Introduction

The highly anticipated AMD Ryzen 7000 series is finally in public hands! Intel's release of the 12th Gen Core processors in late fall of 2021 had the privilege of being the first consumer product to offer both PCIe Gen 5.0 and DDR5 connectivity. Along with these additions was a new smaller core, designed to offload smaller system tasks onto, while the bigger cores dealt with priority heavy duty tasks.

AMD wasn't going to wait around forever, but also understood the newest technologies can come with unforeseen problems. Did AMD do the right thing by waiting until DDR5 and PCIe Gen5 matured over this past year, or was it a mistake to let Intel be left without a cutting edge contender? The answer depends on what AMD brings to the table in terms of performance, cost and availability. With that, make sure to read TechPowerUp's AMD Ryzen 7600X, 7700X, 7900X and 7950X reviews, for more in depth coverage.

With the new Ryzen processor series, comes a number of changes that may upset some long time AMD fans, shaking up the market. The first noteworthy change is the socket. All previous desktop Ryzen processors (1000, 2000, 3000, 5000 series, minus Threadripper) used the AM4 PGA (Pin Grid Array) socket. AMD has made the transition to LGA (Land Grid Array) for this new AM5 (LGA 1718) socket. AMD has historically proven it uses the same CPU socket for multiple generations, starting a fresh cycle with the Ryzen 7000 series and beyond. What this means for consumers is that there is no Zen 4 upgrade path for AM4 based platforms. If you want these new processors, they require a brand new motherboard. The platform change also requires new memory too, since the AM5 socket exclusively uses DDR5 for its system memory.

This new AM5 socket carries a host of options for connecting high speed devices that just weren't previously available to AMD customers. As mentioned above, going forward, AMD Ryzen CPUs on this new platform will now support DDR5 memory, PCIe Gen 5.0 and M.2 Gen5. With 24 PCIe Gen 5.0 lanes from the CPU available, motherboard manufacturers now have an opportunity to innovate and create products catered towards users with high bandwidth needs. Along with more PCIe lanes provided by the processors, are four different chipset configurations; B650, B650E, X670 and X670E. The B series, like the previous AM4 iterations, will feature fewer connections for USB, M.2 and PCIe lanes, designed to be more budget friendly. The X670 and X670E use the same chipset, with two X670 chips daisy-chained together, sharing a PCIe 4.0 x4 link to the CPU. The "E" reasonably could be a stand in for the word "Extended", though officially, this may not be correct. However AMD wants to present the naming scheme to consumers, the results are the same. The takeaway here is that X670E offers the most high bandwidth lanes, storage options and external connections out of the available AM5 platform chipsets.


It today's review, we will be looking at the ASRock X670E Taichi Carrara. You may wonder what the difference is between the X670E Taichi and Taichi Carrara. The Taichi Carrara is a special 20th edition to celebrate ASRock achievements, but besides an aesthetic difference, the hardware components are in fact the same underneath. The name Carrara is a type of marble found in modern-day Tuscany, Italy. It is extremely popular and sought after to this day due to the unique patterns and long history of its use in famous monuments and buildings, for hundreds of years.

The Taichi motherboard is ASRock's flagship, designed to offer consumers the best this new AMD socket currently has to offer. In that respect it directly competes with the ASUS X670E ROG Extreme, Gigabyte X670E AORUS Xtreme, and MSI Z690 MEG Godlike, which all offer different configurations and price points. ASRock often creates a follow up to the Taichi, with a small and limited production of its ultra-high end AQUA series, although the AQUA is rarely found for sale in the retail market, the Taichi series being much easier to acquire. ASRock also has a wide range of AMD and Intel motherboards for the different needs of their users, with the Phantom Gaming (PG) Lighting line being budget focused while the Steel Legend sticks to the mid-range.

As expected, the ASRock X670E Taichi Carrara also includes DDR5 and PCIe 5.0-ready solutions for those looking for the newest technology. ASRock has also added an M.2 Gen5 x4 socket for when these next-gen NVMe drives reach the market in late 2022. To put some emphasis on its flagship status, the X670E Taichi Carrara has a massive VRM in a 24+2+1 configuration using 105 A smart power stages, providing clean, continuous current during those heavy overclocking sessions. To round out the experience, the motherboard also offers great connectivity with WiFi 6E technology and 2.5G LAN, and USB4 (40 Gb/s) for those who need to transfer data quickly. The features don't stop here, but there is a lot to cover in this review, so let's take a closer look at what the ASRock X670E Taichi Carrara has to offer.

Specifications

Packaging and Contents

Starting off with the product box, we can visually see the Carrara marble theme. Even though this is a special 20th Anniversary edition, ASRock takes a modest approach to the box. No velvet inlay to be found here. Instead, besides being a white box, underneath the aesthetics are the same as the X670E Taichi. ASRock still does a good job for pointing out major or unique selling points on the back. It also has specifications and a visual layout of the rear IO panel.



The accessories will be the same as well, except for a special edition 120 mm fan. This fan has the same Carrara marble pattern, which helps keep the theme consistent throughout the computer.

The full list of accessories includes:

• 1x User Manual
• 4x SATA Data Cables
• 1x Wireless Dongle USB Bracket
• 1x Blazing M.2 Gen5 Fan Heatsink
• 1x ASRock WiFi 2.4/5/6 GHz Antenna
• 4x Screws for M.2 Sockets
• 1x Standoff for M.2 Socket

Board Layout

As touched on previously, The X670E Taichi Carrara and X670E Taichi are the same hardware underneath the visual design.


Whichever motherboard you choose to purchase, a number of layout changes have been implemented from the previous AMD X570 Taichi, for those who keep track yearly. The first major change is moving to the E-ATX form factor, which will have an impact when it comes to choosing a computer case. Installation of E-ATX motherboards often come with challenges due to the extended width. Along with a new, paired chipset, the CPU socket has physically changed. Together with firmware and design changes, this also physically prevents previously released Ryzen CPUs (Zen1, Zen2, Zen3) from being installed, which will not be compatible moving forward, for a clean sheet generational leap.


AMD's changes to the socket also come with some compatibility challenges to overcome. Many brands selling CPU coolers have already announced forwards compatibility. However, some will need an adapter, as the backplate that was previously removable for the AM4 (PGA) socket, is now integrally part of this new AM5 (LGA) socket. ASRock keeps the socket clear of obstructions. Whether an All-In-One (AIO), custom waterblock, or air-cooler is used, the X670E Taichi Carrara has enough physical clearance around the socket to alleviate compatibility concerns.

AMD recommends 240-280 mm AIO (or better) for the Ryzen R9 7950X/7900X to avoid thermal throttling. Thermal observations from using the AMD Ryzen 7950X during this review, the AIO solution should be considered more of a requirement instead of a recommendation in heavy multi-threaded applications. Undervolting, and using PBO is also an option as well to circumvent thermal limitations.


The ASRock X670E Taichi Carrara offers two PCI Express x16 slots, with both being reinforced for extra stress support. PCIe slot one and two are PCIe Gen5 certified with a total of x16 lanes coming from the CPU. This means that slot one can either operate at x16 or x8. Slot 2 is wired for PCIe Gen5 x8 and will split the available lanes with the first slot when populated. This second 16x PCIe slot will not become disabled if the M.2 Gen5 socket is populated. This is because the AMD 7000 series has 24 PCIe Gen5 lanes that can be divided into M.2 Sockets, USB4 and PCIe slots based on the motherboard implementation.


Because the Ryzen CPU provides 24 PCIe Gen5 lanes, motherboard vendors have the ability to include M.2 Gen5 sockets as well, without losing the second PCIe slot. Here ASRock has implemented a single M.2 Gen5 x4 socket (first below the CPU). This M.2 socket bandwidth is provided by the CPU. The remaining three M.2 sockets are Gen4 4x and get their bandwidth from the X670 chipset(s). All M.2 sockets have passive heatsink coverage as well.


ASRock demonstrated the strengths of using a Gen5 M.2 SSD during a media/press invitational event. Along with a glimpse of these next-gen drives, was a presentation pointing out that Gen5 NVMe drives will need active cooling to achieve these higher speeds. Similar to many Gen4 NVMe drives, sustained reading or writing on the SSD can result in thermal throttling without proper cooling. To combat this, included with the ASRock X670E Taichi and Taichi Carrara motherboards is a M.2 heatsink that has a small fan for active cooling. ASRock said it has plans to release this heatsink separately as well, but no pricing or release info has been given at this time.


The charts above illustrate the impact sustained reads can have on a NVMe drive when it is not properly cooled. Without any heatsink, serious thermal throttling can occur. Not only is the ASRock Blazing M.2 Heatsink useful for Gen4 NVMe drives, it will be a necessity to keep these Gen5 NVMe SSDs in peek performance.


in the bottom right corner is a physical power and reset button, along with the System Panel header for the case as well. This buttons are helpful if you just want to power on the motherboard before you have everything connected up, or if it's on a test bench.


ASRock includes a post debugger for easier troubleshooting. Considering that the AM5 socket is new to everyone, it is always good to get a readout of what stage the boot process is on, or what it may be stuck on.


The ASRock X670E Taichi Carrara uses a two 8-Pin EPS connector for higher power management.


Along the bottom and right side are a few RGB LED Headers.

Information provided by ASRock


Included with the X670E Taichi Carrara are two USB 3.2 Gen1 Headers (5 Gb/s), two USB 2.0 headers and a single Type-E header for USB-C.


ASRock has dual USB4 ports on the X670E Taichi Carrara. These ports provide 40 Gb/s each. Both of which are using Intel's Thunderbolt 4 controller, officially ASRock has stated these ports are only USB4 compliant and not Thunderbolt 4 certified. To answer why ASRock is using Intel for the USB4 ports is because ASMedia has yet to release a USB4 controller, meaning all motherboards currently must use Intel's solution, for now.

Clarification: The Intel JHL8540 uses a PCIe x4 Gen3 connection. Therefore total bandwidth is constrained as both USB4 ports share the same TB4 controller.


ASRock takes its cooling solution seriously, connecting the PCH (X670) heatsink to the VRM with a heatpipe. It's a beefy cooling solution, designed so that even when the PCH is being loaded, thermals will still be well within the optimal operational range.


The motherboard has a total of eight 6 Gbps SATA ports. There are two sets of four, each of which are connected to a separate X670 Chipset (PCH). Because the PCH is a hub for connected devices from USB, to M.2, Wi-Fi, SATA and more, this means not everything can be accommodated. In this instance, the ASRock X670E Taichi Carrara gives up the a single SATA port (A1)* if the M2_2 PCIe Gen4 x4 socket is used. This is the vertical M.2 socket besides the DIMM slots for reference.

Clarification: * This is only happens when a M.2 SATA SSD is installed in M.2 Socket M2_2.


The Realtek ALC4080 Codec can be found here, in theory, it should provide a good audio experience. However, Audio analysis could not be performed due to the lack of a Line In port. Mic In cannot be the substitute as it has a lower frequency range, and isn't suitable for the RightMark Audio benchmark.


Getting a peek at the Rear IO, we can see that it breaks away from the standard layout we are used to seeing for a number of years now. Instead of a classic 5-Jack audio setup, the switch to the two-port solution is becoming more common outside of just ITX motherboards. Because AMD Ryzen 7000 series has onboard graphics, an HDMI 2.1 port is provided for video output.

When it comes to external connections, ASRock provides a number of high-speed USB ports. Two USB4 ports will provide an additional 40 Gb/s per connection that can used with NAS externals or USB hubs. ASRock says the two Lighting Gaming ports (yellow) are for Low Latency Mice and Keyboards. These are connected through the CPU instead of X670 chipset, and should provide the lowest latency. For real world use-cases, it is still up for debate if these low latency USB ports make a measurable difference.

ASRock X670E Taichi also includes a Clear CMOS and BIOS Flashback button for easy recovery, which is always nice to see.

• 2x Antenna Ports
• 1x HDMI Port
• 1x Optical SPDIF Out Port
• 2x USB4 Type-C Ports (40 Gb/s)
• 5x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A Ports (10 Gb/s)
• 3x USB 3.2 Gen1 Ports (5 Gb/s)
• 1x RJ-45 LAN Port
• 1x Clear CMOS Button
• 1x BIOS Flashback Button
• 1x Line Out Jack (Gold Audio Jack)
• 1x Microphone Input Jack (Gold Audio Jack)