[Canceled order] Z790-I : How to connect audio to MB or exotic HIVE ? No Beeper

[roganaut]

Hi,

having ordered this mainboard there are some issues which I do not understand.
The manual is hardly telling anything related audio.

1. Why did Asus spare the priceless system speaker header secretly? At least my Z690-I has the header peculiarly on the doughter board. I like the relieving beep.

2. How to connect audio to the mainboard?

3. If not intending to use the clumsy HIVE block where and how are speaker connected?

4. As apparently all audio functions are outsourced to Asus HIVE what if HIVE is broken? No HIVE : No audio?

Mini-ITX and ROG STRIX HIVE are a contradictio in adiecto in my view.

[JohnAb]

I guess the audio functions have been migrated to that external unit to keep the motherboard so small. When I looked at it the other day I thought it looked pretty neat if a small build is needed, but yeah, I guess it's a new approach. As far as a motherboard audio speaker is concerned, they seem to be going out of fashion even if the pins are there. Certainly didn't get a speaker with my last two motherboards. Sad really, I like the beeps as well.

[roganaut]

@JohnAb
Yes, the beep is meanwhile obviously an old school sentiment. Having tinkered a lot with the Z690-I the beeper always gives me alleviation not having messed something up.

What I dislike is the silent vanishing of useful features. It should be optional. I can't imagine the HIVE will have any hype as no one seems to use it.
Asus is somewhat hiding it and seems to be not very convinced as there does not exist further promotion and no manual how to use it, just short explanations on FAQ.

[JohnAb]

Hmmm. Interesting. Whilst I liked the look of the board, it seem seem expensive (as I remember) for such a tiny thing!

[roganaut]

It's the most expensive Mini-ITX ever! Just ordered it because air-cooling does work within limitations on Z690-I as the M.2 heatsink is blocking. So either additional third-party heatsink for M.2 or live with blower orientation against the side panel. The brandnew Z790-I offers a good air-cooler compatibility. Otherwise I would have skipped this generation because of the exorbitant pricing.

[JohnAb]

Will be interested to know what you think of it then - it if works as well as it looks, I think it will be very nice 🙂

[roganaut]

@JohnAB

As I have canceled my order unfortunately I cannot test it. I wanted to like this motherboard but the bulky external HIVE discouraged me.
I'll stick to my Z690-I for the moment. I dropped the MB heatsink which interfered with a cpu cooler tube and installed a third-party M.2 heatsink. Reseated the cpu cooler square which is properly blowing rear side now and the temps are excellent.

[JohnAb]

Thanks for the update. Good news on the 690-I then, enjoy