Motherboard Updates

The MSI B650I Edge Wi-Fi Motherboard

$279.99  At  Amazon

MSI

(Micro-Star International) continues to solidify its position as a leading brand in the gaming and technology industry. Presently, MSI is renowned for its high-performance gaming laptops, desktops, graphics cards, and motherboards, consistently pushing the boundaries of innovation and design. Their products are highly regarded for reliability, cutting-edge features, and excellent performance, catering to gamers, content creators, and professionals alike. MSI’s market value remains robust, driven by strong customer loyalty and a reputation for quality. However, customers often express concerns about the premium pricing of MSI products, though many justify the cost due to the advanced features and long-lasting durability they offer. The brand’s ongoing commitment to enhancing user experience and performance continues to keep it at the forefront of the competitive tech market.
(Image: © Tom’s Hardware)
The MSI B650I Edge Wi-Fi is a compact and powerful Mini-ITX motherboard designed for AMD Ryzen processors, making it an excellent choice for small form factor builds. It features the AMD B650 chipset, offering robust performance and support for PCIe 4.0, ensuring fast data transfer and future-proofing your system. The motherboard includes built-in Wi-Fi 6E, delivering high-speed wireless connectivity, and it comes equipped with advanced cooling solutions to maintain optimal performance in tight spaces. With support for DDR5 memory and multiple M.2 slots for high-speed storage, the MSI B650I Edge Wi-Fi is tailored for gamers and professionals seeking a high-performance, space-saving solution. Its sleek design and premium build quality further enhance its appeal in compact, high-performance PC builds.

Specifications

MSI B650I Edge Wi-Fi

Socket  

AM5 - LGA1718

Chipset 

B650

Form Factor

Mini-ITX

Voltage Regulator

12-Phase (8x MOSFETs for Vcore)

Video Ports

(1) HDMI (v2.1)

USB Ports

(1) USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, Type-C (20 Gbps)

(3) USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps)

(2) USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps)

Network Jacks  

(1) 2.5 GbE

Audio Jacks

(3) Analog

Legacy Ports/Jacks

Other Ports/Jack

PCIe x16

(1) v5.0 (x16)

PCIe x8

PCIe x4

PCIe x1

CrossFire/SLI

DIMM Slots

(2) DDR5 7200+(OC)*, 128GB Capacity

1DPC 1R Max speed up to 7200+ MHz

1DPC 2R Max speed up to 6400+ MHz

M.2 Sockets

(2) PCIe 4.0 x4 (64 Gbps) / PCIe (up to 80mm)

Supports RAID 0/1

SATA Ports

(4) SATA3 6 Gbps (Supports RAID 0/1/10)

USB Headers

(1) USB v3.2 Gen 2, Type-C (10 Gbps)

(1) USB v3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps)

 

(1) USB v2.0 (480 Mbps)

Fan/Pump Headers

(3) 4-Pin (CPU, Pump, System fans)

RGB Headers    

(1) 3-pin ARGB

Diagnostics Panel

EZ Debug LED

Internal Button/Switch

SATA Controllers

Ethernet Controller(s)

(1) Realtek Dragon RTL8125BG (2.5 GbE)

Wi-Fi / Bluetooth

AMD RZ616 Wi-Fi 6E (BT 5.2, 160 MHz, etc.)

USB Controllers

HD Audio Codec

Realtek ALC4080

DDL/DTS

✗ / ✗

Warranty

3 Years

Design and Build Quality ,

The MSI B650I Edge Wi-Fi impresses with its clean and modern design. The motherboard features a black and silver color scheme with subtle RGB lighting on the rear I/O cover, adding a touch of flair without being overly flashy. The build quality is excellent, with high-quality components and reinforced PCIe slots ensuring durability.
Despite its compact size, the B650I Edge Wi-Fi doesn’t compromise on cooling. It includes several heatsinks for the VRMs and chipset, along with a dedicated M.2 heatsink to ensure stable performance even under heavy loads. The board’s layout is well-thought-out, making it easier to manage cables and install components in small ITX cases.
(Image: © Tom’s Hardware)

Performance ,

The MSI B650I Edge Wi-Fi is built to handle the latest AMD Ryzen 7000 series processors with ease. Its robust power delivery system, featuring an 8+2+1 VRM design, ensures that even high-end CPUs can run at their full potential without throttling. Overclocking enthusiasts will appreciate the board’s ability to push memory speeds past 6400 MHz, making it an excellent choice for those looking to extract maximum performance from their system.
(Image: © Tom’s Hardware)
The single PCIe 4.0 x16 slot is perfect for modern GPUs, ensuring that gamers and content creators can take advantage of the latest graphics technology. The M.2 slot, also running on PCIe 4.0, provides fast storage speeds, significantly reducing load times for games and applications.

Connectivity ,

One of the standout features of the B650I Edge Wi-Fi is its impressive connectivity options. It comes with Intel Wi-Fi 6E, offering fast and reliable wireless connections, ideal for online gaming and streaming. The inclusion of a 2.5G LAN port further enhances its networking capabilities, providing ultra-fast wired internet for those who need low-latency connections.
(Image: © Tom’s Hardware)
The rear I/O is packed with USB options, including a USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C port, which supports data transfer speeds of up to 20Gbps. This is particularly useful for users who frequently transfer large files or use external storage devices. The board also supports front panel USB 3.2 Gen 1, ensuring that users have access to high-speed connectivity on both the front and back of their cases.
(Image: © Tom’s Hardware)

Audio ,

The MSI B650I Edge Wi-Fi uses the Realtek ALC4080 audio codec, delivering high-quality sound with support for 7.1-channel audio. This makes it a great choice for gamers who want immersive audio experiences or content creators who need accurate sound reproduction for video editing and music production. The board also includes optical S/PDIF out, providing additional flexibility for audio setups.
(Image: © Tom’s Hardware)

Value and Competition ,

While the MSI B650I Edge Wi-Fi is priced at a premium compared to some other B650 Mini-ITX motherboards, it justifies the cost with its robust feature set, high build quality, and excellent performance. For users looking to build a powerful, compact PC with the latest AMD technology, this motherboard offers great value.
(Image: © Tom’s Hardware)
It competes directly with other high-end Mini-ITX boards from brands like ASUS and Gigabyte. However, the B650I Edge Wi-Fi stands out with its superior networking features and overall design, making it a top contender in the ITX motherboard market.
(Image: © Tom’s Hardware)
The MSI B650I Edge Wi-Fi stands out as one of the best deals in the market for those seeking a high-performance Mini-ITX motherboard. Its combination of advanced features, including support for DDR5 memory, PCIe 4.0, and Wi-Fi 6E, ensures top-tier performance in a compact form factor, ideal for gaming and professional use. The motherboard’s robust build quality, efficient cooling solutions, and versatile connectivity options make it a compelling choice for small form factor PC enthusiasts. Considering its powerful specifications and competitive pricing, the MSI B650I Edge Wi-Fi offers excellent value for money, making it a top contender for anyone looking to build a compact yet powerful system.

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