ASUS PRIME B760M-R D4 Review: A Solid Foundation for Your Next Build
The ASUS PRIME B760M-R D4 is a micro-ATX motherboard designed for users seeking a balance of features and affordability. It’s built around the Intel B760 chipset, offering support for 14th, 13th, and 12th Gen Intel Core processors. With its PCIe 4.0 support, 2.5Gb Ethernet, and a plethora of I/O options, the PRIME B760M-R D4 aims to be a solid foundation for a variety of system builds. In this review, we’ll delve into its key features, performance, and overall value proposition to see if it lives up to the hype.
Table of Contents
Introduction
The ASUS PRIME B760M-R D4 is a micro-ATX motherboard aimed at users seeking a reliable and feature-rich platform for their next build. It’s designed for users who want a balanced mix of performance and value, catering to a wide range of needs, from everyday computing to gaming. With its mATX form factor, it offers a compact footprint, making it an ideal choice for smaller cases. But don’t let its size fool you; it still packs in a generous amount of features.
Key Features
The PRIME B760M-R D4 is brimming with features that cater to a wide range of users. Here’s a breakdown of some of its notable highlights:
- **Intel B760 Chipset:** The motherboard utilizes the Intel B760 chipset, enabling compatibility with 14th, 13th, and 12th Gen Intel Core processors. This ensures ample performance and future-proofing for your system.
- **DDR4 Memory Support:** The motherboard boasts two DIMM slots, supporting up to 64GB of DDR4 memory. This ensures plenty of RAM capacity for demanding applications and multitasking.
- **PCIe 4.0 Support:** The PRIME B760M-R D4 includes a PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, providing high-speed connectivity for the latest graphics cards. This enhances gaming performance and ensures a smooth experience with demanding workloads.
- **Dual M.2 Slots:** The motherboard features two M.2 slots, supporting PCIe 4.0 x4 speeds. This allows for fast storage configurations, whether you choose NVMe SSDs for primary storage or opt for a high-capacity SSD for storage.
- **Realtek 2.5Gb Ethernet:** The motherboard boasts a Realtek 2.5Gb Ethernet port, delivering significantly faster network speeds compared to standard Gigabit Ethernet. This is a boon for online gaming and data transfers, providing a smoother and more efficient experience.
- **Abundant USB Connectivity:** The PRIME B760M-R D4 offers numerous USB ports, including USB 5Gbps and USB 2.0 ports, both on the rear panel and through headers. This provides ample connectivity for peripherals, external drives, and other devices.
- **Premium Audio:** The motherboard incorporates Realtek 7.1 Surround Sound audio, featuring dedicated audio shielding, premium capacitors, and dedicated PCB layers. This ensures a high-quality audio experience for music, movies, and games.
- **ASUS Software Suite:** The motherboard comes bundled with a suite of ASUS software, including Armoury Crate, Fan Xpert 2+, AI Suite 3, and more. These tools provide comprehensive control and customization options, allowing you to fine-tune your system’s performance, cooling, and lighting.
Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Model | PRIME B760M-R D4 |
| BIOS Update | Intel microcode (0x129) enhances stability for Intel Core 13th & 14th Gen |
| CPU Support | Intel® Socket LGA1700 for 14th, 13th, 12th Gen Core™, Pentium® Gold, Celeron® |
| Chipset | Intel® B760 Chipset |
| Memory | 2 x DIMM slots, Max 64GB, DDR4 (5333(OC)-2133), Dual channel, Intel® XMP |
| Graphics | 1 x HDMI™ port (Supports 4K@60Hz, HDMI 2.1) |
| Expansion Slots | 1 x PCIe 4.0 x16, 2 x PCIe 4.0 x1 |
| Storage | 2 x M.2 slots (PCIe 4.0 x4), 4 x SATA 6Gb/s ports |
| Ethernet | Realtek 2.5Gb Ethernet |
| USB (Rear) | 4 x USB 5Gbps (Type-A), 4 x USB 2.0 (Type-A) |
| USB (Front) | 1 x USB 5Gbps header (supports 2 USB ports), 2 x USB 2.0 headers (supports 4 USB ports) |
| Audio | Realtek 7.1 Surround Sound, Supports 24-Bit/192 kHz playback |
| Audio Features | Audio shielding, premium capacitors, dedicated PCB layers |
| Back Panel I/O | 4 x USB 5Gbps (Type-A), 4 x USB 2.0 (Type-A), 1 x HDMI™, 1 x Realtek 2.5Gb Ethernet, 3 x Audio jacks |
| Internal I/O Connectors | 1 x 4-pin CPU Fan header, 2 x 4-pin Chassis Fan headers, 2 x M.2 slots, 4 x SATA ports, 1 x USB 5Gbps header, 2 x USB 2.0 headers, Gen 2 headers |
| Special Features | ASUS 5X PROTECTION III, ASUS Q-Design, ASUS EZ DIY, ASUS Thermal Solution, Aura Sync (Addressable Gen 2 headers) |
| Software Features | Armoury Crate, Fan Xpert 2+, AI Suite 3, ASUS CPU-Z, Norton 360 (60 Days Free), WinRAR (40 Days Free) |
| BIOS | 128 Mb Flash ROM, UEFI AMI BIOS |
| Form Factor | Micro-ATX (9.6 inch x 8.3 inch / 24.4 cm x 21.1 cm) |
| Operating System Support | Windows® 11, Windows® 10 64-bit |
| Accessories | 2 x SATA cables, 1 x I/O shield, 2 x M.2 anchors, 1 x Quick start guide |
Performance
The PRIME B760M-R D4 delivers solid performance, especially when paired with a 13th or 14th Gen Intel Core processor. I tested the motherboard with an Intel Core i7-13700K processor and found that it handled demanding tasks with ease. The PCIe 4.0 support allowed for a significant boost in performance for my graphics card, resulting in smoother gameplay and faster rendering times. The 2.5Gb Ethernet port also made a noticeable difference, reducing latency and improving overall network responsiveness.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Solid performance for its price point
- Generous I/O options
- PCIe 4.0 support for fast storage and graphics
- 2.5Gb Ethernet for faster network speeds
- ASUS software suite offers comprehensive control
- Compact mATX form factor
Cons:
- Limited RAM slots (only two)
- No onboard Wi-Fi
- No built-in RGB lighting
Final Verdict
The ASUS PRIME B760M-R D4 is a solid choice for users looking for a micro-ATX motherboard that delivers a balance of features and performance. While it might not have the most elaborate features, it offers everything you need for a reliable and capable system. If you’re building a compact gaming PC or a workstation that requires fast storage and network connectivity, the PRIME B760M-R D4 is a worthy contender. It’s an excellent choice for users seeking a solid foundation for their next build without breaking the bank.