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

ASRock's X99 Taichi is a motherboard that raises the bar for the entry-level X99 segment in terms of features and hardware at its price point. North American buyers have been fortunate enough to have retail availability since July and online feedback is mostly positive thus far, and after our full evaluation it is easy to see why this has been the case.

Pricing will vary by region and retailer but typical pricing is currently £225 here in the UK and around $220 in the USA, the warranty period is usually 2 or 3 years for this product when bought from reputable retailers. As we have seen with the ASRock Fatal1ty X99 Professional Gaming i7, the pricing is notably more competitive in the American market, but UK buyers still get a fair deal.

The Taichi comes with a strong amount of standard hardware that other equivalently priced motherboards do not usually have: USB 3.1 Type A & C, dual M.2, dual Gigabit NICs and onboard WiFi. Styling is a definite strong point too with a matte-black PCB and neutral black and white colour scheme.

There have been few compromises made elsewhere but those that have are trade-offs that are acceptable for the price point. These include an absence of LED RGBs, an LED strip header or any other method of customisation. Additionally, the lack of onboard power and reset buttons can make for a building experience that isn't as smooth as some rival X99 boards, though an onboard debug LED is still included and this is the most essential troubleshooting tool of them all.

Against its nearest rival that we have tested, the MSI X99A Tomahawk, it's a close call and undoubtedly prospective X99 buyers could be swung either way depending on personal preferences and build requirements. Lean towards MSI's X99A Tomahawk for onboard power and reset buttons or support for LED RGB strips, lean towards ASRock's X99 Taichi for WiFi, dual M.2 and a slightly lower price.

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Pros:

• Highly competitive price point
• Excellent suite of standard connectivity
• Refreshing aesthetics

Cons:

• No style-customisation options
• Onboard power and reset buttons absent

KitGuru says: An excellent balance of hardware, features and styling for its price, the ASRock X99 Taichi is a top choice among the competition.

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