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Intel desktop board i54/24/2023 ![]() The ASUS ROG Strix Z690-A is another board that we’ve taken a look at in full before. It’s possible that the hints of silver is the missing piece for your unique gaming PC, but in our opinion, this motherboard looks out of place when paired with anything but an all-white system. Similarly, the silver and black aesthetic means that this motherboard less appealing to those gamers that aren’t opting for a white-themed build. If you’re PC case can support a larger ATX motherboard, then it’s definitely worth picking a larger board up for the more expansive feature-set. Whilst the reduced size is a necessity for gamers building a compact micro-ATX system, most builds will be able to fit larger boards that have the space to support a wider range of features and connections. The main downside for a lot of consumers will be the smaller form-factor. The silver heatsinks located around the board act as a great compliment to any white RAM kits or graphics cards, and it does a great job at reflecting RGB to create a bright and colourful interior – perfect for RGB lovers! Things We Don’t Like In terms of design, this motherboard is a suitable fit for a compact white-themed gaming PC. ![]() Reduced performance or connectivity is always a concern when opting for a compact motherboard, but there is no need to worry here, as the B660M Mortar supports the latest GPUs and SSDs, as well a number of USB-C ports for gaming peripherals and external devices. Key Specs FeaturesĮven though the B660M Mortar possesses a micro-ATX design, it is still packed with enough features to satisfy the demands of any mid-range gaming PC. Speaking of the rear IO, you’ve also got plenty of high speed USB ports, providing speedy transfers for your peripherals and accessories. This board also features an integrated IO shield reducing any frustration that comes with installing that annoying sharp piece of metal we’ve all come to know. You’ve got Gen4 ready x16 and x4 slots for some of the latest GPUs and drives, giving you plenty of options to build a high performance system. The Micro-ATX design means that you’re missing out on some extra PCI-E slots here and there and maybe some RGB, but MSI makes up for these losses with some excellent features. MSI‘s MAG B660M Mortar is a board that we’ve reviewed in full on the website quite a while ago, and it still holds up well today. This won’t be a deal-breaker for most budget and mid-range gamers, as it less likely that their peripherals would include a USB-C port, but it is worth considering for those looking to hook up the best keyboard and mouse combination possible. While these additions will probably struggle to fit into a current mid-range or budget build anyway, adding another item to the upgrade list is always a pain.Īnother limitation of this design is that the rear IO doesn’t include a USB-C port for improved compatibility and performance when connecting high-end gaming peripherals and accessories. The lack of PCI-E 5.0 support in particular is something that will stop potential upgrades to future graphics cards and high-speed SSDs. Things We Don’t Likeĭue to this board being a budget-friendly option, it lacks support for additional features such as upgradability and overclocking, which will limit the potential of any system you decide to build with this board. As a result, the B660 Gaming X AX is a solid choice for gamers that are looking to save their funds, or just want to spend more of their allocated budget on other components. For example, the choice of a 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet or WiFi 6E for networking is a nice inclusion that is fairly uncommon for a budget board. Despite the lower price point, this motherboard isn’t too light on features either. Price is also a massive bonus of this design, as this is one of the cheapest offerings to include a B660 chipset. Whilst we’re fans of a lot of the designs on Gigabyte‘s budget-friendly motherboards, this one might just be the best of the bunch. ![]() Key Specs Featuresįirst of all, the overall look of this motherboard is awesome! The gunmetal grey heatsinks with the cybernetic detailing will help to give the internals of your build a futuristic aesthetic that is perfect for gamers. The rear IO also features plenty high speed USB ports providing exceptional transfer speeds, along with extra USB 2.0 options if you run out. On the networking front you’ve got the choice between the onboard WiFi 6, or for a more stable connection, 2.5 Gigabit LAN. Equipped with multiple PCI-E 4.0 slots ready for the Nvidia’s 4000 series cards, along with blazing-fast SSDs. Gigabyte‘s B660 Gaming X is one of the best mid-range DDR4 motherboards on the B660 chipset.
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