Yesterday, we presented you the unboxing of the NZXT N7 Z790 that we received at the same time as this NZXT N7 B650E. There will be something for everyone with one model based on the Intel Z790 chipset and the second on the AMD B650E chipset.
You will see that the dress code used by NZXT varies very little and that visually, apart from the socket, the cards are almost identical. So let’s start the presentation of this NZXT N7 B650E that we will test with the Ryzen 5 7600 non-X processor that we tested earlier this week. We should have a very interesting combo by combining these two components.
Thanks to NZXTÂ for making these two sample savailable.
[nextpage title=”NZXT N7 B650E: “]
The bundle:
A little tour through the bundle of this NZXT N7 B650E to see if it has “special accessories”. Same observation as the Z790 version, we find ourselves with the bare minimum, i.e. the two traditional SATA cables, the Wi-Fi antenna, the motherboard quick install and 2 screws for SSD. This is a usual thing at NZXT since the brand is content with a very light bundle. Now when we see its price of $319.99 or 379,99euros, we could have at least hoped for a USB key with the different drivers. If we compare to the competition on this B650E chipset, the price is interesting making this model one of the most affordable.
The architecture:
The NZXT N7 B650E is built around the new chipset from AMD, the B650E. As a reminder, with the arrival of the AM5 socket and the support of DDR5, AMD has launched simultaneously four new chipsets: the X670(E) and the B650(E). As a reminder, here is a table that highlights the differences between these different chipsets.
The B650 chipset in Extreme version is therefore a model that is intended for the entry level even if the B650 cards will be even cheaper. After the Z690 chipset and the LGA-1700 socket, it’s AMD’s turn to make its revolution. Goodbye socket AM4, hello socket AM5. It’s time to forget the PGA socket(Pin Grid Array) in which you used to put your processor in order to welcome the LGA socket(Land Grid Array). This socket will look like those already present for years on Intel motherboards. Why this change? Simply because of the larger number of pins on the Ryzen 7000 (1718).
AMD decided, with the AM5 socket, to keep a back plate already present for the AM4 socket. The 4 external holes that hold the retention system to fix your cooling system are still present. The distance between these 4 holes is identical to the AM4 socket, so you will still be able to use your cooling system as long as it uses the original backplate on your motherboard!
But AMD goes further and adds 4 more holes. These will be used to hold the AM5 socket in place but also to hold the backplate in place. This one should not be removed anymore like on the previous generation. Finally, the locking mechanism changes. We find the reinforcement frame, the force frame and the latch. Once your Ryzen 7000 has been placed, respecting the alignment keys, you just have to close the latch to keep it in place.
The dimensions of the board are 305 mm x 244 mm, which corresponds to the ATX format. The dominant colors on the PCB are white and black, reinforced by the white steel casing. The design is quite neutral but it is a will of NZXT to take the design code of its case range. As a reminder, two colors are available: white and black. Finally, you should know that the card has no RGB system but several connectors compatible with NZXT components. These are directly implanted on the PCB.
The different heat sinks:
Let’s start the tour with the radiators, of which there are three!
First of all, the two radiators located on the top of the motherboard and which cover the power supply stage. These two radiators are connected together by a screw, they do not have heat pipes and are in direct contact with the mosfets via a thermal pad. We are here on a completely passive system.
The third heatsink, which covers the chipset, is hidden under the metal cover that covers more than half of the PCB. The area of the metal cover where the heatsink is located is perforated to allow for easier heat removal.
Three M.2 SSD slots:
While we’re on the subject of this fairing, three areas can be removed just by unclipping them to access the three SSD slots. They are held in place by two magnets except for the slot under the socket which will require you to use a Phillips screwdriver.
This NZXT N7 B650E has three slots to accommodate M.2 SSDs: one 2242/2260/2280 (PCIe 5.0 x4 mode), one 2242/2260/2280/22110 (PCIe 4.0 x4) and finally one 2242/2260/2280 (PCIe 4.0 x2).
Support for DDR5 :
This new X670E chipset also brings DDR5 support. Our NZXT N7 B650E has four memory slots. Keep in mind that there are two priority slots as indicated on the PCB (A2 and B2). This motherboard can accommodate a maximum of four DDR5 memory sticks. It supports dual channel memory kits up to 6000 MHz (OC) and for a maximum amount of 128 GB.
AMD, in collaboration with the manufacturers of memory modules, now offers kits with “EXPO” technology. This is an alternative to the XMP profile (A-XMP at AMD). As a reminder, XMP allows, via the BIOS, to automatically activate the characteristics of your memory kit: the frequency, the timings as well as the voltage. The AMD EXPO technology will also allow you to overclock DDR5 in a single click in combination with the Ryzen 7000.
There are three PCIe ports. The first one is a PCIe 5.0 in 16x and the other two PCIe are in 4.0. As we said before, there are four NZXT RGB connectors on the PCB as well as two ARGB connectors in 5v.
[nextpage title=”The PCB and the connectors: “]
The tools for clocker:
Let’s start with the elements inserted on the PCB which can be interesting tools for overclockers. Of course, they will be few in number since this board is not intended for overclocking.
- The power button: allows the powering up of the motherboard.
- The reset button: allows to restart the motherboard in case of failure.
- The CMOS CLR: allows to erase the BIOS parameters in order to return to the default ones.
- The Q LED : 4 LEDs (CPU – DRAM – VGA – BOOT) which allow to diagnose the errors during the boot of the board. If one of them remains lit, it means that the component that corresponds to it has a problem.
Connectors :
The rear panel has the following elements. First of all the Clear CMOS, the BIOS Flashback as well as the antenna mounts for the dual band Wi-Fi. The board has an HDMI port, 2 USB 2.0, a USB 3.2 Gen 2 type-C, two USB 3.2 Gen 2, four USB 3.2 Gen 1, a LAN port (RJ45), 1 Optical S/PDIF Out and the various audio outputs. Finally, the audio part is provided by a Realtek ALC1220 chip.
To power all this little world, the card has a 24 pins connector and a 8 pins + 4 pins connector on the side of the power supply stages.
The PCB:
The PCB design of this NZXT N7 B650E model is still most likely outsourced by ASRock. We will research for the release of the article which model it refers to. Now, as we have always said, this is a very good choice considering the good reputation of ASRock.
The motherboard is based on a 16 + 2 +1 power supply (vcore/vddcr_soc/vdd). The CPU part consists of 16 phases with a RAA229620 controller with actually 8 phases placed in parallel.
The 16 mosfets are all ISL99390B of 90A! These are the same mosfets used by ASRock on some of its models. See you in a few days to discover the complete test of this NZXT N7 B650E and the Intel version with the NZXT N7 Z790.
Thanks to NZXTÂ for making this sample available.