ASRock X99 Taichi Motherboard Review

1. Introduction2. ASRock X99 Taichi: Packaging and Bundle3. ASRock X99 Taichi: Layout and Examination4. ASRock X99 Taichi: UEFI5. ASRock X99 Taichi: Software6. Testing Methodology7. Tests: CPU-related8. Tests: Memory-related9. Tests: GPU-related10. Tests: Motherboard-related11. Overclocking12. Conclusion13. View All Pages

X99 holds a relatively exclusive status in the PC market, even among DIY builders and enthusiasts, since the entry costs to the platform are higher in a variety of areas. ASRock addresses this price-limitation directly with the new X99 Taichi – a motherboard that promises a mid-range feature-set for an entry-level price.

The X99 Taichi is, on paper specifications at least, remarkably similar to the recently reviewed ASRock Fatal1ty X99 Professional Gaming i7, but at a lower price point. Considering equivalent models from the competition, the de facto rival product to ASRock's new Taichi board is the X99A Tomahawk – MSI's capable all-rounder for the mid-range.

The formula with the X99 Taichi is tried-and-trusted and something ASRock has been doing for many years: focusing on more hardware and better quality components than equivalently priced motherboards from rivals. This strategy translates into a motherboard that makes fewer compromises, and is decidedly mid-range, but still manages to reach an entry-level price for the X99 platform.

At the time of writing, X99 motherboards start from around $180 in North America and £180 in the UK; ASRock's X99 Taichi retails for $220/£225. While there are lower-cost X99 motherboards out there, few offer such an extensive array of hardware which includes; dual M.2, dual Intel Gigabit LAN, a 12 phase CPU VRM, dual BIOS chips, onboard WiFi, USB 3.1 and a sleek black and white design.

Perhaps uniquely, the X99 Taichi isn't positioned as a gamer-centric product. In ASRock's own words the X99 Taichi is “Specially designed for the all-round PC user who wants a motherboard packed with premium features”.

Whether or not it's the absence of gaming features and marketing that allows ASRock to achieve a better price-to-performance balance remains to be seen. However, we'd imagine many prospective X99 buyers will appreciate the Taichi's reinterpretation of the mid-range X99 motherboard.

	ASRock X99 Taichi
Form Factor	ATX, 30.5 x 24.4 cm
CPU Socket	LGA 2011-V3, 12 Phase VRM
Chipset	Intel X99
Memory	DDR4, 8 DIMMs, up to 3300+ MHz with OC
Onboard Graphics	None
Discrete Graphics	Up to Nvidia 3-Way SLI or Quad-SLI, AMD 3-Way CrossFireX or Quad CrossFireX
Expansion Slots	3 x PCIe 3.0 X16 (40 lane CPU: 16X/16X/0X or 16X/8X/8X, 28 lane CPU: 16X/0X/8X or 8X/8X/8X) 2 x PCI Express 2.0 x1 Slots
Storage	10 x SATA III 6Gbps 1 x SATA Express (shared with SATA ports 4/5) 2 x M.2 32Gbps
USB	7 x USB 2.0 (3 Rear, 4 Front), all via X99 8 x USB 3.0 (3 Rear, 2 Front), all via X99 2 x USB 3.1 (2 Rear) Type-A and C via ASM1142
Networking	1 x Intel I218V Gigabit LAN 1 x Intel I211AT Gigabit LAN Intel 802.11ac AC3160 dual-band WiFi & Bluetooth 4.0
Audio	Realtek ALC1150 7.1 Channel with TI NE5532 Headset Amplifier
Fan Headers	5 x 4-pin (3 SYS, 1 CPU, 1 W_PUMP)
Rear I/O	– 1 x PS/2 Mouse/Keyboard Port – 1 x Optical SPDIF Out Port – 3 x USB 2.0 Ports (Supports ESD Protection (ASRock Full Spike Protection)) – 1 x USB 3.1 Type-A Port (10 Gb/s) (ASMedia ASM1142) (Supports ESD Protection (ASRock Full Spike Protection)) – 1 x USB 3.1 Type-C Port (10 Gb/s) (ASMedia ASM1142) (Supports ESD Protection (ASRock Full Spike Protection)) – 3 x USB 3.0 Ports (Intel® X99) (Supports ESD Protection (ASRock Full Spike Protection)) – 2 x RJ-45 LAN Ports with LED (ACT/LINK LED and SPEED LED) – 1 x Clear CMOS Switch – HD Audio Jacks: Rear Speaker / Central / Bass / Line in / Front Speaker / Microphone
UEFI	Custom UEFI with Dual BIOS chips

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