Asus ROG Strix X370-I and B350-I Gaming Mini-ITX Motherboards Debut
Asus announced new X370 and B350 chipset-based AM4 Mini-ITX motherboards ready for AMD's Ryzen processors. Details are slim at this point, but here’s what we know so far.
The Strix X370-I and B350-I Gaming motherboards are virtually identical. The physical layout, component placement, matching AM4 sockets, and overall measurements make it it nearly impossible to distinguish the two.
Shared features include support for all AMD processors in the AM4 form-factor, including A-series APUs as well as all Ryzen CPUs. According to Asus, these Mini-ITX motherboards are equipped with dual DIMM slots that support DDR4-3600MHz memory and SafeSlot reinforced PCI-E slots that prevent damage from moving a system with heavy graphics cards.
Thanks to the company’s exclusive 5-Way Optimization technology, overclocking can be accomplished with a single click. The built in auto-tuner overclocks the CPU and configures the cooling automatically. Both motherboards feature a six-phase VRM design that, according to the company, increases stability and overall smoother power delivery, allowing for higher frequencies.
To save on precious motherboard real estate, Asus developed a unique M.2 Audio Combo dedicated riser card that contains both SupremeFX sound and M.2 storage. The Strix X370-I and B350-I Gaming motherboards are equipped with onboard 802.11ac Wi-Fi connectivity with MU-MIMO support to improve performance with compatible devices, plus Bluetooth for peripherals. Both boards feature an Intel Gigabit Ethernet controller for wired networking.
Additional features include four SATA ports, dual USB 3.1 Gen 2 ports, four Gen1 USB ports linked directly to the CPU, and an internal header for two more ports.
In addition to the RGB LEDs built into the right edge of the motherboard, Asus has also embedded RGB lighting into the M.2 heatsink. Those of you who want more lighting features can add lighting strips and accessories via the motherboard's RGB strip header. Colors and lighting effects are managed by Asus' Aura Sync software.
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The Asus ROG Strix X370-I and B350-I Gaming series motherboard will be available later this month. The company did not offer pricing information at this time.
| Header Cell - Column 0 | Asus ROG Strix X370i Gaming | Asus ROG Strix B350i Gaming |
|---|---|---|
| CPU Support | AMD AM4 Ryzen 7th Generation A-series Athlon Processors | |
| Chipset | X370 | B350 |
| Memory | DDR4 Up to 3,600MHz | |
| PCI-E Slots | 1 x PCI Express 3.0 x16 | |
| M.2 | 2 | |
| SATA | 4 x SATA 6Gb/s ports | |
| LAN | Intel Gigabit LAN Controller | |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/acBluetooth v4.2, 4.0LE, 3.0+HS | |
| Audio | SupremeFX 8-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC S1220A | |
| USB | 4 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 port(s) (4 at back panel, blue)2 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 port(s) (2 at back panel, red, Type-A)2 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 port(s) (2 at mid-board)2 x USB 2.0 port(s) (2 at mid-board) |
Steven Lynch is a contributor for Tom’s Hardware, primarily covering case reviews and news.
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abood1610 The people who will buy this board definitely don't caretabout on board HDMI, since they will use ryzen, not the APUsReply -
skyewolf310 I know I don't care about the loss of the onboard hdmi, I'll be using a dedicated gpu anyways. What I will miss is the lack of an optical port and no type-c usb port.Reply -
samer.forums Reply20287265 said:The people who will buy this board definitely don't caretabout on board HDMI, since they will use ryzen, not the APUs
APU for AM4 socket are coming soon ... and they will be Ryzen cores + GPU -
Wisecracker :ouch:Reply
My previous post vanished ...
My understanding is USB 3.1 Gen II is the standard, and USB-C is the new reversible-type connector (typically for mobile) which may operate at Gen II standards but is not required to do so.
So ... DisplayPort & HDMI video may pass over USB 3.1 Gen II.
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samer.forums Reply20288119 said::ouch:
My previous post vanished ...
My understanding is USB 3.1 Gen II is the standard, and USB-C is the new reversible-type connector (typically for mobile) which may operate at Gen II standards but is not required to do so.
So ... DisplayPort & HDMI video may pass over USB 3.1 Gen II.
I doubt that you can get 4k/60 fps using USB 3.1 .. Thunderbolt 3 yes , but not USB 3.1 Gen 2 . -
rwinches Quote From ASUS site;Reply
"Without display outputs, the boards are designed exclusively for gaming rigs with discrete graphics cards, which is basically all of them." -
samer.forums Reply20288424 said:Quote From ASUS site;
"Without display outputs, the boards are designed exclusively for gaming rigs with discrete graphics cards, which is basically all of them."
yeah right and they lost millions customers who want that tiny port when the AMD Ryzen APU is released.
they did not even bother to add one on the cheap B350 chipset which is ideal for HTPC -
junglist724 Reply20288647 said:20288424 said:Quote From ASUS site;
"Without display outputs, the boards are designed exclusively for gaming rigs with discrete graphics cards, which is basically all of them."
yeah right and they lost millions customers who want that tiny port when the AMD Ryzen APU is released.
they did not even bother to add one on the cheap B350 chipset which is ideal for HTPC
In what world are there millions of people looking to put a mainstream APU into what are likely going to be $150 and $200 gaming itx motherboards. And did you forget there are already multiple ITX boards for around $100 with display outputs?