[SOLVED] Does it make sense to buy this B450 over this B550?

Sep 18, 2021
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I am looking to pick up a new motherboard for an AMD 5600x. My local Bestbuy only has 2 options that are in my price range.
Micro atx b550 https://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/product/asus-prime-b550m-a-wi-fi-micro-atx-am4-motherboard/14998531
or
Atx b450
https://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/product/msi-b450-tomahawk-max-atx-am4-motherboard/14325085
I am leaning towards the B450, mostly for the extra pci-e slot (not that I need it now) and bios flashback. They are priced the same. I don't need gen 4 for what I do, and the wi-fi isn't really necessary. What would you get?
 
Solution
On B450 board all PCIE slots (except one x16 PCIE3.0) - are PCIE 2.0 slots.
So for example, if you wanted to install additional M.2 drive on M.2 PCIE adapter, it would work at PCIE 2.0 speed (2x slower than PCIE 3.0).

On B550 board all PCIE slots are PCIE 3.0 or PCIE 4.0.
BTW - PRIME B550M-A (WI-FI) - already has 2 M.2 slots.

TLDR - pass on B450.
Sep 18, 2021
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The B450 board is better built overall with more features and a better vrm.

The b550 will have pcie 4.0 and will have better bios support for Ryzen5000, though
Wow, you are quick on the reply. Thanks.
When you say better bios support do you mean out of the box or actually different in some way from the 550?
I expect the 450 to need an update before it will work with the 5600, though it shouldn't be too bad with the MSI board from my limited understanding of the bios flash feature.
 
On B450 board all PCIE slots (except one x16 PCIE3.0) - are PCIE 2.0 slots.
So for example, if you wanted to install additional M.2 drive on M.2 PCIE adapter, it would work at PCIE 2.0 speed (2x slower than PCIE 3.0).

On B550 board all PCIE slots are PCIE 3.0 or PCIE 4.0.
BTW - PRIME B550M-A (WI-FI) - already has 2 M.2 slots.

TLDR - pass on B450.
 
Solution
Sep 18, 2021
5
0
10
On B450 board all PCIE slots (except one x16 PCIE3.0) - are PCIE 2.0 slots.
So for example, if you wanted to install additional M.2 drive on M.2 PCIE adapter, it would work at PCIE 2.0 speed (2x slower than PCIE 3.0).

On B550 board all PCIE slots are PCIE 3.0 or PCIE 4.0.
BTW - PRIME B550M-A (WI-FI) - already has 2 M.2 slots.

TLDR - pass on B450.
Good points there.
Not sure that makes much difference to me though. I am happy enough with the speeds I get from the sata drives I use now. One m.2 at 3.0 speeds should be more than enough for me.
Would you buy that B550 though? I can find what appear to be "better" boards for another 30 bucks or so, but not in my town. I don't buy online.
This one works out to $30 more with a bundled 5600x
https://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=26_1832_1833&item_id=169288
It might be just more bling than added quality though.
 
I am looking to pick up a new motherboard for an AMD 5600x. My local Bestbuy only has 2 options that are in my price range.
Micro atx b550 https://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/product/asus-prime-b550m-a-wi-fi-micro-atx-am4-motherboard/14998531
or
Atx b450
https://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/product/msi-b450-tomahawk-max-atx-am4-motherboard/14325085
I am leaning towards the B450, mostly for the extra pci-e slot (not that I need it now) and bios flashback. They are priced the same. I don't need gen 4 for what I do, and the wi-fi isn't really necessary. What would you get?
About the only good reason to get the the Prime B550m-A WiFi is because it is mATX and an ATX won't fit your case or you really need the WiFi as you're not wired for CAT-5.

The Tomahawk definitely has a superior VRM and the PCIe gen 4/gen3 benefit is highly over rated.
 
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Sep 18, 2021
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About the only good reason to get the the Prime B550m-A WiFi is because it is mATX and an ATX won't fit your case or you really need the WiFi as you're not wired for CAT-5.

The Tomahawk definitely has a superior VRM and the PCIe gen 4/gen3 benefit is highly over rated.
Oh the house isn't wired for cat-5, and I have a wifi card already. But there is a "temporary" line skillfully ran from the living room up the stairs and down a hallway. The blue cable adds a nice touch of class to the place.
I can fit an atx board. It seems like 30 dollars extra for a better board, b550 and ready for the 5600 out of the box would probably be money well spent. I have had a bios flash go sideways on me once. They also have some ram that makes up the difference but I don't know about the manufacturer. Team T-force.
https://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=24_311_1326&item_id=188558 $90
instead of
https://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/produc...hz-desktop-memory-cmk16gx4m2d3600c18/14950686 $125
 
Oh the house isn't wired for cat-5, and I have a wifi card already. But there is a "temporary" line skillfully ran from the living room up the stairs and down a hallway. The blue cable adds a nice touch of class to the place.
I can fit an atx board. It seems like 30 dollars extra for a better board, b550 and ready for the 5600 out of the box would probably be money well spent. I have had a bios flash go sideways on me once. They also have some ram that makes up the difference but I don't know about the manufacturer. Team T-force.
https://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=24_311_1326&item_id=188558 $90
instead of
https://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/produc...hz-desktop-memory-cmk16gx4m2d3600c18/14950686 $125
I don't have much on memory although I know Corsair is well liked. But then I've also seen good comments about Team memory before. It's very possible the only differences would start to show only when pushing even higher overclocks, or tightened timings for lowest latency.

That ROG Strix B550 board really is the better board with a very strong VRM.
 
Sep 18, 2021
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I have always had good luck with Corsair ram, that is what I have now.
There is one problem, it might be a crime to stick my R9 380 in that board.
Thanks for your input!
 

Balefire

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Oct 18, 2020
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the 450 and 550 are pretty similar. depending on the price i would go with the 550, but wouldnt pay more than 30 usd on top of the 450's cost for it.

the processor you using is quite powerful and odds are by the time you're looking to upgrade you'll need a new board anyways.