When AMD launched the Zen architecture all those years ago, no one could’ve imagined how iconic its accompanying AM4 platform would become (understandably so). The AM4 socket has supported 5 successive CPU architectures, 4 process nodes, and a whopping 125+ processor SKUs over its lifetime.

Today, we bid it adieu. It’s time to welcome AMD’s newest addition to its Zen lineup – the Ryzen 7000 “Raphael” processors (available 27th September, 2022), along with a brand-new socket and platform!

Say hello to AM5!

It boasts the technologies and features to bring next-gen computing to your desktop without compromise. What’s more, AMD also promises excellent longevity on the AM5 socket as well, with support through at least 2025!

The Ryzen 7000 series of CPUs will be the first desktop processors to use TSMC’s cutting-edge 5nm FinFET process for manufacturing. These new CPUs come packed with next-gen features like PCIe5.0, DDR5 support, and much more that make them perfect for those looking to the future.

We’ll cover all announced chipsets on the AM5 platform while comparing them against AMD’s last-gen contenders to see how they square up. Let’s first go over what’s changed with AM5, shall we?

The AMD Ryzen 7000 series comes with a new socket design that renders AM4 and AM5 parts incompatible with each other, i.e., AM4 CPUs can’t fit into AM5 sockets, and AM5 processors won’t fit into AM4 sockets.

If you’re familiar with Ryzen CPUs on the AM4 platform, you’ll notice that the processor package or chip houses the pins (PGA). Ryzen processors on the AM5 platform will now feature pins on the motherboard socket (LGA). One of the primary reasons for this change is the move from a PGA socket to an LGA socket.

Adopting next-gen memory technology allows you to unlock a new tier of performance in many memory-intensive workloads. Thanks to Ryzen 7000’s official support for DDR5, you’ll gain access to the latest DDR5 memory ecosystem. What’s more, you’ll enjoy next-gen DDR5 support across all AM5 motherboards for Ryzen 7000 processors.

Although it has switched to LGA from PGA, AMD managed to keep the physical CPU size roughly the same as its previous Ryzen CPUs. In addition to this, it retained the AM4 retention module for broader support with older CPU coolers. One of the key advantages of this approach is maintaining compatibility with the vast ecosystem of existing AM4 CPU cooling solutions on the market.

Of course, true compatibility could vary from motherboard to motherboard and cabinet to cabinet, depending on things like height clearances and radiator sizes. But from an installation point of view, the AM5 platform features the same mounting mechanism and sizing as AM4.

That said, AMD guarantees compatibility with its AMD Wraith Coolers to make things easier for those upgrading to the AM5 platform. What’s more, your favorite lineup of AM4-compatible MSI Liquid AIO coolers will also work with the brand-new AM5 motherboards!

In simple terms, a chipset is a part of the motherboard that controls the flow of data between the CPU and other devices. They dictate quite a lot about what feature-set a motherboard can leverage and/or support.

Chipsets like X570, B550, B450, etc., are pretty well-known among those building PCs in the last few years. Now, the AM5 platform brings a brand-new generation of chipsets to your motherboards with the features needed to leverage the full power of AMD Ryzen 7000 processors!
- X670
- B650

While X570 motherboards enjoyed the top-tier position for a few years in the AM4 era, the X670E motherboards do the same for AM5 – but take it a step further.

Although both X670E and X670 offer PCIe 5.0 connectivity and DDR5 memory support, X670E motherboards adopt the new PCIe 5.0 standard for both your M.2 slot and your PCIe slot. On the other hand, X670 motherboards feature PCIe 5.0 on only one of the two – either the PCIe slot or the M.2 slot.

However, memory is another matter. ALL AM5 chipsets announced early this year enjoy DDR5 support (as of August 2022), which means X670E, X670, and B650 can leverage DDR5 without limitations.

The X570 chipset ushered in the era of PCIe 4.0 – allowing enthusiasts and professionals to leverage lightning-fast PCIe 4.0 storage devices and graphics cards. Now, the X670 series chipset continues this trend by bringing PCIe 5.0 and DDR5 to those who want the best.

MSI’s X570S motherboards already featured a robust power design that allowed them to handle top-tier Ryzen CPUs easily. They could feature up to Direct 16+2 phases with 90A power stages.

However, MSI is taking it up a notch with X670E motherboards. You’ll now find up to 24+2+1 phases with 105A Smart Power Stage! You can rest assured that your brand-new AMD Ryzen 7000 is chugging along at full speed – with nothing holding it back.

While X570S motherboards boasted premium PCB designs with server-grade PCBs that featured 2oz copper traces and up to 6 layers, MSI X670E motherboards go above and beyond to ensure rock-solid PCIe 5.0 and DDR5 connectivity.

You’ll now find up to 10 layers in the MSI X670E motherboard PCB with 2oz Copper traces.

The MSI X570S motherboards were no slouches when it came to heat dissipation, thanks to excellent thermal designs. However, with the blazing-fast speeds of PCIe 5.0 and DDR5, we had to get even more creative and pull out all stops.

A few top-of-the-line MEG X670E motherboards feature upgrades to the all-important VRM heatsink. The all-Aluminum heatsink + heat-pipe design from top-tier X570S boards gives way to a more efficient wavy-fin heatsink + cross heat-pipe. The wavy structure of this stacked-fin heatsink increases surface area to improve heat dissipation considerably. At the same time, the cross heat-pipe manages to move heat away from performance (heat) centers more effectively.

Although X570S motherboards featured USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 ports, they were just super-fast USB ports. That’s great, but it left out power users who wanted more.

The MEG X670E motherboards go beyond USB with boards featuring front USB Type-C ports that support up to 60W power delivery and rear USB Type-C that can handle a Display Port 1.4 HBR3 (High Bit Rate 3) signal. Now, you can charge an array of devices using your front USB-C port and enjoy a single connection up to 8K 60Hz output via your rear USB-C!

Although we have many more AM5 motherboards in store for you, here’s a peek at our efforts to bring next-gen Ryzen to a desktop near you. We’ll go over three X670E motherboards and one X670 motherboard to give you an idea of what to expect from MSI for the AM5 platform.

It’s not by chance that GODLIKE boards regularly find their name in performance world records! The GODLIKE series is associated with top-tier performance with zero compromises. They’re built to push the envelope and have successfully done so for years.

The GODLIKE that everyone knows and loves hasn’t changed with the AM5 release of this motherboard – the MEG X670E GODLIKE.

The MEG X670E GODLIKE motherboard boasts 24+2+1 phases with 105A Smart Power Stage. Not only can this power design handle the best Ryzen 7000 processors, but it’ll also be able to push overclocks to GODLIKE levels easily.

In addition to the next-gen technologies like PCIe 5.0 and DDR5 across the board, it brings a host of modern features to your desktop.

One of the unique standouts you’ll notice immediately is the gorgeous M-Vision Dashboard. This 4.5” touch-sensitive IPS LCD screen takes you to the next level of system diagnostics and personalization. It can display everything from hardware monitoring stats to debug codes.

You’ll find Dual LAN support (10G and 2.5G) and Wi-Fi 6E to handle all your networking needs with style. A toolless M.2 slot allows you to install/remove M.2 devices without a screwdriver. The M.2 heatsink now smoothly clicks into place and locks the SSD into its socket. It’s easy as 1-2-3!

Although the X670E ACE is a step down from the GODLIKE, it’s still a top-tier beast that can extract every last ounce of performance from your brand-new Ryzen CPU.

It comes equipped with a 22+2+1 phase Duet Rail Power System with a 90A Power Stage that will allow you to push your hardware to its limit. A carefully engineered stacked fin array heatsink sits atop the power delivery components to ensure efficient cooling performance, while the enlarged chipset heatsink does away with the need for a chipset fan.

Like all other X670E motherboards, the ACE also features DDR5 and PCIe 5.0 support.

All 3 PCIe x16 slots on the MEG X670E ACE offer PCIe 5.0. It also boasts a generous spread of four M.2 slots, one of which supports PCIe 5.0 x4 speeds! The others are no slouches either – offering PCIe 4.0 x4 speeds. As a bonus, the ACE comes bundled with an M.2 XPANDER-Z GEN5 DUAL add-on card that will allow you to add another 2 PCIe 5.0 x4 slots to your desktop!

Wi-Fi 6E support and the inclusion of 10G LAN will ensure that networking isn’t a bottleneck even if you’re using ultra-high-speed internet.

While the GODLIKE and ACE are built for those who want the best without compromise, the MPG X670E CARBON WIFI takes a humbler approach – trying to find a balance between top-tier performance and value.

Although its 18+2+1 phase VRM with 90A power stages won’t hold a candle to absolute top-tier MSI X670E motherboards, the X670E CARBON WIFI can stand its ground. It can easily handle even the best Ryzen 7000 processors without holding them back! The enlarged PCH heatsink helps us avoid that pesky chipset fan by effectively managing heat.

What’s more, it takes a different approach to distribute PCIe bandwidth. It features PCIe 5.0 on the top two PCIe x16 slots, while the third slot offers PCIe 4.0 x4. However, two of the four M.2 slots offer PCIe 5.0 x4 speeds and the remaining two support up to PCIe 4.0 x4 speeds.

As expected from an AM5 motherboard, you’ll enjoy excellent DDR5 support to get to that next tier of performance.

From a networking perspective, you’ll enjoy 2.5G LAN and Wi-Fi 6E support – ensuring high-speed wired and wireless connectivity.

The PRO series of motherboards from MSI is designed for professionals and businesses who need to get work done fast and efficiently.

The PRO X670-P WIFI can keep up with the very best AMD’s Ryzen 7000 CPU lineup has to offer without throwing value out the window. It comes equipped with a 14+2+1 Duet Rail Power System with an 80A Smart Power Stage that can handle whatever you throw at it.

Although the PCIe x16 slots on the PRO X670-P WIFI are all PCIe 4.0, you’ll find PCIe 5.0 x4 speeds on the top M.2 slot. The other 3 M.2 slots rely on PCIe 4.0 x4 – ensuring you’ll have more than enough high-speed storage.

The PRO X670-P WIFI retains the networking capabilities of MSI’s X670E motherboards like the MPG X670E CARBON WIFI with 2.5G LAN and Wi-Fi 6E support.

To see MSI's X670 motherboard products, visit our landing page for more information: https://www.msi.com/Landing/amd-am5-x670-b650-motherboard