ASUS ROG Strix X870-I Gaming WIFI (AMD AM5)

We had a long break from ASUS products, so it’s time to catch up. This time, we take a closer look at a motherboard that has been on the market for some time, but is still the best ASUS ITX model for the AM5 socket – the ROG STRIX X870-I GAMING WIFI. In the upcoming weeks, we will present two of the latest models designed for gamers and PC enthusiasts. I won’t share which ones, but you can expect they’re from the Neo series. Going back to the STRIX X870-I GAMING review, the motherboard promises all the best in the mini-ITX form factor. It’s also equipped with a robust power section and supports fast storage and RAM. What else could we ask for from an ITX-size motherboard? You can be sure there is more, but I will tell you about it in our review. ASUS ROG STRIX X870-I GAMING WIFI Motherboard Review

With the general absence of High-End Desktop in the Mini-ITX department for a while, it's usually been ASUS that's enjoyed flagship status of both AMD and Intel platforms, or at the very least being the manufacturer of the most expensive options. The ROG Strix X870-I Gaming Wi-Fi is no exception. At almost $450 currently, it's nearly $200 more than any other Mini-ITX option for Socket AM5. That figure may change when MSI releases its highly-anticipated X870 model to sit alongside the MPG B850i Edge Ti Wi-Fi, but for now, if you want the priciest Mini-ITX board with the most unique and premium set of features, this is it. The board looks the part too, as does its accessory box.

After taking a look at a few of Asus’s full-sized options, it's high time we check out what they have to offer for smaller builds. Currently, Asus has just one X870 board smaller than ATX and that is their ROG Strix X870-I Gaming Wifi. I was impressed with the ROG Strix X870E-E so I’m excited to see what they packed into the Strix X870-I Gaming Wifi. With the next generation of X3D CPUs around the corner, I can’t be the only one starting to think about a new SFF build to save some space in my office and to hit a few LANs. Will the Strix X870-I Gaming Wifi be the ticket?

The benefits of the ASUS ROG Strix X870-I Gaming WIFI Motherboard are obvious, as it’s mini-ITX, so if you’re eager to build a small form factor gaming PC or workstation, then it’s obviously going to appeal to you. Despite the smaller size, it managed to mingle with the best of the best motherboards, by which I mean more expensive ATX boards, throughout all our benchmarks. The 16+1 80A power stage is incredibly potent and makes light work of the Ryzen 9950X, allowing it to hit its boost clocks with ease. However, it’s not going to have the extreme overclocking potential of the more extremely focused ATX boards, but I think that much is obvious. You do get a pair of PCIe Gen5 M.2 drive mounts though, which is impressive for a board of this form factor. Furthermore, there’s PCIe 5.0 for the expansion slot and support for fast DDR5 memory kits, so it’s not lacking in hardware support. It also has an impressive array of USB ports on the rear I/O, meaning it’ll easily handle all your peripherals, and super-fast storage devices thanks to the dual USB4 40Gbps Type-C ports. Plus, like all these new boards, it has built-in WiFi7 and also comes with a 2.5Gb LAN for impressive networking capabilities. Beyond that, you benefit from a suite of ASUS technologies, such as AI Overclocking, AI Cooling II, and AI Networking, ensuring everything can be tuned to its best performance with just a few clicks. Plus, premium audio hardware thanks to the built-in ESS SABRE9260Q DAC.