AMD X870/X870E motherboards: what do the top models offer?

On the last day of September, the sale of motherboards based on the updated AMD X870/X870E chipsets, which were announced simultaneously with the Ryzen 9000 processors, officially began. What functionality do the new models offer and how do they differ from previous solutions for Socket AM5?

AMD X870 and AMD X870E chipsets

CPU developers have a tradition of presenting new chipsets for motherboards simultaneously with the next generation of CPUs. This applies even if neither the processor socket, nor the requirements for the chip’s power supply subsystem, nor other options change. However, the next generation of processors is also an opportunity to update the motherboard equipment to meet current demands and possible trends that have been emerging recently. In addition, processor developers are obviously concerned about their business partners – motherboard manufacturers, who also need to please customers with new devices and have the opportunity to maneuver/optimize their product line.

So, AMD X870/X870E. There are not many actual innovations here. The chipsets are based on the well-known Promontory 21 chips, which were used for the “previous generation” hubs – AMD X670/X670E. AMD 870 uses one such chip in the maximum configuration, while AMD X870E uses two Promontory 21s, which allows for an increase in the number of free PCI Express lines, thereby offering even more functional board configurations.

In the case of the top-of-the-line AMD X870E, the difference from the AMD X670E is only nominal. The number of PCI-E slots and their configuration remain unchanged. Just like its predecessor, the new chipset allows for up to 44 PCI Express lines, with up to 24 of them compliant with the PCI-E 5.0 standard. As you can see from the table, the quantitative configuration of SATA/USB ports has also remained unchanged. In fact, the only major difference here is nominal support for USB 4.0 ports, which is mandatory on AMD X870/X870E boards, while it is only an option for AMD X670/X670E models.

As for AMD X870, the changes are more obvious compared to AMD X670. Despite the reduction in the total number of PCI Express lines for distribution (36 vs. 44), the new chipset can support as many as 24 PCI-E 5.0 lanes, while AMD X670 could only operate with eight. It is for this reason that AMD X870 boards will offer PCI-E x16 5.0 slots (1×16 or 2×8) for graphics cards, while the same slots on AMD X670 boards are PCI-E 4.0 compliant.

Among the conditional “losses” of AMD X870 we can note 4 SATA ports instead of 8 in its predecessor, a maximum of one USB 3.2 Gen2x2 (20 GB/s) and USB 3.2 Gen1 (5 GB/s), and only 6 USB 3.2 Gen2 (10 GB/s) ports instead of 12 in AMD X670. However, these are, of course, the basic parameters that can be adjusted by board manufacturers with additional controllers.

As for the new features, all AMD X870 motherboards will have USB 4 (40 GB/s) ports.

As with their predecessors, the AMD X870/X870E boards will offer M.2 PCI-E 5.0 x4 ports, allowing you to use the fastest SSDs. Here, everything remains unchanged.

So, taking into account the use of identical chips, in the case of AMD 800, we have a certain redistribution of available resources according to priorities. Obviously, next-generation graphics cards will already use the PCI-E 5.0 bus, so supporting this interface for PCI-E x16 slots makes practical sense. The USB 4 high-speed bus is more of a work in progress, but a 40 GB/s channel for external devices will not be superfluous. In addition, USB 4 ports in Type-C format will usually have the ability to transfer images using DisplayPort Alternate Mode. There are also variations with support for Power Delivery of different levels.

Therefore, we have a certain alternative to the Thunderbolt 4 interface, which will be a mandatory option for top-end boards on Intel’s upcoming LGA1851 platform.

AMD emphasizes that the AMD X870/X870E boards support RAM modules with higher operating frequencies. Although even the new Ryzen 9000 processors come with DDR5-5600 mode, the new boards will allow for stable DDR5-8000+.

Motherboards for AMD X870/X870E

Motherboard manufacturers have already expanded their product lines by offering new solutions based on AMD X870/X870E. Some companies have introduced up to a dozen models based on the updated older AMD chipsets, while others have limited themselves to just a few devices. We offer to take a look at the flagship most “charged” models of key manufacturers. What about equipment and price?

Of course, the list of basic characteristics does not reflect all the features and specifics of motherboards, although it allows you to get a first impression of their equipment.

ASRock X870E Taichi

The line of ASRock boards based on the updated AMD chipsets is headed by ASRock X870E Taich on AMD X870E. The manufacturer has chosen the extended E-ATX format for the flagship of the series, and therefore the dimensions of the device are 305×267 mm. This should be taken into account when choosing a case for a new system.

ASRock X870E Taichi has a heavy-duty power stabilizer system based on a 24+2+1 (110 A, SPS) circuit. To cool the elements, large radiators are used, interconnected by a heat pipe. Moreover, a compact fan is provided in the VRM area for additional cooling. The presence of a potential noise source will not please those who appreciate silence, and we can only hope that there is an option to adjust the fan algorithm, or better yet, the option to turn it off if it is not needed.

The presence of such an element frankly looks unnecessary, given the moderate power consumption of new AMD chips. However, it is possible that ASRock developers are preparing for future processors in this way. In addition, no one has canceled experiments with extreme overclocking.

The board offers two PCI-E x16 5.0 slots. The main one operates in x16 mode, and if the second one is used, both of them operate in x8/x8 mode. There is one M.2 PCI-E 5.0 x4 and three M.2 PCI-E 4.0 x4 ports for drives. All with additional cooling. Oversized radiators with a screwless mounting mechanism are provided for two drives. Interestingly, one of the SSD bays is located between the memory module slots and the ATX connector. The extended E-ATX format allowed us to allocate the necessary space. However, if you use a drive with increased heat in this position, it is unlikely that such a neighborhood with DIMMs will be useful for the latter.

Much attention was paid to the board’s sound subsystem, which uses the Realtek ALC4082 codec and an additional ESS SABRE9219 DAC. In addition, specialized WIMA capacitors are involved in the circuit.

ASRock X870E Taichi is equipped with a Realtek RTL8126 (5Gbs) controller for wired connections and a modern Wi-Fi 7 module for wireless networks.

On the interface panel, we note the presence of two USB4 (Type-C) ports. One of the interesting features is that a pair of available USB Type-A (Ultra USB Power) provides 5V power conversion from a 12V line, which has a lower voltage drop under load. According to the developers, this can be crucial for sensitive devices.

ASRock X870E Taichi is now available for sale on US retailers for $450. At the moment, the model is not yet available in Ukraine.

ASUS ROG CROSSHAIR X870E HERO

The top model of the updated line from ASUS is ROG CROSSHAIR X870E HERO. The board is made in the classic ATX format (305×244 mm) and uses the AMD X870E chipset. The power subsystem has a 22-phase configuration (18+2+2) with SPS assemblies designed for a maximum operating current of up to 110A. To cool the VRM elements, massive radiators with additional fins and a flat heat pipe connecting the two blocks are used to ensure the temperature balance of the structure.

The board is equipped with two PCI-E x16 5.0 slots with a simple operation algorithm – either one slot operates in full x16 mode, or two connectors simultaneously share the available bus lines equally (x8+x8). The board is ready for high-powered graphics adapters. The power supply of the PCI-E slots can be boosted by connecting an additional 12V line. The corresponding 8-pin connector is located next to the main ATX power connector. The developers used this opportunity to further expand the functionality by implementing an additional power supply for the internal USB Type-C with support for PD 3.0 and Quick Charge 4+ with a capacity of up to 60W. Thus, the Type-C port on the front panel of the case will be able to charge quite powerful devices.

ASUS ROG CROSSHAIR X870E HERO supports memory modules up to DDR5-8600+, which is the same as the Ryzen 8000 series of single-crystal chips. Moreover, the current list of validated kits for this line of processors even includes a DDR5-9000 kit. For Ryzen 7000/9000, DDR5-8000/8200 modes are announced. As for the maximum memory capacity, it is 192 GB (4×48 GB). Support for 64 GB modules has not yet been implemented.

The card offers three M.2 PCI-E 5.0 x4 ports and two M.2 PCI-E 4.0 x4 ports. Additional cooling is provided for all of them. The fastest ones also have radiators for the elements on the back of the PCB. There are four corresponding ports for SATA devices. One of the interesting, but strange options of ASUS ROG CROSSHAIR X870E HERO is the presence of an additional SlimSAS (PCI-E 4.0 x4) connector. This is a “greeting” from the world of server solutions, which usually do not intersect with user platforms.

The sound subsystem of ASUS ROG CROSSHAIR X870E HERO is formed by the Realtek ALC4082 codec and ESS SABRE9219 DAC, which potentially allows you to count on a good result.

For network connectivity, the board is equipped with two Ethernet controllers – 2.5 Gb/s (Intel) and 5 Gb/s (Realtek), and has a Wi-Fi 7 module with support for 802.11be and Bluetooth 5.4.

The composition of the interface panel is quite “representative”. Among the many connectors, we distinguish the presence of a pair of USB 4 (Type-C), which also has the ability to transfer images.

In the US market, ASUS ROG CROSSHAIR X870E HERO has a hefty recommended price tag of $700. The board is already offered in Ukraine, and the current starting price in our country does not differ so much from the overseas one.

BIOSTAR X870E VALKYRIE

Biostar can hardly boast of large sales of top-end expensive motherboards, but the manufacturer declares its readiness to offer not only mass-produced inexpensive models. So, after the announcement of AMD’s updated chipsets, Biostar presented one board based on the older AMD X870E – BIOSTAR X870E VALKYRIE. In some respects, it is a derivative of its predecessor BIOSTAR X670E VALKYRIE, which was also the only development of the company on the top chipset of the conventionally previous generation.

The board utilizes a 22-phase (18+2+2+2) VRM scheme with powerful SPS (110A) assemblies cooled by massive heat sinks in the design.

The model has 4 DIMM slots, allowing you to increase the RAM capacity up to 192 GB (64 GB modules are not supported). In terms of speed parameters, the limit is DDR5-8000.

The BIOSTAR X870E VALKYRIE offers three full-size PCI-E x16 slots – two of them use PCI-E 5.0 processor lines and can operate in x16+0 or x8+x8 modes. The third slot, despite its large format, uses chipset lines and corresponds to PCI-E 4.0 x4.

The board has one M.2 PCI-E 5.0 x4 port and three M.2 PCI-E 4.0 x4 ports. According to the layout, all M.2 connectors are located below the level of the main PCI-E x16, so to install/remove drives, you will first have to remove the video card. However, this is usually a rare enough procedure to cause significant inconvenience. SATA drives are not forgotten either. Six SATA ports are provided for connecting devices with this interface.

The situation with network equipment is interesting. The board has one 2.5 Gb/s Ethernet controller (Realtek RTL8125D). As for wireless communication, the developers offer the user to choose the appropriate module. The interface panel already has connectors for an amplifying antenna, but the M.2 2230 (E Key) port is left empty. In general, it’s an unusual solution when it comes to a top-end board. The same approach was used by the developers in the case of the predecessor BIOSTAR X670E VALKYRIE. Perhaps it justifies itself, but you need to pay attention to this point initially.

The board’s audio subsystem is based on Realtek ALC1220-VB2. On the presentation photos, you can see yellow cylinders in the audio path area, so obviously, specialized capacitors are also involved in the circuit.

From the ports on the interface panel, a pair of USB4 (Type-C) with the ability to display an image attracts attention. Full-format HDMI and DisplayPort are also provided for the same purpose. As we will see later, the presence of five audio jacks for setting up a multi-channel speaker system is also becoming rather an exception.

The manufacturer has not yet announced the recommended price for BIOSTAR X870E VALKYRIE. Given the equipment, it is unlikely to be less than $400. It’s possible that the board will eventually make its way to Ukraine, but not at the start of sales. The predecessor of BIOSTAR X670E VALKYRIE was offered for ~$650 for some time, which obviously became decisive in the demand for this model – in early 2024, the model disappeared from sale in our country.

GIGABYTE X870E AORUS MASTER

At the start of sales, GIGABYTE offered a wide range of AMD X870/X870E motherboards. The GIGABYTE X870E AORUS MASTER is at the top of the line. The classic ATX model has a 20-phase (16+2+2; SPS 110A) CPU power supply unit with a large radiator design, in which the main unit consists of a set of aluminum plates. It is connected to the secondary unit by a heat pipe.

Four DIMM slots allow you to equip the system with 256 GB of RAM. Support for modes up to DDR5-8600 for Ryzen 8000, and up to DDR5-8400 for Ryzen 9000 is declared. The board comes with an additional fan with a bracket that can be mounted in the DIMM area. It helps with cooling in case you use the fastest kits and want to experiment with overclocking them.

The GIGABYTE X870E AORUS MASTER comes with three full-length PCIE- x16 slots. However, only one of them works in PCI-E 5.0 x16 mode. Therefore, the PCI-E 5.0 processor lines can only be shared here when using the corresponding M.2 drives.

The two additional PCI-E x16s operate in x4 mode, with one complying with the 4.0 bus standard and the other with the 3.0 bus standard.

In total, the board allows you to connect up to four M.2 drives – three M.2 PCI-E 5.0 x4 and one M.2 PCI-E 4.0 x4. We would like to note the interesting design of the additional cooler mount. A fairly large aluminum plate that covers three SSDs at once is magnetized and fixed with one common fastener (M.2 EZ-Match). The extent to which this design is reliable and convenient to use needs to be tested in practice.

The GIGABYTE X870E AORUS MASTER is equipped with one LAN controller (5 Gb/s; Realtek RTL8126) and has a Wi-Fi 7 module with support for 802.11be and Bluetooth 5.4. The sound subsystem uses the Realtek ALC1220 codec and WIMA capacitors.

Among the interesting features of the interface panel, we note the presence of ventilation holes, which should further improve the temperature regime of VRM elements. Also unusual is the specific connector for connecting the external antenna of the WiFi module. Obviously, it simplifies the process, but there are compatibility issues.

GIGABYTE’s top-of-the-line motherboard has hit the shelves of American retailers with a price tag of $500. Although certain models based on AMD X870/X870E are already available in Ukraine, the GIGABYTE X870E AORUS MASTER is not yet available in our latitudes at the time of writing.

MSI MEG X870E GODLIKE

Although MSI has generally been quite restrained when it comes to updating its top Socket AM5 motherboards, offering only four models based on AMD X870/X870E at the start, the flagship solution offers something special. The line is headed by MSI MEG X870E GODLIKE. Thus, the GODLIKE series of ultra-modern motherboards has another addition.

We can start with the fact that MSI MEG X870E GODLIKE complies with the extended E-ATX standard and has increased dimensions – 305×277 mm. In general, the board consists almost entirely of features that are interesting to highlight. Starting with the 27-phase power stabilization subsystem (24+2+1; SPS 110A) and the 10-layer PCB, ending with the specific layout of most of the interface and power connectors on the right edge of the PCB.

Judging by the available photos, the VRM’s additional cooling radiators are made of prefabricated cassettes of aluminum plates to increase the dissipation area, and the units are connected by two heat pipes.

The board allows you to equip the system with up to 256 GB of RAM. The maximum announced modes are DDR5-8400+.

To connect additional expansion cards, MSI MEG X870E GODLIKE offers two full-size PCI-E 5.0 x16 slots that work in x16+0 or x8+x8 modes. The third slot is PCI-E 4.0 x4. As for the drives, the board allows you to use up to two M.2 PCI-E 5.0 x4 and three M.2 PCI-E 4.0 x4.

In addition, the model comes with an optional M.2 XPANDER-Z SLIDER GEN5 expansion card, which allows you to connect two more maximum speed SSDs. The single-slot module has a slide-in drive loading mechanism that makes it easy to replace drives if necessary. This can be done without opening the chassis wall.

The board is also equipped with the Dynamic Dashboard III monitoring system. A separate 3.99-inch LCD screen allows you to monitor the CPU/GPU temperature, fan speed, clock speed, and other key platform indicators in real time. The screen itself is not located in the area of the interface panel, as one might assume, but on the opposite side in the area of the ATX power connector.

The total cluster of connectors in this segment forms the EZ Bridge switching cluster, where most of the power and internal interface connectors are located.

And even this is not the end of MSI MEG X870E GODLIKE’s “features”. The board also provides for the use of an additional hub to concentrate cables from fans and backlighting lamps, which will be hidden behind the case platform.

MSI’s flagship model is also distinguished by its networking capabilities. The board is equipped with 10Gb/s (Marvell AQC113CS) and 5Gb/s (Realtek) LAN controllers, while Wi-Fi 7 module with Bluetooth 5.4 support is responsible for accessing wireless networks.

Even in a quick review, the interface panel deserves a special mention. The presence of two USB4 (Type-C, 40 GB/s) is already expected, but there are also five more USB 3.2 Gen2 ports in Type-C format, as well as eight Type-A connectors with the same bandwidth (10 GB/s).

MSI MEG X870E GODLIKE has already been announced, but sales of this model have not yet begun, and therefore the recommended price is also unknown. A maximally charged board for Socket AM5 will surely get a corresponding price tag that will exceed $1000. The predecessor of MSI MEG X670E GODLIKE is offered on Western sites at a price of ~$1200-1300, while in Ukraine it can be purchased for the equivalent of $1600.

It’s unlikely that the more equipped MSI MEG X870E GODLIKE will be even more affordable, but let’s wait for the new model to start selling. According to preliminary data, the launch is scheduled for December. Until the ultimatum board appears, the lineup is temporarily headed by MSI MPG X870E Carbon WiFi. It’s also a solution with decent equipment and a recommended price of $500. MSI boards for AMD X870/X870E should be available in Ukraine in a few days.

Results.

Looking at the capabilities of the top AMD X870E motherboards, we can make a few generalizations. As expected, all models allow you to use PCI-E 5.0 x16 ports, which can be useful with the next generations of graphics cards, as well as connect the fastest M.2 drives with PCI-E 5.0 interface.

All of the reviewed AMD X870E boards, with the exception of the MSI MEG X870E GODLIKE, use reinforced 8-layer PCBs. A typical level for server models or workstation devices, while user boards usually have 6-layer PCBs.

Almost all models offer only two 3.5 mm jacks for connecting audio devices. Multi-channel speakers become a bit of an exception in custom sets, while free space on the interface panels of top-of-the-line boards is scarce. The exception here is the model from Biostar, which offers five audio jacks.

All AMD X870E boards are equipped with USB4 ports with a bandwidth of up to 40 GB/s, which also allow you to transfer images using the alternative DisplayPort mode. It is only worth noting here that the picture via USB 4 (Type-C) can be obtained only when using a processor with integrated graphics. These are almost all Ryzen 7000/8000/9000, with the exception of chips with the “F” in the model name.

All manufacturers have made some effort to add convenience to the process of connecting/disconnecting video cards and M.2 drives. The designs of specific fasteners and locking mechanisms differ, but the principle of their operation is similar. The key tasks are to release the graphics adapter from the PCI-E x16 slot with minimal effort and to install the M.2 SSD without screws. A new design trend is the use of magnetized M.2 radiators that do not require a screwdriver for mounting.

The presence of Wi-Fi 7 controllers has also become a characteristic feature of the new AMD X870E boards. Although this is not a mandatory criterion, manufacturers equip their models with new modules for the fastest possible work with wireless networks. However, there are also some exceptions. The developers of BIOSTAR X870E VALKYRIE believe that it is better for the user to decide on a specific Wi-Fi module on their own. This approach also has a right to life, but is it appropriate with top-of-the-line models?

AMD desktop platforms have long ceased to be an affordable alternative to Intel solutions. Looking at the functionality of the top AMD X870E motherboards, even the most demanding users will be able to choose the best option for themselves. The most equipped models have an impressive price tag, but the opportunity to own the best has always come at a price.