There is the X570 chipset from AMD which is the best and the B550 Chipset which is the next best. AMD’s 5000 Series CPUs are supported by both of these chipsets. Chipsets X470 and B450 were both replacements for the previous generations. X570 and B550 are two of the best AMD motherboards right now since they support PCIe4.0 (for GPUs and NVMe storage) and have wide CPU support. We are going to discuss X570 and B550 chipsets in this article, compare B550 vs X570 features and provide a buying guide that answers one of the most important questions.
The B550 Chipset
Chipset
B550
PCIe Support For GPU
x16 PCIe 4.0
PCIe Configuration
1 x16 or 2 x8
General Purpose PCIe Lanes
PCIe 3.0
No of PCIe 4.0
0
No of PCIe 3.0
10
USB 3.2 Gen 2
2
USB 3.2 Gen 1
2
USB 2.0
6
Possible Chipset For I/O
10 PCIe 3.0, 6 SATA III (6Gbps), 10 USB (2x10Gbps, 2x5Gbps and 6x480Mbps)
Overclocking
Yes
Dual Graphics Card
Yes
CPU Support
Zen 3 AMD Ryzen 5000, Zen 2 AMD Ryzen 3000
A year after the X570 chip, the B550 was released in June 2020. The X570 Chipset is slightly more expensive, and it replaces the B450 Chipset from previous generations. In addition to supporting the Zen 2 Ryzen 5000, the B550 Chipset can also support the Zen 3 Ryzen 5000 Series, which is paired with the AM4 socket.
In the above table, you can see that the B550 Chipset doesn’t have PCIe 4.0 lanes because the communication between the CPU and B550 Chipset is done over PCIe 3.0 x4 lanes. B550 Motherboards can be designed to support graphics cards and NVMe storage when the CPU has direct PCIe 4.0 lanes.
It’s not just gamers or content creators that benefit from motherboards with the B550 Chipset. Except for PCIe 4.0 lanes, the B550 has the same features as X570 for a fraction of the price.
The B550 chipset is primarily designed to support the Ryzen 5000 Series CPUs based on Zen 3. However, it can also support Ryzen 3000 Series CPUs.
B550 Chipset consumes approximately 6W of power at maximum. The B550 Motherboards don’t come with cooling fans on the chipset, like the X570 Motherboards.
10 PCIe 3.0, 6 SATA III (6Gbps), 10 USB (2x10Gbps, 2x5Gbps and 6x480Mbps)
Overclocking
Yes
Dual Graphics Card
Yes
CPU Support
Zen 3 AMD Ryzen 5000, Zen 2 AMD Ryzen 3000, Zen + AMD Ryzen 2000
Starting things off with the X570 chipset, let’s compare B550 vs X570. It replaced the previous generation’s X470 Chipset in July of 2019, and supported Ryzen 5000 Series CPUs based on Zen 3. NVMe storage devices and PCIe 4.0 graphics cards are supported for the first time with this chipset.
Gamers, video and photo content creators, professionals and those developing high-end gaming systems can benefit from the X570 Chipset. AMD’s AM4 socket CPUs use the X570 Chipset. Therefore, processors from previous generations will continue to work. Unfortunately, this only applies to Ryzen 2000 Series CPUs and not to 1st generation Ryzen 1000 Series CPUs.
X570 Chipsets draw anywhere between 11W and 15W of power depending on how many PCIe 4.0 lanes they have. Compared to the prior generation X470 Chipset, which had a top power draw of 6W, the current generation consumes significantly more power. The X570 chipset requires a dedicated cooling fan as a result, so most X570 motherboards have one.
MSI MPG X570 GAMING PLUS Motherboard
Features
Chipset AMD X570
Socket AM4
Supports AMD Ryzen 2nd and 3rd generation processors
The main difference between the B550 VS X570 motherboard in terms of compatibility with CPUs, there are significant differences between both motherboards. A motherboard may not support every type of CPU, so compatibility becomes an issue.
A relatively good level of compatibility is offered by the B550 chipset. It is compatible with Ryzen 3000 processors and above. Ryzen 5000 series will also be supported, but not the Ryzen 1 and Ryzen 2.
Moreover, there are no APUs on the B550 motherboards that belong to the Ryzen 3000 series, another factor you should take into account.
There are no compatibility issues with the APU on motherboards with X570 chipsets. These CPUs support the Ryzen 2000 series of processors, which are referred to as Gen 2 CPUs. The boards, however, are not compatible with the Ryzen Gen 3 processors, unlike the B550, which supports a greater range of processors.
In order to get the best Ryzen Gen 3 CPU, you should choose the B550 motherboard. It is possible to use the X570 if the processor is a Gen 3 or Gen 2 processor.
PCI-E 4.0 SUPPORT
You can make a significant difference by using PCIe 4.0 on your motherboard. Using this card, GPUs, SSDs, and expansion cards can transfer more data faster.
With PCIe 4.0 you have the option of achieving a maximum bandwidth of 16GT/s compared to the usual 8 GT/s with a PCIe 3.0 interface. Additionally, you get more SSD slots with the former.
With regard to PCIe, motherboards B550 and X570 are different. Motherboards built with B550 chipsets use the 4-lane PCIe 3.0 connection, while motherboards built with the X570 chipset use the PCIe 4.0 connection.
There are no PCIe 4.0 lanes on the B550. On the other hand, the X570 is equipped with 16 PCIe 4.0 x 16 lanes. PCIe 4.0 is supported on the B550 boards with direct CPU connectivity through the primary PCIex16 and M.2 slots. B550 boards can connect two devices using PCIe 4.0, which is a big improvement over B450 boards.
A dual PCIe 4.0 M.2 slot is available on the X570 boards. PCIe 4.0 only supports one slot on the B550, although multiple slots can also be supported.
OVERCLOCKING AND PERFORMANCE
RAM and CPU overclocking are supported on both motherboards. In comparison to the B550 motherboards, the VRMs on the X570 deliver better stability. An X570 motherboard should offer better performance and overclock.
DUAL GPU SUPPORT
You should make sure that your motherboard and processor support dual GPU configurations, such as Nvidia’s SLI and AMD’s Crossfire. Thanks to these features, both the B550 and the X570 are supported. However, this feature is only found on the top-of-the-line (or premium) B550 motherboards.
USB and SATA Connectivity
Besides PCIe lanes, USB and SATA are also important connectivity options. B550 Chipsets are limited to two USB 10Gbps ports, while X570 Chipsets have eight. X570 Chipset does not include USB 5Gpbs ports, whereas B550 chipset does. The X570 Chipset only has four USB 2.0 ports, while the B550 Chipset has six ports.
X570 and B550 chipsets both offer four dedicated SATA III 6Gbps ports, but X570 supports up to eight additional ports and B550 up to two.
Price
The price of motherboards is the last and most significant difference. X570 motherboards are slightly more expensive than B550 options if you compare the B550 and X570 prices. In addition to that, the X570 Chipset will have PCIe 4.0 lanes (which will require a more expensive PCB), a better VRM, and improved cooling solutions.
WHICH IS BETTER TO BUY X570 VS B550
X570 motherboards are technically superior to B550 motherboards. X570 motherboards offer more features than B550 motherboards. However, the B550 appears to be gaining more attention and attracting more mass appeal. There is a larger market share for the B550 in average builds, which is what it is most ideal for.
Even though the X570 comes with several fancy features, it is not suitable for any build unless you are planning to build a gaming or video editing rig. When you do, you’ll be able to enjoy all the amazing features it offers.
Felix knows a lot about computers. As a student of BSCS, Felix is passionate about technology. Since childhood, Felix has been a hardcore gamer who enjoys reviewing new gaming hardware. If you have any questions about computers, Felix will be happy to answer them.
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