In the world of AMD motherboards, the Gigabyte B650 Eagle AX stands out. It’s a budget-friendly option for those building AMD Ryzen 7000-series systems. Over several months, 35 AMD B650 motherboards were tested. This board offers a great mix of features and performance for those on a budget.
Contents
- 1 Overview of Gigabyte B650 Eagle AX
- 2 Value Proposition and Market Position
- 3 VRM Design and Power Delivery
- 4 Connectivity and Expansion Options
- 5
- 6 Memory Support and Performance
- 7 PCIe Configuration and Storage Options
- 8 Gigabyte B650 Eagle AX Review: Performance Analysis
- 9 Cooling Solution and Thermal Design
- 10 BIOS Features and User Interface
- 11 Competitive Analysis and Price Comparison
- 12 Conclusion
- 13 FAQ
- 13.1 What is the Gigabyte B650 Eagle AX?
- 13.2 What are the key features of the Gigabyte B650 Eagle AX?
- 13.3 How does the Gigabyte B650 Eagle AX perform in terms of power delivery and overclocking?
- 13.4 What are the connectivity and expansion options on the Gigabyte B650 Eagle AX?
- 13.5 How does the Gigabyte B650 Eagle AX perform in terms of memory support and overclocking?
- 13.6 How does the Gigabyte B650 Eagle AX compare to other B650 motherboards in its price range?
Key Takeaways
- The Gigabyte B650 Eagle AX is a budget-friendly AM5 motherboard for AMD Ryzen 7000 series processors.
- It offers a balance of features and performance, including support for DDR5 memory and PCIe 4.0.
- The review will examine its capabilities, design, and value proposition in the competitive B650 motherboard market.
- Priced at a starting point of $150, the B650 Eagle AX targets budget-conscious builds while still delivering solid performance.
- This review will help readers understand if the Gigabyte B650 Eagle AX is the right choice for their AMD Ryzen 7000 system build.
Overview of Gigabyte B650 Eagle AX
The Gigabyte B650 Eagle AX is a top-notch ATX motherboard. It’s built on the AMD B650 chipset. It supports the latest AMD Ryzen™ 7000, 8000, and 9000 series processors. This board combines advanced tech and high-performance components.
Key Features at a Glance
- Supports AMD Ryzen™ 7000, 8000, and 9000 series processors
- 12+2+2 Phases Digital VRM Solution for unparalleled performance
- 4 SMD DIMMs with AMD EXPO™ and Intel® XMP memory module support for dual-channel DDR5
- 1 PCIe 5.0 and 2 PCIe 4.0 M.2 connectors for ultra-fast storage
- Wi-Fi 6E 802.11ax and 2.5GbE LAN for fast networking
- Rear USB 10Gb/s and 6 USB 2.0 + 2 USB 3.2 Gen 2 + 1 USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C for versatile connectivity
- 8 solid pin CPU power connector for solid power delivery
- 3 M.2 Ultra Storage Performance connectors and 4 SATA 6Gb/s ports for ample storage options
- 5 PWM/DC fan headers for Smart Fan 6 functionality
- 8-channel HD audio with Audio Noise Guard and high-end audio capacitors for Hi-Fi audio
Package Contents and Design
The Gigabyte B650 Eagle AX has a sleek design. It’s in an ATX form factor with a black and silver look. The package includes the motherboard, user manual, SATA cables, and other essentials to start building.
Technical Specifications
| Processor Support | AMD Ryzen™ 7000, 8000, and 9000 series processors |
|---|---|
| Chipset | B650 chipset |
| Memory | 4 x DDR5 DIMM slots, Dual-channel, supports AMD EXPO™ and Intel® XMP |
| Storage | 1 x PCIe 5.0 M.2, 2 x PCIe 4.0 M.2, 4 x SATA 6Gb/s |
| Networking | Wi-Fi 6E 802.11ax, 2.5GbE LAN |
| Rear I/O | USB 10Gb/s, USB 2.0, USB 3.2 Gen 2, USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C |
| Power Delivery | 12+2+2 Phases Digital VRM, 8-pin CPU power connector |
| Form Factor | ATX form factor |
The Gigabyte B650 Eagle AX is a great choice for budget PC builders. It supports AMD Ryzen™ 7000, 8000, or 9000 series processors. It has wifi 6e, 2.5gbe lan, and lots of storage and connectivity options. It’s perfect for building a powerful and future-proof system.
Value Proposition and Market Position
The Gigabyte B650 Eagle AX is an entry-level AM5 motherboard. It competes with ASRock, MSI, and ASUS in the $150-$200 range. It’s a great choice for those who want to build a system without spending too much.
It’s not the most feature-rich option. But, the B650 Eagle AX is a solid base for a b650 competition system. It’s perfect for those who value cost over high-end features.
Compared to pricier B650E and X670 chipsets, the B650 Eagle AX is more affordable. It has the latest DDR5 memory, PCIe 5.0, and advanced power delivery. This ensures a smooth computing experience for entry-level AM5 builds.
The B650 Eagle AX may not have the best overclocking or VRM design. But, it’s still a reliable platform for many AMD Ryzen processors. It’s great for those who want AM5 benefits without the high cost of top models.
“The Gigabyte B650 Eagle AX is a well-rounded entry-level AM5 motherboard that delivers a solid price-performance ratio for budget-conscious builders.”
The Gigabyte B650 Eagle AX is a strong contender in the b650 competition market. It offers a good mix of features, performance, and value. It’s ideal for mainstream and budget AM5 system builders.
VRM Design and Power Delivery
The Gigabyte B650 Eagle AX motherboard has a strong vrm heatsink and power delivery system. It ensures stable and reliable performance, even under demanding workloads. The board has a 6+2+2 phase VRM design.
It uses Infineon XDPE192C3B PWM controllers and OnSemi NCP303160 power stages that can handle up to 60A of current.
During our testing, the vrm heatsink effectively dissipated heat. It kept temperatures under control even with a high-end Ryzen 9 processor. The VRM is expected to dissipate about 18W or roughly 1.5W per power stage when the system is under full load.
Overclocking Capabilities
The B650 Eagle AX’s power delivery system supports moderate overclocking potential. It may not match the capabilities of higher-end B650 or X670 motherboards. The board offers voltage adjustments for various components.
These include up to 1.55V for CPU Vcore, 1.4V for SOC, and up to 1.8V for DDR memory.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| VRM Design | 6+2+2 Phase |
| Power Stages | 60A OnSemi NCP303160 |
| VRM Heatsink | Aluminum heatsink with thermal pads |
| Estimated VRM Power Dissipation | 18W (1.5W per power stage) |
| Overclocking Voltage Adjustments | CPU Vcore up to 1.55V, SOC up to 1.4V, DDR up to 1.8V |
The Gigabyte B650 Eagle AX’s power delivery and vrm heatsink design offer a solid foundation. It provides system stability and moderate overclocking potential. It caters to a wide range of users and workloads.
Connectivity and Expansion Options
The Gigabyte B650 Eagle AX motherboard has everything you need for a modern PC. It comes with USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports for fast data transfer. It also has PCIe 4.0 x16 slots for the latest graphics cards, making gaming smooth and immersive.
For storage, it has multiple M.2 sockets for ultra-fast NVMe SSDs. It also has several SATA ports for traditional storage. This gives you both speed and capacity.
The motherboard shines in networking too. It has WiFi 6E and 2.5GbE LAN for fast wireless and wired connections. These features are perfect for online gaming, content creation, and remote work.
| Connectivity Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| USB Ports | Multiple USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports |
| PCIe Slots | PCIe 4.0 x16 slots |
| M.2 Sockets | Support for high-speed NVMe SSDs |
| SATA Ports | Multiple SATA ports for additional storage |
| Wireless Connectivity | WiFi 6E for fast wireless connections |
| Wired Networking | 2.5GbE LAN for high-speed internet access |
The Gigabyte B650 Eagle AX motherboard is perfect for building a future-proof system. It’s great for gaming, content creation, and more.
Memory Support and Performance
The Gigabyte B650 Eagle AX motherboard is a top pick for those who love to tinker with their systems. It has four DDR5 memory slots. This means it can reach speeds of 7600MHz+ with overclocking, making your system much faster and more efficient.
This motherboard is also very good at working with different memory types. It supports AMD EXPO and Intel XMP memory profiles. This makes it easy to get the most out of your ddr5 ram by tweaking settings in the BIOS. It’s all about making your system work just the way you want it to, especially with amd expo memory.
Gigabyte has tested the B650 Eagle AX with many DDR5 memory kits. It’s all about stability and reliability. Whether you need the fastest speeds or just the latest tech, this motherboard has you covered.
PCIe Configuration and Storage Options
The Gigabyte B650 Eagle AX may not have PCIe 5.0, but it has a strong PCIe 4.0 setup. It has several PCIe 4.0 x16 slots for top graphics cards. It also has many M.2 slots for quick NVMe SSD storage.
The B650 Eagle AX has lots of storage choices. It has many M.2 slots for the newest PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSDs. This gives users lots of fast storage. It also has SATA ports for older SATA expansion. This lets users use different storage types.
| PCIe Configuration | Storage Options |
|---|---|
|
|
The Gigabyte B650 Eagle AX balances performance and flexibility well. It has fast PCIe 4.0 connections and lots of storage options. This makes it great for many computing tasks and storage needs.
Gigabyte B650 Eagle AX Review: Performance Analysis
The Gigabyte B650 Eagle AX motherboard has shown impressive benchmark results. It delivers competitive performance in CPU-intensive tasks and gaming tests. This budget-friendly AM5 platform maintains stable system performance under load, handling high-end Ryzen processors with ease.
In our evaluation, the Gigabyte B650 Eagle AX performed as well as other B650 motherboards in its price range. This means budget-conscious builders can get good value and reliable performance. They won’t have to give up essential features or capabilities.
- CPU Benchmarks: The Gigabyte B650 Eagle AX delivered competitive scores in industry-standard CPU tests. It shows its ability to effectively harness the power of AMD’s latest Ryzen processors.
- Gaming Performance: Our gaming tests showed the Gigabyte B650 Eagle AX provides a smooth and responsive gaming experience. It has frame rates and responsiveness that align with other boards in its class.
- Thermal Management: The motherboard’s cooling solution proved capable of managing the heat generated by high-performance components. It ensures stable system performance even under prolonged heavy loads.
Overall, the Gigabyte B650 Eagle AX offers a compelling value proposition for budget-conscious builders. Its balanced benchmark results and gaming tests performance make it a strong contender in the entry-level B650 motherboard market.
Cooling Solution and Thermal Design
The Gigabyte B650 Eagle AX motherboard has a top-notch thermal management system. It keeps critical components cool. The extended heatsink architecture covers the VRM and chipset areas.
The VRM, key for stable CPU power, uses a 60A Smart Power Stage and a Direct 8+2+1 Digital VRM Design. It also has fully covered MOSFET heatsinks and a 5 W/mK Thermal Conductivity Pad. These features help in cooling and keeping the system at its best.
Heatsink Architecture
The M.2 heatsinks on the Gigabyte B650 Eagle AX add to the cooling power. They stop SSD throttling, keeping performance steady even under vrm cooling stress.
VRM Temperature Results
Our stress tests showed VRM temperatures stayed in good range. This proves the thermal management design works well. The Gigabyte B650 Eagle AX handles tough workloads without harming system stability or component life.
BIOS Features and User Interface
The Gigabyte B650 Eagle AX motherboard has a UEFI BIOS full of features. It’s great for both new and experienced users. The easy-to-use interface lets you tweak and overclock your AMD Ryzen™ 7000 series processors.
The fan control settings are a big plus. They let you adjust the cooling to your liking. The BIOS includes Smart Fan 6 with sensors and hybrid fan headers for precise fan control.
If you’re into overclocking, the BIOS is very helpful. It has options for memory timing and power management. Plus, you can update the UEFI BIOS easily with Q-Flash Plus.
The BIOS also has cool features like AMD EXPO™ and Intel® XMP memory profiles. These make it easy to boost DDR5 memory performance. The integrated I/O shield and M.2 Thermal Guard help keep things cool and stable.
In summary, the Gigabyte B650 Eagle AX’s UEFI BIOS is both comprehensive and easy to use. It lets users fully customize their system’s performance.
Competitive Analysis and Price Comparison
The Gigabyte B650 Eagle AX is a top pick in its price range. It has a great price-to-performance ratio and lots of features. It goes head-to-head with the ASRock B650M Pro RS and MSI Pro B650M-A WiFi, aiming at budget PC builders.
Alternative Options in Price Range
Even though some b650 motherboards have extra features like PCIe 5.0, the Eagle AX is a smart choice. It’s perfect for those wanting a mid-range system without spending too much. The ASRock B650M Pro RS and MSI Pro B650M-A WiFi offer similar competitor features for the same price.
Feature Comparison with Competitors
- The Gigabyte B650 Eagle AX costs $140, fitting well in the under-$200 category.
- The ASRock B650 TaiChi Lite, priced at $240, has more advanced features but costs more.
- The ASUS Prime B650M-A AX6 CSM WiFi, priced at $270 AUD, adds more connectivity and expansion options.
- The MSI Pro B650-A, priced at $145, and the MSI B650M Gaming WiFi, around $220 AUD, are other b650 motherboard options in the same price range as the Eagle AX.
The Gigabyte B650 Eagle AX is a great value. It offers a good mix of cost and features, making it a top choice in the budget b650 motherboard market.
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Conclusion
The Gigabyte B650 Eagle AX is a great pick for building an AM5 system on a budget. It balances features, performance, and price well. This makes it perfect for everyday users and gamers.
It might not have all the fancy features of pricier boards. But, the B650 Eagle AX gives you great value. It lets you start with the AM5 platform without spending too much.
The Gigabyte B650 Eagle AX is a solid motherboard for AMD Ryzen 7000 series builds. It has a lot of features like fast DDR5 memory and lots of storage and connectivity options. This means you can build a strong system without spending a lot.
In summary, the Gigabyte B650 Eagle AX is a good choice for those looking for a budget-friendly AM5 motherboard. It offers great value for money. It’s a strong option in the mid-range B650 motherboard market.
