AMD AM4 ITX Motherboard and Case Selection for Video Storage Box

Vitaliy_Kiselev

Topic solely for selection of ITX motherboard for AM4 Ryzen CPU based storage system.

Focused on small teams and individual video editors needs.

I'll be adding systematic info post by post.

Ideal modern storage ITX motherboard must allow:

Work with stock or slightly overclocked 8 core CPUs fine without VRM issues, in case you will want to use one for distributed rendering and will use RDP.
Usual CPU it will work with will be 2200G or 2400G 4 core with integrated GPU, if you want to use it for some previews and backup editing machine.
Ideally must allow to install pair of NVMe x4 SSD drives (one can be using PCIe 2.0).
The more SATA 3.0 ports - the better, support for SATA ports multiplier boards with ASMedia chipset is nice.
Have pair of USB 3.1 Gen2 10Mbit ports so you can transfer data from/to your fast SSD quick - check more
PCIe x16 slot will be taken by 10Gbit/Infiniband adapters to quickly use directly or dump large amount of footage at NAS/Server, so if some board have integrated 10Gbit adapter - it is also huge plus for expandability. But now such are absent on the market.
In case of distributed rendering you need quite good external GPU and revert to use 1Gbit controller

CPU info and limits

Ryzen is gaming/consumer CPU with some IO shortcomings by design, not so important for ITX boards.

Ryzen chips have 24 PCIe v3.0 lines.
4x goes to NVMe slot of board
16x go to GPU - and this one on A320 and B350/450 can't be split (aka bifurcation), to force MB makers to buy more expensive chipsets for SLI.
4x is left for the chipset. Chipset uses them for lot of things, including making multiple PCIe 2.0 lines.

Note! Ryzen 2200G or 2400G are designed such way that they provide only 8 PCIe 3.0 lines to GPU instead of 16x and they can't be split. All else is same. For ITX case it is not so important.

Chipset difference and motherboard limits

For ITX boards difference is extremely small, if exist, as usually it is only one PCIe slot, and bifurcation can be actually enabled on some boards even with B350/B450 chipsets and disabled on others using X370/X470 one.

Note that some motherboard can refuse to boot without GPU installed (if you use CPU without such) and this also is BIOS version dependent.
I'll try to add this info later.

Vitaliy_Kiselev

Wi-Fi adapters removal to add up to 4 extra SATA ports

It gives you one extra M.2 slot, very important with such big constrains.

This is how it looks at ASRock ITX boards:

Note that it is unusual Key E slot

Adapter

As connector on board is E key so you may need to modify M.2 side of adapter to fit in slot.

SATA controllers:

ASMedia 1061 controlled based, supports port multiplier (see below).

Price is around $20.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Mini-PCI-Express-SATA-3-0-Controller-Card/32329921426.html

Marvel 88SE9215 controller based, supports port multiplier (see below).

Price is around $36.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/IOCREST-4-Port-SATA-III-6G-Mini-PCI-Express-Controller-Card/32814284199.html[https://letyshops.com/r/aliexpress-1s642idt1fok8o]

What is SATA Port Multiplier?

It is board that looks like this.

Around $19

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/SATA-Expansion-Card-1-to-5-Port-SATA3-0-Controller-Card-Motherboard-SATA-Multiplier-Riser-Card/32899742104.html

Preferably you need one based on JMICRON JMB575 as it is SATA 3.0.

Note - port multiplier need support from main SATA controller and it's drivers.

Most Intel consumer chipsets dropped this support long time ago to avoid competition.

I can't find information about modern Ryzen chipsets made by ASMedia.

Such multipliers are also used inside many storage rackes connected via USB.

Another usage of M.2 slot

Extra network controllers.

One port Gigabit for $15

https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/IOCREST-Mini-PCI-Express-Gigabit-Ethernet-RJ45-Port-adapter-10-100-1000-Base-T-Network-LAN/900661_32546820614.html

Two ports one for $30-35.

https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/IOCREST-Mini-PCI-Express-Dual-Gigabit-Ethernet-Controller-Card-RTL8111-Chips/900661_32815484199.html

OS to use

Preferably use Windows Server 2016/2019.

From Windows 10 it is preferable to use Pro for Workstations edition.

You will need RDMA and SMB Direct if you use remote file work with fast network adapter (10Gbit and more).

Check at http://www.personal-view.com/talks/discussion/21443/going-further-40gb-and-56gb-infiniband-for-cheap-mellanox-and-windows-10#

Vitaliy_Kiselev

List of all B350,X370, B450 and X470, only ITX sized motherboards

I do not include Biostar here.

Red - something not good or missing feature.
Blue means - ok or average.
Teal - above average.
Green - really good for us.

AsRock

Fatal1ty B350 Gaming-ITX/ac
- 3x doubled elements phases CPU VCC, ISL95712 PWM controller, 2x FDPC5030 PowerTrech Power Clip dual N-channel MOSFETs per phase
- 2x doubled MOSFETs phases SOC/GPU VCC, ISL95712 PWM controller, 2x FDPC5030 PowerTrech Power Clip dual N-channel MOSFETs per phase
- VRM runs very hot with 8 core CPUs, SOC/GPU lacks heatsink!
- 1 PCIe 3.0 x16, Bifurcation works
- 1 M.2 (PCIe 3.0 x4), on back side of the board
- 4 SATA ports
- Realtek ALC1220 Audio
- Intel i211AT Gigabit LAN
- Slow 1x1 Intel 3168, a/b/g/n/ac, 2.4/5 GHz Dual-Band WiFi (433mbps tops)
- No USB 3.1 Gen2 ports
- No USB 3.1 Gen2 internal connector
- Two HDMI ports
- Unsure about "voltage offset" option
- No BCLK Overclock
- 128Mb BIOS Chip
Fatal1ty X370 Gaming-ITX/ac
- 3x doubled elements phases CPU VCC, ISL95712 PWM controller, 2x Sinopower SM7341EH dual N-channel MOSFETs per phase
- 2x doubled MOSFETs phases SOC/GPU VCC, ISL95712 PWM controller, 2x Sinopower SM7341EH dual N-channel MOSFETs per phase
- VRM runs very hot with 8 core CPUs, SOC/GPU lacks heatsink!
- 1 PCIe 3.0 x16, Bifurcation works
- 1 M.2 (PCIe 3.0 x4) on back side of the board
- 4 SATA ports
- Realtek ALC1220 Audio
- Intel i211AT Gigabit LAN
- 2x2 Intel 7265, a/b/g/n/ac, 2.4/5 GHz Dual-Band (867Mbps tops)
- No USB 3.1 Gen2 ports
- No USB 3.1 Gen2 internal connector
- Two HDMI ports
- Unsure about "voltage offset" option
- No BCLK Overclock
- 128Mb BIOS Chip
Fatal1ty B450 Gaming-ITX/ac
- 3x doubled elements phases CPU VCC, ISL95712 PWM controller, 2x FDPC5030 PowerTrech Power Clip dual N-channel MOSFETs per phase (can be also SM7341EH dual MOSFETs)
- 2x doubled MOSFETs phases SOC/GPU VCC, ISL95712 PWM controller, 2x FDPC5030 PowerTrech Power Clip dual N-channel MOSFETs per phase (can be also SM7341EH dual MOSFETs)
- VRM runs very hot with 8 core CPUs, SOC/GPU lacks heatsink!
- 1 PCIe 3.0 x16, Bifurcation works
- 1 M.2 (PCIe 3.0 x4), on back side of the board
- 4 SATA ports
- Realtek ALC1220 Audio
- Intel i211AT Gigabit LAN
- Slow 1x1 Intel 3168, a/b/g/n/ac, 2.4/5 GHz Dual-Band WiFi (433mbps tops)
- USB 3.1 Gen2 ports, Type A and Type C via B450 chipset
- No USB 3.1 Gen2 internal connector
- DisplayPort 1.2 and HDMI ports
- Unsure about "voltage offset" option
- No BCLK Overclock
- 128Mbit BIOS Chip
Fatal1ty X470 Gaming-ITX/ac
- 3x doubled elements phases CPU VCC, ISL95712 PWM controller, 2x FDPC5030 PowerTrech Power Clip dual N-channel MOSFETs per phase
- 2x doubled MOSFETs phases SOC/GPU VCC, ISL95712 PWM controller, 2x FDPC5030 PowerTrech Power Clip dual N-channel MOSFETs per phase
- VRM runs very hot with 8 core CPUs, SOC/GPU lacks heatsink!
- 1 PCIe 3.0 x16, Had some bifurcation issues
- 1 M.2 (PCIe 3.0 x4) on back side of the board
- 4 SATA ports
- Realtek ALC1220 Audio
- Intel i211AT Gigabit LAN
- 2x2 Intel 7265, a/b/g/n/ac, 2.4/5 GHz Dual-Band (867Mbps tops)
- USB 3.1 Gen2 ports, Type A and Type C via X470 chipset
- No USB 3.1 Gen2 internal connector
- Two HDMI ports
- Unsure about "voltage offset" option
- No BCLK Overclock
- 256Mbit BIOS Chip

Vitaliy_Kiselev

ASUS

ROG Strix B350-I Gaming
- 6x phases CPU VCC, ASP1405I PWM controller, BSG0812ND OptiMOS 5 Power Block per phase
- 1x phase SOC/GPU VCC, ASP1405I PWM controller, IR3555 Integrated PowIRstage per phase
- VRM runs hot with 8 core CPUs, SOC/GPU is one phase and lacks heatsink!
- 1 PCIe 3.0 x16, Bifurcation does not work
- 1 M.2 (PCIe 2.0 x4), on back side of the board
- 1 M.2 (PCIe 3.0 x4/SATA), unusual on top of the board
- 4 SATA ports
- Realtek ALC1220 Audio+dual amplifiers
- Intel i211AT Gigabit LAN
- 2x2 Intel 7265, a/b/g/n/ac, 2.4/5 GHz Dual-Band (867Mbps tops)
- USB 3.1 Gen2 ports, 2x Type A via B350 chipset
- No USB 3.1 Gen2 internal connector
- No graphics ports at all
- Unsure about "voltage offset" option
- Has BCLK Overclock
- 128Mb BIOS Chip
ROG Strix X370-I Gaming
- 6x phases CPU VCC, ASP1405I PWM controller, BSG0812ND OptiMOS 5 Power Block per phase
- 1x phase SOC/GPU VCC, ASP1405I PWM controller, IR3555 Integrated PowIRstage per phase
- VRM runs hot with 8 core CPUs, SOC/GPU is one phase and lacks heatsink!
- 1 PCIe 3.0 x16, Bifurcation does not work
- 1 M.2 (PCIe 3.0 x4), on back side of the board
- 1 M.2 (PCIe 3.0 x4/SATA), unusual on top of the board
- 4 SATA ports
- Realtek ALC1220 Audio+dual amplifiers
- Intel i211AT Gigabit LAN
- 2x2 Intel 7265, a/b/g/n/ac, 2.4/5 GHz Dual-Band (867Mbps tops)
- USB 3.1 Gen2 ports, 2x Type A via X370 chipset
- No USB 3.1 Gen2 internal connector
- No graphics ports at all
- Unsure about "voltage offset" option
- Has BCLK Overclock
- 128Mb BIOS Chip
ROG Strix B450-I Gaming
- 6x phases CPU VCC, ASP1405I PWM controller, one IR3555 Integrated PowIRstage per phase
- 1x phase SOC/GPU VCC, ASP1405I PWM controller, one IR3555 Integrated PowIRstage per phase
- VRM runs warm with 8 core CPUs, SOC/GPU is one phase and lacks heatsink!
- 1 PCIe 3.0 x16, Bifurcation does not work, as it is used for M2 slot
- 1 M.2 (PCIe 3.0 x4/SATA), on back side of the board
- 1 M.2 (PCIe 3.0 x4), shared lines with GPU, on top of the board, not available with Vega enabled CPUs
- 4 SATA ports
- Realtek ALC1220 Audio+dual amplifiers
- Intel i211AT Gigabit LAN
- 2x2 Intel 7265, a/b/g/n/ac, 2.4/5 GHz Dual-Band (867Mbps tops)
- USB 3.1 Gen2 ports, 2x Type A via B450 chipset
- No USB 3.1 Gen2 internal connector
- Single HDMI port
- Has "voltage offset" option
- Has BCLK Overclock
- 256Mb BIOS Chip
ROG Strix X470-I Gaming
- 6x phases CPU VCC, ASP1405I PWM controller, one IR3555 Integrated PowIRstage per phase
- 1x phase SOC/GPU VCC, ASP1405I PWM controller, one IR3555 Integrated PowIRstage per phase
- VRM runs warm with 8 core CPUs, SOC/GPU is one phase and lacks heatsink!
- 1 PCIe 3.0 x16, Bifurcation does not work, as it is used for M2 slot
- 1 M.2 (PCIe 3.0 x4/SATA), on back side of the board
- 1 M.2 (PCIe 3.0 x4), shared lines with GPU, on top of the board, not available with Vega enabled CPUs
- 4 SATA ports
- Realtek ALC1220 Audio+dual amplifiers
- Intel i211AT Gigabit LAN
- 2x2 Intel 7265, a/b/g/n/ac, 2.4/5 GHz Dual-Band (867Mbps tops)
- USB 3.1 Gen2 ports, 2x Type A via X470 chipset
- No USB 3.1 Gen2 internal connector
- Single HDMI port
- Has "voltage offset" option
- Has BCLK Overclock
- 256Mb BIOS Chip

Vitaliy_Kiselev

MSI

B350I PRO AC
- 6x phases CPU VCC, IR35201 PWM controller, one IR3555 Integrated PowIRstage per phase
- 2x phase SOC/GPU VCC, IR35201 PWM controller, one IR3555 Integrated PowIRstage per phase
- VRM runs warm with 8 core CPUs, SOC/GPU has heatsink
- 1 PCIe 3.0 x16, Bifurcation does not work
- 1 M.2 (PCIe 3.0 x4/SATA), on back side of the board
- 4 SATA ports
- Realtek ALC887 Audio
- Realtek 8111H Gigabit LAN
- Slow 1x1 Intel 3168, a/b/g/n/ac, 2.4/5 GHz Dual-Band WiFi (433mbps tops)
- Two USB 3.1 Gen2 Type A ports via B350 chipset
- No USB 3.1 Gen2 internal connector
- One HDMI and one Displayport 1.2
- Unsure about "voltage offset" option
- No BCLK Overclock
- 128Mb BIOS Chip
B450I Gaming Plus AC
- 6x phases CPU VCC, IR35201 PWM controller, one IR3555 Integrated PowIRstage per phase
- 2x phase SOC/GPU VCC, IR35201 PWM controller, one IR3555 Integrated PowIRstage per phase
- VRM runs warm with 8 core CPUs, SOC/GPU lacks heatsink!
- 1 PCIe 3.0 x16, Bifurcation does not work
- 1 M.2 (PCIe 3.0 x4/SATA), on back side of the board
- 4 SATA ports
- Realtek ALC887 Audio
- Realtek 8111H Gigabit LAN
- Slow 1x1 Intel 3168, a/b/g/n/ac, 2.4/5 GHz Dual-Band WiFi (433mbps tops)
- No USB 3.1 Gen2 ports
- No USB 3.1 Gen2 internal connector
- One HDMI and one Displayport 1.2
- Has "voltage offset" option
- No BCLK Overclock
- 128Mb BIOS Chip

Vitaliy_Kiselev

Gigabyte

GA-AB350N-Gaming WIFI
- 4x phases CPU VCC, IR35201 PWM controller, one IR3555(or IR3556) Integrated PowIRstage per phase
- 2x phase SOC/GPU VCC, IR35201 PWM controller, one IR3555(or IR3556) Integrated PowIRstage per phase
- Uses tantalum capacitors. VRM runs hot with 8 core CPUs, SOC/GPU has heatsink
- 1 PCIe 3.0 x16, Bifurcation does not work
- 1 M.2 (PCIe 3.0 x4/SATA), on back side of the board
- 4 SATA ports
- Realtek ALC1220 Audio
- Realtek 8111H Gigabit LAN
- Slow 1x1 Intel 3168, a/b/g/n/ac, 2.4/5 GHz Dual-Band WiFi (433mbps tops), but has M.2 socket for WiFi
- Two USB 3.1 Gen2 Type A ports via B350 chipset
- No USB 3.1 Gen2 internal connector
- One HDMI and one Displayport 1.2
- Unsure about "voltage offset" option
- No BCLK Overclock
- 128Mb BIOS Chip
B450 I AORUS PRO WIFI
- 4x phases CPU VCC, IR35201 PWM controller, one IR3556 Integrated PowIRstage per phase
- 2x phase SOC/GPU VCC, IR35201 PWM controller, one IR3556 Integrated PowIRstage per phase
- Uses tantalum capacitors. VRM runs hot with 8 core CPUs, SOC/GPU has heatsink
- 1 PCIe 3.0 x16, Bifurcation does not work
- 1 M.2 (PCIe 3.0 x4/SATA), on top side of the board
- 4 SATA ports
- Realtek ALC1220 Audio
- Intel Gigabit LAN
- Fast 2x2 Intel 9260 a/b/g/n/ac, 2.4/5 GHz Dual-Band WiFi (867mbps or 1.73Gbps in 160Mhz mode), has M.2 socket for WiFi
- Two USB 3.1 Gen2 Type A ports via B450 chipset
- No USB 3.1 Gen2 internal connector
- Two HDMI ports and one Displayport 1.2
- Unsure about "voltage offset" option
- No BCLK Overclock
- 128Mb BIOS Chip

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