Question Which motherboard should I get?

[damocles]

Hi

I've been given the following board choices for a new R5 2600 CPU.

1. MSI B450M PRO-M2 MAX
2. MSI X570-A PRO
3. MSI MPG X570 GAMING PLUS
4. MSI B450 GAMING PLUS MAX

This is based on the fact I have a preference for MSI (or maybe an Asrock Steel Legend) and I asked for boards that are 3rd gen ready.

Basically I want a good board that is reasonably future proofed. I don't plan to overclock, though I wouldn't rule it out. I don't need crossfire.

The B450 PRO MAX is the cheap option. I'm sure it would work fine but as an M-ATX it lacks a few slots.

The B450 GAMING PLUS MAX is quite a jump up in price here in NZ. It's full ATX and seems the logical choice (Tomahawk and Mortar Max boards haven't arrived yet).

However I noticed the price jump to the X570 boards isn't 'that' much. I'd get an extra M2 slot but would they give me any better longevity?

Which would you suggest?

Thanks

(I can also look at other retailers if there are other boards worth considering e.g. Asus, Gigabyte etc).

 

[VirtualLarry]

If I had to choose between only those boards, I'd probably go with the B450 Gaming Plus Max, assuming that there was a significant jump between the price of that board, and the X570-class boards.

But maybe wait for the B450 Tomahawk Max?

 

[damocles]

Thanks.

The price jump to X570 isnt too huge (about 45USD) because the retail on the MAX boards is a bit higher than the boards they replaced (I can get the Asrock B450 Steel Legends for about 40USD less than the Gaming Plus Max).

I like the idea of the faster PCIE on the X570 but not the onboard cooling fans.

The pricing for the Tomahawk is out and it's very close to the Gaming Plus but they can't tell me how far away the boards are.

Maybe if I procrastinate a little longer they will turn up!

 

[damocles]

Just an update to this, I can basically get the new Tomahawk B450 Max and the older B450 Gaming Pro Carbon for the same price.

The Carbon is in stock now and the Tomahawk Max is a week or two away.

Carbon has great cooking and WiFi. From reviews it seems one of the better B450 boards.

The MAX has the 32MB bios chip and a few minor updates.

Which would you suggest?

 

[Seba]

The Carbon is in stock now and the Tomahawk Max is a week or two away.

Carbon has great cooking and WiFi. From reviews it seems one of the better B450 boards.

The MAX has the 32MB bios chip and a few minor updates.

Which would you suggest?

Obviously the board which can also cook.

 

[damocles]

Hah. Well, maybe I can fry an egg on the vrm

 

[Seba]

Before talking about which motherboard, there is a question which needs an answer:

Why are you looking at a new Ryzen 5 2600 and not at Ryzen 5 3600?

 

[damocles]

Budget really. I got a 2600 for NZD 175 which is half the price of the cheapest 3600

 

[Seba]

Instead of Ryzen 5 2600 + X570 board I would choose Ryzen 5 3600 + (cheaper) B450 board.

If you are stuck with that Ryzen 5 2600 (if you can't return it), still get a B450 board. Especially since you say budged is a deciding factor.

 

[damocles]

Thanks. Yeah. I'm stuck with it.

You know how it goes- I went to buy a new GPU and then ended with a new everything.

I'm down to MSI Tomahawk MAX vs Carbon Pro Ac (both B450).

 

[Seba]

You said that MSI B450 Gaming Plus MAX is too expensive. But that should be cheaper than MSI B450 Tomahawk MAX.

 

[damocles]

All are affordable it was just the Gaming Plus is about 50USD more than the Gaming Plus and 40 USD more than other decent boards like the ASrock Steel Legends.

I decided I wanted something with decent vrm.

Basically the Gaming Plus MAX is NZD 230 here (and available now).

The Tomahawk MAX isn't available yet but will arrive soon and isn't much more at NZD 240(USD6.50 more).

I got offered a Pro Carbon AC for NZD 250. Which is a slight discount and would ship tomorrow.

I'd consider anything in that price range. USD 13.00 isn't much.



Generally we pay a bit more for everything than the US.