ASRock has officially announced the “Rock Series,” a new lineup of motherboards designed for the mid-range DIY PC market. The series focuses on providing core modern technologies, such as PCIe 5.0 and high-speed networking, at an accessible price point.
Model Variations and Form Factors
The Rock Series debuts with four primary models catering to both AMD and Intel platforms in ATX and micro-ATX (mATX) sizes:
| Model | Form Factor | Networking |
|---|---|---|
| B850 Rock WiFi 7 | ATX | Wi-Fi 7 + 2.5 GbE |
| B860 Rock WiFi 7 | ATX | Wi-Fi 7 + 2.5 GbE |
| B850M Rock WiFi | mATX | Wi-Fi + 2.5 GbE |
| B860M Rock WiFi | mATX | Wi-Fi + 2.5 GbE |
Key Technical Specifications
Across the lineup, ASRock has standardized several hardware features to meet current performance demands:
- Connectivity: All models include 2.5 GbE wired networking. The ATX versions (B850/B860) are equipped with Wi-Fi 7, while the mATX versions feature standard WiFi modules.
- Expansion: The series supports PCIe 5.0, ensuring compatibility with high-speed storage and next-generation graphics cards.
- Ease of Assembly: Each board comes with a pre-installed I/O shield to simplify the installation process for builders.
- BIOS Capacity: The B850 models utilize a 64 MB BIOS ROM. This increased capacity is intended to support larger firmware files required for future AM5 processor generations, extending the platform’s upgrade path.
Design and Manufacturing
The Rock Series adopts a minimalist aesthetic, featuring a clean design intended to match a variety of component styles. ASRock noted that the boards are manufactured using fully automated production lines to maintain quality control and stability, aligning the series’ reliability with its more premium product tiers.
While pricing was not explicitly detailed in the announcement, the Rock Series is positioned as a value-driven solution for daily productivity and gaming builds.
