Consider your needs carefully—h610 suits budget builds, while b660 offers more power and features for advanced users.
Consider your needs carefully—h610 suits budget builds, while b660 offers more power and features for advanced users.
I’ll begin with an i3-12100f and consider upgrading to a better CPU in five plus years. For the i5, you’ll need a B660 board; the H610 chipsets work too.
Generally, you'll find the additional capabilities of the B660 boards better than the H610, and the price gap isn't strong enough to outweigh their lower IO, memory slots, etc. unless you're very tight on budget. If you can afford it, choose the B660. Considering how quickly CPU technology improves, it might make more sense to upgrade in five years—especially with current used prices dropping, though predictions aren't certain.
For future upgrades, consider a high-quality B660 board. Pricing varies by location, but the MSI Pro B660M-A offers solid value in the US with a reliable VRM and useful specs for $140.