It was once the case that Intel’s B-series motherboards had been very primary certainly. Going again a number of generations, they could not even overclock reminiscence. However, they’ve come a great distance, and nowadays they’re typically completely viable choices, even with a high-end Okay-series processor. Effectively, a lot of them anyway… low-cost remains to be low-cost.
The MSI B760I Edge WiFi is positioned as an inexpensive board with an honest mainstream characteristic set. It is a Mini-ITX motherboard, so it ought to be a superb possibility for these seeking to put some more cash in direction of a greater graphics card or CPU for a compact, but extremely succesful small type issue system.
At $205 / £199 / AU$349 the B760I Edge WiFi isn’t an excessively dear possibility, although the competitors is hard on this worth vary, with Mini-ITX choices from ASRock, Gigabyte, and Asus all priced equally. Being a Mini-ITX board, you will should deal with a sacrifice or two in comparison with ATX choices, however that is par for the course.
I would say the B760I Edge is a lovely board. It is comparable in look to its AMD-toting MPG B650I Edge sibling, although fortunately it lacks that board’s chipset fan. Its silver-on-black theme would look good with the fitting matching parts—for those who can see it in any respect in a tiny case, that’s. It lacks onboard RGB too, although it does have RGB and ARGB headers. I can think about it trying nice in a white case.
MSI MPG B760I Edge WiFi specs
Socket: Intel LGA 1700
CPU compatibility: Intel twelfth, thirteenth and 14th Gen processors
Type issue: Mini-ITX
Reminiscence help: DDR5-7200+(OC), as much as 128GB
Storage: 2x M.2, 4x SATA
USB: As much as 3x USB 10Gbps, 6x USB 5Gbps, 4x USB 2.0
Show: 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x DP 1.4
Networking: Realtek RTL8125BG 2.5G LAN, Intel WiFi 6E
Audio: Realtek ALC897
Worth: $205 / £199 / AU$349
At this worth, MSI fairly expectedly did not go all out on the subject of a mega VRM and ultra-fast reminiscence help. It will fortunately run DDR5-7200 reminiscence, with as much as 128GB supported. That is sufficient for any gaming system.
It has an 8+2+1-phase VRM with 90a levels. That is not excessive, however it’s ample sufficient to deal with an i9 processor at full tilt. The heatsinks do a wonderfully ample job of conserving issues cool, so long as you’ve respectable airflow in your case. It is price remembering some ITX circumstances aren’t stellar in that regard due to their compact nature.
The first PCIe slot helps Gen 5, whereas storage smart, you get a pair of M.2 slots, each of which help Gen 4 SSDs. The one on the entrance is related to the CPU, whereas the one on the rear of the board is related to the chipset. They’re joined by 4 SATA ports. That is about pretty much as good because it will get for a B760 Mini-ITX board.
The rear I/O has some highlights, but it surely additionally has one notable omission. It is disappointing to not see a BIOS flashback characteristic. So, whereas twelfth and thirteenth Gen processors are supported out of the field, it is doubtless you will must flash it with an older CPU to get help for a 14th Gen mannequin—relying on how lengthy your specific pattern has been ready so that you can take it residence.
The USB complement consists of eight ports made up of USB Sort A and C 10Gbps ports, 4 5Gbps ports, and two USB 2.0 ports. A 20Gbps port could be good, however eight USB ports is a stable quantity for any Mini-ITX board. The USB ports are joined by DisplayPort and HDMI 2.1 ports, with three 3.5mm analogue jacks related to an getting older ALC897 codec. A Realtek RTL8125BG supplies 2.5Gbps Ethernet and there are two Wi-Fi antenna connections for the onboard WiFi 6E.
System Efficiency
Gaming Efficiency
Check rig
CPU: Intel Core i9 14900K
Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 Founders Version
RAM: 2x 16GB G.Ability Trident Z5 DDR5-6000 C36
Storage: 2TB Kingston KC3000
Cooling: Cooler Grasp PL360 Flux 360mm AIO
PSU: Corsair HX1000i
We caught with a trusty Intel Core i9 13900K for this assessment. Other than the much more demanding i9 14900K, the truth that the B760I Edge WiFi can deal with this chip with out its VRM getting actually sizzling is an effective indicator the board will deal with any life like workload you care to throw at it. Ideally although, you’d desire a good excessive airflow case for those who go down that path.
The little MSI did not throw up any surprises within the benchmark exams. Nor ought to it or any LGA 1700 motherboard in 2024 because the underlying microcode and bugs have lengthy since been ironed out.
Purchase if…
✅You desire a white themed construct: The Edge is a cultured trying providing that may mix in properly in a white case with the fitting matching parts.
Do not buy if…
❌ You need 20Gbps USB help: 20Gbps isn’t ubiquitous on this worth vary, however its does exist. No less than the MSI has eight rear USB ports, whereas some rivals provide solely six.
❌ You are shopping for a 14th Gen CPU on the identical time: The Edge will help 14th Gen processors, however solely after doubtless needing a BIOS flash. You may want an older gen CPU to do this because of the lack of a BIOS flashback operate.
The MSI MPG B760I Edge proved itself to be a succesful little board. I’ve at all times appreciated the format of MSI’s UEFI design and it is bought an inexpensive VRM for a B-series Mini-ITX board. Its heatsinks are higher than affordable, its networking and storage complement is about pretty much as good as something on this worth vary, and you will have to go ATX if you’d like extra storage functionality.
Maybe the most important problem the Edge faces, although, is its robust competitors. The newly launched ASRock B760I Lightning helps 14th Gen chips out of the field, and its VRM and reminiscence help are superior, too. The kicker is it is a minimum of $20 cheaper.
However the MSI B760I Edge is way from being a foul board. It’ll fortunately stay on the coronary heart of a compact gaming system. It is mature, and it seems good. It simply lacks one thing that might elevate it forward of the competitors. If MSI had been to drop the worth a bit, or it comes up on sale, by all means seize one. However, now that LGA 1700 is on the twilight of its profession, there are extra compelling Mini-ITX choices to select from.