MSI MAG B660M Bazooka BIOS compatibility

[mm3375m152102cf]

Just Bought MSI MAG B660M Bazooka DDR4 motherboard with first BIOS (since S/N number is B2201 it is produced in january) , my concern is if i instal intel 12 gen i5 12400 CPU on it will it work with that first BIOS out of box (no need to upgrade with working processor , in case that processor is H0 stepping) , MSI Support site states that all intel processors (except 12900KS) https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/MAG-B660M-BAZOOKA-DDR4/support#bios are supported with release version of BIOS, issue here is that there is two versions of first BIOS 7D42 and 7D43 (in my box it is written 911-7D43-006) does it mean that my BIOS version is not 7D42 and i can insert whatever i5 12400 CPU i purchase without need for "working " processor , i am worried because this thread i found on reddit https://www.reddit.com/r/buildapc/comments/xiq8eb .

 

[citay]

600-series chipsets were designed for 12th gen, so those CPUs work out of the box. Only with 13th gen you'd have a slight problem to update the BIOS first (or with a 12900KS as you said, because that came out later than the 600-series boards).

Whenever you get the CPU LED, it can be about anything, as it's just the first point the board's checks can fail. It can't be about the CPU support though, as we know now.
So if he got rid of the CPU LED by having updated the BIOS, it was probably something else that got resolved by that for some reason.

What sticks out immediately, the guy in the reddit thread has an extremely bad PSU model, his Cooler Master MasterWatt Lite is classed as "Tier F • Replace immediately" on the PSU tier list. Under full load, the voltages will drop like a brick with his PSU, so he is just asking for trouble. I wrote a Guide: How to find a good PSU.

 

[mm3375m152102cf]

well he updated BIOS and his configuration is working fine (with that PSU) so i guess , it was something else (if not BIOS issue), i was wondering is there BIOS 7D42 version out there in wild, recently in my country "Serbia" appeared in local stores decent amount of these motherboards (B660M Bazooka) for affordable price (127 Euro or about same in $) which is cheaper then US offer because there is also 20% tax on all merchandise they need to calculate in, i bought one motherboard for my self (i did not yet decided it will be for 12400 or 12600K) but on question from one of the most visited PC forum in my country on complaint why there is no decent affordable B660 motherboards in my country i listed this one (because solid VRM for its category and decent reviews), i got good feedeback from others but i wonder did i recommended motherboard with some flaw (due its low price), they are produced in january 2022 and on my speciment it is written 7D43 but i wonder ,maybe there are others there arent 7d43, will they work out of box with 12 gen processors, or local service shops will have increased busness. https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/MAG-B660M-BAZOOKA-DDR4/support#cpu (on MSI site is stated that those chips are supported with 7D43 and not 7D42 , altough for first BIOS date there are 2 version listed in BIOS support both released same date 16.12.2021.)

 

[citay]

The Bazooka has an "ok" VRM, but it still uses discrete MOSFETs (at least it has full VRM heatsinks).
For the 12600K, this is just the bare minimum solution so you can use it without throttling. For a 12700K or so, it would probably cause trouble already.

The better solution is the MSI MAG B660M Mortar DDR4. This uses superior powerstages instead of cheap discrete MOSFETs. Powerstages have better efficiency, so the VRM temperatures should stay much lower and you can use better CPU models.

B660M Bazooka DDR4: 12x 53A AONS36308 Hi-side / AONS36303 Lo-Side MOSFETs for VCore, 2x for SoC, = 6+1 phases in dual output / teamed configuration,
PWM-Controller: RT3628AE.

B660M Mortar DDR4: 12x 60A ISL99360 Powerstages (combining Hi- and Lo-side MOSFETs in one), 2x for SoC, = 6+1 phases in dual output / teamed configuration,
PWM-Controller: RAA229132.

Other advantages of the MORTAR: More and faster USB ports, better soundchip Realtek ALC1200, two more SATA ports, additional M.2 heatsink for second slot.

 

[mm3375m152102cf]

And here i am for some reason defending bazooka , its performance should be more then sufficient for 12600K judging by HUB review

even with 12700 CPU , VRMs are better with Mortar and Tomahawk shoud be even better ,but judging by tests ,there is not much difference in temperatures with 12700 CPU , one or two degrees between them , while those motherboards who throtle are readily available here at even lower prices then Bazooka, i am not here to defend or attack this motherboard i was hoping for clear answer ,are those motherboards reliable and will it work with all types of Intel 12 gen CPUs out of BOX without need for BIOS Upgrade so i can keep recommendation or give additional note to it.

 

[citay]

Yeah but 12700 is not 12700K. Once you have an i7 or i9 -K version and you allow basically unrestrained power limits, you can really get the smaller boards in trouble.
The 12900K results clearly show that. A 12700K or 13700K will be quite similar, they can draw close to 300W if you let them off the leash.

So, yes, if you use a 12700 non-K model, and you enforce the official Intel power limits (which most of the boards will not do by default), then this board can handle it. But if you plan to get the Bazooka as a cheap basis for an i7/i9 without setting appropriate power limits, then that is not the right board to get. Not even the B660M MORTAR is ideal for that, a mid-range to high-end Z-series board is best suited then.

All those boards will work with 12th gen CPUs out of the box, like we have established. If you get the CPU LED, it's because of some other issue.

 

[mm3375m152102cf]

https://www.techspot.com/review/2426-intel-b660-motherboards/ those are more budget oriented motherboards here you can see where are power limits removed and where they are not (and tricks with direct airflow ,so temperatures are lover then they should be, but ok if anyone was forced to run b660m motherboards with 12900k would probably do something similar , also they are using top of the line Liquid cooler in the tests, but decent not expensive Air coolers Like Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 are not much worse at this point ,temperatures would be worse but not that much, but i agree for 12700K and up the best solution is good Z690 or Z790 motherboard ,and for i5 12600k very mild undervolt in combination with good (not overly expensive cooler ) with MSI PRO B660M A or Bazooka should keep those temperatures at acceptable levels (for those who are not only gaming).This would be budget solution, and such builds should be more popular (or common) in future(at least for 12 gen) ,since B760 motherboards are coming and 13 gen is here.
That was answer i was hoping for ,tnx and good bye.