ASUS Teases 192 GB DDR5 Memory Support on AMD X670 Chipset Motherboard

[GFreeman]

While Intel 600- and 700-series chipset motherboard already support non-binary memory modules and kits, such support has yet to be implemented on AMD's AM5 motherboard, but, judging from screenshots posted on ASUS ROG forums, AMD motherboard partners are working on it and it should be just around the corner.

The screenshot from ASUS Tech Marketing person, named Raja, which was posted on ASUS ROG forums, shows the ASUS ROG STRIX X670-E motherboard running 192 GB of DDR5 memory. These are four 48 GB Corsair modules running at 2600 MHz (5200 MT/s). The post includes both CPU-Z and task manager screenshots, confirming it boots into Windows. Earlier, it has been reported that AMD motherboards can't boot into Windows with non-binary memory modules and kits, although the motherboard successfully recognizes it. There have also been rumors that AMD is working on an AGESA update that will fix this issue, and now, it looks like it could be coming sooner than we expected.



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[thewan]

Its weird how ppl at LTT managed to get it working though.

 

[Imsochobo]

This is still BINARY, Binary doesn't mean 8,16,32,64,128.

Binary is a number system, not specific number combinations, or binary as a word means one or 0, one or the other.

My driving style is binary, throttle on or off.
3 in binary is 11
11 in binary is 1011.

 

[AnarchoPrimitiv]

It's so funny how this extreme memory capacity (extreme for a mainstream platform) is only applicable to small fraction of users (people who need massive amounts of memory, but don't need more than 16 cores and don't need more PCIe connectivity....a very niche group), but has turned into an arms race.

 

[Jism]

It's so funny how this extreme memory capacity (extreme for a mainstream platform) is only applicable to small fraction of users (people who need massive amounts of memory, but don't need more than 16 cores and don't need more PCIe connectivity....a very niche group), but has turned into an arms race.

You can finally assemble a beefy workstation using just consumer products. Before that it was HEDT, which had a quite hefty price tag onto it.

I think it's good. Motherboard vendors need something to excel from the rest with. Up to 192GB of RAM is a good selling point, if you need it.

 

[Tigerfox]

It's so funny how this extreme memory capacity (extreme for a mainstream platform) is only applicable to small fraction of users (people who need massive amounts of memory, but don't need more than 16 cores and don't need more PCIe connectivity....a very niche group), but has turned into an arms race.

In theory, Ryzen platforms have some features that make them quite useful as workstations, more than Intel desktop platforms (without W-chipset and Xeon-labeled CPU).

1. You can use ECC-RAM.
2. You have a lot of useable PCIe-lanes from CPU, 20 Gen4 with Ryzen3000/5000 and 24 Gen5 with Ryzen 5000.
3. You can use AMD PCIe-RAID, which AFAIK is highly limited on Intel mainstream and requires HEDT with VROC. For example, would all Gen5-lanes be put into one x16 and one x8-slot, with those x16-to-4xM.2-adaptors you could build a RAID with six gen5-SSD.
4. On AM4, you could have 8xSATA or a decent amount of Gen4-lanes. Sadly on AM5, you can only have up to 12 Gen4-lanes plus one Gen3-lane for each SATA-Port you sacrifice (which is why most boards only have 4 Ports and/or use Asmedia-controllers). 99% of AM5-boards only have one Gen4x4-slot, but 3-4 M.2-slots.

 

[bonehead123]

Up to 192GB of RAM is a good selling point, if you need it.

Who needs moar than 16kb of ram anyways, hehehehe /s

 

[Wirko]

3. You can use AMD PCIe-RAID, which AFAIK is highly limited on Intel mainstream and requires HEDT with VROC. For example, would all Gen5-lanes be put into one x16 and one x8-slot, with those x16-to-4xM.2-adaptors you could build a RAID with six gen5-SSD.

The x16 port does not allow splitting to 4x4, unfortunately. Although AMD isn't willing to tell much. I took the info from TPU CPU DB.

Now that we have the vast bandwidth of PCI 5.0, it would be great if those two x4 ports allowed splitting too, but again, they don't seem to.

 

[Tigerfox]

The x16 port does not allow splitting to 4x4, unfortunately.

The manual of Asrock Blazing Quad M.2 Card and this Bifurcation-FAQ for Asus Hyper M.2 x16 Gen card say otherwise.

It's different for Intel. Since Rocket Lake, the x16-Port can only be split in two. Many S1700-boards have an Gen5x4 M.2-slot that, when used, turns the x16 to x8 and makes you lose 4 Lanes.

 

[Wirko]

The manual of Asrock Blazing Quad M.2 Card and this Bifurcation-FAQ for Asus Hyper M.2 x16 Gen card say otherwise.

Possibly. The lack of information from AMD and motherboard vendors alike is certainly frustrating to anyone who could actually use such a config.

 

[codeworks]

I certainly need more than 128GB for my ESXI Homelab and using AM5 is a very cheap alternative. 192GB would be most welcome. little concerned as it is quite troublesome to get 128GB working in current 670 Asus boards and Expo is already out of the picture.

 

[PenguinBelly]

It's so funny how this extreme memory capacity (extreme for a mainstream platform) is only applicable to small fraction of users (people who need massive amounts of memory, but don't need more than 16 cores and don't need more PCIe connectivity....a very niche group), but has turned into an arms race.

This is nothing more than marketing "show of force." There is no practical use case of 192GB on 670X.

 

[bjoyful]

It's so funny how this extreme memory capacity (extreme for a mainstream platform) is only applicable to small fraction of users (people who need massive amounts of memory, but don't need more than 16 cores and don't need more PCIe connectivity....a very niche group), but has turned into an arms race.

This is nothing more than marketing "show of force." There is no practical use case of 192GB on 670X.

Hmmm there are many practical use cases for 192GB, I will give you mine: orchestral sample libraries. Film composers need beefy CPUs, PCIe for audio peripherals, and tons of memory for sample libraries.

Then you have physics simulations, Blender, Unreal, AI, servers, etc. It may not be useful for you or the regular consumer/gamer, but it's definitely NOT a marketing "show of force".