Asus ROG Strix Z690-I Gaming WiFi Leak Shows Off Stacked Board Design

[TheLostSwede]

Over the past few generations of Mini-ITX boards we've seen Asus add more and more stacked layers and its upcoming ROG Strix Z690-I Gaming WiFi seems to be taking this to the next level with what appears to be no less than three stacked layers on top of the main PCB. What can be seen from the side-shot of the boards is that there's at least one PCB for audio as well as what appears to be an ARGB and fan header, as well as what should be two layers for M.2 NVMe SSDs with associated heatsinks.

The rest of the pictures of the board have been put through some kind of filter which makes it hard to ascertain any details, although we can spot a USB type-C and USB 3.0 front panel connector. Asus has carried over the VRM heatsink from the Strix Z590-I Gaming WiFi by the looks of things, although it seems like the extra NVMe slot has been implemented on the cost of two SATA ports. We'll have to wait until the official unveiling to find out the full details, which should be sometime next month.



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[Deleted member 24505]

Nice. Nice to see something different, great use of available space.

 

[W1zzard]

This is such a great idea

 

[Nordic]

I really liked the Asus impact motherboards. This seems to be an evolution of that design.

 

[aktpu]

This reminds me of Strix X570-I, just even more busy

 

[The Terrible Puddle]

Had the Maximus VI Impact back in the day with the vertical VRM, combo and sound card. Was really cool.

 

[Lionheart]

I want it! But I don't need it...... still want it.

 

[MDWiley]

Nice! Definitely plan on getting this, assuming it performs well with high-end CPU’s. OCing my 9900k with my Z390 Strix has been a struggle.

 

[Darmok N Jalad]

Somewhat OT, but in regard to maximizing space, what would also be interesting is if they engineered an extension cable off the main board that housed all the common case connections (power, switches, audio, USB, LED etc), so that those connections could be made elsewhere inside the case and more easily hidden. It could even make board installations a snap, as you could have all your connections made before even installing the motherboard. SATA would probably need to stay on the board, but it could cut down on the clutter of all the other ones.

 

[DeathtoGnomes]

Wheres the Mayo on that sammich?

does it come in ATX flavor?

 

[piloponth]

This Alder lake is becomming better joke every week. Now it needs skyscrappers of VRM circuitry on ITX boards.

 

[TheLostSwede]

This Alder lake is becomming better joke every week. Now it needs skyscrappers of VRM circuitry on ITX boards.

None of that has anything to do with the power regulation...

 

[Deleted member 24505]

This Alder lake is becomming better joke every week. Now it needs skyscrappers of VRM circuitry on ITX boards.

Reward of the week for most useless, and badly spelt comment.

 

[InVasMani]

To infinity and beyond!

 

[Chaitanya]

Size of heatsinks on VRM seems to have grown for Gigabyte boards atleast:

Leaked AORUS Z690 Master motherboard shows LGA1700 socket and PCIe Gen5 slot up close - VideoCardz.com

AORUS Z690 Master with DDR5 and PCIe Gen5 The photo which appears to be an official marketing picture has been leaked by REHWK on Twitter. Gigabyte is set to launch as many as 16 AORUS motherboards according to the Eurasian Economic Commission leak. The AORUS Master series represent the upper...

videocardz.com

 

[Turmania]

When I first seen this, my first thought was oh this will cost more than 350 USD. I know Asus charges premium but at least they try to think outside of the box.

 

[cadaveca]

When I first seen this, my first thought was oh this will cost more than 350 USD. I know Asus charges premium but at least they try to think outside of the box.

Me too. I love that mimi-PC products get attention like this though, so whatever the cost, it's usually worth it. Now I'm wondering how it'll clock ram...

 

[sillyconjunkie]

Vaporware

 

[zoom314]

Commodore did this with the Amiga 1000 computer years ago, it became a problem later and was discontinued.

 

[cst1992]

Makes sense, looking at the size of that thing.
If someone told me it had the same amount of functionality as a single-layered MicroATX board, I wouldn't immediately dismiss that statement.

@W1zzard Would love a review of this or a similar board. It'd be great to see how the build experience is on one of these.

 

[Franzen4Real]

If that additional layer is indeed for a 2nd M.2, then I would say I like this better than my X570i. Mine has the second slot on the back side of the board like many do, suffocating between the mobo and case wall. This approach would allow for at least some airflow over the 2nd drive, and also wouldn't require removing the motherboard to change ssd's.

what would also be interesting is if they engineered an extension cable off the main board that housed all the common case connections (power, switches, audio, USB, LED etc), so that those connections could be made elsewhere inside the case and more easily hidden.

Seriously, that is a great idea, Asus already offers the separate Q-Connection plugs, just need two of those and the ability to terminate them cleanly on a group of wires. If your soldering/sleeving game is on point, you need to offer these in custom lengths to the aftermarket

Makes sense, looking at the size of that thing.
If someone told me it had the same amount of functionality as a single-layered MicroATX board, I wouldn't immediately dismiss that statement.

@W1zzard Would love a review of this or a similar board. It'd be great to see how the build experience is on one of these.

this is similar and I like mine.

ROG Strix X570-I Gaming | ROG Strix | Gaming Motherboards｜ROG - Republic of Gamers｜ROG USA

AMD Ryzen 3000 series mini-ITX motherboard with Aura Sync, WiFi 6(802.11ax), Intel Gigabit LAN, Dual PCIe 4.0 M.2, SupremeFX and USB 3.2 Gen 2

rog.asus.com

 

[TheLostSwede]

Commodore did this with the Amiga 1000 computer years ago, it became a problem later and was discontinued.

I thought the Amiga 500 used a lot of stacked and external expansion as well.
We've gotten a lot better connectors since then though.

If that additional layer is indeed for a 2nd M.2, then I would say I like this better than my X570i. Mine has the second slot on the back side of the board like many do, suffocating between the mobo and case wall. This approach would allow for at least some airflow over the 2nd drive, and also wouldn't require removing the motherboard to change ssd's.

Who knows, maybe this board has a third slot on the back?
Why not use the motherboard plate a a heatsink for the rear SSD? Just requires a thick thermal pad...

 

[billEST]

When I first seen this, my first thought was oh this will cost more than 350 USD. I know Asus charges premium but at least they try to think outside of the box.

450 probably

itx is expensive : 10 layer , 90A vrm , low sale

 

[zoom314]

I thought the Amiga 500 used a lot of stacked and external expansion as well.
We've gotten a lot better connectors since then though.


Who knows, maybe this board has a third slot on the back?
Why not use the motherboard plate a a heatsink for the rear SSD? Just requires a thick thermal pad...

No the 500 was a single board as can be seen at this bing link.

Amiga 500 motherboard - Bing

Intelligent search from Bing makes it easier to quickly find what you’re looking for and rewards you.

www.bing.com

The 1000 by comparison:

Amiga 1000 motherboard - Bing

Intelligent search from Bing makes it easier to quickly find what you’re looking for and rewards you.

www.bing.com

 

[docnorth]

It's not a bad idea, but it would be better not to include ARGB header and circuitry at all. If you want to save space, do it right.