B760M Mobo decisions

[Dork7]

Building a cheap DDR4 rig, most likely 12400f to begin with, potentially up to i7 at a later stage if needed.
Looking at these two, just wanted opinions as to which has a better VRM setup, build quality and BIOS?

• Giga B760M GAMING X AX DDR4 https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/B760M-GAMING-X-AX-DDR4#kf
• MSI PRO B760M-A WIFI DDR4 https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/PRO-B760M-A-WIFI-DDR4/Overview

 

[nomdeplume]

Considering a highly similar mATX purchase and there isn't much to get excited about, at any price, unless you already own DDR5. Market on those boards is collapsing fast.

For 12th gen the move is almost certainly Z690 DDR4 if you plan to attempt i7 from 13th/14th gen. Go with your gut here and unanimous agreement how much quality has dropped. You do not want a low end Z790/B760 under any circumstance. Your duty as a consumer is to do as well as you can regardless of the label or any claims made by the manufacturer.

 

[Dork7]

Considering a highly similar mATX purchase and there isn't much to get excited about, at any price, unless you already own DDR5. Market on those boards is collapsing fast.

For 12th gen the move is almost certainly Z690 DDR4 if you plan to attempt i7 from 13th/14th gen. Go with your gut here and unanimous agreement how much quality has dropped. You do not want a low end Z790/B760 under any circumstance. Your duty as a consumer is to do as well as you can regardless of the label or any claims made by the manufacturer.

Thanks, forgot to mention - it will be DDR4 based. Z chipsets are still too pricey, but I'm watching these as well - although realistically it will be a B760 build, upgrading from a Z97 i5-4570
Both boards mentioned have dropped in price quite a bit recently (in Australia anyway), curious if the LGA 1851 release would bring them down any further?

 

[N/A]

MSI b760 according to the B660 HUB videos from 2 years ago works very cool, it's the exact same board.

there are 13 virtual phases (12+1), effectively doubling the MOSFETs count, 7 real phases (6+1), 53A AONS36308/AONS36303

Giga B760M has 9 real phases (8+1), 55A NCP302155. But for a Gigabyte, only Aorus can be trusted.

 

[Dork7]

MSI b760 according to the B660 HUB videos from 2 years ago works very cool, it's the exact same board.

there are 13 virtual phases (12+1), effectively doubling the MOSFETs count, 7 real phases (6+1), 53A AONS36308/AONS36303

Giga B760M has 9 real phases (8+1), 55A NCP302155. But for a Gigabyte, only Aorus can be trusted.

Thanks for these details, I was suspecting the Gigabyte might be the "lesser" unit, even looking at the packaging, documentation and it does seem "childish" somehow.

I think for the money (<$200AUD) the MSI wins. The only one up is the ASUS TUF GAMING B660-PLUS WIFI, which is 25% more, but is it 25% "better"?

 

[nomdeplume]

25% better, Asus tax is more like it. At least the back panel connectors are a bit more in line with pricing. I'll point out having 4 onboard graphics connectors present on that MSI board when you plan to use an F processor is not ideal. Neither board you mentioned seems a good option to me. I consider the TUF B660 or a B760 MSI Mag Mortar two of the better options for LGA 1700 mATX - for gaming and a K processor.

Obviously I'm being cavalier about this topic. mATX is hardly seeing any mobo and certainly nothing to compete with mITX or ATX where a product line (TUF) exists. It's the worst case scenario of processors that run very warm and very cheaply constructed mobo. The aim of any reply here should be avoiding offense while still getting across we don't want you to buy junk or be dissatisfied.

i5 12400F and B760 second tier mobo should be fine. i7 14400 is a bit more questionable given your budget minded direction.

curious if the LGA 1851 release would bring them down any further?

The fact 12th gen and B660 are still available at retail isn't a great sign for LGA 1851 or close out pricing on half decade old(!) hardware. Truth is none of us know and most of us aren't in AU to comment on what the pricing and availability will be like there.

 

[Dork7]

25% better, Asus tax is more like it. At least the back panel connectors are a bit more in line with pricing. I'll point out having 4 onboard graphics connectors present on that MSI board when you plan to use an F processor is not ideal. Neither board you mentioned seems a good option to me. I consider the TUF B660 or a B760 MSI Mag Mortar two of the better options for LGA 1700 mATX - for gaming and a K processor.

Obviously I'm being cavalier about this topic. mATX is hardly seeing any mobo and certainly nothing to compete with mITX or ATX where a product line (TUF) exists. It's the worst case scenario of processors that run very warm and very cheaply constructed mobo. The aim of any reply here should be avoiding offense while still getting across we don't want you to buy junk or be dissatisfied.

i5 12400F and B760 second tier mobo should be fine. i7 14400 is a bit more questionable given your budget minded direction.



The fact 12th gen and B660 are still available at retail isn't a great sign for LGA 1851 or close out pricing on half decade old(!) hardware. Truth is none of us know and most of us aren't in AU to comment on what the pricing and availability will be like there.

Agreed, that MSI board has a few useless connectors and circuitry but the price is the main factor.
Not offended - this is why I'm asking questions. As for the i7 - it's an if, and down the track, just allowing for an upgrade down the track.
Just after a board that's half decent for the money, the form factor is irrelevant really - I've got a full tower case.

I can only assume the TUF build quality is above the MSI mentioned?

 

[AleXXX666]

Building a cheap DDR4 rig, most likely 12400f to begin with, potentially up to i7 at a later stage if needed.
Looking at these two, just wanted opinions as to which has a better VRM setup, build quality and BIOS?

• Giga B760M GAMING X AX DDR4 https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/B760M-GAMING-X-AX-DDR4#kf
• MSI PRO B760M-A WIFI DDR4 https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/PRO-B760M-A-WIFI-DDR4/Overview

View attachment 354749

my 2 cents: used B660M DS3H DDR4 and B760M DS3H DDR4 AX with 12400F & 12500. Good for it's price. Highly recommend! But, won't recommend DS3H series in newer iterations/chipsets: currently bulding AM5 for client, and price diff for B650M DS3H even without wifi was crazy. Yes, DDR5, I know, but DDR5 is mainstream already...

 

[#22]

Yesterday Hardware Unboxed uploaded potentially fitting here video showing gap between DDR4 and 5 already grown to the point of going older standard being seriously questionable. Gaming wise at least. Examples of chips working with DDR4 up to 30% slower make it option maybe cheaper, maybe you already have old modules, but one opposite to upgrading and leading to sooner next upgrade. Because that's why we upgrade CPUs - when they start to limit performance below satisfying framerate and smoothness.

 

[Dork7]

Yesterday Hardware Unboxed uploaded potentially fitting here video showing gap between DDR4 and 5 already grown to the point of going older standard being seriously questionable. Gaming wise at least. Examples of chips working with DDR4 up to 30% slower make it option maybe cheaper, maybe you already have old modules, but one opposite to upgrading and leading to sooner next upgrade. Because that's why we upgrade CPUs - when they start to limit performance below satisfying framerate and smoothness.

Not getting into DDR4/5 debate of clock/latencies, but from the current pricing perspective vs upgradability: if I can get a reasonable discounted mobo and cheap RAM to serve me for a few years, why not?

 

[nomdeplume]

12400F and DDR5 is a wasted expense carrying no upside. Value proposition here is what will drive the purchase. Not jewel encrusted ideas reflected in Veblen goods.

@Dork7

ATX would be ideal. Try to do a bit better on the mobo and keep a sharp eye out for price drops in this volatile market.
Asus is not so well regarded for current gen hardware. Avoided would be more accurate. B660 TUF is a more solid purchase.

 

[Dork7]

i5 12400F and B760 second tier mobo should be fine. i7 14400 is a bit more questionable given your budget minded direction.

Would the ROG STRIX B760-G GAMING WIFI D4 tick the i7 box?
Oddly it's cheaper than the TUF GAMING B660-PLUS WIFI, and 20% pricier than the MSI PRO B760M-A WIFI DDR4 I initially looked at.

Edit - think the VRM, audio chipset and USB at the back of the Strix may well be worth it over the MSI. Couldn't care for the white colour scheme and the LEDs.

 

[nomdeplume]

Would the ROG STRIX B760-G GAMING WIFI D4 tick the i7 box?
Oddly it's cheaper than the ASUS TUF GAMING B660-PLUS WIFI, and 20% pricier than the MSI PRO B760M-A WIFI DDR4 I initially looked at.

We can only suggest options that appear better to us. Outside of the very top tier Z790 you will find very few informed people suggesting current production Asus right now.
TUF B660/Z690 are still viable targets for you. STRIX is probably not.

My larger suggestion was broaden your scope in order to quickly narrow down anything that comes down in price. 12400F and a mid to lower tier GPU should work in any board you are likely to purchase. H770 mobo may be a wildcard option for ATX.

 

[#22]

Not getting into DDR4/5 debate of clock/latencies, but from the current pricing perspective vs upgradability: if I can get a reasonable discounted mobo and cheap RAM to serve me for a few years, why not?

Get 12400 now and any 1700 i7 you want in the future. You don't get that when summing it up you are likely to spend more than cost of this i7 today. And not having it's performance from today. Not counting going stuff used and rather long after warranty. Buying lowend chip with plans to upgrade it with the same old higherend is just thing not to do

12400F and DDR5 is a wasted expense carrying no upside. Value proposition here is what will drive the purchase. Not jewel encrusted ideas reflected in Veblen goods.

And what stands for your words? Emoticon?

 

[nomdeplume]

And what stands for your words? Emoticon?

Dork7 is scraping the bottom end of sales for an update.

Mr Hardware Unboxed is trying to justify an entire two chipset gens with 5 series features that were either unsupported by a single product or rehashes of version 4 with limited improvement.
There is no feasible crossover and posting that video would've gone unquestioned in any number of other discussions here.

Get 12400 now and any 1700 i7 you want in the future. You don't get that when summing it up you are just sentenced to spend more than cost of this i7 today. And not having it's performance from today. Not counting going stuff used and rather long after warranty. Buying lowend chip with plans to upgrade it with the same old higherend is just thing not to do

Historically true. Laughably with LGA 1700 because so many higher end chips are already soft failing or worse. Price and small upgrade compared to newer hardware may not be the limiting factor.

 

[#22]

Dork7 is scraping the bottom end of sales for an update.

Mr Hardware Unboxed is trying to justify an entire two chipset gens with 5 series features that were either unsupported by a single product or rehashes of version 4 with limited improvement.
There is no feasible crossover and posting that video would've gone unquestioned in any number of other discussions here.

We don't even know what is his situation. If he has sam RAM kit or how much are his "deals". Obviously there's sum that low to make his plan looking great. For obvious reason HUB's video is helpful for anybody considering today DDR4 1700, especially seeing future upgrade path here, so using it for longer and your explanation is trying hard to negate it. Don't continue

Historically true. Laughably with LGA 1700 because so many higher end chips are already soft failing or worse. Price and small upgrade compared to newer hardware may not be the limiting factor.

Laugahbly because what? You mean latest drama with instabilities and degraded CPUs?

 

[nomdeplume]

Edit - think the VRM, audio chipset and USB at the back of the Strix may well be worth it over the MSI. Couldn't care for the white colour scheme and the LEDs.

At the very least do some research on this board. The amount of flexibility in what you would accept factored into my responses. It is hard to predict what you will be happiest with. Especially in a fluid retail or used market.

For the right price, with warranty support, I can't say that STRIX would be the last thing I accepted. Just make sure you are as fully aware of what you are getting into with it as possible. Seek a balanced system without large weak points holding it back you may not be able to easily correct. Pay particular attention to how many faults others have with that board will be lessened using a low end i5. Set up a few profiles in BIOS for different uses - learn and have fun.

 

[Dork7]

At the very least do some research on this board. The amount of flexibility in what you would accept factored into my responses. It is hard to predict what you will be happiest with. Especially in a fluid retail or used market.

For the right price, with warranty support, I can't say that STRIX would be the last thing I accepted. Just make sure you are as fully aware of what you are getting into with it as possible. Seek a balanced system without large weak points holding it back you may not be able to easily correct. Pay particular attention to how many faults others have with that board will be lessened using a low end i5. Set up a few profiles in BIOS for different uses - learn and have fun.

The US pricing seems to be more linear compared to AU. Exchange rates / geo location / sales volume might all be factors, but the price difference "down under" right now between a basic DDR4 B760 board and something decent is literally a pack of smokes cost wise.

Settled on the Strix and picked up a couple of sticks of Patriot Viper Steel 3600MHz. Next week will be looking closely at Amazon prime for i5/i7's. Not in a hurry to build, so will wait and see.

Thanks for everyone's input, glad this didn't become a shit fight!

 

[nomdeplume]

Thanks for everyone's input, glad this didn't become a shit fight!

My apologies for any contributions leading in that direction.

 

[Dork7]

My apologies for any contributions leading in that direction.

Think everyone's entitled to opinions, even if others object. True democracy ut novimus?
Edit: I'm excited about my new DDR4 build, the rest is irrelevant.