Description

A Compact Powerhouse for Gamers and Builders

The GIGABYTE B650M Gaming Plus WiFi AM5 LGA 1718 motherboard is a feature-packed solution for anyone building a gaming or performance-focused system. The moment I unboxed it, I could tell this wasn’t just another motherboard. With its compact M-ATX form factor and a slew of modern features, it promises a balance between performance, compatibility, and sleek design.

Design and Build Quality

This motherboard’s M-ATX form factor makes it perfect for compact builds, especially if you’re working with smaller cases. I appreciated the clean and minimalist aesthetic; the matte black PCB with subtle accents adds a modern touch without being too flashy. The heatsinks over the VRMs are designed to efficiently dissipate heat, and they definitely give off a premium vibe.

One thing I noticed while installing it was the well-thought-out layout. All components felt accessible, with no awkwardly placed connectors. The reinforced PCIe 4.0 slot is a nice touch, especially if you’re planning to use a heavier GPU.

Performance and Compatibility

After installing the board, I paired it with an AMD Ryzen 7000-series CPU and DDR5 memory. The performance was buttery smooth, and the motherboard handled overclocking with stability. With 5+2+2 phases of digital VRM power, it’s clear this board was designed to handle demanding workloads.

Speaking of RAM, I tested it with DDR5 memory modules, and it worked flawlessly with both AMD EXPO and Intel XMP profiles. This versatility is a big win, especially for those upgrading from older systems. The memory slots support up to 128GB of DDR5, which gives a lot of room for future-proofing.

Stable Connectivity for Modern Needs

One of the highlights of this motherboard is its connectivity. The inclusion of PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slots ensures lightning-fast storage solutions, and I noticed a significant boost in boot and load times after installing an NVMe drive. The USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C port is another welcome addition, making it easier to connect modern peripherals.

For networking, the Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5GbE LAN connectivity options are impressive. I tested the Wi-Fi 6E connection, and the speeds were phenomenal, even when streaming 4K content and gaming simultaneously. The low-latency performance really stood out.

Good Points

Compact and sleek design perfect for smaller builds.
Sturdy VRM power design ensures stability, even with overclocking.
Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5GbE LAN deliver fast, stable networking options.
DDR5 memory compatibility with AMD EXPO and Intel XMP support.
USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C ensures modern connectivity needs are met.

Areas for Improvement

Limited PCIe slots due to the compact M-ATX size can be restrictive for multi-GPU setups or additional expansion cards.
No PCIe 5.0 support, which might be a dealbreaker for some looking for maximum future-proofing.
The BIOS interface, while functional, could use a more intuitive design for beginners.

Competing Products

Comparing this motherboard to its rivals, like the ASUS TUF Gaming B650M-PLUS WiFi, it holds its own quite well. The ASUS board offers PCIe 5.0 support, which the GIGABYTE B650M Gaming Plus WiFi lacks, but it also comes at a higher price point. On the other hand, this GIGABYTE model excels in Wi-Fi 6E connectivity and its clean layout, making it a more user-friendly option for compact builds.

Another competitor, the MSI MAG B650M Mortar WiFi, offers a similar feature set but doesn’t quite match the VRM stability and heatsink efficiency of this GIGABYTE model. If cooling and power delivery are your top priorities, this motherboard edges ahead.

Price to Quality Ratio

In terms of price to quality ratio, this motherboard stands out as a cost-effective solution for gamers and system builders. While it may not have the absolute cutting-edge features like PCIe 5.0, it delivers exceptional performance, reliability, and connectivity for its price point. If you’re looking for a well-rounded motherboard for a mid-tier gaming or workstation build, this is a solid choice.

The combination of Wi-Fi 6E, DDR5 support, and efficient power design makes it feel like a premium product without breaking the bank. It’s not for those looking to future-proof their system with PCIe 5.0, but for most builders, it offers more than enough features to keep up with modern requirements.