MSI MAG B650M Mortar WiFi review: A motherboard for SFF builds on a budget

Price When Reviewed

$239.99

Best Prices Today: MSI MAG B650M Mortar WiFi

$239.99

$239.99

AMD now has a plethora of CPU choices, starting from the unique Ryzen 7000 lineup to the brand new X3D variants. There’s additionally a few non “x” variants such because the Ryzen 9 7900, too. That means you’ll have loads to select from. This opens the chances for smaller, extra environment friendly builds. 

That’s the place the MSI MAG B650M Mortar WiFi is available in. As in “Goldilocks”—this one is simply the proper measurement. Micro-ATX sits in between the usual ATX measurement you’re used to, and smaller Mini-ITX motherboards. (It’s a bit shorter in size than ATX). It’s an excellent compromise of measurement, options, and efficiency. 

Coupled with the extra inexpensive B650 chipset, it additionally takes intention at a extra affordable value. We’ll go over the options, design, and efficiency. Are you lacking out by going to a smaller motherboard? Or does the area financial savings imply that you would be able to cram it into a fair smaller case? Let’s discover out!

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MSI MAG B650M Mortar WiFi: The Specs

• Micro-ATX kind issue (9.6×9.6 inches)
• Supports AMD AM5 Ryzen 7000 CPUs 
• 12+2+1 Duet Rail System with six-layer PCB
• DDR5 RAM, twin channel as much as 4 DIMMs (as much as 128GB)
• 2x onboard M.2 slots (PCIe Gen 4)
• 2x PCIe 16x slot (PCIe Gen 4, 16x/4x) 
• 1x PCIE X1 slot
• HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort out 
• 8 USB ports on again (together with 1x 20Gb/s)
• Realtek 2.5Gbe LAN with Bluetooth 5.2
• Wi-Fi 6E 
• RGB headers for Mystic Light
• 6 SATA 6Gb/s ports 
• 5 PWM fan headers 
• BIOS Flashback button 
• Pre-installed I/O defend 
• Realtek 7.1 ALC 4080 audio
• MSRP $239

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The MSI MAG B650M Mortar Wi-Fi will set you again a cool $239. While AMD’s AM5 total platform prices are initially greater, B650 chipsets assist make it extra inexpensive. 

This B650 chipset is barely trimmed down from B650E and X670E. It saves price, however you’ll additionally must do with much less: fewer USB choices, SATA ports, and PCIe lanes. You nonetheless get PCIe Gen 4, and two M.2 NVMe slots. Keep in thoughts that Micro-ATX motherboards sometimes could have much less I/O to start with, because of measurement. 

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The unboxing expertise is expectedly bare-bones. You get two Wi-Fi antennas for the 6E assist, some stickers, Ez M.2 clips, and SATA cables. 

CPU selection

AMD has tons of CPU choices for Ryzen 7000 in the marketplace now. Want the unique 7700X? Sure! How a couple of extra power-efficient, cooler-running 7900 for a smaller case? That will work too. Or when you’re feeling adventurous, the brand new X3D CPUs such because the 7950X3D can even provide the quickest efficiency round. We’d doubtless suggest one thing wise just like the 7700X, or the upcoming 7800X3D for this class of motherboard. The 7600 might be an excellent possibility, too.

DDR5 RAM and PCIe Gen 4

AM5 is DDR5 RAM solely, however costs now make it extra attainable than earlier than. Performance on common might be nice—and you’ll match as much as 128GB throughout 4 RAM sticks. That’s one benefit of this Micro-ATX kind issue over smaller Mini-ITX choices, which generally solely have two RAM slots. 

You gained’t get PCIe Gen 5, however loads of Gen 4 is on faucet. Both 16x slots are Gen 4, and also you additionally get a 1x slot. This is another excuse why Micro-ATX is flexible for small builds, as smaller motherboards gained’t have this many slots. This makes it nice for add-in playing cards and enlargement, without having full-size ATX. Just make certain your GPU will enable clearance for any further playing cards. 

Storage

NVMe slots are restricted to 2 onboard. While we’d wish to see three, it’s comprehensible for this manner issue to have some limits because of measurement. You do get six SATA ports for extra storage choices, nevertheless. Some motherboards include an add-in NVMe PCIe card of some type, however it’s wise that you wouldn’t have this included on this value class. You can nonetheless add one individually as an possibility, as you’ll have the slot in case your GPU isn’t huge. 

USB ports 

With eight rear USB ports, together with 1x USB C, I/O is nice for the dimensions. No USB 4 right here—however it does pack 20Gb/s USB for these needing quick transfers. Small motherboards sometimes could have restricted USB choices, so it’s nice to see an virtually ATX-level providing right here. 

DisplayPort and HDMI 2.1 additionally assist increase Ryzen 7000 CPUs, which have built-in iGPUs. This turns out to be useful for troubleshooting with no discrete GPU when wanted!  

Networking

You’ll get comparable connectivity choices to ATX motherboards. Wi-Fi 6E and a pair of.5GbE LAN are each commonplace, together with Bluetooth 5.2. Networking is full and sturdy. Users needing extra, like 10GbE, might want to step as much as rather more costly (and sometimes bigger) motherboard choices. 

Audio

Audio is ok right here, with a 7.1 ALC4080 codec. It additionally has sufficient inputs on the again for many customers. If you want a lot better sound choices, you’ll must do with exterior options or add-in playing cards. 

Other options of be aware

We’re glad to see an built-in I/O defend, it makes the expertise of constructing a lot smoother. You additionally get “Ez clips” for the M.2 drives, which simplify entry. A BIOS Flash button can also be clutch if you simply want that special-case BIOS improve. That’s a variety of options that have been historically relegated to costly fanatic motherboards of the previous, so it’s nice to see them make their approach right here. 

MSI MAG B650M Mortar WiFi: Design 

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The MSI MAG B650M Mortar WiFi instantly reveals its greatest design trick: its Micro-ATX kind issue. This opens it as much as becoming a lot smaller instances, increasing the chances for builds. It may even come in useful in a normal-sized case, like, say, the Lian Li O11 Dynamic. If you’re water cooling and don’t have a lot room on the underside because of thick radiators, Micro-ATX can hold the motherboard away from that area. 

Aesthetically, it shares loads with MSI’s Tomahawk lineup, and that’s nice information. It has an exceptionally clear design, with robust-looking VRM heatsinks, and armor plating in the proper locations. 

While this motherboard is available in at a less expensive value level, the design and construct high quality actually don’t point out that. Materials and end are nice, with most necessary areas coated by heatsinks, or “Armor.”

If you don’t assume you want the smaller kind issue, you’re typically higher off going with a bigger ATX variant such because the MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk we lately reviewed.

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The M.2 “Frozr” shields defend the 2 NVMe drive slots. It provides a component of completeness to the design—many cheaper motherboards depart this space uncovered.  

You gained’t discover any RGB results, nevertheless. You can nonetheless add RGB through the headers to your liking. Part of the value financial savings comes from not having fancy screens or intricate motherboard results. 

Excellent information: The I/O defend is built-in, and the M.2 NVMe drives have retention clips! PC builders can rejoice at these easy, however extremely very important quality-of-life inclusions. 

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Sweeping round to the again, you’ll discover the everyday naked design. Overall, it is a very engaging motherboard that makes large sense for small builds the place RGB is usually tougher to identify. Looks premium, for a less-than-premium value—nice design! 

MSI MAG B650M Mortar WiFi: Performance, software program, and BIOS 

The MSI MAG B650M Mortar WiFi has a 12+2+1 energy stage and a six-layer PCB. If you evaluate this to some overkill motherboard VRM phases on hyper-expensive motherboards, it doesn’t look spectacular on paper. Once once more, this isn’t an overkill motherboard, however the “Goldilocks” particular! 

The similar holds true for efficiency—it’ll competently deal with even the blistering Ryzen 9 7950X3D with out problem. While you gained’t break any data, it’s greater than succesful. Depending in your construct, you’ll nonetheless see nice efficiency even from the extra environment friendly “non-X” SKUs such because the Ryzen 9 7900. Lower watts and temperatures, which means extra constant efficiency in small areas. 

DDR5 can also be commonplace right here—as much as 128GB. The similar caveat holds true: overclocking the quickest kits most likely doesn’t make sense. That’s okay—it nonetheless can deal with virtually something you throw at it with Expo profiles and super-fast efficiency. 

Going additional, whilst you’re not getting PCIe Gen 5 efficiency, PCIe Gen 4 is greater than adequate for GPUs and most NVMe drives in the marketplace. There’s no must incur that further expense! You’re technically not taking full benefit of AM5’s PCIe Gen 5 potential, nevertheless. That makes the costlier CPUs much less of a very good match for this board, however you’ll have many different choices that match the invoice. 

Closing off motherboard efficiency, the USB ports are quick, with 20Gb/s speeds. That’s the norm with even pricier ATX motherboards, with only a few having the 40Gb/s speeds of USB4.

If you’d wish to tweak your system, we’ve got the MSI BIOS for that. Much like Asus, MSI has a fabulous BIOS that permits you to tune varied parts. Ranging from CPU overclocking, to configuration of your {hardware}—it’s all right here. 

Those that may quite depart the tinkering to science can even be glad: Automatic overclocking with AMD’s Precision Boost Overdrive (PBO) is offered, together with AMD’s Expo profile for DDR5 RAM. 

It’s additionally easy to replace the BIOS—one thing we’d suggest doing. While mature methods don’t at all times want BIOS updates, B650 remains to be new and updates early on typically repair many teething points.

If you’d wish to spend as little time within the BIOS as doable, MSI Center has a number of choices to maintain you entertained. Of course, Mystic Light permits for RGB header management and symbiosis with different peripherals. 

It additionally has some rudimentary {hardware} monitoring, though we’d suggest higher third-party choices for that. You can set PWM fan speeds, and even use “Live Update” to seize drivers. Overall, it really works nicely—a giant enchancment from buggier motherboard software program of the previous. 

Should you purchase the MSI MAG B650M Mortar WiFi?

The MSI MAG B650M Mortar WiFi delivers on its aim: Micro-ATX versatility, with out compromising on options. It does all this for $239.99, a very reasonable value in at this time’s costlier motherboard market. 

Impressively, it does this with out skimping on options that you just’d get on even bigger ATX motherboards. Networking is simply nearly as good, and audio and even PCIe slots are nicely represented. The board closes the hole even additional with eight USB ports, and good total efficiency. 

Given its capacity to pair with highly effective CPUs and smaller instances, the B650M Mortar provides a potent combo for small form-factor lovers. It actually makes one think about Micro-ATX over Mini-ITX if extra I/O is required. 

Of course, it isn’t the flashiest design, and lacks the RGB aptitude some customers could need. It additionally gained’t break any data with its specs—however it doesn’t must. It’s a really well-balanced effort that enables small form-factor builds to be extra financially wise.