Yes, the AMD Ryzen 7000 processor has finally launched, with that Brands launched out a number of motherboards with the X670E chipset which caters for PC builders that look for stability and features that fits enthusiasts needs, also applicable for those who want to do some overclocking to it.
Today we will look at one of the ASUS offerings, the ASUS TUF Gaming X670E-PLUS WIFI which has quite a lot of features embedded to the motherboard.
Also for those that wanted to know more about the performance of the motherboard with Ryzen 7000 processor, click HERE to read
Unboxing and Contents
The ASUS TUF Gaming X670E-PLUS WIFI came with the following
- The Motherboard
- 2 x SATA 6Gb/s cables
- 1 x ASUS Wi-Fi moving antenna
- 2 x Rubber packages for M.2
- 2 x Screw packages for M.2 SSD
- 1 x TUF certification card
- 1 x User guide
Design
The TUF series is known for mixing gaming and normal user build needs into one. Starting from the full ATX layout that is in all black which still hold the classic look and most TUF motherboard category is pretty much geared towards affordable level budget gamers to it.
Below the motherboard you will spot RGB lighting, located near the lower right position with the small and minimalistic TUF logo shining on it. The rest of the motherboard is basically simple, nice to look at with covers on screws that acts as the heatsink for NVME drive slot, VRM heatsink and I/O ports arrangement with the plate integrated to it, making it easy to install on any ATX class casings.
Features
For the features, we will be highlighting the major points of the motherboard
PCIe Gen 5 – This motherboard provides compatibility and support on the latest Gen5 PCI-E protocol for both the GPU 1st slot and NVME drive 1st slot. This is future or current-proof since the RTX4000 series GPU has been recently launched as well, making the debut of one of the motherboard that supports it.
Cooling – The ASUS TUF Gaming X670E-PLUS WIFI provides a massive cooling and protection starting with 2 sides of VRM properly protected, heatsinks on the M.2 slots, chipsets, and multiple fan headers to expand your cooling further with AIO and fans.
Extensive Expansion – This motherboard provides a quite extensive expansion, especially with 4 DDR5 RAM slot that can be expanded up tp 128GB of RAM, a total of 4 PCIe M.2 slots to expand storage, 4 SATA slots for more storage, and 3 PCIe card slots to add even more cards to it, like more expansion for storage, another GPU in if you wish to run some virtualization operating system, making it versatile.
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I/O Panel and expansions – That’s alot of ports we talk about here, but the main ones we should highlight is the inclusion of WiFi 6e in the board, which at least you can save a little from getting a WiFi USB or card, then 2 USB Type C ports for fast access on your favorite external devices and an integrated back panel for ease of installation. If you feel that’s not enough, there is a Thunderbolt USB 4 header for futureproofing upcoming USB 4 peripherals.
Compatibility
The ASUS TUF Gaming X670E-PLUS WIFI is compatible with all AMD Ryzen 7000 series processor, usually if AMD tends to release more processor under the same series usually ASUS will update the BIOS to ensure it is supported, it is not sure whether AMD will carry on the support for the next generation lineup for this chipset, but I guess we will have to wait for that. Other than that the motherboard is compatible with both AMD EXPO RAM kits, XMP RAM Kits under ASUS D.O.C.P which can push compatible DDR 5 RAM kits beyond 6400MT/s
Software & BIOS
Lets start with Software, the ASUS TUF Gaming X670E-PLUS WIFI came with Armory Crate, a full featured dashboard app that lets you see your system status, configure your RGB lights, changing fan curves, updates drivers and tool with special deals will also appear in the app (with sign in required) which offers free software, discounted games and much more. This piece of software is great for beginners and beyond on customizing your build.
Over to BIOS, as usual ASUS enthusiast level motherboards came with a slightly advanced BIOS/UEFI configuration from easy overclocking on memory and processor, as well as fan curve settings, BIOS updates, boot method, voltage settings, and many if we want to fit all in, it will be a lot, but rest assured that it has a flashback BIOS for reverting or updating the UEFI, and on and all, it is easy to use as well, if you prefer to set everything to automatic via dynamic OC mode.
Technical Specifications
| CPU | AMD Socket AM5 for AMD Ryzen™ 7000 Series Desktop Processors |
| Chipset | AMD X670 |
| Memory | 4 x DIMM, Max. 128GB, DDR5 6400+(OC)/ 6200(OC)/ 6000(OC)/ 5800(OC)/ 5600(OC)/ 5400(OC)/ 5200/ 5000/ 4800 ECC & Non-ECC, Un-buffered Memory Dual Channel Memory Architecture Supports AMD Extended Profiles for Overclocking (EXPO™) OptiMem II |
| Expansion Slots | AMD Ryzen™ 7000 Series Desktop Processors -1 x PCIe 5.0 x16 slot AMD X670 Chipset -1 x PCIe 4.0 x16 slot (supports x4 mode) -1 x PCIe 4.0 x4 slots |
| Storage | Total supports 4 x M.2 slots and 4 x SATA 6Gb/s ports* AMD Ryzen™ 7000 Series Desktop Processors M.2_1 slot (Key M), type 2242/2260/2280 (supports PCIe 5.0 x4 mode) M.2_3 slot (Key M), type 2242/2260/2280 (supports PCIe 4.0 x4 mode) AMD X670 Chipset M.2_2 slot (Key M), type 2242/2260/2280/22110 (supports PCIe 3.0 x4 & SATA modes)** M.2_4 slot (Key M), type 2242/2260/2280 (supports PCIe 4.0 x4 mode) 4 x SATA 6Gb/s ports *AMD RAID Xpert Technology supports both NVMe RAID 0/1/10 and SATA RAID 0/1/10. ** M.2_2 slot shares bandwidth with SATA6G_1&2. When M.2_2 runs at PCIe x4 mode, SATA6G_1&2 will be disabled. |
| Ethernet | 1 x Realtek 2.5Gb Ethernet TUF LANGuard |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 6E 2×2 Wi-Fi 6E (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax) Supports 2.4/5/6GHz frequency band* Bluetooth v5.2 * WiFi 6E 6GHz regulatory may vary between countries. |
| USB | Rear USB (Total 10 ports) 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 port (1 x USB Type-C®) 4 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (3 x Type-A + 1 x USB Type-C®) 5 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (5 x Type-A) Front USB (Total 9 ports) 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 connector (supports USB Type-C®) 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 header supports additional 2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports 3 x USB 2.0 headers support additional 6 USB 2.0 ports |
| Audio | Realtek S1220A 7.1 Surround Sound High Definition Audio CODEC* – Impedance sense for front and rear headphone outputs – Internal audio Amplifier to enhance the highest quality sound for headphone and speakers – Supports: Jack-detection, Multi-streaming, Front Panel Jack-retasking – High quality 120 dB SNR stereo playback output and 113 dB SNR recording input (Line-in) – Supports up to 32-Bit/192 kHz playback* Audio Features – Audio shielding – Premium audio capacitors – Dedicated audio PCB layers – Audio cover – Unique de-pop circuit * Due to limitations in HDA bandwidth, 32-Bit/192 kHz is not supported for 7.1 Surround Sound audio. |
| Rear I/O Connector | 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 port (1 x USB Type-C®) 4 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (3 x Type-A, 1 x USB Type-C®) 5 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (5 x Type-A) 1 x DisplayPort 1 x HDMI® port 1 x Wi-Fi Module 1 x Realtek 2.5Gb Ethernet port 5 x Audio jacks 1 x BIOS FlashBack™ button |
| Internal I/O Connections | Fan and Cooling related 1 x 4-pin CPU Fan header 1 x 4-pin CPU OPT Fan header 1 x 4-pin AIO Pump header 4 x 4-pin Chassis Fan headers 1 x W_PUMP+ header Power related 1 x 24-pin Main Power connector 2 x 8-pin +12V Power connectors Storage related 4 x M.2 slots (Key M) 4 x SATA 6Gb/s ports USB 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 connector (supports USB Type-C®) 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 header supports additional 2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports 3 x USB 2.0 headers support additional 6 USB 2.0 ports Miscellaneous 3 x Addressable Gen 2 headers 1 x AURA RGB header 1 x Clear CMOS header 1 x COM Port header 1 x Front Panel Audio header (AAFP) 1 x 20-3 pin System Panel header with Chassis intrude function 1 x Thermal Sensor header 1 x Thunderbolt™ header |
| Accessories | Cables 2 x SATA 6Gb/s cables Miscellaneous 1 x ASUS Wi-Fi moving antenna 2 x Rubber packages for M.2 2 x Screw packages for M.2 SSD Documentation 1 x TUF certification card 1 x User guide |
Verdict and Conclusion
The ASUS TUF Gaming X670E-PLUS WIFI is a suitable motherboard candidate that targets beginner to advanced builders that is seeking for a variety of great expansion and flexibility in a package that is well focus on your gaming first needs, then towards all intended standard PC usage purposes that is considered as very customizable with good overclocking features to push your system further with great VRM heatsinks seated on point.
It is now currently selling at a street price of around RM1799. For more information you can CLICK HERE to find out
*Special thanks to ASUS, AMD, Kingston, Thermaltake for providing the units for the purpose of this review.