ASRock Rack X570D4I-2T Mini-ITX Motherboard Review for AMD Ryzen Processors

Description

Compact Design Meets High Performance

Testing the ASRock Rack X570D4I-2T Mini-ITX Server Motherboard in my system, I couldn’t help but appreciate its compact mini-ITX form factor (6.7″ x 6.7″), which works wonders for small builds. Despite the diminutive size, it manages to pack a serious punch. It’s an excellent choice for those who want to save on space without compromising on power. Setting it up in my compact case was smooth, as everything fit perfectly. The layout didn’t feel cramped, and all ports were easily accessible.

The build quality is robust, which gave me confidence while handling it. Compared to other motherboards I’ve used, this one felt thoughtfully designed for compact environments. If you’re working on a home server or a power-packed small form factor gaming rig, this motherboard’s design would be a great fit.

Performance That Stands Out

What really blew me away while testing this motherboard was its ability to support AMD Ryzen™ 5000 Series Desktop Processors. I paired it with a Ryzen 5 processor, and the performance was seamless. Multitasking, running virtual machines, and even compiling large codebases felt like a breeze. The inclusion of 4 DIMM slots supporting ECC/non-ECC SODIMM is a big plus, especially for those of us who need a reliable server for data integrity. I personally tested it with 32GB of ECC RAM, and the stability was unmatched.

The PCIe 4.0 x16 slot is another standout feature. Installing a graphics card for some GPU-intensive tasks worked flawlessly, with no bottlenecks whatsoever. For anyone looking to utilize a high-speed SSD, the M.2 slot (PCIe 4.0 x4 or SATA 6Gb/s) ensures blazing-fast read/write speeds, which I tested thoroughly with my NVMe SSD.

Positives

Here are a few noteworthy key benefits I observed:

• Compact size makes it perfect for small or tight builds.
• ECC RAM support ensures data integrity and reliability.
• PCIe 4.0 compatibility provides excellent speed for GPUs and SSDs.
• Dual 10GbE LAN ports deliver top-tier networking performance.

Areas of Improvement

While I enjoyed my experience, like any product, there are shortcomings worth noting:

• The BIOS interface could be more user-friendly for beginners.
• Limited fan headers might be restrictive for advanced cooling setups.
• The price point feels a bit steep for casual users.

These aren’t dealbreakers, but they’re worth considering depending on your specific needs.

Networking Excellence

One of the most impressive features of this motherboard is its dual RJ45 10GbE ports powered by Intel® X550-AT2. These ports didn’t just look good on paper—they delivered exceptional speed and reliability during real-world testing. Transferring massive files between my NAS and desktop was incredibly quick. For anyone building a server or working in environments where high-speed networking is essential, this is a game-changer.

The remote management (IPMI) feature is another highlight. I experimented with it to monitor my server remotely, and it worked flawlessly. Having this level of control and accessibility is immensely useful, especially when the system runs 24/7.

Storage and Expandability

Storage options on this motherboard are nothing short of impressive. With 2 OCuLink ports (PCIe 4.0 x4 or 4 SATA 6Gb/s) and 9 SATA 6Gb/s ports, it’s a dream for anyone working with multiple drives. I connected both SSDs and HDDs, and everything was recognized instantly without any hiccups. For a mini-ITX board to offer such flexibility, I found it quite remarkable.

The expandability ensured I wasn’t limited despite the compact size. Whether you’re running a RAID setup, attaching multiple drives for a media server, or just need some serious storage, this motherboard has you covered.

Competing Products

Comparing this motherboard to some direct competitors, like the ASUS ROG Strix B550-I or Gigabyte AORUS X570I, a few things stood out. While those boards also cater to compact builds, the ASRock Rack X570D4I-2T edges ahead in server applications due to its ECC RAM support and dual 10GbE ports. These features are rare in similar-sized motherboards and make it an obvious choice for professional server setups.

However, if you’re purely looking at gaming performance, the competitors might offer a more gamer-centric BIOS and RGB lighting options. For me, the focus on reliability and high-speed networking made this motherboard a better fit for work and productivity purposes.

Quality for Price

From my perspective, the price to quality ratio seems justified for someone who needs a high-performance mini-ITX motherboard with server-grade features. It’s definitely not the cheapest on the market, but the premium you pay goes towards essential components like 10GbE networking, ECC RAM support, and PCIe 4.0 slots.

If your primary goal is to build a high-end home server or a workstation-grade PC in a small form factor, you’ll find the features worth the investment. For casual users, though, the premium features might not feel as necessary.

Experiencing this motherboard firsthand, I can confidently say it’s a solid choice for enthusiasts and professionals who need a space-saving, high-performance solution. There’s a lot to love here, but it’s crucial to weigh your needs against its favorable attributes and potential limitations.

Additional information