ASrock Gaming K4 and 2600x

[sanyib122]

Hi, I am looking for a motherboard for my 2600X. Was thinking about the MSI B450 Tomahawk, but then I've read that the MSI BIOS isn't the best for X series cpus, because it's missing a few features (like offset voltage I think?) that are needed for PBO, and without that, the 2600X isn't really worth it.
My second/third choice would be the ASRock Fatality B450 Gaming K4 and the ASUS ROG STRIX B450-F. The ASUS board didn't get very good reviews though, mainly because of the bad vrm design, so looks like my last choice would be the ASRock one.
My question is, does the ASRock BIOS has necessary features to use my 2600X to it's full capacity?
Thanks!

 

[Lutfij]

I tend to stay away from ASRock's Fatal1ty range of boards since I've seen first hand that they have the longest list of BIOS revisions/updates. If you can see if you can go for Asus boards since they are better in terms of control/maneuverability. On another note, make sure you're working with DDR4-3200MHz dual channel ram kits since it brings the best out of Ryzen.

Lastly, voltage offsets aren't all the buzz, you should be more interested in manually inputting voltage numbers since an offset can be too much if the default(seen by BIOS) is more than necessary. FYI, each board will have a different default number.

 

[Barty1884]

PBO is just another auto-OC type feature, but based around pwoer delivery opposed to temps.

Given the limited headroom on Ryzen chips (especially the X variants), manual tuning is always going to be a better idea anyway.

Even with the LLC issues in the BIOS at the time, I still see the VRM being one of the coolest on any B450 board thus far?
https://www.overclock3d.net/reviews/cpu_mainboard/asus_rog_strix_b450-f_gaming_review/15

As for the actual VRM design, given the blatant misbranding on a board or two by Gigabyte, and the overall 'tier' of B450 in the space, I don't think the B450-F is a bad board?

 

[sanyib122]

Yes I'm planning on getting G.skill Flare X 3200MHz. You say I should be fine with the STRIX B450-F?

 

[Barty1884]

If you're going the B450 route then yes.

You can kind of pick holes in almost all (or all) of the B450 offerings. You can do the same with some of the cheaper/lower end X470 boards too.
Unless you're going all-in with the top tier X470 boards, there's always going to be some tradeoffs; usually starting with the VRM.

As for MSI's BIOS (and Gigabyte's for that matter), they leave something to be desired even on a user friendly front.
That's before you even get into "features".