ASRock has released an Intel LGA1700 motherboard that features both DDR4 and DDR5 DIMM slots. Giving owners of DDR4 systems a way to upgrade without buying expensive DDR5 RAM, the H610M Combo II is a micro-ATX motherboard also gives you the option to use faster memory if and when prices come down.
With ongoing memory shortages causing extreme RAM price inflation worldwide, users on tight budgets have found themselves unable to obtain or build a PC within their funds’ limits. Those who couldn’t wait for the storm to pass opted instead for a downgrade to DDR4 due to wide second-hand availability, as well as the fact that so many people already have some DDR4 RAM. Some people even went back to DDR3 when DDR4 demand grew. Seeing this, ASRock has refreshed its old H610M Combo motherboard and released a second version to cover both bases.
However, the new design only features half the DIMM slots compared to its predecessor, totalling two DDR5 plus one DDR4. The same goes for the PCIe slots, with just a single PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, plus one PCIe 3.0 x1 connector, instead of four.
Understandably, you won’t be able to install both DDR4 and DDR5 modules at the same time. As a result, you will have to choose between up to 96GB of DDR5-5600 in dual-channel mode or 32GB of DDR4-3200 in single channel. Note that this means you can’t run your DDR4 memory in dual-channel mode, which will restrict its bandwidth. ASRock clearly is targeting DDR4 slots as a temporary option for those who can’t afford DDR5, or those who already have DDR4 modules lying around from previous systems.
The rest of the specs cover all the essentials, with a 6+1+1 power design to cope with Intel’s 12, 13, and 14th-gen CPUs, PCIe Gen 3 M.2 for SSD storage, and four SATA 3 6Gb/s for hard drives. I/O connections include four USB 3.2 5Gb ports (two for the chassis), six USB 2.0 sockets (two for the chassis), one HDMI output, one DisplayPort socket, a PS/2 port for legacy peripherals, 3.5mm audio jacks, and 1Gb LAN. There’s no Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, which is to be expected on a budget board.
ASRock hasn’t shared any price or release date for the H610M Combo II. However, considering its entry-level specs and previous-gen platform, we expect it to retail for around $70/£60.
