AMD Chipset Guide: From Mainstream Gaming PCs and Desktops to Workstation PC

In the world of computer hardware, chipsets play a crucial but often overlooked role in determining a system’s capabilities and performance. A chipset is a set of electronic components that manage data flow between the processor, memory, and peripherals. It’s essentially the communication hub of the motherboard, facilitating the intricate dance of data that powers our computing experiences. 

AMD’s chipset lineup spans a wide range of computing needs, from mainstream desktop PC users to high-end gaming PC enthusiasts and professional workstation PC operators. This comprehensive guide covers AMD’s offerings across multiple platforms, including the high-end desktops and workstation platforms. We will explore chipsets from the entry-level new upcoming B840 to the extreme WRX90, providing insights into their capabilities and target audiences.

Chipsets determine several critical aspects of a computer’s functionality: 

1. Connectivity: They dictate the number and type of USB ports, SATA connections, and PCIe lanes available. 
2. Expansion Capabilities: The chipset influences how many additional components like GPUs or NVMe drives you can add to your system. 
3. Overclocking Potential: Higher-end chipsets often provide more robust power delivery and overclocking features for enthusiasts. 
4. Future-Proofing: Choosing the right chipset can impact your system’s ability to accommodate future upgrades. 

This comprehensive guide covers AMD’s offerings across multiple platforms, including the latest AM5 series, and extends to the high-end desktop (HEDT) and workstation platforms. We will explore chipsets from the entry-level upcoming B840 to the extreme WRX90, providing insights into their capabilities and target audiences. 

Before we dive into the details of each chipset, we’d like to draw your attention to the comparison chart provided below. This chart offers a side-by-side comparison of all the AMD chipsets we’ll be discussing, including X870E, X870, B850, B840, X670E, X670, B650E, B650, TRX50, and WRX90. It’s an excellent resource for quickly comparing key specifications across these chipsets. 

WRX90 Chipset: Extreme Workstation Performance in WRX90 Motherboards

The WRX90 chipset is designed for Treadripper Pro CPUs in TR5 motherboards. This chipset is built for intense workstations such as AI PCs, Renderstations, and more.

Key Features:

• Memory: Supports up to 2TB of R-DIMM DDR5 memory modules across eight memory channels 
• PCIe: Features seven X16 PCIe 5.0 Slots for graphics cards and other devices 
• Power Delivery: 24 Total power stages for robust power delivery 
• Overclocking: For both CPU and Memory 
• USB: 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 (20 Gbps), 4x USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps), 6x USB 3.2 Gen 1×1 (5 Gbps)  
• Networking: Includes Intel X710 dual 10G Lan 1 Resolute IPMI LAN  

Best for: Professional users requiring the absolute highest performance for tasks like complex 3D rendering, scientific simulations, AI/ML workloads, and extreme multi-tasking in a professional environment.

What is TRX50 Chipset? High-End Desktop Performance

The TRX50 chipset is an AMD offering for the High-End Desktop and Gaming PC market, designed to work with Threadripper CPUs.

Key Features:

• PCIE Support: Offers extensive PCIe 5.0 lanes, though fewer than WRX90 
• Memory: Supports quad-channel DDR5 memory 
• Overclocking: For both CPU and Memory 
• USB connectivity: 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 (20 Gbps), 4x USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps), 6x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps) 
• Storage: Multiple PCIe 5.0 M.2 slots for NVMe SSDs 

Best for: Content creators, enthusiasts, and professionals who need high core counts and extensive I/O for tasks like 3D rendering, video editing, and extreme multitasking but don’t require the full feature set of a workstation PC.

What is the X870E Chipset? The New Enthusiast Flagship

The X870E (Extreme) chipset represents the pinnacle of AMD’s AM5 platform. Released in 2024, it focuses on features that streamers, content creators, and gamers can benefit from.

Key Features:

• PCIe lanes: 44 total / 24 usable 
• Graphic support 1×16 or 2×8 PCIE 5.0 
• NVME support: 1×4 PCIE 5.0 plus 4xPCIE GPP 
• Overclocking Support: Enabled 
• DDR5 memory overclocking with AMD EXPO 
• 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 (20 Gbps), 12x USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps), 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps) 
• Sata ports: 8 Maximum 

Best For: Extreme enthusiasts and professionals demanding the best connectivity and performance.

X870: High-End Performance

The X870 offers a balance of high performance with a slightly reduced feature set compared to X870E.

Key Features:

• PCIe lanes: 44 total / 8 Usable
• Graphic support: 1×16 or 2×8 PCIe 5.0
• NVME support: 1×4 PCIE 5.0 Plus 4x PCIe GPP
• Overclocking Support: Enabled
• DDR5 memory overclocking with AMD EXPO
• USB connectivity: 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 (20 Gbps), 12x USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps), 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps)
• SATA ports: 8 Maximum

Best for: Enthusiast and high-performance users who want top-tier features without the premium price of X870E.

X670E: Extreme Performance for Previous Generation

The X670E (Extreme) chipset represents the high-end option for the previous generation of AMD’s AM5 platform.

Key Features:

• PCIE lanes: 44 total /24 usable 
• Graphics support: 1×16 or 2×8 PCIe 5.0 
• NVMe support: 1×4 PCIe 5.0 plus 4x PCIe GPP 
• Overclocking Support: Enabled 
• DDR5 memory overclocking with AMD EXPO 
• USB connectivity: 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 (20 Gbps), 12x USB 3.2 Gen2 (10Gbps), 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps) 
• Sata Ports: 8 Maximum 

Best for: Enthusiasts and professionals who want top-tier performance from the previous generation of chipsets at a more accessible price point than the newer X870E.

X670 Chipset: High-End Performance with Balance

The X670 offers a balance of high performance with a reduced price and feature set compared to the X670E. While an older platform, these boards will remain viable for years and are a great choice unless you’ll benefit from the specific features of the latest platform.

Key Features:

• PCIE lanes: 36 total /24 usable 
• Graphics support: 1×16 or 2×8 PCIe 5.0 
• NVMe support: 1×4 PCIe 5.0 plus 4x PCIe GPP 
• Overclocking Support: Enabled 
• DDR5 memory overclocking with AMD EXPO 
• USB connectivity: 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 (20Gbps), 6x USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps), 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps) 
• Sata Ports: 8 Maximum 

Best For: Enthusiast and high-performance users who want excellent features without the premium of X670E, suitable for gaming and content creation.

B850 Chipset: New Midrange Option

The B850 offers a balanced option for mainstream users wanting some high-end features. This platform will lack some connectivity support.  

Key Features:

• PCIE lanes: 36 total / 4 usable 
• Graphics support: 1×16 or 2×8 PCIe 4.0 
• NVMe support: 1×4 PCIe 5.0 
• Overclocking Support: Enabled 
• DDR5 memory overclocking with AMD EXPO 
• USB: 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 (20 Gbps), 6x USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps), 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps) 
• Sata Ports: 4 Maximum 

Best for: Mainstream users seeking a balance of performance and value.

B840 Chipset: Entry-Level AM5 Option

The B840 provides an accessible entry point to the AM5 platform. The AM5 platform provides a range of options for mainstream and enthusiast users, with the latest technologies like PCIe 5.0 and DDR5 support. These boards will lack connectivity features, such as a variety of USB ports.

Key Features:

• PCIE lanes: 34 total / 0 usable 
• Graphics support: 1×16 PCIe 4.0 
• NVMe support: 1×4 PCIe 4.0 
• Overclocking Support: Enabled 
• DDR5 memory overclocking with AMD EXPO 
• USB: 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 (20 Gbps), 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) 
• Sata Ports: 4 Maximum 

Best For: Budget-conscious users wanting to enter the AM5 ecosystem.

B650E Chipset: Midrange with a Boost

The B650E (Enhanced) chipset offers a step up from the standard B650, providing some high-end features at a more accessible price point.

Key Features:

• PCIE lanes: 36 total / 24 usable 
• Graphics support: 1×16 or 2×8 PCIe 5.0 
• NVMe support: 1×4 PCIe 5.0 plus 4x PCIe GPP 
• Overclocking Support: Enabled 
• DDR5 memory overclocking with AMD EXPO 
• USB: 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 (20 Gbps), 6x USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps), 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps) 
• Sata Ports: 4 Maximum 

Best for: Budget enthusiasts who want access to PCIe 5.0 and overclocking features without the premium cost of X-series chipsets. It is ideal for gamers and content creators who need strong performance but can compromise on extreme features.

B650: Solid Mainstream Option

The B650 chipset is designed for mainstream users who want good performance without unnecessary frills. This chipset is a solid choice for most custom gaming PC builds.

Key Features:

• PCIE lanes: 36 total / 20 usable 
• Graphics support: 1×16 or 2×8 PCIe 4.0 
• NVMe support: 1×4 PCIe 4.0 
• Overclocking Support: Enabled 
• DDR5 memory overclocking with AMD EXPO 
• USB: 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 (20 Gbps), 6x USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps), 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps) 
• Sata Ports: 4 Maximum 

Best For: Casual gamers, general PC users, and budget-conscious builders who want a balance of performance and value. Suitable for everyday computing tasks, light content creation, and moderate gaming.

Choosing the Right Chipset For You:

When selecting a chipset, consider the following factors:

1. Your Budget
2. The features you need (PCIE lane, USB ports, overclocking support, NVMe Speeds, and Max SATA Ports)
3. The Processor you plan to use (Using high end AMD processors in lower-end chipsets can affect your performance)
4. Future upgrade plans

Remember, higher-end chipsets like X870E or X670E offer more features at a higher cost. For many users, X670 or B650 might offer the best balance of features and value for your typical custom gaming PC.

AMD’s chipset lineup offers solutions for virtually every computing need, from budget-conscious users to extreme professionals. The AM5 platform provides a range of options for mainstream and enthusiast users, with the latest technologies like PCIe 5.0 and DDR5 support. For those requiring even more power, the TRX50 and WRX90 chipsets open up new realms of performance with their support for high core count Threadripper and Threadripper PRO processors.

Each chipset brings its own unique advantages:

• The X870E and X870 chipsets lead with cutting edge PCIe 5.0 support and extensive I/0 for the enthusiast and professionals.
• X670E and X670 offer similar to high-end features, potentially at more accessible price points.
• B850 and B60E bridge the gap between mainstream and high-end , offering some premium features at midrange prices.
• B650 and B840 provide solid foundations for mainstream and budget-conscious users entering the AM5 ecosystem.

The diverse ecosystem ensures that whether you’re building a basic productivity machine, a high-end custom gaming PC, a content creation powerhouse, or a professional workstation, there’s an AMD chipset tailored to your needs. As always, carefully consider your current and future requirements when choosing a chipset to ensure your system can grow with your needs.