Motherboards - Page 9

There has been a major shake-up in the AMD AM5 motherboards for the Ryzen 7000 line-up of CPUs thanks to a new BIOS update that offers a massive boost to high-speed DDR5 memory modules and stability. With MSI's extensive AM5 motherboard range, the company has confirmed that the new firmware is now available across its full X670E, X670, B650, and A620 product line.

With a detailed list of boards and links to download the new firmware available via MSI's official blog post for the AMD AGESA PI 1.0.0.7c BIOS update, the only models that will have to wait until sometime this week to get the update are the MSI MAG X670E TOMAHAWK WIFI and MSI B650M PROJECT ZERO motherboards.

To demonstrate the massive increase in high-speed memory support, MSI shared a couple of examples, one on MSI's PRO B650-P WIFI Motherboard running a DDR5-7200 MHz "EXPO" certified kit and another with MSI's flagship MEG X670E ACE Motherboard achieving a speed of DDR5-8000 MHz.

Motherboards that look good usually cost a lot more than your budget off-the-shelf black offerings, and ASRock is looking to change that with the launch of its first all-white motherboard range for Intel and AMD platforms in the Micro-ATX form factor.

Although the company says these are "all-white," they feature some stylish black and silver connectors and flourishes - but we'll give them a pass because they look very cool.

All-white PC components are popular right now, as highlighted by our recent look at the stylish new ASRock AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX Taichi White 24GB. For ASRock's new all-white motherboards, the new look applies to three models; two for Intel CPUs and one for the AMD AM4 CPUs.

AMD and its AM5 motherboard partners are rolling out the new AGESA 1.0.0.7B BIOS, which improves DDR5 memory support. And early reports indicate that the previous limit of DDR5-6000 has increased significantly to DDR5-7000 and even DDR5-8000.

The new BIOS improves memory synchronization and stability with high-speed DDR5 modules with SOC voltage tuning within the 1.2-1.3V range, which is within the limits outlined by AMD. This post over on Twitter shows the new BIOS running on an ASRock B650 LiveMixer motherboard and DDR5 memory, hitting an impressive speed of 8000 MT/s.

This post on Twitter from chi11eddog also showcases an even faster DDR5-8200 result with the new BIOS on a more premium MSI X670E Ace board. Specs-wise, the build is rocking the flagship AMD Ryzen 9 7950X CPU with OLOy DDR5 memory rated at 7600 MT/s overclocked-a massive improvement over previous AM5 DDR5 speeds.

We first looked at the new ASRock's new Z790 Taichi Lite and B650E Taichi Lite motherboards back at Computex 2023 during our tour of the company's impressive booth and product line-up. The 'Lite' branding is all about releasing a range of premium Taichi boards with affordability in mind without sacrificing features and build quality.

And now, the Z790 Taichi Lite for Intel CPUs and B650E Taichi Lite for AMD CPUs are here, featuring a robust 24-phase VRM and support for PCIe 5.0 graphics cards and M.2 SSDs. Both feature IO support the latest USB 4 spec, too, with the only big thing bringing the cost down is the lack of RGB lighting - though you do get RGB headers for devices like CPU fans and other cooling.

Thunderbolt, Killer 2.5 GbE LAN, Wi-Fi 6E, and plenty of USB expansion make up the design of ASRock's new Z790 Taichi Lite and B650E Taichi Lite motherboards, and you can check out the full specs below.

ASRock had several goodies to showcase at Computex 2023, with everything from displays to graphics cards and motherboards. On that front, it had a couple of notable new high-end entries that will take full advantage of the new Wi-Fi 7 standard that can hit a theoretical data rate of 46 Gbps.

The flagship Wi-Fi 7 board from ASRock is the Phantom Gaming Z790 Nova Wi-Fi 7, which features a 20+1+1 Phase Power Design and plenty of expansion opportunities. Storage-wise, it features a single 'Blazing' M.2 slot (PCIe Gen 5x4), five additional 'Hyper' M.2 Slots (PCIe Gen 4x4), and three SATA ports.

USB-wise, you're looking at 19 in total (10 on the rear and 9 on the front), with two being Type-C and four being USB 3.2 Gen2. In addition to Wi-Fi 7, you've also got an impressive Realtek 5GbE LAN connection.

One of the big themes of Computex 2023, at least in terms of complete PC builds, was looking at ways to improve cable management through the smart motherboard and case design. With MSI creating everything from motherboards to fast SSDs to GPUs and cases, it was no surprise that 'MSI Project Zero' was on hand to showcase a glimpse at the p[otential future of cleaner and more visually appealing builds.

It all comes down to a brand-new motherboard design with no visible circuits or cabling on the front, which in turn leads to a clean-looking build. All the major stuff is on the back of the Micro-ATX MSI B650M Project Zero motherboard, from the chunky 24-pin motherboard power connector, front panel connectors, RGB headers, fan headers, and even SATA connectors.

The B650 chipset supports the current generation of AMD Ryzen 7000 series processors, dual PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slots, DDR5 memory, 2.5G LAN, and support for Wi-Fi 6E. What separates the MSI Project Zero build from similar stealth projects at Computex 2023 is that everything you see here is on track for a release this year.

A large number of GIGABYTE motherboards are reportedly affected by a vulnerability that could be seriously bad news.

That's according to cybersecurity outfit Eclypsium, which runs a system that heuristically picked up backdoor-like behavior in PCs with GIGABYTE mobos in the wild.

Embarking on an investigation and subsequent analysis, Eclypsium pinned down the problem to GIGABYTE's firmware and a compact updater app therein (designed to ensure the firmware stays fully up to date).

With ASUS being one the leading suppliers of AM5 motherboards, the recent Ryzen 7000 CPU burnout issue brought the question of warranty to the fore regarding what's covered in terms of beta BIOS updates, AMD EXPO, and Intel XMP overclocking profiles. For the Ryzen issue, a string of BIOS updates and new specifications from AMD has aimed to resolve the issue of potentially catastrophic failure by limiting SoC voltage and improving thermal protection for CPUs.

ASUS, specifically, has been called out by prominent tech-oriented YouTube channels like Gamers Nexus for its handling of the issue highlighting the frantic updating of BIOS revisions, bugs, and Ryzen 7000 SoC voltages remaining at potentially unsafe levels.

There was also the question of whether something as simple and straightforward as enabling an AMD EXPO memory overclocking profile voids a motherboard's warranty - something that also applies to Intel XMP overclocking. Today's statement from ASUS is welcome news; you can read it in full below.

MSI has pushed out a fresh BIOS update for AM5 motherboards (X670 and B650) which introduces a new option that supposedly cuts boot times in half.

That's a pretty spectacular claim, but MSI proved this was the case, at least in one test scenario shared by the company (as highlighted by Tom's Hardware).

In the case of a PC with an AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D processor and MSI MAG X670E Tomahawk WIFI motherboard, by turning on the new feature - 'Memory Context Restore' - the time for a cold boot (from hitting the on switch to reaching the desktop) was reduced from 43 to 22 seconds.

A new report at Wccftech indicates that the launch of entry-level A620 motherboards for AM5 Ryzen 7000 CPUs is happening this week, with an MSI A620 motherboard set to launch with a price point under USD 90.

And yeah, that's what we'd call entry-level and affordable, and something that will open the door to more budget-conscious Ryzen builds using the lower, more efficient SKUs of the Ryzen 7000 Series. Like, say, the AMD Ryzen 5 7600.

Of course, lowering the price does mean reducing the capabilities, with PCB images of the MSI A620 board showcasing a 6+2+1 VRM design and a single 8-pin power connector for the AM5 socket. Still, the board will feature VRM heatsinks and, per the AM5 spec, support DDR5 memory (with AMD EXPO overclocking) via two slots.

Cheap AM5 motherboards are right around the corner, with the entry-level A620 boards for Ryzen 7000 CPUs set to launch soon. And we might be seeing prices drop below the USD 100 barrier, making them excellent options for budget-conscious gamers putting together a new build.

Two overseas (or local, depending on where you're reading this) retailers have listed the new MSI Pro A620M-E motherboard - Polish site BuyIT and the Slovakian-based Edis Computers. The listings arrive via @Momomo_US.

With the price conversion to USD, you're looking at roughly $80 for the budget AM5 motherboard. No images or details for the MSI Pro A620M-E motherboard were listed, so we can only speculate based on our knowledge.

Thanks to VideoCardz.com, we've got our first look at an entry-level A620 motherboard for AMD's new AM5 platform introduced with the new Ryzen 7000 CPU range. A620 will be the affordable entry-level option below B650 and X670 series offerings.

A620 boards will greatly interest those looking to create a new Ryzen build that doesn't break the bank.

With the first shots of the upcoming ASRock A620 motherboard (A620M-HDV/M.2), we've also got some idea of what's being cut to pave the way for a more affordable range of AMD-compatible boards.

Recently we reported on ASUS's new BTF motherboard range, where the physical design put all the primary connections on the underside for improved cable management. It's part of the company's DIY-APE design. In fact, it's the sort of design that we'd love to see become standard - the only real catch being that, as of now, only a limited number of cases support the design.

That is, cases with suitable holes and space so these new motherboards can be mounted in the first place. But with one of the largest manufacturers of motherboards, ASUS, creating motherboards like the TUF GAMING B760M-BTF WIFI D4, we've also got word that another big player is looking to do the same.

With new reports coming in, it's looking like MSI is prepping its own AMD B650 motherboards with the main power connectors on the underside. And Maxsun too. On the MSI front, we'd love to see the design as part of the company's iconic Tomahawk range.

AMD's Ryzen 7000 CPUs had their sales momentum hampered by the cost of upgrading initially, with expensive motherboards being part of the problem right off the bat - but now truly affordable AM5 options are arriving.

Enter stage left the ASRock B650M-HDV/M.2 motherboard, which Newegg is offering for US$125 right now, a US$15 discount on the recommended price (US$140).

We say Newegg is offering it, although at the time of writing, it's still officially on pre-order, but it goes on sale today (March 10), so should be available in a matter of hours (probably by the time you read this).

ASUS has revealed its new TUF GAMING B760M-BTF WIFI D4 motherboard, and it features a rare physical design in that the BTF series is all about hiding the connectors on the underside of the motherboard. ASUS notes this will allow clean cable management for that cable-free minimalist look.

BTF stands for "Back To (the) Future" for reasons we assume relate to ASUS engineers being huge fans of the 1980s time-travel classic Back to the Future rather than the cryptic "new era for all PC DIY gamers." Hiding the connections on the underside of the motherboard is something we've seen briefly in the past from the likes of MSI, but it looks like ASUS is set to follow up with the concept, with this new motherboard being the first of more BTF motherboards.

In addition to the main power connectors, the underside houses USB connectors for front panels, fan headers, and an M.2 PCIe Gen 4 slot for additional storage. Of course, this motherboard will require a compatible case, as only a few PC cases provide access to where the underside connectors are placed.

A new report covering motherboard shipments from four of the biggest names in the game - ASUS, GIGABYTE, MSI, and ASRock - has revealed that 2022 was a devastating year. According to DigiTimes (via Tom's Hardware), citing supply-chain sources, there was a decline of around 10 million in motherboard shipments compared to the previous year.

The usual suspects of economic downturns and a post-pandemic slump are listed as the reasons, which is in line with recent reports about overall PC shipments seeing a similarly massive decline in 2022.

Even though 2022 saw the release of new CPUs from Intel and AMD, with the latter introducing a new motherboard chipset in the form of AM5, it wasn't enough to cover the shortfall in demand for new PC hardware.

GIGABYTE's new mid-range B760 AORUS Elite motherboard has been spotted, the first custom B760-based motherboard so far... check it out:

The new GIGABYTE B760 AORUS Elite motherboard isn't a high-end board, with no support for DDR5 memory and in its place DDR4 memory... so it is the perfect motherboard for someone who is looking at a new CPU like Intel's mid-range Core i5-13600K processor, but didn't want to buy DDR5 memory, too.

AMD has been struggling to sell its new Ryzen 7000 series CPUs given that consumers need to buy a higher-end X670 or B650 motherboard, which require DDR5 memory for the most part... but if you're waiting to upgrade to Intel's new 13th Gen Core "Raptor Lake" CPUs and didn't want to invest in DDR5, there are new motherboards on the way.

GIGABYTE has just announced that its "Instant 6GHz" feature is now available for their Z690 motherboards with a simple BIOS update, ready to boost performance on Intel's Core i9-13900K and Core i7-13700K processors.

The new Instant 6GHz feature on GIGABYTE's fleet of Z690 motherboards will add another 3% performance for single-core on the Core i9-13900K and Core i7-13700K processors. This new Instant 6GHz feature is great for Z690 motherboard owners who have the new Core i9-13900K or Core i7-13900K, without needing to buy a new Z790 motherboard to hit 6.0GHz.

GIGABYTE Z690 motherboard owners will simply need to upgrade to the latest BIOS on their motherboard to enjoy the Instant 6GHz feature, with the system automatically tweaking CPU voltage and Vcore Load Line Calibration of the Intel Core i9-13900K and Core i7-13700K processors, detecting the two most optimized cores to handle 6.0GHz, providing an additional 3% of single-core performance, just like the Z790 motherboards easily do.

Intel is reportedly gearing up for a February 2023 reveal of its next-gen HEDT platform in the form of the upcoming Sapphire Rapids "Fishhawk Falls" Xeon CPUs... but with it we'll see the W790 chipset, and now, we have a Canadian retailer listing pricing for a W790 motherboard real, real early.

Intel's upcoming 4th Gen Xeon Scalable CPU will be based on the Sapphire Rapids CPU architecture, which will be unveiled on January 10 according to the latest rumors... meanwhile, Canadian retailer ATIC has listed -- very early, very, very early I might add -- the SuperMicro X13SWA motherboard which is based on the upcoming W790 chipset.

SuperMicro X13WSA-TF motherboard based on the W790 chipset (source: ATIC)

MSI has unleashed a new special BIOS for its mid-range B660M Mortar MAX Wi-Fi motherboard, which when teamed with the Intel Core i5-13600K "Raptor Lake" processor can be overclocked to a hefty 5.8GHz, mighty impressive stuff.

At first, the Intel Core i5-13600K couldn't be overclocked on B660 chipset-based motherboards -- exclusive OC was allowed on the Z790 and Z690 motherboards -- but now the mid-range MSI B660 Mortar MAX Wi-Fi motherboards can be pushed with some impressive overclocking through the special BIOS.

Up until now, overclockers could only push the BCLK to 102.9MHz on the MSI B660 Mortar MAX Wi-Fi motherboard, but with the new Special BIOS that the company has released in the form of the "E7D97IMS.123U24" BIOS, you can push the BCLK up to an impressive 125MHz. The BIOS lock hurt overclocking, until now... since the 102.9MHz hurdle would only allow for a 5.25GHz CPU frequency.