Asus ROG X670E Gene evaluate: Small motherboard, huge energy

Value When Reviewed

$599

Finest Costs At this time: Asus ROG X670E Gene

AMD has some quick AM5 Ryzen 7000 CPUs that go all the way in which as much as the mighty Ryzen 9 7950X. Such powerhouse chips typically require powerhouse options, resulting in large builds to accommodate the processor and all of the accouterments that go together 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 large. Smaller than ATX, mATX opens up a world of much less girthy circumstances; however bigger than ITX means you’ll have extra options to take pleasure in. DDR5, PCIe Gen 5, all the most recent goodies are right here. It does have a number of compromises in comparison with an ATX motherboard that’ll we’ll focus on. 

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

Thiago Trevisan

The Asus ROG X670E Gene ask an MSRP of $599, which lands it squarely within the high-end motherboard class. It’s microATX besides—making it nearly a mini-ROG “Excessive.” (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 record. 

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 function packed because the Gene is, you’ll have a number of compromises, comparable to 4x SATA ports, just one onboard NVMe slot, and so on. These are usually extra ample on ATX motherboards. 

Thiago Trevisan

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 permits 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. 

Thiago Trevisan

• 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 

Thiago Trevisan

With it’s $599 MSRP, you’d count on class-leading options, proper? And, sure, you’ll get them! Simply bear in mind the one caveat: Because the Gene is microATX, it should additionally doubtless 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 might need to select one thing else. 

Second, the Gene solely affords a single onboard NVMe slot—whereas many bigger boards usually have at the very least 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” function—a good way to seize your GPU safely out of that slot! 

Ryzen 7000 CPUs offers you a built-in iGPU, which will 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 count on 10Gb LAN on any such motherboard, because it’s extra “gamer” centered—however 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 a number of extra chassis fan PWM headers, however the providing right here is adequate for many smaller builds. 

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

Asus ROG X670E Gene: Design 

Thiago Trevisan

Design is the place the Asus ROG X670E Gene really excels: It’s a fully attractive 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. 

Thiago Trevisan

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 useful cooling armor plating on the decrease areas offering pizzazz and cooler temperatures. 

The ROG Gen-Z.2 add-in card is neatly 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 good inclusion. It seems candy, with loads of heatsinks of its personal! 

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

Thiago Trevisan

The rear has no backplate, however with this microATX motherboard going into tighter areas, that could be a great factor. (Some beefy motherboards such because the E-ATX Z690 Asus ROG Glacial Excessive is usually a tight slot in even some giant circumstances resulting from sure clearances.) 

Total, it’s a stupendous 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 can be a bit of cake. VRMs and heatsinks abound, with greater than adequate cooling to go round. 

When you observed the water block on the CPU above, that’s as a result of Ryzen 7000 wants as a lot CPU cooling as potential and is a superb 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 incredible reminiscence assist, with blisteringly-fast speeds. Remember the 64GB restrict, nevertheless. This will typically be a constructive 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 doubtlessly quicker. 

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

When you 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 suggestions right here)  

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

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

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

Motherboard software program is all the fashion today, at the very least from the producers’ perspective. Asus Armoury crate is included and might typically set up itself mechanically in an effort to present drivers. It will probably additionally do a wide range of duties—comparable to 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. 

Thiago Trevisan

Must you purchase the Asus ROG X670E Gene?

With a $599 MSRP the Gene is focused on the fanatic gamer who needs the very best—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 centered, nevertheless. Content material creators might 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 further on the ROG Gen-Z.2 card).

When you can look previous these limitations, the remainder of the board screams with options and efficiency. DDR5, PCIe Gen 5, sturdy VRM cooling, and a plethora of rear I/O. And USB4 at 40Gb/s is a number 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 wonderful fanatic selection.