My inability to read ROG specs makes it hard to decide which board to buy.

[Astralv]

I am confused about which ROG board to buy.

I look in one comparison table and it says Hero has no WiFi but is Thunderbolt 3 ready (needs some card).
I look in another source- it says Formula and Code have WiFi and Thunderbolt ready.

This one says Hero has no thunderbolt but Formula and Code have:
https://www.asus.com/us/Product-Compare/?products=6RfMI11oThscuMX4,KKuAp9d2jGnDWqzC,L9K3M9tLB8Pgdvkx&b=0

This one shows Hero has Thunderbolt: https://www.asus.com/microsite/best-200-series-motherboards/compare/index.html But Code and Formula do not.

I am also confused- do they have Thunderbolt installed or are they just "thunderbolt ready"?

Thank you.

 

[SchizTech]

I don't see where Thunderbolt is listed for either Code or Formula, only Hero. For the Hero, there's a mention of a thunderbolt Header on the board; this implies you'd need a back panel bracket to plug into that port and expose the functionality.

 

[Astralv]

Hmmm... I may be overlooked it. I think I may of looked at Bluetooth. that's what happened.

You wrote, "back panel bracket to plug into that port and expose the functionality.

The back side of the computer, right? Where would I buy it? So I would use one of the 9 expansion slots on the case, right?

Also- it said somewhere that WiFi can be added- where would I connect it and where would I buy it? I don't mean 3rd party WiFi- they sounded as if we could buy it from Asus made by Asus and that they did not include it to save us money but it is available.

Will I need to use one of PCIE slots? I have FireWire card to install in to the small port. I also have SATA card for extra SATA drives (also for the small slot- it says PCIE Express x2 Slot on the box). So where is the FireWire card would go?

Thank you.

 

[SchizTech]

Yes, if the thunderbolt header works like other standard headers you'd need to use one of those slots.

As to the wifi, it depends on the implementation by ASUS but it probably won't use a slot. It may be a card which has it's own proprietary connection at the back of the board alongside the other back panel ports. Try to find close-up pics of the boards to see how ASUS fits their card in.