I know AM4 is a dead socket but I’m reusing my old AM4 components from a ATX build I made about 4 years ago and I can’t justify spending so much money on a newer chipset that I don’t need.

Anyways, because these are all old motherboards sockets I’m finding a lot on the used market for around 150-200 dollars and reviews point me to “just buy the B550i” however, because these are all older boards, there are people selling their old X570i boards for around the same price as the B550i with a small margin and all the reviews I come by neglect to express the benefits of the X570i because “just buy the B550i, less expensive” Price isn’t an issue in this case so I want to know,

What’s the best X570i motherboard and is it better than the best B550i motherboard or no?

I am looking at the Gigabyte, ASUS, and MSI ones at the moment and can't decide. Optimum Tech and Hardware Unboxed recommend the Gigabyte version, but I'm seeing reviews complain about bluetooth connectivity issues.

For MSI, I can't find anything good or bad regarding the board.

For ASUS I'm seeing people say to just get the Gigabyte this go around or move up to the ASUS x570i? However with the x570i I see that you need to get lucky and get a mobo with the Zen 3 supported firmware, or have a Zen 2 CPU on hand to flash the bios.

With all 3, I am seeing that there is a USB connectivity issue and the workaround is to downgrade the PCie 4.0 to 3.0 instead. I did see that MSI has beta BIOS updates now that fix this though - https://www.pcgamer.com/amd-ryzen-usb-issue-fix-bios-agesa-msi/

Just wondering what the current state of affairs is with regards to this, and what would you guys recommend.

Thanks!

I have identified B550I as what I need, but I am a bit confused by different options + compatability.

I will ofc be building in a ghost mkIII + NH-L12 Ghost S1 Edition cooler

I don't want to have to mod anything, just plug and play. I feel my choices are:

1. ASUS ROG STRIX B550-I GAMING https://ncc.noctua.at/motherboards/model/ASUS-ROG-STRIX-B550-I-Gaming-4182

2. Gigabyte B550I AORUS PRO AX https://ncc.noctua.at/motherboards/model/Gigabyte-B550I-Aorus-Pro-AX-4349

3. MSI MPG B550I GAMING EDGE MAX WIFI [Also this option - no idea difference? - MPG B550I GAMING EDGE WIFI] https://ncc.noctua.at/motherboards/model/MSI-MPG-B550I-Gaming-Edge-Max-WIFI-4428

I am leaning towards #3 MSI or the #1 ASUS, because they seems the most compatible based on NH-L12 Ghost S1 Edition cooler , with others the 'shroud is too big' but I guess could be adjusted easily

I also read some of the mobos above have particular cooling, so should go with them - no need for another fan which could be noisy?

So MSI vs asus? and why? - would love to hear from recent builders/knowledgeable people !

I am looking for advice regarding motherboard and the value you get from them. I m hesitating between two mini itx boards : the Gigabyte B550i aorus pro or the ASRock B550M. The ASROCK is clearly the more budget friendly option here and I was wondering wether it is truly worth it to spend more for a motherboard. I m running a ryzen 7 3700x. Thanks

After reading about ITX boards I left wondering for the safest bet for the smøl Dan A4. Here's an alphabetical table I made after researching all the boards, help me fill it! If you could post stuff about clearance, problems, specs and performance differences. Sources would be appreciated. Other good comparison I found.

Personally, I'm leaning towards ASRock Phantom for my Dan A4 V4.1 build, but depending on CPU or case you might not care about VRM or space issues.

For You Information:

○ There's some old info floating around B550i not having PCIe 4.0. This is not true.

○ If number of M.2 slots is important for you, read the thread about it below and check your MB specs

○ X570 boards and some B550 do not support 4th gen Ryzen 5000s out of the box, so better check when buying or wait for a new MB like X590. Unless you can update it yourself with an older CPU or with the BIOS update USB slot.

○ Can't update BIOS without CPU? AMD might help you out: https://www.amd.com/en/support/kb/faq/pa-105#faq-Short-Term-Processor-Loan-Boot-Kit

My current build plan is below comments are more than welcome!

It is kind of a bad time to build a computer, but unfortunately I can't wait for 6 months until price drop and new MBs/AMD AM5 to come out.

EDIT: Changed my preference from Gigabyte to ASRock Phantom

ASUS = 8+2 Vishay SiC360 50A (400 Amps total) (Easily the cheapest/worst, these are the VRMs Asrock uses on their budget B550M-ITX/ac, and ASUS are charging premium!!!)

ASROCK & GIGABYTE= 6+2 Renesas ISL99390 90A (540 Amps total)

MSI = 8+2+1 (the +1 is APU dedicated) MP86936 60A (480Amps total) (Probably the best compromise especially as it seems to be the best for overclocking RAM from initial feedback around the internets)

Edit: more up to date information for all of the itx boards here https://www.reddit.com/r/sffpc/comments/grusq0/compiled_b550_itx_motherboard_information/fshlldu/?context=3

Please let me know iIf there's any other information that you'd like to see compiled for easy comparison! Especially let me know if you have better sources for some of these motherboards.

Asus b550 ROG Strix itx

https://edgeup.asus.com/2020/b550-motherboard-guide-asus-rog-strix-tuf-gaming-prime/

• We know it is 8+2 VRM configuration, but we don't know the specs of the power stages.

• 2.5gb NIC

• 2 m.2 slots

• Has a front panel type C connector - new case owners can rejoice and avoid the weird adapters!

• internal thunderbolt header. Useful for some cases' front panel I/O potentially?? ATX boards tend to market the use of these headers along with a thunderbolt expansion card, but we obviously don't have the ability to fit those in a lot of our cases.

• I'm only seeing 4 USB ports + 2 USB C, one of which is optimised for audio but works for other devices as well. Might be a bit too light on traditional USB?

• has fan(s) under a shroud above the VRM.

• MSRP will be $229

ASRock b550 Phantom Gaming itx

https://www.asrock.com/mb/AMD/B550%20Phantom%20Gaming-ITXax/index.asp

• VRM configuration is a 6+2 using 90A power stages.

• 2 m.2 slots

• Also has front panel type C connector.

• 2.5gb NIC

• no fans!

• 5 USB + 1 USB C on back I/O

• We don't know the price yet.

ASRock b550 itx ("budget" option, hopefully)

https://www.asrock.com/mb/AMD/B550M-ITXac/index.asp

• No picture yet.

• Another 6+2, this time using 50A power stages. That is still plenty to run an 8 core, but it is quite a drop.

• No front panel type C.

• gigabit NIC

• only 1 m.2 slot

• 5 USB + 1 USB C on back I/O

• don't know the price

Gigabyte b550 Aorus Pro AX itx

https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/B550I-AORUS-PRO-AX-rev-10#kf

• 6+2 vrm with 90A power stages.

• 2 m.2 slots

• no front panel type C, so this is likely your highest-end option if you are on the older type A front panel

• 2.5gb NIC

• no fans!

• 5 USB + 1 USB C on back I/O

• don't know the price

MSI MPG B550I Gaming Edge WIFI

https://www.guru3d.com/news-story/msi-announces-its-b550-motherboard-family.htmlHaven't found a ton of information on this one yet, but there's a bit in this article

• 8+2 vrm. unknown power stages.

• no pictures that I'm aware of

• front type C

• don't know price

My thoughts:

As an owner of a Gigabyte x570 itx board, I gotta say, these b550's are making me a bit jealous. The one and only reason I can find to go for the x570 over the b550 is if you are actually using two pcie gen 4 m.2 SSDs. Everything else appears to be an upgrade!

With the beefed up VRMs on these things, I can't help but wonder if the motherboard manufacturers are prepping for some very power hungry Ryzen 4000 CPUs. Gigabyte went from 6+2 using 70A power stages on the x570 (totally fine to run a 3950x) to a 6+2 using 90A power stages! Why the extra 120A throughput for the cpu vcore? Just insane! And gigabyte isn't the only one to offer the beefed up VRMs either!

I think this is actually going to cause somewhat of a mess for pc builders. We are going to spend a lot of time telling people to not spend extra for the x570 boards because they are actually WORSE than the b550 (assuming that they do position the b550 boards cheaper than the x570 ones). I think they should have used a different name for this chipset. What do you think?

I am considering to build pc with gigabyte b550i or asrock b550i. Which motherboard are you guys recommend me?

Currently buying the parts for a new gaming & work rig, and I already got my Ryzen 5950x CPU.

The case I’m using (Antec Striker) is a mini-ITX one so I’m limited to mini-ITX mobos. I’m planning to run watercooling in the case (CPU + RTX 3090 custom loop) and want to go top-end.

I’m a bit at a loss when it comes to motherboards though. Ideally I’d like PCIe 4.0 for the SSD (I’ll be getting a samsung evo 980 pro), I will also be grabbing 2x32gb Corsair Dominator ram.

The monitor I’ll be using is a LG CX 48 (though I’d like having one extra out port in case I need to add a second screen).

So far it seems that the B550I Aorus PRO Mini ITX (https://www.gigabyte.com/fr/Motherboard/B550I-AORUS-PRO-AX-rev-10#kf) could fit the bill, am I missing anything? Are there better choices or new stuff that’s coming out? I was looking at the Crossair Impact VIII but the mini-DTX form factor worries me a bit (I don’t think it can fit in my case).

Please let me know your opinion about that, I don’t want to mess up my mobo choice!

Hello r/SFFPC,

I know there are similar posts to this but I wanted to share my personal experience/knowledge about some of the B550i boards. Hopefully this helps someone out who is in the market for one of these.

MSI MPG B550i Gaming Edge Wifi

Pros

- USB-C Header

- Realtek NIC

Cons

- USB-C Connector only runs at 5Gbps

- Non-standard Backplate that causes issues with aftermarket cpu coolers that use their own backplate to mount. As you can see in the post that I linked, there are cutouts in the boards backplate to accommodate for the chips that are installed on the back.

- M.2 Fan (It can be unplugged. People say you can disable it in bios but I have not found any option to disable)

Asrock B550i Phantom Gaming

Pros

- USB-C Header (10Gbps)

- Fanless

Cons

- Intel Nic (Has issues, looks like this still has not been resolved in the second revision)

- Right angle sata ports

Rog Strix B550-I Gaming

Pros

- USB-C Header

- Bios Flashback button

- Most Rear USB Ports out of the other offerings listed

Cons

- ROG Tax

- Intel Nic

- VRM Fan

Gigabyte B550i Aorus Pro AX

Pros

- Price (Cheapest out of others listed here)

- Fanless

- Realtek Nic

Cons

- No USC-C Header

- M.2 heatsink does not make contact with M.2 SSD (This may be easily fixed by adding a thermal pad inbetween. I've also read that the heatsink on the board is more meant to cool the VRMS but cant seem to find the post where I read that. Will test that when I receive the board..)

- Bios Issues? (apparently there is an issue with the board posting slower after being left on after a certain time period. Discovered this via a newegg review by douglas c.)

Summary:

This isn't meant to downplay similar posts or to be an in depth buyer guide. Just wanted to compile everything I learned somewhere to help others. I personally purchased the MSI board at first despite knowing about the non-standard backplate. Ended up selling it the other day (because of that) and purchasing the Aorus board. Was struggling to decide between the Strix and Aorus, but I couldn't justify paying the ROG tax for a board with the defective Intel Nic.

Anyways, take care all!

Is this a good board? currently planning my next build and first time getting an itx mobo, i’ve head some mixed reviews of the board of issues in the past but unsure if they’ve been fixed, anyone have this and know if it’s good?

If not can anyone recommend a AM4 ITX board? thanks

Ive been keeping my eye on boars now for about 8 months, and have every component in hand except for the mobo. Ive narrowed it down to these two boards, which seem pretty even in terms of performance, durability, and cost. My problem is that the reviews on both are so split that anytime I convince myself to go with one of the two, I end up doubting it. I have a 5600x CPU, so bios flashing was an issue, but both boards seem to be shipping 5000 series ready.

If its a wash, totally fine, just looking for some good feedback from NR200 builders. This is also my FIRST pc build, so if anybody else went the same route, I'd love to hear about the build process!