I'm in the process of building a new PC and I'm stuck deciding between the B650 and B850 motherboards for my Ryzen 5 9600X. I'm particularly interested in the Asus TUF GAMING B850-E WiFi model, but I'm curious about which would be the better choice overall. Any insights would be appreciated!
5 Answers
The B850 is generally the better option since it includes a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, making it more future-proof. The price difference is usually minimal, so I’d definitely lean toward the B850 if you can swing it. It’s a solid investment for upgrades down the line!
Just to clarify, the differences between B650 and B850 might be minimal now, but B650s might be phased out soon since they're not being produced as much anymore. Just make sure to check that the specific model has the features you want, like WiFi, enough USB ports, and the right PCIe versions.
Go with whatever fits your needs! Motherboards don't dramatically impact overall performance, so if the B650 has what you're looking for and it’s cheaper, that might be the way to go.
I’d suggest the B850 mainly for its PCIe 5.0 slot. Some folks might think it's overkill, but if you're planning to keep your PC for 5 years or more, having that upgrade path will be beneficial. Trust me, you don’t want to be stuck later if new tech demands better slots!
It really depends on your budget and needs. The B650 does have some boards with PCIe 5.0, but the B850 ensures that it’s standard. Performance differences between PCIe 4.0 and 5.0 aren't significant right now, but I’d say if the prices are close, go for the B850.
I totally agree! The B850 is a no-brainer for anyone looking to stay current with technology. You definitely want that PCIe 5.0 for future-proofing.