MSI MAG B660M Mortar WIFI DDR4 Review: B660 Chipset Bliss?

An inexpensive entry into Alder Lake, with full (stock) performance.

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MSI MAG B660M Mortar WIFI DDR4
(Image credit: © MSI)

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Firmware

Like the other MSI BIOS configurations, you start with an informational EZ Mode that allows editing some high-level functions that enable XMP profiles, adjust fan speeds, and more. The main menu is informational up top, while the bottom two-thirds is where the adjustments happen. You select the section you want on the left or right sides, and the details show in the middle. You don’t have to dig down several screens to reach the overclocking options as they are chiefly found on the main page. Some digging is inevitable, but overall we find this BIOS full of options and easy to read and get around.

Joe Shields
Joe Shields
Staff Writer, Components

Joe Shields is a staff writer at Tom’s Hardware. He reviews motherboards and PC components.

11 Comments Comment from the forums
  • Co BIY
    How is this review not on the front page?
    Reply
  • render.man
    This b660 motherboard is overpriced. It costs like a Gigabyte gaming z690
    Reply
  • Xtremepr0
    Inexpensive? Now 190$ for a mobo is inexpensive, oh jeez, the market...
    Reply
  • shady28
    So if I read this correctly, B660 does in fact allow overclocking? That's pretty big news actually.
    Reply
  • render.man
    shady28 said:
    So if I read this correctly, B660 does in fact allow overclocking? That's pretty big news actually.
    only memory oc, not cpu
    b460 and b560 motherboards were released at a reasonable price ; B660 doesn't make sense at all at these prices
    Reply
  • shady28
    render.man said:
    only memory oc, not cpu
    b460 and b560 motherboards were released at a reasonable price ; B660 doesn't make sense at all at these prices

    Article says they were able to do all core OC. They just couldn't control the V/F curve.
    Reply
  • render.man
    shady28 said:
    Article says they were able to do all core OC. They just couldn't control the V/F curve.

    you can run all cores at stock maxium speed
    you can't change the multiplier with a B chipset
    Reply
  • shady28
    render.man said:
    you can run all cores at stock maxium speed
    you can't change the multiplier with a B chipset

    Ok, I see the distinction. Technically correct, however most people are lucky to be able to set all core at max turbo. 10850K for example has a max single core turbo 5.2Ghz at stock, most people who 'overclock' on these shoot for 5.1Ghz all core. In my book this is actually a form of overclocking as the 10850K would never do all core 5.1Ghz by default.

    It's just that you are limited to the max (5.2Ghz) single core speed, but can set all cores to that max. You probably won't be able to cool the thing without something like a $400+ custom open loop water setup beyond that anyway.
    Reply
  • render.man
    Another miss: this motherborad doesn't have PCIe 5.0 for GPU
    There are also news about motherbords with b660 ( Asus, Asrock) with bclok overclock potential 8diXDeTDCboView: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8diXDeTDCbo
    If this motherboard doesn't have this feature it's another miss.
    Reply
  • Ai90
    render.man said:
    Another miss: this motherborad doesn't have PCIe 5.0 for GPU

    Not big loss to be honest. There are no GPUs in Market, which require such bandwidth.
    Reply