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AMD B550 motherboards have captured the attention of gamers with their affordable price tags, wide hardware support, and admirable performance. However, the sheer number of options might make it difficult to pick one. Since a motherboard can make or break your gaming rig, it is crucial to choose the right base that seamlessly integrates your computer's components, offers upgradability, and suits the requirements of your setup.
Moreover, we also want the board to be priced reasonably, which brings us to mid-range options like the B550. AMD's Ryzen 5000 series continues to be popular in the budget and entry-level segments even today. Hence, to help you with the best motherboards for these CPUs, we have listed the best B550 motherboards.
Note: This article is subjective and reflects the writer's opinions. The following list starts with the cheapest option and makes its way to the most expensive one.
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Best B550 motherboards: Gigabyte B550M DS3H, MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk, and more
1) Gigabyte B550M DS3H ($94.99)
Starting with entry-level offerings, the Gigabyte B550M DS3H is a solid option for lower-end systems. The board is competitively priced at just $94.99, making it one of the cheapest B550 motherboards you can buy. It is nothing fancy but packs all the hardware for a basic setup. You get a 5+3 phase digital VRM setup, with scant heatsinks. There is no I/O cover, and the board doesn't have any RGB lighting.
Despite its price tag, this B550 motherboard has all the necessities: four DDR4 RAM slots, two NVME slots, a couple of PCIe x16 slots with Gen 4 connectivity, support for ARGB, and more. However, the board does cut some corners, but it's still adequate for casual gaming.
Pros:
- At under $100, the Gigabyte B550M DS3H is quite cheap.
- It packs all the necessary features such as four RAM slots, support for ARGB, and more.
Cons:
- The power design on the DS3H is lacking, making it unsuitable for high-end CPUs.
- It lacks PCIe Gen 4 connectivity.
Read more: 5 best gaming motherboards for Ryzen 5 5600
2) MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk ($119.99)
MSI's Tomahawk series has been a popular choice among gamers for its value. Despite being priced in the sub-$200 range, these boards pack everything an average gamer could ask for. This includes cooling solutions, sharp looks, as well as support for the latest technologies and standards.
With the B550 Tomahawk, you get a full-sized ATX board with all the necessary features at just $120. The board features an integrated rear I/O with ample connectivity options, such as PCIe Gen 4 connectivity for both GPUs and SSDs as well as a high-end 11-stage VRM design that makes the motherboard great for overclocking. All of this comes paired with a dash of RGB lighting.
Pros:
- The B550 Tomahawk is priced competitively at $119.99.
- It is a full-size ATX board with a capable power design, heatsinks, ARGB, and Gen 4 connectivity.
Cons:
- The Tomahawk doesn't have onboard WiFi and Bluetooth.
3) MSI MAG B550M Mortar ($158.99)
A more premium option, the MSI B550M Mortar is a superb choice for slightly high-end systems based on the AM4 platform. The board is a huge upgrade over the options listed above, with all the bells and whistles you would expect from a mid-range offering. You get an 8+2+1 stage VRM design with ample heatsinks to keep them, an ALC 1200 audio chip, plenty of support for ARGB, and more.
In terms of hardware support, this B550 motherboard is decked. You get four DDR4 RAM slots and two PCIe x16 slots, with one riveted Gen 4 slot. Moreover, you get two M.2 SSD slots with Gen 4 support as well. This makes the motherboard futureproof.
Pros:
- The MSI B550M Mortar packs all the necessary features, ample cooling, and hardware support in an M-ATX form factor.
- The board is selling for $158.99.
Cons:
- The board's layout is not conventional.
4) ASRock B550 Taichi ($187)
The ASRock B550 Taichi doesn't share the very DNA of the B550 chipset: it's filled to the brim with hardware that reminds us of the higher-end X570 offerings. The Taichi series is designed for power users and overclockers, and this board is no exception. You get a whopping 16-phase power design with this B550 motherboard. Moreover, it is packed with cooling hardware and heatsinks.
You also get onboard WiFi and Bluetooth, support for three GPUs via Gen 4, and two high-speed M.2 slots. Moreover, the board is flush with RGB lighting and overclocker-friendly features — such as a digital LED status indicator, physical on/off and reset buttons, GPU push-to-release, and more.
Pros:
- The B550 Taichi is decked with admirable hardware — its ample power stages and cooling solutions makes it perfect for overclocking.
- The board packs loads of on-board RGB. On top of that, the product's sharp design makes it look superb.
Cons:
- The board can be a bit overkill for mid-range users and casual gamers.
Read more: How to choose motherboards for the Nvidia RTX 4090?
5) NZXT N7 B550 ($249.99)
Unlike most B550 motherboards, the NZXT N7 isn't available at a handsome discount. However, for those looking for a minimalistic option, this is the board to go for. It offers a solid combination of good looks, admirable hardware support, and impressive performance. You can get this board in both white and black colorways, making it ideal for all kinds of setups. However, its price is a bit high at $249.99.
At its core, the N7 B550 motherboard is based on the ASRock Steel Legend, with a 12+2+2 phase power delivery system. Packed with enough heatsink mass, it is great for overclocking and high-end CPUs. You also get the regular suite of Gen 4 connectivity, onboard WiFi and Bluetooth, as well as high physical On/Off and Reset buttons.
Pros:
- The highlight of the NZXT N7 B550 is its minimal design.
- It's hardware support and cooling design makes it enough for all Ryzen 3000 and 5000 CPUs.
Cons:
- At $249.99, it is quite expensive. Multiple X570 boards are selling in this range.
Factors to consider when buying a motherboard
There are several aspects one should consider before buying a motherboard. They include:
- CPU Support: What CPUs does the motherboard support?
- Memory Support: Type (DDR4 etc), amount, and speed (universally measured in MHz) of RAM the motherboard supports.
- Form Factor: The physical size of the motherboard, e.g., ATX, micro ATX.
- Storage Options: How many SATA and M.2 connectors do they have?
- No. of ports: No. and types of I/O (Input-Output) ports available (USB ports, Display Ports, HDMI, Ethernet, etc).
- Extra features/Efficiency: If Bluetooth and onboard Wi-Fi are available, VRM, Power delivery, etc.
Overall, the options we provided are the best B550 motherboards you can choose presently. The number of available options for motherboards have been dwindling in the market, with some options already having disappeared from stores. However, Ryzen 5000 and 3000 CPUs continue to be popular to this day, and the listed motherbaords are great for any chip launched for the AM4 platform.
