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Junior Intel chipsets have always been noticeably different in their list of features from their older counterparts, and the current current H310 is no exception. As before, you can use only one module for each of the memory channels, there are only four SATA sockets, the PCI-E version is unprecedentedly outdated as for the boards that became the basis of the system in 2018 – 2.0, and the DMI bus generation is still the same – the second, what brings with it a narrowed data exchange channel with the processor. The actual differences from the previous H110 lie in native support for USB 3.1 Gen1 (USB 3.1 Gen2 is the prerogative of only older chips) and the ability to use the CNVi interface to work with a wireless network adapter. The table from the review of the Gigabyte H370 Aorus Gaming 3 WiFi will help compare the capabilities of the chips of the “three hundredth” family.
Nevertheless, the market demand for boards for “launching” the latest generation processors was so high that the stocks of fresh chips were quickly depleted, and the company could not (or did not want to) replenish them due to lack of production capacity. As we already know, the upcoming H310C will be manufactured using a thicker process technology and will replace the H310 we are considering today. To assess the capabilities of the current representative of the younger galaxy of chips, we chose a compact model from ASUS – Prime H310I-Plus, where the implementation of the hub’s capabilities is close to the maximum, and third-party controllers are not involved.
It must be recalled that there is no support for overclocking the CPU and RAM, because the power of the power subsystem is designed exclusively for the normal operation of the system, but this also needs to be checked. The characteristics of the device are summarized in the summary table below.
| Model | ASUS Prime H310I-Plus |
|---|---|
| Official product page on the Web | asus.com |
| Chipset | Intel H310 |
| Processor socket | Socket 1151 |
| Processors | Core i7, Core i5, Core i3, Pentium Gold, Celeron (Coffee Lake-S) |
| Memory | 2 DIMM DDR4 SDRAM 2133/2400/2666, 32 GB maximum |
| PCI slots | 1 x PCI Express 3.0 x16 |
| M.2 | 1 x PCI Express 2.0 x4, SATA 6Gb/s (Key M, 2260/2280) 1 x PCI Express 2.0 x1, CNVi (Key E, 2230) |
| Integrated video core (in the processor) | Intel UHD 610/630 |
| Video connectors | HDMI 1.4b, DVI-D, D-Sub |
| Number of connected fans | 3x 4pin |
| PS/2 ports | 1 (keyboard/mouse) |
| The port is USB | 4 x 3.1 Gen1 (2 connectors on the rear panel, H310) 4 x 2.0 (2 connectors on the rear panel, H310) |
| VR Ready | + |
| Serial ATA | 4 x SATA 6Gb/s (H310) |
| RAID | – |
| Built-in sound | Codec — Realtek ALC887 (7.1, HDA) |
| S/PDIF | Connector on the board (output) |
| Networking | Realtek 8111H (Gigabit Ethernet) |
| COM | 1 (internal) |
| TPM | + |
| UEFI | AMI UEFI |
| Form factor | Mini-ITX |
| Dimensions, mm | 170 x 170 |
| Additional features | Dedicated space for mounting a pair of remote antennas on the I/O Shield |
| Retail price, $ | 89 |
Packaging and equipment
The dimensions of the box to match the device are small. You can see the high quality of printing, although the product is an entry-level.
There is not much space for describing the features of the product; a photo of the product was placed at the back from a good angle and a small block with a list of characteristics.
A set of starter level accessories, there is:
- quick start guide (in English);
- DIY Guide QR code, leading to the page of the official website, which contains detailed instructions for assembling a PC;
- short multilingual user manual for PC assembly;
- an additional booklet with information on the need to comply with a number of safety measures when assembling and operating the system;
- disk with drivers and proprietary software;
- mounting screw and stand for M.2 and CNVi devices (two sets);
- two SATA 6Gb / s cables, one of which has an L-shaped connector on one of the ends;
- plug for the case, standard version – with embossed symbols and icons for designating sockets.
I note the perforation for installing antennas for the wireless network adapter, made on the plug, if you want to use these holes, you will need to get rid of excess metal yourself.
Appearance
Before us is a miniature model intended for system builders, therefore it is devoid of bright design features. The Prime series of products can serve as a base and workstations, the presence of TPM and COM interfaces should not come as a surprise, I will also highlight a block for connecting an S/PDIF module. Mounting in the case will take place with the participation of four holes for the screws.
There are many electronic components on the back of the board. The installation of the cooler reinforcement plate in our case went without problems, but it is better to study the compatibility of it and the device in advance.
The placement of the hub corresponds to the ideology of building larger boards, providing compatibility for a larger number of devices used in the system. It is covered with a small-sized finned radiator, which is fixed with spring-loaded plastic latches.
One seat is provided for M.2 devices of sizes 2280 or 2260. The limitations of the Intel H310 are already fully manifested here. The PCI-E interface is the second version, so modern NVMe drives will not be able to work at full capacity. For the case of using SATA devices, there is another nuance – one of the SATA sockets will become inaccessible.
Four cross-type SATA sockets are soldered. Blocks for case cables of USB interfaces of both types of revisions are also transverse. The paws of the RAM slots are only on one side, farthest from the PCI-E x16 slot.
The front part of the board is equipped with a seat for a CNVi device (wireless network adapter). The audio codec dispenses with escaping. The model is one of the simplest on the market – ALC887.
The VRM node occupied a considerable area, as a result of which the fan nests were dispersed over the entire surface of the product. In the case of using a massive CPU cooling system, access to them will no longer be easy. The PWM controller is labeled ASP1400CTB, exactly the same one was used in the senior ROG Strix B360-F Gaming. There are also five external drivers, four form a processor voltage stabilization section, one is needed for the integrated graphics subsystem, and even their transistors are similar – NTMFS4C10B and NTMFS4C06B manufactured by On Semiconductor. But here, in each channel, the total number of elements is two, and not four, like in a stronger model, but for the iGPU, the scheme remained unchanged. Apparently, the group of voltages IO and SA Voltage are combined into one, by analogy. Equipping coolers with designers is not provided.
The fullness of the rear panel will definitely not cause envy among competitors. To implement D-Sub, a signal converter based on Realtek RTD2166 was used. The number of USB outputs is unusually modest, to expand their number you will need to use external hubs, purchased separately.
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