It’s been quite a journey for AMD since they launched the AM5 motherboard platform three years ago, alongside their 600-series motherboards. Since those days, we’ve seen impressive entries from the Ryzen 7000, 8000, and 9000 CPU families. The 600-series has been excellent, boasting great features and compatibility with newer Zen 5 CPUs. But in the tech world, there’s always room for enhancement. Enter AMD’s brand-new 800-series chipset line.
These fresh entrants, the X870 and B850 series chipsets, are breathing new life into high-end and mainstream AM5 motherboards. Packed with innovative designs and enticing features, they’re capturing the attention of both fresh AMD builders and seasoned AM4 users looking to upgrade for their gaming and content creation needs.
Our hands-on experience begins with ASRock’s X870 Livemixer WIFI, one of the latest mainstream offerings showcasing the AMD AM5 platform’s advancements.
The AM4 platform, launched back in 2017, is still going strong in 2024. AMD recently rolled out new chips for it, and it appears AM4 will persist until around 2025. However, AMD is pivoting to their 2nd Generation AM5 platform with the 800-series family, initially targeting high-end enthusiasts with the X870E and X870 chipsets. These are designed for superior features, I/O memory support, and additional overclocking capabilities for Ryzen CPUs, particularly the Zen 5-based Ryzen 9000 “Granite Ridge” lineup.
Key improvements on the AMD X870E and X870 motherboards include:
– Universal USB 4.0 standard
– PCIe Gen5 for both graphics and NVMe
– Enhanced EXPO memory clock support
These new motherboards are well-equipped to support cutting-edge features, including new PBO and CO algorithms debuting with Ryzen 9000 CPUs. Beyond the X870E and X870, AMD plans to release the B850 and B840 chipsets for the mainstream market. Here’s how the lineup appears:
The X870E series, featuring dual Promontory 21 dies, supports USB4 alongside Gen5 GPU/SSD compatibility. While the X870 (Non-E) retains similar I/O support, available lanes will differ.
Here’s a glimpse of what these chipsets offer:
– Enhanced CrossfireX/SLI setups
– Comprehensive Gen5 support with Ryzen 7000 CPUs and above
– Diverse USB and SATA support across models
Motherboards are expected to support DDR5-5600 MT/s memory speeds natively, with high-end models pushing over 8000 MT/s by July.
The B850 boards will use the same Promontory 21 die but without native USB4 support, while inclusion of Gen5 M.2 support will be optional. The entry-level B840 will employ the older Promontory 19 die, supporting only Gen4 GPU/SSD and lacking CPU overclocking options. However, these will be competitively priced, challenging Intel’s sub-$200 offerings.
AMD continues the tradition with the A620/A620A series for entry-level users, focusing on affordability and accessibility for a broader customer base.
With the shift to the LGA 1718 socket, AMD is moving from a PGA to an LGA layout, promising more robust connectivity and support for enhanced platform features. AMD aims to support the AM5 socket well into 2027 and beyond, much like its loyalty to the AM4 platform.
Current cooler designs will remain compatible thanks to the similar dimensions of the new CPUs, ensuring a seamless transition for those upgrading to the latest Ryzen desktop CPUs. This approach echoes AMD’s commitment to consumer satisfaction, with flexible support between older and newer components, ensuring a balanced blend of performance and value.
