MSI MAG B760M Mortar WiFi review: Smaller, cheaper next-gen performance

Price When Reviewed

$199.99

Best Prices Today: MSI MAG B760M Mortar WiFi

Intel CPUs have been maturing properly within the PC constructing house, with each 12th-gen and 13th-gen choices effectively obtained. This makes Intel extra versatile for avid gamers trying to construct extra area of interest setups—corresponding to Micro-ATX. 

Coming in shorter than a typical ATX motherboard, mATX permits for smaller, compact case choices. Even higher, you’ll be able to usually discover efficiency and options with minimal compromise inside that dimension. CPU overclocking is a moot level right here due to the B760 chipset, however can motherboards on this chipset class nonetheless be “just right”?  

The MSI MAG B760M Mortar WiFi joins the fray as an under-$200 possibility for small form-factor builders. While not as tiny as Mini-ITX motherboards, Micro-ATX retains more room—and thus extra options for the worth. With a value-focused bundle, can it nonetheless be a viable possibility for a critical PC gaming rig? 

We’ll go over the options, the design, and the efficiency. Combining that with the worth you’re getting for its worth, goes mid-sized actually price it? The MAG collection of motherboards from MSI have been well-priced choices up to now, so we’ll see if the B760M Mortar continues this pattern. 

MSI MAG B760M Mortar WiFi specs

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• Micro-ATX type issue (243.84×243.84mm)
• Supports Intel 12th- and 13th-gen CPUs 
• 12+1+1 Duet Rail System with 75A
• 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 5 and Gen 4) 
• 1x PCIe X1 slot (Gen 3)
• HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort out 
• 8 USB ports on again (together with 1x 20Gb/s)
• Realtek 2.5Gbe LAN with Bluetooth 5.3
• Intel Wi-Fi 6E 
• RGB headers for Mystic Light
• 4 SATA 6Gb/s ports 
• 6 PWM fan headers 
• Preinstalled I/O defend 
• Realtek 7.1 ALC 897 Audio
• MSRP $199

The MSI MAG B760M Mortar Wi-Fi will are available at $199, which places it on cheaper footing when in comparison with MSI’s AMD B650M Mortar WiFi model, which we checked out lately. Thanks to Intel supporting each 12th and 13th generations, you can additionally use an older CPU corresponding to an Intel i5 12600 right here, too. 

The B760 chipset from Intel differs from the Z790 chipset in some essential methods. The most important factor to know is in CPU overclocking: You’ll want Z790 when you plan to tweak your CPU above inventory. This might be a difficulty for some, particularly when you’re planning to make use of an unlocked “K” Intel CPU for max efficiency. For most avid gamers, non-overclocked efficiency will nonetheless be greater than succesful. Another distinction of the B760 motherboards, is that you just’re usually getting less-capable VRMs, too. 

Other essential variations in B760 come right down to fewer PCIe lanes, USB ports, and SATA ports. Keeping in thoughts that Micro-ATX motherboards have already got fewer of those onboard attributable to dimension constraints, so the chipset’s limitations shouldn’t be a difficulty for many. 

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The unboxing expertise is fundamental however has the necessities. You’ll discover SATA cables, M.2 equipment, and a few neat stickers. The Wi-Fi antenna is right here too, as Wi-Fi is normal on this motherboard.  

CPU alternative

With assist for each 12th- and 13th-generation Intel CPUs, you’ll have an unlimited number of CPUs to select from. Given the truth that B760 doesn’t supply overclocking like Z790, we’d suggest staying away from the highest-end “K” SKUs such because the i9 13900Ok. You’re more likely to pair a i5 13600 or perhaps a last-generation non-Ok CPU to avoid wasting money right here. An i7 13700 may work nice right here for much more efficiency. 

DDR5 RAM and PCIe Gen 4/5

You have the choice of DDR4 with this motherboard, however this unit is DDR5. You’re getting among the finest speeds, and total efficiency can be inside a couple of proportion factors of costlier motherboards. Combining this with the non-Ok CPUs can lead to some good worth financial savings for a nonetheless competent construct. 

You are getting PCIe Gen 5 for the 16x slot, however the different slot can be Gen 4. (And the 1x slot, helpful for minor add-ons, can be Gen 3.) 

The M.2 slots may even be PCIe Gen 4, which is ok as Gen 5 is barely simply arriving and nonetheless not saturated. 

Micro-ATX has these a number of PCIe slots as an enormous benefit in comparison with Mini-ITX motherboards, for many who want the additional utility. (At the price of barely bigger dimension, in fact.) 

Storage

We’d anticipate a minimum of two NVMe slots on a motherboard of this dimension, and it delivers. While many bigger ATX motherboards can have 4 or extra, attributable to dimension and chipset limitations, two needs to be a superb quantity for many builds. 

Both NVMe slots can be “Lightning Gen 4 X4,” with one having an M.2 “Frozr” defend for higher thermal efficiency. We’d like to see each coated right here, nonetheless. 

You’ll additionally get 4 SATA ports for different laborious drives and SSDs, filling up your small type issue case with ease! 

USB ports

You are getting eight rear USB ports, with an fascinating combine. Four of them would be the historical USB 2.0—which whereas superb for some peripherals, actually falls in need of USB 3.0. You do get USB 3.0—and even a single 3.2 Gen 2×2 with 20Gb/s speeds—to stability it out. Not good, however actually a good choice for a smaller motherboard underneath $200.  

DisplayPort and HDMI 2.1 are also right here in case your CPU helps the iGPU perform. 

Networking

Connectivity is nice right here, just like most ATX motherboard choices. Wi-Fi 6E and a couple of.5GbE LAN are each normal, together with Bluetooth 5.3. That’s nearly as good as we are able to anticipate for this dimension and worth vary, no complaints.  

Audio

Audio is succesful, with a 7.1 ALC 897 codec. You’re getting a wide selection of inputs within the again, however needless to say “audiophiles” could have to fish out their separate exterior answer for one of the best sound. Gamers and most customers needs to be more than pleased, nonetheless.  

Other options of be aware

An built-in I/O defend continues to be a celebration favourite on newer motherboards, and we’re glad to see it right here. The screwless M.2 drives are additionally good, saving some complications with small screws. Debug LED can be right here, however you received’t discover BIOS flashback. 

MSI MAG B760M Mortar WiFi design 

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The MSI MAG B760M Mortar WiFi follows within the custom of comparable MSI motherboards, such because the “Tomahawk” collection, on the subject of design. You’re greeted with a largely monochromatic silver, with varied shading providing contrasting factors. 

While it lacks a lot RGB or gamer aesthetic, it is a clear design that may work nice in virtually any surroundings. The I/O cowl space follows this identical design metric, with some good visible accents in black outlining the virtually industrial-looking silver. The built-in I/O defend is one other nice design function that we’re pleased is turning into extra prevalent on all courses of motherboards. 

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While the VRM heatsink space doesn’t look fairly as imposing as on Z790 motherboards of a better ilk, it matches in completely right here. Continuing down the PCIe slot areas, you’ll discover the highest M.2 slot with a “Frozr” thermal cowl. Sadly, the decrease M.2 stays uncovered—it will be good for it to even be coated for visible continuity and thermals. This space is usually blocked by the GPU, so it’s a minor quibble. (Do be aware that the earlier MSI MAG B660M Mortar WiFi motherboard—with an analogous design to this—does have that second NVMe slot cowl.)

For the $199 worth, the match and end really feel high-quality and sturdy. Since you’re not paying for overkill RGB results or fancy OLED screens, this easy design strategy helps to maintain the associated fee down. 

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The again of the motherboard is what you’d anticipate—no want for a elaborate backplate right here. Overall, given the small form-factor dimension and cheaper price, the design throughout your entire motherboard may be very becoming for what you’re getting. 

MSI MAG B760M Mortar WiFi: Performance, software program, and BIOS 

The MSI MAG B760M Mortar WiFi just isn’t geared in direction of most efficiency. The B760 chipset forgoes CPU overclocking for value financial savings, however this doesn’t imply that you just’re not nonetheless getting succesful efficiency. 

With its 12+1+1 Duet Rail System VRMs, this board is greater than succesful for many CPUs. While we’d keep away from a lot of the “K” SKUs, you’ll discover a good pairing with one thing like an i7 13700 or comparable. There’s a hidden profit to this, too. While some could also be unhappy over the lack of CPU overclocking, utilizing these extra environment friendly CPUs could also be an awesome boon when constructing a small form-factor PC. Lower energy will imply decrease warmth output, making smaller air or liquid coolers simpler to implement and preserve underneath management. 

When you keep in mind that CPUs such because the i9 13900Ok usually require a 360mm liquid cooler to maintain it underneath management, it’s straightforward to see how that may be troublesome to correctly implement in a small PC case. (From our expertise, Micro-ATX supporting circumstances often high out at 240mm or 280mm for radiator assist, with some exceptions.) 

Going additional, DDR5 RAM is normal right here—with an possibility for DDR4 if you buy that model of the motherboard as an alternative. We’d probably suggest sticking with DDR5, as the prices are down now for many kits, and also you’ll be taking extra benefit of what the B760 platform has to supply with newer CPUs. 

PCIe Gen 5 is right here for the 16x GPU slot, which presently just isn’t saturated by trendy GPUs. It’s nonetheless good to have for future prospects, nonetheless. You’re not getting Gen 5 for the NVMe slots, however you’re getting Gen 4 and that’s likewise greater than succesful at this level. 

Let’s discuss concerning the BIOS—which can be a less-frequent vacation spot for many customers of this motherboard. As with the B760 chipset, you’re going to be restricted on the subject of CPU tweaking in comparison with Z790. That’s superb for many customers, and the BIOS will nonetheless provide you with entry to most different objects you could be used to. You can set the XMP profile for the DDR5, and varied different configurations of drives and boot priorities. The BIOS is usually straightforward to navigate and use, however after setting preliminary profiles, it’s unlikely you’ll spend a lot time in right here. 

If you like to maintain some tweaking to Windows itself, MSI provides its MSI Center software program. Motherboard producers have been on a pattern these days of integrating as many parts as potential into one piece of software program. 

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You’ll get entry to MSI’s Mystic Light RGB management for connected gadgets, together with some objects corresponding to {hardware} monitoring and driver updates. While we nonetheless suggest that sure taks be performed within the BIOS, for these things, it’s a lot simpler to do them in Windows. 

Overall, the MSI MAG B760M Mortar WiFi performs as anticipated for its dimension and worth class, with some good software program and BIOS assist. Aside from CPU overclocking, you’re not lacking a lot right here. 

Should you purchase the MSI MAG B760M Mortar WiFi?

The MSI MAG B760M Mortar WiFi begins out with a couple of challenges: First, it’s a Micro-ATX motherboard, which means that proper off the bat it can have some built-in limitations attributable to its dimension versus bigger ATX choices. Secondly, it comes wrapped within the B760 chipset, additional limiting its CPU overclocking and a few options like PCIe lanes. 

For $199, how does it add up? It does so very effectively, navigating these limitations in a compelling bundle for these wishing to stay underneath $200 with a small design. You’re nonetheless gaining access to the most recent Intel CPUs, with quick DDR5 RAM assist. You do get a single 16x PCIe slot, flanked by two onboard Gen 4 NVMe slots. Robust networking and good audio assist spherical out the options—making it as succesful as most ATX motherboards. 

Sure, some customers can be disillusioned within the lack of CPU overclocking assist—however we’d argue that that’s not this motherboard’s goal. Most customers can be far happier with the $199 worth level for Micro-ATX, which usually has much less choice within the market attributable to its “niche” dimension. You may even discover a DDR4 model if that fits your wants higher. Keep in thoughts that higher-end small form-factor motherboards additionally dramatically enhance in worth for extra options, simply doubling what now we have right here value clever. 

For this worth, you’re not dropping a lot in the way in which of compromises, and that’s nice information. With newer motherboards usually exhibiting increased pricing, it’s good to see one thing with good baseline options that received’t break the financial institution or skimp on the necessities.