Asrock Asrock B450 Fatal1ty K4 is a model of the Asrock B450 motorcycle.
Asrock Asrock B450 Fatal1ty K4 is a model of the Asrock B450 motorcycle.
Hello everyone, I'm planning to upgrade my old x370 to a midrange B450 and considering the B450 Fatal1ty K4. I'm checking if the board can handle a 3500(non-x)/3600 on the newest BIOS, since that's the highest I expect to run. Asrock mentions it's a 6+3 phase, but I suspect it might actually be a 3+3 with doublers. My current setup includes: AMD Ryzen 5 3500 Aorus-AX370-Gaming Rev1.x, G.Skill Ripjaws V 3000Mhz with XMP, Zotac 1660s Twin Fan Deepcool Gammaxx, L240 V2 Matrix Evolve, Samsung 860 EVO + Wd Blue 1tb, and Crucial Bx500 480gb Corsair Cx450.
The 3500 and 3600 models, both featuring six-core processors, aren't overly power-hungry. They typically draw about 80 watts, operating at around 1.3 volts, which translates to roughly 60 amps of current. Even at higher power levels, the current remains manageable, staying within the capabilities of most modern motherboards. Your board includes four phases, each equipped with two MOSFETs—specifically 4C06N devices rated for 67 amps. This setup distributes the current across eight MOSFETs, giving each approximately 10-15 amps, effectively using only a fraction of their full potential. The main concerns are the heatsink's weakness and the MOSFETs' efficiency, which can cause overheating. However, adding a standard fan to improve airflow will likely resolve the issue. Your system already includes solid components: an ALC892 audio chip and a Gigabit Realtek, both common in budget B450 boards. The PCI-E layout is well-organized with ample spacing between slots, a feature often lacking in cheaper models. Overall, a B450 board offers little extra value at the moment. It's reasonable to stick with what you have and save for a B550 if you want upgrades like PCI-E 4.0 support, better audio options, or enhanced connectivity.
Hello, thank you for reaching out. The problem with my current board involves unstable BIOS and Gigabyte not providing a fix. After reconsidering, I believe the B550 series would be a better choice due to their solid VRM performance. I’m thinking about the Asus TUF Gaming B550 Plus and MSI MPG B550 Gaming Plus. The main drawback with MSI is their unreliable after-sales service, relying on third parties, while Asus operates its own service centers. In a tight budget, which would be the more practical option?
I don't have the exact cost of those boards, as it changes by country and distributor. The Asus board seems to be the better option. It offers more USB ports on the io shield, ALC1200 audio is superior to the older ALC892 found on the MSI board, and it features a newer 2.5Gb Ethernet compared to the 1Gbps version. The VRM cooling should be slightly improved, though the temperature difference is minimal. MSI boards are decent, but the B550 gaming model feels more like a B450 with a B550 chipset rather than the original. You're paying for premium quality, so it might cost a bit more. I recommend checking out the Gigabyte B550 Aorus Pro for great VRM, ALC1220 audio, 3x PCIe x16 slots, and multiple USB ports on the io shield. Only potential downsides are the absence of a USB 10G front panel header (though both models lack it). See this video for recommended B550 boards and comparisons.