AMD AM5 motherboards are currently in production, specifically those equipped with X670E and X670 chipsets.
In terms of features, the X670E (Extreme) is designed for high-end motherboards with new features, extreme overclocking capabilities and PCIe 5.0 support for both video cards and next-generation SSDs.
Motherboards with X670 chipsets will be very similar in offering high overclocking capacity, but PCIe Gen 5.0 support for graphics and storage will depend on the manufacturers.
In fact, some of them are likely to choose the most convenient route and enable PCIe 5.0 support only for the video card, keeping the storage space limited to the PCIe 4.0 standard.
Both X670 chipsets will feature a dual-PCH design on the motherboard to offer more I / O options.
One of the most interesting features of the AMD AM5 600 series platform is certainly the presence of SAS or Smart Access Storage technology, which will allow you to lighten the load on the GPU with supported Microsoft DirectStorage games, for which we expect a strong surge in production. .
From what has recently emerged, ASUS plans to market at least six motherboards within its ROG, ROG Strix, TUF Gaming, ProArt and Prime families.
The motherboards confirmed so far are as follows:
- ASUS ROG Crosshair X670E Extreme
- ASUS ROG Crosshair X670E HERO
- ASUS ROG STRIX X670-E Gaming WiFi
- ASUS PRIME X670E-PRO WiFi
- ASUS TUF Gaming X670-PLUS WiFi
- ASUS ProArt X670-Creator WiFi
So let’s take a first look at the specifics and features that each of these new models has to offer.
ASUS ROG Crosshair X670E Extreme
The best X670E motherboard from ASUS is, without a doubt, the ROG Crosshair X670E Extreme, featuring a powerful 22-phase (20 + 2) VRM system with Teamed design powered by two 8-pin EPS connectors, which uses a PWM controller. Infineon, 110A Power Stage Vishay SIC850, 45A inductors and 10K Black Metallic capacitors capable of operating up to 125 ° C.
The card features four DIMM slots that support AMD’s EXPO technology and can accommodate modules with a total maximum capacity of 128GB (4x32GB).
Present, of course, the buttons dedicated to operation on a test stand and overclocking such as Power On / Off, Reset and even a FlexKey button under the DEBUG LED.
As for the overall layout, the motherboard is definitely eye-catching thanks to the black heatsinks and the covers on the VRM, PCH and M.2 slots, with an AniMe Matrix LED display on PCH and I / O cover.
Expansion slots include two PCIe 5.0 x16 and a single PCIe 4.0 x4 slot.
The board can accommodate up to five M.2 drives, including three Gen 5.0 x4 on board (one driven directly by the CPU and two by the PCH) and two (1x Gen 5.0 x4 and 1x Gen 4.0 x4) via the additional ROG DIMM module Zen-Z.2.
The ROG Crosshair X670E Extreme also features a total of six SATA III ports, a right-angle ATX power connector, an additional 6-pin connector for USB Type-C power (60W) and multiple I / O capabilities. such as WiFi 6E, 10Gbps and 2.5Gbps Ethernet LAN ports, USB 4.0 ports and premium level audio system with ESS ES9218 codec, just to name a few.
ASUS ROG Crosshair X670E HERO
Let’s now move on to the ROG Crosshair X670E HERO, a less extreme version with an 18 + 2-phase VRM design, but with components similar to those used on the older sister.
Present a high-end heatsink and layout with a Polymo lighting system integrated on the I / O screen.
As for the expansion slots, the card offers two PCIe Gen 5.0 x16 (with SafeSlot technology) and a single PCIe 4.0 x2 slot.
On the storage side we find five M.2 slots including two Gen 5.0 x4 (one with PCIe 5.0 M.2 card) and three Gen 4.0 x4, plus six SATA III ports.
The card is equipped with a single 2.5 GbE LAN port, two USB 4.0 ports, multiple USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, WiFi 6E connectivity and an ALC4082 codec-based audio system with USB interface.
ASUS ROG STRIX X670-E Gaming WiFi
We therefore find the ASUS ROG STRIX X670-E Gaming WiFi which adopts a 16-phase power design and is characterized by a purely gaming aesthetic with black and gray color tones and an I / O cover that has a small LCD that can be customized according to individual preferences.
The expansion slots include two PCIe 5.0 x16 and a single PCIe Gen 4.0 x16 slot, while on the storage side we have three PCIe Gen 5.0 x4 slots, a single PCIe Gen 4.0 x4 slot and four SATA III ports.
Also in this case, there is a wide variety of I / O options.
ASUS PRIME X670E-PRO WiFi
We now come to the PRIME X670-E PRO WiFi, with its usual futuristic black and white look, which appears to be equipped with a 16-phase VRM powered by a dual 8-pin connector.
The card features two PCIe Gen 5.0 x16 slots and a single PCIe Gen 4.0 x4 slot, one M.2 PCIe Gen 5.0 x4 slot and three PCIe Gen 4.0 x4 and four SATA III ports.
ASUS TUF Gaming X670-PLUS WIFI
The TUF Gaming X670-PLUS WiFi, with its classic gray and yellow color scheme, appears to retain a 16-stage VRM design, but is also the only motherboard in the bunch with an exposed M.2 slot with no heat sink ( probably Gen 4.0 and not Gen 5.0).
That said, there are three M.2 PCIe Gen 4.0 x4 M.2 slots and a single PCIe Gen 5.0 x4 slot, while the PCIe expansion slots include two Gen 5 x16 and a single Gen 4 x4 slot.
ASUS ProArt X670-WiFi Creator
Finally, the ASUS ProArt X670-Creator WiFi features a 16-phase VRM with a beautiful acrylic I / O cover, aluminum heat sinks, and an industrial design with its silver and gray aesthetic.
The card is equipped with three PCIe 5.0 x16 slots (x8 / x8 / x4 electrical) and has two M.2 PCIe Gen 5.0 x4 slots and one PCIe Gen 4.0 x4 slot, four SATA III ports and WiFi 6E connectivity; There is also a 6-pin connector for 60W USB Type-C charging.