With the.. controversial.. launch of AMD’s AM5 platform, I thought it would be worth overviewing the SFF Motherboards available or previewed at the time of writing.
Available now: x670e
ASUS ROG STRIX X670E-I Gaming Wifi 6E
At US$469.99 at Newegg.com, the ASUS ROG STRIX….I give up… is the first M-ITX board available for the new AM5 platform. A feature packed board, with multiple protrusions as is the norm for this family of board. The chipset heatsink doubles as a M.2 SSD mount and heatsink. A “FPS-II” card is mounted at the front of the board, holding ports for the usual plethora of front panel ports and buttons. Yes, the FP_HEADER is on a daughterboard now.
Also included is the ROG STRIX HIVE (ASUS, seriously, stop with the capslock). This combination USB hub, DAC and overclocking control is a nifty feature – although I’d wager many users paying this much for a board will opt for their own DAC solution.
(Image source Newegg.com)
ASUS ROG CROSSHAIR X670E GENE mATX
For US$599.99 at Newegg.com, the first m-ATX board for AM5 also comes from ASUS
(Image source Newegg.com)
Coming Soon: B650(E)
ASRock B650E PG-ITX WiFi
Likely to be the cheapest AM5 M-ITX board available for a while, the ASRock B650E PG-ITX WiFi looks to be a more simple board than the above ASUS STRIX unit. (Not to mention the MUCH simpler name). No daughterboards here! Unfortunately the Chipset/M.2 drive heatsink fan is powered by a fan header at the top of the board, necessitating a cable run alongside the RAM slots. Messy!
(Image source: VideoCardz)
GIGABYTE B650M AORUS Elite AX
A much better slot loadout than ASUS’s M-ATX board, with a second PCIe x16 slot (although it’s likely to be an x4 slot electrically). Also, twice the RAM slots versus the GENE board. Very nice! This configuration is a much better representation as to why M-ATX is my favourite form factor.
(Image source: VideoCardz)
GIGABYTE B650I AORUS Ultra
Gigabyte’s B650I AORUS Ultra looks like a nice, simple board, but unfortunately also includes a daughterboard configuration for the front panel IO headers and SATA. However, the two tone aesthetic appeals to me greatly!
(Image source: VideoCardz)
MSI MAG B650M MORTAR
A monotone colour scheme! Love it. An even more useful slot layout than the Gigabyte M-ATX board above – even if the second physical x16 slot appears to be an x1 electrically. Wait wait wait wait.. are those DUAL EPS 8 pin connectors at the top of the board? Eep!
(Image source: VideoCardz)
MSI PRO B650M-A WiFi
Appears to be the same board as above, with less heatsinks and an aesthetic makeover. Still has dual EPS connectors.
(Image source: VideoCardz)
MSI MPG B650I EDGE WiFi
A different concept on aesthetics than the competition, this much lighter colours configuration stands out. No daughterboards here, and a heatsink fan that doesn’t run a cable all the way across the motherboard. Much cleaner!
(Image source: VideoCardz)
