B660 is the mainstream 600-series chipset for Intel's LGA1700 socket, launched in early 2022 for 12th generation Core. It supports memory overclocking and XMP but not CPU overclocking, and it was replaced a year later by the very similar B760. A B660 board will also run 13th and 14th generation processors, provided its BIOS has been updated, and that proviso is the main thing to understand before buying one. Boards still available are on the B660 deals page.
Cheapest B660 boards right now
What B660 is and who it is for
In the 600-series, Z690 was the overclocking chipset, H670 a rarely used middle option, B660 the volume seller and H610 the entry level. B660 was the natural partner for the Core i5-12400 and its F-suffix twin, and for non-K Core i7 chips: processors that cannot be overclocked anyway, so nothing is lost by skipping the Z-series.
Today B660 is mostly of interest for two reasons. It is a like-for-like replacement if your own B660 board fails, and leftover or open-box B660 boards are sometimes priced below their B760 equivalents while doing almost exactly the same job. If neither applies, there is no reason to prefer B660 to B760 at the same price.
Key specifications
| Feature | B660 |
|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1700 |
| Processors | 12th gen Core; 13th and 14th gen after a BIOS update |
| Memory | DDR4 or DDR5, depending on the board (never both) |
| CPU overclocking | No |
| Memory overclocking (XMP) | Yes |
| PCIe from the CPU | x16 for graphics (PCIe 5.0 or 4.0 as wired by the board), PCIe 4.0 x4 for an M.2 SSD |
| PCIe from the chipset | PCIe 4.0 and 3.0; fewer 4.0 lanes than B760 |
| Launched | Early 2022 |
Compatible CPUs and the BIOS update
B660 boards were designed for 12th generation Core and start those chips with any BIOS. 13th and 14th generation processors fit the same socket and are supported, but only once the board has a BIOS released after those chips came out.
If you have a 12th generation processor available, fit it, update the BIOS from a USB stick, then swap in the newer chip. If you do not, the board must be able to flash its BIOS with no CPU installed. Some B660 boards have a button for this, but many budget models do not, so check the specification for a BIOS flashback feature before you order, and check the CPU support list for the exact BIOS version your processor needs. BIOS updates and CPU compatibility explains each route.
DDR4 or DDR5
LGA1700 processors support both memory types, but every board is built for one and cannot take the other. At B660's launch DDR5 was scarce and expensive, so the majority of B660 boards are DDR4 models; DDR5 versions exist but are fewer. The DDR4 ones usually have DDR4 or D4 in the name. Confirm it on the memory line of the listing.
B660 allows memory overclocking, so XMP profiles work. On the entry-level H610, by contrast, memory is held to Intel's rated speeds. DDR4 vs DDR5 motherboards has advice on which type to choose.
PCIe: CPU lanes and chipset lanes
The processor provides the graphics lanes and a PCIe 4.0 x4 link for the main M.2 slot. 12th to 14th generation chips can supply PCIe 5.0 x16 to the graphics slot, but many B660 boards wire the slot for PCIe 4.0 to save cost. That makes no practical difference with today's graphics cards.
The chipset contributes a mix of PCIe 4.0 and 3.0 lanes for additional M.2 slots, expansion slots and controllers. B660 has fewer PCIe 4.0 lanes than B760, so second and third M.2 slots are more likely to run at PCIe 3.0. Both vary by board. For what these speeds mean in use, see PCIe 5.0 motherboards: do you need it?
How B660 compares with its neighbours
| B660 | B760 | H610 | Z690 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPU overclocking | No | No | No | Yes |
| Memory overclocking | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Memory slots | Two or four | Two or four | Typically two | Usually four |
| 13th / 14th gen | After a BIOS update | 13th yes; 14th on later boards | After a BIOS update | After a BIOS update |
| Chipset PCIe | 4.0 and 3.0 | 4.0 and 3.0, more 4.0 | 3.0 only | 4.0 and 3.0, more lanes |
| Launched | Early 2022 | Early 2023 | Early 2022 | Late 2021 |
The H610 guide and Z690 guide cover the chipsets either side of it, and Z790 vs B760 explains the B-series against Z-series choice, which applies equally to the 600-series.
What to check on the listing
- Memory type. DDR4 or DDR5, matched to your memory.
- BIOS flashback. Decisive if you are fitting a 13th or 14th generation chip without an older CPU to hand.
- Power delivery. B660 boards range from basic to well built. A basic one may hold a Core i7 or i9 to lower power limits under sustained load. See motherboard VRM explained.
- Size. Most are micro-ATX or ATX, with a few mini-ITX boards.
- M.2 slots and WiFi. Counts, speeds and WiFi all vary by board.
Is B660 worth buying now?
LGA1700 ended with 14th generation Core, and B660 is the older of its two mainstream chipsets, so you are buying a board with no upgrade path beyond chips already on sale. That is acceptable if you own the processor, or the memory, or both, and want them running again for as little as possible. For a build from scratch, compare current platforms first in LGA1851 vs LGA1700.
Much of the remaining B660 stock is open-box. Check the socket pins the day it arrives with the used motherboard checklist, and compare the B660 deal list with the B760 list and the Warehouse offers before deciding.
Questions people ask
Does B660 support 13th and 14th gen Intel processors?
Yes, after a BIOS update. A board with its original 2022 BIOS will not start them, so update it with a 12th generation chip first or choose a board that can flash its BIOS without a CPU.
Can you overclock on B660?
Memory only. B660 supports XMP and manual memory tuning, but CPU overclocking on LGA1700 requires a Z690 or Z790 board and a K-series processor.
What is the difference between B660 and B760?
B760 has more PCIe 4.0 lanes from the chipset and supports 13th generation chips out of the box. Otherwise the two are very close, and a B660 board with a current BIOS does the same job.
Is B660 DDR4 or DDR5?
Most B660 boards are DDR4 and some are DDR5. No board takes both, so check the memory type on the listing.