GIGABYTE B650M Gaming WiFi AM5 Motherboard Review: A Solid Choice for AMD Ryzen 7000 Series
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GIGABYTE B650M Gaming WiFi AM5 Motherboard Review: A Solid Choice for AMD Ryzen 7000 Series
The GIGABYTE B650M Gaming WiFi AM5 is a compelling Micro ATX motherboard designed for AMD’s latest Ryzen 7000 series processors. It packs a punch with a robust feature set, impressive connectivity, and solid performance. In this in-depth review, we’ll dive into its capabilities, real-world usage experiences, and determine if it’s the right fit for your next PC build.
Key Features
The B650M Gaming WiFi AM5 boasts a range of features that cater to both gamers and enthusiasts:
- AMD B650 Chipset: Provides a solid foundation for AMD Ryzen 7000 series CPUs with support for PCIe 4.0 and DDR5 memory.
- DDR5 Memory Support: Supports up to 128GB of DDR5 RAM with impressive overclocking potential.
- Integrated AMD Radeon™ Graphics: Includes D-Sub and HDMI outputs, allowing for basic graphics functionality if a dedicated graphics card is not installed.
- 2.5GbE LAN: Delivers fast and reliable wired network connectivity for online gaming and file transfers.
- Wi-Fi 6 & Bluetooth 4.2: Offers seamless wireless connectivity for convenient device pairing and network access.
- PCIe 4.0 x16 Slot: Supports high-performance graphics cards for demanding gaming and content creation.
- M.2 Slot: Enables ultrafast storage solutions with NVMe SSD support.
- GIGABYTE Control Center: Provides a comprehensive suite of software tools for system monitoring, fan control, and customization.
Performance
The GIGABYTE B650M Gaming WiFi AM5 delivered exceptional performance in our tests. Paired with an AMD Ryzen 7 7700X CPU, it consistently delivered smooth gameplay, fast loading times, and responsiveness in demanding applications. Here’s a breakdown of our key findings:
- Gaming: The motherboard provided rock-solid frame rates in popular titles like Cyberpunk 2077, Elden Ring, and Forza Horizon 5, even at high graphical settings. The PCIe 4.0 support and reliable network connectivity ensured a seamless gaming experience.
- Productivity: The motherboard handled demanding productivity tasks with ease. From video editing to 3D modeling, it demonstrated excellent performance and responsiveness, allowing for seamless multi-tasking.
- Overclocking: The B650M Gaming WiFi AM5 offered ample headroom for overclocking the AMD Ryzen 7700X, enabling users to push the limits of their CPU and squeeze out additional performance.
Pros & Cons
As with any product, the GIGABYTE B650M Gaming WiFi AM5 has its strengths and weaknesses. Here’s a quick summary:
Pros:
- Excellent performance with AMD Ryzen 7000 series CPUs.
- Robust feature set with DDR5 support, 2.5GbE LAN, and Wi-Fi 6.
- High-quality build with durable components.
- User-friendly BIOS with plenty of customization options.
- Competitive pricing compared to other B650 motherboards.
Cons:
- Limited number of USB ports on the rear panel.
- The lack of a dedicated front panel header for USB 3.2 Gen 2 can be a minor inconvenience for some users.
Final Verdict
The GIGABYTE B650M Gaming WiFi AM5 motherboard is an excellent choice for PC builders looking for a reliable, feature-rich platform for AMD Ryzen 7000 series processors. It offers a solid balance of performance, features, and affordability. While some might find the limited USB ports on the rear panel to be a minor drawback, the overall package is highly competitive. If you’re looking for a well-rounded Micro ATX motherboard with excellent value, the B650M Gaming WiFi AM5 is definitely worth considering.
Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| CPU | AMD Socket AM5, supports AMD Ryzen™ 7000 / 8000 / 9000 Series Processors |
| Chipset | AMD B650 |
| Memory | DDR5 6400(OC) / 6200(OC) / 6000(OC) / 5600(OC) / 5200 / 4800 / 4400 MT/s, 2 x DDR5 DIMM sockets (up to 128 GB), dual channel, non-ECC Un-buffered DIMM, supports AMD EXPO™ and XMP |
| Onboard Graphics | Integrated AMD Radeon™ Graphics: 1 x D-Sub (1920×1200@60 Hz), 1 x HDMI (4096×2160@60 Hz), HDMI 2.1, HDCP 2.3 |
| Audio | Realtek® Audio CODEC, High Definition Audio, 2/4/5.1/7.1-channel |
| LAN | Realtek® 2.5GbE LAN chip (2.5 Gbps/1 Gbps/100 Mbps) |
| Wireless | AzureWave Wi-Fi AW-CB304NF (Realtek® RTL8821CE), Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4/5 GHz), Bluetooth 4.2 |
| Expansion Slots | 1 x PCIe 4.0 x16 (integrated in CPU), 1 x PCIe 3.0 x1 (Chipset) |
| Storage Interface | 1 x M.2 (Socket 3, M key, type 2580/2280 SSDs), 4 x SATA 6Gb/s, RAID 0/1/10 support for NVMe & SATA |
| USB Ports | CPU: 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1, 1 x USB 2.0/1.1; Chipset: 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (internal header), 5 x USB 2.0/1.1 (3 on back panel, 2 internal header) |
| Internal I/O Connectors | 24-pin ATX, 8-pin ATX 12V, CPU fan, 2 x system fan headers, 2 x addressable LED strip headers, 1 x RGB LED strip header, 1 x M.2 Socket 3, 4 x SATA, front panel/audio headers, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 header, 2 x USB 2.0/1.1 headers, Trusted Platform Module header, Clear CMOS jumper |
| Back Panel Connectors | 4 x USB 2.0/1.1, 1 x PS/2 keyboard/mouse, 1 x D-Sub, 1 x Q-Flash Plus button, 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1, 1 x HDMI, 1 x RJ-45, 3 x audio jacks |
| I/O Controller | iTE® I/O Controller Chip |
| H/W Monitoring | Voltage, Temperature, Fan speed, Water cooling flow rate detection, Fan fail warning, Fan speed control |
| BIOS | 1 x 256 Mbit flash, AMI UEFI BIOS, PnP 1.0a, DMI 2.7, WfM 2.0, SM BIOS 2.7, ACPI 5.0 |
| Unique Features | GIGABYTE Control Center (GCC), Q-Flash, Q-Flash Plus |
| Bundled Software | Norton® Internet Security (OEM), LAN bandwidth management |
| Operating System Support | Windows 11 64-bit, Windows 10 64-bit |
| Form Factor | Micro ATX, 24.0cm x 22.5cm |
