Asus ROG X670E Gene evaluate: Small motherboard, huge energy

AMD has some quick AM5 Ryzen 7000 CPUs that go all the best way as much as the mighty Ryzen 9 7950X. Such powerhouse chips typically require powerhouse options, resulting in huge builds to accommodate the processor and all of the accouterments that associate with it. 

The Asus ROG X670E Gene flips that notion on its head. Sporting the microATX type issue, this board hits a pleasant candy spot for builders who don’t need to go huge. Smaller than ATX, mATX opens up a world of much less girthy instances; however bigger than ITX means you’ll have extra options to get pleasure from. DDR5, PCIe Gen 5, all the newest goodies are right here. It does have just a few compromises in comparison with an ATX motherboard that’ll we’ll talk about. 

From the specs, to the options, to efficiency attributes, and design, let’s see whether or not this smaller-sized Gene can ship a high-end fanatic wallop.

Asus ROG X670E Gene: The specs

The Asus ROG X670E Gene ask an MSRP of $599, which lands it squarely within the high-end motherboard class. It’s microATX in addition—making it virtually a mini-ROG “Extreme.” (9.6 inch x 9.6 inch, or 24.4 cm x 24.4 cm)

Along with supporting any Ryzen 7000 CPU, the Gene has fairly the spec checklist. 

The X670E already carries with it extra USB port choices, SATA ports, and PCIe Gen 5 Lanes. You’ll additionally get USB4 and USB C, with monitor display-out. 

As characteristic packed because the Gene is, you’ll have just a few compromises, reminiscent of 4x SATA ports, just one onboard NVMe slot, and so on. These are sometimes extra plentiful on ATX motherboards. 

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The unboxing expertise is pleasing and par the course with a $599 motherboard. After taking out the hefty, beautifully constructed Gene, you’ll discover some good equipment within the field, together with a ROG Gen-Z.2 card that allows you to add two extra NVMe drives—and makes for RAM-like ease of entry. You’ll additionally get the “ROG True Voltician” instrument for overclockers. 

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• Micro-ATX type issue 
• Assist for AMD AM5 Ryzen 7000 CPUs 
• 16+2 Section Design with 110A per stage
• DDR5 RAM, twin channel as much as 2 DIMMs (as much as 64GB)
• 1x onboard M.2 slot (PCIe Gen 5)
• 2x M.2 slots on ROG Gen-Z.2 card (1x PCIe Gen 5)
• 1x PCIE 16x slot (PCIe Gen 5) 
• Twin USB-C monitor display-out 
• 10 USB ports on again (together with USB4 40Gb/s)
• PS2 port
• Intel 2.5GbE LAN
• Wi-Fi 6E 
• RGB headers for Aura Sync
• 4 SATA 6GB/s ports 
• 7 PWM fan headers 
• BIOS Flashback and Clear CMOS
• Preinstalled I/O protect 
• ROG SupremeFX 7.1 ALC 4080 audio
• MSRP $599

Asus ROG X670E Gene: Options 

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With it’s $599 MSRP, you’d anticipate class-leading options, proper? And, sure, you’ll get them! Simply keep in mind the one caveat: For the reason that Gene is microATX, it would additionally probably have much less of them than a full-sized ATX.

First, it affords the quick DDR5, however you’ll be restricted to 2 DIMM sticks, with a most of 64GB. Most ATX motherboards can assist twice the sticks and capability. This shouldn’t hassle most customers, however pure workstation jockeys could need to select one thing else. 

Second, the Gene solely affords a single onboard NVMe slot—whereas many bigger boards sometimes have no less than two or three. Once more, no huge deal, because the included ROG Gen-Z.2 add-in card means that you can add one other slots, for a complete of three. We additionally like that each the onboard slot and certainly one of card’s slots are PCIe Gen 5. 

You’ll get a single 16x PCIe Gen 5 slot, sufficient on your GPU, and a smaller PCIe 4x slot for some smaller add-in playing cards. The GPU launch button is a pleasant “quality-of-life” characteristic—an effective way to seize your GPU safely out of that slot! 

Ryzen 7000 CPUs provides you with a built-in iGPU, which could be accessed by the USB-C display-out on the Gene. Neat, and those self same USB-C ports are USB4, at a quick 40Gb/s. The USB port choice is stable, with a complete of 10. You’ll additionally get a PS2 port, for the legacy-peripherals followers.

Wi-Fi 6E can be right here, as is 2.5Gb LAN. We don’t anticipate 10Gb LAN on this kind of motherboard, because it’s extra “gamer” targeted—nevertheless it’s a nice-to-have. 

Audio is nice right here, with the ROG SupremeFX 7.1 4080 codec and inputs/outputs on the again with optical S/PDIF. 

Since that is an enthusiast-gamer providing, you’ll get Clear CMOS, BIOS Flashback, plus an LED Debug code readout. It’d be good to have just a few extra chassis fan PWM headers, however the providing right here is enough for many smaller builds. 

Total, the Asus ROG X670E Gene has all the subsequent technology options you’d need to pair with Ryzen 7000, with some compromises. If you happen to’re okay with the 64GB RAM restrict, fewer PCIe slots, and fewer whole NVMe choices, the remainder of it actually delights.  

Asus ROG X670E Gene: Design 

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Design is the place the Asus ROG X670E Gene actually excels: It’s a fully beautiful motherboard packed into the microATX type issue. The RGB is robust with this one—with the I/O protect space and decrease portion of the board sporting Asus ROG results aplenty. 

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The second you bodily choose up the Gene, you’ll be impressed by its heft, and the way solidly constructed it feels. Each inch is tastefully completed, with purposeful cooling armor plating on the decrease areas offering pizzazz and cooler temperatures. 

The ROG Gen-Z.2 add-in card is well designed, too. It goes proper subsequent to the RAM slots and clicks-in similarly. Since this microATX motherboard solely affords a single NVMe slot onboard to preserve house, this can be a sensible inclusion. It appears to be like candy, with loads of heatsinks of its personal! 

The I/O protect and VRM heatsink space additionally look purposeful and beautiful. Even when off, the lettering has rapid enchantment—which is accentuated when it’s turned on. The I/O protect is built-in as effectively, with clearly labeled ports all through. 

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The rear has no backplate, however with this microATX motherboard going into tighter areas, which may be a very good factor. (Some beefy motherboards such because the E-ATX Z690 Asus ROG Glacial Excessive is usually a tight slot in even some giant instances as a consequence of sure clearances.) 

Total, it’s an attractive design that screams fanatic gaming—and has plenty of performance constructed into the design. Bravo! 

Asus ROG X670E Gene: Efficiency, software program, and BIOS

The Asus ROG X670E Gene is a efficiency monster! With 16+2 energy levels, the Ryzen 9 7950X will likely be a bit of cake. VRMs and heatsinks abound, with greater than enough cooling to go round. 

If you happen to seen the water block on the CPU above, that’s as a result of Ryzen 7000 wants as a lot CPU cooling as attainable and is a good match for an customized water-cooled loop. You’ll have the motherboard VRMs as backup for overclocking and never break a sweat! 

Efficiency continues all through this motherboard: PCIe Gen 5 is right here within the 16x PCIe slot, plus the onboard NVMe slot, in addition to in one of many ROG Gen-Z.2 card’s slots (the opposite being Gen 4). You’re restricted to a single 16x PCIe slot and a smaller X4 slot, nevertheless. 

DDR5 is improbable reminiscence assist, with blisteringly-fast speeds. Take note the 64GB restrict, nevertheless. This could typically be a optimistic for RAM overclocking, as many enthusiast-grade boards of the previous have had restricted RAM slots as technically it’s much less connections to make—making them probably quicker. 

Elsewhere on the motherboard, even the USB ports are hyperspeed—with included USB4 at 40Gb/s. 

If you happen to do want to enterprise additional and push overclocks, the Asus BIOS is likely one of the greatest available on the market. Ryzen 7000 CPUs additionally reply nice to “Eco mode”-style tweaks to restrict energy and warmth, too. (Take a look at our Ryzen 7000 Eco Mode ideas right here)  

The included Asus Voltician instrument permits you to monitor voltage when doing all your overclocking rounds, a pleasant inclusion for individuals who can recognize it. 

Automated overclocking and DDR5 Expo profiles for RAM are additionally right here for individuals who want to keep away from any tinkering. The Asus ROG X670E Gene is loaded with overclocking performance-oriented options, reminiscent of Clear CMOS, Debug LEDs, and so on. 

For AM5 X670E motherboards—a model new chipset—Asus makes BIOS updates simple, which is sweet because you’re higher off doing them extra continuously in early adopter platforms. Pay attention to that if preliminary boot occasions on X670E are barely longer than regular—that ought to change over time. 

Motherboard software program is all the fad lately, no less than from the producers’ perspective. Asus Armoury crate is included and may typically set up itself routinely in an effort to present drivers. It might additionally do quite a lot of duties—reminiscent of Aura Sync RGB management, fan management, and straightforward driver updates. It’s an attractively designed piece of software program that’s leagues higher than motherboard software program choices of the previous. 

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Must you purchase the Asus ROG X670E Gene?

With a $599 MSRP the Gene is focused on the fanatic gamer who needs the perfect—however in a smaller microATX type issue. Construct high quality and aesthetics are stunningly accomplished. 

There are some compromises with this being microATX and gamer targeted, nevertheless. Content material creators could need to take a look at different choices. You’re restricted to 64GB of RAM and two DIMMs, a single 16x PCIe slot, and one onboard NVMe slot (with two extra on the ROG Gen-Z.2 card).

If you happen to can look previous these limitations, the remainder of the board screams with options and efficiency. DDR5, PCIe Gen 5, strong VRM cooling, and a plethora of rear I/O. And USB4 at 40Gb/s is a few of the quickest USB speeds we’ve ever seen on a motherboard! 

Total, for the gamer who needs the ROG styling and wishes a smaller microATX motherboard to slay the Ryzen 7000 CPUs, this is a superb fanatic selection.