ROG Strix B760-I Gaming WiFi: Mini-ITX with DDR5 for 200 EUR

3D rendering: Cinebench, Blender, ...

There are only a few models among the cheaper Mini-ITX motherboards for the Intel LGA 1700 platform. After testing the Gigabyte variant, the Asus ROG Strix B760-I Gaming WiFi is now here for review. This motherboard is designed for DDR5 memory and at the same time, we can still note its good affordability. Take a look at all that the Asus motherboard brings and how it fares in the tests.

Although clouds are already gathering over current motherboards for Intel (LGA 1700) processors – the arrival of LGA 1851 is already quite close – some models are better prepared for the later modernization. Those that support DDR5 memory. This is also the case with the Asus ROG Strix B760-I Gaming WiFi, which will not support the next generation of processors (Intel Arrow Lake), but the memory from a build based on it will be usable.

The ROG Strix B760-I Gaming WiFi motherboard’s support for the newer memory standard (DDR5) is one of the main differences from the recently tested Gigabyte B760I Aorus Pro DDR4 motherboard as well. The chipset (B760) is the same, but it supports “only” DDR4 memory, and although there is also a variant for DDR5 memory (Gigabyte B760I Aorus Pro), its availability is weaker and in some markets we can even talk about unavailability. In this regard (availability), the ROG Strix B760-I Gaming WiFi is better off, and when it comes to Mini-ITX boards from the “700” series, Asus doesn’t even bother with DDR4 variants. All models support DDR5 memory, and the older standard basically only concerns, as far as the LGA 1700 platform is concerned, the low-end models with H610 chipsets.

While it’s somewhat attractive to compare the ROG Strix B760-I Gaming WiFi to the Gigabyte B760I Aorus Pro DDR4, when you look at the comparable price, keep in mind that on the whole, the Asus board will cost you more due to the more expensive DDR5 memory, but the reward is a longer “lifespan” with regards to their usability when upgrading later. Of course, this aspect may not play any role if you are used to replacing the whole build anyway when the “old” one (with DDR4 memory) is no longer enough. So having that DDR5 memory that can eventually be used later may be only a theoretical advantage that someone may not take advantage of, while someone else may.

Asus ROG Strix B760-I Gaming WiFi

This is the cheaper of the pair of Mini-ITX format models designed for the Intel LGA 1700 platform. In addition to the Strix B760-I Gaming WiFi, Asus also offers the Strix Z790-I Gaming WiFi, but at more than double the price. The cheaper and more attractive option for most users is probably obvious, although the Strix B760-I Gaming WiFi’s specs are naturally weaker.

The physical format has already been discussed – Mini-ITX (170 × 170 mm). Admittedly, after taking into account the cover around the I/O connectors, slightly protruding over the PCB, it’s more in height (175 mm), but only by 5 mm, which shouldn’t affect compatibility too much. Perhaps only in cases with a very small offset of the board from the side panel, where fans are expected. This may be the spot that will come into collision (with the fans) possibly first in such cases. But it also may not be, as this protrusion may be outside the axis of the design of the system fans.

The basic layout of the slots does not deviate from the conventions of Mini-ITX boards. There are two DIMM slots (with dual-channel support) for memory (DDR5), four SATA slots and traditionally one PCI Express slot (×16), in the fifth generation (PCIe 5.0). The board is forward-looking in this respect too, in terms of full support for next-generation graphics cards, and in the case of SSDs, the fastest available interface may come in handy even now.

The distance of the PCIe ×16 slot from the processor socket is above standard for Mini-ITX boards. From the center to the center of the PCIe and LGA 1700 sockets it is 92 mm. This spacing is sufficient for mounting even the largest (and widest) CPU coolers and avoid collision with an expansion card. And the greater the spacing of these components, the better the access to the PCI Express slot latch, which means more convenient removal of a typical graphics card.

However, the M.2 SSD slots only support PCIe 4.0. Both of the two that this motherboard has. On the slot connected to the CPU is a larger heatsink with a brightly colored ROG Strix print that also reacts spectacularly to light for the best visual perception, and looks a little different from every angle.

The second M.2 SSD slot (PCIe 4.0), also a four-lane slot, is on the back of the motherboard, where you need to pay attention to the height of a cooler. This can be as tall as the case, or its motherboard tray, allows. For some cases, there might be a cutout in these places, in which case the compatibility with SSDs with taller coolers should be better.

The power delivery for the processor has 13 (12+1) phases. These are cooled by two heatsinks, each characterized by a finned profile. And the grille of the cover between the VRM and I/O connectors is also noteworthy. This too will contribute to more efficient cooling by ensuring more intense airflow around the aluminum monoliths.

The MOSFET integrated circuits are Vishay SiC659 with the highest efficiency at a current load of around 10 A, that is according to the technical documentation. The VRM driver is the OnSemi ASP2100R.

The Realtek ALC1220 sound chip on the ROG Strix B760-I Gaming WiFi board will please those who find the ALC897 on the Gigabyte B760I Aorus Pro (DDR4) insufficient, for example.

Almost in full configuration is also the external set of audio connectors. Next to the five 3.5-millimeter jacks, only the optical S/PDIF output is missing. In “its” position is a USB-C connector, the slower of the pair of external ones (with 5 Gbps). The fast USB-C gen. 2×2 port is already in the section between the rest of the USB connectors. In the version with the Type-A connector, there are six more USB connectors. Half of them standard 3.2 gen. 2 (i.e. with 5 Gb/s) and half of the slower 2.0 standard. These are suitable for connecting peripherals (keyboard, mouse, headset, multifunction device, …) that do not support faster interfaces (than USB 2.0).

Video outputs are in a fairly common two-connector configuration combining HDMI (2.1) and DisplayPort (1.4). There is one RJ-45 Ethernet connector, connected to a 2.5-gigabit Intel I226-V adapter. The board then also has WiFi 6E (Intel AX211), with two SMA connectors on the rear panel for the included antenna. This is a adjustable design with a stand for horizontal placement.

Please note: The article continues in following chapters.

There are only a few models among the cheaper Mini-ITX motherboards for the Intel LGA 1700 platform. After testing the Gigabyte variant, the Asus ROG Strix B760-I Gaming WiFi is now here for review. This motherboard is designed for DDR5 memory and at the same time, we can still note its good affordability. Take a look at all that the Asus motherboard brings and how it fares in the tests.

What it looks like in the BIOS

The EZ Mode user interface is logically divided into several segments with good clarity. For those familiar with Asus motherboards, this will be a well-known layout. The home screen (EZ Mode) provides a basic overview of the connected components (CPU, RAM, SSD, fans…), as well as buttons behind which further settings options are hidden, be it fan management (Qfan Control), EZ System Tuning for a quick “power saving mode” (CPU) or boot priority options.

And then within the top navigation Asus also has a switch for ReSize BAR or Aura lighting. In this case, however, you only control devices connected to the (A)RGB headers, as the ROG Strix B760-I Gaming WiFi motherboard doesn’t have its own LEDs on its PCB.

The memory profile (D.O.C.P/XMP) can also be activated on the main screen, which can also be done on the Ai Tweaker tab in advanced mode. You can enter this by pressing the F7 key. In this section you can also tweak more detailed settings, including the clock speed of the memory controller. This will automatically be set to Gear 2 (1500 MHz) for faster, higher bandwidth memory.

Moving on to more detailed CPU management settings, one way to never put the CPU in a thermally uncomfortable situation is to set a maximum temperature limit. With the Asus Performance Enhancement 3.0 quick option, the upper limit can be 90°C.

Of course, limiting the temperature can also be achieved by setting power limits. We run all tests without these limits by default, where TIM is often left as the bottleneck. And by this we now mean not only the available thermal performance of the cooler we use for testing, but also the quality of the contact between the cooler and the CPU. The latter is already dependent on the characteristics of the board, or to what extent the PCB flexes at a given pressure, although shortcomings of this type in critical places are also eliminated by the standard use of a metal backplate.

Stricter current limits may also be set in the factory settings to keep the processor from running at too high clock speeds. With the Core i9-13900K with the BIOS (v1658) from May 31, 2024, this is 307A. It’s possible that with older BIOSes the current limit was higher and lowering it is supposed to ensure higher CPU stability, which is a pretty overplayed topic everywhere lately.

We do not change the LCC (Level 3) for testing purposes and leave it at “auto” just like the multiplier that is applied to individual CPU cores in an AVX workload. The only thing is that for selected tests with reduced power, we will as usual cap the long term load at 125 W and the short term one (with the Tau 56 second timeout setting) at 253 W.

In addition to a custom thermocouple connector, the board senses five other locations, including the VRM, which can be used to set the system fan’s curve. A single fan. The Strix B760-I Gaming WiFi does not have more headers for system fans.

All three 4-pin headers are adaptable, including those for connecting a fan or a CPU cooler pump. Although these have their own specifics and you can’t assign all temperature sources to them (you can’t select any pump connector, for CPU_fan it’s then only “CPU/CPU Package”), but you can change the intensity of regulation for them. This is admittedly in an incomplete, smaller range in both cases (you can’t get below 20% PWM or 60% DC), but it works to a certain extent.

The pump header is set most aggressively to maximize the performance of a liquid cooler across the different profiles (standard, silent, turbo). To reduce the pump flow, you have to go into manual mode, where the speed curve is adjusted manually. The “system” 4-pin (CHA_fan) is adjustable over the whole range and you can comfortably get even to very low values, at which many PWM-controlled fans switch off their motor.

There are only a few models among the cheaper Mini-ITX motherboards for the Intel LGA 1700 platform. After testing the Gigabyte variant, the Asus ROG Strix B760-I Gaming WiFi is now here for review. This motherboard is designed for DDR5 memory and at the same time, we can still note its good affordability. Take a look at all that the Asus motherboard brings and how it fares in the tests.

Gaming tests…

The vast majority of tests are based on the methodology for processors and graphics cards. The choice of games is narrower with motherboards, but for this purpose there is no need for more of them. We always use the powerful Core i9-13900K processor, which will highlight the strengths and weaknesses of any motherboard well. In the past we have tested with two processors, including a cheaper, more low-power model, but we don’t do that anymore. The hypothesis that more expensive motherboards might “advantage” cheaper processors in performance has not been confirmed, so it’s rather pointless.

We’ve selected five titles from games we’re testing in two resolutions. There are significantly fewer games than in the CPU or graphics card tests, but these are just enough for the motherboard tests. Few people consider performance in a particular game when choosing a motherboard. But an indicative overview of which motherboard shapes gaming performance in what way (compared to another motherboard) is necessary. To avoid significant discrepancies over time, we’ve reached for relatively older titles that no longer receive significant updates.

These are Borderlands 3, F1 2020, Metro Exodus, Shadow of the Tomb Raider and Total War Saga: Troy. With newer games, there might be some performance changes over time (updates) and especially in high resolutions with high details. This is one of the test setups (2160p and Ultra, or the highest visual detail but without ray-tracing graphics) that focuses on comparing performance for which the bottleneck is the graphics card. In other words, it will be clear from these tests which motherboard can affect the performance of which graphics card to what extent, for any reason. In contrast, a setup with Full HD resolution and with graphical details reduced to “High” will also reflect the CPU’s contribution to the final gaming performance.

We use OCAT to record fps, or the times of individual frames, which are then used to calculate fps, and FLAT to analyze the CSV. The developer and author of articles (and videos) for the GPUreport.cz website is behind both.
For the highest accuracy, all runs are repeated three times and average values of average and minimum fps are displayed in the graphs. These multiple repetitions also apply to non-game tests.

… Computing tests, SSD tests, USB ports and network tests

We test application performance in a very similar way to the processor tests. Almost all tests are included, from the easier ones (such as those in a web environment) to those that push the CPU or graphics card to the limit. These are typically tests such as 3D rendering, video encoding (x264, x265, SVT-AV1) or other performance-intensive computing tasks. As with processors or graphics cards, we have a wide range of applications – users editing video (Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve Studio), graphic effects creators (Adobe Premiere Pro), graphic designers or photographers (Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom, Affinity Photo, AI applications Topaz Labs, …) will find their own in the results, and there are also tests of (de)encryption, (de)compression, numerical calculations, simulations and, of course, tests of memory.

SSD performance tests are also important for motherboards. Therefore we test the maximum sequential read and write speeds on an empty Samsung 980 Pro SSD (1 TB) in the well distributed CrystalDiskMark, in all slots. We approach the USB port tests in the same way. We use a WD Black P50 external SSD to test them. It supports fast USB 3.2 gen. 2×2, so it won’t be a bottleneck for even the fastest USB controllers. We report only one result for each USB standard. This is calculated from the average of all available ports.

We won’t deprive you of network bandwidth tests either. We move large files in both directions within a local network between the motherboard network adapters and the Sonnet Solo10G 10-gigabit PCIe card. This from the aforementioned Samsung 980 Pro SSD to the Patriot Hellfire (480 GB), which is still fast enough to not slow down even the 10 Gb adapter.

The results of all performance tests are averaged over three repeated measurements for best accuracy.

CPU settings…

We primarily test processors without power limits, the way most motherboards have it in factory settings. For tests that have an overlap with power, temperature and CPU clock speed measurements, we also observe the behavior of boards with a power limit according to Intel’s recommendations, where we set PL1 to the TDP level (125 W) while respecting the Tau timeout (56 s). The upper limit of the power supply (PL2/PTT) is set in the BIOS according to the official values. For Core i9-13900K it is 253 W, for Core i9-12900K it is 241 W. Aggressive overclocking technologies such as PBO2 (AMD) or MCE (Asus) and similar are not covered in standard motherboard tests.

… and application updates

Tests should also take into account that over time, individual updates may skew performance comparisons. Some applications we use in portable versions that do not update or can be kept on a stable version, but for some this is not the case. Typically games get updated over time, which is natural, and keeping them on old versions out of reality would also be questionable.

In short, just count on the fact that the accuracy of the results you are comparing with each other decreases a bit as time goes on. To make this analysis easier, we’ve listed when each board was tested. You can find this out in the dialog box, where you can find information about the date of testing. This dialog is displayed in the interactive graphs, next to any result bar. Just hover over it.

There are only a few models among the cheaper Mini-ITX motherboards for the Intel LGA 1700 platform. After testing the Gigabyte variant, the Asus ROG Strix B760-I Gaming WiFi is now here for review. This motherboard is designed for DDR5 memory and at the same time, we can still note its good affordability. Take a look at all that the Asus motherboard brings and how it fares in the tests.

Methodology: How we measure power draw

<In contrast to the Z690/B660 tests, we’ll simplify it a bit and measure only the CPU power draw on the EPS cables. This means that (also for the sake of best possible clarity) we omit the 24-pin measurements. We have already analysed it thoroughly and the power draw on it doesn’t change much across boards. Of the ten boards tested with an Alder Lake processor (Core i9-12900K), the power draw at 12 volts of the 24-pin connector ranges from 37.3–40.4 W (gaming load, graphics card power supply via PCI Express ×16 slot), at 5V (memory, ARGB LEDs and some external controllers) then between 13.9–22.3 W and finally at the weakest, 3.3-volt branch, the power draw of our test setup tends to be 2.2–3.6 W.

On top of the CPU power draw, which also takes into account the efficiency of the power delivery, this adds up to some 53–66 W under gaming/graphics load and only 15–25 W outside of it, with the graphics card idle. We already know all this from older tests, and it will be no different on the new boards, and as the number of measurements increases, reducing measurements that worsen orientation is beneficial. But from the text above, you know how much to add for the total power draw of the motherboard components to the CPU’s majority power draw.

The situation will be a bit different on AMD platforms, for those we will deal with what is the power draw on which branch of the 24-pin, but already in a separate article that will better highlight this topic. In a large comprehensive motherboard test, these measurements disappear, they do not attract enough attention.

We measure the power draw of the CPU (and its VRM) on the power supply cables, with calibrated Prova 15 current clamps and a calibrated Keysight U1231A multimeter. The clamps measure the electric current, the multimeter measures the electric voltage. In the union of these two electrical quantities, we finally obtain the exact power draw. We measure this in different loads on the CPU. The maximum multithreaded load is represented by Cinebench R23.

Lower, gaming load by Shadow of the Tomb Raider (1080p@high), single-threaded load by audio encoding (reference encoder 1.3.2, FLAC with bitrate 200 kbps) and idle power draw is measured on the Windows 10 desktop when only basic operating system processes and launchers of some test applications are running in the background.

There are only a few models among the cheaper Mini-ITX motherboards for the Intel LGA 1700 platform. After testing the Gigabyte variant, the Asus ROG Strix B760-I Gaming WiFi is now here for review. This motherboard is designed for DDR5 memory and at the same time, we can still note its good affordability. Take a look at all that the Asus motherboard brings and how it fares in the tests.

Methodology: Temperature and frequency measurements

By far the most critical part in terms of temperatures on the motherboard is the power delivery (VRM) for the CPU. This is where we return to the Fluke Ti125 thermal imager, which produces temperature maps that can be used to locate the average temperature, as well as the hottest point. We record both these values (average and maximum temperature on the Vcore) in graphs, and we will later evaluate the efficiency of the VRM heatsinks based on the maximum one. However, we lack a suitable thermometer for that yet. Of course, the thermovision is implemented without a heatsink, and a thermocouple needs to be installed on the hottest MOSFET to detect the reduction of temperature with a heatsink. This will be added soon.

Thermal imaging always relates to operating with the more powerful of the pair of test processors. With it, the differences and possible limitations or impending risks (for example, even from thermal throttling) become more apparent. In order to have a good view of the VRM, we use an Alphacool Eisbaer 360 liquid cooler with the fans fixed at full power (12 V) instead of a tower cooler (from the CPU tests). The temperature tests also include CPU temperatures for completeness, and we also test the efficiency of the supplied SSD heatsinks as part of the motherboard tests. These are already included with virtually all better motherboards, and so the question naturally arises whether to use them or replace them with other, more finned ones. We will test these heatsinks on a Samsung 980 Pro SSD during ten minutes of intense load in CrystalDiskMark. Finally, the temperature of the chipset’s southbridge and the cooling efficiency in this direction is noteworthy as well.

All tests are conducted in a wind tunnel, so full system cooling is provided. This consists of three Noctua NF-S12A PWMs@5V (~550 rpm) . Two of which are intake, one is exhaust. But the three fast AIO fans also function as exhaust fans, so there is negative pressure inside the case.

The temperature at the entrance to the tunnel is properly controlled and ranges between 21-21.3 °C. Maintaining a constant temperature at all times during testing is important not only for the accuracy of the temperature measurements, but also because a higher or lower ambient temperature also affects the eventual behavior of the processors’ boost. And we also properly monitor and compare the clock speeds, whether under all-core load or even single-threaded tasks. We use the HWiNFO application to record the clock speeds and temperatures of the cores (sampling is set to two seconds).

Maintaining a constant temperature at the intake is necessary not only for a proper comparison of processor temperatures, but especially for objective performance comparisons. The clock speed development, and specially the single core boost, is precisely based on the temperature. Typically in summer, at higher temperatures than is normal in living quarters in winter, processors can be slower.

Temperatures are always read as maximum (both from the VRM thermovision and average, but still from the local maximum values at the end of Cinebench R23). For Intel processors, for each test we read the maximum temperature of the cores, usually all of them. These maxima are then averaged and the result represents the final value in the graph. From the single-threaded workload outputs, we extract only the recorded values from the active cores (there are usually two of these, and they alternate between each other during the test). For AMD processors it is a bit different. They don’t have temperature sensors for each core. In order to make the procedure methodically as similar as possible to the one we apply on Intel processors, we define the average temperature of all cores by the highest value reported by the CPU Tdie (average) sensor. However, for single-core workloads we already use the CPU sensor (Tctl/Tdie), which usually reports a slightly higher value that better corresponds to hotspots of one or two cores. However, these values as well as the values from all internal sensors should be taken with a grain of salt, the accuracy of sensors across CPUs varies.

Clock speed evaluation is more accurate, each core has its own sensor even on AMD processors. However, unlike the temperatures, we write the average values of the clock speeds during the tests in the graphs. We monitor the temperatures and clock speed of the CPU cores in the same tests in which we also measure power draw. Thus, sequentially from the lowest desktop idle load in Windows 10, through audio encoding (single-threaded load), gaming load in Shadow of the Tomb Raider to Cinebench R23.

There are only a few models among the cheaper Mini-ITX motherboards for the Intel LGA 1700 platform. After testing the Gigabyte variant, the Asus ROG Strix B760-I Gaming WiFi is now here for review. This motherboard is designed for DDR5 memory and at the same time, we can still note its good affordability. Take a look at all that the Asus motherboard brings and how it fares in the tests.

Test setup

Note: Graphics drivers used at the time of testing: Nvidia GeForce 466.77 and OS Windows 10 build 19045.

There are only a few models among the cheaper Mini-ITX motherboards for the Intel LGA 1700 platform. After testing the Gigabyte variant, the Asus ROG Strix B760-I Gaming WiFi is now here for review. This motherboard is designed for DDR5 memory and at the same time, we can still note its good affordability. Take a look at all that the Asus motherboard brings and how it fares in the tests.

3DMark

We use 3DMark Professional for our tests and from the tests, Night Raid (DirectX 12), Fire Strike (DirectX 11) and Time Spy (DirectX 12). In the graphs you will find the CPU sub-scores, the combined scores, as well as the graphics scores. From this you can see to what extent a given CPU is limiting the graphics card.

There are only a few models among the cheaper Mini-ITX motherboards for the Intel LGA 1700 platform. After testing the Gigabyte variant, the Asus ROG Strix B760-I Gaming WiFi is now here for review. This motherboard is designed for DDR5 memory and at the same time, we can still note its good affordability. Take a look at all that the Asus motherboard brings and how it fares in the tests.

Borderlands 3

Test environment: resolution 1920 × 1080 px; graphics settings preset High; API DirectX 12; extra settings Anti-Aliasing: None; test scene: built-in benchmark.

Test environment: resolution 3840 × 2160 px; graphics settings preset Ultra; API DirectX 12; no extra settings; test scene: built-in benchmark.

There are only a few models among the cheaper Mini-ITX motherboards for the Intel LGA 1700 platform. After testing the Gigabyte variant, the Asus ROG Strix B760-I Gaming WiFi is now here for review. This motherboard is designed for DDR5 memory and at the same time, we can still note its good affordability. Take a look at all that the Asus motherboard brings and how it fares in the tests.

F1 2020

Test environment: resolution 1920 × 1080 px; graphics settings preset High; API DirectX 12; extra settings Anti-Aliasing: off, Skidmarks Blending: off; test scene: built-in benchmark (Australia, Clear/Dry, Cycle).

Test environment: resolution 3840 × 2160 px; graphics settings preset Ultra High; API DirectX 12; extra settings Anti-Aliasing: TAA, Skidmarks Blending: off; test scene: built-in benchmark (Australia, Clear/Dry, Cycle).

There are only a few models among the cheaper Mini-ITX motherboards for the Intel LGA 1700 platform. After testing the Gigabyte variant, the Asus ROG Strix B760-I Gaming WiFi is now here for review. This motherboard is designed for DDR5 memory and at the same time, we can still note its good affordability. Take a look at all that the Asus motherboard brings and how it fares in the tests.

Metro Exodus

Test environment: resolution 1920 × 1080 px; graphics settings preset High; API DirectX 12; no extra settings; test scene: built-in benchmark.

Test environment: resolution 3840 × 2160 px; graphics settings preset Extreme; API DirectX 12; no extra settings; test scene: built-in benchmark.

There are only a few models among the cheaper Mini-ITX motherboards for the Intel LGA 1700 platform. After testing the Gigabyte variant, the Asus ROG Strix B760-I Gaming WiFi is now here for review. This motherboard is designed for DDR5 memory and at the same time, we can still note its good affordability. Take a look at all that the Asus motherboard brings and how it fares in the tests.

Shadow of the Tomb Raider

Test environment: resolution 1920 × 1080 px; graphics settings preset High; API DirectX 12; extra settings Anti-Aliasing: off; test scene: built-in benchmark.

Test environment: resolution 3840 × 2160 px; graphics settings preset Highest; API DirectX 12; extra settings Anti-Aliasing: TAA; test scene: built-in benchmark.

There are only a few models among the cheaper Mini-ITX motherboards for the Intel LGA 1700 platform. After testing the Gigabyte variant, the Asus ROG Strix B760-I Gaming WiFi is now here for review. This motherboard is designed for DDR5 memory and at the same time, we can still note its good affordability. Take a look at all that the Asus motherboard brings and how it fares in the tests.

Total War Saga: Troy

Test environment: resolution 1920 × 1080 px; graphics settings preset High; API DirectX 11; no extra settings; test scene: built-in benchmark.

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Test environment: resolution 3840 × 2160 px; graphics settings preset Ultra; API DirectX 11; no extra settings; test scene: built-in benchmark.

There are only a few models among the cheaper Mini-ITX motherboards for the Intel LGA 1700 platform. After testing the Gigabyte variant, the Asus ROG Strix B760-I Gaming WiFi is now here for review. This motherboard is designed for DDR5 memory and at the same time, we can still note its good affordability. Take a look at all that the Asus motherboard brings and how it fares in the tests.

PCMark

Geekbench

There are only a few models among the cheaper Mini-ITX motherboards for the Intel LGA 1700 platform. After testing the Gigabyte variant, the Asus ROG Strix B760-I Gaming WiFi is now here for review. This motherboard is designed for DDR5 memory and at the same time, we can still note its good affordability. Take a look at all that the Asus motherboard brings and how it fares in the tests.

Speedometer (2.0) and Octane (2.0)

Test environment: To ensure that results are not affected by web browser updates over time, we use a portable version of Google Chrome (91.0.472.101), a 64-bit build. Hardware GPU acceleration is enabled as well, as it is by default for every user.

Note: The values in the graphs represent the average of the scores obtained in the subtasks, which are grouped according to their nature into seven categories (Core language features, Memory and GC, Strings and arrays, Virtual machine and GC, Loading and Parsing, Bit and Math operations, and Compiler and GC latency).

There are only a few models among the cheaper Mini-ITX motherboards for the Intel LGA 1700 platform. After testing the Gigabyte variant, the Asus ROG Strix B760-I Gaming WiFi is now here for review. This motherboard is designed for DDR5 memory and at the same time, we can still note its good affordability. Take a look at all that the Asus motherboard brings and how it fares in the tests.

Cinebench R20

Cinebench R23

Blender@Cycles

Test environment: We use well distributed projects BMW (510 tiles) and Classroom (2040 tiles) and the renderer Cycles. Render settings are set to None, with which all the work falls on the CPU.

LuxRender (SPECworkstation 3.1)

There are only a few models among the cheaper Mini-ITX motherboards for the Intel LGA 1700 platform. After testing the Gigabyte variant, the Asus ROG Strix B760-I Gaming WiFi is now here for review. This motherboard is designed for DDR5 memory and at the same time, we can still note its good affordability. Take a look at all that the Asus motherboard brings and how it fares in the tests.

Adobe Premiere Pro (PugetBench)

Test environment: PugetBench tests set. We keep the version of the application (Adobe Premiere Pro) at 15.2.

There are only a few models among the cheaper Mini-ITX motherboards for the Intel LGA 1700 platform. After testing the Gigabyte variant, the Asus ROG Strix B760-I Gaming WiFi is now here for review. This motherboard is designed for DDR5 memory and at the same time, we can still note its good affordability. Take a look at all that the Asus motherboard brings and how it fares in the tests.

DaVinci Resolve Studio (PugetBench)

Test environment: set of PugetBench tests, test type: standard. App version of DaVinci Resolve Studio is 17.2.1 (build 12).

There are only a few models among the cheaper Mini-ITX motherboards for the Intel LGA 1700 platform. After testing the Gigabyte variant, the Asus ROG Strix B760-I Gaming WiFi is now here for review. This motherboard is designed for DDR5 memory and at the same time, we can still note its good affordability. Take a look at all that the Asus motherboard brings and how it fares in the tests.

Visual effects: Adobe After Effects

Test environment: set of PugetBench tests. App version of Adobe After Effects is 18.2.1.

There are only a few models among the cheaper Mini-ITX motherboards for the Intel LGA 1700 platform. After testing the Gigabyte variant, the Asus ROG Strix B760-I Gaming WiFi is now here for review. This motherboard is designed for DDR5 memory and at the same time, we can still note its good affordability. Take a look at all that the Asus motherboard brings and how it fares in the tests.

HandBrake

Test environment: For video conversion we’re using a 4K video LG Demo Snowboard with a 43,9 Mb/s bitrate. AVC (x264) and HEVC (x265) profiles are set for high quality and encoder profiles are “slow”. HandBrake version is 1.3.3 (2020061300).

x264 and x265 benchmarks

There are only a few models among the cheaper Mini-ITX motherboards for the Intel LGA 1700 platform. After testing the Gigabyte variant, the Asus ROG Strix B760-I Gaming WiFi is now here for review. This motherboard is designed for DDR5 memory and at the same time, we can still note its good affordability. Take a look at all that the Asus motherboard brings and how it fares in the tests.

Audio encoding

Test environment: Audio encoding is done using command line encoders, we measure the time it takes for the conversion to finish. The same 42-minute long 16-bit WAV file (stereo) with 44.1 kHz is always used (Love Over Gold by Dire Straits album rip in a single audio file).

Encoder settings are selected to achieve maximum or near maximum compression. The bitrate is relatively high, with the exception of lossless FLAC of about 200 kb/s.

Note: These tests measure single-thread performance.

FLAC: reference encoder 1.3.2, 64-bit build. Launch options: flac.exe -s -8 -m -e -p -f

MP3: encoder lame3.100.1, 64-bit build (Intel 19 Compiler) from RareWares. Launch options: lame.exe -S -V 0 -q 0

AAC: uses Apple QuickTime libraries, invoked through the application from the command line, QAAC 2.72, 64-bit build, Intel 19 Compiler (does not require installation of the whole Apple package). Launch options: qaac64.exe -V 100 -s -q 2

Opus: reference encoder 1.3.1, Launch options: opusenc.exe –comp 10 –quiet –vbr –bitrate 192

There are only a few models among the cheaper Mini-ITX motherboards for the Intel LGA 1700 platform. After testing the Gigabyte variant, the Asus ROG Strix B760-I Gaming WiFi is now here for review. This motherboard is designed for DDR5 memory and at the same time, we can still note its good affordability. Take a look at all that the Asus motherboard brings and how it fares in the tests.

Adobe Photoshop (PugetBench)

Test environment: set of PugetBench tests. App version of Adobe Photoshop is 22.4.2.

Affinity Photo (benchmark)

Test environment: built-in benchmark.

Topaz Labs AI apps

Topaz DeNoise AI, Gigapixel AI and Sharpen AI. These single-purpose applications are used for restoration of low-quality photos. Whether it is high noise (caused by higher ISO), raster level (typically after cropping) or when something needs extra focus. The AI performance is always used.

Test environment: As part of batch editing, 42 photos with a lower resolution of 1920 × 1280 px are processed, with the settings from the images above. DeNoise AI is in version 3.1.2, Gigapixel in 5.5.2 and Sharpen AI in 3.1.2.

There are only a few models among the cheaper Mini-ITX motherboards for the Intel LGA 1700 platform. After testing the Gigabyte variant, the Asus ROG Strix B760-I Gaming WiFi is now here for review. This motherboard is designed for DDR5 memory and at the same time, we can still note its good affordability. Take a look at all that the Asus motherboard brings and how it fares in the tests.

WinRAR 6.01

7-Zip 19.00

There are only a few models among the cheaper Mini-ITX motherboards for the Intel LGA 1700 platform. After testing the Gigabyte variant, the Asus ROG Strix B760-I Gaming WiFi is now here for review. This motherboard is designed for DDR5 memory and at the same time, we can still note its good affordability. Take a look at all that the Asus motherboard brings and how it fares in the tests.

TrueCrypt 7.1a

Aida64 (AES, SHA3)

There are only a few models among the cheaper Mini-ITX motherboards for the Intel LGA 1700 platform. After testing the Gigabyte variant, the Asus ROG Strix B760-I Gaming WiFi is now here for review. This motherboard is designed for DDR5 memory and at the same time, we can still note its good affordability. Take a look at all that the Asus motherboard brings and how it fares in the tests.

Aida64, FPU tests

FSI (SPECworkstation 3.1)

Kirchhoff migration (SPECworkstation 3.1)

Python36 (SPECworkstation 3.1)

SRMP (SPECworkstation 3.1)

Octave (SPECworkstation 3.1)

FFTW (SPECworkstation 3.1)

Convolution (SPECworkstation 3.1)

CalculiX (SPECworkstation 3.1)

There are only a few models among the cheaper Mini-ITX motherboards for the Intel LGA 1700 platform. After testing the Gigabyte variant, the Asus ROG Strix B760-I Gaming WiFi is now here for review. This motherboard is designed for DDR5 memory and at the same time, we can still note its good affordability. Take a look at all that the Asus motherboard brings and how it fares in the tests.

RodiniaLifeSci (SPECworkstation 3.1)

WPCcfd (SPECworkstation 3.1)

Poisson (SPECworkstation 3.1)

LAMMPS (SPECworkstation 3.1)

NAMD (SPECworkstation 3.1)

There are only a few models among the cheaper Mini-ITX motherboards for the Intel LGA 1700 platform. After testing the Gigabyte variant, the Asus ROG Strix B760-I Gaming WiFi is now here for review. This motherboard is designed for DDR5 memory and at the same time, we can still note its good affordability. Take a look at all that the Asus motherboard brings and how it fares in the tests.

Memory tests…

… and cache (L1, L2, L3)

There are only a few models among the cheaper Mini-ITX motherboards for the Intel LGA 1700 platform. After testing the Gigabyte variant, the Asus ROG Strix B760-I Gaming WiFi is now here for review. This motherboard is designed for DDR5 memory and at the same time, we can still note its good affordability. Take a look at all that the Asus motherboard brings and how it fares in the tests.

M.2 (SSD) slots speed

There are only a few models among the cheaper Mini-ITX motherboards for the Intel LGA 1700 platform. After testing the Gigabyte variant, the Asus ROG Strix B760-I Gaming WiFi is now here for review. This motherboard is designed for DDR5 memory and at the same time, we can still note its good affordability. Take a look at all that the Asus motherboard brings and how it fares in the tests.

USB ports speed

There are only a few models among the cheaper Mini-ITX motherboards for the Intel LGA 1700 platform. After testing the Gigabyte variant, the Asus ROG Strix B760-I Gaming WiFi is now here for review. This motherboard is designed for DDR5 memory and at the same time, we can still note its good affordability. Take a look at all that the Asus motherboard brings and how it fares in the tests.

Ethernet speed

There are only a few models among the cheaper Mini-ITX motherboards for the Intel LGA 1700 platform. After testing the Gigabyte variant, the Asus ROG Strix B760-I Gaming WiFi is now here for review. This motherboard is designed for DDR5 memory and at the same time, we can still note its good affordability. Take a look at all that the Asus motherboard brings and how it fares in the tests.

Analysis of power draw without power limits

There are only a few models among the cheaper Mini-ITX motherboards for the Intel LGA 1700 platform. After testing the Gigabyte variant, the Asus ROG Strix B760-I Gaming WiFi is now here for review. This motherboard is designed for DDR5 memory and at the same time, we can still note its good affordability. Take a look at all that the Asus motherboard brings and how it fares in the tests.

Analysis of power draw with power limits

There are only a few models among the cheaper Mini-ITX motherboards for the Intel LGA 1700 platform. After testing the Gigabyte variant, the Asus ROG Strix B760-I Gaming WiFi is now here for review. This motherboard is designed for DDR5 memory and at the same time, we can still note its good affordability. Take a look at all that the Asus motherboard brings and how it fares in the tests.

Achieved CPU clock speed w/o power limits…

… and with power limits

There are only a few models among the cheaper Mini-ITX motherboards for the Intel LGA 1700 platform. After testing the Gigabyte variant, the Asus ROG Strix B760-I Gaming WiFi is now here for review. This motherboard is designed for DDR5 memory and at the same time, we can still note its good affordability. Take a look at all that the Asus motherboard brings and how it fares in the tests.

CPU temperature without power limits…

…and with power limits

There are only a few models among the cheaper Mini-ITX motherboards for the Intel LGA 1700 platform. After testing the Gigabyte variant, the Asus ROG Strix B760-I Gaming WiFi is now here for review. This motherboard is designed for DDR5 memory and at the same time, we can still note its good affordability. Take a look at all that the Asus motherboard brings and how it fares in the tests.

VRM temperature w/o power limits…

… and with power limits

There are only a few models among the cheaper Mini-ITX motherboards for the Intel LGA 1700 platform. After testing the Gigabyte variant, the Asus ROG Strix B760-I Gaming WiFi is now here for review. This motherboard is designed for DDR5 memory and at the same time, we can still note its good affordability. Take a look at all that the Asus motherboard brings and how it fares in the tests.

SSD temperature

There are only a few models among the cheaper Mini-ITX motherboards for the Intel LGA 1700 platform. After testing the Gigabyte variant, the Asus ROG Strix B760-I Gaming WiFi is now here for review. This motherboard is designed for DDR5 memory and at the same time, we can still note its good affordability. Take a look at all that the Asus motherboard brings and how it fares in the tests.

Chipset temperature (south bridge)

There are only a few models among the cheaper Mini-ITX motherboards for the Intel LGA 1700 platform. After testing the Gigabyte variant, the Asus ROG Strix B760-I Gaming WiFi is now here for review. This motherboard is designed for DDR5 memory and at the same time, we can still note its good affordability. Take a look at all that the Asus motherboard brings and how it fares in the tests.

Conclusion

First of all, it’s worth noting that the ROG Strix B760-I Gaming WiFi is a fairly feature-rich motherboard for its size and its price range. The back panel with I/O ports is fuller than on the competing Gigabyte B760I Aorus Pro (DDR4) and little expense was spared on the sound adapter with the Realtek ALC1220 chip as well. Sure, it’s nothing special, but on a relatively cheap Mini-ITX board, such a solution can be considered above standard.

ROG Strix B760-I Gaming WiFi is primarily a motherboard for mid-range processors. But it can also achieve attractive power efficiency with more powerful and expensive models (CPUs), as long as you lower their power limit a bit. This can also be seen well in comparison to the Gigabyte (B760I Aorus Pro DDR4) motherboard mentioned above, where the efficiency of the Strix B760-I Gaming WiFi at lower power is significantly higher than when it’s being pushed to the edge. At that point, the efficiency is already even, but the significantly higher VRM temperatures play against the Asus board.

Hotspots attacking 120 °C may already look “threatening”, but it should be stressed that these are measurements without VRM heatsinks. With those on, the temperatures will be lower and further away from the critical values at which thermal throttling of the VRM could occur. However, that’s still at around 300W of power, and this motherboard expects a rather lower load. After reducing the sustained load of the Ci9-13900K test processor to the TDP level, the VRM suddenly gets to a comfortable value of around 60°C.After reducing the sustained load of the Ci9-13900K test processor to the TDP level, the VRM suddenly gets to a comfortable value of around 60°C. And in that case, the Asus is even cooler than the Gigabyte board being compared.

The move towards higher performance of “unlimited” Core i9s is reversing the situation, but owners of non-K processors (such as the Core i5-14400/F) needn’t care at all. They, on the other hand, will enjoy slightly lower power consumption at low load. Although the Strix B760-I Gaming WiFi’s efficiency in single-threaded load or “idle” is only average, we have had lower-power boards here. But again, these were usually more expensive as well, and in this case it is important to take into account the lower purchase price. Sure, another Mini-ITX board for similar money may have a more robust, better sized VRM, but again, those inevitable savings will show up in other places where the Strix B760-I Gaming WiFi has the upper hand. We’ve already talked about the above-standard port selection and audio solution.

The design of the SSD cooler is also above standard, both in terms of cooling performance and visuals (with the fancy ROG Strix logo), which everyone has to judge (and appreciate) for themselves. However, from the tests, we can conclude that many (SSD) coolers have lower cooling performance, but also higher.

No anomalies were observed in the speed measurements. Neither in tasks dependent on the performance of the CPU or the graphics card, nor in speed tests of the M.2 slots, ethernet or USB ports. When it comes to the USB ports, however, it’s good to highlight the presence of the 20-gigabit standard (3.2 gen. 2×2), which is rare in this price range.

Now you know the key pros and cons of the Asus ROG Strix B760-I Gaming WiFi and as long as you can work well with them, using this motherboard can be considered a good choice.

English translation and edit by Jozef Dudáš

Some of the tested boards are also available in the Datacomp e-store

Special thanks also to Blackmagic Design (for the license to DaVinci Resolve Studio) and Topaz Labs (for the licenses to DeNoise AI, Gigapixel AI and Sharpen AI)

• Contents
• Asus ROG Strix B760-I Gaming WiFi in detail
• What it looks like in the BIOS
• Methodology: Performance tests
• Methodology: How we measure power draw
• Methodology: Temperature and frequency measurements
• Test setup
• 3DMark
• Borderlands 3
• F1 2020
• Metro Exodus
• Shadow of the Tomb Raider
• Total War Saga: Troy
• PCMark and Geekbench
• Web performance
• 3D rendering: Cinebench, Blender, ...
• Video 1/2: Adobe Premiere Pro
• Video 2/2: DaVinci Resolve Studio
• Visual effects: Adobe After Effects
• Video encoding
• Audio encoding
• Photos: Adobe Photoshop, Affinity Photo, ...
• (De)compression
• (De)encryption
• Numerical computing
• Simulations
• Memory and cache tests
• M.2 (SSD) slots speed
• USB ports speed
• Ethernet speed
• Power draw without power limits
• Power draw with power limits
• Achieved CPU clock speed
• CPU temperature
• VRM temperature – thermal imaging of Vcore and SOC
• SSD temperature
• Chipset temperature (south bridge)
• Conclusion