
If you’re after a small form-factor build and want a good balance of features for the price, The Asus ROG Strix B760-I Gaming WiFi is a worthy choice. It’s not cheap, but if you’re aiming to build one of the fastest Mini-ITX gaming PCs known to gamers, this is a key component that will help accomplish that task. Otherwise, it’s a fantastic motherboard for the right user. Fewer RAM slots, PCIe slots, and SATA ports, mainly. It’s also restricted somewhat by its size, compared to a Micro-ATX motherboard or ATX. You’re also paying for some features that gamers may not always need (such as Thunderbolt 4).

IFACTOR GLASSDOOR PC
While you may not see it much in a small Mini-ITX PC case, the visible parts are sure to impress.Īre there any drawbacks to be aware of? First, it’s certainly a pricey option at $429 for some. With gorgeous styling, tasteful RGB implementation, it’s one sweet package. So it’s feature-packed and performs great-but how about the design aesthetics? It’s a pure-breed ROG, or Republic of Gamers, high-end enthusiast design from Asus. With the included Asus “ROG Hive” external device, you can have a volume dial at arm’s length for quick adjustment. This is akin to many ATX motherboards, so there are virtually no compromises on the networking front.
IFACTOR GLASSDOOR BLUETOOTH
Bluetooth is also standard, allowing for flexible connectivity. They can even serve as display-out ports for monitors, along with the single HDMI-out available on the rear.įor networking, you’ll get 2.5Gb LAN along with Wi-Fi 6E. You’ll even get two of the rarified Thunderbolt 4 ports for 40Gb/s goodness. If that wasn’t enough, they’re mighty fast, too. Need USB ports? You’ll get a total of nine rear ports! That’s a great number that rivals even some ATX motherboards. The good news continues with the onboard features. (Hard to saturate Gen 5 right now since the hardware is so new.)

The best solution is to keep the GPU at 16x, and just run the M.2 slots both at Gen 4, which is then fine. Theoretically you can also get Gen 5 speeds on one of the M.2 slots, with some drawbacks: You’ll have to share those PCIe Gen 5 lanes for that to happen, meaning your GPU won’t have access to all 16x. The latest PCIe is also here-with a PCIe Gen 5 16x slot for your GPU. That’s one drawback in comparison to larger Micro-ATX or ATX motherboards that typically allow for 4 DIMM slots and 128GB. DDR5 RAM is standard, but keep in mind you’ll be limited to just 2 DIMM slots and 64GB of RAM. (You’ll likely want to pair this with a slightly less power-hungry Intel CPU, such as the i7 13700K, if only to save space on cooling.)Īdding to its pedigree is the inclusion of next-generation tech. Keep in mind that you’ll need some heavy-duty CPU cooling for the i9 CPUs, which may be a challenge in a small form-factor build.

Robust VRMs with 10+1 power stages should easily handle even the mighty Intel i9 13900K.

The accessories are fun, but you’ll be really impressed with the performance. The “FPS II” card also gives you more SATA ports and headers when connected to the motherboard, a clever way of keeping the important components unaffected while adding more utility in a small package. This is great for small builds that can’t fit sound cards or more expansion internally. You’ll get your usual fare of SATA cables and stickers, but there’s more! You’ll also get a neat external sound device, called the “ROG Hive,” which acts as a little hub. What do you get in exchange? From the moment you open the tiny box, you’ll appreciate the included accessories and premium feel of the experience. Make no mistake, at $469 MSRP, this is an enthusiast-focused premium offering. You’d like to build a small form-factor PC, but you want that “big” performance? No sweat, the Asus ROG Strix Z790-i Gaming WiFi brings you exactly that.
