The Best B550 Motherboard 2023

How We Choose

It doesn’t matter what type of component we are looking at for these guides, we put the same amount of careful consideration and research into everything we do. Choosing these products can be tricky, especially when you have to figure out what exactly makes them the ‘best’.

While we couldn’t test these B550 motherboards personally this time around, we did make sure to read as much information as we could about them to get the best indication of how they will perform. In most cases, this involved reading as many reviews as possible as well as poring through the product pages to see exactly what they offer.

We know just how tricky it is picking up a new product, especially if you need to do a lot of research beforehand. Only once we’ve gone through all of the information we’ve found can we be confident in putting it in an easy to understand guide for our readers. We aim to make our guides as informative as possible and would never recommend something that we wouldn’t include in one of our own builds.

Things To Consider

What Budget Should I Set For A B550 Motherboard?

How much a motherboard costs can really impact the budget you have remaining for the rest of your build. While it’s always important to shop with a firm budget in mind, you’ll want to aim for a little bit of room for future-proofing if possible.

There has been a bit of worry about the pricing of B550 motherboards in the leadup to their release, especially with some options seemingly costing more than X570 motherboards.

Currently, it looks like you’ll be able to pick up a B550 motherboard for around $120-280. Some of the main features that can have an effect on the price of a motherboard generally include the form factor, the chipset, the level of overclocking you can achieve, and how much you can expand. For example, budget motherboards may only offer two RAM slots whereas a premium model would offer a few more.

This is perfect for those who want to run a high-specification machine, but if you already know what your plans for the future of your build are, you could save a decent chunk of cash here.

Form Factor

When talking about motherboards, one of the most important things to consider is the size of the case you are putting it in. Depending on whether you have already bought your case, you’ll want to take a look at what form factor motherboard it supports.

There are a few different types of form factors available for motherboards, ranging from eATX down to Mini-ITX. If you need specifics, we’ve listed the measurements of the most common form factors below.

• Mini-ITX – 6.7” x 6.7”
• Mini-ATX – 5.9” x 5.9”
• microATX – 9.6” x 9.6”
• ATX – 12” x 9.6”
• eATX – 12” x 13”

A smaller board typically sacrifices a few features to cut down on size, but they are easier to use for those looking to create small PC builds. If you want the best of the best, an eATX board is perfect for those looking to create impressive systems, although it is the largest option.

Socket

Each motherboard that you look at is also going to have a specific socket type, this is the physical slot on the motherboard which holds your CPU. It’s important to remember that you must match the socket of the motherboard to the model of processor you will be using otherwise they won’t work.

We’re only looking at AM4 sockets in today’s list which are suitable for AMD processors only. If you are looking to include an Intel processor in your build, you’ll need to look for motherboards that sport the LGA 1151 socket type instead. To confuse things a bit further, if you’re looking at 10th generation Intel CPUs, you’ll need to look for a motherboard with an LGA1200 socket.

Chipsets

Another important factor to consider when shopping for a new motherboard is the type of chipset it uses. The type of chipset that your motherboard has will determine the key features that your motherboard can provide.

This ranges from the number of PCIe lanes available, SATA ports, and even the generation of USB slots. With technology advancing faster than ever, you’re going to want to make sure that the motherboard you choose has some breathing room for the future, as well as plenty of options for expandability.

Fan Headers

To keep your system running as cool as possible, you’re going to want to make sure your motherboard has a variety of fan headers to cope. These PWM headers are used to connect the fans in your case to the motherboard.

While most motherboards these days will have enough fan headers to cope with your hardware, it’s an important factor you’ll want to double-check on before you make your purchase.

Memory

When looking at memory, you’ll need to pay attention to the maximum amount of memory each motherboard supports, the speed of the memory, and the level of multi-channel support.

Each manufacturer’s website will tell you exactly what the motherboard supports as well as a list of specifications for quick reference. This can be vital when planning out a build.

PCI Slots

Depending on how much you spend on your motherboard will dictate how many slots you have to hold your components. One of the main things to try and work out, first of all, is how many PCI slots you’ll require. These slots will allow you to connect things such as graphics cards, Wi-Fi cards, sound cards, and extra USB slots to your system.

Not only will you want a couple of these spare, but you’ll also want to make sure that there’s adequate spacing between them if you plan on installing two large components next to each other. A perfect example of this would be if you want to run with multiple graphics cards. It’s definitely worth the time to plan out exactly what you want to include and if you have the space on the motherboard to facilitate it.

Price

The price of a motherboard is an important factor when choosing a motherboard for a computer system, as it can determine the features and quality of the motherboard. Generally, more expensive motherboards will offer a higher level of features and capabilities, such as support for faster memory, multiple graphics cards, and enhanced audio and networking. On the other hand, budget motherboards are usually simpler and may have fewer features and lower quality components, but can still provide sufficient functionality for basic computing tasks.

When considering the price of a motherboard, it is important to consider the needs of the computer system and balance the cost with the desired features and performance. A high-end motherboard may be overkill for a basic home computer, but may be necessary for a high-performance gaming or workstation system. Choosing a motherboard that fits within a specific budget, while also meeting the required needs, is a key factor in making a successful purchase.

Why is motherboard choice important for PC performance?

Motherboard choice is important for PC performance because it acts as the backbone of the system, connecting all the components and determining the capabilities of the build. The motherboard determines the supported CPU socket type, RAM type, and capacity, number of expansion slots for additional components, and storage options. It also provides the electrical power and data connections for the CPU, memory, and other components.

The choice of the motherboard can impact the overall speed and stability of the system, as well as the ability to upgrade or add components in the future. A high-quality motherboard with fast data transfer rates and stable power delivery can enhance the performance of the components, while a lower-quality or outdated motherboard can limit the performance potential of the system. Therefore, when building or upgrading a PC, it’s important to choose a compatible and capable motherboard that meets the needs of the build.