ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Impact Mini-ITX (Intel Z170) Motherboard Review

Introduction

For years, the mini-ITX platform has become more and more exciting. While power requirements have eased off in recent years, full-sized ATX boards still bring many advantages that most mini-ITX boards can't compete with because of their size. It might be more difficult to justify purchasing a mini-ITX X99 series motherboard, but a mini-ITX Z170 motherboard does make a lot of sense. Size is the biggest advantage and constraint of a mini-ITX motherboard, so the trick is to find the right balance.

ASUS utilizes some interesting techniques to bring full-sized ATX features to the mini-ITX arena. For starters, the motherboard has four daughterboards, and they serve her well. Going from largest to smallest; the first daughterboard carries a hefty VRM that powers the CPU and DRAM, the second provides SupremeFX Impact III audio, the third provides Wireless AC with MU-MIMO support, and the final one provides Impact Control III (POST code and OC features). This little motherboard is jam packed with features you usually find on larger full-sized ATX motherboard. Let's take a look at this deceivingly tiny beast.

Specifications

The ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) Maximus VIII Impact provides many high-end features. The motherboard carries both type-C and type-A USB 3.1 ports, 4x rear USB 3.0, 2x USB 3.0 through an internal header, U.2, two DIMMs, one PCI-E 16x slot, Wireless AC with MU-MIMO support, and SupremeFX Impact III Audio.

Pricing

At the time of writing, the Maximus VIII Impact is priced at $248 on Newegg, making it one of the more expensive Z170 motherboards currently on the market.