The AMD Ryzen series has been immensely popular in recent times thanks to the company's...
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The AMD Ryzen series has been immensely popular in recent times thanks to the company’s focus on higher performance-per-dollar than their Intel rivals. Today, we are specifically going to look at some of the best-selling motherboard options for the B450 chipset in 2022.
The AMD B450 chipset targets mainstream gamers and content creators who need all that extra buff to run their applications without any commonly known issues while also being able to play around with features such as SLI or NVMe RAID that are the domain of X470 motherboards.
You do get fewer PCI Express lanes than the X470 series and a couple of differences in overclocking capabilities.
However, for most users, these differences don’t even matter most scenarios. Hence, you can save a good chunk of cash by going for B450 chipset-based motherboards.
One thing to keep in mind is that there are no differences to the actual CPU performance itself in both the B450 and B470 chipsets.
1. MSI B450 Gaming Pro Carbon AC – Best Cheap Motherboard
The MSI B450 Gaming Pro Carbon AC boasts a robust package for the AMD B450 platform without you needing to break the bank.
The chipset offers all the latest features found in top-tier B450 boards and also some X470 boards, but there are zero compromises on the basics. MSI offers simple yet elegant aesthetics.
A host of accessories are featured, including an I/O backplate, SATA cables, Wi-Fi antenna, LED extension cable, and more.
Both HDMI and DisplayPort outs are offered so you can use the integrated Vega GPU in the Ryzen 5 2400G APU without the need to invest in a discrete graphics card for light to medium gaming.
Features:
Moving onto expansion, the B450 Gaming Pro Carbon AC offers two PCI Express x16 slots and three PCI Express x1 slots.
However, given the limited expansion possibilities of the B450 chipset, one needs to use the available PCI Express lanes efficiently.
MSI’s wiring of the PCI Express lanes is known to cause some confusion.
In simple words, if you use the primary M.2 slot, you cannot use two SATA ports. Similarly, if you fill-up the remaining M.2 slot, you won’t be able to use the slower PCI Express Gen2 slot.
Hence, you need to figure out your GPU and storage requirements beforehand.
Specifications:
Manufacturer
Form Factor
GUI
Memory Support
Audio
LAN
Wi-Fi
Dimensions
Details
MSI
ATX
1 x PCIe 3.0 x16, 1 x PCIe 2.0 x16
up to 128GB
Realtek ALC1220 Audio Codec
YES (Intel I211AT)
YES
12.0 x 9.0 x 2.0 inches
Pros
Good cooling for VRMs
Feature-rich and well-laid out UEFI
Good Value for Money
Cons
Memory overclocks are not ideal
PCI Express Wiring Confusions
Bottom Line:
Overclocking on this board isn’t an issue, but the memory performance might not be as optimal as some of the other boards in today’s list. MSI uses good quality VRM components, so you should be able to push it a bit further if you have proper ventilation.
In case you don’t have a limited spending kitty and you are seeking greater flexibility from the B450 platform, the Asus ROG Strix B450-F Gaming is a pretty decent option.
The board (and the chipset) is perfect for automatic overclocking via AMD’s Precision Boost and XFR more than manual overclocking, and keeping this in mind, the Strix B450-F excels.
However, recent BIOS updates have added some of the missing functionality. If you are looking for cruise control over how your basic hardware works, we would recommend going for an X470 motherboard over the B450.
Gaming on the B450-F is pure joy, and you can run all the latest games at their highest settings, obviously depending on your GPU and CPU.Top 10 Best b450 motherboard in 2021
Apart from a couple overclocking and extra PCI Express lanes, there is hardly any difference between the B450 and the X470 chipsets.
Features:
The Strix offers two M.2 PCI Express x4 slots, three PCI Express x16 slots, and three PCI Express x1 slots, so don’t even worry about expansion.
The board supports all the basic modern-day gaming needs, but don’t expect anything over-the-top fancy in terms of design.
It comes with some nice lighting touch on the VRMs and the chipset heatsink, and that’s just about it.
You can always add your lighting strips if required. The ROG Strix B450-F runs up to 128GB of DDR4-DIMM memory.
Additionally, the SupremeFX audio offers isolated distortion-free audio with the Nichicon audio capacitors, helping in producing a clean output.
Even if BIOS is standard for Asus motherboards, users might miss out on features such as XMP settings and manual core voltage settings when compared to the more expensive X470 counterparts out there.
Specifications:
Manufacturer
Form Factor
Graphics Interface
Memory Support
M.2 / SATA Specs
Audio
LAN
Wi-Fi
Dimensions
Details
Asus
ATX
2 x PCIe 3.0 x16; 1 x PCIe 2.0 x16
4 x DDR4 (up to 128GB)
2 x M.2; 8x SATA 6Gb/s ports
Realtek ALC1220-VB Audio Codec
YES (Intel I211AT)
NO
12.0 x 9.6 x 1.5 inches
Pros
Great Fit for gaming
Decent amount of fan and RGB headers
Cons
BIOS could have had a few more overclocking options
For the price, you are also getting a good set of accessories and an ample number of expansion slots. If you are so keen on customization, you can also swap out the stickers on the heatsinks for your own.
The MSI B450 Tomahawk is one of the more budget-friendly options in today’s B450 special. However, don’t get fooled by its relatively low price on the market.
The Tomahawk is known to make both gamers and overclockers happy, given its good overall package.
The accessory department boasts all the basic features including two SATA cables, I/O shield, M.2 screws, build guide, driver DVD, and the user manual.
It comes with copious fan headers that are compatible with both PWM and DC modes. The aesthetics are simple yet delightful to the eyes.
Features:
While the board boasts two large PCI Express slots, the top one is x16 and is directly wired to the CPU, and the bottom one is an x4 that is connected to the B450 chipset.
It also comes with an internal header for front panel USB 3.0.
The Tomohawk also offers a 4+2 VRM configuration.
Now, this might seem underwhelming keeping overclocking in mind, but MSI tries its best to cover this up by using extra MOSFETs.
Overclockers will be pleased to find a decently large heatsink over the VRMs to keep temperatures in check.
The rear I/O does not feature a pre-installed shield but offers the most common ports, including a BIOS flashback button that offers an easy way to reflash the older BIOS version in case an update crashes.
You might notice the lack of PCIe slots, though. All modern-day games should run well, depending on your CPU and GPU.
One of the standout features of this motherboard is the USB BIOS Flashback.
Customers have had cases where newer AMD processors would not be compatible with older boards due to a faulty BIOS update.
The USB Flashback feature helps curb this issue by directly flashing a BIOS from a USB drive without the need to mount a CPU.
Performance!
Now, moving onto the most important part, the performance! You won’t find many differences between the B450 Tomahawk and other boards featuring the same chipset. Most CPU and memory benchmarks will run pretty okay. You can overclock the memory from the XMP settings in the BIOS.
Specifications:
Manufacturer
Form Factor
Graphics Interface
Memory Support
M.2 / SATA Specs
Audio
LAN
Wi-Fi
Dimensions
Details
MSI
ATX
1 x PCIe 3.0 x16; 1 x PCIe 2.0 x16
4 x DDR4 (up to 128GB)
1 x M.2; 6x SATA 6Gb/s ports
Realtek ALC892 Audio Codec
YES (Realtek 8111H)
NO
12.0 x 9.6 x 1.0 inches
Pros
Good VRMs
Plenty of Hybrid Fan headers
USB BIOS Flashback
Cons
Just One M.2 slot
Bottom Line:
All in all, the MSI B450 Tomahawk is a great budget B450 motherboard for the 2nd gen AMD Ryzen platform.
Aorus motherboards may come with several options catering to the needs of gamers, but they also come with a hefty price.
This is one of the reasons why Gigabyte made its DS3H motherboard, which is an entry-level B450 motherboard that comes with some cons but still provides good value for the money.
Features:
The Gigabyte B450M DS3H is in the lower tier range of AM4 boards, which shouldn’t be much of a surprise keeping in mind the affordable price tag.
The Audio department is handled by Realtek’s ALC887 audio codec along with a Realtek GbE LAN controller, which is great in this budget.
It also features two full-length PCIe slots (PCIe 3.0 x16 and PCIe 2.0 x4) as well as a single PCIe 2.0 x1 slot.
That being said, bear in mind that this motherboard supports AMD’s CrossFire configurations.
In terms of RAM, you will find four slots here that support DDR4-3200 modules.
In simple words, you can stack up to a total of 64GB of RAM, with ECC and non-ECC memory types supported.
The board even supports DDR4 memory with XMP profiles built-in, which is a pleasant surprise.
Four SATA ports support RAID 0, 1, and 10 arrays. Lastly, not to forget, there’s a PCIe slot that supports up to M.2 (22 x 110mm) SSD drives.
The back panel is decently crowded with four USB 3.1 ports, four USB 2.0 ports, three audio jacks, single DVI-D and HDMI ports, and more.
Specifications:
Manufacturer
Form Factor
Graphics Interface
Memory Support
M.2 / SATA Specs
Audio
LAN
Wi-Fi
Dimensions
Details
Gigabyte
Micro ATX
1 x PCIe 3.0 x16; 1 x PCIe 2.0 x4; 1 x PCIe 2.0 x1
If you need a basic motherboard that performs well without bombarding your brain with a barrage of options, the ASRock B450M might be the best choice.
The ASRock B450M is one of the Best B450 AMD Motherboards available for the micro-ATX form factor. Despite the small structure, this is a very potent motherboard for small form factor PCs.
Features:
The B450 chipset boasts plenty of features for mainstream computing, and ASRock takes it up a few levels higher thanks to its good implementation of a 7-phase power design that can supply steady voltage if you ever decide to overclock your Ryzen CPU.
Keeping that in mind, you should pair this board with the Ryzen 5 2600X rather than the Ryzen 5 2600, as the ‘X’ version can automatically increase its clocks based on the available temperature and power limits.
Since this board does not come with many overclocking features that are otherwise found in more expensive ASRock boards, going for an ‘X’ CPU might be a decent option because it would save the chaos of playing around with voltage settings.
Besides this, you get most of the standard connectivity features, including the ability to use both ECC and non-ECC RAM modules. However, do keep in mind that the Ryzen processors themselves cannot make use of ECC memory even if you install them.
Specifications:
Manufacturer
Form Factor
Graphics Interface
Memory Support
M.2 / SATA Specs
Audio
LAN
Wi-Fi
Dimensions
Details
ASRock
Micro ATX
1 x PCIe 3.0 x16;
2 x DDR4 (up to 32GB)
1 x M.2; 4x SATA 6Gb/s ports
Realtek ALC887 Audio Codec
YES (Realtek RTL8111H)
NO
12.0 x 2.5 x 9.6 inches
Pros
Budget-friendly
Good Feature Package
Great Suitable for small-factor PCs
Cons
Limited RAM expansion
Issues with setting XMP profiles.
Bottom Line:
Keeping in mind the size of the micro-ATX form factors, you should also keep in mind some limitations. For instance, you can use only two RAM sticks.
Therefore, do plan for the maximum RAM capacity and speed your budget allows. The board has some issues in setting XMP profiles for the faster RAM modules, so it is better to go for the 2933 to 3000 MHz range to avoid issues.
6. MSI B450I Gaming Plus AC – Best Overall Motherboard
Mini-ITX is great for building PCs that are compact but offer an ample amount of features for a good gaming and overclocking experience.
However, given the dimensions, there are some cons that one should be kept in mind before spending their cash.
Features:
You only get one PCI Express x16 slot.
If you need more expansion, you might have to opt for a PCI riser to split the x16 bandwidth into x4 and x4.
This should not be much of a hassle as the B450 does not support any SLI configurations.
Moreover, you get just one M.2 slot which is directly hooked to the CPU for PCI Express Gen 3 x4 speeds.
Apart from this, the B450I Gaming Plus AC is quite similar to most other MSI motherboards we’ve discussed thus far.
You can install both ECC and non-ECC memory.
One other con is that the board does not offer USB Type-C connectivity.
Instead, you get the USB 3.1 Gen1 5 Gbps Type-A ones.
Besides the Intel Gigabit Ethernet controller, you also get onboard wireless AC along with the Realtek ALC887 audio codec.
Specifications:
Manufacturer
Form Factor
Graphics Interface
Memory Support
M.2 / SATA Specs
Audio
LAN
Wi-Fi
Dimensions
Details
MSI
Mini-ITX
1 x PCIe 3.0 x16
2 x DDR4 (up to 64GB)
1 x M.2; 4x SATA 6Gb/s ports
Realtek ALC887 Audio Codec
YES (Realtek RTL8111H)
YES (Intel AC 3168)
6.7 x 6.7 x 2.5 inches
Pros
Works fell for HTPCs and Mini PCs
Simple Design
Good base performance.
Cons
Just the one M.2 slot
Nothing over-the-top in the RGB department
Insufficient Overclocking options.
Bottom line:
You don’t get fancy RGB or overclocking options. You also don’t get any advanced controllers onboard. However, when it comes to performance, this mini-ITX board is easily on par with some of the more expensive ATX offerings out there and is one of the best B450 options, keeping HTPCs and mini PCs in mind.
TheASRock B450M PRO4has been around for some time now. which is always a good thing to keep in mind when on the hunt for a motherboard.
It comes with lots of positive reviews online. That’s because the PRO4 motherboard is designed as a budget-friendly motherboard that covers pretty much all the basic gaming and overclocking needs.
Features:
It comes with a decent selection of ports on the backside, alongside a PS/2 if you take the vintage road.
The motherboard comes with four SATA ports and two M.2 ports, so you have a good amount of options for storage.
The dual M.2 ports can be used for SSDs that support both SATA3 6GB/s and PCIe Gen3 interface with theoretical speeds of up to 32GB/s.
There are three PCIe slots in total as well as four DDR4 DIMM slots (up to 64GB in total).
And also, consider that you’ll get a single Gigabit LAN port.
When it comes to its standout, the ASRock PRO4 comes with plenty that is going to appeal to you.
It comes with a USB 3.1 Gen2 present, supporting speeds of up to 10GB/s. You also receive “Full Spike Protection,” which means that your motherboard will be protected from sudden voltage spikes.
This is also one of the rare motherboards that support up to three displays at once. That not it.
If you’re a tuner, you can use ASRock’s A-Tuning utility for overclocking, monitoring, and fan control.
This product also comes with a simple update utility, as well as a dedicated “App Shop” that lets you further customize this motherboard.
Specifications:
Manufacturer
Form Factor
Graphics Interface
Memory Support
M.2 / SATA Specs
Audio
LAN
Wi-Fi
Dimensions
Details
ASRock
Micro ATX
2 x PCIe 3.0 x16;
4 x DDR4 (up to 64GB)
2 x M.2; 4x SATA3 6Gb/s ports
Realtek ALC892 Audio Codec
YES (Realtek RTL8111H)
NO
9.61 x 9.61 x 1.57 inches
Pros
Covers all Basics
Practical layout
2x RGB headers
Full spike protection
Supports three monitors at once
Great overall value.
Cons
Big Fluctuations in Prices
Bottom Line:
The only problem with this board is the price tag. Upon launch, it was priced at around $80. However, due to all the hype and the coronavirus pandemic. the prices are somewhat higher.
The Gigabyte B450 Aorus Pro offers a well-known package that is similar to the majority of Aorus-branded motherboards.
Like most of their boards, the B450 Aorus Pro Wi-Fi offers a good accessory package and enough fan and RGB headers. The aesthetics are delightful with an orange theme.
Features:
The I/O panel comes with a pre-mounted shield that lends a bit of sophistication.
You get all standard ports along with antenna-in for onboard Wi-Fi and a DVI-D port.
It is becoming somewhat rarer to see DVI-D monitors, so it would have been better if Gigabyte had offered a DisplayPort port instead.
There are three PCI Express ports of which the first is wired at x16 speeds and is connected directly to the CPU while the other two are wired at x4 and x1 speeds.
The B450 does not support SLI due to limitations of the chipset, so be careful not to populate any high bandwidth expansion cards if you are planning to use a mod The BIOS comes with the most common features found in the more expensive options but does miss a setting or two.
It won’t matter that much so don’t dig too much into that.
Gigabyte offers a decently sized first-party software toolset for tweaking and monitoring almost every aspect of your system.
Still, some users will find installing all of them a bit of an unnecessary job.
Specifications:
Manufacturer
Form Factor
Graphics Interface
Memory Support
M.2 / SATA Specs
Audio
LAN
Wi-Fi
Dimensions
Details
Gigabyte
ATX
1 x PCIe 3.0 x16; 1 x PCIe 2.0 x4; 2 x PCIe 2.0 x1
4 x DDR4 (up to 64GB)
2 x M.2; 6x SATA 6Gb/s ports
Realtek ALC1220-VB Audio Codec
YES (Intel)
YES
15.0 x 12.2 x 4.2 inches
Pros
A good combination of component
Decent gaming performance.
Cons
Limited onboard Wi-Fi
No DisplayPort
Bottom Line:
Performance in most applications and gaming is standard as with most B450 boards. Apart from a few pros, such as a dual BIOS option and good VRM cooling, there are no other significant surprises.
One major disadvantage is that the onboard wireless is just a 1×1 card, which means that the maximum throughput is just 433 Mbps. This can become a limiting factor if you plan to use high-speed connections over Wi-Fi.
The micro-ATX form factor can be a good choice if you are trying to build compact PCs that do not take up much space but still offer additional expansion possibilities over a mini-ITX board.
This is exactly where this motherboard standout, as it can offer plenty of expansion options despite its compact size.
Features:
Similar to other ASRock boards, the Steel Legend also offers a good set of BIOS tuning options, including the ability to set XMP profiles for memory overclocking.
The performance of the board is quite decent when married to Ryzen 5 processors.
You also get dual M.2 slots of which one is wired directly to the CPU at x4 speeds while the other connects to the B450 chipset at x2 speeds.
There are no extra RGB touches and the overall design is simple and elegant.
Pros
Good performance for the price
Durable components
Cons
Limited in comparison to bigger motherboards
Features:
If you want stability and durability both in the same package, you might want to take a look at the ASRock B450M Steel Legend. For its market price, the B450M Steel Legend offers a wide variety of features and decent overall performance.
The Gigabyte B450 Aorus Elite is not as well known as the other Gigabyte boards of this lineup, but it’s an absolute beast nevertheless.
The board comes with a pre-installed, integrated I/O shield and dual heatsinks on the VRMs.
You won’t find many RGB touches but there are some on the PCH and close to the audio components.
Features:
The board supports DDR4 RAM at 3200 MHz with a suitable XMP profile.
The BIOS is the same as in the other Gigabyte motherboards.
You get a likewise similar layout with Easy and Advanced modes along with an MIT tab that allows for fine-grained controlling of CPU and memory voltage settings.
There are two M.2 slots as well, of which one connects to the CPU while the other connects to the chipset.
If you are planning to use the full of your M.2 NVMe SSD, make sure to populate the first slot.
The 4+3 VRM configuration pales in comparison to some of the more enthusiast-friendly motherboards out there but shouldn’t be a problem as long as one doesn’t expect extensive overclocking.
Specifications:
Manufacturer
Form Factor
Graphics Interface
Memory Support
M.2 / SATA Specs
Audio
LAN
Wi-Fi
Dimensions
Details
ASRock
ATX
1 x PCIe 3.0 x16; 2 x PCIe 2.0 x1
4 x DDR4 (up to 64GB)
2 x M.2; 6x SATA 6Gb/s ports
Realtek ALC1220-VB Audio Codec
YES (Realtek RTL8111H)
NO
3.4 x 10.7 x 13.2 inches
Pros
Great for Gaming
Good Cooling System
Cons
Can’t think of any
Bottom Line:
Speaking of the performance, the Aorus Elite stands side by side with the other Aorus-branded boards. Both CPU-intensive tasks and games run smoothly, which makes this board a good all-round option.
We hope our article helped you in deciding on a board that best meets your needs. If you have anything to share or ask, do let us know in the comments below.
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