[SOLVED] Another X570 itx comparison question

[toro1966]

Hey folks, have a couple of questions actually regarding the motherboard for my new (and first) mini-itx build. I am going to install either the Gigabyte Aorus X570 Pro Wifi or the Asus X570 Rog Strix I-Gaming. I have both boards here new in box. I ordered them at different times and wasn't sure what would come in. Technically I have three MBs because I ordered the Asus from two different vendors because it was out of stock for so long. So which one do I go with. I have read multiple threads already but none really come to a conclusion.

Secondly, I was very surprised that the Asus did not come with a pre-installed I/O shield like the Gigabyte did. I thought they were supposed to be preinstalled - no? It's the same on both Asus boards, and both are brand new in box from different vendors so I am guessing not lol. Just wanted to be sure since the Asus site indicated the I/O shield was indeed preinstalled. Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[Karadjgne]

There aren't any 'pre-installed' i/o shields. The i/o shield as is, is supposed to be installed into the case slot before sticking in the mobo. Some new designs come with a built-in i/o shield, which is permanently attached to the motherboard. So it's not 'pre-installed' in any sense, as that would indicate its a floating object that someone has been kind enough to mount for you in advance. The built-in is designed to be permanent on the mobo, not something to install to the case.

It's really six of one, half a dozen of the other. Makes no difference to you, only to the person buying a board from eBay and the seller forgets to include the i/o shield. With a built-in, that can't happen.

Personally I'm in the same boat as you, almost. I don't have the boards yet, but working on a mITX and those are my 2 choices, with a possibility of the Asus B450i. But. I'm not keen on the B450 sharing pcie m.2 with the gpu, the x570's have 16+16 pcie lanes and I'm looking at raid-0 NVMe. Nor the Gen 2 aspect, with the x570's in Gen 4.

So far what I've found around the net is that the Asus has slightly better VRM's and better cooling, and for a 3700x in a ncase m.1, that'll be a factor, but the Gigabyte price is slightly more attractive. Both are top ranked, but more of the SFF pro's definitely lean towards Asus, even when they aren't the major sponsors.

 

[toro1966]

Thanks Karadjgne! I appreciate that. I am installing in an NZXT H1 case, so I am thinking of going with the Asus. The MB comes with two different size standoffs for the M2 drives. Not sure which one I should use for the top M2 and which for the bottom. There is only one of each.