ASUS ROG Strix X470-F Gaming Review

Up Close

Having seen the PCB of the B360 Strix we were kinda hoping that it would be something which would transfer to all the next Strix motherboard models, but instead the X470 restricts it to a swappable chipset heatsink. It’s about as near to a monochrome stickerbomb as we think is possible, so it’s bound to find an audience somewhere. Given the “Marmite” nature perhaps it’s wise for ASUS to have gone a little bit subtler on this launch motherboard. Perhaps a revision or a different one down the line will go all in on the loud PCB idea.

  
  

ASUS were the first manufacturer to blend the IO section in with the MOSFET heatsinks and the Strix makes full use of this by implementing a RGB ROG eye logo as well as the gorgeous looks that this combined IO/heatsink always brings. The eagle-eyed amongst you will also spot that there is an RGB LED header and two fan headers just above the top M.2 heatspreader.

  

Fan headers are all important for keeping your system running at maximum happiness and the Strix has a reasonable selection in all the places you’d hope to find them. We have two above the CPU socket itself and one just off to the side should you require three. Neither the Strix nor the Crosshair VII have the reinforced DIMM slots so be careful with that axe, Eugene.

  

Just like the Crosshair VII Hero that we also previewed today, the Strix-F has RGB LED strip headers as well as addressable headers. There are plenty of front panel USB headers too, and the primary M.2 slot sits just below the chipset heatsink.