I'm planning to build an AM5 PC and I'm checking out a couple of MSI B650 motherboards: the B650M GAMING PLUS WIFI and the B650M GAMING WIFI. I noticed that one has 2 RAM slots while the other has 4. Is the RAM slot difference the only thing that sets them apart, or should I consider other factors as well?
1 Answer
The B650M GAMING PLUS WIFI has a better VRM setup for power delivery, which can be important if you're aiming for higher efficiency or overclocking. If you're using lower-end hardware, the difference might not be significant, though. Also, if you're looking to use DDR5 RAM, it's often better to stick with two sticks for higher speeds, since four sticks can cap you at 5600 MT/s or below. For your build, make sure to aim for at least 6000 MT/s with CL30 timings for optimal performance.
I saw some comparisons of those motherboards in a Hardware Unboxed video, and I plan to go with a Ryzen 7000 series CPU for now and potentially upgrade later. Also good to know about the RAM speeds! Any recommendations for budget-friendly 6000 MT/s CL30 RAMs?