Small form factor gaming - build log and support forum for new builders

[tabascosauz]

I miss when Impact mobos were ITX.

Wait

That isn't ITX, is that the mini DTX?

Yeah, that's the challenge lol

Lone L5 is like, 0.5mm too small to properly fit the Impact. Goes in but it's super jank.

VRM heatsink is taller than most of its AM4 ITX compatriots so the AXP67-120 technically bends its heatpipes a bit. But it's not jank and the thermals are still fine for now.

SO-DIMM.2 is a major pain in the ass. Takes up space and is obnoxious yet is mandatory since Impact has no M.2 slots on itself. Won't fit fully but remove half the heatsink (the part that wraps around) and it's fine.

 

[dgianstefani]

Yeah, that's the challenge lol

Lone L5 is like, 0.5mm too small to properly fit the Impact. Goes in but it's super jank.

VRM heatsink is taller than most of its AM4 ITX compatriots so the AXP67-120 technically bends its heatpipes a bit. But it's not jank and the thermals are still fine for now.

SO-DIMM.2 is a major pain in the ass. Takes up space and is obnoxious yet is mandatory since Impact has no M.2 slots on itself. Won't fit fully but remove half the heatsink (the part that wraps around) and it's fine.

F

ASUS killing their impact line by making it incompatible with most cases and subsequently removing any practical flagship ITX option was a bad move IMO.

The Strix-I is nice upper mid range but isn't truly top end like the Impacts used to be.

 

[tabascosauz]

F

ASUS killing their impact line by making it incompatible with most cases and subsequently removing any practical flagship ITX option was a bad move IMO.

The Strix-I is nice upper mid range but isn't truly top end like the Impacts used to be.

imo AM5 ITX just went straight to shit.

I would have bought an Impact again if they made one. I like the Gene but there are no high end cases for it. And Mercury S5 is like, the size of a house.

Aorus went to shit when Gigabyte replaced the backplate with a plastic one, refused to fix the socket placement for a third generation in a row, and now has a huge problem that they call a M.2 heatsink.

Having the B550-I Strix I refuse to buy into Strix again.

And we don't talk about MSI ITX.

I'm not saying I hate the B650E-ITX, it's a very solid board but a little low on quality of life features.

 

[dgianstefani]

Yeah, best wait for Arrow Lake ITX maybe decent boards then.

My X670E-I Strix isn't bad.

Removed the IO heatsink to fit more watercooling.

Chipset temps still fine.

 

[A Computer Guy]

imo AM5 ITX just went straight to shit.

ITX just doesn't get enough love.

I would have bought an Impact again if they made one. I like the Gene but there are no high end cases for it. And Mercury S5 is like, the size of a house.

Aorus went to shit when Gigabyte replaced the backplate with a plastic one, refused to fix the socket placement for a third generation in a row, and now has a huge problem that they call a M.2 heatsink.

Having the B550-I Strix I refuse to buy into Strix again.

And we don't talk about MSI ITX.

LOL

I'm not saying I hate the B650E-ITX, it's a very solid board but a little low on quality of life features.

I was thinking of getting the B650E PG-ITX when the 9000 series rolls out since my experience with B550 Phantom Gaming-ITX/ax was pretty solid. It's kind of disappointing though on the B650E PG-ITX to not have so many USB3 on the rear I/O and it still have such a high cost. I see now they have the B650I and that is cheaper with only PCIe 4.0.

 

[dgianstefani]

Yeah ASRock makes some compelling options.

 

[tabascosauz]

ITX just doesn't get enough love.

LOL

I was thinking of getting the B650E PG-ITX when the 9000 series rolls out since my experience with B550 Phantom Gaming-ITX/ax was pretty solid. It's kind of disappointing though on the B650E PG-ITX to not have so many USB3 on the rear I/O and it still have such a high cost. I see now they have the B650I and that is cheaper with only PCIe 4.0.

The B650I Lightning is a reasonably compelling option, it just was out of stock at the time. It is another PCB-share with A620I Lightning though (like A520I and B550M-itx/AC). I guess it depends on how much you are willing to pay a premium for the exact same board (minus chipset).

B650E is a great board on the hardware (10-layer, good socket placement, hefty M.2 heatsink and the fan is easily removable with no consequences). On the lack of "soft" features it does hurt (no flashback, middling rear I/O, no iGPU DP).

 

[dgianstefani]

The B650I Lightning is a reasonably compelling option, it just was out of stock at the time. It is another PCB-share with A620I Lightning though (like A520I and B550M-itx/AC). I guess it depends on how much you are willing to pay a premium for the exact same board (minus chipset).

B650E is a great board on the hardware (10-layer, good socket placement, hefty M.2 heatsink and the fan is easily removable with no consequences). On the lack of "soft" features it does hurt (no flashback, middling rear I/O, no iGPU DP).

IO is one area I'm happy with on my Strix X670E-I, the B650 version isn't as good.

2 USB4 ports
5 fast USB A 3.2 Gen 2
3 slow USB A

Some boards are a joke, only five type A etc.

 

[tabascosauz]

IO is one area I'm happy with on my Strix X670E-I, the B650 version isn't as good.

2 USB4 ports
5 fast USB A 3.2 Gen 2
3 slow USB A

Some boards are a joke, only five type A etc.

Perhaps next gen, Asus will cook up some new specialty crosshair boards. And maybe the Impact will be back. Took them 2 years for AM4

That's a thing I really love about the Impact. 6 x 10Gbps + 2 x 5Gbps + 1 x 10Gbps front.

 

[dgianstefani]

Perhaps next gen, Asus will cook up some new specialty crosshair boards. And maybe the Impact will be back. Took them 2 years for AM4

That's a thing I really love about the Impact. 6 x 10Gbps + 2 x 5Gbps + 1 x 10Gbps front.

I require my next board to have Thunderbolt, and Arrow Lake seems more interesting than Zen 5 so will likely go that way.

 

[tabascosauz]

I require my next board to have Thunderbolt, and Arrow Lake seems more interesting than Zen 5 so will likely go that way.

I agree, but last Maximus Impact was 6700K era and Gene in 9900K. I don't think Asus seems interested anymore, sadly. Aside from making Apex a Maximus exclusive