Hey everyone! I'm looking for some advice on my upcoming build, and the Gigabyte B650E AORUS STEALTH ICE ATX AM5 Motherboard has caught my eye. Here's why: it fits my white and metallic theme, has backside connectors (which is perfect for my case), and I think it has a good chipset, right? But I'm starting to wonder if I'm missing out on better options out there. Is the B650E really the best I can do, or are there alternatives I should consider? To give you more context, I'm going to be using this build with a white Thermaltake Tower 600, a 9800X3D, and a 5080. Any insights would be super helpful, even if you're here to call me out on my choices! Thanks!
4 Answers
Honestly, the B850 and the B650E are pretty similar. The B850 has an extra M.2 slot and covers USB 4.0, but for most users, the B650E is still a solid choice. If you aren't sure about future needs, stick with a good deal!
Exactly! I'd prioritize a well-priced motherboard that meets your current needs.
If you're set on that clean white look, the B850 AORUS STEALTH ICE would be a solid choice. It's just as good and perhaps better value! Plus, it’s top-notch for aesthetics. The Gigabyte X870 also looks amazing if you're willing to splurge. Your Tower 600 should fit those without a problem!
Great advice! The aesthetic is important for my build, so I’ll definitely check those out!
Here's another option for you: the MSI B650M PROJECT ZERO. It's budget-friendly and fits within that white aesthetic you're going for! I also found an MSI B850 Gaming Plus. How do you feel those stack against the B650E? Honestly, saving $150 with a solid board would be nice.
Consider that the B650 is quite capable on its own, so if you can save cash and still get good specs, that sounds smart!
Thanks a ton! I'm really curious if the performance drop would be noticeable or if I should just lean into spending a bit more.
That B650E board is priced at around $372 on Amazon, which seems a bit steep for a B650E. There are plenty of white motherboards out there that cost less. If you're up for an upgrade, check out the Gigabyte X870E AORUS ELITE WIFI7 ICE for about $320 or the Asus B650E MAX GAMING WIFI W for just $168!
Yeah, the price is definitely inflated because of that 'project stealth' design with the back connectors. That's a cool feature but can drive the cost up a lot.
That's exactly what I'm grappling with! I might lean towards the Asus for value, thanks!
Thanks for breaking that down! That extra slot sounds appealing without straying too far from the B650E.