ASUS ROG Strix X870-A Gaming WiFi review: Future-proof!

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ASUS ROG Strix X870-A Gaming WiFi review: Future-proof!
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ASUS ROG Strix X870-A Gaming WiFi - Benchmark results

First, I ran the benchmark tool offered by CPU-Z. In the Single-Thread test, I got an identical average score for the AMD Ryzen 7 9700X with both the ASUS ROG Strix X870-A Gaming WiFi and the ASUS Prime X670E-Pro WiFi motherboards. The difference between these two setups and the one with the ASUS ROG Strix X670E-A Gaming WiFi was only 1%.

Benchmark results in CPU-Z Single Thread

Benchmark results in CPU-Z Single Thread

In CPU-Z’s Multi-Thread test, which measures the all-core performance of the processor, the Ryzen 9 7900X got a slightly higher score on the ASUS ROG Strix X870-A Gaming WiFi. However, the results were very close, with differences of 2.12% at most.

Benchmark results in CPU-Z Multi Thread

Benchmark results in CPU-Z Multi Thread

In Cinebench 2024, the processor delivered better results when paired with the ASUS ROG Strix X870-A Gaming WiFi compared to the other two motherboards. Compared to them, the CPU coupled with the motherboard I’m reviewing proved to be faster by up to 6.35%.

Benchmark results in Cinebench 2024

Benchmark results in Cinebench 2024

Blender is usually the second rendering benchmark I run. Unfortunately, during the time I had the ASUS ROG Strix X870-A Gaming WiFi motherboard, Blender simply refused to run, issuing only errors. Thus, I must skip it this time…

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Next up was the PCMark 10 benchmark, which evaluates a computer’s performance across various everyday tasks, such as web browsing, video conferencing, productivity work, and digital content creation. The Ryzen 7 9700X processor delivered nearly identical results, with differences of less than 0.32%, on all three motherboards.

Benchmark results in PCMark 10

Benchmark results in PCMark 10

In JetStream 2.2, I got similar scores with all motherboards. The differences are again very low, under 2.28%.

Benchmark results in JetStream 2.2

Benchmark results in JetStream 2.2

Using 7-Zip’s benchmark tool, I noticed some unexpected results. The compression speed was up to 14.13% faster with the ASUS ROG Strix X870-A Gaming WiFi. I think this might be a result of the improvements in the UEFI of this motherboard, compared to the state of the UEFI on the other two boards I tested back in August. It could also be related to recent updates in Windows 11 and the drivers provided by AMD.

Compression speed in 7-Zip

Compression speed in 7-Zip

Similarly, the decompression speed measured by 7-Zip was up to 5.82% faster with the ASUS ROG Strix X870-A Gaming WiFi, compared to the other two setups.

Decompression speed in 7-Zip

Decompression speed in 7-Zip

Next, I tested a few games at 1080p resolution with the graphics quality set to the lowest, to make sure the AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT graphics card wouldn’t cause any bottlenecks.

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In Cyberpunk 2077, with the ASUS ROG Strix X870-A Gaming WiFi motherboard, I hit 223 frames per second, which is much higher (up to 19.25%) than what I got with the other two motherboards. I think this boost is likely due to recent updates in the graphics and chipset drivers, along with improvements in Windows 11 and the UEFI.

Benchmark results in Cyberpunk 2077

Benchmark results in Cyberpunk 2077

In Assassin’s Creed Mirage, however, the motherboards offered similar results. The setup using the ASUS ROG Strix X870-A Gaming WiFi was one frame per second slower (-0.40%) than the one using an ASUS ROG Strix X670E-A Gaming WiFi, yet seven frames per second faster (2.81%) than the computer with the ASUS Prime X670E-Pro WiFi.

Benchmark results in Assassin's Creed Mirage

Benchmark results in Assassin's Creed Mirage

In Remnant II, the average framerate I recorded was much the same in all cases. However, with the ASUS ROG Strix X870-A Gaming WiFi, I got a slightly higher frame rate (by up to 4.71%) compared to the results of the other two motherboards.

Benchmark results in Remnant II

Benchmark results in Remnant II

Finally, in Horizon Forbidden West, the results were mixed. With the ASUS ROG Strix X870-A Gaming WiFi, I had a frame rate of 135 fps, which is slightly more (1.51%) than the result achieved with the ASUS Prime X670E-Pro WiFi. However, the number of frames per second with the reviewed motherboard was also slightly lower (-2.88%) than the one I got using the ASUS ROG Strix X670E-A Gaming WiFi.

Benchmark results in Horizon Forbidden West

Benchmark results in Horizon Forbidden West

The benchmarks show that, with the right components, a computer built upon the ASUS ROG Strix X870-A Gaming WiFi motherboard is not only stable but also powerful.

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Software bundled with the ASUS ROG Strix X870-A Gaming WiFi

Together with the ASUS ROG Strix X870-A Gaming WiFi motherboard, ASUS offers two apps by default: ASUS DriverHub and Armoury Crate.

ASUS DriverHub is a tool that makes it easier to manage drivers for ASUS hardware, especially motherboards. It helps you find, download, and update the drivers you need for your system. It’s a convenient way to handle driver updates in one place. Unfortunately, it also suggests extra apps like Norton 360 and WinRAR. The good news is you can choose what to install, so just be sure to uncheck any apps you don’t want during the process.

ASUS DriverHub lets you download and install drivers easily

ASUS DriverHub lets you download and install drivers easily

Armoury Crate is the other application you are suggested to install. It acts like a central hub for managing and controlling all ASUS devices and system settings. This tool allows you to easily customize RGB lighting effects with Aura Sync, adjust system performance, and download or update drivers and UEFI. It also provides real-time monitoring of CPU, GPU, RAM, and storage performance, and it offers custom game profiles that automatically apply preferred settings for different games, making it a comprehensive solution for optimizing your ASUS hardware.

Armoury Crate lets you personalize your ASUS devices

Armoury Crate lets you personalize your ASUS devices

Both ASUS DriverHub and Armoury Crate are tools you’ll likely want on your computer. The first one simplifies the whole driver installation process, while the latter helps you manage your system and personalize it just the way you like it.

What’s your opinion about the ASUS ROG Strix X870-A Gaming WiFi?

Now that this review has come to an end, what’s your opinion about the ASUS ROG Strix X870-A Gaming WiFi? Do you want something like it? A motherboard full of features and with a modern chipset that will future-proof your computer for at least a couple of years from now on? What about its white-themed design? Do you fancy this look? Or does it look too much like an Imperial Stormtrooper’s computer? 🙂 Let me know your opinions about this motherboard in the comments section below, and if you have something to add or ask, don’t hesitate to write it down too.

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