Question Budget motherboard for $100 for an LGA 1700 i5 CPU ?

[NoobBuilder1]

Big update:

I found out that the ASRock Z790 PRO RS WiFi is available for around $135 on Amazon. It features 14+1+1 VRMs. By subtracting the cost of the motherboard and adding it to the cost of the RAM, I would end up paying the same price for possibly better value. Both of these choices still stand because it'll be a few months before I make my final purchase, and I don't know if things will change.

Here's the math:

PRO B760M-A WIFI DDR4: 155
32 GB DDR4 RAM: 50
Total: 205

ASRock Z790 PRO RS WiFi: 135
32 GB DDR5 RAM: 70
Total: 205

What are your thoughts?

 

[Aeacus]

PRO B760M-A WIFI DDR4: 155
32 GB DDR4 RAM: 50
Total: 205

ASRock Z790 PRO RS WiFi: 135
32 GB DDR5 RAM: 70
Total: 205

What are your thoughts?

With these two builds, there are 2 key differences, DDR4 vs DDR5 RAM and B760 vs Z790 chipset.

For RAM comparison, here are two articles;
from 2021: https://www.techpowerup.com/review/intel-core-i9-12900k-alder-lake-ddr4-vs-ddr5/
from 2023: https://www.tomshardware.com/features/ddr5-vs-ddr4-is-it-time-to-upgrade-your-ram

And here is chipset comparison: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/products/compare.html?productIds=229721,229719

Give them a good read to decide.

If you don't mind the white heatsinks on AsRock MoBo, then overall, AsRock Z790 with DDR5 is more modern and feature rich.

Btw, RAM wise, what is the RAM MT/s (frequency) and CL (CAS Latency) for both kits?

 

[NoobBuilder1]

The DDR4 RAM is Timetec Pinnacle Konduit 32GB KIT. 3200 MHz, CL16.
The DDR5 RAM is Kingbank 32GB (16x2). 6000 MHz, CL36.

 

[Aeacus]

The DDR4 RAM is Timetec Pinnacle Konduit 32GB KIT. 3200 MHz, CL16.
The DDR5 RAM is Kingbank 32GB (16x2). 6000 MHz, CL36.

Never heard either of the two brands. Some cheap, no-name RAM?

In any event, i asked MT/s and CL to calculate RAM latency to see, if DDR4 or DDR5 would be faster. It would be another point to consider (unless you change the RAM).
This is calculated with a formula of:

(cas latency/ram transfer speed) x 2000 = latency in nanoseconds

So, (lower is better)
DDR4: (16/3200)x2000= 10 nanoseconds
DDR5: (36/6000)x2000= 12 nanoseconds

Making DDR4 RAM you look at, having faster response time (lower latency).

For DDR5, good specs would be 6400 MT/s and CL32, since it gives 10 nanoseconds latency.
This would be actually tops in transfer speed wise, since if you go any higher than 6400 MT/s, you're looking towards CUDIMM, which is more expensive than regular UDIMM.

 

[thestryker]

For the memory choice 12th Gen should be reliable up to DDR5-6400 and DDR5-6000 CL30 is the 10ns option at that speed.

13th Gen+ should be reliable up to DDR5-7200, but your cheapest options are still going to be either 6000 or 6400.

 

[NoobBuilder1]

Never heard either of the two brands. Some cheap, no-name RAM?

So, (lower is better)
DDR4: (16/3200)x2000= 10 nanoseconds
DDR5: (36/6000)x2000= 12 nanoseconds

What would your recommendation be for 32GB of DDR5 RAM at a good price?

 

[logainofhades]

PCPartPicker Part List

Memory: Patriot Viper Venom 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory ($85.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $85.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2025-07-16 09:24 EDT-0400

 

[Aeacus]

What would your recommendation be for 32GB of DDR5 RAM at a good price?

Take your pick,
pcpp: https://pcpartpicker.com/products/m...2&F=6000000,10179480&sort=price&page=1&S=6400

6400 MT/s CL32 RAM is as cheap as 6000 MT/s CL30 RAM, so, no point going with slower transfer speed RAM.

Corsair, G.Skill and Kingston would be what i'd look for myself. But others, like Teamgroup, Silicon Power and Patriot are also good. Better than some unknown, no-name ones.