ASROCK Z790 PG SONIC User manual

Contact Information
If you need to contact ASRock or want to know more about ASRock, you’re
welcome to visit ASRock’s website at http://www.asrock.com; or you may contact
your dealer for further information. For technical questions, please submit a
support request form at https://event.asrock.com/tsd.asp
ASRock Incorporation
e-mail: [e-mail]
ASRock EUROPE B.V.
e-mail: [e-mail]
ASRock America, Inc.
e-mail: [e-mail]
Scan the QR code to view more manuals and documents.

Contents
Chapter 1 Introduction 1
1.1 Package Contents 1
1.2 Specications 2
1.3 Motherboard Layout 6
1.4 I/O Panel 8
1.5 Block Diagram 10
Chapter 2 Installation 11
2.1 Installing the CPU 12
2.2 Installing the CPU Fan and Heatsink 14
2.3 Installing Memory Modules (DIMM) 15
2.4 Connecting the Front Panel Header 17
2.5 Installing the Motherboard 18
2.6 Installing SATA Drives 19
2.7 Installing a Graphics Card 21
2.8 Connecting Peripheral Devices 23
2.9 Connecting the Power Connectors 24
2.10 Power On 25
2.11 Jumpers Setup 26
2.12 Onboard Headers and Connectors 27
2.13 Post Status Checker 38
2.14 M.2 WiFi/BT PCIe WiFi Module and Intel® CNVi (Integrated WiFi/
BT) Installation Guide 39

2.15 M.2 SSD Module Installation Guide (M2_1 and M2_5) 41
2.16 M.2 SSD Module Installation Guide (M2_2) 44
2.17 M.2 SSD Module Installation Guide (M2_3 and M2_4) 46

English
1
Z790 PG SONIC
Chapter 1 Introduction
ank you for purchasing ASRock Z790 PG SONIC motherboard, a reliable
motherboard produced under ASRock’s consistently stringent quality control.
It delivers excellent performance with robust design conforming to ASRock’s
commitment to quality and endurance.
1.1 Package Contents
• ASRock Z790 PG SONIC Motherboard (ATX Form Factor)
• ASRock Z790 PG SONIC User Manual
• 2 x Serial ATA (SATA) Data Cables (Optional)
• 5 x Screws for M.2 Sockets (Optional)
Because the motherboard specications and the BIOS soware might be updated, the
content of this documentation will be subject to change without notice. In case any
modications of this documentation occur, the updated version will be available on
ASRock’s website without further notice. If you require technical support related to
this motherboard, please visit our website for specic information about the model
you are using. You may nd the latest VGA cards and CPU support list on ASRock’s
website as well. ASRock website http://www.asrock.com.

English
2
1.2 Specications
Platform • ATX Form Factor
• 2oz Copper PCB
CPU • Supports 13th Gen & 12th Gen Intel® CoreTM Processors
(LGA1700)
• Supports Intel® Hybrid Technology
• Supports Intel® Turbo Boost Max 3.0 Technology
• Supports Intel® ermal Velocity Boost (TVB)
• Supports Intel® Adaptive Boost Technology (ABT)
Chipset • Intel® Z790
Memory • Dual Channel DDR5 Memory Technology
• 4 x DDR5 DIMM Slots
• Supports DDR5 non-ECC, un-buered memory up to
7200+(OC)*
• Max. capacity of system memory: 128GB
• Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Prole (XMP) 3.0
* Please refer to Memory Support List on ASRock's website for
more information. (http://www.asrock.com/)
Expansion
Slot
CPU:
• 1 x PCIe 5.0 x16 Slot (PCIE1), supports x16 mode*
Chipset:
• 1 x PCIe 4.0 x16 Slot (PCIE2), supports x4 mode*
• 1 x PCIe 3.0 x1 Slot (PCIE3)*
• 1 x M.2 Socket (Key E), supports type 2230 WiFi/BT PCIe
WiFi module and Intel® CNVio/CNVio2 (Integrated WiFi/
BT)
* If M2_5 is occupied, PCIE1 will downgrade to x8 mode.
* Supports NVMe SSD as boot disks
• Supports AMD CrossFireTM
Graphics • Intel® UHD Graphics Built-in Visuals and the VGA outputs
can be supported only with processors which are GPU
integrated.
• Intel® XeGraphics Architecture (Gen 12)

English
3
Z790 PG SONIC
• 1 x HDMI 2.1 TMDS Compatible, supports HDCP 2.3 and
max. resolution up to 4K 60Hz
• 1 x DisplayPort 1.4 with DSC (compressed), supports HDCP
2.3 and max. resolution up to 8K 60Hz / 5K 120Hz
Audio • 7.1 CH HD Audio (Realtek ALC897 Audio Codec)
• Nahimic Audio
LAN • 2.5 Gigabit LAN 10/100/1000/2500 Mb/s
• Killer® E3100G
• Supports Killer LAN Soware
USB • 1 x USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C (Front)
• 2 x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A (Rear)
• 1 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-C (Rear)
• 6 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A (4 Rear, 2 Front)
• 6 x USB 2.0 (2 Rear, 4 Front)
* All USB ports support ESD Protection
Rear Panel
I/O
• 2 x Antenna Mounting Points
• 1 x HDMI Port
• 1 x DisplayPort 1.4
• 2 x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A Ports (10 Gb/s)
• 1 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-C Port
• 4 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A Ports (USB32_56 are Lightning
Gaming Ports.)
• 2 x USB 2.0 Ports
• 1 x RJ-45 LAN Port
• HD Audio Jacks: Line in / Front Speaker / Microphone
Storage CPU:
• 1 x Hyper M.2 Socket (M2_1, Key M), supports type 2280
PCIe Gen4x4 (64 Gb/s) mode*
• 1 x Blazing M.2 Socket (M2_5, Key M), supports type 2280
PCIe Gen5x4 (128 Gb/s) mode*
Chipset:
• 1 x Hyper M.2 Socket (M2_2, Key M), supports type
2260/2280 PCIe Gen4x4 (64 Gb/s) mode*
• 1 x Hyper M.2 Socket (M2_3, Key M), supports type
2260/2280 PCIe Gen4x4 (64 Gb/s) mode*

English
4
• 1 x Hyper M.2 Socket (M2_4, Key M), supports type
2260/2280 PCIe Gen4x4 (64 Gb/s) mode*
• 8 x SATA3 6.0 Gb/s Connectors
* Supports Intel® Volume Management Device (VMD)
* Supports NVMe SSD as boot disks
* If M2_5 is occupied, PCIE1 will downgrade to x8 mode.
* Either M2_1 or M2_5 can be used at a time.
RAID • Supports RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5 and RAID 10 for SATA
storage devices
• Supports RAID 0, RAID 1 and RAID 5 for M.2 NVMe stor-
age devices
Connector • 1 x SPI TPM Header
• 1 x Power LED and Speaker Header
• 1 x RGB LED Header*
• 3 x Addressable LED Headers**
• 1 x CPU Fan Connector (4-pin)***
• 1 x CPU/Water Pump Fan Connector (4-pin) (Smart Fan
Speed Control)****
• 1 x Chassis Fan Connector (4-pin) (Smart Fan Speed Con-
trol)*****
• 4 x Chassis/Water Pump Fan Connectors (4-pin) (Smart Fan
Speed Control)******
• 1 x 24 pin ATX Power Connector
• 2 x 8 pin 12V Power Connectors (Hi-Density Power Con-
nector)
• 1 x Front Panel Audio Connector
• 1 x underbolt AIC Connector (5-pin) (Supports ASRock
underbolt 4 AIC Card)
• 2 x USB 2.0 Headers (Support 4 USB 2.0 ports)
• 1 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Header (Supports 2 USB 3.2 Gen1 ports)
• 1 x Front Panel Type C USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Header (20 Gb/s)
* Supports in total up to 12V/3A, 36W LED Strip
** Support in total up to 5V/3A, 15W LED Strip
*** CPU_FAN1 supports the fan power up to 1A (12W).
**** CPU_FAN2/WP supports the fan power up to 2A (24W).
***** CHA_FAN5 supports the fan power up to 1A (12W).

English
5
Z790 PG SONIC
****** CHA_FAN1~4/WP support the fan power up to 2A
(24W).
****** CPU_FAN2/WP and CHA_FAN1~4/WP can auto detect
if 3-pin or 4-pin fan is in use.
BIOS
Feature
• AMI UEFI Legal BIOS with GUI support
OS • Microso® Windows® 10 64-bit / 11 64-bit
Certica-
tions
• FCC, CE
• ErP/EuP ready (ErP/EuP ready power supply is required)
Please realize that there is a certain risk involved with overclocking, including
adjusting the setting in the BIOS, applying Untied Overclocking Technology, or using
third-party overclocking tools. Overclocking may aect your system’s stability, or
even cause damage to the components and devices of your system. It should be done
at your own risk and expense. We are not responsible for possible damage caused by
overclocking.
* For detailed product information, please visit our website: http://www.asrock.com

English
6
1.3 Motherboard Layout