Only three options remain for the AM5 Mobos.
Only three options remain for the AM5 Mobos.
Hey everyone, considering a switch from my 011d to the new phanteks nv7 and possibly moving up to am5. I’m expecting either a 7700x or 7800x3d processor. From a purchasing standpoint, I’ve narrowed it down to three options. I’m looking for full Gen 5 support on both the first M.2 and GPU slots, since I plan to keep the board up through am6. I’ve always preferred ASUS boards and value aesthetics—full custom loop, AL120 fans, etc. Mobo doesn’t need RGB, but heatsinks and I/O shields are essential. The three models that caught my eye are:
- B650e-f strix (£300 GBP) – fits the bill but seems overpriced at £20; why not upgrade to a better one?
- B650e-e strix (£320 GBP) – includes Gen 5 support on the second M.2 and PCIe slot, plus improved power phases. Not necessary for me, but only £20 more. Why not?
- X670 tuf (£290) – has a softer look and is cheaper than the B650 strix by £10, though one M.2 slot lacks shielding, so I’d need to add a heatsink (£10–20). I like its appearance but it’s quite expensive.
I’m also considering the Aorus Master for its style, but it’s a huge investment (£££). Any suggestions? In the UK, Amazon is currently offering the best prices for mobos. I’ll be bringing my Seasonic 850W PSU and 6950XT Red Devil (waterblocked) into this new build. TIA!
The B650e-f is getting lots of praise. It looks like an excellent graphics card, and I’m really considering getting it for my rig. Since I’m aiming for a white build, I’m still deciding which one to choose.
I've noticed similar issues too; boot times seem slow and gigabytes cost more compared to other brands. I think future BIOS updates will help improve performance overall.
Here’s a revised version of your message:
I’ve calculated the expenses, and upgrading to an AM5 chipset with a motherboard and CPU would cost between £700 and £1000. Since I’m targeting a 7800x3d setup and don’t need such high performance for my current games (which run smoothly at 1440p), I decided against it. Instead, I went with a case upgrade and got a new Phanteks NV7 black model.