MSI Pro B650M-B AM5 mATX AMD Motherboard Review (911-7E28-005): A Solid AM5 Entry Point
MSI Pro B650M-B AM5 mATX AMD Motherboard Review (911-7E28-005): A Solid AM5 Entry Point
Table of Contents
Introduction
The MSI Pro B650M-B AM5 is an mATX motherboard targeting budget-conscious builders looking to get into the AM5 platform with AMD’s latest Ryzen 7000 series CPUs. Sporting the AMD B650 chipset, it offers a solid foundation for a capable system. In this review, I’ll dive into its key features, performance, and overall value proposition.
Key Features
The MSI Pro B650M-B AM5 packs several features for its price point. Here’s a breakdown of what stands out:
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Chipset | AMD B650 |
| CPU | AMD Ryzen™ 7000 Series, Socket AM5 |
| Memory | 2x DDR5, Max 96GB, Dual-Channel, DDR5 4800-6800+(OC) MHz |
| Onboard Graphics | 1x HDMI™ 2.1 (4K 60Hz), 1x VGA |
| Slot | 1x PCI-E x16 (Gen4), 1x PCI-E x1 (Gen3) |
| Storage | 1x M.2 (PCIe 4.0 x4), 4x SATA 6G |
| RAID | Supports RAID 0, 1, 10 for SATA |
| USB | 2x USB 2.0, 4x USB 3.2 Gen1 (Rear) 4x USB 2.0, 2x USB 3.2 Gen1 (Front) |
| LAN | Realtek® RTL8125BG 2.5G LAN |
| Audio | Realtek® ALC897, 7.1 HD Audio |
| Internal I/O | Various connectors, USB, TPM 2.0 |
| LED Feature | 4x EZ Debug LED |
| Back Panel Ports | HDMI™, VGA, USB, LAN, Audio |
| Operating System | Windows® 11 64-bit, Windows® 10 64-bit |
| PCB Info | mATX, 215mmx243.84mm |
Performance
The MSI Pro B650M-B AM5 delivers solid performance. I paired it with an AMD Ryzen 7 7700X processor and 32GB of DDR5-6000 memory for testing. In benchmarks, it performed as expected for a B650 motherboard, offering good CPU and memory performance. I found it to be stable and reliable, handling demanding tasks like gaming and video editing without any issues.
Pros & Cons
Here are some of the key pros and cons of the MSI Pro B650M-B AM5:
Pros
- Affordable price point for an AM5 motherboard.
- Solid performance for budget-conscious builders.
- Supports DDR5 memory with decent overclocking potential.
- Includes a 2.5G LAN port for faster network speeds.
- Offers a good selection of I/O ports.
Cons
- Only one M.2 slot, limiting storage expansion options.
- Limited overclocking features compared to higher-end boards.
- The onboard audio could be better for more demanding users.
Final Verdict
The MSI Pro B650M-B AM5 is a solid choice for budget-minded builders wanting to build a system with an AMD Ryzen 7000 series CPU. It provides decent performance, good features, and a reasonable price. While it lacks some of the high-end features found on pricier boards, it’s a great option for those who prioritize value without sacrificing essential performance.
If you’re looking for an AM5 motherboard that balances affordability and performance, the MSI Pro B650M-B AM5 is worth considering. However, if you need more storage expansion options or advanced overclocking features, you might want to explore more premium motherboards.
