The Intel 12th Gen affordable route
It is still not cheap these days when it comes to buying components, although things such as Graphics Card and SSD seems to tone down on pricing as Crypto Currency fell (a little) and flash storage is readily everywhere, but one thing remain still on the high, which is the DDR5 RAM which is still fairly new and introduced together with compatibility for Intel 12th Generation based processor. However if you still have current DDR 4 RAM laying around but needed a system upgrade, the B660 Intel based Motherboard is one option to go.
Today we will review on the ASUS PRIME B660M-K D4, one of the ASUS offering on B660M Motherboard that is affordable, simple and you get to enjoy new features offered by ASUS and Intel.
Unboxing Contents
The ASUS PRIME B660M-K D4 comes with the following
- ASUS PRIME B660M-K D4 Motherboard
- 2 X m.2 anchor
- User Manual
- I/O Plate
- 2 X SATA Cable
Design & Ports
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The ASUS PRIME B660M-K D4 design is based on the Micro ATX form factor, which makes it easy to be installed on any casing or test bench, more over the PRIME series lineup is much suited for all kind of setup with it’s simplistic layout and colors use, making it matched whether it’s for home or office use scenario. Well, other than that I do love black PCB design with white stripes around it, which is just nice.
On to the storage portion, it supports 4 SATA3, 2 M.2 slots (PCIe Gen4 x4) ensuring if you have not enough storage, you can just add as you like it and this is great for those who wanted to store more games or even your work files with PCIe Gen4 support. You also get to expand your USB slots as it has additional USB port connectors towards your front panel.
RAM Module wise, the Motherboard supports up to 64GB DDR4 expansion (all 2 slots occupied) and overclocked data rates up to 5333Mhz with XMP 2. If you plan to use it with RGB based RAM, it supports with with ASUS own Armory Crate application which you can download from the support page or if you are on Windows 11, it will prompt you to download once the OS installation is completed and connected to the Internet.
Over to the rear ports, you do get all the essential basics of the ports usually needed, Single gigabit LAN port, a PS/2 Port, 2 USB 2.0 ports, 1 HDMI Port + VGA port which one you can use it to extend up to 3 displays if you insert another dedicated GPU. Following up the ports you get 4 USB 3.x ports and Audio Jack connectivity for your headphones and microphones. The only thing missing is the USB C and Thunderbolt port, which if you really wanted, you will need to expand it via the motherboard’s port or PCIe expansion card.
As part of the Intel B660 family of motherboard, it can support all Intel 12th Generation Core Desktop Processors without hassle and most can be installed and booted off the shelf with its current firmware, and of course, you can update it later after that if required. Another major advantage is the new PCIe 5.0 support which once newer GPU is out, this Motherboard is ready for it.
ASUS PRIME B660M-K D4 standard features and specifications
| CPU | Intel® Socket LGA1700 for 12th Gen Intel® Core™, Pentium® Gold and Celeron® Processors Supports Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 and Intel® Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0 |
| Chipset | Intel B660 |
| Memory | 2x DIMM, Max. 64GB, DDR4 5333(OC)/5000(OC)/4800(OC)/4600(OC)/4400(OC)/4266(OC)/4000(OC)/3733(OC)/3600(OC)/3466(OC)/3400(OC)/3333(OC)/3200/3000/2933/2800/2666/2400/2133 Non-ECC, Un-buffered Memory Dual Channel Memory Architecture Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Profile (XMP) |
| Expansion Slots | Intel® 12th Gen Processors 1 x PCIe 4.0/3.0 x16 slot Intel® B660 Chipset 2 x PCIe 3.0 x1 slots |
| Storage | Supports 2 x M.2 slots and 4 x SATA 6Gb/s ports Total supports 2 x M.2 slots and 4 x SATA 6Gb/s ports* Intel® 12th Gen Processors M.2_1 slot (Key M), type 2242/2260/2280 – Intel® 12th Gen processors support PCIe 4.0 x4 mode. Intel®B660 Chipset** M.2_2 slot (Key M), type 2242/2260/2280 (supports PCIe 4.0 x4) 4 x SATA 6Gb/s ports * Intel® Rapid Storage Technology supports SATA RAID 0/1/5/10. ** Intel® Rapid Storage Technology supports Intel® Optane Memory H Series on PCH attached M.2 slots. |
| Ethernet | 1 x Realtek 1Gb Ethernet |
| USB | 4 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (4 x Type-A) 2 x USB 2.0 ports (2 x Type-A） Front USB:Total 6 ports 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 header supports additional 2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports 2 x USB 2.0 headers support additional 4 USB 2.0 ports |
| Audio | ALC887/897 Realtek 7.1 Surround Sound High Definition Audio CODEC* – Supports: Jack-detection, Multi-streaming, Front Panel Jack-retasking – Supports up to 24-Bit/192 kHz playback” Audio Features – Audio Shielding – Premium audio capacitors – Dedicated audio PCB layers * A chassis with an HD audio module in the front panel is required to support 7.1 Surround Sound audio output |
| Rear I/O Connector | 4 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (4 x Type-A) 2 x USB 2.0 ports (2 x Type-A) 1 x D-Sub port 1 x HDMI® port 1 x Realtek 1Gb Ethernet port 3 x Audio jacks 1 x PS/2 Keyboard/Mouse combo port |
| Internal I/O Connections | Fan and Cooling related 1 x 4-pin CPU Fan header 1 x 4-pin Chassis Fan header Power related 1 x 24-pin Main Power connector 1 x 8-pin +12V Power connector Storage related 2 x M.2 slots (Key M) 4 x SATA 6Gb/s ports USB 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 header supports additional 2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports 2 x USB 2.0 headers support additional 4 USB 2.0 ports Miscellaneous 1 x RGB header 1 x Clear CMOS header 1 x COM Port header 1 x Front Panel Audio header (AAFP) 1 x S/PDIF Out header 1 x Speaker header 1 x SPI TPM header (14-1pin) 1 x 10-1 pin System Panel header |
| Accessories | Cables 2x SATA 6Gb/s cables Miscellaneous 1 x I/O Shield 2 x M.2 anchors Installation Media 1 x Support DVD Documentation 1 x User manual |
Test Bench
For this purpose of review, we will be using the following specifications, all speed will be set to default with RAM set to XMP profile ON.
| Processor | Intel Core i5 12400 |
| Motherboard | ASUS PRIME B660M-K D4 |
| System Memory | ADATA XPG 3200MHz 8GB X 2 |
| Graphics Card | AMD Radeon 5700 XT |
| Primary Drive | PCIe Gen 3 X 2 240GB NVME |
| Secondary Drive | WD SN 750 SE 500GB PCIe 4×4 Gen4 |
| PSU | Thermaltake 650w PSU |
| Operating System | Windows 11 64bit Professional |
| Processor Cooler | Intel Standard Boxed 12th Gen Cooler |
Benchmark Scores (With BAR Enabled)
Software Suite and Application
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The ASUS PRIME B660M-K D4 includes the Armory Crate App which allows you customise your motherboard. With Armory Crate, which is ASUS all in one app that controls from Fan Curve settings, AURA RGB controls, CPU Profile with driver and tool update suites. This is one crucial app that you will definitely need it to monitor your system. Apart of from it optionally you can download AI SUITE as well but we still think that Armory App is suffice for all which has all the included controls and updates needed to keep drivers and BIOS to the current versions.
Verdict
The ASUS PRIME B660M-K D4 falls to the area of simplicity, which does includes what all PC users needed daily, such as good amount of USB ports available and it is easy to assemble to any kind of ATX or MATX class casings. Secondly we find it easy to troubleshoot and configure with the BIOS menu for beginner, even for enthusiast you still be able to tweak memory and clock timings which expands the flexibility of pushing the system performance further. The only downside is no thunderbolt and USB C on the rear I/O ports, however this can be resolved if your casing front I/O has USB C slots, it should be able to take advantage of the USB 3 standard. This Motherboard is suitable for all general PC builders, enthusiast and gamers. Currently the price of the Motherboard is hovering around RM530 to RM620, which is a sweet spot and fairly affordable pricing for an Intel 12th Gen enthusiast level motherboard.
For more information on the Motherboard, Click Here
Special Thanks to ASUS for providing the Motherboard for the purpose of this Benchmark and Review.