Even though the launch of the new Ryzen processors was very successful and these CPUs are quite popular now, the number of mini-ITX motherboards supporting the new chipset isn’t that high. ASUS decided to get into the game and release their very first Ryzen mini-ITX motherboard – the Rog Strix B350-I.
Knowing that many of our readers prefer this manufacturer when it comes to building a new rig, we’ve decided to analyze their model in detail and find out if it offers a good value for the money. Join us!
Features of the Asus Rog Strix B350-I
The stellar build quality of this motherboard is immediately noticeable – it has a look and feel that’s very similar to that of the full-sized models manufactured by the same company. The primary color here is black, with some touches of silver and metallic, giving the motherboard good looks that are guaranteed to make it a welcome guest inside your chassis. As the name suggests, the chipset used here is AMD’s B350, meaning that the model supports the new Ryzen processors through its AMD AM4 socket. Memory slots, on the other hand, will support up to 32GB of 3200MHz RAM.
Just like we expected, the Asus Rog Strix B350-I sports a single PCI-Express x16 slot, the Wi-Fi connection, the Intel I211-AT Ethernet port, as well as four SATA 6.0 GBPs ports. There’s an abundance of USB ports here, and we were quite pleased with the presence of a USB 3.1 Gen 2 port. There’s also the M.2 slot that allows the use of M.2-based SSDs, and S1220A 5.1 SupremeFX 8-channel for the motherboard’s audio. All of this combined makes the B350-I a pretty well-rounded package – not a single millimeter of space was wasted on it.
As you can see in the photos, the model sports RGB lighting, which is something unavoidable in 2018 as it’s a very important feature to many PC enthusiasts. The lighting patterns are controlled through the included software, which is the well-known Aura Sync RGB and surely the best RGB-related software on today’s market.
Specifications
- Dimensions – 12″ x 1″ x 9.6″
- Chipset – AMD B350
- CPU Socket – AMD AM4 A-Series, Ryzen
- Memory Support – Dual Channel DDR4 (32GB, 3200MHz)
- Audio – S1220A 5.1 SupremeFX 8-channel
PROS
- Supports Ryzen CPUs
- Beautiful design
- USB 3.1 Gen 2 port
- RGB lighting
CONS
- Price
- No external clock generator
Conclusion
The Asus Rog Strix B350 is, in our opinion, one of the best mini-ITX options out there, even with its (minor) flaws. With a great RGB solution, a plethora of ports (USB 3.1 Gen 2!), and multiple points for AIO and fan connections, this is a fantastic choice for the moderate overclocking enthusiasts and gamers on-the-go.
Once again, the ASUS doesn’t disappoint – the B350 is undoubtedly among the best mini-ITX motherboards that money can buy today, and deserves our recommendation. Purchasing this model can’t really turn out as a mistake.
