Due for review is the ROG Strix X870-I Gaming WiFi. This is an AMD X870 chipset based motherboard in an ITX form factor, featuring premium components and features at a price point of $449 USD or around ₱26,000 PHP directly converted to Peso so expect more due to tax.
Disclosure: ASUS sent the ROG Strix X870-I Gaming WiFi for the purpose of this review. They did not ask me to say anything particular about it.
Table of Contents
Technical Specifications
The ROG Strix X870-I Gaming WiFi integrates the AMD X870 chipset into a compact mini-ITX form factor, enhanced by the ROG Strix Hive II hub for audio, data, and exclusive board features. Similar to other X870 motherboards, it offers PCIe 5.0 connectivity for graphics and storage, dual-channel DDR5 memory slots, and a 10+2+1 power delivery system. Additionally, it supports USB 4 with DP via its Type-C interface, along with the latest wireless standards Bluetooth 5.4 and Wi-Fi 7.
| Processor | |
|---|---|
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 9000, 8000, 7000 |
| Chipset | AMD X870 |
| Socket | AMD AM5 |
| Memory | |
| SDRAM | DDR5 |
| Interface | 2x LO-DIMM |
| Channel | Dual Channel |
| Speed |
|
| Capacity | 96 GB (Max) |
| Graphics | |
| GPU | iGPU |
| Multi-GPU | N/A |
| Expansion | |
| PCIe | PCIe 5.0 x16 |
| Storage | |
| Interface |
|
| RAID |
|
| Network | |
| Ethernet | Intel 2.5 Gbps |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.4 |
| Audio | |
| DAC | ESS SABRE9260Q |
| ADC | N/A |
| Amplifier | N/A |
| Channel | N/A |
| External | |
| USB |
|
| Ethernet | RJ45 |
| Audio | 3.5 mm TRRS |
| Display |
|
| Internal | |
| USB |
|
| Audio | N/A |
| Fan |
|
| LED |
|
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 170 mm |
| Width | 170 mm |
| Height | 50 mm |
| Weight | N/A |
Packaging and Accessories
The Strix X870-I Gaming WiFi is presented in the typical ASUS ROG packaging, which is compact yet filled with numerous accessories and pleasant surprises.
Scope of delivery are as follows:
- ASUS ROG Strix X870-I Gaming WiFi Motherboard
- Panel cable
- ROG USB2.0 splitter cable
- 2x SATA 6Gb/s cables
- ROG FPS Card
- ROG STRIX HIVE II
- USB Type-C power connection cable
- ASUS WiFi Q-Antenna
- Cable ties package
- M.2 Q-Latch package(s)
- ROG key chain
- ROG Strix stickers
- M.2 rubber package(s)
- Quick start guide
Design, Build and Connectivity
The ASUS ROG Strix X870-I Gaming WiFi is basically a refinement X670E-I Gaming WiFi. That said, the design remained mostly the same with the exception of its chipset and a number of improvements. This includes the motherboard’s quick connect and disconnect features, such as the Wi-Fi antenna ports, PCIe slot, and the M.2 latching mechanism.
The X870-I Gaming WiFi motherboard’s backplate has been improved over its predecessor, now extending to the PCIe area for enhanced reinforcement and protection from the elements.
The X870-I Gaming WiFi is equipped with a stacked M.2 storage bay configuration, which is optimal for barebone SSDs. Therefore, it is advisable to opt for such over models with heatsinks attached.
The ROG FPS-II card hasn’t changed at all; offering the same two SATA ports, front panel headers, two USB 2.0 headers, a CPU_OV jumper, and a clear CMOS header in a small rectangular form factor. The ROG Strix HIVE II presents a more streamlined design compared to its predecessor. The microphone and S/PDIF port combo, along with the PBO toggle button, have been replaced by a 3.5 mm combo jack. It retains its magnetic feature, and continues to use the ESS SABRE9260Q chip for the DAC.
As for the rear panel I/O, the X870-I Gaming WiFi improves upon its predecessor with a Type-C port for the HIVE II (previously Type-A) along with the much appreciated clear CMOS and BIOS flashback buttons. The quick release Wi-Fi antenna port is also an appreciated add-on.
Firmware
In terms of UEFI design, ASUS has earned accolades for providing a clutter-free interface. The EZ Mode for example, delivers a dashboard-like experience, while enabling users to modify crucial settings quickly and efficiently.
Entering Advanced Mode reveals eight menus, among which the Ai Tweaker provides a comprehensive array of customization options tailored for the CPU and memory.
Q-Fan Control is a staple of ASUS motherboards and this time, it gets an upgrade – now offering numerical controls along with a revamped interface.
The ASUS Q-Dashboard is a feature that displays hardware connections and their corresponding BIOS settings when applicable. While basic, it could be used as a simple troubleshooting tool.
Software
The ASUS ROG Strix X870-I Gaming WiFi is compatible with the Armoury Crate software suite, which is to be expected. Interestingly, the board comes with a new-to-me ASUS DriverHub, which I find to be a more practical tool on a personal level. It essentially serves as a web-based download manager for the motherboard’s software and drivers.
Full list of the bundled software are as follows:
- Dolby Atmos
- ASUS GlideX
- HWiNFO
- ASUS DriverHub
- AIDA64 Extreme (ASUS Skin)
- ASUS Armoury Crate
Processor
Testing the motherboard is a courtesy of the Ryzen 9 7900X. We used the AMD Precision Boost Overdrive (PBO) threshold to check which one performs best with the ROG Strix X870-I Gaming WiFi. Technically, the 170 W profile delivers the best performance, although the results are not significantly different from the 105 W profile.
Memory
The same could be said about memory benchmarks; and to be fair, testing memory profiles is often preferable compared to testing the CPU in this metric. Note that these measurements were taken with a DDR5-5600 memory kit under the EXPO II profile. That’s basically the stock profile with little to no tweaks from ASUS.
Graphics
With its integrated Radeon graphics, the Ryzen 9 7900X offered pretty much the same performance across the AMD PBO profiles tested. Playing with the memory profile instead will most likely net a different result.
Storage
The storage performance aligns well with other motherboards supporting the same interfaces that were tested. I have no complaints in this area; however, it’s worth noting that the X870-I Gaming WiFi boasts the fastest PCIe 5.0 throughput among its peers.
USB 4.0 speed seems appropriate, reaching 3168 MB/s read and 2680 MB/s write speeds respectively. Slower interfaces aligns well to their rated speeds.
Network
Wired network performance is synonymous with other 2.5 Gbps NICs that I have tested. The X870-I Gaming WiFi supports Wi-Fi 7, but I could only test it with a Wi-Fi 5 router. On that note, I could only tell that it maxes out the capabilities of my wireless router.
Audio
As previously mentioned, the ASUS ROG Strix X870-I Gaming motherboard includes an ESS SABRE9260Q DAC integrated into the ROG HIVE II. Given that it is USB-powered and seems to have better grounding or shielding than typical onboard solutions, high performance is anticipated. The DAC performs well overall, with THD+N and stereo crosstalk being the only metrics that fall short. On the other hand, the ADC showed poor results in most tests, yet it remains functional for non-professional use.
| Right Mark Audio Analyzer | Audio | ||
|---|---|---|
| Test Options | Line-In | Line-Out |
| Frequency Response (dB) | +0.22, -0.14 | +0.06, -0.73 |
| Noise Level (dBA) | -44.5 | -102.3 |
| Dynamic Range (dBA) | 44.5 | 102.4 |
| THD (%) | 0.331 | 0.022 |
| THD + Noise (dBA) | -38.0 | -60.3 |
| IMD + Noise (%) | 1.536 | 0.139 |
| Stereo Crosstalk (dB) | -6.3 | -0.5 |
| IMD at 10 kHz (%) | 1.437 | |
Despite ASUS promoting the HIVE II with its “ROG Hyper-Grounding” technology, which claims to reduce noise, minimize crosstalk, and “deliver purer” sound, I am not impressed. I do however like the fact that it could easily drive 600 Ω headphones well, along with some 32 Ω planar magnetics.
Temperature
For a compact motherboard, the X870-I Gaming WiFi’s VRM thermals are quite impressive. The highest temperature recorded is 73 °C when using the 170 W AMD PBO profile.
Power
Total system power remains excellent at idle (desktop) across all tested profiles. Under load, the differences become apparent, with the 170 W profile consuming the most power, as expected.
Final Thoughts
The ASUS ROG Strix X870-I Gaming WiFi motherboard presents itself as an option for those who are seeking top-tier performance in a compact mini-ITX form factor. This motherboard is designed around the latest AMD X870 chipset, delivering a feature-rich experience that combines advanced connectivity, powerful hardware, and user-friendly software – all in a small footprint. With a premium price point, it caters to enthusiasts and professionals looking for robust performance without compromising on space or quality.
The board excels in key areas: its PCIe 5.0 support, dual-channel DDR5 slots, and the 10+2+1 power delivery system offering excellent performance potential, particularly for high-end builds using AMD Ryzen processors. The storage configuration, with its stacked M.2 slots and PCIe 5.0 throughput, ensures speeds that meet the demands of modern gaming and content creation. Connectivity is another strong suit, with USB 4 support, Bluetooth 5.4, and Wi-Fi 7 compatibility, future-proofing the board for the evolving networking standards.
ASUS has also enhanced the user experience through thoughtful design and other improvements. That includes the rear I/O layout, with clear CMOS and BIOS flashback buttons, quick-release slots and ports, along with a streamlined ROG Hive II interface. Personally, I only wish it resembled a proper hub rather than a mouse bungee without the actual bungee part.
Performance wise, the X870-I Gaming WiFi performs with excellence – for the most part, particularly given its compact size, making it a suitable choice even for high-performance configurations. On that note, while the integrated ESS SABRE DAC with “ROG Hyper-Grounding” is a noteworthy feature, its ADC performance falls short for those who are seeking exceptional audio input quality – in and out.
Overall, the ASUS ROG Strix X870-I Gaming WiFi is a meticulously crafted motherboard that combines ASUS’s hallmark design philosophy with the latest in hardware innovation. It offers a versatile foundation for those building a powerful, space-saving system, particularly in applications where high performance, connectivity, and compactness are paramount.
Despite some limitations, it stands as a leading choice in the mini-ITX motherboard market for discerning gamers and enthusiasts willing to invest in a premium, feature-packed solution.
ASUS ROG Strix X870-I Gaming WiFi $449.99
Product Name: ROG Strix X870-I Gaming WiFi
Product Description: The ASUS ROG Strix X870-I Gaming WiFi is a compact, high-performance mini-ITX motherboard built around the AMD X870 chipset. Designed for enthusiasts who value space-saving without sacrificing power, it supports PCIe 5.0, DDR5 memory, and future-proof connectivity with USB 4, Bluetooth 5.4, and Wi-Fi 7.
Brand: ASUS
Summary
The ASUS ROG Strix X870-I Gaming WiFi is a high-performance mini-ITX motherboard tailored for users seeking powerful components in a compact form factor. Featuring the latest AMD X870 chipset, PCIe 5.0, dual-channel DDR5, and Wi-Fi 7, this board is ideal for compact builds with future-proof connectivity.
Pros
- Compact mini-ITX design with premium build quality
- PCIe 5.0 support for graphics and storage
- Future-proof connectivity (USB 4, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4)
- User-friendly software and UEFI interface
- Efficient thermals and ample power delivery
- Excellent bundle of accessories
Cons
- Premium price point ($449.99)
- ADC performance could be better
