Question MSI Pro B660M-A wifi vs MSI Mag B660M Mortar

[GmMMM]

Hi, I have a i5 12400 and now I have the choice of these two motherboards, unfortunately the wifi version of the mortar is out of stock. I do not plan to update for, at a guess 5 years. Both are DDR4 for cost reasons. i know the mortar is better thermal wise but with the 12400 will it really make a difference? If the B660M-A wont have power limitation with that chip and in a few generations I will need a new board anyway is it even worth the extra 30 euro? Mortar = USB-C I cant see ever using, a few extra high speed ports, builtin IO shield v wifi, 4 monitors if I want without buying a card (2 hdmi, 2 DP). But really it boils down to thermal throttling as I do run intensive stuff, crunching numbers that takes hours or days on my current 8 year old pc. I either flip a coin or choose what someone more knowledgeable than me says. Someone help this indecisive sap out, it took me 4 weeks to decide between AMD v Intel.

 

[Aeacus]

But really it boils down to thermal throttling

MoBo isn't not the one that can cause thermal throttle. Inadequate cooling within your PC is what causes that.

So, get the MoBo which is cheaper and invest into PC cooling more, if you're worried about thermal throttle.

 

[GmMMM]

MoBo isn't not the one that can cause thermal throttle. Inadequate cooling within your PC is what causes that.

So, get the MoBo which is cheaper and invest into PC cooling more, if you're worried about thermal throttle.

I thought the VRM heatsinks, well lack off or bad ones also cause throttling?

 

[Aeacus]

I thought the VRM heatsinks, well lack off or bad ones also cause throttling?

What is there to throttle on MoBo? MoBo doesn't have compute unit in it (e.g CPU or GPU), that can thermal throttle.

VRM - Voltage Regulation Module, is to do with power delivery and while most MoBos do have heatsinks on them, some don't and are fine without VRM heatsinks.

VRM comes into play when you OC your CPU, since all power that CPU needs, passes through the MoBo and VRM. So, when you have CPU OC that pulls ~200W through the MoBo, the VRM heatsinks help to keep the power delivery in a stable state and in turn, keep your CPU OC stable as well.

Your i5-12400 has locked multiplier and can't be OCd at all. So, you shouldn't concern yourself with VRM cooling.

 

[GmMMM]

What is there to throttle on MoBo? MoBo doesn't have compute unit in it (e.g CPU or GPU), that can thermal throttle.

VRM - Voltage Regulation Module, is to do with power delivery and while most MoBos do have heatsinks on them, some don't and are fine without VRM heatsinks.

VRM comes into play when you OC your CPU, since all power that CPU needs, passes through the MoBo and VRM. So, when you have CPU OC that pulls ~200W through the MoBo, the VRM heatsinks help to keep the power delivery in a stable state and in turn, keep your CPU OC stable as well.

Your i5-12400 has locked multiplier and can't be OCd at all. So, you shouldn't concern yourself with VRM cooling.

Thanks, Msi pro B660M-A it is.