Test – Asus ROG Strix X470-I Gaming – Du Mini-ITX sur socket AM4 |Specs | Price

Introduction

Hi all!

With the release of the second generation Ryzen processors, a new chipset has also emerged, the AMD X470! The program includes small improvements compared to the X370 (see the motherboards tested here) and of course the “native” management of the new processors.

[Test] Asus ROG Strix X470-F Gaming & AMD Ryzen 5 2600X

After testing an ATX model from Asus, the X470-F Gaming, I decided to ask to test something more specific and more niche market oriented, the Asus ROG STRIX X470-I Gaming. Indeed under this name hides a motherboard equipped of course with the latest chipset from AMD but especially in the mini-ITX format, which is intended for the smallest PCs and which interests more and more people!
Offered at a price of around 215 € the Asus ROG Strix X470-I Gaming is clearly oriented high-end and miniaturization unfortunately does not help the final price, let’s see it all more closely.

Characteristics

As we can see, we are here quite close to what we can find on the ATX format models, with much more compact dimensions. Indeed here we are facing a motherboard equipped with the most high-end chipset in AM4 for the moment, the X470 all this on a motherboard with 17 cm sides! Of course, this is not a model that is really made to be installed in an ATX box (even if it is possible!), But rather in a Fractal Designe Node 304 for example.
Compatibility with all AM4 processors from AMD is of course assured, Ryzen 1st and 2nd generation, series A etc. Compactness requires there are only 2 slots for memory, operating in Dual Channel of course. It is possible to install modules up to 3600 MHz for the 2nd generation Ryzen and 3400 MHz for the 1st generation, largely sufficient for all users (crazy benchers excluded!).

Configuration of the day – PC Gamer @ 1200 €

As you can imagine, the size of the motherboard does not allow the use of multiple graphics cards, only one 16x PCIe port is present and can accommodate all graphics cards on the market without the slightest problem. Note that this port shares its bandwidth with one of the 2 M.2 ports on the motherboard (the one at the back), if an SSD is installed there then the PCIe 16x port will switch to 8x.
Now that we are talking about M.2 ports there are indeed 2, the first (next to the processor) is compatible with Sata 6x or PCie 4x SSDs, the other only PCie 4x (but imposes limitations as said upper). Despite its small size, you can also connect up to 4 Sata 6 Gb / s devices, all compatible with RAID 0, 1 and 10, so there is plenty to do!

The “classic” features are present of course, with an Intel I211-AT Gigabit network controller and a part of its marketing called ROG SupremeFX S1220A (Realtek S1220A chipset) accompanied by its high-end capacitors. In addition to that Asus added us a Wi-FI 802.11 a / b / g / n / ac part as well as Bluetooth 4.2. Basically you are spoiled for choice to connect your PC Gamer 😀
It’s time to take a closer look at the beast!

Unpacking and bundle

The box of course takes the colors and the trend of the branch “gaming” ROG from Asus, with the now well-known logo, the name of the model and a photo of the beast on the front. The RGB is of course present, showing that the card has some visual gadgets before the purchase!
At the back and strangely nothing well oriented marketing, with only the essential and the main, namely the technical characteristics and a small list of strengths. Attention ladies and gentlemen, apparently the 3.5mm jack ports are equipped with LEDs !!

When opening nothing that changes from what we usually find, with the ROG Strix X470-I gaming packed in its antistatic bag, all surrounded by cardboard so as not to have any worries during transport. Underneath is the bundle, who would have believed it!

The bundle is rather provided, which is normal given the price of more than 200 €, it should not end up with only a manual either 😉 Here of course, the various manuals (!) As well as the CD of drivers and a sticker plate to put ROGs everywhere, here’s what is more or less useful. In addition to this Asus adds 4 sata cables, an addressable LED extension cable, the necessary screws for the M.2 ports, the WiFi antenna as well as cable ties and the I / O plate. It’s hard to ask for more, unless you ask him to make us coffee 😉