MotherBoard MSI PRO H610M-E D5 LGA 1700 (2xDDR5,1xM.2)
Feature
Specification
CPU Support
Supports Intel 12th, 13th, and 14th Gen Core, Pentium Gold, and Celeron processors with an LGA 1700 socket.
Chipset
Intel H610.
Memory
Two DDR5 DIMM slots for a maximum capacity of 96GB. Supports DDR5 memory up to 5600 MHz (MAX).
Expansion Slots
1x PCIe 4.0 x16 slot (with Steel Armor) for graphics cards and 1x PCIe 3.0 x1 slot.
Storage
1x M.2 Gen3 x4 32Gbps slot, and 4x SATA 6Gbps ports.
Form Factor
Micro-ATX (236.16mm x 200mm).
Audio
Realtek ALC897 Codec, providing 7.1-Channel High Definition Audio.
LAN
Realtek RTL8111H 1Gbps LAN controller for gigabit ethernet.
Connectivity
Includes HDMI™ and VGA ports, rear USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps) Type-A ports, and USB 2.0 ports.
Pros and cons
Based on reviews and manufacturer information, here are the general pros and cons of the MSI PRO H610M-E D5:
Pros
Good value: The H610 chipset is a cost-effective option for office, multimedia, and entry-level gaming PC builds.
DDR5 support: Provides access to the latest DDR5 memory technology, which offers higher speeds and performance.
Easy troubleshooting: Features "EZ Debug LEDs" to indicate the source of problems, simplifying the setup and maintenance process.
12th, 13th, and 14th gen support: Offers good compatibility with modern Intel CPUs, though a BIOS update may be required for the newest 14th gen processors.
Decent storage options: Includes both an M.2 slot for faster NVMe SSDs and multiple SATA ports for traditional drives.
Cons
Limited features: As a budget-friendly H610 board, it lacks premium features like advanced power delivery for heavy overclocking, built-in Wi-Fi, or abundant high-speed USB ports.
Single M.2 slot: Only has one M.2 slot, which could be a limitation for users who want to add multiple NVMe drives.
No Wi-Fi: Does not have integrated Wi-Fi and would require a separate adapter for wireless connectivity.
Non-overclocking: The H610 chipset and motherboard are not designed for overclocking CPUs.
Slower M.2 speeds: The M.2 slot operates at Gen3 speeds, not the faster Gen4 standard.
Summary
The MSI PRO H610M-E D5 is an excellent choice for a budget-conscious user building an office or entry-level gaming PC based on an Intel 12th, 13th, or 14th gen CPU. Its support for DDR5 memory and PCIe 4.0 provides a modern foundation, and the inclusion of an M.2 slot offers a path to faster storage. However, users seeking more advanced features, such as CPU overclocking, multiple high-speed storage devices, or integrated wireless connectivity, may want to consider a motherboard with a more advanced chipset like B660 or Z690.