Main points
- Two of the most popular B650 mini-ITX motherboards on the market are the Gigabyte B650i Aorus Ultra and the MSI MPG B650i Edge WiFi.
- The MSI motherboard is slightly more expensive, but it offers a few more features, such as a more powerful power delivery system and triple PCIe 4.
- If you’re looking for the best B650i motherboard for your AMD Ryzen 7000 series build, then the Gigabyte B650i Aorus Ultra and the MSI MPG B650i Edge WiFi are both excellent choices.
The latest generation of AMD processors, the Ryzen 7000 series, has brought with it a new chipset platform, the B650. This mid-range chipset offers a balance of features and affordability, making it a popular choice for budget-conscious builders. Two of the most popular B650 mini-ITX motherboards on the market are the Gigabyte B650i Aorus Ultra and the MSI MPG B650i Edge WiFi. In this blog post, we will compare these two motherboards in detail to help you decide which one is right for your next build.
Specifications
| Feature | Gigabyte B650i Aorus Ultra | MSI MPG B650i Edge WiFi |
| — | — | — |
| Socket | AM5 | AM5 |
| Chipset | B650 | B650 |
| Form Factor | Mini-ITX | Mini-ITX |
| Memory Slots | 2x DDR5 | 2x DDR5 |
| PCIe Slots | 1x PCIe 5.0 x16, 1x PCIe 4.0 x4 | 1x PCIe 5.0 x16, 1x PCIe 4.0 x4, 1x PCIe 3.0 x1 |
| Storage | 4x SATA III, 1x M.2 PCIe 5.0 x4, 1x M.2 PCIe 4.0 x4 | 4x SATA III, 1x M.2 PCIe 5.0 x4, 1x M.2 PCIe 4.0 x4 |
| Connectivity | 2.5GbE LAN, Intel Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2 | 2.5GbE LAN, Intel Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2 |
| Audio | Realtek ALC4080 | Realtek ALC897 |
| Power Delivery | 8+2+1 phase | 10+2+1 phase |
Features
Gigabyte B650i Aorus Ultra
- PCIe 5.0 support: The Gigabyte B650i Aorus Ultra is one of the first motherboards to support PCIe 5.0. This new standard offers double the bandwidth of PCIe 4.0, making it ideal for next-generation graphics cards and SSDs.
- USB 3.2 Gen2x2: The motherboard also features a USB 3.2 Gen2x2 port, which offers speeds of up to 20Gbps. This is perfect for connecting external storage devices or other high-speed peripherals.
- Intel Wi-Fi 6E: The Gigabyte B650i Aorus Ultra comes with built-in Intel Wi-Fi 6E, which offers faster speeds and lower latency than Wi-Fi 6.
- RGB lighting: The motherboard has RGB lighting zones that can be customized to your liking.
MSI MPG B650i Edge WiFi
- 10+2+1 phase power delivery: The MSI MPG B650i Edge WiFi has a beefier power delivery system than the Gigabyte B650i Aorus Ultra, with 10+2+1 phases. This provides more stable power to the CPU, which is important for overclocking.
- Triple PCIe 4.0 slots: The motherboard has three PCIe 4.0 slots, which gives you more flexibility for adding expansion cards.
- 2.5GbE LAN: The MSI MPG B650i Edge WiFi comes with a 2.5GbE LAN port, which offers faster speeds than the standard 1GbE LAN port.
- Mystic Light RGB: The motherboard has Mystic Light RGB lighting zones that can be customized to your liking.
Performance
In terms of performance, the Gigabyte B650i Aorus Ultra and the MSI MPG B650i Edge WiFi are very similar. Both motherboards offer excellent stability and overclocking potential. However, the MSI MPG B650i Edge WiFi has a slight edge in performance due to its more powerful power delivery system.
Price
The Gigabyte B650i Aorus Ultra is priced at $249.99, while the MSI MPG B650i Edge WiFi is priced at $279.99. The MSI motherboard is slightly more expensive, but it offers a few more features, such as a more powerful power delivery system and triple PCIe 4.0 slots.
Which Motherboard is Right for You?
The Gigabyte B650i Aorus Ultra and the MSI MPG B650i Edge WiFi are both excellent mini-ITX motherboards for AMD Ryzen 7000 series processors. The Gigabyte motherboard is more affordable, while the MSI motherboard offers a few more features. Ultimately, the best motherboard for you will depend on your individual needs and budget.
Recommendations: The Best B650i Motherboard for Your AMD Build
If you’re looking for the best B650i motherboard for your AMD Ryzen 7000 series build, then the Gigabyte B650i Aorus Ultra and the MSI MPG B650i Edge WiFi are both excellent choices. The Gigabyte motherboard is more affordable, while the MSI motherboard offers a few more features. Ultimately, the best motherboard for you will depend on your individual needs and budget.
What People Want to Know
Q: Which motherboard is better, the Gigabyte B650i Aorus Ultra or the MSI MPG B650i Edge WiFi?
A: Both motherboards are excellent choices, but the MSI MPG B650i Edge WiFi has a slight edge in performance due to its more powerful power delivery system.
Q: Which motherboard is more affordable?
A: The Gigabyte B650i Aorus Ultra is more affordable than the MSI MPG B650i Edge WiFi.
Q: Which motherboard has more features?
A: The MSI MPG B650i Edge WiFi has a few more features than the Gigabyte B650i Aorus Ultra, such as a more powerful power delivery system and triple PCIe 4.0 slots.