The AM5 era is getting a major upgrade, and ASRock’s Phantom Gaming X870 Nova WIFI is one of the first motherboards to show what AMD’s new 800-series chipsets can really do. 
Priced around $299, this ATX board is aimed squarely at gamers and creators who want cutting-edge features without spending over $500 on a flagship.
AMD’s AM5 socket – replacing the long-lived AM4 introduced in 2017 – is now in its second generation. The X870 and X870E chipsets bring universal USB4 support, PCIe Gen5 for both graphics and NVMe, and higher EXPO memory clocks (up to a blistering 8400 MT/s on high-end boards). The Nova WIFI packs two Gen5 M.2 slots, 20 USB ports in total, and full out-of-the-box support for Zen 5-based Ryzen 9000 CPUs, plus future chips.
What makes the Nova stand out is how much it crams into a sub-$300 package: Wi-Fi 7, beefy VRMs, DDR5 support well past 8000 MT/s for overclockers, and a clean layout that feels more premium than its price suggests. PCIe lane distribution is generous, and unlike budget B-series boards, nothing feels cut down. Cooling is handled by chunky heatsinks, and existing AM4/AM5 coolers fit without issue thanks to AMD’s unchanged mounting dimensions.
Of course, this is still an AM5 platform – meaning you’ll need DDR5 and a Ryzen 7000 or newer CPU – but if you’re making the jump from AM4, this is one of the most future-proof entry points right now. Between its rich connectivity, dual Gen5 storage, and competitive pricing, ASRock’s X870 Nova WIFI hits that sweet spot where high-end features meet midrange budgets.