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]
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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

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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.

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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)

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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*

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• 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).

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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

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1.3 Motherboard Layout

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Z790 PG SONIC
No. Description
1 ATX 12V Power Connector (ATX12V1)
2 ATX 12V Power Connector (ATX12V2)
3 CPU Fan Connector (CPU_FAN1)
4 CPU/Water Pump Fan Connector (CPU_FAN2/WP)
5 2 x 288-pin DDR5 DIMM Slots (DDR5_A1, DDR5_B1)
6 2 x 288-pin DDR5 DIMM Slots (DDR5_A2, DDR5_B2)
7 Addressable LED Header (ADDR_LED3)
8 Addressable LED Header (ADDR_LED2)
9 Chassis/Water Pump Fan Connector (CHA_FAN2/WP)
10 ATX Power Connector (ATXPWR1)
11 Front Panel Type C USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Header (USB32_TC2)
12 Chassis/Water Pump Fan Connector (CHA_FAN3/WP)
13 USB 3.2 Gen1 Header (USB32_7_8)
14 SATA3 Connectors (SATA3_4)(Upper), (SATA3_5)(Lower)
15 SATA3 Connectors (SATA3_6)(Upper), (SATA3_7)(Lower)
16 SATA3 Connectors (SATA3_2)(Upper), (SATA3_3)(Lower)
17 SPI TPM Header (SPI_TPM_J1)
18 System Panel Header (PANEL1)
19 Power LED and Speaker Header (SPK_PLED1)
20 SATA3 Connector (SATA3_1)
21 SATA3 Connector (SATA3_0)
22 Clear CMOS Jumper (CLRMOS1)
23 Chassis Fan Connector (CHA_FAN5)
24 Post Status Checker (PSC)
25 USB 2.0 Header (USB_5_6)
26 USB 2.0 Header (USB_3_4)
27 Addressable LED Header (ADDR_LED1)
28 RGB LED Header (RGB_LED1)
29 5-pin underbolt AIC Connector (TB1)
30 Chassis/Water Pump Fan Connector (CHA_FAN4/WP)
31 Front Panel Audio Header (HD_AUDIO1)
32 Chassis/Water Pump Fan Connector (CHA_FAN1/WP)

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1.4 I/O Panel
No. Description No. Description
1 2.5G LAN RJ-45 Port* 7 USB 3.2 Gen2 Ports (USB32_34)
2 Line In (Light Blue)** 8 USB 3.2 Gen1 Ports (USB32_12)
3 Front Speaker (Lime)** 9 USB 2.0 Ports (USB_12)
4 Microphone (Pink)** 10 HDMI Port
5 USB 3.2 Gen1 Ports (USB32_56)*** 11 DisplayPort 1.4
6 USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-C Port (USB32_TC1)
ACT/LINK LED
SPEED LED
LAN Port
* ere are two LEDs on each LAN port. Please refer to the table below for the LAN port LED indications.
Activity / Link LED Speed LED
Status Description Status Description
O No Link O 10Mbps connection
Blinking Data Activity Orange 100Mbps/1Gbps connection
On Link Green 2.5Gbps connection
1011 9 78 6 5
1
4
2
3

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Z790 PG SONIC
** Function of the Audio Ports in 7.1-channel Conguration:
Port Function
Light Blue (Rear panel) Rear Speaker Out
Lime (Rear panel) Front Speaker Out
Pink (Rear panel) Central /Subwoofer Speaker Out
Lime (Front panel) Side Speaker Out
*** USB32_56 are Lightning Gaming Ports.

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1.5 Block Diagram
Intel Z790 Chipset
Intel Alder Lake-S
Raptor Lake-S
Processor (LGA1700)
20Gb/s
USB32_TC2 (Front USB 3.2 Gen2x2 TypeC)
5Gb/s
USB32_12 (Rear USB 3.2 Gen1 TypeA*2)
Channel B Channel A
DDR5 Slot x2
DDR5 Slot x2
SIO NCT6796D
ALC897 (3 jack Audio)
PCIE1 (PCIe Gen5 x16)
M.2_2 (PCIe Gen4 x4)
Gen4 x4 Gen4 x4
PCIE2 (PCIe Gen4 x4, x16 slot)
10Gb/s
USB32_34 (Rear USB 3.2 Gen2 TypeA*2)
Gen5 lane[0:7,12:15]
Gen3 x1
PCIE3 (PCIe Gen3 x1, x1 slot)
5Gb/s
ASM1074
AZ(HD Audio)
eSPI
Gen3 x1
UART portFAN x7
H/W Monitor
Flash ROM 128Mb
DDIB
HDMI
Gen4 x4
M.2_3 (PCIe Gen4 x4)
Gen4 x4
M.2_1 (PCIe Gen4 x4)
5Gb/s
USB32_TC1 (Rear USB 3.2 Gen1 TypeC)
USB32_7_8 (Front USB 3.2 Gen1 TypeA*2)
M.2_WIFI1 (PCIe Gen3 x1 / CNVi / USB BT)
Gen3 x1
Killer 2.5G E3100G
USB32_56 (Rear USB 3.2 Gen1 TypeA*2)
5Gb/s
Gen5 lan[8:11]
DDIC
DP
M.2_5 (PCIe Gen5 x4) Gen5 Redriver+Switch
DMI Gen4 x8
Gen4 x4
M.2_4 (PCIe Gen4 x4)
USB_5_6 (Front USB 2.0 TypeA*2)
USB_3_4 (Front USB 2.0 TypeA*2)
480Mb/s
Redriver
5Gb/s
Redriver
Gen3 x1
ASM3042
CNVi SATA 6Gb/s
SATA 8 port
USB_12 (Rear USB 2.0 TypeA*2)
480Mb/s
480Mb/s
480Mb/s SPI
SPI TPM Header
TB1
GPIO SMBus
MCU
RGB_LED1 ADDR_LED1, ADDR_LED2, ADDR_LED3
Onboard LED

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Z790 PG SONIC
is is an ATX form factor motherboard. Before you install the motherboard, study
the conguration of your chassis to ensure that the motherboard ts into it.
Pre-installation Precautions
Take note of the following precautions before you install motherboard components
or change any motherboard settings.
• Make sure to unplug the power cord before installing or removing the motherboard
components. Failure to do so may cause physical injuries and damages to motherboard
components.
• In order to avoid damage from static electricity to the motherboard’s components,
NEVER place your motherboard directly on a carpet. Also remember to use a
grounded wrist strap or touch a safety grounded object before you handle the
components.
• Hold components by the edges and do not touch the ICs.
• Whenever you uninstall any components, place them on a grounded anti-static pad or
in the bag that comes with the components.
• When placing screws to secure the motherboard to the chassis, please do not over-
tighten the screws! Doing so may damage the motherboard.
Chapter 2 Installation

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2.1 Installing the CPU
1. Before you insert the 1700-Pin CPU into the socket, please check if the PnP cap
is on the socket, if the CPU surface is unclean, or if there are any bent pins in the
socket. Do not force to insert the CPU into the socket if above situation is found.
Otherwise, the CPU will be seriously damaged.
2. Unplug all power cables before installing the CPU.
1
A
B
2 3

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Z790 PG SONIC
5
76
4
Please save and replace the cover if the processor is removed. e cover must be
placed if you wish to return the motherboard for aer service.

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2.2 Installing the CPU Fan and Heatsink
1 2
CPU_FAN

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Z790 PG SONIC
2.3 Installing Memory Modules (DIMM)
is motherboard provides four 288-pin DDR5 (Double Data Rate 5) DIMM slots,
and supports Dual Channel Memory Technology.
Recommended Memory Conguration
1 DIMM
2 DIMMs
4 DIMMs
A1 A2 B1 B2
V
A1 A2 B1 B2
VV
A1 A2 B1 B2
VVVV
1. For dual channel conguration, you always need to install identical (the same
brand, speed, size and chip-type) DDR5 DIMM pairs.
2. It is unable to activate Dual Channel Memory Technology with only one or three
memory module installed.
3. It is not allowed to install a DDR, DDR2 , DDR3 or DDR4 memory module into a
DDR5 slot; otherwise, this motherboard and DIMM may be damaged.
4. e DIMM only ts in one correct orientation. It will cause permanent damage to
the motherboard and the DIMM if you force the DIMM into the slot at incorrect
orientation.

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2
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