Good CPU MOBO bundle for RX 6900 XT

[Vampire21]

I have recently bought the RX 6900 XT for a good deal. I almost have got all of my build except for the CPU(+Cooler) and MOBO. CPU+MOBO prices nowadays are very high reaching $1000 for 12700k bundle here in Egypt and I'm currently limited with the budget and I only have 2 choices; i5 12400f bundle for ~$450 ( CPU alone for $200) or Ryzen 7 5700X  bundle for at least $490 (+$40 for cooler) (CPU alone is for $325).Is the difference (including the SAM technology for the AMD processors) really worth the 100 bucks (knowing that I might upgrade my monitor to 4k next year)?
Here is my build:- https://pcpartpicker.com/list/VQTmpH

One more thing, I want your opinions about which motherboard should I choose for each CPU and here is some MOBOS which are available for me:
Intel:
ASUS PRIME B660-PLUS D4 ($200 +$40 for wifi)

MSI MAG B660M BAZOOKA DDR4 ($217+$40 for wifi)
MSI PRO B660-A DDR4 LGA 1700 ($240+$40 for wifi)
MSI PRO B660M-A WIFI DDR4 ($250) (would rather get a full ATX mobo to avoid cpu cooler incompatibility)
MSI MAG B660 Tomahawk WiFi DDR4 ($280) (preferred)

ASUS ROG STRIX B660-A GAMING WIFI DDR4 ($270) ( not sure if it's in stock but if it's and I decide to get the 12400f and I will choose this for sure)
AMD:
MSI B550M PRO-VDH WIFI  ($165)
GIGABYTE B550 GAMING X V2 ($170 + $40 for wifi)
MSI MPG B550 GAMING PLUS ($190 +$40 for wifi)

MSI MPG X570 GAMING PLUS ($230+ $40 for wifi)
Gigabyte B550 AORUS PRO AX ($260)

ASUS TUF GAMING B550M-PLUS WIFI II  ($263)
MSI MAG X570 TOMAHAWK WIFI ($282)
MSI MAG X570S TOMAHAWK MAX WIFI ($282)

 ASUS ROG STRIX B550-F GAMING ($245) ( not sure if it's in stock but I think it's the best one)

P.S:1. The 12400f  comes with a stock cooler so I won't need to buy one for now (also I have this version of Corsair H60 it shouldn't be compatible but is there anyway around?)
2. I might get a sound card later that's why I need an extra PCIE for it.

[Dukesilver27-]

SAM is just AMD's branding of Resizable Bar, which is a universal technology, Intel CPUs could also use it.

Given the choices, I would go with 12400F and MSI PRO B660M-A, the board is one of the best value B660 board and a great performer. Although 12400F could really be used any cheap B660 board, so that is up to you.

If you don't plan to upgrade the CPU to higher powered ones, any B660 board would do, but if you, I'd suggest the MSI PRO.

 

Please note that 12400/5700X will bottleneck your 6900 XT in some games, especially CPU intensive ones such as CP2077 and Spider-man Remastered.

Old cpu coolers would have to be compatible with the new socket mount, so check around if there are mounting adapters for your cooler, I'd suggest to just use the stock one.

Sound card is useless nowadays, IDK what would you need it for.

[Vampire21]

9 hours ago, Dukesilver27- said:

Given the choices, I would go with 12400F and MSI PRO B660M-A, the board is one of the best value B660 board and a great performer. Although 12400F could really be used any cheap B660 board, so that is up to you.

The issue with the MSI PRO B660M-A WIFI DDR4  that It's micro ATX and I don't want to experience any issues later if I want to install any CPU Cooler ever. Also, the LIAN LI LANCOOL II MESH case that I bought has quite good space and I want to benefit from it. How is this MOBO be better than the MSI MAG B660 Tomahawk WiFi DDR4 ? I don't quite understand how to know if mobos are better than others other than that they do have more slots, so it would be really helpful if you could explain it.
 

10 hours ago, Dukesilver27- said:

Please note that 12400/5700X will bottleneck your 6900 XT in some games, especially CPU intensive ones such as CP2077 and Spider-man Remastered.

Unfortunately, I'm on small budget but if I needed a better CPU later I might upgrade to 13600KF for example.
 

 

10 hours ago, Dukesilver27- said:

Sound card is useless nowadays, IDK what would you need it for.

I like to listen to music a lot and I play some competitive games and I saw that soundcard like Sound Blaster Z improves the sound quality also it's a must in high OHMs headphones if I will buy one in the future.

[Dukesilver27-]

Well, the tomahawk is a better motherboard but also more expensive, performance wise it performs the same, but the features should be different. If you prefer the tomahawk, then why not. 

Generally, to judge a board, the features of the board is the first priority, then VRM cooling performance, then looks. 

 

[Vampire21]

2 hours ago, Dukesilver27- said:

Well, the tomahawk is a better motherboard but also more expensive, performance wise it performs the same, but the features should be different. If you prefer the tomahawk, then why not. 

Generally, to judge a board, the features of the board is the first priority, then VRM cooling performance, then looks. 

 

Well, I would go for the tomahawk if the  ASUS ROG STRIX B660-A GAMING WIFI DDR4 was out of stock. Fortunately, it was in stock and I ordered the it for $270 (10$ cheaper than the MSI MAG B660 Tomahawk WiFi DDR4) but I checked that the VRMs for the tomahawk are the best for b660 motherboards according to as per Hardware Unboxed Thermal Test . The reason I ordered the ASUS one is because it was better sound quality and better looks and RGB and the Flash Bios button option and it was $175 more expensive in another store, so I think this makes it better value for money. I also have in my previous build the ASUS ROG STRIX Z270i and I'm very satisfied with ASUS ROG motherboards really. I still can cancel the order so if there is anything bad about this motherboard , please tell me.

[Dukesilver27-]

Well the reason I said it is the same is because it won't matter as much for a 12400 or 13600k, once you go to i7-i9 territory, that's where it start to matter a lot.

Nothing bad about it really, ROG boards have always been top of the line, it's just super expensive for a B660 board, at that price point I would've gone with a mid-range Z690 like Gigabyte Z690 AORUS ELITE AX DDR4 or MSI PRO Z690-A WIFI DDR4.

[Vampire21]

On 12/14/2022 at 2:04 AM, Dukesilver27- said:

Well the reason I said it is the same is because it won't matter as much for a 12400 or 13600k, once you go to i7-i9 territory, that's where it start to matter a lot.

Nothing bad about it really, ROG boards have always been top of the line, it's just super expensive for a B660 board, at that price point I would've gone with a mid-range Z690 like Gigabyte Z690 AORUS ELITE AX DDR4 or MSI PRO Z690-A WIFI DDR4.

Well I got the ROG B660-A cheaper than the MSI anyway which was a very good deal. Thanks for your help a lot. I also bought the 12400f today and the technician in the shop installed the build for me. Meh, I can't believe I finally did it .