I think there was an error.
I think there was an error.
I was a bit quick... my son really wanted a CPU upgrade, so he got my 8700k with an old Strix board. I had a nice little system, so I decided to go for the X670E TUF Board. After checking some reviews, it seemed like a solid choice. I never overclocked; I actually ran it with PBO at 105 watts, which was the price of an X670 even the budget models. It felt like a cost-effective way to get PCIe 5.0 lanes, good connectivity, and Wi-Fi (though I didn’t need it, I wanted built-in Bluetooth for controllers). Now I’ve connected it with a 7950x, but I read that it’s one of the weaker boards with 14 70A power phases. Right now it only uses one CPU with an 8-pin connector. The VRM temperature looks decent, and I noticed some X670 boards have better setups, while ProArt only has 16 phases at 70A. Should I be worried, or are these just overbuilt components? And will this ever become a problem?
Remarkably, the design seems excessively complex. A 14 70A power stage is already overly engineered. My X299 Dark matches similar VRM specs and functions as a top-tier overclocking board for processors capable of handling 500W with minimal cooling, let alone LN2. The X99 Classified "only" offers a 10-phase VRM that consistently stays under 60°C during heavy loads, with VRMs rated for up to 110°C—providing ample margin.
It's nice that the board connections work smoothly. I'm currently running a 10-minute VRM test at full PBO, drawing 220 watts and sitting around 56 degrees—still warming up. It looks like I'm seeing around 22 phase 105A boards, but this one only has 14 70A phases. That's a bit confusing. Actually, I thought I was checking X670 non-E boards, but they're priced the same. I guess I just went for the TUF since it seemed to hold up well in reviews.
others mentioned the board seems to have phase doubles, specifically ASUS 14-2, where a similar model has 16 real phases. I thought it shouldn't cause any problems, but I wasn't familiar with that aspect. There might be concerns about clean power delivery.
It's a minor concern, likely just a fleeting worry from the early 2000s when they started gaining traction. Those initial simple setups didn't perform well. I'm not sure why manufacturers emphasize so much VRM in today's boards—it could be marketing or a way to justify the high cost of premium boards. It probably isn't essential for stable operation, and most systems aren't built for serious overclocking where such power delivery is necessary.
I view the Buildzoid video on the Z690 as having the same VRM setup, which he describes as a clever cost-optimized design emphasizing component quality over quantity. I understand that LN2 is the only option requiring more cooling. I haven't seen boards like that with excessive heat for a long time. From a VRM perspective, 60 degrees is the upper limit, and even non-fan-supported models stay within that range. Thanks! It's great to have this conversation. Have a wonderful day.