The Best Budget AM5 Motherboard: ASRock B650m HDV m.2

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Packaging and Accessories
3. Board Overview
4. Key Features and Specifications
5. Connectivity Options
6. BIOS and Flashback
7. CPU and Memory Support
8. VRM Performance
9. Integrated Graphics
10. Audio and LAN
11. RGB Lighting (Or Lack Thereof)
12. Final Thoughts

😃 Introduction

Welcome to Mike's Unboxing, where we delve into the world of unboxing, reviews, and how-tos. In today's video, we'll be taking a look at the AZRock B650m HDV m.2 motherboard, which is touted as one of the best budget boards for the AM5 platform. This motherboard offers excellent value for money and packs some impressive features for its price. Throughout this article, we will explore the packaging, discuss the pros and cons, delve into the specifications, and analyze the performance of this board.

📦 Packaging and Accessories

Let's start with the packaging. Although our unit arrived slightly beaten up due to being an Amazon Warehouse deal, the contents inside were still intact. The box clearly displays the board's name, B650m HDV m.2, along with its key features, such as DDR5 support, PC Express Gen5, and HDMI and display port outputs. Upon opening the box, we found minimal accessories included. The Package consisted of Wi-Fi antennas (only for the Wi-Fi version) and essential components like a user manual, a couple of screws for mounting M.2 drives, and SATA cables. While the accessories are minimal, they are sufficient for basic installation and setup.

🔍 Board Overview

Moving on to the motherboard itself, the ASRock B650m HDV m.2 showcases a compact design with various notable components. Starting at the top corner, we find an 8p P EPS connection for connecting EPS power cables. Nearby, a small VRM heatsink sits, ensuring adequate cooling for the power delivery system. Although the attached heatsink might seem smaller than expected, it performs well, as tested by Hardware Unboxed.

In the center, we have the AM5 socket, which currently supports all AM5 processors on the market. It's important to note that some lower-end chips may require a BIOS update. ASRock conveniently displays the BIOS version on a sticker, making it easy to determine if it's compatible with a specific processor.

For fan control, the board offers four fan headers that can be configured in various ways through the BIOS. Next to the memory slots, there is the 24-Pin main power connector, which is essential for BIOS flashing purposes. Additionally, there is a USB Type-C front panel header, a pair of USB 3.0 Type-A ports, and four SATA ports for connecting storage devices. The B650 chipset's heatsink is located below the SATA ports, ensuring optimal cooling for the chipset.

The back of the motherboard features a display port and HDMI port, which are currently not very useful due to the limitations of the onboard graphics of AM5 processors. However, these ports will have greater relevance once newer APUs are released. The motherboard also includes a BIOS flashback button, allowing users to update the BIOS without a working system. Other notable features on the back panel include USB 2.0 and USB Type-C ports, Dragon 2.5 GB LAN, and the three audio outputs.

📝 Key Features and Specifications

The ASRock B650m HDV m.2 motherboard offers several key features and specifications that make it stand out in its price range. Let's take a closer look at some of these features:

1. CPU and Memory Support: The motherboard's AM5 socket supports all AM5 processors currently on the market. With two memory slots, the board can accommodate up to 96 GB of DDR5 RAM.

2. VRM Performance: The B650m HDV m.2 boasts an 8+2+1 configuration for its Dros V50m VRM setup, ensuring stable power delivery. This allows the board to handle even the latest and most demanding AM5 processors without overheating or throttling.

3. Integrated Graphics: The onboard graphics of the AM5 processors offer limited capabilities. However, future APUs are expected to provide more powerful graphics performance, making this board an excellent option for budget gaming builds.

4. Connectivity Options: The motherboard offers a range of connectivity options, including USB 2.0, USB 3.0, USB Type-C, HDMI, and display port outputs. There is also support for Thunderbolt through an external port (additional aftermarket section required).

5. Audio and LAN: The B650m HDV m.2 features a Realtek ALC897 chipset, providing 7.1 audio support over analog outputs. Additionally, it offers Dragon 2.5 GB LAN for fast and reliable network connections.

6. RGB Lighting (Or Lack Thereof): One aspect where this motherboard falls short is in RGB lighting. It lacks addressable RGB or RGB headers, so users won't be able to control RGB lighting using the board. This may disappoint users who wish to synchronize RGB components with their build.

🔌 Connectivity Options

One of the standout features of the ASRock B650m HDV m.2 motherboard is its wide range of connectivity options. The board offers multiple USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 ports, allowing users to connect various peripherals and devices. It also features a USB Type-C port, which provides faster data transfer speeds.

For display outputs, the board includes an HDMI port and a display port, although the onboard graphics on AM5 processors are limited in performance. Nonetheless, these ports will be useful when future APUs are released.

In terms of storage connectivity, the motherboard supports M.2 drives with PC Express Gen4 and Gen5 capabilities. Users can take advantage of the high-speed storage options for faster data transfer and improved system performance.

The ASRock B650m HDV m.2 motherboard also offers a 2.5 GB LAN port, which is becoming increasingly popular for faster network connections. It's particularly useful for transferring large files and handling data-intensive tasks.

Additionally, the board provides various audio output options, thanks to the included Realtek ALC897 chipset. While the audio output options are limited, they are sufficient for most gaming and multimedia needs.

⚙️ BIOS and Flashback

The BIOS of the ASRock B650m HDV m.2 motherboard offers extensive customization options, allowing users to fine-tune their system settings. From fan control to overclocking settings, the BIOS provides a user-friendly interface for easy configuration.

One notable feature is the BIOS flashback button, which enables users to update the BIOS without a working system. This feature is highly convenient and ensures that users can keep their motherboards up to date with the latest firmware releases.

In addition to the BIOS, the motherboard also includes a diagnostic LED, which helps troubleshoot any potential issues during system boot-up. The LED provides visual indicators for CPU, RAM, VGA, and boot device-related problems, making it easier to identify and resolve issues.

💪 CPU and Memory Support

The ASRock B650m HDV m.2 motherboard's AM5 socket supports a wide range of AM5 processors, making it compatible with various CPU options. From entry-level chips to high-end desktop processors, users have the flexibility to choose the processor that best suits their needs.

In terms of memory support, the motherboard features two DDR5 memory slots, allowing for a maximum capacity of 96 GB. Currently, DDR5 memory speeds up to 7200 MHz are supported, offering faster data transfer rates for improved system performance.

⚡️ VRM Performance

The B650m HDV m.2 motherboard boasts an 8+2+1 configuration for its Dros V50m VRM setup. This robust power delivery system ensures stable and efficient power distribution to the CPU and other components. As a result, the motherboard can handle even the most demanding AM5 processors without overheating or experiencing performance throttling.

Hardware Unboxed conducted extensive VRM testing on this motherboard, which showed excellent results. Even under extreme loads, such as running Cinebench for an hour, the VRM temperatures remained well within safe limits. This indicates that users can rely on the motherboard for sustained performance, even during heavy workloads or gaming Sessions.

🎮 Integrated Graphics

The onboard graphics of the ASRock B650m HDV m.2 motherboard, which are provided by the AM5 processors, offer limited performance. This means that the board is not ideal for users who rely heavily on integrated graphics for gaming or graphics-intensive tasks.

However, with upcoming APUs expected to be released, the board's onboard graphics will become more Relevant. These new APUs are anticipated to provide significantly improved graphics performance, making the B650m HDV m.2 an excellent option for budget gaming builds or systems that require decent graphics capabilities.

🎶 Audio and LAN

The ASRock B650m HDV m.2 motherboard features audio functionality driven by the Realtek ALC897 chipset. While not the most advanced audio solution on the market, it delivers satisfactory audio quality for gaming and multimedia purposes.

The board offers three audio outputs for connecting headphones, speakers, or other audio devices. However, it's important to note that only three analog outputs are available, which means that users will need to utilize the front panel audio connectors to achieve 7.1 audio.

In terms of LAN connectivity, the B650m HDV m.2 motherboard includes the Dragon 2.5 GB LAN, which provides faster network speeds compared to traditional 1 GB LAN connections. This feature is particularly useful for users who frequently transfer large files or engage in data-intensive activities.

💡 RGB Lighting (Or Lack Thereof)

One aspect where the ASRock B650m HDV m.2 motherboard falls short is its lack of RGB lighting support. Unlike some other motherboards that offer addressable RGB or RGB headers, this particular board does not provide any RGB lighting options. For users who enjoy the aesthetics of RGB illumination or want to synchronize RGB components with their build, this could be a letdown.

However, it's worth noting that users can still integrate RGB components from different ecosystems (e.g., Corsair, SteelSeries, Razer) and control them using their respective software. Just keep in mind that there are no RGB headers on the motherboard itself, preventing direct control of RGB lighting through the board.

🏁 Final Thoughts

In conclusion, the ASRock B650m HDV m.2 motherboard offers excellent value for budget-conscious users looking to build a reliable and capable system. Despite its compact size and affordable price, the board packs essential features and impressive performance.

With support for AM5 processors, high-speed DDR5 memory, and PC Express Gen4 and Gen5 slots, this motherboard can handle various computing tasks with ease. The VRM configuration ensures stable power delivery, making it suitable for demanding workloads and gaming.

While the lack of addressable RGB or RGB headers may disappoint some users, the absence of these features allows for a Simplified build process. The motherboard's connectivity options, including USB ports, display outputs, and LAN connections, provide versatility for different user needs.

Overall, the ASRock B650m HDV m.2 motherboard offers a compelling option for budget-conscious builders who prioritize performance, flexibility, and reliability.

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