Motherboards

ASRock's flagship X870E Taichi OCF motherboard for AMD's Ryzen AM5 platform is built for extreme overclocking, with premium power delivery for those who want to tweak and push their CPU and DDR5 memory to their limit. And with that, professional overclocker Alex2305 has set a new CPU world record by pairing the X870E Taichi OCF with AMD's flagship Ryzen 9 9950X3D, running the popular PCMark10 Express benchmark.

The 14,290 score was enough to take the crown in this highly contested space, achieved by pushing the CPU clock speeds to 6,370 MHz. Naturally, as a world record, plenty of liquid nitrogen cooling was also involved to keep CPU temperatures in check. However, even with liquid nitrogen, the HWBOT listing for this world record confirms that the load temperature still reached 100 degrees Celsius.

For the 16-core AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D, this is an impressive result, as it takes the crown from overclocker Doomed83, who previously held the top two entries with an Intel Core i9 14900K and an Intel Core i5 14600K back in October 2025. It'll be interesting to see how long this new world record stands, as only 10 points separate the top two entries.

ASRock has announced the release of a "comprehensive BIOS update" for AMD AM5 motherboards, now available. ASRock has confirmed that it has been working closely with AMD to review recent CPU-related issues and optimize BIOS functionality and stability. This new update is the result of that collaboration.

And with that, ASRock's new Beta BIOS version 4.07.AS01 for AM5 motherboards includes AMD's AGESA 1.3.0.0a, the latest version of AMD's library responsible for initializing the CPU cores, memory, and other hardware. ASRock notes that one highlight of this BIOS release is that it resolves motherboard issues related to boot failures with certain AMD Ryzen CPUs.

"This update is specifically designed to address system no-boot scenarios, including cases where systems may fail to boot after being used for a period of time," ASRock writes in the announcement. "Users who encounter such behavior are recommended to update to this BIOS version to help restore normal system boot functionality."

Intel's next-generation Core Ultra 400 series "Nova Lake-S" desktop CPUs are gearing for release later this year, with more details on the new 900-series chipset platforms and its different motherboard offerings on the way.

In a new post on X by leaker @Jaykhin, we're hearing that there will be 5 different PCH variants: Z990, Z970, W980, Q970, and the mid-range B960 chipsets. The new 900-series chipsets are crafted for the next-gen Nova Lake-S desktop CPUs which will arrive on a totally new LGA1954 socket, meaning new motherboards for all -- and they're DDR5 only this time around.

The new Z990 and Z970 chipsets will be used on OC-ready motherboards with higher-end features and hardware than the rest of the 900 series boards, with the flagship Z990 chipset expected to feature 48 PCIe lanes, 2 x USB4/TB4 ports, 12 PCIe 5.0 lanes, 12 PCIe 4.0 lanes, 8 x SATA 3.0 ports, up to 5 x USB 3.2 20Gbps ports, and will include IA OC, BCLK, and Memory OC support.

Intel has reportedly added next-gen Z990 and Z970 chipsets to its recently updated roadmap, ready for next-gen Core Ultra 400 series "Nova Lake-S" desktop CPUs and the new LGA1954 socket.

In a new report from VideoCardz, the outlet says that their sources told them that Intel has added the Z990 and Z970 chipsets to its roadmap, without any detailed specifications like PCIe lane counts, new features, I/O, etc. We do know from previous rumors that Intel will be introducing a new LGA1954 socket, so we're looking at totally new motherboards required, and DDR5 as standard.

VideoCardz reports that the Z970 chiplet should use the same "underlying chipset as B960, with no further details shared at this time". The site added that this "points to segmentation through firmware and board features rather than a separate silicon design, but Intel has not outlined any positioning. This may be related to overclocking options".

ASUS has responded to accusations that at least five reports of ASUS AM5 motherboards were responsible for AMD Ryzen 9800X3D systems failing to boot correctly.

The association with failing to boot 9800X3D systems and ASUS motherboards followed five Reddit posts over the last two weeks linking ASUS motherboards to the failing systems. The commonality among these posts was users reporting a Q-Code 00 as the problem. Additionally, the problem isn't limited to one SKU of the ASUS motherboard; it appears to affect boards from the B850 to X870E models.

Users affected by this issue have reported the same thing: a system running normally, then a reboot, sleep wake, or seemingly nominal desktop event occurs, and the system goes to a black screen with the aforementioned 00 code appearing on the motherboard. However, none of the reports are conclusive in blaming ASUS boards.

ASRock has lifted the lid on its latest motherboard range, the Rock Series. These stylish new boards are designed to offer DIY builders style, stable performance, and great value. With both ATX and mATX options, there are four AMD Ryzen AM5 and Intel Core Ultra Processors (LGA1851) models: the B850 Rock WiFi 7, B860 Rock WiFi 7, as well as the mATX B850M Rock WiFi and B860M Rock WiFi.

All ASRock Rock Series motherboards feature an optimized Aluminum Heatsink Design, which is the first thing you notice when looking at the lineup. In addition to the brushed metal drawing the eye, the design offers excellent heat dissipation for both gaming and productivity workloads. Throw in a six-layer PCB and stable power delivery for overclocking, and the Rock Series backs up its clean, modern look with a robust design.

All models include built-in Wi-Fi, 2.5 GbE networking, and PCIe 5.0 support for GPUs and M.2 SSD storage - with the larger ATX models supporting Wi-Fi 7. Throw in a larger 64 MB BIOS, and these boards are also ready for the next generation of AM5 Ryzen processors from AMD.

Minisforum had its new BD395i MAX motherboard on display at CES 2026, ready for its new Desk Mini series, as a Mini-ITX motherboard with a built-in AMD Strix Halo APU and up to 128GB RAM.

The new Minisforum BD395i MAX motherboard features up to an AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 "Strix Halo" APU built in, with the single chip containing the 16C/32T Zen 5 CPU, up to 128GB of LPDDR5X-8000 memory, and the Radeon 8060S integrated graphics with 40 CUs of RDNA 3.5 GPU power.

The Strix Halo APU is quite powerful on its own and would allow DIY users to just buy the motherboard, which includes the CPU + GPU + RAM, and use it on its own as the Radeon 8060S is more than powerful enough for 1080p 120FPS+ and still a heap of games at up to 4K 60FPS, all without a discrete graphics card.

GIGABYTE didn't have much new in the way of motherboards at CES 2026, but it did have a stack of boards on display, but the new X870E AORUS XTREME X3D AI TOP and X870E AORUS MASTER X3D ICE caught my eye. Check them out:

First up we've got the monster X870E AORUS XTREME X3D AI TOP motherboard with X3D Turbo Mode 2.0 that delivers even more performance out of your Ryzen X3D series processor. GIGABYTE uses a CPU Thermal Matrix that achieves "extreme cooling" across the VRM and DDR Zone.

There's a digital twin 24+2+2 phases VRM solution, PCIe Ez-Latch Plus Duo with PCIe Duo slots with Quick Release and a screwless design.

At CES 2026, AMD announced the new Ryzen 7 9850X3D desktop processor that takes the world's fastest CPU for PC gaming and makes it even faster by delivering Boost Clock speeds of 5.6 GHz, up from 5.2 GHz. Alongside this announcement, MSI has announced its latest flagship AM5 motherboard, the MEG X870E UNIFY-X MAX.

Perfect for the Ryzen 7 9850X3D processor and overclocking enthusiasts, this high-performance motherboard features a specialized 2-DIMM layout, making it the world's first motherboard to break the DDR5 10,000 MT/s barrier. According to MSI, its internal testers have already pushed DDR5 speeds on the MEG X870E UNIFY-X MAX to 10,200 MT/s - which is impressive.

The MEG X870E UNIFY-X MAX also doubles the BIOS ROM from 32MB to 64MB. It even features a dedicated tuning controller (and yes, it looks like a remote) that lets you adjust memory and CPU frequencies directly within the OS, bypassing the need to shut down, reboot, and enter the BIOS.

ASUS is cooking up two new flagship motherboards ready for AMD Ryzen CPUs, with the introduction of the new ROG Crosshair X870E Glacial and Crosshair X870E DARK NEO motherboards expected at CES 2026 this week.

It all started from ASUS with a teaser of its upcoming next-gen ROG Crosshair motherboard on the AM5 socket and AMD X870E chipset, with the two new motherboards designed as flagship boards for the ASUS AM5 motherboard family.

The new ASUS ROG Crosshair X870E Glacial is an E-ATX motherboard beast with a powerful 26+28 phase VRM delivery and an upgraded VRM heatsink design that has a huge 5-inch LCD on the I/O cover. It supports RAM speeds of over 8000 MT/s DDR5, and up to 256GB RAM total.

COLORFUL has just unveiled its new flagship AM5 motherboard with the new iGame X870E Vulcan OC V14, with DDR5-10000 RAM support, an LCD display, and more. Check it out:

The new COLORFUL iGame X870E Vulcan OC V14 motherboard has been designed from the ground up for overclockers, enthusiasts, and gamers with a ton of features and a sleek look. The new iGame X870E Vulcan OC V14 mobo is based on the AM5 socket supporting current and next-gen Zen 6-based Ryzen CPUs, with the CPU socket powered by a dual 8-pin power configuration.

COLORFUL is using a high-end 18+2+2 (110A) power delivery which is suited for overclocking, with dual DDR5 DIMMs that are ready for RAM overclocking through higher signal integrity and 1DPC design, ready for DDR5-10000 and beyond. The motherboard supports 10,000+ MT/s out of the box with the Ryzen 8000G family of CPUs, up to 8600+ MT/s speeds with Ryzen 9000 series CPUs, and 8000+ MT/s speeds with Ryzen 7000 series CPUs.

GIGABYTE has just introduced its new X870E AERO X3D WOOD motherboard, which is a new statement piece for your PC that has been designed for the "discerning connoisseur" with actual wood for a totally different aesthetic. Check it out:

GIGABYTE announced the new motherboard, explaining that the new X870E AERO X3D WOOD "brings comfort and harmony to your space through thoughtful design that honors the quiet presence of natural materials. Every detail has been meticulously considered, from the premium leather pull tab-a tactile delight that brings luxurious warmth to your fingertips-to the natural wood aesthetic that evokes the warmth and authenticity of home".

We'd agree with that, as there's never been anything quite like a wood-themed motherboard for PCs before, with GIGABYTE also including a comprehensive thermal solution for the X870E AERO X3D WOOD motherboard. We have the VRM Thermal Armor Advanced with superior heat pipes, M.2 Thermal Guard L, M.2 Thermal Guard Ext., and a PCB Thermal Plate providing 14% thermal improvement and reinforced stability, ensuring optimal performance under demanding workloads while maintaining the board's elegant aesthetic.

Here's an interesting motherboard release from ASRock that flew under the radar. The ASRock H610M COMBO (via @unikoshardware), which supports 14th, 13th, and 12th Gen Intel Core processors (LGA1700 socket), supports both DDR4 and DDR5 dual-channel memory. Unfortunately, you can't install both at the same time, but this unique board includes 2 x DDR4 and 4 x DDR5 DIMMs.

"Designed for versatile memory configurations, this motherboard features 4 x DDR5 and 2 x DDR4 memory slots, allowing users to choose the memory type based on their needs (not compatible for mixed installation), greatly enhancing hardware configuration flexibility," the description reads. "The maximum system memory capacity depends on the memory type: up to 96GB with DDR5, or up to 64GB with DDR4."

This compact, versatile micro-ATX board also includes multiple display outputs, including HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI-D, D-Sub, and eDP, which is impressive. On the flip side, it only includes a single PCIe Gen3 x4 M.2 slot for SSD storage, but it supports up to 12 USB devices, including two USB 3.2 Gen2 ports on the rear, one of which is Type-C.

COLORFUL has just confirmed AMD's next-generation Zen 6-based Ryzen CPUs are supported on its new B850 motherboards, with new CVN, Battle-Ax, and MEOW mobos based on the B850 chipset.

COLORFUL joins motherboard makers like ASUS, MSI, GIGABYTE, and ASRock in supporting next-gen Zen 6 processors on their latest AM5 motherboards, meaning users don't need to upgrade their motherboard to enjoy next-gen Ryzen CPUs based on the new Zen 6 architecture. Unlike Intel, as its new Core Ultra 400 series "Nova Lake" desktop CPUs use a new LGA1954 socket, meaning you'll need to buy a new CPU and a new motherboard when they drop in 2026.

COLORFUL explains: "Colorful Technology Company Limited, a leading brand in gaming PC components, gaming laptops, and HiFi audio products, today announced three new additions to its B850 motherboard family: the CVN B850M ARK FROZEN, BATTLE-AX B850M-PLUS S WIFI7, and COLORFIRE B850M-MEOW WIFI7. These new models bring enhanced power delivery, upgraded connectivity, and signature COLORFUL design identities to meet the performance needs of next-generation AMD Ryzen processors".

MSI's new MEG X870E ACE MAX motherboard specifications have been listed in China, with the mid-cycle "refresh" mobo featuring 3 x PCIe 5.0 slots, and dual Gen5 M.2 SSD slots, as well as "next-level CPU" support.

MSI's upcoming MEG X870E ACE MAX motherboard sports an 18+2+1 phase SPS DrMOS power design, with 4 x DDR5 UDIMM slots with support for memory overclocking at up to 8400 MT/s and beyond. On the storage and expansion side of things, it features 1 x PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, 1 x PCIe 5.0 x8 slot, 1 x PCIe 5.0 x4 slot, 2 x PCIe 5.0 x4 M.2 SSD slots, 3 x PCIe 4.0 x4 slots, and 4 x SATA III ports. On the rear, I/O includes USB4 40Gbps Type-C ports.

There's a larger 64GB BIOS on the MEG X870E ACE MAX motherboard, which provides the motherboard support for "next-level CPU" upgrades with better compatibility, says MSI. The next-level CPU upgrades most likely refer to AMD's upcoming Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 and Ryzen 7 9850X3D2 processors with dual X3D cache (up to 192MB of L3 cache on the 9950X3D2). It could also refer to the next-gen Ryzen 10000 series CPUs based on the next-gen Zen 6 architecture, which will debut in 2026.

GIGABYTE is set to launch its new flagship motherboard for AMD Ryzen X3D processors, including the popular Ryzen 7 9800X3D for gaming. GIGABYTE notes that this is the "world's first flagship motherboard platform purpose-built" for X3D chips, which you can probably tell just by taking a look at its premium and stylish look.

The new X870E AORUS XTREME X3D AI TOP motherboard includes X3D Turbo Mode 2.0 for overclocking, an AI-powered model that will deliver a custom tuning profile that GIGABYTE claims can improve gaming performance by a whopping 25% in addition to a 14% boost to multi-tasking productivity. With the X870E AORUS XTREME X3D AI TOP, you'll be able to unleash the "true potential of AMD Ryzen X3D processors."

As a flagship board, the hardware here is impressive, with the 24+2+2 (SPS 110A) VRM able to push the premium Ryzen 9 9950X3D to its limit. The flagship-grade cooling and thermal design also features the DDR Wind Blade XTREME cover for memory, enhancing cooling and airflow, as well as the M.2 Thermal Guard XTREME for its five M.2 SSD slots, which includes a built-in 5mm fan and heat fins.

MSI Portal X is a web-based interface accessible via Chrome or Edge browsers on Windows PCs, designed to offer MSI hardware owners an easy and app-free way to customize their gear. After announcing the tool earlier this year, MSI has announced that Portal X is now live, letting users customize the lighting on MSI-branded motherboards, graphics cards, and "most memory modules."

Portal X is limited to current MSI Intel and AMD 800 Series motherboards, the company's lineup of GeForce RTX 50 Series graphics cards, and RAM from "most brands on the market." Portal X is presented as an alternative to the company's dedicated Mystic Light Utility and MSI Center apps for making changes to lighting.

However, as it currently stands, Portal X isn't a replacement, as the dedicated Mystic Light app supports all MSI products, as well as third-party gear, and offers deeper synchronization controls. Additionally, although Portal X allows you to make lighting changes through your browser, it still requires a one-time installation of the MSI Portal X Launcher app, available via the Microsoft Store.

MSI has just quietly released its new compact enthusiast motherboard, the new MPG X870I EDGE TI EVO WIFI, which packs support for DDR5 memory speeds of over 10,000+ MT/s out of the box. Check it out:

The new MSI MPG X870I EDGE TI EVO WIFI motherboard features the AM5 socket and is ready for AMD's next-gen Zen 6-based Ryzen CPUs, with a high-end VRM setup that uses an 8+2+1 SPS 110A power phases, so you're ready to rock and roll when it comes to overclocking your CPU and RAM.

We have dual DIMM slots that MSI says support 10,000+ MT/s speeds, meaning we should expect some new DDR5 memory overclocking records on the new MPG X870I EDGE TI EVO WIFI motherboard, with MSI promising the 10,000+ MT/s speeds on RAM using a 1DPC 1R configuration. With a 1DPC 2R configuration, MSI says you'll be good for DDR5 speeds of around 8000 MT/s, but with some tweaks we could expect overclockers to breach that, too.

AMD has yet to confirm or formally announce details on its next generation of desktop Ryzen CPUs that will be built using the company's on-the-horizon Zen 6 architecture. Credible leaks, rumors, and speculation suggest that Zen 6 will feature a mix of TSMC's 3nm and 2nm process nodes, offering more cores than previous generations, along with notable improvements in power efficiency, latency, and performance.

Marketing for the new ASUS X870 AYW GAMING WIFI W motherboard confirms 'Zen 6' support

It's also expected that the Zen 6 generation of Ryzen CPUs will be supported by the AM5 platform and current Ryzen motherboards, even though the release is expected sometime in late 2026 or in the first half of 2027. This aligns with AMD's commitment to supporting motherboard chipsets for multiple CPU generations, as reflected in the new X870 AM5 boards listed as "future CPU ready."

COLORFUL has just introduced its new CVN X870E ARK FROZEN motherboard, its first X870E-based motherboard. Check it out:

The new COLORFUL CVN X870E ARK FROZEN motherboard sports a gorgeous white PCB that is covered by the company's in-house Aries frost cooling armor and a full-sized metal backplate. On the power delivery side of things we've got a 16+2+1 phase VRM design with 80A DrMOS and dual 8-pin EPS power connectors.

COLORFUL's new CVN X870E ARK FROZEN motherboard will support AMD Ryzen 7000, 8000, and 9000 series CPUs (including their wicked-fast X3D chips), while supporting up to 192GB of DDR5 memory at up to 8200 MT/s, with both EXPO and XMP profiles.