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ASUS ROG STRIX X870E-E GAMING WIFI vs MSI PRO B650M-A WIFI

Researched, not hands-on tested.How we review ›

all judged against motherboards at a similar price

The ASUS ROG STRIX X870E-E GAMING WIFI scores 7.5/10 overall, ahead of the MSI PRO B650M-A WIFI at 5.6/10.

The ASUS ROG STRIX X870E-E GAMING WIFI leads on platform and features, connectivity, power delivery and BIOS and support.

They score the same on value.

The biggest difference is platform and features, where the ASUS ROG STRIX X870E-E GAMING WIFI scores 8/10 to the MSI PRO B650M-A WIFI's 5/10.

ASUS ROG STRIX X870E-E GAMING WIFI

ASUS ROG STRIX X870E-E GAMING WIFI

7.5/10verdict: buy

This board is for builders putting a Ryzen 7000, 8000 or 9000 chip into an AM5 system. It suits people who want several PCIe 5.0 NVMe drives, USB4 and Wi-Fi 7 on one ATX board. It also fits those who value strong power delivery and a BIOS that owners describe as stable.

Typically about £415.99 in the UK when we researched itSearch Amazon UK (opens in a new tab, affiliate link)

Affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Details

MSI PRO B650M-A WIFI

MSI PRO B650M-A WIFI

5.6/10verdict: good, not the best

This is a micro-ATX AM5 board for people building a compact Ryzen 7000, 8000 or 9000 system on a mid-range chipset. It suits builders who want 2.5GbE, Wi-Fi 6E and a solid CPU power stage without paying for PCIe 5.0 storage. It fits best with two memory sticks and a modest storage plan.

Typically about £151.49 in the UK when we researched itSearch Amazon UK (opens in a new tab, affiliate link)

Affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Details

Scores, criterion by criterion

CriterionWeightASUS ROG STRIX X870E-E GAMING WIFIMSI PRO B650M-A WIFI
Platform and features25%8/105/10
Connectivity25%8/105/10
Power delivery20%8/107/10
BIOS and support15%7/105/10
Value15%6/106/10
Overall7.5/105.6/10

Specifications

SpecASUS ROG STRIX X870E-E GAMING WIFIMSI PRO B650M-A WIFI
CPU socket (e.g. AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700)AM5 (LGA 1718), supports Ryzen 7000, 8000 and 9000 desktop CPUsAM5 (Ryzen 9000/8000/7000 series supported)
ChipsetAMD X870EAMD B650
Form factor (ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX, E-ATX)ATXMicro-ATX (mATX), PCB 243.84 mm x 243.84 mm
Memory: type (DDR4 or DDR5), number of slots, maximum capacity and speedDDR5, 4 DIMM slots, maximum 192GB, up to 8000+ MT/s (OC), AMD EXPO supportDDR5, 4 DIMM slots, dual-channel, max 256 GB; 7200+ MHz OC at 1DPC 1R, 6000+ MHz at 1DPC 2R and 2DPC 1R, 4800 MHz JEDEC base; AMD EXPO supported; not ECC or unbuffered only
M.2 NVMe slots and their PCIe generationFive M.2 slots: three PCIe 5.0 NVMe and two PCIe 4.0, all with heatsinks2 M.2 slots, both PCIe 4.0 x4 from the CPU (M.2_1 and M.2_2); M.2_2 unavailable with Ryzen 8500/8300; Wi-Fi module uses a separate M.2 Key-E slot
PCIe slotsOne PCIe 5.0 x16 slot and one PCIe 4.0 x16 slot (sources conflict; ASUS UK page says two PCIe 5.0 x16 SafeSlots)PCI_E1 PCIe 4.0 x16 (from CPU), PCI_E3 PCIe 4.0 x4 (from chipset), PCI_E2 PCIe 3.0 x1; no PCIe 5.0 slot stated
Wired and wireless networking (e.g. 2.5GbE, Wi-Fi 7)Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) with ASUS Q-Antenna, Realtek 5Gb EthernetRealtek 8125BG 2.5GbE LAN; AMD Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) with Bluetooth 5.3; no Wi-Fi 7
Rear USB ports, including USB-C and USB4Two rear USB4 Type-C ports, plus two front USB 20Gbps Type-C connectors (one with Quick Charge 4+ up to 60W)Conflicting on MSI page: summary lists 4x 5Gbps and 4x 10Gbps Type-A on rear plus 1x 10Gbps Type-C front; back-panel list shows 2x 10Gbps and 1x 5Gbps Type-A rear. No rear USB-C or USB4. Verify with datasheet.

Strengths and weaknesses

ASUS ROG STRIX X870E-E GAMING WIFI

  • + Five M.2 slots, three of them PCIe 5.0
  • + Two rear USB4 Type-C ports and Wi-Fi 7
  • + 18+2+2 VRM with dual 8-pin power
  • − Ethernet is 5Gb, not 10Gb
  • − Top memory speeds of 8000+ MT/s need overclocking

Skip it if:

  • Buyers who need 10GbE built into the board.
  • Builders who only need a few drives and basic USB and don't need a premium feature set.
  • Anyone building in a small case that cannot take a full ATX board.
Read the full ASUS ROG STRIX X870E-E GAMING WIFI review ›

MSI PRO B650M-A WIFI

  • + 8-phase 55A DrMOS power stage with 8+4-pin CPU power
  • + Rear Flash BIOS button and four EZ Debug LEDs
  • + 2.5GbE and Wi-Fi 6E with Bluetooth 5.3 included
  • − No PCIe 5.0 slot stated; both M.2 slots are PCIe 4.0
  • − Owners report memory training and boot trouble with four DIMMs
  • − No rear USB-C or USB4, and no Wi-Fi 7

Skip it if:

  • Buyers who want a PCIe 5.0 NVMe slot or graphics slot
  • Anyone planning four DIMMs at high EXPO speeds
  • Builders who need rear USB-C, USB4 or Wi-Fi 7
Read the full MSI PRO B650M-A WIFI review ›

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