I've been gathering parts for a build for my partner, and as I opened the motherboard today, I found that it was missing a retention clip. Amazon is offering a full refund, but since it's been eight months, the B850 Tomahawk (non-max) is now only £20 more than I originally paid for the B650 Tomahawk. Should I go for the upgrade even though I don't need built-in Wi-Fi? I'm planning to use a 5070 Ti and a 7600X, which isn't anything too high-end. Usually, I would just opt for the better product if the price difference is minimal, but I'm not a fan of the lime green accents. So, is it really worth upgrading or should I stick with the B650? Thanks!
5 Answers
If you're looking to use Gen 5 SSDs exclusively, you’d need B650E, B850, or other Gen 5 compatible boards. For regular use with Gen 4 SSDs, the B650 is perfectly fine. A solid Gen 4 SSD should meet your needs unless you transfer huge files often. And since you don’t need Wi-Fi or care for PCIe 5.0, sticking with the B650 wouldn’t leave you missing out much.
The B850 offers PCIe 5.0 on NVMe slots, but not necessarily on the x16 slot, just so you know. This board has a solid power delivery system too, so spending the extra £20 could be worth it.
I’d definitely go with the B850 for just £20 more. PCIe 5.0 is a handy feature to have, even if you don’t need it right now.
I’m using a budget B650M Gaming Plus with a 7800X3D and a 7800XT, and honestly, I don’t think you’d notice a massive difference. If you prefer the look of the B650, I’d stick with that.
Yeah, the choice really does come down to the pricing. Just make sure to check the brand since some companies like Asus included PCIe 5.0 in their B650 boards.
If the prices are really close, I’d say go for the B850. It’s a good investment for the extra £20.
Exactly! Unless you're aiming for cutting-edge storage options, the B650 will do just great.