MSI PRO B660M-E DDR4 Motherboard

The MSI PRO B660M-E DDR4 is a micro-ATX motherboard designed to support Intel’s 12th and 13th generation processors, offering a solid platform for productivity, office work, and entry-level gaming builds. It features the B660 chipset, which provides essential connectivity and performance features while remaining budget-friendly. With support for DDR4 memory, this motherboard delivers great performance without requiring an upgrade to DDR5. Below are the key features and specifications:

Key Features:

1. Chipset and CPU Support:
– Powered by the Intel B660 chipset, compatible with 12th and 13th Gen Intel Core, Pentium Gold, and Celeron processors.
– Uses the LGA 1700 socket, allowing support for Alder Lake and Raptor Lake CPUs.

2. Memory:
– Supports up to 64 GB of DDR4 RAM across 2 DIMM slots.
– DDR4 memory speeds of up to 4600 MHz (OC) for good multitasking performance.
– Dual-channel memory architecture enhances overall system performance.

3. Power and Cooling:
– Equipped with a reliable 6+1+1 power phase design that ensures stable power delivery to the CPU and other components.
– Features heatsinks on key areas to help maintain system stability during extended use.

4. Storage:
– 1 x M.2 slot supporting PCIe 4.0 x4, allowing for high-speed NVMe SSDs to enhance system boot times and data access.
– 4 x SATA 6Gbps ports for connecting additional SSDs or HDDs.

5. PCIe Expansion:
– 1 x PCIe 4.0 x16 slot for a dedicated graphics card, ensuring compatibility with modern GPUs.
– 2 x PCIe 3.0 x1 slots for additional expansion cards like sound cards or network cards.

6. Networking:
– Equipped with a Realtek Gigabit LAN controller, providing stable and fast wired networking suitable for home and office use.

7. Audio:
– Features Realtek ALC897 high-definition audio codec for good sound quality for daily use, such as media consumption or conferencing.

8. USB Connectivity:
– Rear I/O includes:
– 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C port for fast data transfers.
– 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports.
– 4 x USB 2.0 ports for connecting peripherals.
– Internal headers support additional USB connectivity options.

9. Display Outputs:
– Integrated graphics support via 1 x HDMI and 1 x VGA port, allowing use of the CPU’s integrated GPU for display output without a dedicated graphics card.

10. BIOS and Software:
– Click BIOS 5 provides a user-friendly interface for setting up and tuning the system.
– Supports MSI’s exclusive software tools to optimize performance, monitor hardware, and keep drivers up to date.

11. Form Factor and Design:
– The micro-ATX form factor makes it an ideal choice for compact PC builds without sacrificing essential features.
– The design is simple and practical, with a focus on utility over aesthetics, suitable for both workstations and budget-friendly gaming PCs.

Performance and Use Cases:

– The MSI PRO B660M-E DDR4 is targeted toward productivity and office environments as well as entry-level gaming. It delivers reliable performance for day-to-day tasks, such as word processing, browsing, media consumption, and light gaming.
– The M.2 PCIe 4.0 slot ensures fast storage options for snappy system performance, while the Gigabit LAN provides stable connectivity for online activities.
– It is also suitable for budget builds, providing the latest LGA 1700 socket support and PCIe 4.0 for a reasonable price, making it great for users wanting good performance without breaking the bank.

Ideal For:
– Office users looking to build a reliable workstation for productivity tasks.
– Entry-level gamers who want to build a budget system with support for the latest Intel processors and a discrete GPU.
– Home users needing a reliable motherboard for general computing tasks.

Overall, the MSI PRO B660M-E DDR4 is a solid choice for users seeking a dependable and feature-rich micro-ATX motherboard for productivity or budget gaming. It strikes a good balance between essential features and affordability, providing a practical solution for modern PC builds without unnecessary frills.