MSI MAG B650M Mortar WiFi evaluation: A motherboard for SFF builds on a funds

Finest Costs Immediately: MSI MAG B650M Mortar WiFi

AMD now has a plethora of CPU choices, starting from the unique Ryzen 7000 lineup to the brand new X3D variants. There’s additionally a few non “x” variants such because the Ryzen 9 7900, too. Which means you’ll have lots to select from. This opens the chances for smaller, extra environment friendly builds. 

That’s the place the MSI MAG B650M Mortar WiFi is available in. As in “Goldilocks”—this one is simply the appropriate dimension. Micro-ATX sits in between the usual ATX dimension you’re used to, and smaller Mini-ITX motherboards. (It’s a bit shorter in size than ATX). It’s an incredible compromise of dimension, options, and efficiency. 

Coupled with the extra inexpensive B650 chipset, it additionally takes goal at a extra affordable value. We’ll go over the options, design, and efficiency. Are you lacking out by going to a smaller motherboard? Or does the house financial savings imply you can cram it into a good smaller case? Let’s discover out!

MSI MAG B650M Mortar WiFi: The Specs

• Micro-ATX kind issue (9.6×9.6 inches)
• Helps AMD AM5 Ryzen 7000 CPUs 
• 12+2+1 Duet Rail System with six-layer PCB
• DDR5 RAM, twin channel as much as 4 DIMMs (as much as 128GB)
• 2x onboard M.2 slots (PCIe Gen 4)
• 2x PCIe 16x slot (PCIe Gen 4, 16x/4x) 
• 1x PCIE X1 slot
• HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort out 
• 8 USB ports on again (together with 1x 20Gb/s)
• Realtek 2.5Gbe LAN with Bluetooth 5.2
• Wi-Fi 6E 
• RGB headers for Mystic Mild
• 6 SATA 6Gb/s ports 
• 5 PWM fan headers 
• BIOS Flashback button 
• Pre-installed I/O protect 
• Realtek 7.1 ALC 4080 audio
• MSRP $239

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The MSI MAG B650M Mortar Wi-Fi will set you again a cool $239. Whereas AMD’s AM5 total platform prices are initially greater, B650 chipsets assist make it extra inexpensive. 

This B650 chipset is barely trimmed down from B650E and X670E. It saves price, however you’ll additionally should do with much less: fewer USB choices, SATA ports, and PCIe lanes. You continue to get PCIe Gen 4, and two M.2 NVMe slots. Remember that Micro-ATX motherboards usually can have much less I/O to start with, attributable to dimension. 

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The unboxing expertise is expectedly bare-bones. You get two Wi-Fi antennas for the 6E help, some stickers, Ez M.2 clips, and SATA cables. 

CPU selection

AMD has tons of CPU choices for Ryzen 7000 available on the market now. Need the unique 7700X? Certain! How a couple of extra power-efficient, cooler-running 7900 for a smaller case? That can work too. Or in the event you’re feeling adventurous, the brand new X3D CPUs such because the 7950X3D can even provide the quickest efficiency round. We’d possible suggest one thing wise just like the 7700X, or the upcoming 7800X3D for this class of motherboard. The 7600 shall be an incredible choice, too.

DDR5 RAM and PCIe Gen 4

AM5 is DDR5 RAM solely, however costs now make it extra attainable than earlier than. Efficiency on common shall be nice—and you’ll match as much as 128GB throughout 4 RAM sticks. That’s one benefit of this Micro-ATX kind issue over smaller Mini-ITX choices, which generally solely have two RAM slots. 

You received’t get PCIe Gen 5, however loads of Gen 4 is on faucet. Each 16x slots are Gen 4, and also you additionally get a 1x slot. That is another excuse why Micro-ATX is flexible for small builds, as smaller motherboards received’t have this many slots. This makes it nice for add-in playing cards and enlargement, with no need full-size ATX. Simply be certain that your GPU will enable clearance for any additional playing cards. 

Storage

NVMe slots are restricted to 2 onboard. Whereas we’d prefer to see three, it’s comprehensible for this way issue to have some limits attributable to dimension. You do get six SATA ports for extra storage choices, nonetheless. Some motherboards include an add-in NVMe PCIe card of some kind, but it surely’s wise that you wouldn’t have this included on this value class. You’ll be able to nonetheless add one individually as an choice, as you’ll have the slot in case your GPU isn’t huge. 

USB ports 

With eight rear USB ports, together with 1x USB C, I/O is nice for the scale. No USB 4 right here—but it surely does pack 20Gb/s USB for these needing quick transfers. Small motherboards usually can have restricted USB choices, so it’s nice to see an virtually ATX-level providing right here. 

DisplayPort and HDMI 2.1 additionally assist increase Ryzen 7000 CPUs, which have built-in iGPUs. This is useful for troubleshooting with out a discrete GPU when wanted!  

Networking

You’ll get related connectivity choices to ATX motherboards. Wi-Fi 6E and a pair of.5GbE LAN are each normal, together with Bluetooth 5.2. Networking is full and strong. Customers needing extra, like 10GbE, might want to step as much as way more costly (and infrequently bigger) motherboard choices. 

Audio

Audio is okay right here, with a 7.1 ALC4080 codec. It additionally has sufficient inputs on the again for many customers. For those who want significantly better sound choices, you’ll should do with exterior options or add-in playing cards. 

Different options of observe

We’re completely happy to see an built-in I/O protect, it makes the expertise of constructing a lot smoother. You additionally get “Ez clips” for the M.2 drives, which simplify entry. A BIOS Flash button can also be clutch whenever you simply want that special-case BIOS improve. That’s a whole lot of options that have been historically relegated to costly fanatic motherboards of the previous, so it’s nice to see them make their means right here. 

MSI MAG B650M Mortar WiFi: Design 

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The MSI MAG B650M Mortar WiFi instantly reveals its greatest design trick: its Micro-ATX kind issue. This opens it as much as becoming a lot smaller instances, increasing the chances for builds. It might even turn out to be useful in a normal-sized case, like, say, the Lian Li O11 Dynamic. For those who’re water cooling and don’t have a lot room on the underside attributable to thick radiators, Micro-ATX can hold the motherboard away from that house. 

Aesthetically, it shares lots with MSI’s Tomahawk lineup, and that’s nice information. It has an exceptionally clear design, with robust-looking VRM heatsinks, and armor plating in the appropriate locations. 

Whereas this motherboard is available in at a less expensive value level, the design and construct high quality definitely don’t point out that. Supplies and end are nice, with most essential areas lined by heatsinks, or “Armor.”

For those who don’t suppose you want the smaller kind issue, you’re usually higher off going with a bigger ATX variant such because the MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk we not too long ago reviewed.

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The M.2 “Frozr” shields shield the 2 NVMe drive slots. It provides a component of completeness to the design—many cheaper motherboards go away this space uncovered.  

You received’t discover any RGB results, nonetheless. You’ll be able to nonetheless add RGB through the headers to your liking. A part of the worth financial savings comes from not having fancy screens or intricate motherboard results. 

Good news: The I/O protect is built-in, and the M.2 NVMe drives have retention clips! PC builders can rejoice at these easy, however extremely important quality-of-life inclusions. 

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Sweeping round to the again, you’ll discover the everyday naked design. Total, this can be a very enticing motherboard that makes super sense for small builds the place RGB is commonly more durable to identify. Seems premium, for a less-than-premium value—nice design! 

MSI MAG B650M Mortar WiFi: Efficiency, software program, and BIOS 

The MSI MAG B650M Mortar WiFi has a 12+2+1 energy stage and a six-layer PCB. For those who examine this to some overkill motherboard VRM phases on hyper-expensive motherboards, it doesn’t look spectacular on paper. As soon as once more, this isn’t an overkill motherboard, however the “Goldilocks” particular! 

The identical holds true for efficiency—it can competently deal with even the blistering Ryzen 9 7950X3D with out concern. When you received’t break any information, it’s greater than succesful. Relying in your construct, you’ll nonetheless see nice efficiency even from the extra environment friendly “non-X” SKUs such because the Ryzen 9 7900. Decrease watts and temperatures, which means extra constant efficiency in small areas. 

DDR5 can also be normal right here—as much as 128GB. The identical caveat holds true: overclocking the quickest kits in all probability doesn’t make sense. That’s okay—it nonetheless can deal with virtually something you throw at it with Expo profiles and super-fast efficiency. 

Going additional, whilst you’re not getting PCIe Gen 5 efficiency, PCIe Gen 4 is greater than enough for GPUs and most NVMe drives available on the market. There’s no must incur that additional expense! You’re technically not taking full benefit of AM5’s PCIe Gen 5 potential, nonetheless. That makes the costlier CPUs much less of an excellent match for this board, however you’ll have many different choices that match the invoice. 

Closing off motherboard efficiency, the USB ports are quick, with 20Gb/s speeds. That’s the norm with even pricier ATX motherboards, with only a few having the 40Gb/s speeds of USB4.

For those who’d prefer to tweak your system, we now have the MSI BIOS for that. Very similar to Asus, MSI has a fabulous BIOS that permits you to tune varied parts. Starting from CPU overclocking, to configuration of your {hardware}—it’s all right here. 

Those who would quite go away the tinkering to science can even be completely happy: Computerized overclocking with AMD’s Precision Increase Overdrive (PBO) is obtainable, together with AMD’s Expo profile for DDR5 RAM. 

It’s additionally easy to replace the BIOS—one thing we’d suggest doing. Whereas mature methods don’t at all times want BIOS updates, B650 continues to be new and updates early on usually repair many teething points.

For those who’d prefer to spend as little time within the BIOS as doable, MSI Middle has a couple of choices to maintain you entertained. In fact, Mystic Mild permits for RGB header management and symbiosis with different peripherals. 

It additionally has some rudimentary {hardware} monitoring, though we’d suggest higher third-party choices for that. You’ll be able to set PWM fan speeds, and even use “Live Update” to seize drivers. Total, it really works nicely—a giant enchancment from buggier motherboard software program of the previous. 

Do you have to purchase the MSI MAG B650M Mortar WiFi?

The MSI MAG B650M Mortar WiFi delivers on its purpose: Micro-ATX versatility, with out compromising on options. It does all this for $239.99, a very reasonable value in as we speak’s costlier motherboard market. 

Impressively, it does this with out skimping on options that you simply’d get on even bigger ATX motherboards. Networking is simply pretty much as good, and audio and even PCIe slots are nicely represented. The board closes the hole even additional with eight USB ports, and good total efficiency. 

Given its potential to pair with highly effective CPUs and smaller instances, the B650M Mortar gives a potent combo for small form-factor lovers. It definitely makes one think about Micro-ATX over Mini-ITX if extra I/O is required. 

In fact, it isn’t the flashiest design, and lacks the RGB aptitude some customers might need. It additionally received’t break any information with its specs—but it surely doesn’t should. It’s a really well-balanced effort that enables small form-factor builds to be extra financially wise.