ASUS ProArt X870E-Creator WIFI Motherboard Review

VRM Analysis

The X870E-Creator WiFi stands as a premium motherboard designed for creators, featuring an 8-layer PCB that balances signal integrity with efficient power delivery, crucial for demanding workloads. The board is equipped with a 16+2+2 phase design, offering a strong foundation for handling high-end CPUs and extensive multitasking.

At the heart of the VRM is the Infineon ASP2205 PWM controller, a well-established component in ASUS’s high-performance boards, including the X670E series. This controller effectively manages the 16 primary Vcore phases and 2 SOC phases, ensuring stable power delivery even under intense loads like 3D rendering or video editing. Complementing this is the Richtek RT3672EE, a versatile buck controller used for the two miscellaneous phases. It’s a reliable choice for regulating voltage in scenarios where precision is critical, ensuring the various subsystems of the board perform optimally.

For power stages, ASUS opted for the MPS MP86670 80A Smart Power Stages (SPS) for both the Vcore and SOC phases. These SPS units are known for their efficiency, reducing heat and improving overall system performance by integrating the MOSFETs and driver circuitry. This configuration offers ample headroom for overclocking and maintains smooth power delivery, which is especially important in workstations built for content creation, where stability and longevity are key.

Interestingly, for the miscellaneous phases, ASUS chose the ALPHA & OMEGA AOZ53071QI 80A DrMOS instead of the more common Vishay units seen in other models. This decision likely centres on optimizing thermal and electrical efficiency for specific tasks. DrMOS integrates the high- and low-side MOSFETs and the driver IC into a single package, reducing board space and minimizing switching losses. ALPHA & OMEGA’s solution provides a slightly different thermal profile, tailored for maintaining consistent performance in high-load scenarios while balancing power consumption in less demanding tasks. This choice enhances the board’s versatility for creators who rely on a balance of power efficiency and sustained workloads.