Question AM5 questions

[vic243]

From the reading I have done, I understand the b650 is the way to go due to price vs performance compared to an X870. One concern that I have is the PCI4 vs 5 debacle. Some say that PCI 4 is far from being obsolete and some say is better to go PCI 5 to future proof your build. What is your opinion?

I need to have plenty of USB ports. I need a solid amount to connect all the things I use. Most of them are USB 2 with a couple of USB 3, most are USBC (3-4) and a couple of thunderbolt, which makes the X870 a better choice

I am going the pair this mobo with a 7800X3D. The GPU is still to be decided as I am waiting for the new lineup to hit, but if they are way above what I am willing to spend I will settle for this 4070 Super.

MSI RTX 4070 Super

Lastly, this rig will be used for heavy gaming and content creation.

I saw the latest tom's hardware review of motherboards and the ASRock X870E Taichi is the top recommendation at $699 with the Gigabite B650E Aorus Master taking the top of the B650 at $210 *HUGE DIFFERENCE*. Is it worth it based on the above?

Tom's Best Pick Motherboards

 

[Lutfij]

One concern that I have is the PCI4 vs 5 debacle. Some say that PCI 4 is far from being obsolete and some say is better to go PCI 5 to future proof your build. What is your opinion?
If you're migrating from a platform that's a couple of generations prior, then you invest in what's the best that your wallet will allow you. To that end, you shouldn't be pursuing the latest and greatest since early adopters are always left wanting more or wish they spent less since they can't take advantage of the advertised speeds.

I need to have plenty of USB ports. I need a solid amount to connect all the things I use. Most of them are USB 2 with a couple of USB 3, most are USBC (3-4) and a couple of thunderbolt, which makes the X870 a better choice
And how many USB ports would that be?

Lastly, this rig will be used for heavy gaming and content creation.
You might want to mention the titles you want to tax the system in terms of gaming and the apps you wish to tax the system with when it comes to content creation.

Is it worth it based on the above?
Besides USB ports, what are you looking for from your motherboard purchase? You should also factor in that the rest of your parts will also take a chunk out of your wallet.

 

[vic243]

One concern that I have is the PCI4 vs 5 debacle. Some say that PCI 4 is far from being obsolete and some say is better to go PCI 5 to future proof your build. What is your opinion?
If you're migrating from a platform that's a couple of generations prior, then you invest in what's the best that your wallet will allow you. To that end, you shouldn't be pursuing the latest and greatest since early adopters are always left wanting more or wish they spent less since they can't take advantage of the advertised speeds.

I need to have plenty of USB ports. I need a solid amount to connect all the things I use. Most of them are USB 2 with a couple of USB 3, most are USBC (3-4) and a couple of thunderbolt, which makes the X870 a better choice
And how many USB ports would that be?

Lastly, this rig will be used for heavy gaming and content creation.
You might want to mention the titles you want to tax the system in terms of gaming and the apps you wish to tax the system with when it comes to content creation.

Is it worth it based on the above?
Besides USB ports, what are you looking for from your motherboard purchase? You should also factor in that the rest of your parts will also take a chunk out of your wallet.

Performance and reliability are the main things I look for. Not sure what info you are looking for, but I can tell you that I will be using the PC for heavy gaming and content creation so i need to make sure I don't have a mobo that chokes when I put the PC to task. I need 2 M.2 ports with solid heatsinks. One GPU so as long 1 PCI X16 is enough. I don't plan to use many SATA ports. I am looking at a NZXT H5 Elite case that has very good air circulation and would need to be able to connect 6 different case fans. I am not planning to OC this PC.