATA 3 connectors, and full support for RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 configurations. The rear I/O offers a useful mix of connectivity, including two Thunderbolt 4 ports alongside two USB 4 40Gbps ports, two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, and four USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, while expansion is handled by one PCIe 5.0 x16 slot and one PCIe 4.0 x16 slot. Audio output runs through a 7.1-channel solution rated at 120 dB signal-to-noise ratio, with S/PDIF output also present.

Pros

Supports Wi-Fi 7 alongside all previous Wi-Fi generations back to Wi-Fi 4, providing broad wireless compatibility
Four M.2 sockets offer substantial high-speed storage expansion without relying on slower interfaces
Two Thunderbolt 4 ports and two USB 4 40Gbps ports on the rear I/O cover demanding peripheral and device connectivity needs
DDR5 memory support with speeds up to 9466 MHz and a 256GB capacity ceiling gives significant headroom for memory-intensive workloads
Eight fan headers allow detailed cooling management across complex builds
RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 support provides meaningful flexibility for both performance-oriented and redundancy-focused storage setups

Cons

No dedicated clear-CMOS button makes BIOS resets less convenient
Dual BIOS is absent, leaving no automatic fallback if a firmware update goes wrong
ECC memory is not supported, limiting the board for workloads that require error-correcting RAM
No USB-C ports among the USB 3.2 Gen 1 or Gen 2 rear outputs, despite the USB-C presence being limited to the higher-speed Thunderbolt and USB 4 ports
No DisplayPort output means display connectivity depends solely on the single HDMI port

Who is this for?

This board is well-suited to enthusiast desktop builders who want a platform capable of handling demanding workloads alongside cutting-edge connectivity. The presence of Wi-Fi 7 and two Thunderbolt 4 ports makes it a strong fit for users who rely on fast wireless networks or connect high-bandwidth peripherals such as external storage arrays or displays. Those looking to build a capable content creation or prosumer workstation will also appreciate the four M.2 sockets, broad RAID support, and DDR5 memory scaling up to 256GB, which together support substantial multitasking and data-heavy tasks. The eight fan headers and overclocking support further appeal to builders who want fine-grained control over thermals and system tuning.

Who is this NOT for?

This board is not a good fit for users who need ECC memory support, such as those running error-sensitive server workloads or professional data integrity applications, as that capability is simply absent. The lack of a dual BIOS and a dedicated clear-CMOS button means it is also less forgiving for less experienced users who may encounter firmware issues during overclocking or BIOS updates. Additionally, those requiring multiple display outputs — such as multi-monitor setups driven through varied video interfaces — will find the single HDMI port limiting, as no DisplayPort, DVI, or VGA outputs are available on this board.

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 Steel Legend WiFi uses the 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 has no integrated processor or integrated graphics. Wireless connectivity spans Wi-Fi 4 through Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be), and Bluetooth 5.4 is built in, though aptX is not supported. The board includes an HDMI 2.1 output, supports overclocking, and features RGB lighting. Resetting the BIOS requires a manual process as there is no dedicated clear-CMOS button, and the board does not offer dual BIOS functionality. A three-year warranty is included.

Memory:

maximum memory amount	256GB
RAM speed (max)	9466 MHz
overclocked RAM speed	9066 MHz
memory slots	4
DDR memory version	5
memory channels	2
Supports ECC memory	✕

The board features four DDR5 memory slots arranged in a dual-channel configuration, supporting up to 256GB of RAM. Maximum memory speed reaches 9466 MHz, while the overclocked speed is rated at 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 includes a varied set of USB ports: two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, four USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, and two USB 2.0 ports, with no USB-C variants of those standards present. More notably, the board provides two Thunderbolt 4 ports and two USB 4 40Gbps ports, all of which use the Type-C connector; no USB 4 20Gbps or USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 ports are included. For display output, there is one HDMI port, while DisplayPort, DVI, and VGA outputs are absent. A single RJ45 port handles wired networking, and there are no eSATA or PS/2 ports on this board.

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 connectors. 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 headers. The board also includes a TPM connector for security module installation. Cooling is catered for by eight fan headers, giving ample flexibility for managing airflow across a range of build configurations.

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 offers 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 x8, PCIe x1, or legacy PCI slots present, keeping the layout focused and uncluttered.

Audio:

Signal-to-Noise ratio (DAC)	120 dB
audio channels	7.1
Has S/PDIF Out port	✓
audio connectors	2

The onboard audio solution supports 7.1-channel output and delivers a DAC signal-to-noise ratio of 120 dB, indicating a clean audio signal with minimal background noise. Two audio connectors are available on the board, and a S/PDIF Out port is included 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 configurations: RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, and RAID 10 (1+0), covering a range of performance and redundancy needs. RAID 0+1 is not supported.

Final Verdict

The ASRock Z890 Steel Legend WiFi is a feature-rich ATX motherboard that positions itself firmly in the enthusiast desktop segment, offering a well-rounded specification set built around the Z890 chipset and LGA 1851 socket. Its standout strength lies in its connectivity suite — particularly the combination of Wi-Fi 7, Thunderbolt 4, and USB 4 40Gbps ports — which gives it a modern edge for users who demand fast data transfer and reliable wireless performance. Four M.2 sockets, comprehensive RAID support, and DDR5 memory scaling to 256GB round out a storage and memory configuration that holds up well under demanding workloads. While the absence of ECC support, dual BIOS, and a dedicated CMOS reset button will matter to certain users, these omissions are largely in keeping with the board's focus on the consumer enthusiast market rather than server or mission-critical environments. For builders seeking a capable, connectivity-forward platform on the Intel LGA 1851 ecosystem, this board delivers a coherent and well-specified package.