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After testing a grand complete of 56 motherboards, all utilizing AMD’s B650 chipset, it is secure to say we have examined lots of them, and we’re in a strong place to inform you which of them you can purchase. So let’s do this, and as ordinary, we’ll begin with probably the most inexpensive choices and transfer to the most costly and well-equipped boards it’s best to contemplate.
As an introductory facet notice, Asrock motherboards have been surprisingly good this technology. It is good to see them pushing arduous to supply one of the best worth at every value level, which reminds us of the nice previous days. Going again a decade or so, after we have been testing and recommending Intel Z77 motherboards, it was a typical theme that Asrock at all times appeared to undercut the competitors.
Lately, although, Asrock appeared to have misplaced their edge, however now they’re again and with out query, they’re dominating the entry-level section for AMD B650. There are nonetheless a superb variety of Asus, MSI, and Gigabyte boards value contemplating on the increased value tiers, and Gigabyte specifically has a really spectacular B650 vary.
Finest Entry-Stage B650 Motherboard
Asrock B650M Professional RS or Asrock B650M-HDV/M.2
For the reason that introduction of the AM5 platform, motherboard pricing has been a big subject, even for fashions that do not help PCIe 5.0. Granted, DDR5 has proven extra pricey than DDR4, besides, board prices acquired a bit out of hand for some time.
Issues improved when Asrock launched the B650M-HDV/M.2 for $120 again in April 2023. Since then it dropped a tad extra after which turned costlier, spiking as much as $140 earlier than its inventory dried up fully, and we’re unsure if we are going to ever see this board again at $120.
That will be our choose for one of the best entry-level B650 motherboard, however in its absence, the Asrock B650M Pro RS is fairly strong, too. The excellent news is you should buy the B650M Professional RS for simply $130 and inventory appears plentiful. There’s additionally a WiFi version for a further $10.
By way of VRM efficiency, each pack eight 50A energy phases for the vcore, which is sufficient to comfortably energy the Ryzen 9 7950X. It’ll simply deal with any Ryzen processor you throw at it. For the additional $10, you get a further M.2 slot and an additional USB 3.2 port. Aside from that, they’re very related feature-wise.
One other board to contemplate on this vary can be the MSI Pro B650M-A WiFi for $140. It’s a considerably higher possibility than the Asus Prime B650M-A WiFi, which it’s best to keep away from in any respect prices, together with the horrible Gigabyte B650M Gaming WiFi that promote for across the identical value.
Different finances boards, such because the Asrock B650M-H/M.2+, MSI Pro B650M-P, Gigabyte B650M D3HP, and Gigabyte B650M K, are all rubbish with horrible performing VRMs. They may work superb with lower-end AM5 processors, however for related cash, the boards we have advisable can deal with all AM5 processors with ease and are general superior merchandise.
Finest Entry-Stage ATX B650 Motherboard
Asrock B650 PG Lightning or Asrock B650 LiveMixer
Should you’re after an inexpensive B650 motherboard however choose an ATX mannequin over MicroATX, there are fairly just a few choices round $150. The latest additions embrace the Gigabyte B650 Eagle AX at $140 and the MSI Pro B650-S WiFi at $145.
The Gigabyte Eagle AX delivers higher VRM efficiency with a PCIe 5.0-enabled M.2 slot. The MSI Professional-S WiFi, alternatively, provides round twice as many USB 3.2 ports and a couple of.5 Gbit LAN in comparison with Gigabit. So our desire right here can be the MSI mannequin for its stronger characteristic set.
Each are first rate boards with satisfactory VRMs. They’ll work properly with Ryzen 5 and Ryzen 7 processors, however for Ryzen 9 fashions, we would advocate looking for different choices.
Nevertheless, if you could find them in your area, we would skip each of the above in favor of the Asrock B650 PG Lightning or the distinctive-looking Asrock B650 LiveMixer. Each are $150, so get whichever one you want greatest.
Each boards are vastly superior to the MSI and Gigabyte fashions for an additional $5-10. You get an nearly overkill 14 60A vcore, which suggests the VRM is top-notch and can deal with something you throw at it.
There is a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot, a great deal of USB 3.2 ports, and a couple of.5 Gbit LAN, although they do miss out on WiFi, in order that will probably be a further value if required.
Finest Mid-Vary Micro ATX B650 Motherboard
MSI MAG B650M Mortar WiFi or Gigabyte B650M Aorus Elite AX
For a finances of round $200, there are a choices value contemplating past the entry stage fashions proven above. The brand new MSI B650M Gaming Plus WiFi at $160 can be one of many higher worth choices right here, we have in fact examined it nevertheless it’s but to go on sale, so we’re taking MSI at their phrase on the pricing. If true, that makes it $20 lower than the Gigabyte B650M Aorus Elite AX and MSI’s personal MAG B650M Mortar WiFi.
By way of options, the Gaming Plus WiFi and Mortar WiFi are primarily the identical board with a distinct VRM. The Gaming Plus will get an inexpensive 10-phase vcore utilizing discrete MOSFETs, whereas the Mortar is armed with a high-quality vcore utilizing a dozen 80A energy phases. Frankly, we expect it is value shopping for for the additional $20, figuring out that the board will deal with any CPU you put in on it with ease.
Then there’s the Gigabyte B650M Aorus Elite AX and for $10 extra, the Asus TUF Gaming B650M-Plus WiFi. By way of VRM efficiency, they’re all a lot the identical, utilizing a dozen 60-80A energy phases. By way of board options, they’re all very related, too. They provide two M.2 slots, however the Gigabyte and Asus boards help PCIe 5.0 for the first slot, whereas the MSI board is restricted to PCIe 4.0. That is in all probability a non-issue for many, however value mentioning.
All of them supply 2.5 Gbit LAN and WiFi, although the Asus board solely will get WiFi 6, whereas the MSI and Gigabyte boards characteristic 6E. All boards embrace M.2 warmth spreaders for each ports and enormous heatsinks overlaying your entire VRM. Sadly, none of them characteristic 2-digit debug code LEDs, as an alternative utilizing primary LED mild debug, which is best than nothing, however not nice.
In the end, it can come right down to which mannequin you like the look of or which is least expensive in your area. You may’t go fallacious with any of the boards on this shortlist; they’re all wonderful motherboards.
Finest Mid-Vary ATX B650 Motherboard
Asrock B650 Metal Legend WiFi or Gigabyte B650 Aorus Elite AX V2
For one of the best mid-range ATX motherboard priced round $200 or perhaps a bit much less, there are like a gazillion choices out there. The excellent news is that there are not any dangerous selections; some is likely to be poorly priced given what they provide, however general, you may’t go fallacious when it comes to efficiency.
However you are studying this information since you wish to know one of the best choices out there proper now, so let’s get into it. Regardless of there being nearly too many motherboards to say – we’ve got examined all of them – the brand new Asrock B650 Steel Legend WiFi at $180 is palms down one of the best. Availability is sketchy proper now sadly, but when you may get it at that value, that is our primary choose.
The reason being it provides one of the best options with an exceptionally robust vcore VRM utilizing fourteen 80A energy phases. You additionally get PCIe 5.0 help on the first PCIe x16 slot together with the first M.2 slot, even supposing this is not a B650E motherboard. There’s additionally 11 USB 3.2 ports, 8 USB 2.0 ports, WiFi 6E, and a couple of.5 Gbit LAN. It truly is one of the best of one of the best at this value level.
The Asrock outperforms the MSI B650 Gaming Plus WiFi and embarrasses the Asus TUF Gaming B650-E WiFi, each of which promote for the same price. It is also higher outfitted than the Gigabyte B650 Gaming X AX, although relying on the worth in your area, the Gigabyte Gaming X AX is an effective substitute ought to the Metal Legend be unavailable.
Stepping as much as $190-200, you may discover the Asrock B650E PG Riptide WiFi, Asrock B650 Pro RS, and MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk WiFi. The Professional RS appears to be like prefer it may very well be within the strategy of being phased out, because it does not make sense at this value. The B650E PG Riptide WiFi is a superb possibility because it’s one of many least expensive B650E motherboards. That mentioned, by some means the B650 Metal Legend WiFi continues to be higher outfitted and barely cheaper. The MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk WiFi additionally places up a superb combat however lacks PCIe 5.0 help fully, so once more, the Metal Legend is best outfitted and barely cheaper.
The Gigabyte’s B650 Aorus Elite AX V2 provides related options to the Metal Legend however prices ~$20 extra. The record of $200 B650 ATX boards goes on, and it is the identical story repeatedly. For instance, the MSI Pro B650-P WiFi is not as properly outfitted because the Metal Legend, with one much less M.2 slot (no PCIe 5.0 help) and fewer USB choices general.
The Asus TUF Gaming B650-Plus WiFi is simply poorly priced. The Asus ROG Strix B650-A Gaming WiFi prices $20 extra, does not have PCIe 5.0 for the first PCIe x16 slot, and has fewer USB 3.2 ports and fewer USB 2.0 ports. Then there’s the Gigabyte B650 Aorus Elite AX, which is nearly the identical board because the Metal Legend however prices $20 extra. The Gigabyte B650 Aorus Elite AX Ice is an analogous board for $20 extra with a weaker VRM however nonetheless ample.
Lastly, there’s the Asrock B650E Steel Legend WiFi, the precise B650E model, and it prices $20 extra however includes a weaker VRM, although related options in any other case. It is unclear why you’d spend $20 extra on the B650E model. So, as we have mentioned from the beginning, get the B650 Metal Legend WiFi and hope it comes again into inventory.
Finest Excessive-Finish ATX B650 Motherboard
Asrock B650E Taichi Lite
If you do not have a agency finances in thoughts and wish one of the best AMD B650 motherboard with out going overboard, Asrock wins this class as properly. I am unsure how they’re doing it, however the B650E Taichi Lite will be had for simply $240, which is simply bonkers and at that value neutralizes each different board.
For $240, you are getting a B650E motherboard with twenty-four 105A energy phases for the vcore. At that time, you may comfortably run two Ryzen 9 7950X processors. You additionally get PCIe 5.0 help for the first PCIe x16 slot and an M.2 slot, with a further two PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots. There’s an unimaginable 14 USB 3.2 ports with a USB4 port. Then there’s the everyday WiFi-6E and a couple of.5 Gbit LAN.
Despite the fact that this can be a no-frills model of the usual B650E Taichi, with much less RGB lighting and extra standard-looking heatsinks, Asrock has nonetheless included a 2-digit debug code LED on the backside of the board. All of the necessities are nonetheless included. So, the Taichi Lite is our greatest high-end B650 board choose.
If this board occurs to be unavailable in your area or pricing shouldn’t be good, alternate options embrace the Gigabyte B650E Aorus Elite X AX Ice, which is a B650E board. Nevertheless, except you particularly need a white motherboard, the Asrock B650E Taichi Lite is a greater worth product. The Asus ROG Strix B650E-F Gaming WiFi is in an analogous place, costing $20 extra.
Sadly, MSI is a bit misplaced at this value level. For a similar cash because the Taichi Lite, the MSI MPG B650 Edge WiFi appears to be like underwhelming, and at $290, the MSI MPG B650 Carbon WiFi can be poorly positioned.
There’s additionally the Asus ProArt B650 Creator, which does help x8/x8 operation for its major and secondary PCIe x16 slots, whereas all different boards are restricted to x16/x4 or worse. So, if that PCIe configuration is beneficial to you, this board has worth. In any other case, it is fairly common when it comes to pricing and options.
Leaping as much as $320 for the Asus ROG Strix B650E-E Gaming WiFi, you get PCIe 5.0 for the first and secondary PCIe slots, although they solely function at x8/x4 when each are used. There are additionally two M.2 slots with PCIe 5.0 and one other two PCIe 4.0 slots. There is not any USB4, so it is arduous to say if this board is value $80 greater than the Asrock B650E Taichi Lite.
Then we’ve got the unique Asrock B650E Taichi at $370, and it is unclear why you’d pay $140 extra over the Lite model. Lastly, the Gigabyte B650E Aorus Master at $470 is dear. Positive, it is a good board, however apart from higher M.2 help with 4 5.0 ports, it is objectively worse than the Asrock B650E Taichi Lite.
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