ASRock’s Z890I Nova WiFi Overview / Review – Intel Core Ultra Debuts on ITX

Nova – Derived from the Latin word “Novus”, meaning new. This is the second generation of Nova branded boards from ASRock, however this is indeed the first M-ITX variant. Of note to those who are familiar with ASRock’s product lines, it seems that the Phantom Gaming branding is taking some what of a step back in this new generation of boards – leading to a more “professional” rather than “gamer” aesthetic for these products.
Since the ASRock Z890I Nova WiFi supports a new generation of Intel processor, let’s quickly run over this. I’ll do a deeper dive into the architectural changes in an upcoming review of the processor itself.
Intel’s Core Ultra 200 breaks with the “i” moniker – which replaced “Core(2)” many, many years ago. There are 5 SKUs available at launch, starting off with the Ultra 9 285K, a 24 thread processor (8 Performance Cores and 16 Efficiency Cores), all the way down to the 14 thread (6 P Cores, 8 E Cores) Core Ultra 5 245KF. One thing to note is that Intel, after...

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[SaperPL]

Will read this fully tomorrow, but I like that it's another board that should allow console layout with single PCB riser, hopefully meaning Asrock is not going away from this design soon.

 

[MarcParis]

@confusis thanks for this review.
Definitively, this Asrock Z890i Nova is the best featured mini ITX motherboard currently.
I got this Motherboard with Ultra 7 265K, however combo did not even power up (tried with 2 different PSUs).

I decided to ship back everything and take something else.

 

[confusis]

@MarcParis that sucks to hear, hopefully it's a one off. Will keep an ear out - articles can always be updated and awards rescinded if it becomes a widespread issue.

 

[MarcParis]

@MarcParis that sucks to hear, hopefully it's a one off. Will keep an ear out - articles can always be updated and awards rescinded if it becomes a widespread issue.

By the way, it was a first time for me. I suppose it was an stupid issue related to front panel connection, but I was unsuccesful to solve it.

I was just able to launch flashback successfully.

Fingers crossed I was just a isolated case.

PS : maybe in your review you can add a specific point on the RL-ILM that allows a very good contact with heatsink. I was very pleased to notice thermal paste so well spread across the CPU.

 

[confusis]

By the way, it was a first time for me. I suppose it was an stupid issue related to front panel connection, but I was unsuccesful to solve it.

I was just able to launch flashback successfully.

Fingers crossed I was just a isolated case.

PS : maybe in your review you can add a specific point on the RL-ILM that allows a very good contact with heatsink. I was very pleased to notice thermal paste so well spread across the CPU.

I was going to cover that in a second article, more focused on the platform itself - but I do see that the RL-ILM is "optional" so I'll add a point to this review later today

 

[MarcParis]

I was going to cover that in a second article, more focused on the platform itself - but I do see that the RL-ILM is "optional" so I'll add a point to this review later today

this "optional" is curious. At least my version had it.

 

[confusis]

this "optional" is curious. At least my version had it.

Oh, I should have phrased that better. The use of the RL-ILM is "optional" for motherboard manufacturers. I'd wager 90% of boards will have it, except maybe the super budget ones. It's not a consumer-side choice.

 

[Rhialto]

I got this Motherboard with Ultra 7 265K, however combo did not even power up (tried with 2 different PSUs).

Dang I have this board with some parts still on the way and plan is to get a 265K. Waiting for BF.

 

[MarcParis]

Dang I have this board with some parts still on the way and plan is to get a 265K. Waiting for BF.

Don't worry too much. My case was most probably isolated case.