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Benchmark Results and Final Analysis
Our standard benchmarks and power tests are performed using the CPU’s stock frequencies (including any default boost/turbo) with all power-saving features enabled. We set optimized defaults in the BIOS and the memory by enabling the XMP profile. For this baseline testing, the Windows power scheme is set to Balanced (default) so the PC idles appropriately.
Synthetic Benchmarks
Synthetics offer a valuable method for evaluating a board's performance, as identical settings are expected to yield similar results. Turbo boost wattage and advanced memory timings are areas where motherboard manufacturers can still optimize for stability or performance, though, and these settings can impact specific testing.
Across our synthetic benchmarks, the Nova shone brightly, with most results being average to above average. It was on the bottom half of the results during the Procyon MS Office tests, but you wouldn’t notice a difference.
Timed Applications
In the timed applications, the Nova again performed well, showing above-average results in Handbrake and LAME—nothing much to see here.
3D Games and 3DMark
Starting with the launch of Zen 5, we updated our game tests. We kept EA’s F1 racing game and have upgraded to F1 24. We also dropped Far Cry 6 in favor of the even more popular and visually appealing Cyberpunk 2077. We run both games at 1920x1080 resolution using the Ultra preset (details listed above). Cyberpunk 2077 uses DLSS, while we left F1 24 to native resolution scaling. The goal of these settings is to determine if there are differences in performance at the most commonly used (and CPU/system-bound) resolution with settings most people use or strive for (Ultra). We expect the difference between boards in these tests to be minor, with most falling within the margin of error. We’ve also added a minimum FPS value, which can affect your gameplay and immersion experience.
Results from our two games showed the Nova can do that just as well as any other here, too! In short, it performed as well or better than all the boards we’ve tested to this point. Again, it would be hard to tell a difference, but it’s still a good result for a sub-$300 board.
Overclocking
Over the past few CPU generations, overclocking headroom has been shrinking on both sides of the fence while the out-of-the-box potential has increased. For overclockers, this means there’s less fun to be had. For the average consumer, you’re getting the most out of the processor without manual tweaking. Today’s motherboards are more robust than ever, and they easily support power-hungry flagship-class processors, so we know the hardware can handle them. There are multiple ways to extract even more performance from these processors: enabling a canned PBO setting from the BIOS, manually adjusting the PBO settings, or opting for an all-core overclock. Results will vary and depend on the cooling as well. In other words, your mileage may vary. Considering all the above, we will not be overclocking the CPU. However, we will try out all our different memory kits to ensure they meet the specifications.
Testing our different memory kits yielded the same ending you may be used to seeing. Our DDR5-8000 kit didn't want to play nice, but the TeamGroup DDR5-7200 kit worked. For optimal compatibility, performance, and value, aim for a frequency range of 6000 to 6400 MHz with the tightest timings possible. Vendors are releasing kits today with CAS ratings as low as 26, though they are expensive.
Power Consumption / VRM Temperatures
We used AIDA64’s System Stability Test with Stress CPU, FPU, Cache, and Memory enabled for power testing, using the processor's peak power consumption value. The wattage reading is obtained from the wall via a Kill-A-Watt meter, capturing the entire PC (excluding the monitor). The only variable that changes is the motherboard; all other parts remain the same. Please note that we moved to using only the stock power use/VRM temperature charts, as this section aims to ensure the power delivery can handle flagship-class processors.
The ASRock X870 Nova peaked at 245W and idled at 75W, which was right around the average as expected from the hardware and performance results.
The Nova’s VRM temperatures maxed out at just over 43 degrees Celsius, according to our sensors. The Nova doesn’t appear to have an internal VRM sensor that reports, so we couldn’t gather that data. The capable power delivery and oversized heatsinks managed the VRM temperatures easily with a 150W load from our CPU. There’s plenty of headroom for more powerful processors and PBO.
Bottom Line
The ASRock X870 Nova, priced at just under $270, offers a compelling value proposition in the X870 space. It strikes a balance between B850 and X870E models, leaning towards the latter in terms of connectivity. So you get more without the premium on some X870E boards. Despite quite a bit of lane sharing, it boasts ample M.2 sockets and high-end audio, all within a design that seamlessly integrates into most build themes. But it’s definitely a flashy board.
The Nova differentiates itself from similarly priced competitors with a superior audio solution and more M.2 storage than most. Beyond these advantages, its overall performance aligns with that of its peers in the class, making the ultimate choice a matter of personal preference and specific needs. It should be on your short list; just be aware of lane sharing if you plan to fill up on M.2 storage. Really though, if you’re planning to install five M.2 drives, you should probably step up to the X870E model. It costs $50 more, but the higher-end chipset has more lanes, so you can keep your speedy USB4 ports and have your M.2 storage, too.
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