Selecting a motherboard and PCI-E 5.0 interface are key decisions for performance.
Selecting a motherboard and PCI-E 5.0 interface are key decisions for performance.
Hi, you're considering a PC upgrade to an 8th-gen Intel AMD build with a 2nd gen 5 M.2 SSD. You're evaluating the ASUS Strix X870-A versus the MSI X870-e Edge for a white build. The ASUS changes the PCIe slot configuration when using two 2nd gen 5 SSDs, while the MSI board may require you to remove the USB-C 40GB ports on the back. Based on your needs, which option would suit you better? You mentioned you're unsure if the 2nd gen 5 performance will significantly affect things yet, and you're curious about the practical use of USB-C 40GB ports. Let me know!
You could switch to MSI B850 Ti Edge and problem solved (2x PCI-E 5.0 M.2 available), because no USB4? To answer your question, if you don't know what use you have for the USB4 ports then the MSI's config is superior. The performance impact from 8 lane operation is small, but it is there, whereas an empty USB port has zero performance impact.
This would likely match the ASUS B850, which also features a whiteboard. You're right about the Gen 5 M.2 being present, while the others are Gen 4.