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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!

X870 vs. X670 vs. B650: What’s the Difference

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.

Prepping for Heavy AI Workloads

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.

AMD Ryzen 9000

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!


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.

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