Is The New Cheapest B650 Board Any Good? Asrock B650M-HDV/M.2 Review In the technology landscape of 2024, the Asrock B650M-HDV/M.2 has generated buzz as an affordable entry into the AM5 motherboard scene. Retailing at around $125, this board brings with it a slew of features aimed at budget-conscious gamers without compromising on performance. This review highlights its capabilities, especially in comparison to its higher-priced counterparts.
Key Features and Design
The Asrock B650M-HDV boasts a fairly minimalistic approach, typical of budget-friendly offerings. Key specifications include:
- Dual DIMM Slots: It offers a streamlined memory layout, which is a trade-off for affordability.
- M.2 Support: The motherboard comes equipped with a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot alongside a PCIe 4.0 option, allowing for faster SSD performance.
- Connectivity: There’s a decent mix of USB ports, including two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A and a single Type-C port, alongside 2.5 Gigabit LAN.
The board features an 8+2+1 VRM power design, leveraging Vishay SIC-654 power stages that have performed well in higher-end models.
Performance Insights
Testing demonstrated that the B650M-HDV can adequately support AMD’s Ryzen 9 7950X, running at a notable thermal limit of 85 degrees Celsius. Interestingly, it only showed a slight performance decrease in Cinebench tests compared to its more expensive counterparts, peaking at acceptable temperatures during heavy workloads. Importantly, load times for Windows 11 were impressive, clocking in at just 16 seconds—a testament to its efficient design and effective memory support. This rapid boot time sets the B650M-HDV apart in its category.
Gaming Experience
For gamers, the B650M-HDV performs admirably, maintaining FPS rates comparable to more expensive models from ASRock and MSI. In benchmarks, it achieved a solid average of 155 FPS in games like Watch Dogs Legion, especially when paired with high-performance DDR5 memory. This makes it a prime candidate for gamers looking to pair it with Ryzen 5 or Ryzen 7 processors while keeping upgrade paths open for future CPU enhancements.
Value Proposition
While the MSRP is positioned at $125, early prices suggest a retail of around $140. However, this still places it competitively against other brands like Gigabyte's B650M DS3H, known for its broader memory support. From a features standpoint, the B650M-HDV shines with its PCIe configurations and thermal management.
Conclusion: A Solid Option for Budget Builders?
In an era where premium motherboard performance typically comes at a steep price, the Asrock B650M-HDV stands as a noteworthy option for gamers and general users alike. Its affordability, combined with decent performance metrics, makes it an ideal entry point. Whether you’re upgrading your existing system or building a new one from scratch, this motherboard is a recommended consideration.
What are your thoughts on the Asrock B650M-HDV? Have you built a system using a budget motherboard recently? Share your experiences or any questions below!
