The ASRock Taichi Lite x870e AM5 motherboard has quickly become a favorite among tech enthusiasts. It boasts an impressive feature set that leverages the latest AMD technologies, making it a stellar choice for building high-performance systems. Let’s take a look into what makes the ASRock Taichi Lite x870e stand out, and how it compares to another AM5 board (albeit a previous gen chipset) we had previously used in our test PC, the Gigabyte x670m motherboard.

We have been running it here at MKAU for a good few weeks now, and not only was it super simple to drop in a 9000 series Ryzen without the need for a BIOS update first, but it has not missed a beat, nor have we had one, single, BSOD since swapping this board in. Now i’ve said it, it’ll blue screen now!

Design and Aesthetics

The ASRock stands out with its elegant design, featuring a sleek black aesthetic with subtle RGB lighting. This minimalist approach not only looks sophisticated but also helps in seamlessly blending with various builds. The motherboard’s robust construction ensures long-term durability and reliability, crucial for high-performance use.

Conversely, the Gigabyte x670m motherboard is recognized for its more aggressive design language, sporting extensive RGB lighting and a bold look. This makes it particularly appealing for gamers who want their setups to stand out visually. Both motherboards excel in build quality, so the decision might boil down to personal taste regarding the overall aesthetic.

Performance and Features

The performance of the Taichi Lite x870e is nothing short of exceptional. It supports AMD’s latest Ryzen processors and takes full advantage of DDR5 memory, allowing for superior speed and responsiveness. The motherboard’s 14-phase VRM design is a testament to its capability to deliver stable power even under heavy loads, making it an excellent choice for overclocking enthusiasts.

Key Features of ASRock Taichi Lite x870e AM5:

• Memory: Supports up to 8200+ MHz DDR5 RAM for ultra-fast data processing.
• PCIe Slots: Multiple PCIe 5.0 slots for flexible GPU configurations.
• Storage: 1 x Blazing M.2 slot (Gen5x4) & 3 x Hyper M.2 slots (Gen4x4) for high-speed NVMe storage solutions.
• Connectivity: Extensive USB options, including USB 4.
• Networking: Integrated Wi-Fi 7, 5Gbps LAN, and Bluetooth 5.4 for cutting-edge wireless connectivity.

In comparison, the Gigabyte x670m motherboard offers similar support for DDR5 memory and features robust power delivery. It also includes multiple PCIe 4.0 slots and dual M.2 slots, ensuring excellent performance and expandability. However, Gigabyte takes an edge with its inclusion of Thunderbolt 4 support, catering to users who need the highest data transfer speeds for external devices.

Cooling Solutions

Effective cooling is vital for maintaining optimal performance, and the ASRock Taichi Lite x870e AM5 excels in this regard. It includes comprehensive thermal management features such as large heatsinks over the VRM and M.2 slots, and multiple fan headers that support water cooling systems. These cooling solutions are crucial for maintaining stability during intense computing tasks and overclocking.

Similarly, the Gigabyte x670m motherboard offers advanced cooling solutions with extended heatsinks and heat pipes. Gigabyte’s Smart Fan 6 technology provides dynamic fan control to ensure the system remains cool and quiet under varying loads.

BIOS and Software

User-friendly BIOS interfaces are a hallmark of both ASRock and Gigabyte motherboards. The ASRock Taichi Lite x870e AM5 features an intuitive BIOS that simplifies system tweaking and optimization. ASRock’s suite of software tools, including A-Tuning and Polychrome RGB, provides robust system monitoring and customization options.

Gigabyte’s BIOS is  almost as equally intuitive, offering advanced customization options that cater to both novice and experienced users. The EasyTune software and RGB Fusion 2.0 further enhance the user experience by providing detailed system monitoring and extensive RGB lighting customization.

Price and Value

In the Australian market, the ASRock Taichi Lite x870e is priced around AUD $639.99, presenting a high-end feature set at a competitive price. This makes it an excellent value for enthusiasts seeking top-tier performance without exorbitant costs.

The Gigabyte x670m motherboard, priced at approximately AUD $510, offers excellent performance and features, and with the added benefit of Thunderbolt 4 support. It does however, sport the “previous generation” X670E chipset though.

Specifications Comparison

Conclusion

The ASRock Taichi Lite x870e motherboard offers an outstanding combination of performance, features, and value. Its sleek design, powerful VRM, extensive connectivity options, and advanced cooling solutions make it a top contender in the high-end motherboard market. ASRock has come a long way from being the cheaper alternative to the ASUS line, to being a champion contender all on its own two feet… so-to-speak.

While the Gigabyte x670m motherboard provides additional features such as Thunderbolt 4 support and a slightly more aggressive design, whereas the ASRock Taichi Lite x870e strikes a perfect balance between performance, features, and value. Whether you’re building a high-performance gaming rig or a powerful workstation, the ASRock Taichi Lite x870e AM5 motherboard is sure to meet and exceed your expectations.

I would also like to add that I have previously had very frustrating BIOS problems with 2 x Gigabyte Aorus Master Mainboards, (not the Aorus Elite mentioned above) and recommend you stay well away from them.

If you’re still deciding on the perfect motherboard for your setup, always consider what features are most important to you and be sure to research, research, research.

Written by: Kurt Frohloff

A Founder of MKAU, a gamer, a family man. I have a love of all things gaming and a wish of mine is to have more time to actually play the games we review here!