ASRock Launches Graffiti-Strewn LiveMixer Motherboards

ASRock LiveMixer motherboards
(Image credit: ASRock)

ASRock has been teasing its upcoming LiveMixer motherboard designs for some time on social media. Today the PC components maker finally launched the first two LiveMixer products; one for Intel and another for AMD processors. On the surface they mix graffiti-style writing and splashes of color in a Jackson-Pollock-meets-fruit-infused-energy-drink aesthetic. Beneath the surface, these are claimed to be reliable motherboards that have been tailored to meet the demands of creators and streamers.

First, let's address the design — because this is what really sets these motherboards apart in a crowded field. You might think there's some degree of user-customizability with a name like "LiveMixer." ASRock goes along with that idea in its press release by saying you can "show your personality," with the choice of motherboard / design. 

However, there is just one ASRock LiveMixer motherboard design for the Intel Z790 chipset, and one for the AMD B650 chipset. Both designs feature graffiti and splashes of color: Intel is mostly purple, while AMD is largely orange.

(Image credit: ASRock)

Moving onto features, ASRock highlights that the LiveMixer boards offer "superb reliability, cutting-edge performance and an extended connectivity," which the company says is a boon for game streaming tasks. 

Despite the platform chipset differences, these motherboards share a lot of "designed for streaming" qualities to appeal to users who typically rely on a plethora of USB connected devices (controllers, cameras, mics, etc). Common features across both boards are highlighted in the screenshot below, and include: 23 onboard USB ports, Dragon 2.5G LAN, DDR5 memory support, Nahimic audio, Auto driver installer, and Polychrome Sync lighting.

(Image credit: ASRock)

Both boards feature ASRock Blazing M.2 storage connectors (PCIe Gen5 x4) with heatsinks, dual PCIe x4 slots and Thunderbolt headers, optimized VRM designs with Japanese capacitors, low latency USB ports for keyboard and mouse, Ultra USB power for stable peripheral support, and (claimed) quality construction.

(Image credit: ASRock)

The product pages for the ASRock Z790 LiveMixer (Intel) and the ASRock B650 LiveMixer (AMD) motherboards are now live. If you're interested in digging deeper into a particular product's specs you can check the extensive details provided by ASRock. Your choice probably depends not on color preferences, but whether you are more interested in Intel Raptor Lake, or AMD Ryzen 7000 CPUs. ASRock hasn't yet mentioned anything about availability or pricing. 

Mark Tyson
News Editor

Mark Tyson is a news editor at Tom's Hardware. He enjoys covering the full breadth of PC tech; from business and semiconductor design to products approaching the edge of reason.

  • -Fran-
    I don't particularly like AsRock, but I have to say I do like the look of those boards.

    I hope they just perform well enough to justify their price points xD

    Regards.
    Reply
  • bolweval
    Bitchin.
    Reply
  • boe rhae
    I love this!!!! Always nice to see something that isn't "edgy gamer" (like almost all the new AIB 40xx cards and every MSI product ever made).
    Reply
  • Giroro
    I like a lot that they made a purple accented motherboard, especially one that hopefully isn't passing on the cost of an Evangelion License. I like retro paint splatter. The time I used an ASRock motherboard, I liked it a lot better than my last couple MSI mobos.

    But I have absolutely no idea what mid 90's graffiti has to do with streaming. I'm also much less likely to buy anything marketed to streamers, as streaming products usually have the same problem as "eSports" products: They tend to be relatively low quality/entry level products sold to tween children at inflated prices.
    These companies know well that the word "Streamer" is all you need to turn a simple $15 LED light into an $80 LED light.
    Reply
  • Math Geek
    The features are what make it "streamer friendly"

    For instance, 23 USB ports and more headers!!! I can't even imagine what it would take to fill 23 ports.

    Love the purple as well. Sucks the AMD board is orange. Can't think of anything that would go with it as is.
    Reply
  • TechieTwo
    My guess is that Asrock has excess production capacity and that they are trying to find a means to use it. I don't believe there is a need for 8 unique B650 mobos. More than likely all of these B650 mobos as well as the X670 mobos would have less than a $30 USD cost diff to produce from the $169.95 model to the $529.95 model so clearly some models are cash cows as we see in other markets. IMNHO paying a $1000 for any consumer mobo is a stretch no matter how much hype and marketing claims.
    Reply
  • -Fran-
    Math Geek said:
    The features are what make it "streamer friendly"

    For instance, 23 USB ports and more headers!!! I can't even imagine what it would take to fill 23 ports.

    Love the purple as well. Sucks the AMD board is orange. Can't think of anything that would go with it as is.
    That's a good question, to which I actually have an answer to, maybe :D

    VR Streaming (even non-Proffs).

    The Index I have, with only 3 body tracking points, is 4 (6 if you wire the controllers, which you can) USB ports and each extra body tracking point adds one USB. The ideal is 10 point body tracking (2 hands , 2 elbows, waist, chest, 2 knees and 2 ankles/feet), so that puts you at 12 USB ports just using a full body VR experience. Then you have all the stuff to power the cameras and stuff. Depending on how you set the scenes, you can have about 3 cameras? That's 3 more USB, so 15. Then you have whatever other stuff, like microphone or external DAC / sound, keyboard, mouse and normal/other devices? I have a racing chair with the G27 wheel from Logitech and that's 1 USB, so... Yeah, plenty stuff.

    I have a B550 and I have... 3 free USBs on the back out of 10, I think? And I want to get more body tracking points shortly :D

    Regards.
    Reply
  • Math Geek
    thanks for the info. did not know body tracking was a thing in home pc world. that would def use up some ports as you explained :)

    the only thing missing from the info is price. i'm guessing those extra ports are from an extra chip or 2. all that extra tracing and such and i'm sure it adds a good bit to the price.

    still love the purple though :)
    Reply
  • ocer9999
    Math Geek said:
    The features are what make it "streamer friendly"

    For instance, 23 USB ports and more headers!!! I can't even imagine what it would take to fill 23 ports.

    Love the purple as well. Sucks the AMD board is orange. Can't think of anything that would go with it as is.

    I been saying that for a while, sometimes I wonder why so many USB ports, but from some "influencers" the more USB ports the better... :/
    But cool designs, they do have a good desgin team , all their boards always looked awesome.
    Reply