Comparing X870 vs. X670 vs. B650: Finding the Best Value Motherboards for AMD Ryzen
Motherboards
AMD’s legendary support for its last-gen AM4 socket saw users upgrading from its 1st Gen Ryzen
(Ryzen 1000) parts all the way up to AMD Ryzen 5000 processors! So, with the company’s commitment to support
this socket all the way through 2027 ‘and beyond’, it’s become even more important to pick an excellent AM5
motherboard for your Ryzen processor!
However, these 800-series motherboards do throw up a few valid questions: Which
motherboard/chipset offers the best value today? Does it have all the features you want now, and in the future?
We’ll help you navigate this sea of AMD chipsets to make sure you get your money’s worth when
you upgrade to a brand-new AMD Ryzen 9000 series processor.
X870 vs. X670 vs. B650: What’s the Difference?
One of the key differences between the X870 and X670 chipsets is the additional PCIe Gen 5.0
bandwidth. While the X670 motherboards offer only up to 8 high-speed PCIe 5.0 lanes, X870 motherboards now come
equipped with up to 24 PCIe 5.0 lanes!
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For you, this means access to better I/O capabilities, such as more (and faster) USB ports,
additional M.2 slots with PCIe 5.0 speeds, faster on-board Wi-Fi and LAN, the ability to use faster M.2 expander
cards without sacrificing performance, and so much more.
The B650 chipset, on the other hand, drops down to a grand total of ZERO PCIe 5.0 lanes –
offering only PCIe 4.0 bandwidth instead. Although this might not matter too much with current-gen graphics
cards, future PCIe 5.0 graphics cards might paint a different picture.
What about X670E?
Well, if you’ve already shopped for the very best AM5 motherboards on the market in the
previous generation, you can enjoy nearly the same features as 800-series motherboards without an upgrade.
That said, if you’re shopping for a new premium motherboard, an X870E motherboard is a better
pick. There are a few upsides with the X870E
and X870 chipsets that might draw your fancy – like, USB4 and Wi-Fi 7.
USB4 40Gbps: Thunderbolt Docks, Displays, Faster External Storage, and More
With speeds of up to 40Gbps, this new USB standard allows you to leverage a new era of wired
devices without any compatibility or performance issues. Here are a few features you can enjoy with USB4
connectivity:
- Compatible with Thunderbolt 3, unlocking the full potential of Thunderbolt technology for faster data transfer and enhanced connectivity.
- DisplayPort Out (1.4a) via USB Type-C with HBR3 compliance for up to 4K 60Hz.
- 15W power passthrough to eliminate cumbersome power bricks from your desk.
Wi-Fi 7 Connectivity: Unlocking Next-Gen Wireless Experiences
A robust Wi-Fi connection has become as important as our smartphones today. Not only are we
constantly online these days, but our devices also demand uninterrupted internet connectivity to function
properly, receive updates, and more.
However, older Wi-Fi standards that relied on the 2.4GHz and 5GHz spectrums are starting to
fumble — causing issues ranging from slower speeds to constant disconnections.
Wi-Fi 7 is built to address the demands of modern networks and next-gen Wi-Fi 7 devices, which
is why 870(E)-series motherboards from MSI come equipped with Wi-Fi 7. You can enjoy features like:
- Up to 5.8Gbps Transfer Speeds
- Up to 320MHz Wide Channels
- 4K QAM
- Multi-RU
- Preamble Puncturing
- Multi-Link Operation (MLO)
If you want to read more about Wi-Fi 7, its features, and how it stacks up to older networks,
head to our dedicated Wi-Fi 7 article here.
Prepping for Heavy AI Workloads: ATX 3.1 Ready with Additional 8-Pin Power
As we enter the AI era, it’s become more important than ever to run even the most complex AI
models locally due to rising privacy and security concerns with cloud-based solutions. But this is particularly
taxing on your hardware as they demand significant amounts of VRAM and GPU compute, and consequently, more
power.
MSI’s 800-series motherboards come equipped with an additional onboard 8-pin power connector to
handle even the most extreme multi-GPU setups for your AI workloads without affecting the stability of your
system.
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Picking Motherboards for AMD Ryzen 9000: Addressing the X3D Elephant in the Room
If you’re shopping for the latest AMD Ryzen processors, you’ll want to pair them with
800-series motherboards that can run them out-of-the-box. Although motherboards with the 600-series chipset do
support the AMD Ryzen 9000 lineup, they’ll need a BIOS update to get them working.
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AMD boasts a significant improvement in productivity workloads with its AMD Ryzen 9000
processors – advertising up to 16% faster performance per clock vs. AMD Ryzen 7000, (source:
AMD
). This makes higher-core-count parts like the 16-core AMD Ryzen 9 9950X or the 12-core AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
attractive picks for professional workloads like 3D rendering, video editing, motion graphics, running multiple
virtual machines, etc.
Hunting for Value Within the AM5 Ecosystem: Are X670 and B650 Still Viable?
Even though we recommend pairing high-end AMD Ryzen processors with the best X870E
motherboards, there is a more value-focused way forward if you don’t want/need access to onboard USB4 or Wi-Fi
7.
You could pick an X670E or X670 motherboard instead.
The higher-end 600-series AM5 motherboards will give you many high-end features and ample
bandwidth to get work done today. Yes, they’re a bit lighter on future proof features, next-gen connectivity
standards, and in MSI’s case, a ton of EZ
DIY features, but they’re also a bit lighter on your wallet compared to the newest 800-series
motherboards.
Now, when it comes to gaming, the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D is still clearly the King due to AMD’s
innovative 3D V-Cache technology. And it’s understandable that hardcore gamers will want to wait for new X3D
CPUs from AMD before considering an upgrade.
If you’re going with AMD Ryzen 9000, you’ll find varying levels of performance reported in the
media. MSI’s X870E and X870 motherboards come equipped with several AMD Ryzen 9000-series specific features like
AMD OPP, Memory Try It, and High-Efficiency Mode to get the most out of your games right away!
You can read more about AMD
OPP on 800-series motherboards here, and more about High-Efficiency
Mode and PBO here.
And what if you want to build a top-tier Gaming PC right now?
Well, you have a couple of options:
- Pick an excellent platform with an MSI X870E/X870 motherboard and a Ryzen 7800X3D processor to enjoy the best gaming experience ASAP.
- Pair the top-tier X870E/X870 platform with a powerful Ryzen 9000 processor, while you stay on the lookout for future, more powerful AM5 releases from AMD.
- processor to enjoy a premium gaming experience immediately.
If none of the above sounds too appealing, there’s no option but to wait because AMD is yet to
announce any details about new processors featuring its innovative 3D V-Cache technology.
For workloads other than gaming, an AMD Ryzen 9000 processor paired with a good AM5 motherboard
is the best way forward!
Best Value Motherboards for AMD Ryzen 9000: X870 or X670 or B650?
As we’ve covered above, X670 and B650 motherboards still offer decent value to gamers and
professionals alike. Of course, assuming you don’t need access to USB4, Wi-Fi 7, or a bunch of other MSI
features that you’ll find on 800-series motherboards.
The TOMAHAWK and CARBON names have remained a staple in any discussions about Value for good
reason, and this stays true with MSI’s AM5
lineup as well. The MPG X670E CARBON
WIFI, MAG X670E TOMAHAWK WIFI, and
the MAG B650 TOMAHAWK WIFI are our picks if
you’re on the hunt for best value AM5 motherboards.
On the other hand, if you want the best possible platform for your brand-new AMD Ryzen 9000 or
powerful Ryzen 7 7800X3D processors with support for USB4, Wi-Fi 7, EZ DIY Features, AI-ready features, and
more, MSI’s
800-series motherboards will offer a premium, hassle-free experience like no other.