Motherboards - Page 19

Intel's upcoming Coffee Lake-S architecture is nearly here, something that will be led by the flagship Core i7-8700K processor. But now we have Biostar's upcoming RACING Z370 GT7 motherboard spotted, and it looks GOOD.

Biostar says that the upcoming RACING Z370 GT7 motherboard will support DDR4 RAM up to 3866MHz, with reinforced PCIe slots, more M.2 slots, Realtek ALC1220 audio chipset, and the Intel I219V gigabit ethernet controller.

I'm loving the black and yellow style on the motherboard, with M.2 cooling teased at the bottom. The RGBs above the I/O panel look great too, but I think this board is going to look great when used in a specific black/blue build... giving me some ideas. Watch this space.

We all know about the cryptocurrency mining phenomenon that has lasted longer than fidget spinners and Pokemon GO combined, but now Colorful is entering the game with the most unique motherboard... well... EVER.

Colorful has just announced a non-standard form factor motherboard that uses Intel's LGA 1151 socket, with the new C.B250A-BTC PLUS V20 motherboard (you won't forget that easily, don't worry) rocking a huge 8 x PCIe x16 slots. The board is a massive 485mm in length and even 195mm wide... meaning even huge HPTX cases won't house it.

The new motherboard is built for mining-specific racks, with 8 x PCIe x16 slots and 2-slot spacing between them for 8 high-end graphics cards to mine 24/7.

The crypomining phase is slowing fading, but this hasn't stopped BIOSTAR releasing the first Micro-ATX Intel H110 Chipset Motherboard dedicated for crypto mining systems. Built ground up for mining, BIOSTAR have removed features don't enhance mining performance to keep costs down and efficiency up.

The compact design still allows for 6 x PCI-E support (1 x PCI-E x16 3.0, 5 x PCI-E x1 2.0) and supports all the essentials in optimizing your mining rig including 7th generation Intel Core processors, 2-DIMM DDR4-2400MHz RAM to 32GB, HDMI and USB 3.0. Featuring HDMI KVM support, this allows for easy management of multi-mining setups or D-Sub KVM for more conventional multi-monitor setups.

The BIOSTAR H110M-BTC is a great choice for entry miners, that require affordable pricing and still offering support and performance for multiple GPU's.

GIGABYTE has reached out to TweakTown over our previous story, with the F5 BIOS on X370 motherboards from the company over-volting Ryzen CPUs, which we're going to clarify now. GIGABYTE released the iffy BIOS on 25/8, but on 31/8 the company realized there were some problems with the F5 BIOS.

GIGABYTE quickly pulled the F5 BIOS from their website, and on the morning of 9/1 they had the announcements on their forums, with information on the updated BIOS. GIGABYTE is reaching out to affected customers now.

Update: GIGABYTE has reached out to TweakTown over this story, which we're going to clarify now. GIGABYTE released the iffy BIOS on 25/8, but on 31/8 the company realized there were some problems with the F5 BIOS.

GIGABYTE quickly pulled the F5 BIOS from their website, and on the morning of 9/1 they had the announcements on their forums, with information on the updated BIOS. GIGABYTE is reaching out to affected customers now.

Original story: GIGABYTE X370 motherboard owners, listen up: GIGABYTE has posted a new BIOS for their Ryzen-capable X370 Gaming K7 and X370 Gaming K5 motherboards, with this F5 revision BIOS meant to provide optiomizations to GIGABYTE's boards... but, it did anything but what it promised.

GIGABYTE are feeling generous, having today announced customers who have purchased a GIGABYTE X299 motherboard from qualified retailers will be eligible for a free gift!

This offer is only valid until September 14 2017 and for purchases between June 19 to August 31, 2017. However, the 'X299 Xperience Pack' is definitely worth it, to claim your free pack, submit a completed registration here.

Inside the X299 Xperience Pack:

AMD is about to launch its next-gen Ryzen ThreadRipper CPUs that will drive 16C/32T processors into the masses, while ASUS is preparing a new high-end motherboard.

The new ASUS X399 ROG Zenith Extreme has been teased, with a full unboxing revealing that the new board rocks the beefy TR4 socket, Wi-Fi antennas, and much more. ASUS includes a PCIe ethernet card, VGA holder, ASUS DIMM2 extension card, LCD screen, and four reinforced PCIe slots.

ASUS' new X399 ROG Zenith Extreme is the first X399 motherboard to arrive in E-ATX, which is a fair bit larger than a traditional ATX motherboard.

ASUS launched their Crosshair VI Hero earlier this year when AMD launched their new Ryzen processors, but now the company has unleashed their first ROG motherboard ready for Ryzen CPUs.

The new ROG Crosshair VI Extreme is a new enthusiast motherboard ready for Ryzen CPUs, enthusiasts, and gamers alike who want the very best from ASUS. ASUS includes their Aura Sync RGB LED technology, dual PCIe 3.0 x16 slots for SLI/CF setups, and even a third x16 slot for CrossFire rigs (as long as your cards are dual-slot).

There's also USB 3.1 Gen 2 connectivity with Type-C and Type-A ports, GbE connectivity, and an upgraded 2x2 antenna for 802.11ac Wi-Fi. ASUS includes their latest SupremeFX S1220 codec teamed with the ESS Sabre DAC that provides great quality sound all from your motherboard.

GIGABYTE has announced their new mini-ITX motherboard ready for AMD Ryzen processors, with their new AB350N-Gaming Wi-Fi motherboard that is ready for AMD's "performance-class" B350 chipset.

This means we have most of the functionality of the flagship X370 chipset, but is cut down slightly. The table above explains it easily.

Moving onto the board itself, the GIGABYTE AB350N-Gaming Wi-Fi looks great with its black and silver style, with 2 x DIMM slots and a single x16 PCIe slot. There's some overclocking headroom on the board with GIGABYTE deploying an advanced all-digital six-phase VRM with an International Rectifier controller, IR PowIRstage ICs and solid state capacitors. LN2 cooling even works on the AB350N-Gaming Wi-Fi, with GIGABYTE including 4-pin hybrid fan headers that are specific to LN2 cooling... so expect mITX boards to play with the big boys in LN2 records.

MSI has officially unveiled its new X299 TOMAHAWK ARCTIC motherboard, with its freakin' beautiful - and super unique look.

The new X299 TOMAHAWK ARCTIC sports 4 x PCIe x16 slots, 2 x PCIe 1x, and 2 x M.2 slots. MSI's TOMAHAWK range is the company's mid-range series, so this doesn't have all of the bells and whistles that the high-end/enthusiast motherboards will have. We do have MSI's own Mystic Light feature, which will light up the board - and in that white theme, it'll look crazy good in the right combination of RGB LEDs, graphics card/s, and case/fans.

MSI X299 TOMAHAWK ARCTIC

At number 18 on Fortune 100's list of Fastest Growing Companies, SuperMicro traditionally offers server and datacenter products, but now they are targeting gamers. SuperMicro recently established their gaming brand, SuperO, which is positioned to provide consumers with high quality gaming parts. With slogans such as "Server DNA Infused", you might assume that it is just marketing, but having looked at many of their motherboards I can attest they are not messing around. Server grade components and design practices are very common on their motherboards, and that is good news for people who want an X299 motherboard since Intel's HEDT platform has typically been closely tied to their server platform.

The C7X299-PG features Aquantia's new 5Gbit NIC, Intel Gbit LAN, two U.2 ports, two M.2 ports, four USB 3.1 ports (one type-C), 8 memory DIMMs supporting 128GB of DRR4, XMP 3733MHz+, and the Realtek ALC1220 with a Texas Instruments OPA1612 amplifier. Durability wise, the motherboard uses an 8-layer server-grade PCB, 20K@105C hours rated NIPPON Chemi-Con capacitors (that's very high), fully integrated power stages, and digital PWMs. The motherboard's UEFI is said to be improved over previous generations, and the motherboard offers a new look and theme compared to their previous X99 motherboard. We hope to take a look soon and let you know how it does.

Computex 2017 - We have seen some impressive X299 motherboards, but none are as big as one we spotted at Biostar's booth at Computex 2017. The X299GT9 is a monster motherboard that comes in the E-ATX form factor, which allows for a significantly wider PCB. The motherboard features multiple PCI-E x16 slots, two U.2 ports, an M.2 slot, many USB 3.0 internal headers, and a hefty VRM.

Hidden under a metal veil is an Intel 1Gbit NIC as well as an Intel 10Gbit NIC. Intel's X550AT is employed to drive the higher networking speeds. The PCI-E layout is x16/x16/x8/x4/x4/x4/x4 and there are four SATA6Gb/s ports on the right of the motherboard. The motherboard does support USB 3.1 and carries a 14-phase VRM. We don't know much more about the motherboard, but its size is impressive, and hopefully we will get one in for review.

Computex 2017 - ASUS's Rampage VI Extreme and X299-Deluxe do not only sport new digs, but also the latest in Wi-Fi technology, Wireless AD. While current standards such as Wireless N (802.11n) and Wireless AC (802.11ac) operate on the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, Wireless AD (802.11ad) operates on the 60GHz band (or around it).

It will offer theoretical speeds up to 7Gbps, while Wireless AC maxes out around 3.2Gbps in its most impressive theoretical form. The Rampage VI Extreme will also feature 10Gbit wired networking, hopefully ushering in a new generation of multi-Gbit wired and wireless networking.

While features such as multi-Gbit networking tend to stay at the very top of the stack when it comes to integrated features, ASUS is also adding in Wireless AD into its X299-Deluxe, along with many features such as a built-in LCD located at the center of the motherboard and multiple USB 3.1 ports. Wireless AD capable networking equipment should become more common in the second half of this year into the next.

Computex 2017 - ASRock delivered the only X99 motherboard to the consumer market and it seems that they have done it again with the X299 chipset. The socket will support LGA2011 mounting.

The X299E-ITX/AC features the new chipset along with four SO-DIMMs, which ASRock claims can support up to 4800MHz DDR4, as well as quad-channel memory support. While it only has a single PCI-E x16 slot like most other mini-ITX motherboards, it does offer two x4 PCI-E 3.0 M.2 slots. Two of them are located on the back of the motherboard, while the third is located on a daughterboard behind the IO panel.

The motherboard actually features a second daughterboard that allow ASRock to cram more into the mini-ITX form factor including six SATA6Gb/s ports and a USB 3.0 internal header. The SATA/USB board sits above the VRM heat sink, which looks like it is small enough to cool down high quality dual N-channel MOSFETs or fully integrated power stages.

Computex 2017 - MSI today unveiled its latest fleet of motherboards to compliment Intel's new X299 chipset, built specifically to leverage Intel's high-end Core i9 Skylake-X and Kaby Lake-X processors.

MSI's new X299 motherboard fleet is composed of three main series: the higher-end feature-rich MSI Enthusiast Series, the stylish MSI Performance Series, and the durable metal-infused MSI Arsenal Gaming series, all of which offer a range different motherboards and features for different price points.

MSI's Enthusiast Series includes the premium X299 GAMING M7 ACK motherboard is the X299 variant of the company's popular GAMING M series. This particular motherboard is "designed for gamers and PC enthusiasts who love performance," and features high-end tools for overclockers including a 10 phase DigitALL power design with Loadline Calibration and MSI's Turbo Socket.

Computex 2017 - GIGABYTE today revealed its new fleet of Aorus X299 gaming motherboards in Taipei, Taiwan.

The new Aorus gaming motherboard line is specifically built for Intel's new enthusiast-grade X299 series processors, and features a number of premium additions to enhance users' PC gaming experience. The line features Ultra Durable base plates and reinforced PCIe lanes to reduce GPU sag damage as well as thermal head spreaders for M.2 SSDs and Intel's new Optane Memory technology. Stylish accenting is added by the Aorus X299 Gaming 9 and 7's RGB LEDs, which can be customized with software to add more flair to any build.

GIGABYTE's new X299 Aorus Gaming Series also comes with Smart Fan 5 software which allows users to optimize and control their cooling system. The company explains the benefits of its Fan Stop Technology in the latest press release: "Fan stop technology reduces unnecessary wear on fans when the system is below a specific temperature, stopping all fans until they are needed. With improved control and up-to-the-second information on flow-rate and water-temperature through the Hybrid Fan Pin Headers, the new Smart Fan 5 offers users complete mastery over their PC. To ensure the ultimate liquid cooling experience, high-current 3 amperage pin header has been added to power the most demanding water pumps available for PC cooling."

MSI has started teasing its next-gen motherboard based on Intel's upcoming X299 platform, and man does it look slick AF. MSI's upcoming X299 motherboard has a bunch of beautiful RGB LEDs running under the hood, with three M.2 slots on the motherboard and plenty of x16 ports for 4-way SLI/CF systems.

It will be using the upcoming LGA 2066 socket, and MSI's own Audio Boost VI technology - and MSI will reportedly be using a 6-pin PCIe power connector above the first PCIe x16 slot, something that you'll need when running multi-GPU configurations. MSI will be making this X299 board their showcase motherboard for high-end/enthusiast systems, and I can't wait to build a new PC around it. Oh yeah.

Intel will reportedly be launching 12C/24T processors based on the upcoming Kaby Lake X architecture, a knee jerk reaction to the multi-threaded war that AMD is waging with Intel and its Ryzen processors. These new high-end CPUs are being dropped two months early, with Intel seemingly scared out of their pants over Ryzen.

MSI has just unleashed 3 new motherboard bundles that include Intel's new Optane Memory pre-installed into the M.2 slot on the board, with the new bundles dubbed 'Opt Boost' variants of MSI's boards.

MSI will be launching the Z270 Tomahawk Opt Boost, which will feature support for high-speed DDR4, USB 3.1 ports, and dual M.2 slots - with MSI using a 16GB Optane drive in the second M.2 slot on the board.

The second board is the B250M Bazooka, a micro-ATX motherboard on the mid-range B250 chipset, meaning it will not have overclocking support, with its single M.2 slot used up by the Optane drive.

We've all been waiting for mini-ITX motherboards ready for AMD's new Ryzen CPUs, and here we are: BIOSTAR has finally announced the world's first mini-ITX motherboards for AMD's new AM4 platform.

BIOSTAR has announced the BIOSTAR RACING X370GTN and RACING B350GTN mini-ITX motherboards, both falling into the RACING Series family, with both of the AM4-capable boards featuring BIOSTAR's second-gen RACING features like 5050 LED Fun Zones with dual 5050 LED headers for DIY customization, and their exclusive VIVID LED DJ with full RGB LED control.

BIOSTAR's new mITX motherboards are perfect for your monster-fast Ryzen gaming PC, especially if you throw in a Ryzen 5 1600X (6C/12T) or the Ryzen 7 1800X (8C/16T). Better yet, the new motherboards are pretty cheap, at $129 for the higher-end RACING X370GTN, while it's just $109 for the upcoming RACING B350GTN.

AMD is already offering performance improvements on its new Ryzen 7 1800X processor for games like Ashes of the Singularity and DOTA 2 - but there are some big surprises coming soon with a new AMD Generic Encapsulated Software Architecture (AGESA) point release 1.0.0.4 to motherboard partners.

The new AGESA-powered BIOS pushed out in April will offer some great improvements, including:

Better yet, that super cool guy Robert Hallock from AMD teased that this is just the beginning of Ryzen improvements - as there'll be an update in May that will push for better overclocking of DDR4 RAM on Ryzen motherboards.