AMD’s AM4 platform was changed by its new AM5 platform in September 2022 — the brand new platform for a few of the greatest CPUs on the market. Nonetheless, which means there are some nice offers available on the marginally older {hardware}. For those who’re not after the newest, you possibly can nonetheless get nice efficiency and options out of those AM4 motherboards. There are many motherboards in numerous sizes with numerous options to select from when constructing a pc for AMD Ryzen 3000, 4000, or 5000 sequence processors.
Although they’re not the very best AMD boards that you could purchase, these AM4 motherboards are typically fairly a bit cheaper than their AM5 counterparts. You get a number of options and efficiency to your cash. Nonetheless, there are a great deal of completely different choices and SKUs, and it could get quite complicated when understanding which one is greatest for you. At the moment’s roundup will present a clearer take a look at the very best boards for the B550 chipset — arguably the very best bang for the buck chipset on the AM4 platform.
The very best AMD B550 motherboard in 2023
ASUS ROG Strix B550-F
Editor’s alternative
A motherboard with an ideal mixture of options and worth
The Asus ROG Strix B550-F is a feature-rich AM4 B550 motherboard with high-end audio, 12+2 stage energy supply, and assist for Ryzen 3000, 4000, and 5000-series processors.
- RGB lighting
- Excessive-end audio
- 12+2 stage energy supply
- No Wi-Fi/Bluetooth
- No front-panel USB-C
Asus’ Strix line has a few of the greatest pc parts on the market. The ROG Strix B550-F is a full ATX motherboard with a very good mixture of connectivity, fascinating design options, and probably performance-boosting {hardware}. It helps AMD’s Ryzen 3000, 4000, and 5000 sequence processors, and whereas it’s actually not the most costly on this checklist, it isn’t a finances possibility, both.
You get 3-pin and 4-pin RGB headers in addition to a built-in RGB emblem on the IO cowl whose lighting results will be personalized in software program. Different standout {hardware} features a 12+2 stage energy supply system designed to direct clear, constant energy to the CPU for not solely dependable efficiency but additionally potential headroom for overclocking the place increased voltages could also be required. There’s a pair of PCIe 16x bodily slots, although the second slot is simply wired for 4x so it’s typically beneficial that you just follow a single graphics card for the very best efficiency with a motherboard like this.
The rear IO, which fortunately sports activities a built-in IO defend, options DisplayPort and HDMI alongside your normal audio 3.5mm connectors and S/PDIF, 2.5Gb Ethernet, and eight USB ports, certainly one of which is a USB-C. There’s additionally a BIOS FlashBack button, which lets you replace your BIOS over USB with out the necessity to really go into the BIOS. Asus has additionally made use of a SupremeFX S2110A digital audio processor to present a cleaner audio output in comparison with the lower-end choices on this checklist.
It’s not good, although. Some consumers may be turned off by the dearth of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth out of the field. The omission of a front-panel USB-C header is also a priority for these wanting the reversible connector on the entrance of their case.
MSI MEG B550 Unify
Premium choose
A premium B550 motherboard full of options
The MSI MEG B550 Unify is a motherboard made with efficiency in thoughts. It has twin EPS energy connectors and BIOS flashback options inbuilt. It additionally comes with a heavy-duty energy supply system and built-in Wi-Fi.
- Twin EPS energy connectors
- 4 M.2 slots
- 14+2 stage energy supply
- Costly
- No RGB lighting
If in case you have loads of cash to spend and desire a B550 board over the normally costlier and extra fully-featured X570 motherboard, then the MSI MEG B550 Unify mannequin ticks a number of containers. It is a very expensive motherboard, nevertheless it offers you a wide variety of options and positively seems the half. It’s a full ATX type issue, comes with a built-in IO defend, and helps the Ryzen 3000, 4000, and 5000 sequence processors (apart from the Ryzen 5 3400G and Ryzen 3 3200G).
This motherboard is clearly performance-first. It doesn’t have any built-in RGB lighting, although it does have three RGB headers in a single 4-pin and two 3-pin connectors. Nonetheless, it has two 8-pin 12V EPS connectors permitting the board to attract extra energy for severe CPU overclocking. Most motherboards include both a 4-pin or an 8-pin EPS connector, so having two 8-pins and presumably a staggering 470W on faucet has the potential to allow some severe overclocking when paired with the suitable cooling meeting.
Alongside BIOS flashing buttons and a PS2 port, the IO sports activities eight USB ports, together with a USB-C, 2.5Gb LAN, Wi-Fi 6, and a fleshed-out audio port choice with an S/PDIF optical connector. There’s an HDMI port on the again, which is beneficial for diagnosing faults, however you’re greatest pairing this motherboard with a robust devoted graphics card for essentially the most efficiency.
The Meg B550 Unify has a staggering 4 M.2 slots for plenty of quick, board-mounted storage. These range in protocols and speeds, however the major slot can ship excessive speeds by its PCIe 4.0 x4 interface when used within the right configuration with a supported CPU. You additionally get six SATA 6Gb/s ports to additional broaden your machine’s storage.
Gigabyte B550M DS3H AC
Greatest worth
A budget-oriented, but feature-rich B550 motherboard
The Gigabyte B550M DS3H AC is a finances B550 micro-ATX motherboard with onboard WiFi, two PCIe x16 bodily slots, and two M.2 slots.
- Twin EPS energy connectors
- 4 M.2 slots
- 14+2 stage energy supply
- Complicated BIOS flashing course of
- No RGB lighting
In case your finances is a bit tight, however you continue to need loads of options, I like to recommend the Gigabyte B550M DS3H AC. I personally use this mannequin when constructing AM4 machines for patrons. It’s a Micro ATX type issue, which means that it ought to match most mainstream instances, however may can help you downsize your case and liberate house.
It presents 4 DIMM slots, two bodily PCI-e x16 slots (although one is wired x4), built-in Wi-Fi, and two M.2 SSD slots. The rear IO has just about every little thing you’d want. Across the again are eight USB ports, gigabit Ethernet, PS2, DVI, and HDMI out, Wi-Fi antenna connectors, and three primary 3.5mm jack ports. Mixed with the entrance panel USB 3.2 Gen 1 and USB 2.0 connectors, you could have a complete of ten USB ports earlier than any extra growth slots are used. That is nice for many who have tonnes of peripherals, and having built-in Wi-Fi mitigates the necessity for an adapter to take up connectivity.
To have the B550M DS3H AC’s value as little as it’s, Gigabyte has needed to lower a couple of options. It’s omitted 2.5Gb LAN — as an alternative sporting a standard 1Gb port on the again. There’s additionally no onboard RGB lighting and the design is fairly uninspiring, which may be necessary to you in case your pc has a giant aspect panel window. There’s additionally not a single USB-C port or entrance panel connector, which makes the board really feel dated.
One factor to remember is that there are a couple of revisions of this board with barely completely different header choices. If you’re after RGB headers, look out for rev. 1.0 by 1.4. Rev. 1.5 and 1.6 lack the 3-pin and 4-pin headers required for sure lighting equipment.
MSI MAG B550 TOMAHAWK
Nice IO choice
A mid-range B550 motherboard with nice IO
The MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk is a good mid-range motherboard with loads of IO choices each internally and externally.
- Nice IO choice
- Onboard RGB lighting
- 10+2+1 stage energy supply
- Cumbersome IO cowl
- No onboard Wi-Fi
If you need a motherboard with an ideal collection of ports and connectors in and out, onboard RGB lighting, and a glossy aesthetic, then MSI’s Magazine B550 Tomahawk might be your subsequent motherboard. It helps AMD’s 3000, 4000, and 5000-series processors, and is the complete ATX type issue. It has a built-in IO defend, and a black and grey coloration scheme. It is likely one of the pricier boards on this checklist, nevertheless it makes up for this with a well-rounded connectivity choice.
You get 5 USB-A ports, a USB-C, a PS2 port, HDMI and DisplayPort out, 1Gb and a pair of.5Gb Ethernet ports, and a complete audio-out cluster that includes a S/PDIF optical connection for audiophile-grade high quality. Internally, there are two PCI-e 16x slots (although one is wired x4), a USB-C entrance panel connector alongside two USB 2.0 and a USB 3.2 Gen 1 type-A connector. There are twin M.2 SSD slots and 6 SATA connectors, permitting for loads of storage choices, too.
RGB and addressable connectors are accompanied by a myriad of 4-pin fan connections so including lighting and cooling shouldn’t require any extra adapters or controllers, which helps to maintain the cable litter in examine and simplifies the programming course of as you must solely want one controller software program to your lighting.
There are two principal gripes I’ve with this motherboard. There is a full lack of onboard Wi-Fi, which ought to in all probability be included — particularly at this value. Although, given the 2 Ethernet ports, this isn’t the tip of the world. Then, there’s the massive and ponderous IO cowl, which might intrude with sure tower air CPU coolers. Nonetheless, this shouldn’t be a priority if you happen to use an AIO liquid cooler or a smaller air cooler.
ASRock B550 Taichi
Distinctive design
A full ATX B550 motherboard with a singular design
The ASRock B550 Taichi motherboard is a big ATX motherboard with three PCIe x16 bodily slots and an fascinating design with loads of RGB lighting.
- Distinctive coloration scheme
- Three PCIe x16 bodily slots
- Onboard Wi-Fi
- Tall VRM heatsinks
- Solely two M.2 slots
ASRock’s B550 Taichi is a high-end B550 motherboard within the full ATX type issue. It has a singular design with plenty of light-brown parts and a cog-graphic on its chipset heatsink. It additionally sports activities loads of onboard RGB lighting each on its IO cowl and down the correct aspect of your complete board. This has the potential to gentle up your entire case with out having to plug in a single strip. That is the motherboard to purchase if you would like a cool-looking system and have the money to splash.
It helps AMDs 3000, 4000, and 5000-series Ryzen processors and has three PCIe x16 bodily slots, which can be utilized in a twin x8 configuration for these with a number of GPUs or high-power PCIe playing cards. This can be a uncommon function to have, as most B550 motherboards solely include an x16 and an x4 slot, which form of limits you to a single graphics card. You additionally get two 8-pin EPS connectors for the CPU to permit for substantial overclocking, which may draw extra energy than a single connector is able to. That is helped by the spectacular 16-stage energy supply for cleaner, extra constant energy to the processor.
You get loads of IO with BIOS flash buttons, onboard Wi-Fi 6, eight USB connectors (one being a USB-C), 2.5Gb LAN, HDMI, and DisplayPort, and a full audio output setup on the again. This can be a wholesome collection of ports, and the Taichi branding is even prolonged to the IO defend with a cog graphic breaking apart the in any other case normal show of ports.
ASRock B550M Metal Legend
Nice micro-ATX possibility
Gaming aesthetic and connectivity
The ASRock B550M Metal Legend motherboard helps Ryzen 3000, 4000, and 5000 sequence processors. What it lacks in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, it makes up for with RGB lighting and a slick aesthetic.
- Many fan headers
- RGB lighting
- Good worth
- No Wi-Fi (out of the field)
- No front-panel USB-C
For these wanting a micro-ATX B550 motherboard with some fashion, the ASRock B550M Metal Legend is a good alternative. For not an enormous quantity greater than our greatest worth choose, you get RGB lighting, slick silver aluminum heatsinks, and a stylized IO defend. There’s additionally a 3-pin addressable and a 4-pin RGB LED header for including lighting equipment. That is the micro-ATX board to purchase if you would like a handsome motherboard in a compact case.
This motherboard helps Ryzen 3000, 4000, and 5000-series processors and has a 10-stage energy supply system helped by the 8+4 pin EPS connector configuration, able to delivering in extra of 400W to the CPU for overclocking. This mix can ship plenty of clear, secure energy the place different micro-ATX motherboards can’t. For added cooling — which you’ll want if you happen to’re overclocking — ASRock has included seven four-pin fan connectors. With this in thoughts, you shouldn’t want any extra fan adapters or controllers, permitting for a a lot easier setup.
The rear IO consists of a transparent CMOS button, HDMI and DisplayPort out, eight USB ports (certainly one of which is USB-C), PS2, 2.5Gb Ethernet, 7.1 audio out, and spots for 2 antenna connectors. These will be hooked as much as a individually bought Wi-Fi card that matches in one of many M.2 slots. Because of this while Wi-Fi isn’t accessible out of the field, it could not less than be added down the road for extra connectivity choices.
Sadly, you don’t get a USB-C entrance panel header on the B550M Metal Legend. This might be a turnoff for these wanting the newest connectivity on the entrance of their case. That mentioned, there’s a pair of USB 3.2 Gen1 headers for 4 entrance panel USB ports able to 5Gbps.
Gigabyte B550i Aorus Professional AX
Greatest ITX possibility
A feature-rich mini ITX B550 motherboard
The Gigabyte B550i Aorus Professional AX is a tiny motherboard full of options akin to onboard RGB lighting, Wi-Fi 6, and three video outputs. Its low USB depend could put some off, although.
- Three video outputs
- Onboard Wi-Fi
- RGB lighting
- Tall IO cowl
- No front-panel USB-C
After having spent two years with the Gigabyte B550i Aorus Professional AX, I’ve to say it is likely one of the most full ITX motherboards that you could purchase for the AM4 platform that received’t utterly drain your pockets. Mini ITX as a type issue can get fairly expensive because of the intricacies concerned with packing as many full-size options as attainable onto a board that will get dwarfed by your common graphics card in 2023.
It helps AMD’s 3000, 4000, and 5000-series processors, has two DIMM slots, a full PCIe x16 slot, and built-in RGB lighting on the correct aspect of the motherboard. There’s extra RGB connectivity in two RGB connectors and two addressable LED headers, so loads of connectivity for many who desire a totally illuminating PC.
You get two M.2 connectors and 4 SATA ports for connecting your storage gadgets. There’s additionally built-in Wi-Fi 6 and a 2.5Gb Ethernet for community connectivity. Alongside these, the IO options 5 USB-A ports, a USB-C port, BIOS flash, twin HDMI, DisplayPort, and a primary audio-out cluster. For a board of this dimension, it is a fairly complete port choice, although I might commerce an HDMI port for a pair extra USB ports.
When constructing in a small enclosure for which this motherboard is designed, you may run into some clearance points, as I did with mine. You have to to ensure that your CPU cooler suits within the cramped socket space because of the tall VRM heatsink. It’s possible you’ll be higher off with an AIO liquid cooler over an air cooler to be used with this motherboard.
Supply: NZXT
NZXT N7 B550
White theme
A full-size ATX B550 motherboard with a singular white shell
The NZXT E7 B550 motherboard is a high-end B550 board with a clear white design. It sports activities a entrance panel USB 3.2 Gen 2 Sort-C connector and Wi-Fi 6e connectivity, although surprisingly lacks onboard RGB lighting.
- Clear included cowl
- Fan management software program integrates with different equipment
- Onboard Wi-FI 6e
- Costly
- Solely two M.2 connectors
- No RGB lighting
A lot of the motherboards on this checklist are predominantly black of their coloration schemes. For those who’re after a lightweight theme to your system, the NZXT N7 B550 motherboard in white is a good possibility that stands out from the remainder and presents a really clear aesthetic. NZXT is thought for its nice pc instances and coolers, so it’s fascinating to see them have a go at making motherboards, and that is the agency’s first foray.
Its full ATX dimension type issue is exemplified by the naked white metallic and plastic panels that cowl nearly all of the PCB. There are some air flow holes over the VRM and chipset, although many of the board is roofed by white. You get two full PCIe x16 slots (although one is wired for x4), loads of RGB and fan connectors, and a complete IO choice. Unusually, NZXT opted to not embody onboard RGB lighting. That is odd, on condition that they make RGB followers and instances, and this omission might be a turn-off on condition that this motherboard’s entire shtick is a clear aesthetic.
The rear IO consists of 9 USB-A, a single USB-C, HDMI out, BIOS flash buttons, six audio ports together with S/PDIF, 2.5Gb Ethernet, and antenna factors for the onboard Wi-FI 6e controller. For its dimension, I’d prefer to have seen extra m.2 slots on the board. Nonetheless, I can see how the plastic shielding might restrict the required room for the connectors and mounting factors.
The NZXT N7 B550’s clear white look is exclusive, and for some, which means you possibly can overlook the restricted M.2 connectors, value, and lack of onboard RGB lighting. You could possibly get round two of these elements with extra equipment and playing cards.
The very best B550 boards: A difficult resolution
There are many B550 motherboards to select from for whichever mainstream type issue you’d prefer to construct in. These are unlikely to be the very best motherboards that you could purchase, merely because of having the mid-tier AM4 chipset. Nonetheless, they do supply nice bang for the buck and offer you most of what you may ever need so long as you’re not a hardcore spec-head.
ASUS ROG Strix B550-F
Editor’s alternative
A motherboard with an ideal mixture of options and worth
The Asus ROG Strix B550-F is a feature-rich AM4 B550 motherboard with high-end audio, 12+2 stage energy supply, and assist for Ryzen 3000, 4000, and 5000-series processors.
If you need a well-rounded B550 ATX motherboard with a very good IO choice, glossy design, and high-end audio, the Asus ROG Strix B550-F is a good alternative. Its onboard Thunderbolt header permits you to add TB3 performance by an add-in card, strengthening its already complete connectivity suite. Its optical audio-out is nice for audiophiles who may need an exterior audio processor or DAC and desire a clear feed. It additionally offers you a strong 12+2 stage energy supply system for some modest overclocking.
For these with the money to splash, MSI’s Meg B550 Unify is a beast of a board with twin EPS CPU energy connectors for giant overclocking potential, 4 M.2 slots for increasing with quick SSD storage, and a stealthy design if you happen to’re into it. It’s over double the price of the remainder of the boards on this checklist, and also you may be higher off with a flagship X570 board at this value, but when your coronary heart is ready on B550, that is the one to purchase.
For those who’re on the opposite finish of the spectrum and wish an inexpensive and cheerful board that has you coated on the fundamentals and even some extra premium options, Gigabytes B550 DS3H has my stamp of approval, having used it a number of instances myself. Simply watch out to get the right revision for RGB and addressable headers. With Wi-Fi 5, loads of slots and connectors, and twin video outputs, this motherboard is tough to beat for price-to-performance.
