I'm in the process of putting together a new build with a 9600X CPU and a 9060XT GPU. I found the Asus TUF Gaming B650M-E for $139.99, which appears to be a great deal, but it's a micro ATX board, and I'm using an ATX case. Is it worth spending an extra $40 to upgrade to a full-sized ATX motherboard? There are several options available for $179.99 or less, but I'm uncertain if it's worth the extra money based on my build's needs.
5 Answers
For roughly the same price, you could grab a Gigabyte B850 board with a Newegg deal. It’s got better VRM setup than the Asus, so check it out if you’re interested!
Yeah, I clicked the link, but it took me to a blank page. Can you tell me which Gigabyte board you mean?
If you’re leaning towards full ATX, the Pro RS is around $150, and if you need WiFi, check out the Eagle AX or Pro RS WiFi at $160. Upgrading does give you better options but balance it with what you need. You could also consider a micro ATX case if you like what the B650M-E offers.
Are those boards actually worth the price? Honestly, the TUF B650M-E has everything I need. I'm just worried about cooling efficiency with its size.
It's always good to weigh the balance! For a lot of people, the B650M-E is a solid choice that covers the basics without breaking the bank.
Just a heads-up, not every 600 series motherboard will automatically support the 9000 series out of the box. Look for USB flashback support in case you need to update the BIOS without a new CPU.
Thanks for the tip! I heard about the BIOS update thing and I think all 650s have flashback support, so I should be good.
Definitely check that out! It can save a lot of hassle if you get a board that needs an immediate update.
You might want to consider your actual needs with the motherboard. If you don't need tons of M.2 slots or multiple PCIe slots, the micro ATX board could be just fine. Key things to check: does it have WiFi, enough SATA/M.2 ports for your setup, and sufficient USB headers? For many users, a full ATX board means extra ports they might not even use.
Absolutely! Plus, don't forget the battery location; some boards require you to take out the GPU to change it. But if you really don’t need the extra expansion slots, the TUF might be just what you need.
Yeah, the Asus TUF B650M-E comes with WiFi, and if you just need a couple of M.2 slots, it should work perfectly for you!
If you're not tied to your case, you could think about switching to a case that fits an ATX board better. Just saying, the RGB combo might not be the best look, but that’s totally subjective!
The case is fine; I actually think the smaller mATX with glass panels can look sleek as long as it's well-coordinated with the colors. Just make sure it suits your theme!
I agree, keep it minimal to make it work. Sometimes less is more, especially with RGB.
Sounds interesting! Which exact model are you referring to? I saw a few different options on Newegg.