ASRock M8 Mini-ITX Z87 Barebones System Review

Rating: 8.5.

If there's one thing that makes attending gaming events awkward, it's lugging an awkwardly-sized, 15kg+ system from your home to the destination. Many Mini-ITX systems have aimed to solve the problem, but very few have managed to reduce size while maintaining high levels of gaming performance. And for the companies that have been able to shrink a powerful gaming machine into a Mini-ITX case, the system can still be quite a struggle to re-locate.

Is the M8, ASRock's Mini-ITX Z87 system, the answer to those problems?

Compressing a specifically-designed Mini-ITX motherboard into a custom-built chassis that isn’t much larger than an Xbox 360, ASRock’s M8 has the power and capacity that provide the foundation for a formidable gaming system. 802.11ac WiFi, a Creative Sound Core3D audio chip, and space for graphics cards longer than 25cm give further indication that the M8 can form a powerful gaming machine.

With a 450W SFX power supply, space for up to five 2.5” hard drives, and an overclocking-capable Z87 motherboard, ASRock provides plenty of options for the M8’s target audience to build a powerful machine into its unique enclosure.

How will the ASRock M8’s compressed, Mini-ITX form factor and unique design fair when tasked with housing modern gaming components?

Features:

• Intel Z87 Motherboard Inside
• Supports 4th Gen Intel® Core Processor
• A-Command with G-sensor Integrated
• Creative SoundCore 3D 7.1 CH HD Audio
• 2T2R WiFi 802.11ac + Bluetooth 4.0
• XSplit 3 Months Premium License
• Supports ASRock Key Master

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