Skip to main content

This screwless motherboard will make GPU upgrades easier than ever

The DIY home-built PC crowd will be delighted to learn that GPU upgrades just became effortless. The Gigabyte X670 EZ-Latch Plus motherboard is a new screwless and latchless system for easy GPU and SSD swaps.

Tom’s Hardware noticed two new Gigabyte motherboards surface on Twitter, a PCIe EZ-Latch Plus and an M.2 EZ-Latch Plus. Both are built with the upcoming Ryzen 7000-series processors with Zen 4 architecture in mind.

The Gigabyte EZ Latch Plus motherboard on a white background.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Both the PCIe and M.2 EZ-Latch Plus motherboards finally do away with those small, annoying screws that always manage to drop off the magnetic screwdriver and roll into the computer somewhere. Instead, both motherboards have their own unique system for easily attaching and removing GPUs.

Recommended Videos

The PCIe system features a physical button near the edge of the motherboard and away from those narrow DIMM slots. No more getting fat fingers stuck in a motherboard (although I’m sure some of us will still find a way). A single push of the button releases the GPU. This new button system on the PCIe motherboard also opens up more space for manufacturers to pack more PCIe slots in, especially next to big and bulky components.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

Over on the M.2 board, things are just as simple. The M.2 features a pressure mechanism, allowing you to snap a GPU into place by gently lowering it onto the motherboard. Rotate the latch to release the card.

Twitter user @momomo_us posted links to GIFs of the new motherboards in action. The GIFs show a man’s hand popping cards on and off both the PCIe board and the M.2 board.

Gigabyte
PCIe EZ-Latch Plushttps://t.co/K0q8pyG1BB
M.2 EZ-Latch Plushttps://t.co/UzWLJkgFL1

*MP4

— 188号 (@momomo_us) August 10, 2022

This represents a massive quality of life upgrade for PC builders and tinkerers and is something other motherboard makers should implement. There are rumors AMD and Asus have similar projects in the works, although nothing official has been released.

If major manufacturers jump on board, we could finally kiss those tiny screws goodbye.

Nathan Drescher
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Nathan Drescher is a freelance journalist and writer from Ottawa, Canada. He's been writing about technology from around the…
This malware infects your motherboard and is almost impossible to remove
A digital encrypted lock with data multilayers.

Researchers have discovered malware that has been secretly infecting systems featuring Asus and Gigabyte motherboards for at least six years.

Since 2016, Chinese-speaking hackers have been infiltrating machines with the CosmicStrand malware, according to a report from Bleeping Computer.

Read more
Computex 2022: All X670 motherboards announced
MSI MEG X670E Godlike motherboard.

As part of Computex 2022, many new motherboards for the upcoming AM5 socket have been announced, set to release in time for the launch of the AMD Ryzen 7000. AMD's new platform will support three chipsets: The X670, X670E, and B650.
New AM5 chipsets
The X670 platform will be aimed at enthusiasts and will come with a range of bells and whistles to make the most of the next-gen AMD CPUs. MSI and Asus have already announced a few models, but they're not the only manufacturers to have something new up their sleeves.

The introduction of next-gen AMD Ryzen 7000 processors is a big step for AMD, and consequently, for the makers of matching AM5 motherboards. AMD has held on to the AM4 socket for a long time, but it now confirms that it plans to retire it and move on to the new AM5 platform. With that, three new chipsets are being introduced. The X670 and the X670E are the two chipsets with access to PCIe 5.0, while B650 doesn't support it at all.

Read more
Everything we learned about AM5 and X670 at Computex 2022
AMD discusses AM5 motherboard specs.

Alongside the announcement of Ryzen 7000 desktop CPUs, AMD also announced the brand-new AM5 socket and 600-series chipsets that AM5 boards will feature. These new motherboards for Ryzen 7000 will bring new features and more performance across the board.

To get you up to speed, we rounded up everything you need to know about AM5 and X670. You'll need one of these new motherboards if you plan to upgrade to Ryzen 7000 later this year, so it's best to start planning now.
The new AM5 socket

Read more