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Review: ASRock FM2A88X-ITX+

by Tarinder Sandhu on 28 January 2014, 15:00

Tags: AsRock

Quick Link: HEXUS.net/qab73v

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Conclusion

...but aimed as it is for those that need a solid, feature-rich platform housed inside a small chassis, the A88X-ITX+ makes sense.

AMD's design choices for the all-new Kaveri APUs mean that a new socket, FM2+, is required for operation. Out of ASRock's 20 supporting boards the A88X-ITX+ is best-placed to serve the needs of the user who requires a small-form-factor motherboard that's strong in most categories.

Pint-sized it may be, but ASRock includes all the features that one would expect - a good topside layout, robust BIOS, WiFi, and modern ports - and none that would inflate the price unnecessarily. This isn't the cheapest A88X-based motherboard on the market, but aimed as it is for those that need a solid, feature-rich platform housed inside a small chassis, the A88X-ITX+ makes sense.

Enthusiasts need to understand that spatial restrictions do come into play with some components. For example, coolers that require brackets on the rear are fouled by components, while memory with larger-than-normal fins is unlikely to fit. But use standard components and the ASRock FM2A88X-ITX+ is a fine choice for a mainstream build.

The Good

Well-featured Mini ITX board
Solid performance
Above-average BIOS

The Bad

Components on back may cause issue

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ASRock FM2A88X-ITX+

HEXUS.where2buy

The ASRock FM2A88X-ITX+ motherboard is available to purchase from Amazon UK.

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At HEXUS, we invite the companies whose products we test to comment on our articles. If any company representatives for the products reviewed choose to respond, we'll publish their commentary here verbatim.


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HEXUS Forums :: 8 Comments

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Posted by CAT-THE-FIFTH - Tue 28 Jan 2014 16:59
Any chance you can test the A8 7600 with this motherboard too??
Posted by Medallish - Tue 28 Jan 2014 17:27
Well got this for my ITX build using a 7850K and a Thermalright AXP-100 cooler, I feared there would be problems with the components on the back, but so far it's been working perfectly, as long as you use the included washers.
Posted by CampGareth - Tue 28 Jan 2014 19:19
How's that HDMI input set up? I mean, is there much input lag, is it limited to HDMI 2.0 say, can I get SPDIF out from the HDMI in, can I record the HDMI input? That seems like a darned interesting feature for media centres and such, so much so that I might go build one specially.
Posted by MustardCutter - Wed 29 Jan 2014 08:48
Buyers had better heatsink those mosfets if asrock's APU ITX boards are anything to go by. My asrock fm2 A75 ITX board tried to fry itself and was flakey at best with some aftermarket sinks whilst other peoples set on fire. When they introduced the next model up asrock put a heat sink on.

Regarding the components fouling brackets on the back for coolers you can use something like the prolimatec sammuel which is a great low profile heatsink that doesn't use a back plate. Teamed with an akasa apache fan it works a treat for me.
Posted by CAT-THE-FIFTH - Wed 29 Jan 2014 09:00
CAT-THE-FIFTH
Any chance you can test the A8 7600 with this motherboard too??

Just realised those figures in the A8 7600 review are with the ASRock! Doh!

MustardCutter
Buyers had better heatsink those mosfets if asrock's APU ITX boards are anything to go by. My asrock fm2 A75 ITX board tried to fry itself and was flakey at best with some aftermarket sinks whilst other peoples set on fire. When they introduced the next model up asrock put a heat sink on.

Regarding the components fouling brackets on the back for coolers you can use something like the prolimatec sammuel which is a great low profile heatsink that doesn't use a back plate. Teamed with an akasa apache fan it works a treat for me.

TBF,the later versions of the ASRock FM2 and FM2+ mini-ITX motherboards use a 4+2 phase VRM and the A75 version used a 3+1 phase VRM.

The A8 7600 should consume less power than any of the 100W Trinity and Richland A10 CPUs and probably less under most conditions when compared to the 65W versions too.

Moreover,in a smaller case you are more likely to use a horizontal cooler which would blow air over the VRMs anyway.

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