Our VerdictThe ROG Strix Z790-I Gaming WiFi is the ultimate Intel LGA 1700 Mini-ITX motherboard. Given the engineering challenges involved along with the excellent feature set on offer, this little Asus justifies its premium price.
Our VerdictThe ROG Strix Z790-I Gaming WiFi is the ultimate Intel LGA 1700 Mini-ITX motherboard. Given the engineering challenges involved along with the excellent feature set on offer, this little Asus justifies its premium price.
Our Verdict
Our Verdict
The ROG Strix Z790-I Gaming WiFi is the ultimate Intel LGA 1700 Mini-ITX motherboard. Given the engineering challenges involved along with the excellent feature set on offer, this little Asus justifies its premium price.
ForStrong VRMLoads of USB plus dual Thunderbolt 4ROG HivePCIe 5.0 GPU and SSD supportAgainstExpensiveSome coolers compatibility issuesOnly two SATA ports
ForStrong VRMLoads of USB plus dual Thunderbolt 4ROG HivePCIe 5.0 GPU and SSD support
AgainstExpensiveSome coolers compatibility issuesOnly two SATA ports
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Now that the Micro ATX form factor has all-but been relegated to the budget end of the market, Mini-ITX is where it’s at if you want to build a high-end small form factor system. But creating such a board with a premium feature set is not easy. It really does present some engineering challenges. TheAsus ROG Strix Z790-I Gaming WiFisolves these challenges with some clever innovations, and as a result it manages to pack in a set of features only high-end ATX motherboards can beat.
Packs in a set of features that only high-end ATX motherboards can beat.
Packs in a set of features that only high-end ATX motherboards can beat.
The ROG Strix Z790-I Gaming WiFi is more or less an Intel version of theROG Strix X670E-I Gaming WiFiI recently reviewed. Both are positioned as the ultimate MIni-ITX solutions for the LGA 1700 and AM5 sockets—at least for now. Whereas the X670E-I has a long potential upgrade path ahead of it, LGA 1700 is nearing the end of its life. With Z890 motherboards andArrow Lake processorscoming later in 2024, it’s one for buyers in the here and now.
It’s just not possible to cram high-end features into a 17cm x 17cm PCB. To get around that, Asus went 3D. It moved several of the the ROG Strix Z790-I’s features onto riser cards, and it also moved the audio section to an external USB-connected device that essentially functions as an external dock. The Z790-I really is an impressive and innovative engineering showcase that leaves few of the inherent Mini-ITX compromises.
That R&D effort and feature set comes at a price. At$429/£369/AU$699, it’s an expensive proposition, but it’s not uncompetitive with high-end ATX options. But this board isn’t expected to compete with ATX boards; it’s positioned as the ultimate Intel LGA 1700 SFF board, and it effectively has no competition at this level.
Strix Z790-I Gaming WiFi specs(Image credit: Future)Socket:Intel LGA 1700CPU compatibility:Intel 12th, 13th & 14th Gen processorsForm factor:Mini-ITXMemory support:DDR5-7600+(OC), up to 96GBStorage:2x M.2, 2x SATAUSB:Up to 2x TB4, 2x USB 20Gbps, 4x USB 10Gbps, 3x USB 5Gbps, 6x USB 2.0Display:1x HDMI 2.1, 2x TB4Networking:Intel 2.5G LAN, Intel WiFi 6EAudio:Realtek ALC4050Price:$429/£369/AU$699
Strix Z790-I Gaming WiFi specs
(Image credit: Future)Socket:Intel LGA 1700CPU compatibility:Intel 12th, 13th & 14th Gen processorsForm factor:Mini-ITXMemory support:DDR5-7600+(OC), up to 96GBStorage:2x M.2, 2x SATAUSB:Up to 2x TB4, 2x USB 20Gbps, 4x USB 10Gbps, 3x USB 5Gbps, 6x USB 2.0Display:1x HDMI 2.1, 2x TB4Networking:Intel 2.5G LAN, Intel WiFi 6EAudio:Realtek ALC4050Price:$429/£369/AU$699
(Image credit: Future)
Socket:Intel LGA 1700CPU compatibility:Intel 12th, 13th & 14th Gen processorsForm factor:Mini-ITXMemory support:DDR5-7600+(OC), up to 96GBStorage:2x M.2, 2x SATAUSB:Up to 2x TB4, 2x USB 20Gbps, 4x USB 10Gbps, 3x USB 5Gbps, 6x USB 2.0Display:1x HDMI 2.1, 2x TB4Networking:Intel 2.5G LAN, Intel WiFi 6EAudio:Realtek ALC4050Price:$429/£369/AU$699
Its two memory slots support speeds of up to DDR5-7600, but that was a number relevant to 13th Gen processors. 14th Gen CPUs typically have improved memory controllers, and after a 14th Gen supporting BIOS update, there’s a strong chance the ROG Strix Z790I will be able to go higher than that. The board will accept up to 96GB of memory, which is more than sufficient for a gaming system.
The board features both a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot and primary M.2 slot, plus a second slot that supports a Gen4 drive. These are stacked atop one another. There’s a small embedded fan that cools the whole assembly, but it was not obtrusive during my testing. This stacked section of the board is seriously impressive.
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The two SATA ports are contained on a daughter board that Asus calls the FPS-II card. It connects to the board via a pair of USB Type-C connectors and it contains the aforementioned SATA ports, the case headers, and USB 2.0 headers among others. This is just one of the ways Asus managed to go beyond Mini-ITX PCB limitations.
The really key innovation is the external USB device called the ROG Hive. It’s an external sound card that’s based around a Realtek ALC 4050 codec, but also includes an ESS Sabre 9260Q DAC. It does more than provide quality audio though. It features an AI OC button, programmable flex button, and another 10 Gbps Type-C port plus another Type-A port that allows BIOS flashbacks. It’s an impressive and notably well-built little device.
(Image credit: Future)
Intel WiFi 6E and 2.5G LAN take care of networking duties. It would be nice to get 5G LAN and/or WiFi 7, but the latter isn’t a must have right now, at least not until the price of WiFi 7 supporting routers reaches friendlier levels.
System Performance
Gaming Performance
Test rigCPU:Intel Core i9 14900KGraphics:Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 Founders EditionRAM:2x 16 GB G.Skill Trident Z5 DDR5-6000 C36Storage:2TB Kingston KC3000Cooling:Cooler Master PL360 Flux 360 mm AIOPSU:Corsair HX1000i
Test rig
CPU:Intel Core i9 14900KGraphics:Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 Founders EditionRAM:2x 16 GB G.Skill Trident Z5 DDR5-6000 C36Storage:2TB Kingston KC3000Cooling:Cooler Master PL360 Flux 360 mm AIOPSU:Corsair HX1000i
CPU:Intel Core i9 14900KGraphics:Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 Founders EditionRAM:2x 16 GB G.Skill Trident Z5 DDR5-6000 C36Storage:2TB Kingston KC3000Cooling:Cooler Master PL360 Flux 360 mm AIOPSU:Corsair HX1000i
Performance wise, I often say that comparing the performance of boards with the same partnering components doesn’t provide much insight. All things being equal, the differences are usually within a margin of error of one another, especially at this stage of LGA 1700’s life. Things like Intel’s Thread Director, the underlying BIOS microcode and Windows support have all matured over the last three years.
What is clear is that the ROG Strix Z790-I Gaming WiFi will have no problems driving even ani9 14900K,RTX 4090with lots of high speed RAM. As is the case with all Mini-ITX systems, you will need to ensure you have adequate airflow if you choose such components. The VRM will get very warm otherwise. I’d probably look to something like an i7 or a chip like thei5 14600Kas more of a natural fit for an Intel Mini-ITX gaming system that doesn’t require the ultimate in power-guzzling multi-threading support.
Buy if…✅You want a Mini-ITX board with few compromises:With Gen5 GPU and SSD support, plus Thunderbolt 4 and good quality audio, the Z790-I is as good as it gets for a Mini-ITX motherboard.✅You want loads of fast USB ports:Most Mini-ITX boards have weak USB support. Not so the ROG Strix Z790-I. It’s TB4 ports can drive external monitors or allow you connect fast external SSDs and there are plenty of USB 3.x ports for all your other devices too.
Buy if…
✅You want a Mini-ITX board with few compromises:With Gen5 GPU and SSD support, plus Thunderbolt 4 and good quality audio, the Z790-I is as good as it gets for a Mini-ITX motherboard.✅You want loads of fast USB ports:Most Mini-ITX boards have weak USB support. Not so the ROG Strix Z790-I. It’s TB4 ports can drive external monitors or allow you connect fast external SSDs and there are plenty of USB 3.x ports for all your other devices too.
✅You want a Mini-ITX board with few compromises:With Gen5 GPU and SSD support, plus Thunderbolt 4 and good quality audio, the Z790-I is as good as it gets for a Mini-ITX motherboard.✅You want loads of fast USB ports:Most Mini-ITX boards have weak USB support. Not so the ROG Strix Z790-I. It’s TB4 ports can drive external monitors or allow you connect fast external SSDs and there are plenty of USB 3.x ports for all your other devices too.
Don’t buy if…❌ You want to install more than four internal drives:Just two M.2 slots and two SATA ports is disappointing. File hoarders will need to look elsewhere unless you’re happy with external USB drives.❌You have a cooler with a large footprint:The socket area is very tight, and AIO coolers with protruding tubes might only fit in one orientation. Coolers with large heatpipes might be challenging to mount too.
Don’t buy if…
❌ You want to install more than four internal drives:Just two M.2 slots and two SATA ports is disappointing. File hoarders will need to look elsewhere unless you’re happy with external USB drives.❌You have a cooler with a large footprint:The socket area is very tight, and AIO coolers with protruding tubes might only fit in one orientation. Coolers with large heatpipes might be challenging to mount too.
❌ You want to install more than four internal drives:Just two M.2 slots and two SATA ports is disappointing. File hoarders will need to look elsewhere unless you’re happy with external USB drives.❌You have a cooler with a large footprint:The socket area is very tight, and AIO coolers with protruding tubes might only fit in one orientation. Coolers with large heatpipes might be challenging to mount too.
The list of highlights is long. There’s the dual Thunderbolt 4 ports, PCIe 5.0 SSD and GPU support and the audio of the board is a clear step up from any other LGA 1700 Mini-ITX offering.
The audio comes courtesy of the ROG Hive. It’s a great idea to shift space-hogging audio circuitry away from the PCB and into an external device. But rather than just designate it as an external sound card, Asus went well beyond this and included some useful functionality and more USB ports. And speaking of USB ports, the ROG Strix Z790-I is an excellent option if you want lots of fast USB ports for things like external SSDs, docks, or hubs.
There are few weaknesses, though one of them is the board’s internal storage complement. A third chipset connected M.2 slot on the rear of the board, or an extra SATA port to two would have been nice to see. At least with those 20 Gbps and 40 Gbps USB ports, you can add plenty of external storage.
The other important thing to note is the potential for cooler incompatibilities. It’s critical that you check with your cooling manufacturer to ensure your cooler will fit. Most should, but you might be forced to orient it in a way that won’t suit the layout of your build.
it’s in a class of one when you consider what it offers
it’s in a class of one when you consider what it offers
At a price of $429 / £369 / AU$699, the Asus ROG Strix Z790-I Gaming WiFi is an expensive proposition, but it’s in a class of one when you consider what it offers. It’s also cheaper than when it was launched, to be fair. Given its feature set and the engineering involved, its premium price is not altogether unreasonable.
It’s the ultimate board for the ultimate Intel Mini-ITX high-end system. You’ll need to update its BIOS for 14th Gen support, but it’s the kind of board that will happily power a gaming rig with a next-gen GPU for years to come. It’s an easy recommendation for users looking for the best Intel Mini-ITX board they can get their hands on right now.
Asus ROG STRIX Z790-I Gaming WiFi: Price Comparison
$409.99View$566.24$454View$469.99View$514.72$489.65View$609.98$536.23View
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The Verdict87Read our review policyAsus ROG Strix Z790-I Gaming WiFiThe ROG Strix Z790-I Gaming WiFi is the ultimate Intel LGA 1700 Mini-ITX motherboard. Given the engineering challenges involved along with the excellent feature set on offer, this little Asus justifies its premium price.
The Verdict
The Verdict
87Read our review policyAsus ROG Strix Z790-I Gaming WiFiThe ROG Strix Z790-I Gaming WiFi is the ultimate Intel LGA 1700 Mini-ITX motherboard. Given the engineering challenges involved along with the excellent feature set on offer, this little Asus justifies its premium price.
87Read our review policy
87
Asus ROG Strix Z790-I Gaming WiFiThe ROG Strix Z790-I Gaming WiFi is the ultimate Intel LGA 1700 Mini-ITX motherboard. Given the engineering challenges involved along with the excellent feature set on offer, this little Asus justifies its premium price.
Asus ROG Strix Z790-I Gaming WiFi
The ROG Strix Z790-I Gaming WiFi is the ultimate Intel LGA 1700 Mini-ITX motherboard. Given the engineering challenges involved along with the excellent feature set on offer, this little Asus justifies its premium price.
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