BIOSTAR X670E VALKYRIE

[ir_cow]

Featuring a top of the line 18+2+2 VRM using 105 A power stages, DDR5 support, PCIe Gen5 support, dual M.2 Gen5 sockets and loads of high-speed USB ports, the BIOSTAR X670E VALKYRIE is ready for you! Come along as we dig into this motherboard review to uncover all the secrets the new AM5 platform has to offer.

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[Voodoo Rufus]

No audio subsystem analysis?

 

[Tropick]

Biostar looks like they're setting up a pretty nice line of consumer MBs this generation, didn't they used to pretty much only do server oriented parts?

 

[FreedomEclipse]

Biostar looks like they're setting up a pretty nice line of consumer MBs this generation, didn't they used to pretty much only do server oriented parts?

They've been in and out of the general consumer market for many years. They'll release a bunch of boards in every category and price point. Some are good, some not so good, some very mediocre then they'll just completely vanish out of the market as quickly as they came until the next time someone at HQ tells them to distribute some boards to the western countries again.



::EDIT::

Oh and 90% of the time when you see the brand come on on the TPU FP. They are either selling boards for mining setups or boards for low power budget or HTPC setups.

 

[ir_cow]

No audio subsystem analysis?

Yes, this is getting dropped going forward until I figure out a better system. RightMark can give widely different results based on your volume settings. Very inconsistent.

 

[Darksword]

This board would be attractive for me if it had better memory support. DDR5 6000 is way too low for a limit going forward.

 

[mechtech]

Biostar trying out the high end. Interesting.

 

[cstang2005]

So I have a question about mounting that waterblock to the CPU. I have the D-RGB version of that exact waterblock and Im wondering if you were able to use the provided standoffs for the block because it looks like you are. EK says they are coming out with some compatible standoffs but they arent out yet. Its the main reason I havent gone and bought a mobo/CPU/ram yet.

 

[ir_cow]

So I have a question about mounting that waterblock to the CPU. I have the D-RGB version of that exact waterblock and Im wondering if you were able to use the provided standoffs for the block because it looks like you are. EK says they are coming out with some compatible standoffs but they arent out yet. Its the main reason I havent gone and bought a mobo/CPU/ram yet.

Someone else ask this exact question in the last review. Short answer, no it will not work without some adapter and that isn't out yet. I used the mounting posts from a Bitspower CPU Block Summit MS (AMD/AM4) waterblock. Pretty much any AM4 waterblock that doesn't require a different backplate will work. Steal those posts and use it on the EKWB Velocity.

Biostar trying out the high end. Interesting.

"Trying" BIOSTAR has some good ideas, just need to get the price right.

 

[cstang2005]

Ohhhh ok Ill take a look at those!!! Did you then use the stock springs and thumb nuts that came with the ek block? I looked at EKs post about compatibility and all of their AIOs are all compatible. Maybe the standoffs from their original AIO would work too? I know the Intel/AMD standoffs cover the protrusion of the stock AMD backplate, the little black parts that stick up through the mobo on the socket side. Might be worth a test?

 

[ir_cow]

Ohhhh ok Ill take a look at those!!! Did you then use the stock springs and thumb nuts that came with the ek block? I looked at EKs post about compatibility and all of their AIOs are all compatible. Maybe the standoffs from their original AIO would work too? I know the Intel/AMD standoffs cover the protrusion of the stock AMD backplate, the little black parts that stick up through the mobo on the socket side. Might be worth a test?

I tried both the AIO and Velocity standoffs that were included for AM4/LGA 115X/LGA 1700. The threads are too large so it doesn't screw into the AM5 backplate so you'll really have to wait for EKWB to release the adapter (aka new standoffs). I did end up using the EK springs and thumb nuts since it fit. Also the springs are shorter vs the Bitspower. It just seems to provide more even pressure. Really I could have just used the Bitspower waterblock, but the one I have is kinda crap, easily 5c warmer.

 

[cstang2005]

Alrighty that's good to know, thank you for clearing that up for me! Ill just wait to purchase my stuff then. Hopefully this helps others out who have the same or similar questions because the info out there is pretty limited.

 

[Athlonite]

Featuring a top of the line 9+2+2 VRM using 105 & 60 A power stages.... there fixed that for you

 

[AnarchoPrimitiv]

Wish it had USB4...if I was going to spend the money on an X670E board (planning to upgrade my 2700x/X470 system, but not sure on whether to go Zen4 or Zen3 and save some money), I would definitely want USB4 to ensure it has as many capabilities as possible, because after spending that kind of money, I'd want it to stay relevant for as long as possible.

Im not in love with the styling, but it's basic enough that it wont clash with other components, and its nothing that some painter's tape and plasti-dip (or rustoleum's appliance epoxy paint, an ultra-hard enamel which is the closest i've ever come to the durability and quality a powder coated finish in an aerosol can) can't fix.
.

 

[lexluthermiester]

In spite of the downsides, I think Biostar made a good showing here!

 

[Zareek]

In spite of the downsides, I think Biostar made a good showing here!

I agree, I was a bit surprised by the feature set honestly. When I think Biostar, I think of cheap boards!

 

[mechtech]

"Trying" BIOSTAR has some good ideas, just need to get the price right.

Ya nothing wrong with more players with good boards and fair prices.

Wish Abit was still around. I see supermicro has a few consumer boards but intel only. Anyone ever try them?

 

[ir_cow]

Ya nothing wrong with more players with good boards and fair prices.

Wish Abit was still around. I see supermicro has a few consumer boards but intel only. Anyone ever try them?

I forgot about Abit. Supermicro is mainly server stuff and OEM, I know they was getting into the customer market again. I assume it high quality given the company is well respected in the server realm, but no idea about the BIOS feature set.

 

[mechtech]

I forgot about Abit. Supermicro is mainly server stuff and OEM, I know they was getting into the customer market again. I assume it high quality given the company is well respected in the server realm, but no idea about the BIOS feature set.

Something for the next review perhaps??

Desktop & Gaming Motherboards / Boards | Supermicro

Supermicro's Desktop and Gaming Motherboards offer the highest-quality design, components, and production expertise with Intel Xeon Scalable and Intel Core Processor support.

www.supermicro.com

 

[Athlonite]

Wish Abit was still around

I can just imagine a Abit A670E S mobo now that would be awesome

 

[Blaazen]

Wish Abit was still around.

I remember, that must be well 20 years, Abit introduced boards without PS/2 ports. There were almost no USB peripharals at that time.

 

[Darksword]

The KT7A-RAID was my favorite board of all time. I miss Abit too.

 

[lexluthermiester]

Anyone ever try them?

Oh yes, many times. They are excellent boards for general economy and budget systems. Rock solid with all the features that someone needs.

 

[mama]

So I have a question about mounting that waterblock to the CPU. I have the D-RGB version of that exact waterblock and Im wondering if you were able to use the provided standoffs for the block because it looks like you are. EK says they are coming out with some compatible standoffs but they arent out yet. Its the main reason I havent gone and bought a mobo/CPU/ram yet.

Everyone is largely in the same boat if you go EK for a CPU waterblock.

 

[Tek-Check]

Featuring a top of the line 18+2+2 VRM using 105 A power stages, DDR5 support, PCIe Gen5 support, dual M.2 Gen5 sockets and loads of high-speed USB ports, the BIOSTAR X670E VALKYRIE is ready for you! Come along as we dig into this motherboard review to uncover all the secrets the new AM5 platform has to offer.

Thanks for the review. Would you be able to take another photo of the area below, to identify the chip above PI3HDX12?
PI3HDX12 seems to be a redriver for HDMI 2.1 output from iGPU. But, I am not sure. Do you know?
The chip above it might be a level shifter/mux for HDMI FRL signal, but it's not visible here.

I am asking this for two reasons.
1. AMD claims that iGPU on 7000 CPUs supports DP 2.0 (at 40 Gbps?) and HDMI FRL (allegedly up to 48 Gbps)
2. It is not clear whether support for these video outputs is baked into CPU or additional chips are needed to provide those signals?

It would be very useful to identify those chips and find out what they do. I have looked into every X670(E) and B650(E) currently on the market. No vendor has enabled DP 2.0 from iGPU so far. As for HDMI 2.1 FRL, only Asrock and MSI's MPG line claim to support FRL output at 32 Gbps (8 Gbps per lane x4).

As this is the first ever generation of motherboards to have modernised HDMI output from 2.0b (18 Gbps) to real 2.1 speeds (32 Gbps, like PS5), it would be good to know how it is done.