For the past couple of months, the rumor mill surrounding AMD’s impending Ryzen 7000 processors for desktop PCs has been on the edge. Although Lisa Su unveiled Zen 4 back at CES 2022, the new AM5 platform is expected to include multiple chipsets, as the AM4 has more than 500+ motherboard lifespans from the X370, X470, X570 and every chipset in between.

AMD announces the X670E, X670, and B650 chipset during the AMD Keynote at Computex 2022And, this evening, AMD announced a fourth chipset for the Ryzen 7000, the B650E chipset. The B650E chipset will work alongside the already announced B650 chipset, but since it is part of AMD’s ‘Extreme’ series of chipsets, it will benefit from PCIe 5.0 lanes to at least one M.2 slot, as well as optional support for PCIe 5.0 to PCIe graphics slot, features not available with standard B650 boards.

during AMD keynote speech at Computex 2022, AMD CEO Lisa Su revealed three AM5 chips Designed to harness the power of 5nm Zen 4 cores inside Ryzen 7000 processors. We already knew that the AM5 socket was based around a 1718-pin Network Array (LGA) socket, dubbed the LGA1718. Some of the important advantages coming to the AM5 include native PCIe 5.0 support from the CPU, not only for use with PCIe slots, but also in PCIe 5.0 storage, with the first consumer drives expected to start rolling out in November 2022.

AMD’s recent announcement of the B650E (Extreme) chipset gives motherboard vendors and users a low-cost platform choice but without sacrificing longevity and expansion support for PCIe 5.0. The X670E chipset is dedicated to its top models, like the flagship model ASUS ROG Crosshair X670E Extreme motherboard revealed at Computex 2022.

Using PCIe 5.0 lanes requires a more premium PCB, usually with more layers that allow the lanes to maintain signal integrity, but this usually adds a cost. Having the B650E chipset will enable vendors to use more expensive PCIe 5.0 networks with more modest control sets, allowing vendors to offset the cost. Ideally, it would give users a broader and more futuristic platform to upgrade, but without breaking the bank on unnecessary control groups; Users who want the best controller combinations should choose the X670 or X670E.

This ultimately means that AMD will have a main platform with PCIe 5.0 by default (B650E) and a less expensive alternative with only PCIe 4.0 lanes to PEG and M.2 slots. AMD strongly urges motherboard vendors to offer at least one PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot for storage on most of their motherboards, as this is one of the major advantages of AMD’s AM5 platform.

As announced by AMD during the advan_PCs Together eventRyzen 7000 desktop processors will launch on September 27, along with both motherboards from the X670E and X670 chipset. Motherboards containing the B650E and B650 chipsets will be available for purchase at a later date in October.