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ASRock’s X399M Taichi brought AMD’s TR4 Ryzen Threadripper platform to a Micro-ATX motherboard without giving up three PCIe 3.0 x16 slots, three M.2 sockets, eight SATA ports or dual Gigabit Ethernet. It remains a capable option for a specific kind of used workstation build, but it is a legacy X399 board—not a current-generation Threadripper motherboard.
What the X399M Taichi offered
The X399M Taichi paired AMD’s X399 chipset and TR4 socket with a 9.6 × 9.6-inch (24.4 × 24.4 cm) Micro-ATX layout. At a time when high-core-count Threadripper systems were commonly built around larger enthusiast or workstation boards, its appeal was straightforward: fit a compact motherboard into a smaller case while retaining substantial CPU-platform expansion.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
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ASRock Motherboard (Z390 Taichi) | $199.99 | Buy on Amazon |
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THFKLXT Motherboards X399 Motherboard Fit for ASRock Taichi Socket TR4 8×DDR4 128GB PCI-E 3.0 M.2... | $787.22 | Buy on Amazon |
ASRock’s product page still lists specifications and support information, but cautions that the board may not be sold worldwide. A BIOS listing is not proof of regular retail production or broad availability. ASRock’s BIOS page lists version 4.05, dated March 9, 2026, with an updated Secure Boot key noted in its description. The original launch date and launch price are not established by the cited primary sources.
Specifications at a glance
| Category | X399M Taichi specification |
|---|---|
| Socket and chipset | AMD TR4 socket; AMD X399 chipset |
| Form factor | Micro-ATX; 9.6 × 9.6 in / 24.4 × 24.4 cm |
| PCB | 8-layer, 2 oz copper |
| CPU power delivery | IR Digital PWM, 11-phase design, Dr. MOS |
| Memory slots and mode | Four DDR4 DIMM slots; quad-channel |
| Memory types and rated speeds | ECC or non-ECC unbuffered UDIMM; DDR4-2133 through DDR4-3600+ overclocked, depending on configuration |
| Maximum memory | 128GB on ASRock’s current product page; the available English manual lists 64GB |
| Expansion | Three PCIe 3.0 x16 slots |
| Storage | Eight SATA 6Gb/s ports, three M.2 sockets and one U.2 connector |
| Wired networking | Dual Intel I211AT Gigabit Ethernet |
| Wireless | Intel dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth |
| USB | Rear USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-A and Type-C, plus USB 3.1 Gen1 ports |
| Audio | Realtek ALC1220-based 7.1-channel audio |
| Firmware feature | BIOS Flashback |
| Operating system listed | Windows 10 64-bit |
Specifications are from ASRock’s X399M Taichi product page; the memory discrepancy is also documented in the English user manual.
#1 Best Overall
- LGA1151 Supports 9th and 8th Generation Intel Core Processors
- Chipset: Intel Z390
- Memory: 4x DDR4 DIMM Slots, Dual Channel, Non-ECC, Unbuffered, Max Capacity of 64GB
- Slots: 3x PCI-Express 3.0 x16 Slots (run single at x16 or dual at x8/x8 or triple at x8/x4/x4), 2x PCI-Express 3.0 x1 Slots (Flexible PCIe)
Why Micro-ATX mattered—and what it did not change
A smaller motherboard can make it easier to build a high-core-count workstation in a case that does not accept ATX or extended-ATX boards. Three full-length slots and the board’s extensive storage connections also make it more flexible than a compact, single-GPU design. Potential uses include rendering, video production, virtualization, compute work and storage-heavy builds.
Micro-ATX describes the board’s footprint, not the demands of the complete system. A Threadripper CPU needs a cooler made for TR4, and a compact case still has to fit that cooler or its radiator, the graphics card and enough airflow. The power supply and cooling plan must suit the chosen CPU and add-in cards. Pay particular attention to airflow around the voltage-regulator and memory areas.
Expansion and storage: unusually dense for the size
Three PCIe slots
ASRock specifies the three PCIe 3.0 x16 slots for x16 operation with one card, x16/x16 with two, and x16/x16/x16 with three. The board also lists NVMe boot-device support and period-era NVIDIA SLI and AMD CrossFire support. Those labels describe the board’s advertised platform capabilities; they do not promise that modern games or applications will benefit from multiple GPUs. Physical clearance is another constraint: a thick or triple-slot card can cover neighboring slots even when the motherboard provides them.
M.2, SATA and U.2
The three M.2 sockets are not identical. ASRock lists two PCIe Gen3 x4 sockets and a third that supports either SATA M.2 or PCIe Gen3 x4, subject to form-factor restrictions. Eight SATA ports and a U.2 connector give the board options for a larger drive pool than many compact consumer boards. Before planning to use every connector simultaneously, check the manual for lane-sharing and port-disable rules for the exact combination of M.2, SATA and U.2 devices.
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Memory: do not assume every 128GB kit works
ASRock’s current product page states a 128GB maximum, while the available English manual states 64GB. Those figures conflict; the product-page figure may reflect a later specification, but the two sources do not establish that every 128GB configuration will work. The board is listed for ECC and non-ECC unbuffered UDIMMs—not registered or load-reduced server memory. For a used-board build, check the installed BIOS, ASRock’s memory support list, and the intended kit’s DIMM density and rank configuration before buying.
Threadripper generations and BIOS
The board is for TR4 Ryzen Threadripper processors. For Threadripper 2000-series support, ASRock says its X399 platform requires BIOS P3.XX or later. A used board with an older BIOS may not boot a second-generation processor before an update. The board’s BIOS Flashback feature can update firmware without a CPU or memory installed. Check the exact CPU support list and BIOS notes rather than assuming every TR4 processor works out of the box.
TR4/X399 is not interchangeable with sTRX4/TRX40, nor with later Threadripper platforms. Socket, chipset, memory and firmware compatibility all matter; a later Threadripper CPU is not an upgrade simply because it carries the same family name.
Power delivery and cooling considerations
The board’s listed power-delivery design includes an 11-phase arrangement, IR Digital PWM, Dr. MOS components and separated CPU power connectors. ASRock says the separated connectors allow wider CPU-VRM traces and are intended to improve power-delivery efficiency and temperature behavior. These are manufacturer design claims, not independently measured results. The components signal an enthusiast/workstation positioning, but do not establish a particular overclocking margin or operating temperature.
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Use a TR4-compatible cooler; do not assume a standard AM4 or AM5 cooler will fit. Check the cooler’s mounting hardware and coverage for Threadripper’s large integrated heat spreader, then confirm that the case has room for the cooler or radiator and the graphics cards. Overclocking can affect stability or damage components, as ASRock warns in its product documentation.
How to use BIOS Flashback
ASRock’s instructions for preparing an X399 board for Threadripper 2000-series support use the following process. Confirm the current BIOS package and manual for the X399M Taichi before starting; the filename and procedure must match the files for this exact board.
- Download the appropriate BIOS from the X399M Taichi support area and extract the BIOS file.
- Format a USB flash drive as FAT32, then rename the extracted BIOS file to
CREATIVE.ROM. - Connect the motherboard’s 24-pin power connector. For the Flashback procedure, leave the CPU, memory and other components uninstalled and do not power on the system.
- Insert the USB drive into the board’s
USB3_6BIOS Flashback port. - Hold the BIOS Flashback switch for approximately three seconds.
- Wait for the indicator to stop blinking; ASRock identifies that as completion. Do not interrupt power while the update is in progress.
ASRock’s Threadripper 2000 and BIOS Flashback instructions say a solid LED rather than the expected blinking sequence indicates the process is not operating correctly. A failed or interrupted flash can leave the board unusable until recovery or service.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Who should consider a used X399M Taichi?
The board makes the most sense when its legacy platform is an advantage rather than a compromise. Before committing, weigh the complete build—not just the motherboard—and verify the board’s condition, firmware and included accessories.
It may suit you if
- You already own a compatible TR4 Threadripper CPU, DDR4 memory or other X399 components.
- You need three full-length PCIe slots on a Micro-ATX board.
- Your workstation benefits from multiple M.2 drives, eight SATA ports, U.2 or dual wired networking.
- You are comfortable checking BIOS, memory-kit compatibility, cooler fit and used-board condition.
Look elsewhere if
- You are building around current CPU and memory standards and need PCIe 4.0 or 5.0, DDR5 or USB4.
- You require guaranteed new-stock availability or normal new-product warranty coverage.
- Low power consumption, modern Threadripper Pro support or a very small, lightly cooled system is a priority.
- You need to rely on 128GB of RAM without validating the exact DIMM configuration.
Platform alternatives are not drop-in replacements. Larger X399 boards trade compactness for more physical room; TRX40/sTRX4 boards require a different CPU and platform; Threadripper Pro/WRX80 systems use different processor and motherboard requirements; mainstream Ryzen Micro-ATX systems are newer and generally more efficient but offer fewer CPU PCIe lanes. A used X399 ATX board may be easier to find, but condition, BIOS state, accessories and warranty still need checking.
Used-board checks before you buy
- Inspect the TR4 socket carefully for damaged pins and confirm the board can complete POST.
- Check its BIOS version against the intended CPU’s support requirements; test BIOS Flashback if an update is needed.
- Test memory training with the specific unbuffered UDIMM kit you plan to use, especially if targeting 128GB.
- Confirm the Wi-Fi antennas, I/O shield, M.2 screws and any other expected accessories are included.
- Check expansion-card thickness, cooler and radiator clearance, and storage lane-sharing against the manual.
- Do not infer support for a newer operating system from the product page, which lists Windows 10 64-bit; verify OS support separately.
Current status and verdict
ASRock’s ongoing product and BIOS listings are useful for checking specifications and firmware, but they do not establish broad retail availability, warranty coverage or continued production. The manufacturer says the board may not be sold worldwide and recommends checking with a local dealer. No verified current price is established here, so a used-board decision should be based on the specific unit and the total cost of the compatible CPU, cooler, memory and other parts.
The X399M Taichi remains notable for fitting extensive Threadripper-era expansion into Micro-ATX: three PCIe 3.0 x16 slots, substantial storage connectivity, dual LAN and onboard Wi-Fi. It is best treated as a compact legacy workstation board for buyers who have a clear reason to stay with TR4/X399—not as a new-platform recommendation.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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