The fact that AM5 shipped without baked-in USB4 support is one of the most pathetic things about an already anemic platform. I bet we'll get a grand total of 1 USB4 port and AMD will somehow find out a way to use this to justify cutting the number of PCIe lanes even further.
It's neither "pathetic" nor "anemic". Boards would have been even more expensive had they all shipped with USB4 ports. "Cutting the number of PCIe lanes..."? Zen4 CPUs provide four more usable lanes (x24 Gen5) than Raptor Lake CPUs (x16 Gen5+ x4 Gen4). There are more and faster PCIe lanes on Zen4 CPUs than on any desktop CPU in history, not counting workstation segment.
They needed to get core features right in the first place on AM5 before progressing with additional fast protocols and configurations. Integrated USB4 has been a trend in mobile space, as it was more needed there. Even Intel does not provide integrated Thunderbolt 4 on desktop chips. Arrow Lake CPUs might get it. Might!
Some refresh AM5 boards should finally get discrete USB4 support around New Year by installing AsMedia host controller ASM4242. Currently, half dozen AM5 boards host Thunderbolt 4 controller marketed as USB4 due to lower power for charging ports. So, 32 Gbps of PCIe data tunnelling is available now on AM5 for those who need it.
Another challenge is to get motherboard vendors to expose all CPU's capabilities to consumers, which they have not done consistently well. For example, Zen4 CPUs support DisplayPort 2.1 at 40 Gbps and HDMI 2.1 at 48 Gbps from iGPU, which have not been exposed by any vendor to full spec. Only Asrock offers HDMI 2.1 port with 32 Gbps bandwidth which is great. Vendors thought that DP 2.1 was not needed as there are no DP 2.1 monitors as yet. So, CPUs are often more capable than what motherboard are willing to offer. Also, only a few boards install 10GbE LAN port. AMD has nothing to do with this feature. It's motherboard vendors who segment some features.
Looking forward:
- Granite Rigde CPUs next year should get integrated USB4, just like Rembrandt and Phoenix APUs have, supporting two USB4 ports at 40 Gbps
- I am not sure whether 8000 CPUs will add any new lanes, apart from USB4 controller for two ports; perhaps another four lanes for the chipset link
- X770 and B750 chipsets should finally get at least x8 Gen4 chipset link
- Promontory chipset needs to upgrade chipset link to minimum x8 Gen4, in line with what Z790 offers; so four more Gen4 lanes
- iGPU ports need to be faster to serve better monitors, so DP 2.1 at 40 Gbps and HDMI 2.1 at minimum 40 Gbps
- more boards with 10GbE network port
- WiFi7 module on halo boards (no rumours currently that this is being developed, so RZ616 module is the best available, which is fine; I have it on mini-PC)
- better cable management by moving some ports at the back of motherboard
- more capable front USB-C ports, i.e. route one display port from iGPU and PCIe data, in addition to USB and power; perhaps one of USB4 ports should be the front port so that we do not need to connect external PCIe storage and displays to rear I/O at all times or via docks/hubs?
The presence of USB4 is mandatory. I wouldn't buy an AM5 platform while it continues to be cut. A 10Gb/s internet controller, standard on all motherboards except those with the lowest budget class A720 "chipset", is also mandatory. We are not in the stone age, riding it with slow retro links.
It's too much for most users. While I agree with your reasons as to why I would not buy AM5 platform in its current, unpolished offering, most users will not need all those features on all boards. I'd say:
- one USB4 port is mandatory on all Extreme boards
- 10GbE network port mandatory on all Extreme boards
Making more features mandatory on entire line of boards will just make boards even more expensive, which is what we do not want to see. We already have Gen5 M.2 port mandatory on three chipsets and almost no one in the world has made a meaningful use of it, apart from a few enthusiasts and early adopters.
. On the flip side if that was the case then one might expect Pro cpu's not to be supported on consumer boards further guaranteeing the segmentation of sales.
