Board chipset and M.2 fan specifications
Board chipset and M.2 fan specifications
I’m planning to purchase this motherboard with the goal of integrating some existing hardware, including my M.2 drive that already contains the operating system and all its components. The challenge is the included RGB heatsink on the M.2 drive. I want to keep the heatsink in place so it doesn’t interfere with anything. Would removing or leaving it unchanged impact performance if the chipset isn’t properly cooled? I understand the motherboard has an M.2 slot on the back, but I’ll be using a Meshlicious GPU behind it. I’d like to avoid having the drive pressed against my motherboard and GPU. This could affect cooling if the chipset isn’t actively managed.
B550 is meant to be a passively cooled chipset. Even the X570 now offers a semi passive mode to avoid active cooling entirely without a fan. You’d likely need a heat sink—probably not just the bare chipset. I suspect you might want to remove the M.2 heatsink, sand down the rest, and keep the main part attached. It probably wouldn’t look too bad and would still work well. Edited August 10, 2021 by 0591ryan
I'm considering purchasing a new motherboard for my ITX build on Meshlicious. The MSI ITX model is the most affordable option in the US, priced around $178 without markup. I was evaluating the Aorus ITX model but it's currently out of stock, while other choices start at $200 or more. I'm opting for the B550 over the X570 mainly due to its lower cost. This particular MSI board meets my requirements, though I'm still a bit unsure about VRMs and heat distribution, which are important factors for me.
I explored further and feel increasingly hesitant about the MSI B550-I because of its unusual backplate layout and the necessity for active cooling for the chipset. Although it's a bit pricier, it seems to suit my needs. How does this compare to the Aorus B550-i or the Aorus x570-i?
Reviewed the Buildzoid build of that board-god tier VRM – definitely worth it.