ASRock’s latest X870 Refresh lineup demonstrates a clear strategy: provide targeted solutions for different kinds of enthusiasts while ensuring that every board delivers on core fundamentals such as storage performance, robust thermal solutions, and efficient power consumption. All three boards—the X870 LiveMixer WiFi, Phantom Gaming X870 Nova WiFi, and X870 Taichi Creator—share a common DNA of stability and strong AM5 support, but each has been deliberately designed to address different user needs without stepping on one another’s toes.
Of the trio, the X870 Taichi Creator stands as the flagship offering. It is the most striking in design, with ASRock’s refined Taichi aesthetics and premium finish, but more importantly it comes with the deepest feature set. From dual LAN (10 GbE + 5 GbE), dual USB4 Type-C ports, and PCIe 5.0 ×16 flexibility, to its 18+2+1 VRM design and multiple M.2 slots including dual Gen5 options, the Taichi Creator is engineered for creators, professionals, and advanced enthusiasts who demand everything in one package. It is the board to choose for dual-GPU workloads, heavy multitasking, or any workflow where expansion and connectivity are critical.
The X870 LiveMixer WiFi, by contrast, positions itself as a highly practical solution for those who prioritise connectivity and ease of use. Its vibrant design may polarize tastes, but the extensive array of rear I/O ports—particularly USB—makes it a standout for users with multiple peripherals, audio devices, and external storage solutions. While it doesn’t carry the same prestige as the Taichi Creator, its balance of features, functionality, and wide connectivity options makes it an excellent tool for streamers, creative professionals with peripheral-heavy setups, or anyone who simply needs more USB bandwidth.
For high-end gamers, the Phantom Gaming X870 Nova WiFi strikes the right balance between premium capability and gaming-oriented practicality. It has more than enough power delivery to handle top-tier Ryzen CPUs, but trims away some of the creator-focused extras in exchange for a cleaner layout and a focus on performance essentials. Users who want a strong, gaming-centric board without needing excessive expansion or connectivity overhead will find the Nova an appealing and more accessible choice compared to the Taichi Creator.
Overall, this X870 Refresh trio neatly rounds out ASRock’s high-end AM5 motherboard lineup. The Taichi Creator excels as the most feature-rich and premium choice, the LiveMixer WiFi shines in connectivity, and the Nova provides a gamer-friendly balance of power and practicality. ASRock’s approach ensures that there is now a well-defined option for creators, gamers, and connectivity-focused power users alike—each offering excellent performance in storage, thermals, and power efficiency, while making the AM5 ecosystem more complete.
X870 LiveMixer Wifi:
Pros
+ Lowest power consumption
+ Lowest thermals
+ Good assortment of features
+ Cheapest at USD $230
Cons
- Just two SATA ports
- Design/theme may not be to everyone’s taste
+ Lowest power consumption
+ Lowest thermals
+ Good assortment of features
+ Cheapest at USD $230
Cons
- Just two SATA ports
- Design/theme may not be to everyone’s taste
PG X870 Nova Wifi:
Pros
+ Excellent overall performance
+ Well-balanced feature-set
+ Reasonably priced
Cons
- Just two SATA ports
+ Excellent overall performance
+ Well-balanced feature-set
+ Reasonably priced
Cons
- Just two SATA ports
X870 Taichi Creator:
Pros
+ Sleek, impressive design/theme
+ Massive array of ports on Rear IO panel
+ Strong VRM design
+ Has thermistor header
+ Includes 10G ethernet and Wifi 7
Cons
- Most expensive at USD $320
+ Sleek, impressive design/theme
+ Massive array of ports on Rear IO panel
+ Strong VRM design
+ Has thermistor header
+ Includes 10G ethernet and Wifi 7
Cons
- Most expensive at USD $320
Click here for an explanation of our awards at Vortez.net.
Stay connected with the Vortez Social Media pages:
Join in with the discussions on Discord
