Consider your needs and budget, then choose a motherboard that matches your system requirements.
Consider your needs and budget, then choose a motherboard that matches your system requirements.
I'm planning to set up a gaming and editing station next year. My main processor will likely be a Ryzen 5 3600. Initially, I thought about using an MSI B450 Mortar Max motherboard, but upon checking the specs I noticed it doesn't include an ARGB header needed for my Lian Li Lancool ii mesh case. I've found some Gigabyte B550 boards with these headers, though they lack good back IO and RGB features on the board itself. The alternative I discovered is the Asrock B450M Steel Legend mATX. Some users mention its VRMs are average, but since I mostly overclock RAM to 3200-3600 MHz using XMP, extra power isn't a major concern. My budget is around £90, and if I choose the B550 I'd have to wait another month before adding RGB upgrades. I'm unsure which option is best since I don’t need much extra power.
It's possible to overclock the 3600 without problems on that board. Keep in mind, if you plan to upgrade to Ryzen 9 3900X or 4900X, you'll need a board with better VRM support. However, with 6-core and 8-core Ryzen processors, the board still performs well. Next year should see Intel 11th gen and Ryzen 4th gen releases. The Steel Legend remains solid. If you're planning to build next year, consider saving some money. Regarding the ASUS PRIEM X570-P, it offers ample VRMs (even for Ryzen 9 3950X overclocking) and three headers, two of which are addressable.
It includes those RGB headers but the cost is much higher than what I can afford for a motherboard. I’m only willing to spend up to £90.
Check if your system works with BIOS flashback on this board. It doesn’t appear to support it.