10/7/2022 Replace: The AM5-socket Ryzen 7000 platform is now out within the wild, so we’re actively testing motherboards with AMD’s 32-thread Ryzen 9 7950X now and now not specializing in one of the best B550 motherboards. Excessive-end X670E and X670 motherboard critiques will come first, with extra inexpensive B650E and B650 critiques following quickly after. We’ll add essentially the most spectacular of these boards to our Greatest Motherboards record, and shall be busy with Intel’s new Raptor Lake platform as effectively. So do not count on any new B550 critiques to reach on this web page.
That mentioned, last-gen Ryzen 5000 processors and AM4 motherboards are nonetheless succesful performers which might be enticingly inexpensive (and more likely to solely grow to be extra so so long as inventory stays adequate). However simply know that when you go for an AM4 motherboard now you’re shopping for right into a dying last-gen platform. Most (if not all) new AMD processors shall be launched on the brand new AM5 socket/platform, solely with DDR5 assist.
The Greatest B550 motherboard on your subsequent AMD construct won’t be a B550 board in any respect. AMD’s B550 chipset arrived with anticipation of PCIe 4.0 assist at low costs, given the excessive price of most X570 boards and the appealingly low worth of many previous-generation B450 motherboards. However now that we’re effectively greater than a yr out from the launch of B550, we all know that AMD’s extra mainstream AM4 platform delivers on at the very least a kind of promises–PCIe 4.0.
Whereas there’s much less bandwidth for a number of next-generation high-speed storage and graphics card setups with B550 in comparison with X570, it does ship sufficient PCIe 4.0 lanes for the everyday setup of a single speedy boot drive and graphics card. And general, B550 costs are decrease than their X570 counterparts. However many B550 motherboards — significantly the high-end fashions — surpass the value of many lower-end X570 motherboards.
So even one of the best B550 motherboards could not have as broad attraction as cheaper B450 choices — although you’ll forego PCIe 4.0 with these lower-priced boards, which is a key promoting level of AMD’s newest platforms, in addition to now Intel with Z590/Rocket Lake.
There are different issues (and problems) when you’re selecting one of the best B550 motherboard, as effectively. Those that like their PCs to run silently will admire that the B550 chipset doesn’t require assist for lively cooling. However word that refreshed X570S chipset/motherboards additionally cast off the fan challenge, whereas additionally delivering the additional bandwidth of AMD’s flagship chipset.
The important thing factor to notice with B550 is that, whereas the chipset helps present and future Zen 3 processors, the boards didn’t assist Ryzen 2000 and earlier processors, or Ryzen 3000 APUs just like the Ryzen 5 3400G–at least at launch. Whereas the AM4 socket stays the identical, ROM measurement limitations make it inconceivable for board makers to incorporate assist for all present, future, and previous Ryzen processors with a single firmware bundle.
So in case you have an older Ryzen 2000 CPU or Ryzen 3000 APU, make sure to examine the board’s product web page to see if it’s suitable together with your processor out of the field. On the very least, you might must replace the board’s BIOS to assist a given chip. And relying on the options of a given board, which may be inconceivable to do with out additionally having a distinct CPU that works with the board out of the field. You don’t need to spend tons of time researching one of the best B550 motherboard on your construct, solely to seek out out after you purchase it that it gained’t boot together with your current CPU.
AMD B550 Chipset: PCIe 4.0 for the Remainder of Us
With all that out of the way in which, what precisely does B550 provide? Right here’s how AMD sees it:
You get PCIe 4.0 assist by means of the CPU, delivering sufficient lanes for a quick NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD and the GPU. Additionally included with B550 is dual-GPU assist (although that’s a function with far much less attraction lately for players), together with a doubling of the bandwidth of the motherboard’s general-purpose PCIe lanes from the chipset, from 2.0 to three.0. That elevated per-lane throughput allowed AMD to scale back the variety of lanes between the chipset and CPU from six PCIe 2.0 lanes to 4 PCIe 3.0.
| B450 | B550 | X570 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPU Graphics Assist | X16 PCIe Gen 3 | X16 PCIe Gen 4 | X16 PCIe Gen 4 |
| CPU Storage Assist | PCIe Gen 3 | PCIe Gen 4 | PCIe Gen 4 |
| CPU USB Ports | USB 3.1 Gen 1 | USB 3.1 Gen 2 | USB 3.1 Gen 2 |
| Twin Graphics Assist | No | Sure | Sure |
| Basic Goal Lanes | PCIe Gen 2 | PCIe Gen 3 | PCIe Gen 4 |
| CPU Chipset Uplink | PCIe Gen 3 | PCIe Gen 3 | PCIe Gen 4 |
| Overclocking Assist | Sure | Sure | Sure |
Under are our examined picks for one of the best B550 motherboards, at numerous worth factors and type elements. We count on this record to develop as soon as we take a look at extra of those mainstream AMD motherboards.
Asus’ ROG Strix B550-F Gaming Wi-Fi delivers premium options together with SupremeFX Audio, Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX200, strong energy supply and extra. It’s a great possibility across the $200 mark, although when you don’t want Wi-Fi functionality, the non-Wi-Fi model of the identical board prices $30 much less with the identical specs, making it straightforward to suggest when you plan on utilizing Ethernet or have your individual wi-fi card.
Learn: Asus ROG Strix B550-F Gaming Wi-Fi assessment
NZXT’s first foray into AMD motherboards is a hit. Coming in late to the sport allowed the corporate to implement suggestions from its Intel boards, including extra USB ports to the rear IO. The extra time additionally allowed NZXT to implement cutting-edge Wi-Fi 6E as effectively, alongside 2.5GbE. Exterior of that, the looks modified considerably from the corporate’s earlier boards, with shrouds dominating the floor and an absence of on-board RGBs.
With an MSRP of $229, the NZXT N7 B550 prices about $15 greater than our major choose, however delivers a more moderen Wi-Fi chip, extra and sooner USB ports, and strong efficiency in a bundle that is visually distinct from all different B550 competitors. Should you can spend this a lot and do not want the additional PCI 4.0 bandwidth that comes with equally priced older X570 motherboards, the NZXT N7 B550 is effectively price contemplating.
Learn: NZXT N7 B550 assessment
There are many cheaper B550 based mostly choices than the Gigabyte B550 Aorus Grasp, however when you’re taking a look at flagship mainstream components, you possible already know that you’re set with a single GPU and PCIe 4.0 M.2 module. Whilst you can add extra modules, you’ll be restricted to PCIe 3.0 (nonetheless lots quick sufficient for a lot of) with these additional drives. Should you’re nonetheless a heavy SATA-based storage consumer and 6 of these ports isn’t sufficient, look to the the ASRock B550 Taichi. However when you want three M.2 slots and a great deal of USB, the Aorus Grasp delivers.
The B550 Aorus Grasp is a really succesful board, loaded up with premium options like Wi-Fi 6 and high-quality VRMs. It’s one of many extra well-appointed B550 motherboards, although that additionally means it’s costly. If a $250+ B550-based motherboard is what you’re searching for, the B550 Aorus Grasp needs to be in your quick record.
Learn: Gigabyte B550 Aorus Grasp assessment
Should you’re constructing a Ryzen-based system primarily for content material creation and productiveness, the Asus ProArt B550 Creator is a viable possibility across the $300 worth point–especially if you can also make use of its pair of Thunderbolt 4 ports. Other than these, you get Twin 2.5 GbE for quick wired connectivity, plus ingenious latches for M.2 modules so you do not have to fumble with these tiny screws.
At just below $300, the ProArt B550 Creator is dear for a B550 board, but it surely delivers distinctive options for content material creators and their workflows. In case your work suits throughout the confines of the B550 chipset and its restricted storage flexibility, this board is one of the best we have examined for inventive sorts. It is also a terrific board for extra general-purpose builds, however the worth is excessive until you’ll be able to actually use the Thunderbolt ports.
Learn: Asus ProArt B550 Creator Evaluation
MSI’s MAG B550 Tomahawk delivers a well-balanced function set at a aggressive worth. Efficiency is up there with the dearer boards, and the VRMs held their very own even when overclocked. At $180, you’ll should stay with out Wi-Fi, and a few potential drawbacks are the six complete USB rely on the rear IO in addition to the lesser audio codec in comparison with many different boards. Assuming these usually are not deal breakers on your construct, the MSI B550 MAG Tomahawk deserves consideration in case your price range is across the $180 mark.
Learn: MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk assessment
Should you’re after a B550 board within the compact Mini ITX type issue, you solely have a handful of decisions, however Asus’ ROG Strix B550-I Gaming stands out. At $230, it’s on the pricier finish, however $100 lower than Gigabyte’s B550I Aorus Professional AX, whereas nonetheless delivering two M.2 slots (one round again), Wi-Fi 6 and a couple of.5Gb Ethernet. And lively VRM cooling means you shouldn’t should take care of the warmth points we noticed with the Asus Prime B550M-A Wi-Fi and our 3900X.
You’ll should stay with simply six USB ports on the rear IO, however that’s par for the course with these small B550 boards. Simply word that one of many six ports is a USB 2.0 Kind-C port designed for audio. Should you’re planning on constructing with an APU, you get a trio of video ports, and the analog audio jacks mild up. That’s the extent of on-board RGB, although. In order for you extra lighting, you’ll have to supply that with different parts and equipment.
You’ll additionally should take care of some inconveniently positioned headers, just like the front-panel audio pins that are wedged between the first M.2 heatsink and the 2 RAM slots. However once more, that is to be anticipated when numerous high-end options get jammed onto such a small board. For about $30 much less, you’ll be able to choose up MSI’s MPG B550I Gaming Edge Wi-Fi. That board is comparable in some ways, however trades a pair video ports for a PS/2 port and extra audio jacks. It additionally has fewer USB 3.2 Gen2 ports, though it does have extra Kind-A ports than Asus’ ITX board.
Financial savings on the Greatest B550 Motherboards
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