Asus Rog Strix Z790 I Gaming Wifi Motherboard

Asus Rog Strix Z790 I Gaming Wifi Motherboard

Experience desktop-class power condensed into the Mini-ITX form factor with the flagship ROG Strix Z790-I Gaming Wifi motherboard. Engineered for Intel® 14th, 13th, & 12th Gen processors, this board leverages the Z790 chipset for potent overclocking capabilities. Furthermore, it pushes boundaries with support for high-speed DDR5 memory (up to 7600MHz OC), next-generation PCIe 5.0 for both the graphics card slot and primary M.2 slot, dual Thunderbolt™ 4 ports, Wi-Fi 6E, and innovative solutions like the external ROG STRIX HIVE control/audio hub and the ROG FPS-II card for streamlined connectivity in small builds.

Discover the ROG Strix Z790-I Gaming Wifi’s Innovative Power

Despite its compact size, the ROG Strix Z790-I Gaming Wifi packs a formidable punch with a robust power delivery system (Extreme Engine Digi+) capable of handling top-tier Intel CPUs, even when overclocked using ASUS AI Overclocking. Advanced thermal solutions, including substantial VRM heatsinks and M.2 heatsinks with a backplate, effectively manage heat within tight Mini-ITX confines. Consequently, you can expect stable performance under demanding workloads. ASUS AI Cooling II further optimizes fan curves for efficient and quiet operation.

Connectivity is exceptional, featuring dual Thunderbolt™ 4 ports for high-speed data and display output, Intel® 2.5Gb Ethernet, and the latest Wi-Fi 6E. Storage is cutting-edge with a primary M.2 slot supporting PCIe 5.0 x4 speeds (also configurable for PCIe 4.0 x4) and a secondary PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slot. To overcome ITX limitations, ASUS introduces two key innovations:

• ROG STRIX HIVE: An external desktop hub that houses the high-definition audio components (ALC4050 Codec, ESS® SABRE9260Q DAC, Optical S/PDIF), provides convenient controls (AI OC, FlexKey, Volume, BIOS FlashBack™), Q-LEDs, and extra USB ports.
• ROG FPS-II Card: A vertical daughterboard that cleverly consolidates front panel headers, 2x SATA 6Gb/s ports, and additional USB 2.0 headers, simplifying cable management in SFF cases. Explore compatible Mini-ITX cases here.

ASUS Q-Design features like M.2 Q-Latch and Q-DIMM simplify installation, while Aura Sync allows for RGB customization. Dive deeper into its features on the official ROG Strix Z790-I Gaming Wifi spec page.

ROG Strix Z790-I Gaming Wifi Specifications

• Focus Keyphrase: ROG Strix Z790-I Gaming Wifi
• CPU Socket: Intel® LGA1700 (Supports 14th, 13th & 12th Gen Intel® Core™, Pentium® Gold, Celeron®)
• Chipset: Intel® Z790 (Supports Overclocking)
• Memory: 2 x DIMM, Max. 96GB DDR5 up to 7600MHz+ (OC), XMP
• PCIe Slot: 1 x PCIe 5.0 x16
• Storage: 1 x M.2 PCIe 5.0 x4 / 4.0 x4, 1 x M.2 PCIe 4.0 x4, 2 x SATA 6Gb/s (via FPS-II Card)
• Networking: Intel® 2.5Gb Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax), Bluetooth® v5.3
• Thunderbolt: 2 x Thunderbolt™ 4 (USB Type-C®) ports
• Rear USB (Excl. TB4): 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 (Type-C®), 3x USB 3.2 Gen 2 (Type-A), 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Type-A), 2x USB 2.0 (Type-A)
• Audio: ROG HD Audio ALC4050 Codec & ESS® SABRE9260Q DAC (via ROG STRIX HIVE)
• Form Factor: Mini-ITX (17 cm x 17 cm)
• Key Accessories: ROG STRIX HIVE, ROG FPS-II Card
• Special Features: AI Overclocking, AI Cooling II, Q-Design, Aura Sync
• Model: ROG STRIX Z790-I GAMING WIFI

ROG Strix Z790-I Gaming Wifi Q&A

Target Audience

This motherboard is designed for Small Form Factor (SFF) enthusiasts and high-performance builders who refuse to compromise on features or overclocking potential when building in a Mini-ITX chassis.

Key Reasons to Choose

Choose the ROG Strix Z790-I Gaming Wifi for its unparalleled Mini-ITX performance, Z790 overclocking capabilities, cutting-edge connectivity (PCIe 5.0 x16 & M.2, Thunderbolt 4, Wi-Fi 6E), and the innovative ROG STRIX HIVE and FPS-II Card solutions that overcome typical SFF limitations.

What are the Pros?

• Top-tier performance and Z790 overclocking features in Mini-ITX.
• Robust power delivery and cooling solutions for the form factor.
• PCIe 5.0 support for both graphics card and primary M.2 SSD.
• Dual Thunderbolt™ 4 ports.
• Fast Intel 2.5Gb LAN and Wi-Fi 6E.
• Excellent external audio quality and control via ROG STRIX HIVE (with ESS DAC).
• Clever header/SATA consolidation with ROG FPS-II Card simplifies SFF builds.
• AI Overclocking and AI Cooling II features.

What are the Cons?

• Very high price point, among the most expensive ITX boards.
• Increased build complexity due to reliance on HIVE and FPS-II Card.
• Only two DIMM slots (typical for ITX, limits max RAM vs ATX).
• Limited onboard headers without installing the FPS-II Card.
• ROG STRIX HIVE requires desk space.

Verdict on the ROG Strix Z790-I Gaming Wifi

The ROG Strix Z790-I Gaming Wifi represents the pinnacle of Mini-ITX engineering, packing flagship features and overclocking prowess into an incredibly small footprint. Through innovative solutions like the ROG STRIX HIVE and FPS-II Card, it cleverly circumvents many SFF limitations, offering uncompromised connectivity and high-fidelity audio. While its complexity and premium price target a specific niche, for enthusiasts building a no-compromise, top-tier Mini-ITX system with the latest Intel processors, this motherboard stands in a class of its own.