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The release of the mid-range B550 motherboard chipset has made choosing the right AMD motherboard a whole new experience. Whether buying for gaming, work, or otherwise, the choice has become even more confusing than it was to begin with.
The B550 offers people a more budget-friendly model with high-end options that can be priced well into more expensive territory like the X570. So when it boils down to it, shopping for an AMD motherboard can easily become overwhelming, especially when models like the B550 end the X570 are involved.
Both models have unique qualities and great options as well as different price points, so it can be hard to know which one is the right guy for you. Here, we will explain the differences and commonalities between the two motherboards. We’ll also dig into some factors and features that may help you choose which motherboard is right for you!
Verdict: Overall, we generally consider the X570 a higher-end and more functional AMD motherboard. The B550 is generally a lesser version of the X570, and while that works for some people, it does not work for everybody. Thus, the X570 is our pick as the winner!
The difference between the B550 and the X570 can be shown in several categories. The first category where we can see differences in the B550 and the X570 is in price. We can see some price disparities between models.
There is also a consensus among buyers that you buy a b450 model if you are on a budget and an X570 model if you want something more high-end with more capacity. However, the introduction of the B550 models has broken up that stereotype brought about by the b450 models.
You can find B550 models ranging from $100 up to more than $300. This means that the B550 is no longer the budget brand like the b450 was. That said, the wide range of pricing for the B550 models allows people to buy on a budget with the lower-cost models, or go for more high-end options with the more expensive ones.
The b450 models used to be almost always cheaper than the X570 models. So with the influx of the B550 models, the price range and price difference between the two motherboards have decreased. Many of the B550 models are similar prices to the X570 models.
When it comes to price, there was a clear winner for us. The winner for the price section is the B550 model. We selected this as the winner because the B550 models have a far greater range of price than the X570 models. The B550 models may not be the same budget-friendly version as the b450 models, but they still hold a wide range of options, allowing people of all budgets to purchase the brand.
The X570 models simply do not have this range of price like the B550 models.
When it comes to differences in the chipset between the B550 and the X570 models, there are a lot of things to touch on. Because they are very similar in prices, for the most part, they come with similar quality.
Thus, the chipset comparison comes down to putting specific models, prices, features, and quality aspects up against each other. The majority of people will automatically think that the X570 is a better chipset than the B550. People think this is simply based on the B550’s history, like the b450.
The label of a water down or dumbed-down X570 is a hard nickname to shake, but the B550 is doing its best to change that. The B550 is a clear step up from the B450 and can now be considered a serious competitor against the X570.
When it comes to technicalities, the X570 has a superior chipset by only a small margin. The X570 has more features, better flexibility, and great connectivity. The X570 is only slightly better than the B550 in these areas.
However, even though the X570 is generally a touch better than some B550s, it does not mean that you should write off the B550 chipset. B550 chipsets generally have more tangible benefits to more users.
You can see some of the comparisons between the two chipsets in their technical aspects. For example, the X570 supports dual PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots. On the contrary, B550 motherboards can only support one PCIe slot of a multiple M.2 SSDs motherboard.
The X570 also supports multiple PCIe 4.0 PCIe slots. The full-length slot for graphics cards, PCIe x16, supports PCIe 4.0. However, the secondary PCIe slots, regardless of if they are full-length GPU slots or smaller slots like x8, x4, x1 for expansion cards, will have to be PCIe 3.0 on B550 motherboards.
Another aspect that the X570 has that the B550 does not have is the number of 4.0 lanes. PCIe slots and PCIe lanes are two very different elements of the motherboard. The X570 has more PCIe 4.0 Waynes, which means that the X570 has more connections available on the CPU. This also means that the X570 uses PCIe 4.0 Lanes to connect the chipset and the CPU.
The B550 connects to the CPU and the chipset using PCIe 3.0 lanes, so they are not as top-notch as the X570s PCIe 4.0 lanes. It also means that the B550s PCIe lanes are not as fast or flexible as the X570.
For more advanced users, the X570 is a clear choice here. It also depends on the Ryzen that you are using, which may need to be updated depending on the motherboard, chipset, and model, regardless of whether it is a B550 or an X570.
The B550 motherboards cannot support 5G or 10g LAN. They can only support 1G and 2.5G LAN ports. On the contrary, some X570 boards can have end support 5G and 10 LAN ports. While this may not be an issue for the majority of users, those who do rely on higher speeds will not be able to conduct their processes as fast on a B550 as they could on a 5G X570.
When it comes to Ryzen, the X570 supports both Ryzen 3000 Series APUs and Ryzen 2000 CPUs. B550 motherboards are not capable of supporting more recent APUs for the AMD’s, like the Ryzen 3 3200 G. However, the X570 motherboards do.
The B550 motherboard chipset also does not support older generations of Ryzen like the 2000 series oh, also known as the 2700x series. On the other hand, the X570 does. While both of these will not matter to many people, some may be trying to pair a higher-end motherboard like an X570 with a cheaper APU.
The X570 also has a cooling system, which is an important aspect of your motherboard. Almost all of the X570 motherboards have built-in chipset fans to keep the motherboard cool and efficient during use. The B550 motherboards and chipsets do not have a chipset fan.
The B550 chipset does have lower power consumption, which means that they generate less heat while you are using it. It also means that they do not need a fan to necessarily keep the motherboard and chipset cool during use.
So, our overall winner when it comes to the chipset of the B550 motherboard and the X570 motherboard is the X570 motherboard. The X570 motherboard has a slight advantage over the B550, especially when it comes to PCIe slots, compatibility, as well as the cooling aspect of the chipset fan.
X570 motherboards have something that B550 motherboards and chipsets do not have. X570 motherboards have PCIe 4.0 lanes in both the processor and the chipset, while the B550 only has PCIe 4.0 in the processor. The X570 chipset uses far more power than the B550, which makes it more inclined to generate more heat during use.
This is why all models of X570 motherboards have chipset fans except for the Gigabyte X570 Aorus Extreme.
Chipset fans are somewhat of a controversial subject because chipset fans were not used on motherboards or chipsets for a long time. Many enthusiasts who use the X570 motherboards are not thrilled with the chipset fan returning to their CPU.
Chipset fans can increase noise, which can make a distracting sound while you are using you’re set up. Plus, the X570 often has smaller chipset fans, making a louder and more disruptive noise when they turn on.
However, it should be noted that some people do not notice the fan at all and do not care. Additionally, chipset fans in the X570 usually only kick on unless the temperature hits a dangerous level, such as when the PCB reaches a threshold where it may overheat.
Many users of X570 motherboards claimed that the sound is not noticeable even if the fan does kick on. If you are highly sensitive to noise has, then you may want to opt for the B550, which does not have a chipset fan at all.
But the downside of having a system that does not have a chipset fan is that your system could overheat, causing it to shut down and cause damage to your CPU or data stored on it.
The bottom line when it comes to cooling systems for your motherboard is that it depends on what noises you can and cannot hear and what bothers you. If the sound of a fan running will distract you and upset you, then you should opt for one like B550 that does not have a chipset fan. If you are more concerned with losing information stored on your device, you should opt for a motherboard with a chipset fan to ensure that your system stays cool and calm.
Looking ahead to the future is a dangerous game when talking about motherboards! Systems and technologies can develop and advance very quickly, leaving certain technologies defunct or slow. It can be tough to say which system will be more useful long-term.
When you look at all the aspects from both motherboards, the X570 seems to be a longer-term solution for your system. But then again, it is not perfect, and the B550 is very similar to the X570.
So, the future CPU compatibility for the B550 and the X570 are fairly similar! bold chipsets will probably only support up to the Ryzen 5000 system (or Zen 3), and most CPU systems Beyond the Ryzen 5000 system will likely require you to purchase a new motherboard!
There is no clear winner for which motherboard will last the test of time when it boils down to it.
Overall our winner is the X570 over the B550.
The B550 is fantastic, do not get us wrong, and it replaces the b450 with excellent quality. However, the X570 has just a few more abilities and features that the B550 simply does not offer.
The X570 has better compatibility and better cooling. When looking at both systems from a technical perspective, the X570 is superior.
That said, most people do not care because the key features on the X570 board and the B550 board are similar or the same, which makes both of them excellent options for people looking to get a new motherboard.
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