The Intel Midrange B660 Chipset is here !! MSI launched the new MAG B660 MORTAR WIFI DDR4 motherboard, using 12 + 1 + 1 phase 60A Dr.MOS power supply with a large aluminum extruded fin heatsink, with DDR4 4800 + OC memory overclocking capability, although it is a MATX small board, but also has WiFi 6E wireless module, 2.5G LAN network module, two sets of M.2 SSD slot configuration and other rich features, to welcome the official debut of Intel 12th generation non-K board processors.
To match Intel's 12th generation non-K version of the processor, MSI launched the new MAG B660 MORTAR WIFI DDR4 motherboard, with a new B660 chipset, 12 + 1 + 1 phase 60A Dr.MOS power supply, with a large aluminum extruded fin heatsink, providing a stable high-performance output, with a 6-layer 2-ounce PCB design, support for up to DDR4 4800 + OC memory overclocking, the latest WiFi 6E wireless module, 2.5G LAN network module, Two sets of M.2 SSD configurations for a cost-effective Intel 12th generation processor platform.
Micro-ATX specification, black PCB with silver white heat sink
Supports 12th generation processors, the new LGA 1700 socket
Intel B660 motherboard with a new LGA 1700 processor socket, the appearance of the previous LGA 115X, 1200 has a considerable difference, not only from the square type to the rectangular type, the size of 37.5mm x 45.0mm, the anti-dull groove moved to the upper and lower sides instead of the left and right sides of each, the bigger change is that the processor socket lock is opened to a structure similar to LGA 1366, the slot rod and the direction of the base is opposite.
New LGA 1700 slot
Although this generation of processor interfaces is called LGA 1700, the number of LGA Pins is actually 1800 pins, and 100 pins have not yet been defined, and will be reserved for future CPUs for additional power or I/O pins, similar to the LGA 2011 of that year.
The new 12th generation processors have been upgraded from the previous 14nm process to the latest "Intel 7" 10nm Enhanced SuperFin process, using a hybrid architecture of large and small cores (P-Core) for high-performance Golden Cove microarchitecture, small core (E-Core) for high energy efficiency Gracemont microarchitecture, the maximum number of cores is 16 cores, 24 threads design, the maximum PL2 power consumption is 241W, compared to the previous generation Rocket Lake has up to 19% IPC performance improvements. Supports both the new DDR5 and DDR4 memory modules, as well as native DDR5 4800 and DDR4 3200 memory frequencies. And added a new PCIe 5.0 transmission technology, providing 16 PCIe 5.0 and 4 PCIe 4.0 lines.
Intel B660 Southbridge chip
Using the Intel B660 series chipset, compared to the Z690, the functions and specifications have been reduced, for example, the Z690 can support PCIe 5.0 dual x8 graphics interface, the B600 is indivisible only a single PCIe 5.0 x16, while the B660 only supports memory overclocking, does not support CPU Ratio overclocking, while DMI 4.0 Lanes is also reduced from x8 to x4, and the bandwidth between the CPU and the South Bridge is reduced to 7.96GB/s, which is the main difference between the two.
In addition, the other specifications of the Intel B660 chipset are also reduced compared to the Z690, the number of HSIO channels has been reduced from 38 to 24, and the PCIe 4.0 channels of the South Bridge have been reduced from 12 to 6, so the number of PCIe 4.0 SSD support is also relatively reduced, the number of SATA is also reduced from 8 to 4, if you do not need so much expansion, B660 can provide a higher cost-effective choice.
Supports 4 sets of DDR4 memory slots
12 + 1 + 1 phase digital power supply module design
Renesas RAA229131 PWM controller
ISL99360 60A SPS DrMOS chip
PWM controller section, in order to meet the Intel 12th generation CPU IMVP9 power supply specification, the motherboard uses a new Renesas RAA229131 PWM controller, with support for up to 20 phase dual output features, direct drive 12 phase for CPU vCore and 1 phase for VCCGT power, and with Renesas ISL99360 60A SPS DrMOS chip, vCore part supports a total maximum 720A current load, Sufficient to meet the power needs of the full range of 12th generation Intel Core CPUs.
5K hour solid capacitors
The fully enclosed type is all inductance
The use of metal fully enclosed inductor, 5K hour solid capacitor, can make the power supply generated by the noise and loss less, in addition to providing system stability and sufficient overclocking capability, but also so that the motherboard in the long-term overclocking can still withstand pressure, increase component stability.
Metal I/O + giant VRM heatsink
PcIe 4.0 x16 graphics interface is supported
Although the Intel B660 chipset supports the PCIe 5.0 graphics interface, it requires the motherboard to use the SMT soldering process, so the MAG B660M MORTAR WIFI DDR4 only provides PCIe 4.0 support at a cost perspective. In order to cope with the high-end weight, the PCI_E1 slot is reinforced with "MSI Steel Armor" all-over stainless steel reinforcement slot, with solder joint reinforcement to avoid damage to the PCIe slot due to improper force or excessive graphics card, compared with the traditional PCIe interface, its horizontal strength is increased by 1.7x, the longitudinal strength is increased by 4x, and the interface appearance is also better.
Supports 2 sets of M.2 SSD interfaces
The motherboard has 2 sets of M.2 SSD slots, the upper M2_1 slot is provided by CPU channels, the lower M2_2 slot is provided by the B660 South Bridge, both of which have M.2 metal heatsinks that support PCIe 4.0 up to 64Gbps transfer speeds and SATA 6Gbps transfers.
Six SATA 6Gbps interfaces are available
In addition, the motherboard provides six SATA 6Gbps interfaces, two of which are provided by the B660 South Bridge and four by the ASMedia AS1064 SATA controller.
Integrated I/O bezel, USB-C 20Gbps interface
In terms of display output, the motherboard has 1 set of HDMI 2.0 and 1 set of DisplayPort 1.4 interfaces, both of which support up to 4096x2160@60Hz resolution and support HDCP 2.3, HDR and 4K Ultra HD playback.
USB 3.2 Gen x2x Type C
Front USB 3.2 Gen 2 port
In terms of USB connection interface, the motherboard provides 4 sets of USB 2.0 ports, 3 sets of USB 3.2 Gen 2 10Gbps interfaces, 1 set of USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 20Gbps Type-C interfaces, and also provides 1 set of USB 3.2 Gen 2x1 10Gbps front Type-C interfaces, and the peripheral interface is relatively sufficient.
Realtek RTL8125BG network chip
Realtek ALC1200 sound module