Gigabyte presents premium AMD Ryzen 7000 X670E AORUS MASTER motherboard with flimsy USB4 support

AMD is set to launch the new Ryzen 7000 processors in a few weeks, but, unlike the previous CPU generations, the Zen4-based ones will require a new AM5 socket, so a motherboard acquisition along with DDR5 RAM should be taken into account when considering a future upgrade. There will be budget versions as well as premium motherboard models, and among the first to announce expensive motherboard is Gigabyte with its AORUS MASTER based on the top-of-the-line X670E chipset,

One major problem with this premium model is the absence of USB4 connectors. Gigabyte does mention that the mobo supports the “Upcoming USB4 AIC,” but there is no info for this add-in card for the time being. Budget mobos will most likely not feature USB4 support at all, but expensive models such as the AORUS MASTER should at least provide one physical USB4 connector. Despite AMD touting USB4 as a prominent new feature for the new AM5 platform, physical USB4 connectors might turn out to be a rare sight on first gen AM5 mobos, similar to how there are only a few AMD laptop models featuring USB4 ports.

Otherwise, the X670E AORUS MASTER comes with an impressive design and some equally impressive features:

• Twin 16+2+2 Phases Digital VRM Solution
• 4x SMD DIMMs with ECC/ Non-ECC Unbuffered DDR5 Memory Support
• 2x PCIe 5.0 x4 and 2x PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 connectors + 6x SATA III
• Fins-Array III & M.2 Thermal Guard III cooling solutions
• EZ-Latch Plus system that enables quick release and screwless design for the PCIe 5.0 x16 slot and M.2 connectors
• Realtek ALC1220 audio codec with DTS:X Ultra support
• Intel 2.5GbE LAN & Intel Wi-Fi 6E 802.11ax connectivity
• Port selection：DP and HDMI video outputs,1x  USB-C with DP alt Mode, 2x USB-C 20Gbps, 4x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, 4x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2, 2x USB 2.0, upcoming GIGABYTE USB4 AIC support
• RGB lighting support

No info on pricing for now, but, if previous MASTER versions are any indication, the MSRP could be at least US300$. The mobo will most likely go on sale this October as soon as the first AMD Ryzen 7000 processors hit retailers.

Buy the GIGABYTE X570 AORUS Master motherboard on Amazon