ASRock Releases First Ultra-Thin Mini ITX AM5 Motherboard

As the size of modern PC components and coolers steadily increases, building a Small Form Factor (SFF) PC in some of the best mini-ITX cases proves progressively difficult. This is especially evident when trying to fit some of the latest components into a notably small mini-ITX case, like the Lian Li Q58 or the Ridge by Fractal Design. When building a mini PC, even a few millimeters can make a difference in aesthetics, cooling, and performance. That's why ASRock's latest AM5 motherboard might be paving the way for all future SFF and compact PC builds with a uniquely innovative product.

Known for making some of the best gaming motherboards, ASRock's newest X600TM-ITX stands proudly as the world's first-ever thin AM5 motherboard, touting next-generation performance in an impressively small package. This thin motherboard boasts an array of design features meant to improve and streamline small PC builds, with a focus on aiding HTPCs, Smart Mirrors, and Mini PCs.

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X600TM-ITX: World's First Thin AM5 Mini-ITX Motherboard

Mini-ITX motherboards are impressively small, but the X600TM-ITX takes compact to another level completely with its thin I/O. While most ITX motherboards boast tall and clunky I/O shields filled with ports that are rarely used, the X600TM-ITX introduces a unique and customizable I/O that nearly halves the thickness of the standard I/O shields present on Mini-ITX alternatives.

Plus, the X600TM-ITX appears to take a unique approach to RAM by opting to use SO-DIMM RAM, a smaller form factor commonly found in laptop devices. Much like how it is used in laptops, the SO-DIMM RAM on the X600TM-ITX is installed horizontally rather than vertically. This added detail, among a few others, helps to keep your motherboard flat in order to preserve precious space inside your SFF build, making even more room for coolers, radiators, and case fans around the CPU and RAM.

For those who may be worried about component compatibility for their existing SFF and Mini PC cases, worry not! The X600TM-ITX is also fully compatible with the standard Mini-ITX form factor, measuring about 170 mm x 170 mm. This means the X600TM-ITX does not require any proprietary hardware to use this motherboard in future builds.

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X600TM-ITX: User-Friendly Customizable I/O Configuration

As stated previously, when building an SFF PC, millimeters make a world of difference. SFF PCs are meant to be streamlined and carefully crafted to ensure there is no wasted space, and ASRock truly takes that sentiment to heart with the X600TM-ITX. This motherboard features a partially customizable I/O, with several options available to ensure you can get the most out of your motherboard.

Users can choose between several display options for their motherboard's I/O panel, including HDMI, DisplayPort, and even the less often-used D-Sub port. Customization of these ports appears thorough, with the ability to choose several combinations of these ports. In addition to specific display options, users can also choose between two different USB options. By default, the X600TM-ITX motherboard comes with two Gen1 USB Type-A ports. With I/O customization, however, users can opt to include two more of the same USB-A ports, or a more modern USB-C port and a USB Gen2 Type-A port.

Although this feature isn't exactly groundbreaking, it is an addition that is definitely appreciated by PC and SFF enthusiasts. Customization like this should be present on more components in the future, as need-specific customization can greatly help customer satisfaction and utility.

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X600TM-ITX: Specifications and Performance

How does the X600TM-ITX perform? Although the X600TM-ITX is currently unreleased and has no reviews, we can gauge performance based on the listed specifications seen in the table below:

X600TM-ITX: What To Expect & Possible Limitations

When taking a look at the specifications table for the X600TM-ITX, it's clear that the performance that is promised is impressive given the motherboard's size, but the X600TM-ITX is not without limitations. It is generally safe to say that the X600TM-ITX is not exactly suited for high-end gaming. However, this fact can be present throughout a wide variety of SFF builds, which are usually bottlenecked in some fashion due to cooling, component, and size constraints.

The X600TM-ITX is most notably at a huge disadvantage for gamers due to the lack of a PCIe x16 slot, which is the main slot used for modern, dedicated graphics cards. Although the X600TM-ITX can rely on AMD's integrated graphics, gamers will inevitably be constrained to low or medium-end graphics while trying to game natively. However, the impressive display output of the X600TM-ITX makes it a great option for those looking to build a small and inconspicuous Game Streaming PC, or a Home Theater PC (HTPC). When used in this capacity, users will be able to enjoy a crisp, high-resolution display up to 4K at 120Hz.

Furthermore, the computing capabilities of the compatible AM5 processors significantly widen the range of possibilities for this small but mighty motherboard.

X600TM-ITX: What Build Is It Best Suited For?

With everything we know so far about the X600TM-ITX, there are a few instances where the X600TM-ITX will be able to fully shine. Due to the customizable aspects of the Rear I/O Panel and the surprisingly crisp quality of the display and audio output, this motherboard stands out as one of the best options for someone looking to build an SFF PC that uses a game streaming client. Building off of that, the assortment of M.2 and SATA storage slots also proves that this motherboard would also make for a fantastic, lightning-fast HTPC.

In addition to that, the X600TM-ITX can be used in any specific type of compact build where a lot of RAM or processing power is needed. For example, ASRock proudly boasts that the X600TM-ITX motherboard is an ideal companion for Smart Mirrors and educational PCs.

Price & Availability

Unfortunately, due to the newness of this product, little is known about the price and availability of the X600TM-ITX. Although the X600TM-ITX is not quite available yet, The Best War Games has covered and reviewed a wide assortment of similar motherboards that may prove to be ideal for your next PC build:

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FAQ

Q: What motherboard is smaller than Mini-ITX?

Although not commonly used in modern PCs, nano-ITX motherboards are considered to be one of the smallest form factors, measuring about 4.7 in x 4.7 in. This size difference is pretty significant compared to the already small Mini-ITX, which measures in at about 6.7 in x 6.7 in. However, nano-ITX motherboards are relatively limited in terms of power consumption, so they're not a popular option for modern PCs.

Q: What is the difference between Mini-ITX and Thin Mini-ITX?

The main difference between these two form factors lies in the thickness of the I/O Shield. For example, the standard Mini-ITX I/O shield is generally about 46mm, but the thin Mini-ITX is about 25 mm in height.