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 Finest Motherboards listing, and can be busy with Intel’s new Raptor Lake platform as nicely. So do not count on any new B550 critiques to reach on this web page.
That stated, last-gen Ryzen 5000 processors and AM4 motherboards are nonetheless succesful performers which are enticingly inexpensive (and more likely to solely change into 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 can be launched on the brand new AM5 socket/platform, solely with DDR5 help.
The Finest B550 motherboard in your subsequent AMD construct won’t be a B550 board in any respect. AMD’s B550 chipset arrived with anticipation of PCIe 4.0 help at low costs, given the excessive price of most X570 boards and the appealingly low value of many previous-generation B450 motherboards. However now that we’re nicely greater than a yr out from the launch of B550, we all know that AMD’s extra mainstream AM4 platform delivers on at the least a type 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 standard setup of a single speedy boot drive and graphics card. And general, B550 costs are decrease than their X570 counterparts. However many B550 motherboards — notably the high-end fashions — surpass the value of many lower-end X570 motherboards.
So even one of the best B550 motherboards might not have as broad enchantment 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 nicely. Those that like their PCs to run silently will recognize that the B550 chipset doesn’t require help for energetic cooling. However notice that refreshed X570S chipset/motherboards additionally get rid of the fan concern, 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 help 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 dimension limitations make it not possible for board makers to incorporate help for all present, future, and previous Ryzen processors with a single firmware bundle.
So if in case you have an older Ryzen 2000 CPU or Ryzen 3000 APU, you’ll want to test the board’s product web page to see if it’s appropriate together with your processor out of the field. On the very least, you could must replace the board’s BIOS to help a given chip. And relying on the options of a given board, which may be not possible to do with out additionally having a special CPU that works with the board out of the field. You don’t wish to spend tons of time researching one of the best B550 motherboard in 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 supply? Right here’s how AMD sees it:
You get PCIe 4.0 help by way of the CPU, delivering sufficient lanes for a quick NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD and the GPU. Additionally included with B550 is dual-GPU help (although that’s a characteristic with far much less enchantment lately for avid gamers), 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 |
| Common 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 |
Beneath are our examined picks for one of the best B550 motherboards, at numerous value factors and type components. We count on this listing to develop as soon as we check 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 choice 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 evaluate
NZXT’s first foray into AMD motherboards is successful. 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 nicely, 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 decide, however delivers a more recent Wi-Fi chip, extra and quicker USB ports, and strong efficiency in a bundle that is visually distinct from all different B550 competitors. In the event 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 nicely price contemplating.
Learn: NZXT N7 B550 evaluate
There are many cheaper B550 based mostly choices than the Gigabyte B550 Aorus Grasp, however when you’re taking a look at flagship mainstream elements, you probably 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. In the event you’re nonetheless a heavy SATA-based storage person 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 in search of, the B550 Aorus Grasp must be in your quick listing.
Learn: Gigabyte B550 Aorus Grasp evaluate
In the event you’re constructing a Ryzen-based system primarily for content material creation and productiveness, the Asus ProArt B550 Creator is a viable choice across the $300 value point–especially if you may 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 inside 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 an ideal board for extra general-purpose builds, however the value is excessive until you possibly can actually use the Thunderbolt ports.
Learn: Asus ProArt B550 Creator Evaluate
MSI’s MAG B550 Tomahawk delivers a well-balanced characteristic set at a aggressive value. Efficiency is up there with the costlier boards, and the VRMs held their very own even when overclocked. At $180, you’ll must dwell with out Wi-Fi, and a few potential drawbacks are the six whole USB depend on the rear IO in addition to the lesser audio codec in comparison with many different boards. Assuming these usually are not deal breakers in your construct, the MSI B550 MAG Tomahawk deserves consideration in case your finances is across the $180 mark.
Learn: MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk evaluate
In the event 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 pair of.5Gb Ethernet. And energetic VRM cooling means you shouldn’t must cope with the warmth points we noticed with the Asus Prime B550M-A Wi-Fi and our 3900X.
You’ll must dwell with simply six USB ports on the rear IO, however that’s par for the course with these small B550 boards. Simply notice that one of many six ports is a USB 2.0 Kind-C port designed for audio. In the event 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. If you would like extra lighting, you’ll have to offer that with different parts and equipment.
You’ll additionally must cope with 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 a lot of high-end options get jammed onto such a small board. For about $30 much less, you possibly can decide up MSI’s MPG B550I Gaming Edge Wi-Fi. That board is analogous 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 Finest B550 Motherboards
Whether or not you are shopping for among the best B550 motherboards or a special mannequin, you could discover some financial savings by checking our listing of coupon codes, particularly our listing of Newegg promo codes and Micro Heart coupons.
