Intel B660 Motherboard VRM, Mid-Range Roundup

[Steve]

In this roundup we have 8 new Intel B660 motherboards that go for from $150 to $250. Spoiler alert: We're looking at a hefty 70% performance difference between the fastest and slowest B660 boards using fast CPU.

Read the full article here.

https://www.techspot.com/review/2432-intel-b660-motherboards-midrange/

 

[hahahanoobs]

Class action lawsuit in 3, 2,.....

 

[nodfor]

Just a buy a 5600X (or 5600 soonish) if you want a six core.
They can work well on budget motherboards and even quality mobos are not expensive.

 

[Sausagemeat]

Appreciate the efforts, solid work and findings. But I’m a bit lost when it comes to PCIe config, do all these boards have PCIe 4.0? Or is it limited? Is the config the same on each board?

 

[HardReset]

Appreciate the efforts, solid work and findings. But I’m a bit lost when it comes to PCIe config, do all these boards have PCIe 4.0? Or is it limited? Is the config the same on each board?

From CPU: PCIe x16 4.0 slot or two (x8)
From CPU: PCIe x4 4.0 to NVMe
(basically all boards support those)

From chipset: x6 4.0
(those can be used for whatever manufacturer wants)

 

[deathspeed]

I have not read this yet, but I love this series of in-depth guides. I had been shopping based only on chipset, features, and price, and had no idea that performance could vary so much.

 

[flee2020]

Appreciate the efforts, solid work and findings. But I’m a bit lost when it comes to PCIe config, do all these boards have PCIe 4.0? Or is it limited? Is the config the same on each board?

Basically most of these boards will have PCIe 4.0 x 16 for the video adaptor. Some of the premium priced boards will have PCIe 5.0 x16. The video adaptor slots are powered by the CPU.

The additional PCIe slots are mostly PCIe 3.0 x1. The higher priced boards may include a PCIE x16 slot that is wired for PCIE x4 speeds. These slots may either support PCIE 3.0 or 4.0. They are powered from the B660 chipset.

The B660 chipset connects to the CPU via a DMI4 x4 link.

 

[Aaron Fox]

Why isn't there a standards body like JEDEC to handle VRM specifications?

Imagine if RAM makers were to start selling RAM that doesn't work at its rated (JEDEC) speed in motherboards, throttled, and so on.

This kind of grift shouldn't be here.

 

[Neutronman]

Glad I remembered this article Steve. My thanks. Finally decided to update my old AM4 system and priced out a new AM5 system, which even for a 7600 pushed me over my self-imposed budget!.
However, re-reading this I picked up the MSI Bazooka B660 for $118 and paired that with the new Intel Core i513600K for $250 from Microcenter)....I have a couple of sticks of DDR4 PC 3600 that will be reused and I have a speedy upgrade for pennies.My biggest worry was performance based on high VRM temps and Steve had me covered.

Oh, if any of you live near Microcenter they do have some great bundles if the 13600K at $250 does not work for you. I also noticed a 12700K and Asus Tuf Gaming Wifi Z690 (which had good VRM temps) for a measly $367.