Micro Advantage

ASUS Unveils Crosshair X670E Gene, Premium Micro-ATX AM5 Motherboard for Ryzen 7000

Over the years, multiple motherboards have captivated the market at various price points. Models like the Hero and the Formula are staples of ASUS’s premium but popular ROG-themed offerings. One such series that was once the staple of ASUS’s Intel models based on the micro-ATX form factor was the Gene, last seen in the days of Intel’s 8th and 9th Gen Core series (2019). In what looks to be a resurrection of the Gene series for the release of AMD’s Ryzen 7000 processors based on its latest 5nm Zen 4 microarchitecture, ASUS has announced that the Gene is back via the ROG Crosshair X670E Gene. 

Throughout the years, the ROG Gene series has been synonymous with highly premium micro-ATX offerings, and it looks as though the ASUS ROG Crosshair X670E Gene is no different this time. Some of the ROG Crosshair X670E Gene’s main features include a full-length PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, one PCIe 4.0 x1 slot, and a single PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slot. ASUS includes another expansion slot next to the two DDR5 memory slots for an included ROG Gen-Z.2 M.2 add-in card with support for up to two PCIe 5.0 x4 M.2 drives.

The ASUS ROG Crosshair X670E Gene will also feature a 16+2 phase power delivery with premium 110 A power stages, an Intel-based 2.5 GbE, and Wi-Fi 6E networking pairing, as well as support for USB 3.2 G2x2 with Quick Charge 4+ (60 W) capability. ASUS also states that it will also have rear panel USB4 support, although ASUS hasn’t provided full specifications to us at this time.

At the time of writing, ASUS hasn’t revealed much for the ROG Crosshair X670E Gene, nor how much it is expected to cost or when it might hit retail shelves.

Best Intel Motherboards: August 2022

While the competition between Intel and AMD set to bring about another era of strong competition in the coming months, there’s still plenty of superb performance to be had from Intel’s current 12th Gen Core series processors. Regardless of whether you’re planning to wait for the next generation of desktop processors or looking for a bargain, there are lots to like about Alder Lake and its associated motherboard chipsets such as Z690, B660, and H610. Summer isn’t the only hot thing around at the moment, with Intel’s top-tier Core i9-12900K and the even hotter 12900KS processors leading the performance-inspiring charge through the rest of the summer.

We’re taking a look at what’s currently hot on the market in terms of motherboards for Intel’s 12th Gen Core series processors ranging from ‘money no object’, all the way down to what represents good value for money. Whether or not you’re looking for a flagship model or aiming to get as much value as possible, we’re listing our best picks for our August 2022 Intel motherboard buyer’s guide.

Best AMD Motherboards: August 2022

Regardless of whether you’re looking to build a new system or upgrade an older one, AMD has a wide range of processors to cover all use cases. Its AM4 platform has been a highly successful one for AMD, giving us the likes of Ryzen 1000 (Zen), Ryzen 2000 (Zen+), and even Ryzen 3000 (Zen 2) and Ryzen 5000 (Zen 3). It’s no secret that AMD is soon to unleash its next generation of Ryzen 7000 (Zen 4) processors in the coming months, but right now, AMD still has a strong hand with its X570 and B550 motherboards to support its Ryzen 5000 series.

If you’re looking to build an AMD-based desktop system, there’s plenty of choice including the original X570 chipset, as well as the refreshed X570S models with passive chipset heatsinks, not forgetting the premium but affordable B550 range. In our latest buyers guide, we’re offering our recommendations on AM4 motherboards for users looking to capitalize on Ryzen 5000 now from a variety of different perspectives, including what’s good in terms of value, all the way to the best money can buy.

Best AMD Motherboards: July 2022

In what is likely the final months prior to AMD launching its highly anticipated Ryzen 7000 processors, its longstanding AM4 platform has had a long and successful run. Back from the original Ryzen days with X370, all the way to today’s current AM4 chipsets including both X570 and B550, there’s a wide variety of models to choose from for Ryzen 5000 processors. 

Despite readying up a new socket for its Ryzen 7000 lineup with support for DDR5 memory only, AMD confirmed that the AM4 chipset will remain alive for a little while yet. When it comes to selecting a motherboard for an AMD-based desktop system, there’s plenty of choice including the original X570 chipset, as well as the refreshed X570S models with passive chipset heatsinks, not forgetting the premium but affordable B550 range. It’s time to give you the low down on our picks ranging from value, all the way to the best that AM4 has to offer in our latest AMD motherboard buyers guide for July 2022.

Best Intel Motherboards: July 2022

The summer is here and a number of retailers are getting prepared for a wave of new processor releases set for the end of the year. This means there are plenty of motherboards from chipsets such as Intel’s Z690, B660, and H660 that are either currently on offer, or at their lowest price for months. Users looking to build a new system today will find plenty of options from Intel’s 12th Gen Core series, including the very affordable but competitive Core i3-12100 ($130), with more performance-focused models such as the mid-range Core i5 and i7 processors with up to twelve cores (8P/4E). At the top of the stack is the flagship Core i9-12900K and Core i9-12900KS processors with sixteen cores for the most demanding workflows, applications, and games.

We’re taking a look at what’s currently available on the market in terms of motherboards for Intel’s 12th Gen Core series processors ranging from ‘money no object’, all the way down to what’s hot in terms of value in our latest motherboard buyer’s guide for July 2022.