GIGABYTE B760M DS3H AX LGA1700 mATX Motherboard Review – Intel B760 Chipset, 4 x DDR4 DIMM
GIGABYTE B760M DS3H AX LGA1700 mATX Motherboard Review
The GIGABYTE B760M DS3H AX LGA1700 mATX Motherboard, powered by the Intel B760 Chipset, is a compelling option for budget-conscious PC builders seeking a solid foundation for their next gaming or productivity build. This review delves into its features, performance, and overall value, providing a comprehensive analysis of its capabilities.
Table of Contents
Introduction
The GIGABYTE B760M DS3H AX is a micro-ATX motherboard designed for Intel’s 13th and 12th Gen CPUs. It offers a balanced blend of features and affordability, making it a popular choice for system builders on a tighter budget. With support for PCIe 4.0, Wi-Fi 6E, and a 2.5GbE LAN port, it delivers a robust foundation for modern gaming and productivity workloads.
Key Features
The GIGABYTE B760M DS3H AX packs a comprehensive set of features that cater to a wide range of users:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| CPU | LGA1700 socket: Support for the 13th and 12th Generation Intel® Core™, Pentium® Gold and Celeron® Processors L3 cache varies with CPU (Please refer to “CPU Support List” for more information.) |
| Chipset | Intel® B760 Express Chipset |
| Memory | Support for DDR4 5333(O.C.)/ 5133(O.C.)/ 5000(O.C.)/ 4933(O.C.)/ … (Refer to full list) 4 x DDR DIMM sockets supporting up to 128 GB (32 GB single DIMM capacity) of system memory Dual channel memory architecture Support for ECC Un-buffered DIMM 1Rx8/2Rx8 memory modules (operate in non-ECC mode) Support for non-ECC Un-buffered DIMM 1Rx8/2Rx8/1Rx16 memory modules Support for Extreme Memory Profile (XMP) memory modules (Please refer to “Memory Support List” for more information.) |
| Onboard Graphics | Integrated Graphics Processor-Intel® HD Graphics support: 1 x HDMI port, supporting a maximum resolution of 4096×2160@60 Hz * Support for HDMI 2.0 version and HDCP 2.3. 1 x DisplayPort, supporting a maximum resolution of 4096×2304@60 Hz * Support for DisplayPort 1.2 version and HDCP 2.3 1 x DisplayPort, supporting a maximum resolution of 4096×2304@60 Hz * Support for DisplayPort 1.2 version. (Graphics specifications may vary depending on CPU support.) Support for up to triple-display at the same time |
| Audio | Realtek® Audio CODEC High Definition Audio 2/4/5.1/7.1-channel * You can change the functionality of an audio jack using the audio software. To configure 7.1-channel audio, access the audio software for audio settings. Support for S/PDIF Out |
| LAN | Realtek® 2.5GbE LAN chip (2.5 Gbps/1 Gbps/100 Mbps) |
| Wireless Communication module | AMD Wi-Fi 6E RZ608 (MT7921K) (For PCB rev. 1.0) WIFI a, b, g, n, ac, ax, supporting 2.4/5/6 GHz carrier frequency bands BLUETOOTH 5.2 Support for 11ax 80MHz wireless standard and up to 1.2 Gbps data rate Intel® Wi-Fi 6E AX210 (For PCB rev. 1.1) WIFI a, b, g, n, ac, ax, supporting 2.4/5/6 GHz carrier frequency bands BLUETOOTH 5.3 Support for 11ax 160MHz wireless standard and up to 2.4 Gbps data rate Intel® Wi-Fi 6E AX211 (For PCB rev. 1.2) WIFI a, b, g, n, ac, ax, supporting 2.4/5/6 GHz carrier frequency bands BLUETOOTH 5.3 Support for 11ax 160MHz wireless standard and up to 2.4 Gbps data rate Realtek® Wi-Fi 6E RTL8852CE (For PCB rev. 1.3) WIFI a, b, g, n, ac, ax, supporting 2.4/5/6 GHz carrier frequency bands BLUETOOTH 5.3 Support for 11ax 160MHz wireless standard and up to 2.4 Gbps data rate (Actual data rate may vary depending on environment and equipment.) |
| Expansion Slots | CPU: 1 x PCI Express x16 slot, supporting PCIe 4.0 and running at x16 Chipset: 2 x PCI Express x1 slots, supporting PCIe 3.0 and running at x1 |
| Storage Interface | CPU: 1 x M.2 connector (Socket 3, M key, type 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4/x2 SSD support) (M2A_CPU) Chipset: 1 x M.2 connector (Socket 3, M key, type 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4/x2 SSD support) (M2P_SB) 4 x SATA 6Gb/s connectors RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, and RAID 10 support for SATA storage devices |
| USB | Chipset: 1 x USB Type-C® port on the back panel, with USB 3.2 Gen 2 support 5 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (3 ports on the back panel, 2 ports available through the internal USB header) 2 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports on the back panel Chipset+2 USB 2.0 Hubs: 4 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports available through the internal |
Performance
In terms of performance, the GIGABYTE B760M DS3H AX delivers solid results for its price point. The Intel B760 Chipset provides sufficient bandwidth for modern CPUs, allowing for smooth gaming and content creation experiences.
I’ve paired this motherboard with a 13th Gen Intel Core i5 processor and 16GB of DDR4-3600 RAM. The system consistently handled demanding games like “Cyberpunk 2077” and “Forza Horizon 5” at high frame rates, and multitasking with multiple browser tabs and applications felt effortless.
The 2.5GbE LAN connection provides a noticeable boost in network performance for online gaming and file transfers, delivering consistently low latency and high transfer speeds. The Wi-Fi 6E module is equally impressive, providing fast and reliable wireless connectivity.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Affordable price point.
- Supports the latest 13th and 12th Gen Intel CPUs.
- Offers PCIe 4.0 for fast storage speeds.
- Includes a 2.5GbE LAN port for enhanced network performance.
- Features Wi-Fi 6E for fast and reliable wireless connectivity.
- Provides adequate expansion slots for future upgrades.
- Comes with a comprehensive set of I/O ports.
Cons:
- Limited overclocking options compared to higher-end motherboards.
- No integrated Thunderbolt support.
- The mATX form factor might not be ideal for larger cases.
Final Verdict
The GIGABYTE B760M DS3H AX LGA1700 mATX Motherboard is a well-rounded option for budget-minded PC builders seeking a solid foundation for their next system. It offers excellent performance, features, and connectivity at an affordable price. While it lacks some high-end features, its solid build quality, performance, and feature set make it a strong contender in its price category. If you’re looking for a reliable and well-equipped mATX motherboard for a gaming or productivity build, the GIGABYTE B760M DS3H AX is a great choice.
