AMD on Thursday gave a sneak peek (opens in new tab) at its next-generation high-end platforms for its upcoming Ryzen 7000-series (Raphael) Zen 4 processors in AM5 form-factor along with its motherboard companions. Since AMD’s X670 and X670E platforms will cater to fanatics, they may pack essentially the most revolutionary options in addition to present superior overclocking capabilities.
AMD’s X670 and X670E Platforms
At first, AMD confirmed that high-end AM5 motherboards for next-generation processors would make the most of its X670 and X670E chipsets. The X670 will help overclocking and appease ‘common’ fanatics. In distinction, the X670E (dual-chip design) options ‘unparalleled’ expandability, excessive overclocking, and PCIe 5.0 connectivity for as much as two graphics playing cards and an M.2 slot for an NVMe SSD.
AMD itself outlines a number of key options of its AM5 platforms that can differentiate them from previous-generation motherboards, together with TDP of as much as 170W to maximise the efficiency of next-generation processors with as much as 16 Zen 4 cores, as much as 24 PCIe 5.0 lanes (x16 for a graphics card, x4 for an SSD, and x4 to connect with the chipset), dual-channel DDR5 reminiscence help, as much as 4 DisplayPort 2 or HDMI 2.1 outputs (which confirms that there shall be AM5 processors with built-in graphics), as much as 14 USB ports (together with a number of USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 ports in addition to USB-C), and Wi-Fi 6E help on choose motherboards.
Motherboard makers historically attempt to differentiate themselves from the competitors, so they are going to be providing AMD X670/X670E platforms with beefed-up CPU voltage regulating modules (VRM) able to delivering lots of of watts of energy to AMD’s new processors to spice up their overclocking potential additional. What’s a bit shocking is that neither AMD nor its companions talked about supported DDR5 speeds on the upcoming AM5 platforms.
Some AMD X670/X670E mainboards can even include an M.2-25110 slot(s) for upcoming high-performance SSDs with a PCIe 5.0 x4 interface that requires extra refined cooling. Motherboard makers put together quite refined cooling options for next-generation drives to make sure their constant efficiency.
Relating to connectivity, since USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 just isn’t a widespread commonplace, there shall be motherboards with USB4 or Thunderbolt 3/4 ports supported by an exterior controller (although it’s unclear which one) for these with Thunderbolt 3/4 or next-gen USB 4 units. Additionally, some mainboards will include a 2.5GbE port enabled by an Intel controller, whereas essentially the most superior platforms will include a 10GbE port enabled by Marvell’s AQtion silicon.
As for Wi-Fi 6E, some AMD X670/X670E motherboards will help the newest WLAN connectivity utilizing AMD’s RZ616 Wi-Fi 6E controller developed by MediaTek, whereas others will use Intel’s Wi-Fi 6E options.
Now, let us take a look at what Asus, ASRock, Biostar, Gigabyte, and MSI are prepping for early AM5 adopters.
Asus
The world’s largest motherboard maker is readying two platforms to help AMD’s AM5 rollout — the ROG Crosshair X670E Excessive and the ROG Crosshair X670E Hero — however extra are coming. The mainboards will characteristic a VRM primarily based on the Infineon ASP2205 energy administration IC (PMIC) and Vishay SIC850 110A good energy levels. As well as, the Excessive mannequin will characteristic a 20+2-stage energy supply, whereas the Hero will include 18+2-stage VRM.
After all, Asustek’s ROG Crosshair X670E Excessive and ROG Crosshair X670E Hero will include premium connectivity, together with two USB4 ports, a 2.5GbE/10GbE connector, a sophisticated audio subsystem, and a Wi-Fi 6E (Intel AX210) adapter.
ASRock
ASRock’s preliminary AM5 lineup will consist of 5 motherboards, together with two flagship X670E Taichi Carrara and X670E Taichi platforms, X670E Metal Legend, X670E Professional RS, and X670E PG Lightning.
These motherboards will use an eight-layer printed circuit board (not the utmost variety of layers attainable, so to talk), a high-performance lively cooler for M.2 SSDs, and USB 4 Kind-C connectors.
Biostar
Being a comparatively new entrant to the fanatic motherboard market, Biostar may have one X670E motherboard prepared for the AM5 launch — the X670E Valkyrie.
This platform will characteristic a 22-phase VRM with 105A Dr.MOS levels, two PCIe Gen5 x16 (working in x8 or x16 mode), a PCIe Gen4 x16 slot (working in x4 mode), 4 M.2-2280/22110 slots PCIe Gen4/5 with superior warmth spreaders, a 2.5GbE connector, a USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 port, and two show outputs (DP 1.4, HDMI 2.1).
Gigabyte
Gigabyte preps 4 high-end AMD X670E/X670 motherboards, together with the X670E Aorus Xtreme, X670E A Aorus Grasp, X670 Aorus Professional AX, and X670 Aorus Elite AX. The flagship X670E Aorus Xtreme will characteristic an 18+2+2 energy supply design primarily based on the Renesas RAA229628 PMIC, 18 Renesas RAA2201054 SPS 105A V-core energy levels, two ON NCP303160 SPS 60A SoC energy levels, and two Renesas ISL99390 SPS 90A energy levels. Different platforms within the lineup will use a 16+2+2 VRM that includes totally different PMICs and MOSFETs (see the desk within the gallery under).
Essentially the most thrilling half about Gigabyte’s AMD X670E and X670 motherboards is that solely the previous will help a PCIe 5.0 interface, whereas the latter will solely characteristic PCIe 5.0 for SSDs. In the meantime, all of Gigabyte’s Aorus AM5 mainboards may have a minimum of one M.2-25110 slot for next-gen SSDS, a 2.5GbE/10GbE port, a USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 connector, one or two show outputs, and a THB_U4 header for Thunderbolt.
MSI
MSI is engaged on 4 high-end AM5 motherboards: the X670E-based MEG X670E Godlike, MEG X670E Ace, MPG X670E Carbon Wi-Fi, and the X670-powered Professional X670-P Wi-Fi. The flagship MEG X670E Godlike platform will characteristic a 24+2+1-phase energy supply (with 105A energy phases for V-core), whereas the marginally much less superior MEG X670E Ace will include a 22+2+1 VRM (with 90A energy phases for V-core). Talking of MSI’s VRMs, the corporate’s motherboards will use an all-new VRM cooling system with direct contact warmth pipes and a MOSFET baseplate.
All 4 MSI AM5 motherboards will include M.2 Protect Frozr coolers for next-generation SSDs with a PCIe 5.0 x4 interface, a 2.5GbE connector, and a Wi-Fi 6E adapter. Moreover, the flagship MEG X670E Godlike and MEG X670E Ace will include MSI’s M.2 Xpander-Z Gen5 Twin adapter to accommodate two M.2-25110 drives with a PCIe 5.0 x4 interface.
Abstract
AMD is anticipated to launch its Ryzen 7000-series ‘Raphael’ processors and AM5 desktop platforms this September. The brand new platforms will convey quite a few improvements, together with DDR5, PCIe 5.0, USB 3.2 Gen2x2, and Wi-Fi 6E help. By now, 5 main makers of motherboards for the DIY market have introduced 16 motherboards primarily based on AMD’s X670 and X670E chipsets with totally different options and which can cowl a broad vary of value factors.
