X870/X870E Motherboard Lineup

[SpyderTracks]

I really don't know 😆

According to Gigabyte, the X3D Turbo mode will effect both X3D and non-X3D CPUs, with varying performance gains.
I'm a bit concerned because there are no specifics about which parameters would be "touched" by this feature.

It also outlines ”it acknowledges that performance improvement depends on 'processor model and DRAM conditions.”

If it’s reliant on the RAM, then it must be because it’s also affecting the memory fabric of the cpu, as well as the cpu itself.

That’s suggests a voltage adjustment to me, that’s the only reason the memory fabric may be affected?

 

[SimonPeters116]

I was a bit surprised to see standard USB ports on there, I thought the point of X870E was that it was exclusively USB 4 ports.

USB 4 looks the same as USB 3, I take it you can plug in either way round too?
But these USB 3 or 4 only boards wouldn't be much good to me. Most of my peripherals are USB 2, or even 1st gen.
All my dongles are definitely USB 2.
Mind you, I'll still be using this computer for another 8 to 10 years, I expect, so what I've got will be fine.
No doubt there will be USB 3/4 adapters to USB 2 available, both ways. So when I have to replace my older keyboard (for eg) with a new one, I can still plug it's USB 4 dongle into my USB 2 port?

 

[TonyCarter]

USB 4 looks the same as USB 3, I take it you can plug in either way round too?
But these USB 3 or 4 only boards wouldn't be much good to me. Most of my peripherals are USB 2, or even 1st gen.
All my dongles are definitely USB 2.
Mind you, I'll still be using this computer for another 8 to 10 years, I expect, so what I've got will be fine.
No doubt there will be USB 3/4 adapters to USB 2 available, both ways. So when I have to replace my older keyboard (for eg) with a new one, I can still plug it's USB 4 dongle into my USB 2 port?

I'll ignore USB type B, mini-A/mini-B, and micro-A/micro-B/micro-B superspeed as they're the work of the devil and should never be used - and I refuse to buy anything if I know it's got one of those.

USB2/3/4 are the spec/standard, USB-A/B/C are the ports/plugs. USB1/2 can uses the USB-A port/plug, USB 3 can use USB-A or USB-C whereas USB4 is USB-C only.

The specs are backward compatible, so a USB1 or 2 will work on a USB3 or 4 system. If it's a USB-C socket then you'd need a very common USB-C to USB-A adapter.

All can carry data and/or power, and each level allows faster data rates and higher power transmission - and the wrong cable/adapter can limit both data & power transmission rates.

USB-C (USB3/4) can also carry a Thunderbolt signal...and the wrong cable can cause issues there too.

 

[SimonPeters116]

I'll ignore USB type B, mini-A/mini-B, and micro-A/micro-B/micro-B superspeed as they're the work of the devil and should never be used - and I refuse to buy anything if I know it's got one of those.

USB2/3/4 are the spec/standard, USB-A/B/C are the ports/plugs. USB1/2 can uses the USB-A port/plug, USB 3 can use USB-A or USB-C whereas USB4 is USB-C only.

The specs are backward compatible, so a USB1 or 2 will work on a USB3 or 4 system. If it's a USB-C socket then you'd need a very common USB-C to USB-A adapter.

All can carry data and/or power, and each level allows faster data rates and higher power transmission - and the wrong cable/adapter can limit both data & power transmission rates.

USB-C (USB3/4) can also carry a Thunderbolt signal...and the wrong cable can cause issues there too.

That's cleared up everything. Thanks 🙂

 

[Ekans2011]

That’s suggests a voltage adjustment to me

That's my biggest concern.

 

[Ekans2011]

 

[SpyderTracks]

It is insanely cheap compared to the competition, Gigabyte have always been far better value

 

[Ekans2011]

It is insanely cheap compared to the competition, Gigabyte have always been far better value

Yep, I think it's a solid mb that includes everything we need (even a postcode!) for a very reasonable price. The only thing I don't like about it is the 6-layer PCB, but it shouldn't be a problem for 99% of customers.

 

[SpyderTracks]

Yep, I think it's a solid mb that includes everything we need (even a postcode!) for a very reasonable price. The only thing I don't like about it is the 6-layer PCB, but it shouldn't be a problem for 99% of customers.

The fact it’s got a Post Code screen is very good because that’s one of the major drawbacks of gigabyte boards is that they double up beep codes making them hard to decipher, but post codes should be far more specific.

 

[TonyCarter]

I suppose we’re lucky it’s a decent MB, as the only Asus one currently available is the Crosshair Hero at £217 more (or the Aorus Master at £160 more).

Even the remaining X670E MBs are limited to the expensive Crosshair Hero or ProArt.

 

[SpyderTracks]

I suppose we’re lucky it’s a decent MB, as the only Asus one currently available is the Crosshair Hero at £217 more (or the Aorus Master at £160 more).

Even the remaining X670E MBs are limited to the expensive Crosshair Hero or ProArt.

The ProArt is an incredible board, but it is the price of an X870e as a result. There are definitely some professional use cases where it makes sense but aside from that, it's definitely not good value for most builds.

Crosshair Hero is such a strange board, I really don't know where that fits unless you're hugely overclocking on a custom loop system. Massive high end render workstations or scientific / data mining / AI kind of workstations is all that really comes to mind for that board, the price is just insane.

 

[TonyCarter]

The ProArt is an incredible board, but it is the price of an X870e as a result. There are definitely some professional use cases where it makes sense but aside from that, it's definitely not good value for most builds.

Crosshair Hero is such a strange board, I really don't know where that fits unless you're hugely overclocking on a custom loop system. Massive high end render workstations or scientific / data mining / AI kind of workstations is all that really comes to mind for that board, the price is just insane.

But if you get into those sorts of uses, you’d go for a Threadripper and appropriate professional motherboard?

Maximus, Crosshair, Master versions have to be for those with money to burn 😁

 

[SpyderTracks]

But if you get into those sorts of uses, you’d go for a Threadripper and appropriate professional motherboard?

Maximus, Crosshair, Master versions have to be for those with money to burn 😁

Absolutely, especially when you’re talking say over 64gb RAM as AM5 still has the same memory controller, that’s a very good point.

 

[Ekans2011]

 

[SpyderTracks]

Do make note of the correction of the price to the Tai Chi Lite, it's actually £390, not £443 as he said (which is the full TaiChi), that's quite a considerable difference although previous versions have often been more like £100 cheaper.

I really adore the TaiChi boards, it's just the price, I'm old fashioned and just had a major physical reaction when I considered motherboards over £200 which resulted in broken furniture. The Steel Legend X670E is almost like a TaiChi Lite in how fully featured it is as a budget option, incredible board, I'd actually say it's a better choice than this X870 Steel Legend, has the same NVME support, the only thing it's lacking is has wifi 6E vs wifi 7 and doesn't have the 2 USB 4 slots, other than that though, I'd say it's a more premium board.