Hey everyone! I'm upgrading my PC from an i5 10400f to a Ryzen 5 7500f, and I'm really struggling to choose a motherboard after reading so many mixed reviews. Here are my specs for the new build:
- CPU: Ryzen 5 7500f
- RAM: 16GB stick (still deciding which one)
- GPU: AMD RX 9060xt 16GB
- PSU: Corsair CV 650W
I have a few requirements for the motherboard (besides the usual features):
- At least 2 x M.2 slots
- WiFi is optional, but I use Bluetooth a lot
- USB-C is nice to have but not essential
Here are the options available in my area:
1. Sapphire Pulse B650M WIFI - $133 (2 DIMM slots)
2. Gigabyte B650 M Gaming Plus Wifi - $160
3. MSI PRO B650M-P - $163 (No WiFi and only 2 DIMM slots)
4. Asus B650M-AYW WIFI - $192 (2 DIMM slots)
5. Colorful CVN B650 GAMING FROZEN V14 - $194
6. MSI B650 GAMING PLUS WIFI - $236
I know the prices are a bit high, but I'd love any advice you can offer!
2 Answers
A lot of companies just tweak a few things on base motherboards and then create different models. The boards with 2 DIMM slots often come from lower-end models, so while you don’t necessarily need 4 slots, boards with them could provide better quality components overall. If WiFi is important, consider getting an Intel AX200 or AX210 adapter—they usually outperform AMD's current options. And about USB-C, it’s mostly about the generation that matters, so make sure to check that out!
The Gigabyte B650 M Gaming Plus Wifi matches your needs well. Just a heads up, though—it's not ideal for high Watt CPUs (130W+), though it should work fine with your current setup. Also, I noticed you planned on getting 16GB of DDR5 RAM, which might limit performance; consider going for dual-channel RAM if possible!
Thanks for the advice! I’ll definitely look into the RAM options. What do you think about the VRM configuration on the Gigabyte board?
Got it! So should I stick with Gigabyte or look into MSI and Colorful for the 4 DIMM options?