Which motherboard
Which motherboard
You're comparing the Gigabyte B450 DS3H and the MSI B450M Pro-M.2 Max. The Gigabyte offers more expansion options with four PCIe 16 slots versus the MSI's two, but it has fewer dim slots. Consider your needs—if you need more PCIe lanes or future-proofing, the Gigabyte might be better. Otherwise, the MSI could suffice if you're okay with fewer ports.
You're unsure which CPU to choose. The Pro 4 is likely superior compared to the others. Also, the Tomahawk Max and Mortar Max are worth considering too.
I’m checking those boards, but I’m not sure if stretching my budget that much is possible.
Among the two options, the Gigabyte appears more suitable. Still, both paths lead to no progress. It really doesn’t matter whether you’re focused on upgrades or the latest features—what matters is your budget. Choose the more affordable one.
Try to get the Pro4 if you can. I own the DS3H, but I didn’t need it. It’s a minimal board with just the B450 chipset and four dimming ports. The main issue was the fan headers—only two available, which made me think about controlling case fan speeds. After learning about splitter drawbacks, I chose a hub for extra £20. I also faced problems with XMP support on RAM, possibly linked to certain modules. Short version: it’s super basic; buy only if you can’t afford anything else.
You need to keep your funds ready to invest in something better later. As mentioned before, both options aren’t valuable enough, so it’s wise to save for a superior choice or opt for the simpler alternative.