Performance & Wrap Upwardly

Instead of running a bunch of gaming benchmarks to show frames per second data, we are going to focus on ability, temperature and noise. Later on all, this is a barebone arrangement that tin exist configured with anything from an Intel Pentium G3220 (dual-core 54w TDP) to a Core i7-4770K (quad-cadre with HT, 84w TDP), not to mention the practically infinite range of GPUs that could be used.

Power Watts
Idle 44 watts
Prime95 117 watts
Prime95 + FurMark 277 watts

When idling, the Asrock M8 consumed just 44 watts -- typical for a organization running an i5-4430 and GTX 760. That figure jumped to 117W with CPU load and 277W when both the CPU and GPU were stressed.

Temps CPU GPU
Idle 32 44
Prime95 + FurMark 60 ninety

You're costless to setup a fan profile in the BIOS and we opted for the silent setting, which still managed to produce excellent thermals with the CPU idling at but 32 degrees and never exceeding 60 degrees.

The GPU was a little hotter notwithstanding, as idle temperatures never dropped below 44 degrees or lxxx degrees under load. For comparison, the aforementioned graphics card never got hotter than 71 degrees with an ambient room temperature of 21 degrees on an open test bed. Still, we are happy enough with the M8'due south operating temperatures.

Noise dBa
Idle 41
Prime95 + FurMark 52

When at idle or carrying out bones tasks the M8 is very serenity but that changes quickly when load is introduced. Earlier long, the system was belting out 52 dBa of noise, which was as well loud for our liking.

Closing Thoughts

Asrock'south M8 is a beautiful machine and we wanted to similar it the moment we opened its box. In the cease, the system left united states with mixed feelings, even if its good looks and unorthodox layout kept united states distracted from its shortcomings, which include a poorly written manual, noisy instance fans and a $550 price tag (barebones).

As is often the situation with Mini-ITX cases, installing hardware tin can be hard, and the M8 is probably the most challenging nosotros've come up across in quite some time. In fact, subsequently working with Asrock's system, my complaints well-nigh the SG10 having a difficult installation process seems kind of empty-headed looking dorsum.

Still, as I said back then, the challenge of building in these tiny cases is enjoyable for well-nigh enthusiasts and that even so ought to be true. We suspect that experienced system builders will relish the Asrock M8, though novices should probably know what they're getting into earlier breaking out a credit bill of fare.

To be clear, in that location's nothing necessarily wrong with the M8's design -- much of it is exceptional -- and that helps soften its asking cost. At $550, the M8 is a sizeable investment, peculiarly if it'southward outfitted with a gaming-grade processor and graphics carte. Anything less would be a disservice in our book.

We would recommend the GeForce GTX 760, at the very least a Core i5-4430, 8GB of DDR3 retentivity and an SSD such equally the Samsung'due south 840 Evo 250GB, which amounts to a full build cost of around $one,300 -- slightly less than our setup, though it'd also be short 4TB worth of storage.

Asrock'southward M8 certainly isn't the most cost effective route to a mobile gaming system, nor is it the easiest or the quietest. However, information technology is one of the best looking Mini-ITX systems we have worked with and we can't see how any gamer would be disappointed with a well-stocked M8 sitting on their desk.

Pros: A gorgeous chassis that can house conventional enthusiast hardware in an unconventionally small space.

Cons: Non exactly the best value going while being harder to assemble and louder under load than we expected.