The seemingly inconspicuous motherboard hides something you probably wouldn’t expect, it has both HDMI and DisplayPort video outputs doubled, in pairs. Otherwise, the B760M Gaming WiFi is an affordable solution also suitable for higher-end Intel Core processors designed for the LGA 1700 platform with DDR5 memory. Meanwhile, due to the smaller MicroATX format, you can also fit the motherboard into smaller cases.
A low-cost smaller motherboard for Intel Raptor Lake (Refresh) or possibly Intel Alder Lake? The MSI B760M Gaming Plus WiFi, which we will now take a closer look at, is certainly worth considering.
| Parameters | MSI B760M Gaming WiFi | |
| Socket | Intel LGA 1700 | |
| Chipset | Intel B760 | |
| Format | MicroATX (244 × 244 mm) | |
| CPU power delivery | 14-phase | |
| Supported memory (and max. frequency) | DDR5 (6800 MHz) | |
| Slots PCIe ×16 (+ PCIe ×1) | 2× (+ 1×) | |
| Centre of socket to first PCIe ×16 slot | 83 mm | |
| Centre of socket to first DIMM slot | 56 mm | |
| Storage connectors | 4× SATA III, 2× M.2 (42–80 mm) PCIe 4.0 ×4 + PCIe 4.0 ×4/SATA III | |
| PWM connectors for fans or AIO pump | 4× | |
| Internal USB ports | 1× 3.2 gen. 2 type C, 4× 3.2 gen. 1 type A, 4× 2.0 type A | |
| Other internal connectors | 1× TPM, 2× ARGB LED, 1× RGB LED, 1× jumper Clear CMOS | |
| POST display | no (but has debug LED) | |
| Buttons | none | |
| External USB ports | 2× 3.2 gen. 2 type A, 2× 3.2 gen. 1 type A, 4× 2.0 type A | |
| Video outputs | 2× HDMI 2.1, 2× DisplayPort 1.4 | |
| Network | 1× RJ-45 (2,5 GbE) – Realtek 8125BG, WiFi 6E (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax) | |
| Audio | Realtek ALC897 (7.1) | |
| Other external connectors | – | |
| Suggested retail price | 150 EUR |
MSI B760M Gaming Plus WiFi
One of the cheapest motherboards for Intel processors (LGA 1700). And although there are even cheaper models, these are usually characterized by weaker features that, among other things, push for the use of less powerful CPU processor models or at least more aggressive limiting of their power. The B760M Gaming Plus WiFi doesn’t really require that to be capable of operation. But let’s take it one step at a time.
The format of the MSI B760M Gaming Plus WiFi is μATX, square (244 × 244 mm). Compared to ATX motherboards, this one is therefore shorter, which results in a smaller number of PCI Express M.2 slots for SSDs.
There are “only” two SSD slots, but both are connected by four PCIe 4.0 lanes (so full-size ones…). The bottom slot (M.2) also supports SATA SSDs. The latter shares a lane with one of the four SATA connectors for inch storage, the use of which disables the M.2_2 slot.
Thanks to a cooler, the first M.2 slot is also ready for heavier loads or long-term operation of an SSD at higher performance.
About PCI Express slots: there are three of them, which is a common number even on larger boards. Compared to them, the gap between the first and the last one is smaller on this one, 60 mm. Thicker graphics cards, for example, will block the bottom PCIe ×16 (but that one only has four lanes). Between the first (×16) and the last PCIe slot (×4) there is a short PCIe ×1 slot suitable for simpler expansion cards.
It’s worth praising that the 19-pin connectors for the USB 3.2 gen. 1 are in a pair. This is definitely not the rule and even with more expensive or larger boards, there is only one connector. In this case, it won’t happen that some 5-gigabit USB-A ports are left unconnected on a front panel of a case.
On the 14-phase (12+1+1) power delivery, there are two coolers, larger aluminum monoliths (135 + 95 grams), where you can also see the effort of finning with a view to achieving higher cooling efficiency.
The MOSFET ICs used are AONS36308 (Alpha & Omega Semiconductor) and the PWM driver is Richtek RT3628AE. Technically, the VRM of the MSI B760M Gaming WiFi motherboard is also suitable for the most powerful supported processors without having to limit the power in BIOS. Naturally there’s then the question of power efficiency, temperature and potential longevity. In a PC case where system cooling isn’t downright mishandled, there’s always going to be more of a struggle to keep the CPU itself cool (than its VRM).
In terms of wireless network connectivity, WiFi 6E (Intel AX211) is supported, the signal of which can be amplified by two supplied SMA antennas. Ethernet is 2.5-gigabit, Realtek 8125BG.
And now for the surprise. There are double HDMI and DisplayPort connectors on the rear panel, for a total of four digital video outputs. These can be used simultaneously across all generations of processors with iGPUs that you can put into the motherboard.
This makes the B760M Gaming Plus WiFi also attractive for workstations that depend on multiple monitors, which you can’t connect to other boards. Unless, that is, you have a graphics card. But users who don’t need high GPU performance and only care about the ability to “undemandingly” view stuff, don’t need that and would only buy it for that purpose – to connect three or four monitors. A design with four video outputs is quite rare among motherboards (overall, not just within this price range).
And yes, there are fewer USB ports at the expense of that (only six, and all Type-A, no Type-C). As always, though, it’s about choice, about priorities.
Please note: The article continues in following chapters.
