Hey everyone, I've been hearing some concerning reports about Asrock motherboards causing CPUs to burn up lately. Does this issue affect all of their boards, including the one I'm considering for my build? You can check out my build here: [PCPartPicker Link](https://pcpartpicker.com/list/vwVCnp).
If the Asrock boards aren't safe, I need suggestions for a different motherboard. I was recommended one, but it didn't have WiFi. Also, does the video card's total slot width of 2 mean I need to have 2 PCIe x16 slots? If it's not necessary, should I go with this [Gigabyte A620i AX board](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/Hp3NnQ/gigabyte-a620i-ax-mini-itx-am5-motherboard-a620i-ax)?
Alternatively, would it make sense to buy a cheaper motherboard and add WiFi separately, like this [MSI Pro A620M-E](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/NL26Mp/msi-pro-a620m-e-micro-atx-am5-motherboard-pro-a620m-e)? Or is it better to spend a bit more on something like this [Gigabyte B850M Gaming X WiFi6E](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/KCy8TW/gigabyte-b850m-gaming-x-wifi6e-micro-atx-am5-motherboard-b850m-gaming-x-wifi6e)?
Lastly, how can I tell if a PSU is good? I thought just having an 80+ gold rating was enough, but I've been told there's more to it.
1 Answer
Check out this awesome AM5 comparison spreadsheet I found! Personally, I wouldn’t go for an A620 motherboard, especially since B650 boards are becoming more accessible now. Your final choice really depends on your CPU and budget, though. I recommend getting a motherboard with built-in WiFi if that’s a priority. If not, you can always add a WiFi card later if you have the space for it! Also, for your PSU, make sure to consider its tier on a PSU tier list. Stick with brands like Corsair or Super Flower for reliability. Aim for a PSU that’s roughly double your average power consumption for efficiency. Lastly, a '2 slot' GPU refers to the size and clearance needed for it; it doesn’t mean you need two PCIe slots, just that you may want to watch how it fits in your case!
Thanks for the tips! I’m pretty new to this whole PC building thing too. What are some reasons I might pick one motherboard over another, even if they’re compatible and have the same features like speed and WiFi? Is it just about reliability?