Quite frankly, the cooler options aren't an issue. I've used a CLC in the past for the M8I, currently its sitting in a custom loop (7700K 5.1G/1080 Ti FE).

Its quite an engineering marvel. I'm able to run a regular Samsung B Single Ranked kit at 3200MHz 1T with a stock VCCIO and mildly undervolted VCCSA that does GSAT without issues and the VRMs have trouble even reaching 50C with oceanic summer on prime 95 small FFTs.

I don't think there are other ITX boards in close vicinity of this one, the strix z370i included.


As per comment by Elmor, STRIX boards are rebranded pro gamings. Wasn't a fan of the pro gaming lineup.
https://www.reddit.com/r/hardware/comments/6atydw/open_but_personal_letter_to_the_pc_components/dhj7...

I was never impressed by the huge array of tradeoff this-or-that mobo models, either. I'd prefer a full-featured (MAXIMUS or EXTREME) type of mobo as well.

ASUS has apparently decided (or discovered) that high end mobos in small form factor just don't sell. Sadly.

Not an ASUS product, and not as powerful as a MAXIMUS, but seeing as how ASUS has chosen to not compete anyhow - here is a 3.5" SBC board with embedded SoC i7-7600U. I'd love to see ASUS offer comparable products in the future.

No Impact planned for this gen.

Thanks for the concise answer Raja, about no chance of looking at Z370.
I hope the Impact will make a return on next year's platform.