MSI Z690 Tomahawk DDR4 Vs MSI B660 Tomahawk DDR4

Alt · 8 May 2022 at 23:46

Hey! (My first post here)
Given the price difference between the MSI Z690 Tomahawk DDR4 and MSI B660 Tomahawk DDR4 is (at time of writing) not much, which do you think I should go for to use an Intel i5 12400F CPU?
I believe the CPU can't be overclocked, and that might imply using the B660 board; but (as the price difference is between the boards is slight), might it not be better to take the MSI Z690 Tomahawk DDR4? For one thing, it offers an upgrade path to K-series processors, and other features, like more M.2 slots.
What do you think?

Tetras · 9 May 2022 at 00:40

Personally, if I was buying an i5-12400F, I'd get the MSI B660M-A WIFI for £130, but from what I can see, the expansion slots, M.2 slots (and their lanes) on the Z690 Tomahawk are better than the B660 Tomahawk. Can't comment on differences with their VRM or cooling.

Alt · 9 May 2022 at 08:18

Thanks for the reply.
This one? https://www.overclockers.co.uk/msi-...660-ddr4-micro-atx-motherboard-mb-36l-ms.html

Alt · 9 May 2022 at 11:57

I've noticed that there are two MSI motherboards, which look very similar: 1.) MSI PRO B660M-A WIFI, and 2.) MSI PRO B660-A WIFI. Other than form factor (mATX vs ATX), is there any difference between these two?

mickyflinn · 9 May 2022 at 12:39

Alt said:
I've noticed that there are two MSI motherboards, which look very similar: 1.) MSI PRO B660M-A WIFI, and 2.) MSI PRO B660-A WIFI. Other than form factor (mATX vs ATX), is there any difference between these two?

Being a larger board there are 2 more PCI-E X1 slots , can't see any other differences.

Tetras · 9 May 2022 at 13:47

Alt said:
Thanks for the reply.
This one? https://www.overclockers.co.uk/msi-...660-ddr4-micro-atx-motherboard-mb-36l-ms.html

Yes, that's the one. Hardware unboxed recommended it as their value pick and it performed well in the thermal test.

(7:25)

Alt · 10 May 2022 at 11:04

Tetras said:
Yes, that's the one. Hardware unboxed recommended it as their value pick and it performed well in the thermal test.

(7:25)

Thanks for the link, and advice. Useful video.

Drumroll · 15 May 2022 at 22:50

I'm using the Z690 variant after many years using Asus + Ryzen and I'm very happy with it.
VRM shouldn't be an issue, at least as long as you don't stick a 12900K and overclock it. Being a B660 you won't be able to overclock it, anyway.
The main reason for choosing the Z690 over the B660 was because the B660 was only as pre-order and I managed to get a 12700K for under £300, retail. (employer discount + cash back).
I'm a bit unfamiliar with MSI's BIOS, but found my way for the basics, and eventually will invest some more time into it.
Also, don't know if the warping issue is just random, or model/manufacturer related.
So far, had to remove the cooler 4 times, Noctua NH-D15S, EK360 Basic (RMA, one fan grinding noise), back to NH-D15S, and now the replacement EK 360 Basic. Haven't noticed any warping.

Tetras · 15 May 2022 at 23:33

Drumroll said:
So far, had to remove the cooler 4 times, Noctua NH-D15S, EK360 Basic (RMA, one fan grinding noise), back to NH-D15S, and now the replacement EK 360 Basic. Haven't noticed any warping.

4 times? Wow. You must be pretty familiar with the socket by now, did it concern you at all, the pressure required? No deformation that you noticed?

Drumroll · 15 May 2022 at 23:58

Tetras said:
4 times? Wow. You must be pretty familiar with the socket by now, did it concern you at all, the pressure required? No deformation that you noticed?

I think I spend more time taking the system apart than using it. Missus said she will throw the case next time.

I was using the Noctua on my previous AM4 3900x. The 12700K was fine with it, but as I managed to get the O11 EVO, a 360 AIO as exhaust was very tempting, specially because vertical mounting the GPU would put it too close to the cooler, so an AIO would make things easier.
Sadly, the first unit had a dodgy fan, and despite my suggestion of only sending the faulty fan (as the pump was very quiet, I was worried the replacement wouldn't be), they wanted to replace the whole unit. As it was bank holiday weekend, I had to use the Noctua to keep things running. The replacement came and was perfect.
I took the opportunity and checked if the motherboard or the CPU have warped, as I was seeing more reports of the issue around. Also checked how the thermal paste looked like. Was a very thin uniform layer, as should be.
No issues here.
I was a bit worried when I first installed the CPU, as I've been using AMD for quite a while and wasn't really familiar with the mechanism Intel uses. Some pressure was applied, but nothing excessive. The issue is that I don't think anyone would be able to tell simply installing their CPUs if the pressure was too much. And also during use, as the CPU gets hot, I'm not sure if that contributes to the issue.
I can only hope that the affected people are simply victim of bad luck or manufacturer tolerances than a widespread issue.
Considering how hot those CPUs run, if the cooler isn't doing a good contact with the CPU, there's a big chance the person will have some issues, and quite easily notice something isn't quite right.
Just curious how helpful Intel will be when the first person have to do a warranty claim.