The important lanes are the CPU, so 16+4, the chipset only has an 8x PCI-E 3.0 link to the CPU so having more than 8 lanes is almost pointless unless you just like connecting stuff and it sitting going unused, especially if it is primarily a gaming machine that does little else, but coming from X99 maybe you genuinely need those lanes.
I've used quite a few B560 boards so far, and can confidently say unless you like paying for looks, then ~£100 will get you a board that is way more than good enough for the 11400 to perform at its best, my favourite so far is the excellent MSI B560M PRO-VDH WIFI, looks naff, has decent features, and good VRM. If you want better audio, USB-C port/TB 4.0 and other stuff then you might want to spend a bit more on the MSI MAG B560M MORTAR WIFI.
If it only a stop gap system as you say, I don't see why you'd spend a fortune on anything fancy tbh.
Ah so, if there is only an x8 link, I guess anything above 8 all shares bandwidth, so can't use it all at the same time.
Lanes are basically the same. 11400 is 20 + the x8 link then (even if it is technically 12 via the chipset), 5820k is 28 + a couple of x1 via chipset (at least on my board). I don't use all the lanes anyway. I have my 1070ti, an x4 nvme and an x1 capture card. I would basically just need the same. Possibly will upgrade to an x4 card at some point, so need a second x16 (wired at x4) just to keep that open. Only reason I'm on x99 is because the retailers/intel were taking the **** and the 5820k setup was cheaper than a 6700k setup, that's all.
MSI MAG B560M MORTAR WIFI does have an extra x16 slot, so that's a possiblity. The Asrock steel legend b560 seems nice for the money as well (£130), so little cheaper than the mortar, but no wifi (hardwired anyway). Sound on most/a lot of intel boards I suppose is technically a downgrade, ALC1150 on the x99 board vs alc897, which I assume is technically worse, but even a lot of z590 use that, so probably ok. Lots of choice at around that price point £100-130 to look at.
Looks don't really matter, I don't have a window, so can't see inside my case anyway. Seems like a worthwhile jump, even at £130 to 150 for a board, still change out of £400 for cpu, 16gb and board. Have a d15s, so will happily boost all day with powerlimits off. Just reluctant to spend without reviews, every motherboard I've had has had a proper review.
No rush, plenty to think about, still undecided between this and zen 3. Completely different ballpark money wise I know, original plan was zen 3, but stock issues and then this coming out to glowing reviews (for the price) and being adequate for what I need started to pull me this way.
, just wanted something a bit different to the usual sort of signatures most have .
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