Can someone help me with a motherboard choice, please?

[testudoAubreii]

Hello. I have a build that I am ready to pull the trigger on. However, I am just a bit stumped at the motherboard. I am looking at these two:

•Asus ATX DDR4 Motherboards H170-PRO/CSM
•MSI Pro Series Intel B250 LGA 1151 DDR4 HDMI USB 3.1 ATX Motherboard (B250 PC MATE)

I have heard/read about MSI having some quality control issues, but that was a while ago and I don't really keep up with new info concerning mobos. And, ASUS is always a good brand.

This is being used for a budget gaming build that I will not be overclocking on, at all. I will be using an i5 6500. Can anyone help me out with some advice or suggestions, please?

Thank you in advance for all of your responses!

 

[raisonjohn]

There would not be much of a noticeable difference between these two motherboards in terms of performance. What is evident is the different number of features and connectors that each of these boards have. It ultimately boils down to what you only need:

Both motherboards have almost the same features, ports, and connectors except that,
Asus has 2x PCIex1 slots and 2x PCI slots. Msi has 3x PCIe1 slots and 1x PCI slot.
Asus has only 1x M.2 socket. Msi has 2x M.2 sockets.
Asus uses Realtek RTL8111H LAN controller. Msi uses Intel I219-V LAN controller.
Asus has 2 separate PS/2 ports for KB and Mouse. Msi has 1 combination PS/2 port for either KB or Mouse.
Asus has no true USB3.1 rear ports (1x Type-C @ 5Gb/s only). Msi has 2x USB3.1 (1x Type A + 1x Type C).
Asus has 2x USB3.0 rear ports. Msi has 4x USB3.0 (i.e., USB3.1 Gen1) rear ports.
Asus has 2x USB2.0 rear ports. Msi has no USB2.0 rear ports.
Asus has 2x USB3.0 and 2x USB2.0 internal headers. Msi has 1x USB3.0 and 2x USB2.0 internal headers.
Asus has 3 total fan headers (1 CPU + 2 SysFan). Msi has 6 total fan headers (1 CPU + 4 SysFan + 1 Pump).
Asus has a COM header. Msi has Serial Port and Parallel Port headers.
Asus board is black+gold. Msi board is black+gray.

So check with the above differences for what you truly need. If the above differences don't mean much to you, then, basically, you can choose whichever is the cheaper or readily-available.

 

[Garilia]

I currently have three computers in use at my house. One has an ASRock Z87, one has an ASRock Z97, and one has an MSI Z170. I've never had an issue with any of these boards.

I have found ASRock, MSI, Gigabyte, and ASUS to all make quality boards.

 

[Garilia]

The two you posted both use the same Realtek ALC887 audio chipset. The ASUS runs it over 8 channels, MSI says 7.1. I doubt your ears will detect a difference.

Depending on your budget, this one probably has the best audio:
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813132575&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-PCPartPicker,%20LLC-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

 

[user11464]

you can save money by going with a b150m vs the b250m since you are using a skylake cpu

I have no idea on other brands when it comes to repair... but MSi usually charges a flat fee of $45 to repair a motherboard, which I tend to find good value, unless other brands do the same