After MSI, GIGABYTE seems to be readying its current 800-series motherboards for Zen 6 processors, as these chips don't support the traditional memory configuration.
New Iteration of GIGABYTE AORUS X870i AORUS PRO ICE Features "AB" DDR5 Memory Configuration Instead of "A1B1"
Yesterday, we saw MSI's B850 series motherboard getting a new revision, which offers a different memory configuration than the one launched for consumers. The traditional A1B1 (DIMM A1, DIMM B1) configuration became A2B2 (DIMM A2, DIMM B2), which is unusual to see on a dual-slot motherboard. Today, it's the GIGABYTE X870i AORUS PRO ICE, which is an ITX motherboard that launched with A1B1 configuration, but the YouTube Channel "Tin Học Ngôi Sao" received one with "AB".
Now it doesn't matter if GIGABYTE decides to name it A2B2 or just AB, but it's definitely different from the original A1B1 configuration since the BIOS for the latter isn't compatible with the newer version. As per the report, this is Rev 1.1 of X870i, which seems to be updated for memory compatibility with upcoming Zen 6 processors. If you read our previous report, you will understand that this change is due to the design of Zen 6 processors, which reportedly feature two IMCs (Integrated Memory Controllers) instead of just one.
With two IMCs, the memory configuration changes, and the Zen 6 processors will only run on the A2B2 configuration, which you will only find on the four DIMM-slot motherboards. It's expected that AMD will provide support for the A1B1 configuration later, but initially, the Zen 6 lineup will work only with the A2B2 configuration. The change is implemented to offer better support for higher frequency on the RAM kits, as each memory controller will only support 1DPC (1 DIMM Per Channel) configuration, which offers better signal integrity and stability.
AMD or its board partners haven't said anything about this change but we do see it getting implemented ahead of the Zen 6 launch, which will likely launch next year. As far as this design is concerned, Zen 6 appears to be the first AMD Ryzen lineup to offer dual CCDs with dual I/O Dies. This is a drastic change over the predecessors but should offer good improvements in memory performance. Zen 6 will also be the first bring up to 12 cores on a single CCD, breaking the 8-core barrier, which lasted for years.
News Source: @unikoshardware
About the author: Sarfraz Khan is a hardware reporter with a focus on PC components and the builder community. With years of experience writing about PC hardware and laptops, his work has been featured on several reputable technology publications. Sarfraz's hands-on experience is demonstrated through his first-person accounts of using and comparing different hardware configurations, providing practical and relatable insights for everyday users. His technical analysis is respected by peers in the enthusiast community and has been cited by specialized hardware sites such as Germany's Igor's Lab.
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