ASUS ROG Strix X870-I Gaming WIFI Motherboard Review

How Much Does It Cost?

Keep in mind that the X870 chipset is the flagship chipset for the new motherboards, so all of these are regarded as high-end motherboards. However, there are of course more affordable X870 and more premium X870 motherboards in this launch, with the largest variance being increased VRM, which is paired with larger VRM cooling solutions, which increases the price. The number of M.2 mounts, USB ports, and networking, for example, will all increase the price too. This is why the cheapest board such as the Prime starts at around $249, while a flagship board such as the crosshair is $699, despite using the same chipset and AM5 socket. Unfortunately, we don’t have UK pricing for these boards at the time of writing but will update that with retail links as soon as they’re available sometime after we publish these reviews.

However, what we can see is how these prices have changed since the previous generation (X670) motherboards launched, and largely they’re all about the same, with the Prime coming in cheaper than before, and the ProArt a little more expensive, but overall, they’re all in a similar price bracket as before.

In the US, prices for the X670/X670E and X870/X870E versions of the motherboards are generally the same, with a few exceptions. The ASUS Prime X70-P WIFI shows a 16.72% lower price for the X870/X870E version, while the ASUS ProArt X70E-Creator WIFI is 7.88% more expensive for the X870/X870E version. The ASUS ROG STRIX X70-A Gaming WIFI has a 7.52% lower price for the X870/X870E version, and the ASUS TUF Gaming X70-Plus WIFI is 6.08% cheaper in its X870/X870E version.

However, we don’t have UK pricing for these boards at the moment, and we don’t have pricing for the MSI Carbon or the Gigabyte Aorus ICE, but again, we’ll update you with these as soon as possible once the NDA lifts.

If these are too expensive for you, there will be more affordable B-series motherboards coming, but we suspect these will be revealed at CES 2025 and launch in Q1 2025, if you can wait that long, if not, then the X-series boards are clearly some of the best options right now for those building an AMD focused build.

More X870 Motherboards

This is a major chipset launch for AMD, so there are dozens of new X870 motherboards hitting the market today. Of course, we’ve been very busy testing 9 of them for you, and they’re all linked below, so if the one in this review isn’t quite meeting your needs, there’s plenty more to choose from! Largely, all being the same chipset, with the same AMD 9950X CPU being used for our testing, we expect the majority of the benchmarks to be broadly the same, with perhaps small differences in some of them. Largely, the price and performance of each motherboard are dictated by the additional features. Such as more PCIe slots, more M.2 mounts in Gen3, Gen4, or Gen5, more high-speed USB ports, more cooling hardware, etc. Largely, we recommend buying a motherboard that meets your current component requirements, with a little overhead for future upgrades; a spare M.2 slot for example.

• ASUS Prime X870-P WIFI Motherboard [Review]
• ASUS ProArt X870E-Creator WIFI Motherboard [Review]
• ASUS ROG Crosshair X870E Hero Motherboard [Review]
• ASUS ROG Strix X870-A Gaming WIFI Motherboard [Review]
• ASUS ROG Strix X870-I Gaming WIFI Motherboard [Review]
• ASUS ROG STRIX X870E Gaming WIFI Motherboard [Review]
• ASUS TUF Gaming X870-Plus WIFI Motherboard [Review]
• Gigabyte X870 Aorus Elite WIFI7 ICE Motherboard [Review]
• MSI MPG X870E Carbon WIFI Motherboard [Review]

Conclusion

The ASUS ROG Strix X870-I Gaming WIFI motherboard is a compelling choice for anyone looking to build a powerful small form factor gaming PC or workstation. Its mini-ITX size doesn’t limit its performance; in fact, it goes toe-to-toe with larger, more expensive ATX motherboards in many benchmarks.

This impressive performance is driven by a potent 16+1 80A power stage that effortlessly handles demanding CPUs like the Ryzen 9 9950X, allowing it to reach its full potential. While it may not be the absolute top choice for extreme overclocking enthusiasts seeking to push their hardware to the absolute limit, it offers ample headroom for most users.

Storage

One of the standout features of this motherboard is its exceptional connectivity. Despite its compact size, it boasts two PCIe Gen5 M.2 slots for lightning-fast storage, a PCIe 5.0 expansion slot for high-end graphics cards, and support for the latest DDR5 memory kits. The rear I/O panel is equally impressive, offering a comprehensive selection of USB ports, including dual USB4 40Gbps Type-C ports for ultra-fast data transfer and connectivity to the latest peripherals.

Connectivity

Furthermore, the inclusion of WiFi 7 and a 2.5Gb LAN port ensures that you’ll have the fastest and most reliable networking experience possible. ASUS has also integrated its suite of AI-powered technologies, such as AI Overclocking, AI Cooling II, and AI Networking, which simplify system optimization and allow users to achieve peak performance with minimal effort. Audiophiles will appreciate the premium ESS SABRE9260Q DAC, which delivers high-fidelity sound for an immersive gaming and multimedia experience.

Should I Buy One?

The ASUS ROG Strix X870-I Gaming WIFI motherboard is a feature-packed and powerful option for small form factor builds. It excels in performance, connectivity, and user-friendly features, making it an excellent choice for gamers and professionals alike. While extreme overclockers might seek out more specialized ATX boards, this mini-ITX motherboard offers an impressive balance of power, features, and size that will satisfy the needs of most users.