Biostar announces the latest addition to the growing mini-ITX family of BIOSTAR motherboards with the introduction mini-ITX motherboards for AMD AM4 platform and the first mini-ITX RGB LED-capable mot... Biostar adds X370GTN and B350GTN Mini-ITX Ryzen Motherboards
It is important that they put a bunch of LEDs on MBO and CPU VRM-s are basic. Pitty that there is so little ITX AM4 motherboards on the market right now.
As someone who is anxiously waiting for boards like these, I heard the Biostar ones are rumored to be released on the 21st. The Japanese market is the only one with a definitive release date of April 28th (where they can pre-order on the 21st). I'm not entirely sure if North American or European markets get earlier access. I really hope it's available on the 21st anyway... I heard ASRock is leaning more toward late April to June release dates for their ITX board, and Gigabyte even later. Personally, I'm fine with the Biostar boards, I just wish they had an 8-pin CPU connector.
Thanks for the info, in either case we'll know in less than 10 days. I would prefer ASRock, but I haven't heard much about their plans and I really want the 370 in ITX form factor. I'm willing to give Biostar a shot.
I have pretty much the exact same thought process. I never bought a Biostar board before but it looks like this isn't as cheaply made as many of their others. Aside from the brand name itself, what worries me most is the 4-pin CPU power connector. I was considering buying a 1600 and overclock it, but based on some reviews I've seen of the 1600/X overclocked, these CPUs managed to exceed 150W when comparing the difference between idle and full load. In a best-case scenario, some reviewers had a roughly 130W difference. 4-pin CPU connectors are designed to safely handle 144W. Since Biostar isn't known for their durability, I am not taking my chances. So, I'm going to go for a 1500X, which seems to use (on average) about 30W less than a similarly clocked 1600/X. I'm telling you all of this in case you intend to go the same route as me. I'm not saying a 1600/X can't be safely overclocked in a 4-pin arrangement, but I find it a bit of a risky gamble. I would certainly recommend you stay below 1.4v if you choose to get one. I would say to not even attempt an overclock on any of the Ryzen 7s. I do know ASRock does intend to make an ITX board, with wifi and I think built-in Soundblaster, neither of which I care about. So, I personally won't bother waiting for this.
