B560 vs B460 Motherboards : What’s The Difference?

We Compare The Older Intel Compatible B460 Motherboard Against The Newer B560 Version

WePC B560 VS B460
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The B560 motherboard is the latest version of the mid-range Intel-compatible motherboards, which supersedes the previous B460. The new B560 chipset is designed to be fully compatible with the latest Intel Rocket Lake CPUs released in H1 2021, whilst also remaining compatible with the previous generation Comet Lake CPUs.

The older B460 then is not compatible if you’re looking to pick up a new Intel Rocket Lake CPU, so if you’re after a motherboard in this price range you should definitely go B560, but besides this what are the main differences? Read below to find out more!

Besides this we will also be listing some of the best models of each chipset type and where to buy them.

B560 vs B460 Specifications

As indicated in the below table, the specs of B560 and B460 motherboards are similar in that neither generation of motherboard permits CPU overclocking. Besides this though there are a number of variations in terms of PCIe 4.0 support and in RAM overclocking ability.

B560B460
CPU Chipset UplinkPCIe Gen 4
CPU Graphics Supportx16 PCIe Gen 4
Dual Graphics Support?mostly single x16 PCIe, some models have dual
CPU Storage Supportmostly 1x M.2 PCIe Gen 4 with additional M.2 PCIe Gen 3
USB Port Support (model dependent)USB 3.2 Gen 2
CPU Overclocking SupportNo
RAM Overclocking SupportYes

The Differences Between B560 And B460 Motherboards

As discussed above, neither the B460 nor the newer B560 chipset boards allow for CPU overclocking, so aren’t suitable for those looking to build a high-end CPU-dependent rig with overclocking capability, be it just for gaming or also workstation tasks. If this is what you’re after and you’re going with an Intel build then the more premium-end Z590 motherboard, with its more powerful Voltage Regulator Module is where you want to be looking. Both the B460 and the B560 are geared more toward mid-range gaming PCs.

PCIe coverage on the newer B560s tends to be more advanced, with all models having at least one x16 PCIe Gen 4 slot for the graphics card as well as most models having at least one M.2 PCIe 4.0 slot for SSDs. B460s by contrast very rarely have any PCIe 4.0 support, mostly being restricted to PCIe Gen 3. B460 boards typically only have USB 3.2 Gen 1 support, with the rare instance of a Gen 2 socket. Most B560s by contrast have at least one USB 3.2 Gen 2 socket.

Ultimately the biggest difference between the two generations of motherboards is the fact that the B560s allow for RAM overclocking above stock speeds, whereas B460s do not. So if you’re keen to squeeze out the most from your computer’s memory, the B560 is definitely the better choice.

ASRock B560 Steel Legend

ASRock B560 Steel Legend

Form Factor

ATX

PCIe Slot

1x PCIe 4.0 x16

SATA ports

6x

M.2 slots

1x PCIe 4.0, 2x PCIe 3.0

RAM ports

4x DIMM 128GB 4800MHz

USB ports

2x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C, 6x USB 3.2 Gen1

Other ports / sockets

1x DisplayPort 1.4, 1x HDMI, 1x PS/2

Pros

4800MHz RAM support

Affordable

PS/2 socket

Cons

No Wi-Fi

Only one M.2 PCIe 4.0 slot for SSDs

Gray camo aesthetics may not be to everyone’s tastes

ASROCK B460 Phantom Gaming 4

B460 phantom gaming

Intended Build

Intel 10th Gen budget Build

Form Factor

ATX

Socket

LGA1200

Chipset

B460

Pros

Stripped back design

Gaming-oriented features

Sturdy build construction

Plenty of expansion

Great price

Cons

Lower end motherboard that doesn’t offer many premium features

The Best B560 Motherboards

Some of our top picks for B560 motherboards can be found below. For a more full breakdown of the top 5 B560 motherboards we suggest for different budgets and needs, check out our best of article.

ASUS TUF Gaming B560M PLUS min

ASUS TUF Gaming B560M PLUS

Form Factor

Micro ATX

PCIe Slot

1x PCIe 4.0 x16

SATA ports

6x

M.2 slots

1x PCIe 4.0, 1x PCIe 3.0

RAM ports

4x DIMM 128GB 5000MHz

USB ports

1x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-C, 2x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A, 2x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A, 4x USB 2.0 Type A


MSI MAF B560 Torpedo ATX

MSI MAG B560 TORPEDO ATX

Form Factor

ATX

PCIe Slot

2x PCIe 4.0 x16, 1x PCIe 3.0 x4, 1x PCIe 3.0 x1

SATA ports

6x

M.2 slots

1x PCIe 4.0, 2x PCIe 3.0

RAM ports

4x DIMM 128GB 5066MHz

USB ports

2x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C, 6x USB 3.2 Gen1, 4x USB 2.0

The Best B460 Motherboards

Some of our best picks for B460 motherboards can also be seen listed below. A more detailed list can be found on our Best B460 Motherboard page, where you will get a better idea of which model is for you.

tuf b460 wifi

ASUS TUF Gaming B460-PRO WiFi 6

Intended Build

Intel 10th Gen Mid-range Build

Form Factor

ATX

Socket

LGA1200

Chipset

B460


B460 ROG STRIX

ASUS ROG Strix B460-H Gaming

Intended Build

Intel 10th Gen Mid-range Build

Form Factor

ATX

Socket

LGA1200

Chipset

B460

The Verdict

To conclude then, there isn’t really much reason to go with the older B460 over the B560, as the latter offers improved PCIe technology, the latest generation of USB C support, and also RAM overclocking. The only scenario where you wouldn’t want the above is if the rest of the components in your build are not able to take advantage of any of these features.

That being said, please check out our guide for the best B560 CPUs currently available if you’re thinking of picking one up. If CPU overclocking is your thing, then Z590 is your only option for Intel CPUs of the latest generation.

The Author Who Worked On This Article

News Writer and CPU / Motherboard Product Specialist
at
WePC
Summary  ICT Level 3 Extended Diploma CompTIA A+ Diploma CompTIA Pentest+ Diploma PC Builder at Fierce PC Bench marker at BGFG Product Specialist at BGFG Senior Staff writer at BGFG News content planner at BGFG Experience I currently work at WePC as Tech and News Writer, but the journey that led me here has been both lengthy and fascinating. It all began during my college years when I transformed my computer passion into a formal education, earning an Extended Diploma in ICT. Subsequently, I entered the tech industry by securing my first job as a Systems Builder at Fierce PC. This role allowed me to refine my skills in assembling PCs, where I successfully built over 1,000 computers of various types and specifications. Afterward, I made the transition to WePC, as a Product Bench marker, responsible for producing videos on PC component performance, including CPUs and GPUs, for our YouTube channel. I then advanced to the position of Product Specialist, overseeing all content related to CPUs and Motherboards. I have since broaden into covering coolers and PC cases. Education  ICT Level 3 Extended Diploma – Accrington Collage CompTIA A+ Diploma – Studyhub CompTIA Pentest+ Diploma – Studyhub

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