It has been over three years since Corsair released the monstrous AX1600i and today still very few manufacturers even dared to release any digital PSU designs, let alone top-tier products. Today we are reviewing the newly released Dark Power Pro 12 1500W PSU by Be Quiet!, one of the very few companies audacious enough to bring out a 1500W digital PSU during the mess for the industry that was 2021.
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During CES 2022, ASUS announced its H670, B660, and H610 motherboards designed for Intel’s 12th generation Alder Lake processors. Among the launch of five new ROG Strix models for Intel’s more budget-friendly B660 chipset, perhaps the most interesting of these is the ROG Strix B660-I Gaming WIFI. With its small mini-ITX sized frame, it boasts support for DDR5-6200 memory, 2.5 GbE, and Wi-Fi 6 networking, as well as support for two PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 drives.
Much of the motherboard announcements at CES 2022 have been around Intel’s latest 600 series chipsets, the H670, B660, and H610. For the most part, these new motherboards have been focused on users looking for an affordable entry point onto Intel’s 12th generation Alder Lake desktop platform. The vast majority of these either come with ATX or micro-ATX sized PCBs. One designed for the small form factor enthusiasts looking to build a cheaper mini-ITX system compared to Z690 is the ASUS ROG Strix B660-I Gaming WIFI.
Some of the most notable features of the ASUS ROG Strix B660-I Gaming WIFI include one full-length PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, support for up to two PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 drives, and four SATA ports that can support RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 arrays. The board also supports the latest DDR5 memory, with speeds of DDR5-6200 and a total capacity of up to 64 GB supported across two memory slots.
Although we don’t have an image of the rear panel, we know the ROG Strix B660-I Gaming WIFI includes one USB 3.2 G2x2 Type-C, one USB 3.2 G1 Type-C, three USB 3.2 G1 Type-A, and three USB 2.0 ports. For networking, there’s one Ethernet port powered by an Intel I225-V 2.5 GbE controller, as well as an Intel Wi-Fi 6 CNVi. ASUS uses one of its Realtek-based SupremeFX S1220A HD audio codecs that control five 3.5 mm audio jacks. Finishing off the rear panel is a pair of video outputs, including one HDMI 2.1 and one DisplayPort 1.4.
ASUS hasn’t provided us with any information on when the ROG Strix B660-I Gaming WIFI will be available or how much it might cost.
Source: ASUS
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It has been a busy CES 2022 for laptop and notebook manufacturers, with many new Intel and AMD mobile processors being announced and NVIDIA’s latest GeForce RTX 30 series mobile graphics cards. ASUS has updated a number of its ranges for 2022, including its TUF Gaming series. One of these is the TUF Dash 15, with a 15.6-inch screen available with either a 2560 x 1440p 165 Hz or 1920 x 1080p 300 Hz panel, the latest Intel Alder Lake mobile processor, NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 30 series graphics, and Thunderbolt 4 connectivity.
Refreshed for 2022, the ASUS TUF Dash F15 has been upgraded with new features. Users have the choice between two different designs, off black or in moonlight white. ASUS claims that the touchpad is 27% bigger than the 2021 version while boasting a new and improved cooling system. The TUF Dash F15 uses ASUS’s new 84-blade Arc Flow fans that ASUS claims improve airflow by up to 13%.
The ASUS TUF Dash F15 features a 15.6-inch display and can be had with either a 165 Hz 2560 x 1440p or fast 300 Hz 1920 x 1080p screen, with both including support for Adaptive Sync and featuring a 3 ms response time. Powering the display is an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 laptop graphics card while computing power is handled by an Intel Core i7-12650H Alder Lake mobile processor.
There’s also support for up to 16 GB of DDR5-4800 memory, up to and including two PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 NVMe storage drives, and it comes with a 76 Wh battery with support for Type-C charging. ASUS also includes a Thunderbolt 4 Type-C port, but ASUS hasn’t unveiled a complete list of specifications or configurations at the time of writing.
ASUS hasn’t informed us when the TUF Dash F15 (2022) will be available or how much it will retail for.
Source: ASUS
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During CES 2022, Colorful has unveiled three new micro-ATX motherboards based on Intel’s latest B660 chipset. Featuring support for Intel’s 12th generation Alder Lake processors, the Colorful CVN B660M Gaming Pro V20 and B660M Gaming Frozen offer PCIe 5.0 support, 2.5 GbE, Wi-Fi 6, and dual M.2 slots. The other model is the Colorful Battle-Ax B660M HD Deluxe V20 which offers a more budget-focused feature set, with PCIe 4.0 and Gigabit Ethernet.
Both the Colorful CVN B660M Gaming Pro V20 and B660M Gaming Frozen V20 share an identical feature set, with the only differences coming in the design. The design follows a military theme based on the US CVN aircraft carriers.
The Gaming Frozen V20 has a white PCB with a silver rear panel cover and silver heatsinks, while the Gaming Pro V20 has a black PCB. Both models include RGB LEDs integrated on the right-hand side edge of the board and underneath the chipset heatsink. The feature set of both models includes one full-length PCIe 5.0 x16, one half-length PCIe 3.0 x4, and one smaller PCIe 3.0 x1 slot. Colorful also lists support for DDR4 memory, with support for up to 128 GB across four slots.
The Colorful CVN B660M Gaming Frozen micro-ATX motherboard with white PCB
For storage, there’s one PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slot that includes an M.2 heatsink, while the boards also have one PCIe 3.0 x4 M.2 slot and four SATA ports with support for RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 arrays. In terms of networking, the CVN Pro V20 models both include an Intel I225-V 2.5 GbE controller with an unspecified Intel Wi-FI 6 CNVi. Colorful also doesn’t specify which HD audio codec it is using. Also on the rear panel is one USB 3.2 G2 Type-C, two USB 3.2 G1 Type-A, four USB 2.0 ports, with a DisplayPort and HDMI video output pairing.
The Colorful Battle-Ax B660M-HD Deluxe V20 has a more modest feature set and aesthetic than the CVN branded models, with no rear panel cover, no power delivery heatsinks, and just a tiny chipset heatsink. Designed as an entry-level option onto Intel’s Alder Lake, Colorful includes one full-length PCIe 4.0 x16 slot and one smaller PCIe 3.0 x1 slot. There are also two memory slots with support for DDR4 and capacities of up to 64 GB.
The Colorful Battle-Ax B660M-HD Deluxe V20 micro-ATX motherboard
Other features of the Battle-Ax B660M-HD Deluxe V20 include two M.2 slots, both with support for PCIe 4.0 x4 drives, with a total of four SATA ports capable of supporting RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 arrays. The board has an Intel I219-V Gigabit Ethernet controller, although Colorful doesn’t specify which HD audio codec it uses. In terms of rear panel connectivity, Colorful includes four USB 3.2 G1 Type-A, two USB 2.0 ports, three video outputs consisting of a DisplayPort, D-sub, and HDMI, with a PS/2 combo port for legacy keyboard and mice.
Colorful hasn’t informed us of pricing or availability at this time.
Source: Colorful
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Intel provided a teaser of their upcoming NUC12 Extreme product at CES 2022. Complete specifications have been promised closer to launch, but the components layout in their virtual presentation points to a follow-up very similar to the Beast Canyon NUC in terms of form-factor and sizing.
The key update from the Beast Canyon seems to be the use of a socketed processor, which should allow for a wider range of processor choices for the end user. The vapor chamber / CPU blower continues to be the cooling system for the components in the Compute Element ‘add-in card’. The allowed TDP range for the supported processors is something that would be interesting to note while building systems based on the Dragon Canyon platform. Other aspects such as the use of DDR4 SODIMMs and a separate front panel connector board seem to be similar to the Beast Canyon NUC platform introduced last year.
From the I/O perspective, we have Thunderbolt 4 (as expected with Alder Lake) and Wi-Fi 6E. Networking enthusiasts should be quite happy with Intel’s promise of delivering 10GbE LAN in the product. The absence of USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 appears to be a slight dampener in what otherwise seems to be an exciting SFF platform expected to launch in the next few months.
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One of the key aspects of AMD’s offering in the consumer desktop space is the longevity of its socket and platform. Throughout the years, AMD has leveraged a single socket for multiple generations, providing users the ability to keep the same motherboard year in and year out, while the competition changes the socket every couple of generations at best. To keep that mantra, AMD has stated that its next-generation platform coming later this year, AM5, will also be a multi-generational platform.
Going back in AMD’s history we can see just how long various platforms have lasted, from first processor launch to last processor launch:
Socket 939 from 2004 to 2006
AM2/2+ socket from 2006 to 2009
AM3/3+ socket from 2009 to 2013
FM2/2+ socket from 2012 to 2015
AM4 socket from 2016 to 2021
AM5 socket from 2021 to …
Within that time there have been chipset updates to allow for better IO, however usually the socket change has happened because of DDR version changes, interconnect, and PCIe. In this instance, the move from AM4 to AM5 comes with a change from DDR4 to DDR5 and PCIe 4.0 to PCIe 5.0.
In a roundtable with Dr. Lisa Su, the question was asked about how long AM5 would be around – now that AMD has a sustainable position again in the desktop, and by many measures a leading position, would AMD continue its tradition of longer-lived desktop platforms. Dr. Su stated that AM4 ‘has been good for the community and … it’s been good for us as well’. She confirmed that a change was required with the new standards, but on strategy it was put that ‘I don’t have an exact number of years but I would say that you should expect that AM5 will be a long-lived platform as AM4 has been’. Dr. Su also stated that even with the introduction of AM5, the company expects AM4 to stay in the marketplace for some years, with overlap between the two depending on the market.
For users wondering how far AM5 can go before it needs to change again, it’s worth looking at roadmaps for the two usual elements that cause socket updates: memory and PCIe. We’re only just on the transition to DDR5, and DDR6 is a long way away – in a recent Samsung presentation, for example, it listed DDR6 as a 2028 technology. Similarly with PCIe 5.0, the same presentation puts PCIe 6.0 as a 2026 technology, and PCIe 7.0 as a 2029 technology. So unless AMD wants to increase the pin count on the CPUs for more memory channels or more PCIe lanes, the PCIe 5.0+DDR5 combination looks set until at least 2026.
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During CES 2022, GIGABYTE unveiled many B660 and H610 motherboards designed for Intel’s latest Alder Lake processors. Perhaps the most interesting and ‘premium’ of these is the GIGABYTE B660 Aorus Master and B660 Aorus Master DDR4 models, which include identical feature sets. The only difference is that one supports the latest DDR5 memory and the other DDR4. Other features include three M.2 slots, four SATA ports, 2.5 GbE networking, as well as a typical Aorus inspired gaming aesthetic.
As part of GIGABYTE’s Aorus themed gaming series, the GIGABYTE B660 Aorus Master and the DDR4 version feature the same fundamental specifications and design. This includes a standard ATX-sized PCB, with a large black rear panel cover, with silver heatsinks covering the M.2 slots and chipset, as well as two zones of integrated RGB LED lighting.
The DDR5 version supports DDR5-5333 memory, while the DDR4 version boasts support for up to DDR4-6000 memory. Both models can accommodate up to 128 GB of their respective memory types across four memory slots.
Looking at the features of both GIGABYTE B660 Aorus Master models, they include one full-length PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, with two full-length PCIe 3.0 slots operating at x4/x1. Regarding storage, there is a total of three M.2 slots, including two with support for PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 drives and one with support for PCIe 3.0 x4 drives. There are also four SATA ports supporting RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 arrays.
On the rear panel of both B660 Aorus Master motherboards is one USB 3.2 G2x2 Type-C, one USB 3.2 G2 Type-A, four USB 3.2 G1 Type-A, and two USB 2.0 ports. Also on the rear panel are five 3.5 mm audio jacks and S/PDIF optical output controlled by a Realtek ALC1220-VB HD audio codec. Looking at networking, an Intel I225-V 2.5 GbE controller is powering one Ethernet port, with an Intel Wi-Fi 6 CNVi that includes support for BT 5.2 devices.
GIGABYTE hasn’t shared the expected pricing of its B660 Aorus Master motherboards, nor do we know when they might hit retail shelves.
Source: GIGABYTE
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One of the key elements to how processor portfolios will evolve moving forward involves mixing and matching current generation and previous generation parts using the benefits of (supposedly) cheaper older processors taking advantage of economies of scale. It’s been no secret, for example, that below $300, AMD recommends its previous generation hardware on the desktop. On the Notebook however, along with the launch this week of next-generation hardware, AMD also launched updates to the previous generation under the heading of ‘Barcelo’.
These new 2022 Barcelo APUs are minor updates to the 2021 Lucienne APUs. They use the same Zen 3 cores, are built on the same TSMC 7nm process, have the same PCIe 3 and DDR4/LP4X support, and use the same socket. These are just refined for voltage, frequency, and power based on customer requests.
AMD Ryzen 5000 Mobile: U-Series
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Cores
Threads
Base
Freq
Boost
Freq
GPU
Core
GPU
Freq
TDP
2022 Barcelo
Ryzen 7 5825U
8C / 16T
2000
4500
8
1800
15W
Ryzen 5 5625U
6C / 12T
2300
4300
7
1600
15W
Ryzen 3 5425U
4C / 8T
2700
4100
6
1500
15W
2021 Lucienne
Ryzen 7 5800U
8C / 16T
1900
4400
8
2000
15W
Ryzen 5 5600U
6C / 12T
2300
4200
7
1800
15W
Ryzen 3 5400U
4C / 8T
2600
4000
6
1600
15W
For example, the new Ryzen 7 5825U is +100 MHz on base and turbo frequencies, but loses 200 MHz on graphics. Pretty much every processor is slightly increased on CPU, slightly regressed on GPU, and it looks like this is what AMD’s customers want.
The first laptop with a Barcelo processor that came across our inboxes is the ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED. This is updated from the 2021 version, using the Ryzen 7 5825U with 16 GB of LPDDR4X-4266, 1 TB of PCIe 3.0 SSD, a 14-inch 2880×1800 display with 90 Hz and 100% DCI-P3, and HDR500 certification. It also comes with two USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C ports, a Type-A port, an audio combo jack, an HDMI 2.0 output, and microSD. The touchpad doubles as a number pad as well, and it comes with a 180º hinge and a 75 Wh battery. The Zenbook 14 OLED (UM3402) is due on market in Q2.
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At CES 2022, ASRock has announced two premium and limited edition Z690 motherboards. The ASRock Z690 Aqua and Z690 Aqua OC motherboards both boast impressive specifications, including a custom monoblock cooling both the processor and power delivery, 10 GbE, 2 GbE, and Wi-Fi 6E networking, as well as dual Thunderbolt 4 Type-C ports, eight SATA ports, and three PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slots.
In 2019, ASRock debuted its highly premium yet expensive Aqua series through the ASRock X570 Aqua, which we reviewed. We also reviewed the ASRock Z490 Aqua, and our overall thoughts were that the Aqua was extremely ‘cool’ in both performance and aesthetics. Fast forward to 2022, and ASRock has launched two new Aqua series motherboards for Intel’s Alder Lake, one for conventional users and one designed for extreme overclockers looking to maximize both compute and memory performance under sub-zero cooling.
The ASRock Z690 Aqua E-ATX motherboard
The ASRock Z690 Aqua has a ‘wave’ of features, including a large custom monoblock designed to cool both the processor and large advertised 19+1 phase power delivery using the latest premium 105 A power stages. It also includes stainless steel plating across the 12-layer E-ATX sized PCB, with plenty of integrated RGB lighting for users to host their own epic water-cooled discotheque. The ASRock Z690 Aqua also includes an OLED display, which can display many different forms of information from voltages, frequency and can be configured within the BIOS.
Dominating the lower portion of the board are two full-length PCIe 5.0 slots that can operate at x16 or x8/x8, one full-length PCIe 4.0 x4, and one PCIe 3.0 x1 slot, with three PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slots that all include M.2 heatsink coverage. For SATA, there are eight ports in total, with four coming from the chipset with support for RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 arrays, while an ASMedia ASM1061 SATA controller powers the other four. As does most premium Z690 motherboards, the Z690 Aqua can support up to DDR5-6400 memory, with a combined capacity of 128 GB across four slots.
The ASRock Z690 Aqua OC E-ATX motherboard with two DDR5 memory slots and overclockers toolkit
The ASRock Z690 Aqua OC shares the same core feature set but has two memory slots with support for DDR5 memory. As many ‘OC’ branded boards do, this is to enhance memory performance when overclocking. ASRock also states that it includes an external clock generator to boost OC potential, as well as the exact premium 19+1 phase power delivery as the ‘regular’ Z690 Aqua. It also includes an overclocker’s toolkit next to the memory slots for on-the-fly overclocking. However, both models have a power and rest button, with a two-digit LED debugger.
The ASRock Z690 Aqua rear panel (the Z690 Aqua OC drops two USB 3.2 G2 Type-A ports for a PS/2 port)
On the rear panel, the ASRock Z690 Aqua includes two Thunderbolt 4 Type-C with two DisplayPort 1.4 video inputs, two USB 3.2 G2 Type-A, and four USB 3.2 G1 Type-A ports. The ASRock Z690 Aqua OC has the same layout, except it drops two USB 3.2 G1 Type-A ports for a PS/2 keyboard and mouse combo port. Both models feature a Marvel Aquantial AQC113CS 10 GbE and Killer E3100 2.5 GbE controller pairing, as well as a Killer AX1675 Wi-Fi 6E CNVi. For users planning to use integrated graphics, there’s a single HDMI 2.1 video output, as well as five 3.5 mm audio jacks and S/PDIF optical output powered by a Realtek ALC1220 HD audio codec and ESS Sabre 9128 DAC. Finishing off the rear panel is a clear CMOS and BIOS Flashback button pairing.
Both the ASRock Z690 Aqua and Z690 Aqua OC will be limited to just 500 units each with its own unique production number. ASRock hasn’t informed us of the expected availability or pricing, but we expect it to come with an eye-watering price tag.
Source: ASRock
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Intel’s Alder Lake 12th generation desktop processors support DDR5 and DDR4 memory types. While users have the option to use either, Intel’s 600 series motherboards can support one or the other, not both at the same time. Well, MSI is giving users a choice with its latest MAG series B660M Mortar motherboards, which are available with support for either DDR5 or DDR4 memory and with or without a Wi-Fi 6 CNVi.
The MSI B660M Mortar motherboards are available in two different configurations, with or without Wi-Fi capabilities and support for DDR5 or DDR4 memory. This includes two different color schemes to allow users to distinguish between each model. The variations with an Intel Wi-Fi 6 CNVi feature silver heatsinks on a black PCB, while the non-Wi-Fi enabled models come with an all-black theme.
The MSI MAG B660M Mortar WIFI with support for DDR5 memory
Outside of memory support and whether it comes with Wi-Fi or not, all four of the MSI MAG B660 Mortar motherboards are all micro-ATX in size and feature the same controller set, input and output, and expansion slot support. This includes one full-length PCIe 4.0 x16, one full-length PCIe 3.0 x4, and one smaller PCIe 3.0 x1 slot. For storage, there’s two PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slots, as well as six SATA ports in total. Four SATA ports are powered by the chipset with support for RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 arrays, while an ASMedia ASM1061 SATA controller drives the other two.
Focusing on memory support, MSI MAG B660M Mortar WIFI and B660M Mortar include support for DDR5-6200 memory, with a maximum combined capacity of up to 128 GB across four slots. In comparison, the two DDR4 compatible versions can support up to 128 GB of DDR4-4800 memory.
The MSI MAG B660M Mortar WIFI DDR4 rear panel
The MSI MAG B660M Mortar WIFI and B660M Mortar WIFI DDR4 feature an Intel Wi-Fi 6 CNVi, while the others come with an empty Key M.2 slot should users wish to add their own at a later date. Everything else across the four B660M Mortar models is the same, including one USB 3.2 G2x2 Type-C, three USB 3.2 G2 Type-A, and four USB 2.0 ports, with a single Realtek RTL8125BG 2.5 GbE controller providing a decent level of networking capabilities. Also featured on the rear panel are five 3.5 mm audio jacks and S/PDIF optical output powered by a Realtek ALC1200 HD audio codec, as well as a DisplayPort 1.4 and HDMI 2.1 video output pairing.
At the time of writing, we haven’t found any of the MSI MAG B660M Mortar models available at US retailers, although they are in stock and currently available to purchase at UK retailers. The Wi-Fi models are likely to cost between $10-20 more depending on the retailer of choice, but MSI hasn’t provided us with any MSRP pricing at this time. At UK retailer Ebuyer, the MSI MAG B660M Mortar DDR5 model now costs £200, with the MSI MAG B660M Mortar DDR4 model costing £190.
Source: MSI
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