Best B550 motherboards of 2022: AMD's cheapest PCIe 4.0 option (2023)

Pay attention to our most importantthe best motherboardsPage for our tested favorites for X670E and X670 motherboards as well as cheaper B650E and B650 motherboards. However, even the cheapest B650 cards cost more than many older B550 options. The latest generation Ryzen 5000 processors and AM4 motherboards continue to offer excellent performance and attractive prices compared to theHigh price of Ryzen 7000 and its motherboards🇧🇷 But you know, if you choose an AM4 motherboard now, you are buying a high-end platform. Most (if not all) new AMD processors will be released in the new socket AM5.

The best B550 motherboard for your next AMD build might not be a B550 board. by AMDChipset B550came in anticipation of PCIe 4.0 support at low prices given the high cost of most X570 cards and the attractive low price of many previous generation B450 motherboards. But now that we're over a year away from the B550's release, we know that AMD's mainstream AM4 platform delivers on at least one of those promises: PCIe 4.0.

While the B550 has less bandwidth available for various high-end graphics card configurations and high-speed memory compared to the X570, it offers enough PCIe 4.0 lanes for the typical fast-boot hard drive and graphics card configuration. And in general, the B550 is priced lower than the X570. But many B550 motherboards, especially the high-end models, are priced above many high-end X570 motherboards.

As a result, even the best B550 motherboards may not have as much appeal as the cheaper B450 options, despite the fact that with these cheaper cards you're missing out on PCIe 4.0, which is a key selling point of AMD's newer platforms. Intel comZ590/Rocket Lake.

There are other considerations (and complications) when choosing the best B550 motherboard, too. If you like your PC to run silently, you will appreciate that the B550 chipset does not require active cooling support. But rememberUpdated X570S chipset/motherboardsIt also eliminates the fan issue while providing the additional bandwidth of AMD's flagship chipset.

The most important thing to note about the B550 is that while the chipset is compatible with current and future Zen 3 processors, the boards were not compatible with Ryzen 2000 and earlier processors or Ryzen 3000 APUs like the Ryzen 5 3400G, less at startup. While the AM4 socket remains the same, ROM size limitations make it impossible for motherboard manufacturers to provide support for all current, future, and past Ryzen processors with a single firmware package.

The best motherboard B550

The best B550 motherboard (alternative)

NZXT's first foray into AMD motherboards is a resounding success. The game's late release allowed the company to implement feedback from its Intel boards by adding more USB ports to the rear I/O. The extra time also allowed NZXT to introduce next-gen Wi-Fi 6E along with 2.5GbE. That being said, the look has changed significantly from the company's previous cards, with skins dominating the interface and the lack of onboard RGB.

With an MSRP of $229, the NZXT N7 B550 is about $15 more expensive than our top pick, but packs a newer Wi-Fi chip, faster USB ports, and solid performance in a visually distinctive $229 package -Dollar. If you can afford to spend that much and don't need the extra PCI 4.0 bandwidth that comes with older, similarly priced X570 motherboards, the NZXT N7 B550 is worth considering.

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The Best B550 Motherboard (If Price Doesn't Matter)

The B550 Aorus Master is a very capable card that comes with premium features like Wi-Fi 6 and high quality VRM. It's one of the more feature-rich B550 motherboards, but that also means it's expensive. If you're looking for a B550-based motherboard for over $250, the B550 Aorus Master should be on your shortlist.

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The best B550 motherboard for content creators

If you're building a Ryzen-based system primarily for content creation and productivity, the Asus ProArt B550 Creator is a viable $300 option, especially if you can use its pair of Thunderbolt 4.Dual 2.5 ports GbE for fast wired connectivity, plus nifty latches for M.2 modules so you don't have to fumble for those little screws.

At just under $300, the ProArt B550 Creator is expensive for a B550 board, but offers unique features for content creators and their workflows. If your job fits within the confines of the B550 chipset and its limited memory flexibility, this board is the best we've tested for creative types. It's also a great card for general purpose builds, but the price is steep unless you can really use the Thunderbolt ports.

The best mid-range B550 motherboard

Bestes Mini ITX B550 Motherboard

You have to live with only six USB ports on the rear I/O, but that's normal for these small B550 boards. Keep in mind that one of the six ports is a USB 2.0 Type-C port designed for audio. If you plan on building with an APU, you'll have a trio of video ports and analog audio jacks to shine. That's the extent of the onboard RGB, however. If you want more lighting, you need to provide other components and devices.

You'll also have to deal with some awkwardly placed headers, like the front panel audio pins that get sandwiched between the main M.2 heatsink and the two RAM slots. But again, that's to be expected when so many advanced features are crammed into such a small board. For about $30 less, you can pick up MSI's Wi-Fi Gaming Edge MPG B550I. This card is similar in many ways, but swaps out some video connectors for a PS/2 connector and more audio jacks. It also has fewer USB 3.2 Gen2 ports, although it has more Type-A ports than Asus' ITX board.

After a rocky start with Mattel Aquarius as a kid, Matt built his first PC in the late 1990s and ventured into lightweight PC mods in the early 2000s. He has spent the last 15 years reporting on emerging technology for Smithsonian, Popular Science and Consumer Reports testing PCs and components for Computer Shopper, PCMag and Digital Trends.