Comparing X870 vs. X670 vs. B650: Finding the Best Value Motherboards for AMD Ryzen
Motherboards
X870 motherboards join the growing list of AMD AM5 platform options and we are here to share
some
tips and advice on choosing a motherboard with a brand-new AMD Ryzen 9000 series processor. We will answer valid
questions such as “Which motherboard/chipset offers the best value today?” and “Does it have all the features
you
want now, and in the future?”
AMD’s renowned support for its last-gen AM4 socket saw some users upgrade from its 1st Gen
Ryzen (Ryzen 1000) parts all the way up to AMD Ryzen 5000 processors! Given AMD’s commitment to support
the AM5 socket all the way through 2027 ‘and beyond’, it’s not a bad idea to consider the newest AM5 motherboard
for today or the future!
If you want to build a high-performance gaming PC right now, you have a couple of options:
- Pair the top-tier X870E/X870 platform with a powerful Ryzen 9000 processor, while being able to use future and powerful AM5 releases from AMD.
- Pick an an MSI X870E/X870 motherboard and a Ryzen 7800X3D processor to enjoy great gaming ASAP.
- For budget options, a X670 or even B650 motherboard has the essential features and bandwidth. Pair it with an AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D processor to enjoy gaming immediately.
MSI’s X870E and X870 motherboards come equipped with several AMD Ryzen 9000-series specific
features
like AMD OPP, Memory Try It, and High-Efficiency Mode to get the most out of your games right away! You can read
more about
AMD OPP on 800-series motherboards here , and more about
High-Efficiency Mode and PBO here.
X870 vs. X670 vs. B650: What’s the Difference?
One of the key differences between the X870 and X670 chipsets is additional PCIe Gen 5.0
bandwidth.
While X670 motherboards offer up to 8 high-speed PCIe 5.0 lanes, X870 motherboards now come equipped with up to
24 PCIe 5.0 lanes!
For users like you, this means X870 motherboards can be built with better I/O capabilities,
such as more (and faster) USB ports, additional M.2 slots with PCIe 5.0 speeds, faster on-board Wi-Fi and LAN,
the ability to use faster M.2 expander cards without sacrificing performance, and more.
Looking to the B650 chipset, it has ZERO PCIe 5.0 lanes – offering only PCIe 4.0 bandwidth
instead. Although this might not matter too much with current-gen graphics cards, this won’t be enough for
potential future PCIe 5.0 graphics cards and you already cannot utilize the full performance of PCIe 5.0 NVMe
SSDs.
What about X670E?
If you already have a good X670E motherboard, then an 800-series motherboards is not as needed.
There are two upsides with the
X870E and X870 chipsets over X670E – USB4 and Wi-Fi 7. If you’re shopping for a new high-performance
motherboard, an X870E motherboard is the better pick.
USB4 40Gbps: Thunderbolt Docks, Displays, Faster External Storage, and More
With speeds of up to 40Gbps, USB4 allows you to leverage the newest wired devices without any
compatibility or performance issues. Here are a few features you can enjoy with USB4 connectivity:
- Compatible with Thunderbolt 3, unlocking the potential of Thunderbolt technology with faster data transfer and enhanced connectivity.
- DisplayPort Out (1.4a) via USB Type-C with HBR3 compliance up to 4K 60Hz.
- 15W power passthrough.
Wi-Fi 7 Connectivity: Unlocking Next-Gen Wireless Experiences
Wi-Fi 7 is the newest home wireless internet standard built to address the demands next-gen
Wi-Fi 7 devices and networks, while remaining backwards-compatible. It is capable of higher bandwidth and less
interference compared to previous Wi-Fi standards, allowing for faster internet transfer speeds and fewer
disruptions. All X870 motherboards from MSI come equipped with Wi-Fi 7.
Technology features include:
- Up to 5.8Gbps Transfer Speeds
- Up to 320MHz Wide Channels
- 4K QAM
- Multi-RU
- Preamble Puncturing
- Multi-Link Operation (MLO)
If you want to read more about Wi-Fi 7, its features, and how it compares to older networks,
you can read our dedicated Wi-Fi 7 article here.
Prepping for Heavy AI Workloads: ATX 3.1 Ready with Additional 8-Pin Power
With more fans and RGB device available to PC builders, we have responded over the years by
increasing the number of fan headers and RGB headers on our motherboards. Recently, the ATX 3.1 power standard
requires that PCIe slot power should be capable of handling a 2.5x power excursion from the inserted PCIe
device.
If the motherboard is connected to lots of fans running at high speeds and lots of RGB devices, a powerful
graphics card may not be able to perform to its max without additional electrical power.
MSI’s 800-series motherboards come equipped with an additional onboard 8-pin power connector to
handle demanding power loads, allowing even multi-GPU setups to remain stable.
Picking Motherboards for AMD Ryzen 9000: Addressing the X3D Elephant in the Room
800-series motherboards can run AMD Ryzen 9000 series processors out-of-the-box, whereas
600-series chipset motherboards require a BIOS update to work with these new processors.
Productivity workloads see a measurable uplift with AMD Ryzen 9000 – boasting faster
performance per clock vs. AMD Ryzen 7000 (source:
AMD
). Therefore, higher-core-count parts like the 16-core AMD Ryzen 9 9950X or the 12-core AMD Ryzen 9 9900X would
be solid picks for professional workloads such as 3D rendering, video editing, motion graphics, running multiple
virtual machines, etc.
Hunting for Value Within the AM5 Ecosystem: Are X670 and B650 Still Viable?
For users looking for performance and future-proofing, we recommend pairing high-end AMD Ryzen
processors with one of our X870E motherboards. However, MSI X670E motherboards still offer a value-focused way
forward particularly if you do not want or need USB4 and Wi-Fi 7.
Higher-end 600-series AM5 motherboards still give you many high-end features and ample
bandwidth to get work done. You still get USB-C, Wi-Fi equipped models remain very capable, and many of MSI’s EZ
DIY features can still be found.
These motherboards can be paired with the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D, still one of the best processor
options for gaming because AMD’s innovative 3D V-Cache technology helps drive performance.
Best Value Motherboards for AMD Ryzen 9000: X870 or X670 or B650?
As we’ve covered, X670 and B650 motherboards still offer good value to gamers and professionals
alike. Compared to 800-series motherboards, the tradeoff going with a 600-series motherboard is no onboard
access to USB4, Wi-Fi 7, or a bunch of new MSI features.
Look for our TOMAHAWK and CARBON motherboards. These names have remained a staple in any AMD
Ryzen discussion
for good reason. MSI motherboards have tended to offer great stability and reliability with Ryzen, and wide
support
for many DDR5 memory brands. The MPG X670E
CARBON WIFI,
MAG X670E TOMAHAWK WIFI,
and the MAG B650 TOMAHAWK WIFI
are some of the most popular AM5 motherboards recommended by the building community.
On the other hand, if you want the best possible platform for your brand-new AMD Ryzen 9000
or powerful Ryzen 7 7800X3D processors and you want support for USB4, Wi-Fi 7, EZ DIY Features, AI-ready
devices, and more, MSI’s
800-series motherboards will offer a premium, hassle-free experience like no other.
