Choose between B550 and X570 based on your needs.
Choose between B550 and X570 based on your needs.
I'm weighing two options: the Asus ROG STRIX B550-F GAMING (WI-FI) and the MSI MAG X570 TOMAHAWK WIFI. They both offer Bluetooth 5.1, Wi-Fi 6, solid VRMs, PCIe Gen 4, top-notch audio, and strong overclocking potential. The ROG is rumored to outperform many X570 models, while the Tomahawk is considered one of the best in its class. I know the X570 has some technical advantages, but beyond USB-C it's unclear if the extra £20 is justified given the build quality. My current board is the MSI B450 Gaming Pro Carbon AC.
It outperforms other X570 models in VRM performance, especially the X570 Tomahawk, which offers some of the top VRMs for its price. The main differences lie mainly in looks or the number of PCIe 4.0 NVMe slots available. For everyday tasks with a single NVMe drive, choose the more affordable option or go for the style you prefer.
Smart memory upgrades are on my list. I own a Ryzen 5 3600x and a GTX 1070ti. When the new GPUs arrive, I plan to upgrade my GPU to the RX 6800xt if possible, and I’ll consider CPU improvements next year. There’s also a Discord issue—I can’t enjoy game music during calls. It seems it depends on whether I’m connected or not. I have a £120 voucher available for any component purchase.
More affordable X570 models compared to MSI B550 or X570 variants aren’t great, especially if you’re not looking at the one I mentioned. My setup includes a 1TB PCIe 3.0 SSD and three SATA drives as Gen 4 doesn’t help with gaming performance.
MSI develops the drivers for the boards, so even though it's software, the motherboard still faces problems. Many people report similar issues online. It was meant to be a high-end B450 model.
They originate straight from AMD and audio comes from Realtek
X570 supports PCIe 4.0 in every M.2 and PCIe port. B550 offers PCIe 4.0 only for the initial M.2 and first PCIe 16x slot. If you don’t require additional 4.0 devices, X570 will mainly provide the tiny fan, which is a downside. I’d recommend choosing B550 instead.
It's a disadvantage because simpler designs can be easier to maintain and customize. Higher-end boards often prioritize aesthetics over practicality, which may limit their usability for everyday tasks. Premium designs usually focus on visual appeal rather than functional benefits, making them less appealing for users who value efficiency.