Enhance Your PC’s Expansion Capabilities with Custom AMD X870, X670, and B650 AICs
In recent months, a variety of overseas vendors, particularly from China, have begun offering custom-made Add-in Cards (AICs) that feature AMD’s advanced X870, X670, and B650 chipsets. These innovative devices present users with significantly enhanced expansion options, utilizing PCIe slots to achieve superior I/O capabilities compared to standard and entry-level motherboards.
According to insights shared by a Bilibili content creator, one notable AIC, the Oshwhub model, serves as an open-source hardware platform incorporating an AMD Southbridge from the Promontory 21 series alongside other chipsets. This AIC can function as a standard PCIe device across various platforms.
Many of the available expansion cards are manufactured by AMD specifically for testing and evaluation, with a noticeable portion entering the DIY market. While the majority of these AICs utilize the B650 chipset, there are options with the X870 and X670 chipsets as well. For instance, the AMD B650 PCH PCIe 4.0 Expansion Card is equipped with a B650 chipset beneath a compact heatsink, harnessing a PCIe 4.0 x4 interface. It boasts four M.2 slots rated for PCIe 4.0/3.0 x4 speeds, along with four SATA III slots and USB 3.2 support. These cards retail for approximately 300 RMB, or around $40 USD in China.
Additionally, older X570-based expansion cards are available, selling for around 200 RMB or $30 USD. These cards provide comparable M.2 and SATA capabilities while also incorporating a greater number of USB Type-A/Type-C ports. Some motherboard manufacturers, including ASRock, have developed expansion kit AICs compatible with similar AMD chipsets that additionally support 10 GbE LAN.
One fascinating feature of these AIC expansion boards is their ability to be daisy-chained, creating virtually unlimited I/O capabilities. Some boards are designed with an onboard PCIe 4.0 x4 slot that allows the same board to be connected multiple times. While this approach may lack practicality, it illustrates the versatility inherent in these expansion kits.
Performance-wise, these expansion slots deliver performance on par with onboard controllers, supporting full M.2 Gen4x4, USB 3.2, and SATA III speeds, as illustrated in the following comparison:
Before utilizing these expansion cards, users should ensure their firmware is updated for optimal operation. These expansion solutions present a remarkable opportunity for entry-level Intel and AMD systems, significantly enhancing I/O capabilities. Vendors remain supportive, readily providing necessary firmware updates through social media channels to assist users.
For further insights, you can explore additional sources here: HXL #1, HXL #2, Chiphell #1, Chiphell #2, HKEPC.
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