ASRock has introduced a novel motherboard, the H610M Combo II, designed to accommodate both DDR4 and DDR5 memory modules. This innovative approach aims to provide users with flexibility and cost-effectiveness amidst fluctuating RAM prices, allowing them to utilize whichever memory standard is more affordable at the time of purchase.
Key Takeaways
- ASRock’s H610M Combo II motherboard supports both DDR4 and DDR5 RAM.
- It features one DDR4 slot and two DDR5 slots, catering to Intel’s 12th, 13th, and 14th Gen CPUs.
- This is ASRock’s second motherboard with mixed RAM support, following the larger H610 Combo.
A Flexible Memory Solution
The H610M Combo II is an LGA 1700 board compatible with Intel’s 12th, 13th, and 14th Gen processors. This unique configuration addresses the ongoing “RAMpocalypse” by allowing users to choose the most economical RAM option. The board is equipped with three DIMM slots in total: two for DDR5 and one for DDR4.
The single DDR4 slot supports up to a 32 GB stick with a maximum speed of 3,200 MT/s. The two DDR5 slots offer a combined capacity of up to 96 GB, running at 5,600 MT/s with 14th Gen CPUs, while 12th and 13th Gen CPUs are limited to DDR5-4800. This setup is notable given that DDR4 is typically recommended to run in dual-channel, whereas a single DDR5 stick can often perform adequately.
Barebones Features for Entry-Level Users
Beyond its memory support, the H610M Combo II is an mATX board with a fairly basic feature set. It includes one PCIe 5.0 slot for a graphics card, a PCIe 3.0 x1 slot for expansion, and a PCIe 3.0 x4 slot for an M.2 SSD. Power delivery is managed by a 6+1+1 phase VRM.
The I/O panel is equally modest, offering only two USB 3.0 ports alongside USB 2.0 ports, and lacking onboard wireless connectivity. It does include gigabit Ethernet. These specifications suggest the motherboard is targeted towards entry-level gamers who are most impacted by component costs.
ASRock has not yet disclosed pricing or availability details, and it’s possible the board may not be released in all regions. This is not the first time ASRock has experimented with mixed RAM support; they previously released a full-size ATX version, the H610 Combo, which offered more DIMM slots and features.
Via ASRock
