I'm ready to fully commit to my PC build after scoring a decent deal on DDR5 memory! However, I'm torn on which motherboard to go with. I've done some building before, but it's been a while since my last upgrade (moving on from a 970 to a 9070XT). My main dilemma is whether to choose a budget B850 motherboard or opt for a quality B650. Also, I've come across mixed reviews about Asrock, especially regarding CPU burn issues. I'm curious about which brands are typically reliable, and I know some folks are wary of Asus, but some of their motherboards have promos for games like RE Requiem, which is tempting. I currently plan on running a 7500F but may switch to something like a 3DX later on, though I'd prefer to avoid the pricey 9000 series. I'm situated in Germany and looking to spend up to around €170, ideally less. Any thoughts?
5 Answers
Go for an ASUS TUF series or anything above that if you can. I've used several brands over the years and have found ASUS to be the most reliable. My Rampage III from 2010 is still running perfectly as a file server!
I suggest checking out Hardware Unboxed; they’ve tested almost every B650 motherboard and provided some detailed reviews, which can really help you decide.
Here's a link to their review: [Hardware Unboxed B650 Review](https://www.techspot.com/review/2861-amd-b650-motherboards-part-3/)
Just a heads up on Asrock: there were issues with burning CPUs in the past, but they've released updates to address that. Some say the differences between B650 and B850 mainly come down to the PCIe 5 slot, which can be handled via BIOS updates for B650s. As for B650 models, I recommend checking out B650 Pro RS, Lightning, Aorus Elite, Riptide, and ASUS TUF. I'd veer away from MSI boards as I've read they struggle on AM5.
I recently got the MSI MAG Max WIFI B850 and it's been great with no complaints! If you're considering that route, I highly recommend it.
In my area, there’s not much price difference between B650 and B850 motherboards, so I’d lean towards the B850 for PCIe Gen 5 support and more recent tech. I've had good experiences with Gigabyte, MSI, and Asus.
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