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For your next AMD build, the best B550 motherboards might not even be a B550 board. The B550 motherboard can help you get good performance and reliability from an AMD AM4 chipset-based motherboard, even if you are on a tight budget. After a lot of delays, motherboards for AMD processors with the B550 chipset have finally started to show up on the market. Did the wait pay off?
Some people say yes, but others say no. They do change a big part of the motherboard market, but many of them are priced too close to pretty good X570 motherboards to be worth it. This time, we won’t just list recommendations for B550 motherboards. Instead, we’ll also list alternatives for X570 motherboards, so you can check out both.
Best B550 Motherboards Comparison Table
| Product Name | Chipset Type | CPU Socket | Dimensions | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NZXT N7 B550 | B550 | AM4 | 305 x 244mm | 1.4kg | $229.99 |
| Gigabyte B550 Aorus Master | B550 | AM4 | 305 x 244mm | 2.2kg | $279.99 |
| Asus ROG Strix B550-F Gaming | B550 | AM4 | 305 x 244mm | 1.5kg | $199.99 |
| Asus TUF Gaming B550 Plus | B550 | AM4 | 305 x 244mm | 1.5kg | $159.99 |
| Gigabyte AMD B550 AORUS Elite | B550 | AM4 | 305 x 244mm | 1.5kg | $149.99 |
| MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk | B550 | AM4 | 305 x 244mm | 1.5kg | $179.99 |
| ASRock B550 Taichi | B550 | AM4 | 305 x 244mm | 1.6kg | $299.99 |
NZXT N7 B550
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Form Factor | ATX |
| CPU Socket | AM4 |
| Chipset | AMD B550 |
| Memory Support | DDR4, up to 128GB |
| PCIe Slots | 2 x PCIe 4.0 x16, 3 x PCIe 3.0 x1 |
| Storage Support | 6 x SATA 6Gb/s, 2 x M.2 |
NZXT’s first attempt at making an AMD motherboard works well. Since the company was late to the game, it could use feedback from its Intel boards to add more USB ports to the back IO. With the extra time, NZXT was also able to add cutting-edge Wi-Fi 6E along with 2.5GbE.
Aside from that, the look was very different from the company’s previous boards, with shrouds covering most of the surface and no RGB lights on the board. The NZXT N7 B550 costs about $15 more than our top pick, but it has a newer Wi-Fi chip, more and faster USB ports, and solid performance in a package that looks different from all other B550 options.
The Good
- Design that is sleek and stylish
- I/O shield built into the back
- BIOS interface that is easy to use
The Bad
- Support for PCIe 4.0 is limited
- There’s no Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
Gigabyte B550 Aorus Master
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Form Factor | ATX |
| CPU Socket | AM4 |
| Chipset | AMD B550 |
| Memory Support | DDR4, up to 128GB |
| PCIe Slots | 2 x PCIe 4.0 x16, 2 x PCIe 3.0 x16, 2 x PCIe 3.0 x1 |
| Storage Support | 6 x SATA 6Gb/s, 3 x M.2 |
There are plenty of cheaper B550-based options than the Gigabyte B550 Aorus Master, but if you’re looking at flagship mainstream parts, you probably already know that a single GPU and PCIe 4.0 M.2 module is all you need. You can add more modules, but you’ll only be able to use PCIe 3.0, which is still fast enough for many people.
If you still use a lot of SATA storage and six ports aren’t enough, the ASRock B550 Taichi is a good choice. But the Aorus Master has three M.2 slots and a lot of USB ports. The B550 Aorus Master is a very powerful board that comes with high-end features like Wi-Fi 6 and high-quality VRMs. It’s one of the B550 motherboards with the most features.
The Good
- Power delivery system that can handle overclocking
- There are a lot of ways to connect, like Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0. The audio parts are of high quality.
The Bad
- Compared to other B550 motherboards, it’s pricey.
Asus ROG Strix B550-F Gaming
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Form Factor | ATX |
| CPU Socket | AM4 |
| Chipset | AMD B550 |
| Memory Support | DDR4, up to 128GB |
| PCIe Slots | 2 x PCIe 4.0 x16, 3 x PCIe 3.0 x1 |
| Storage Support | 6 x SATA 6Gb/s, 2 x M.2 |
The Asus ROG Strix B550-F Gaming (WiFi) has a VRM power rating of 12+2 power stages, which means it can use any Ryzen CPU to its fullest potential. But Ryzen 7 3700X can be overclocked with a good AIO liquid cooler. The Asus ROG Strix B550-F Gaming (WiFi) has a Full ATX form factor, which gives you a lot of options for connections and storage.
With 6x SATA 6GB/s connectors and 2x M.2 sockets, gamers won’t have to choose between games. The Asus ROG Strix B550-F Gaming (Wi-Fi) embodies the ROG spirit with details like the ROG eye logo and embedded cybertext patterns on the I/O cover. This makes sure that the ROG style doesn’t ruin gamers’ gaming rigs.
The Good
- Strong gaming performance, and it works with AMD Ryzen processors.
- Easy-to-use BIOS interface with features that make overclocking and keeping an eye on the system simple
- There are many ways to connect, such as Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1.
The Bad
- Compared to other B550 motherboards, it’s pretty pricey.
- Some users have had trouble controlling RGB lighting.
Asus TUF Gaming B550 Plus
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Form Factor | ATX |
| CPU Socket | AM4 |
| Chipset | AMD B550 |
| Memory Support | DDR4, up to 128GB |
| PCIe Slots | 2 x PCIe 4.0 x16, 3 x PCIe 3.0 x1 |
| Storage Support | 6 x SATA 6Gb/s, 2 x M.2 |
The Asus TUF Gaming B550 Plus is the best Ryzen 5 5600X motherboard if you want it to last a long time and be stable. Its great price, features, and durability make it one of the best B550 motherboards for the money. With its 8+2 power stages that mix low-side and high-side MOSFETs, the Asus TUF Gaming B550 Plus is a real treat.
When it comes to cooling, the Asus TUF Gaming B550 Plus is a gamer’s dream. With high-quality heatsinks and thermal pads, gamers can be sure that their motherboard won’t get hot for a while. The Asus TUF Gaming B550 Plus has a lot of storage options. It has 6x SATA connections and 2x PCIe 4.0 ready M.2 sockets, which let us reach speeds of up to 64GB/s.
The Good
- A B550 motherboard with a price that is not too high
- Stable performance and overclocking with a strong power delivery system.
- High-quality audio parts and a lot of ways to connect, including Wi-Fi 6.
The Bad
- Some PCIe slots don’t support PCIe 4.0 very well.
- Some users have said that the BIOS interface isn’t working right.
Gigabyte AMD B550 AORUS Elite
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Form Factor | ATX |
| CPU Socket | AM4 |
| Chipset | AMD B550 |
| Memory Support | DDR4, up to 128GB |
| PCIe Slots | 1 x PCIe 4.0 x16, 1 x PCIe 3.0 x16, 2 x PCIe 3.0 x1 |
| Storage Support | 6 |
The B550 Aorus Elite comes next. This board is less expensive, which makes it a good choice for builders who want a good mix of features and value. But even though the Elite is a smaller version of the Pro, Gigabyte didn’t make too many changes. Compared to the slightly more expensive model, it doesn’t have WiFi built in, or dual M.2 heatsinks.
The 14-phase 50A VRM on the Elite is the same as the one on the Pro model, and so is the 2.5 Gbps LAN. There are 3 PCIe 16x slots on the motherboard, and the top one is reinforced to support graphics cards better. Overall, it’s a mid-range motherboard that works well with a mid-range chipset.
The Good
- A B550 motherboard with a price that is not too high
- Solid performance for games and other demanding tasks
- There are many ways to connect, such as Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0
The Bad
- Some PCIe slots don’t support PCIe 4.0 very well.
- Some users have said that the BIOS interface and software compatibility are not working well.
MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Form Factor | ATX |
| CPU Socket | AM4 |
| Chipset | AMD B550 |
| Memory Support | DDR4, up to 128GB |
| PCIe Slots | 2 x PCIe 4.0 x16, 2 x PCIe 3.0 x1 |
| Storage Support | 6 x SATA 6Gb/s, 2 x M.2 |
MSI’s MAG B550 Tomahawk is another alternative to ATX. It is part of a popular line of motherboards that focus on value and make few sacrifices. It looks less flashy with its black and grey color scheme, but it seems to use the same VRM solution as the more expensive Gaming Edge. Like the higher-end models, the top PCIe slot is reinforced, and it also has heatsinks for both M.2 slots, which is a plus.
The Tomahawk doesn’t come with WiFi, but MSI has added a 1 Gbps controller in addition to the 2.5 GbE controller. The same amount of RAM can be used and USB Gen2 connections can be made. You also get support for pump fans and MSI’s Mystic Light RGB effects built right into the board. Overall, the Tomahawk is a good middle-of-the-road B550 motherboard that isn’t too different from the top models.
The Good
- High-quality parts and a strong power delivery system for stable performance and overclocking
- Easy-to-use BIOS interface with features that make it easy to monitor the system and speed it up.
- There are many ways to connect, such as Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1.
The Bad
- Some users have had trouble controlling the RGB lighting. Some PCIe slots don’t support PCIe 4.0.
ASRock B550 Taichi
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Form Factor | ATX |
| CPU Socket | AM4 |
| Chipset | AMD B550 |
| Memory Support | DDR4, up to 128GB |
| PCIe Slots | 2 x PCIe 4.0 x16, 1 x PCIe 3.0 x16, 2 x PCIe 3.0 x1 |
| Storage Support | 8 x SATA 6Gb/s, 3 x M.2 |
The ASRock B550 Taichi is one of the best gaming motherboards on the market. It has great power delivery and a unique look that is sure to get people’s attention. Some people can’t afford the B550 Taichi because of its high price, but for those who can, it’s a great choice.
This motherboard has an impressive 16+2 Phase Power Design that makes sure even the most demanding systems get the power they need. It also has a strong heatsink made of aluminum alloy that helps keep things cool even when things get hot.
The Good
- Robust power delivery system for stable performance and overclocking, as well as support for Ryzen processors with higher clock speeds.
- High-quality audio parts and a lot of ways to connect, like Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1.
- The design is sleek and stylish, and the RGB lighting can be changed.
The Bad
- Some users have said they are having trouble with BIOS compatibility and controlling the fans.
FAQs
Which motherboard is best B550?
- Gigabyte B550 Aorus Master. Asus ROG Strix B550-F Gaming (WI-FI)
- Gigabyte B550 Vision D. Gigabyte B550M Aorus Pro
- AMD B550 Chipset. ZEN 3 Architecture
- How We Chose The Best B550 Motherboard. Chipset
- B550 vs. X570
- B660 vs. B560 vs
- B550 vs. B450
Is it better to get X570 or B550?
Both the X570 and B550 motherboards let you speed up the CPU and RAM. But the VRM on the more expensive X570 is usually a bit better than on the cheaper B550.
Are B550 motherboards high end?
As a high-end motherboard, the ASUS ROG Strix B550-E has great VRM and power delivery for overclocking, as well as a lot of heatsinks to keep things cool. It’s one of the best options for gamers and power users who want to get the most out of their processors.
Is B550 or X570 better for Ryzen 5 5600X?
The AMD X570 chipset on the ASUS ROG Strix X570-E makes it our top choice for the best motherboard for the Ryzen 5 5600X. It has super-fast LAN ports and PCIe 4.0. It could be cheaper, but even the most powerful Ryzen 9 processor works well with it.