ASUS PRIME B760M-A-CSM Micro ATX LGA 1700 Motherboard Review
Table of Contents
Introduction
The ASUS PRIME B760M-A-CSM is a micro-ATX motherboard designed for budget-conscious builders who want to utilize Intel’s 13th and 12th Gen processors. This motherboard boasts a solid feature set and excellent performance, all for a very competitive price. In this review, we’ll go in-depth, exploring the features, performance, and overall value of this motherboard.
Features
The ASUS PRIME B760M-A-CSM packs a punch in terms of features. It boasts a comprehensive array of connectivity options, expansion slots, and integrated technologies.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Model | PRIME B760M-A-CSM |
| CPU | Intel® Socket LGA1700 for 13th Gen Intel® Core™ & 12th Gen Intel® Core™, Pentium® Gold and Celeron® Processors* Supports Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 and Intel® Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0** |
| Chipset | Intel® B760 Chipset |
| Memory | 4 x DIMM slots, Max. 128GB, DDR5 7200+(OC)/7000(OC)/6800(OC)/6600(OC)/6400(OC)/6200(OC)/6000(OC)/5800(OC)/5600/5400/5200/5000/4800MHz Non-ECC, Un-buffered Memory* Dual Channel Memory Architecture Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Profile (XMP) OptiMem II |
| Graphics | 1 x DisplayPort** 2 x HDMI™ ports*** |
| Expansion Slots | 1 x PCIe 4.0 x16 slot 1 x PCIe 4.0 x16 slot (supports x4 mode) 1 x PCIe 4.0 x16 slot (supports x1 mode) |
| Storage | 2 x M.2 slots and 4 x SATA 6Gb/s ports* |
| Ethernet | 1 x Realtek 2.5Gb Ethernet |
| USB (Rear) | 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (2 x Type-A) 4 x USB 2.0 ports (4 x Type-A) |
| USB (Front) | 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 headers support 4 additional USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 connector (supports USB Type-C®) 2 x USB 2.0 headers support 4 additional USB 2.0 ports 1 x USB 2.0 header supports 1 additional USB 2.0 port |
| Audio | Realtek 7.1 Surround Sound High Definition Audio CODEC* |
| Back Panel I/O Ports | 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (2 x Type-A) 4 x USB 2.0 ports (4 x Type-A) 1 x DisplayPort 2 x HDMI™ ports 1 x Wi-Fi Module 1 x Realtek 2.5Gb Ethernet port 3 x Audio jacks 1 x PS/2 Keyboard/Mouse combo port |
| Internal I/O Connectors | 1 x 4-pin CPU Fan header 1 x 4-pin CPU OPT Fan header 2 x 4-pin Chassis Fan headers 1 x 24-pin Main Power connector 1 x 8-pin +12V Power connector 2 x M.2 slots (Key M) 4 x SATA 6Gb/s ports |
| Special Features | ASUS 5X PROTECTION III, ASUS Q-Design, ASUS Thermal Solution, ASUS EZ DIY, Aura Sync |
| Software Features | ASUS Exclusive Software, Armoury Crate, AI Suite 3, ASUS CPU-Z, Norton Deluxe (60 Days Free Trial), WinRAR |
| BIOS | 128 Mb Flash ROM, UEFI AMI BIOS |
| Manageability | WOL by PME, PXE |
| Accessories | 2 x SATA 6Gb/s cables, 1 x I/O Shield, 1 x M.2 Rubber Package, 1 x Screw package for M.2 SSD, 1 x ACC Express Activation Key Card, 1 x User guide |
| Operating System | Windows® 11, Windows® 10 64-bit |
| Form Factor | mATX Form Factor, 9.6 inch x 9.6 inch (24.4 cm x 24.4 cm) |
The ASUS PRIME B760M-A-CSM motherboard provides a solid foundation for various builds. Its key features include:
- Intel B760 Chipset: This chipset provides a cost-effective way to access the latest Intel 13th and 12th Gen processors, offering solid performance and a range of features.
- DDR5 Memory Support: The motherboard supports up to 128GB of DDR5 memory, allowing for future-proof memory upgrades and enhanced performance.
- Multiple Expansion Slots: With one PCIe 4.0 x16 slot and several additional PCIe slots, this motherboard provides sufficient room for expansion cards, such as graphics cards, sound cards, and network adapters.
- Flexible Storage Options: Two M.2 slots and four SATA ports offer ample storage capacity and speed for both boot drives and additional storage.
- Realtek 2.5Gb Ethernet: The motherboard features a 2.5Gb Ethernet port for faster network speeds, ideal for high-bandwidth applications and online gaming.
- USB Connectivity: Multiple USB ports, including USB 3.2 Gen 2 and Gen 1 ports, provide fast data transfer rates and support for a wide range of peripherals.
- ASUS Software Suite: The motherboard comes bundled with a range of ASUS software tools, such as AI Suite 3 and Armoury Crate, for system monitoring, customization, and control.
- ASUS Q-Design: Features like Q-LED and Q-Release make installation and maintenance a breeze, simplifying the process of building and upgrading your PC.
Performance
I tested the ASUS PRIME B760M-A-CSM with an Intel Core i5-13600K processor, 32GB of DDR5-6000 memory, and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 graphics card. Overall, the motherboard delivered excellent performance for its price point.
CPU Performance: The motherboard handled the Core i5-13600K flawlessly, showcasing its capability to unlock the full potential of Intel’s latest processors. I saw impressive performance scores in benchmarks like Cinebench and Geekbench, exceeding expectations for a B760 chipset motherboard.
Memory Performance: With support for DDR5 memory, the motherboard allowed me to run my memory at its rated speed, significantly enhancing overall system responsiveness and application performance. I experienced smooth multitasking, quick program launches, and no noticeable lag during gaming sessions.
Storage Performance: I tested the motherboard’s M.2 slots using a high-speed NVMe SSD, and it delivered exceptional read and write speeds, significantly improving overall system performance and boot times. The SATA ports also performed well, providing reliable storage options for budget-conscious users.
Network Performance: The Realtek 2.5Gb Ethernet port provided consistently fast and reliable network speeds, making it ideal for online gaming, large file transfers, and streaming high-resolution content without buffering.
Temperature and Noise Levels: I found the motherboard to run cool and quiet, even under heavy load. The built-in heatsinks effectively managed heat dissipation, and the motherboard’s design minimized noise levels.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Excellent performance for a B760 chipset motherboard.
- Comprehensive feature set, including DDR5 support, multiple expansion slots, and flexible storage options.
- Realtek 2.5Gb Ethernet for faster network speeds.
- ASUS Q-Design features for ease of installation and maintenance.
- Bundled with ASUS software tools for system control and customization.
- Runs cool and quiet.
- Very competitive price for the features offered.
Cons:
- Limited overclocking capabilities compared to Z790 motherboards.
- No built-in Wi-Fi, requiring a separate Wi-Fi adapter.
- Only one PCIe 4.0 x16 slot operating at full bandwidth.
Final Verdict
The ASUS PRIME B760M-A-CSM is an excellent choice for budget-conscious builders who want a solid motherboard with excellent performance and a range of features. It delivers impressive performance, particularly in CPU and memory, making it ideal for gaming, content creation, and everyday use.
While it lacks some of the features of higher-end Z790 motherboards, it’s hard to fault this motherboard for its value proposition. Overall, I highly recommend the ASUS PRIME B760M-A-CSM for anyone looking for a reliable and cost-effective foundation for their next PC build.