Current options are b450 and b550 motherboards.
Current options are b450 and b550 motherboards.
Hello everyone, I'm trying to assemble my first computer using a Ryzen 5 3600 and an RTX 2060 Super. So far, I've looked into forum discussions and videos to check the specifications, but I'm still unsure which motherboard is best for the future. I understand that 4th generation Ryzen chips are coming soon, so maybe you can advise me on the right choice? Thanks in advance! Also, keep in mind that overclocking might be an option if needed.
The focus should be on specific use cases and future possibilities. Crystal balls are unreliable. Switching between machines rather than upgrading one model like the b450 makes more sense. Upgrading to the b550 is a better choice since it offers two key features: PCIe 4 support and a larger VRM. The bigger VRM allows for greater CPU upgrade potential in the coming years. PCIe 4 enables compatibility with more PCIe cards, though most available cards are PCIe 4 and there are rarely any ATM models. It also typically includes USB 3.1 Gen2 and Thunderbolt 3 ports. While it has more room for future use under certain conditions, it tends to be pricier and offers little immediate benefit beyond the added ports.
UPDATE: The highlighted section appears incorrect. The device isn’t functioning as expected, making it difficult to modify. Edited July 16, 2020 by Bombastinator. Mistakenly marked as wrong.
Budget? B450 boards offer DMI 3 all around. While B550 supports the first x16 and first M.2 as Gen 4 (essentially any lane linked to the CPU). You're running a six-core system, so a solid B450 board is more than sufficient. For B450, go with Tomahawk Max Mortar Max Pro 4, Pro VDH Max, or a Pro Max (non-M). For B550, consider Tomahawk Max Magna Mortar, Aorus Pro, or a budget-friendly but still decent option like B550 Pro 4.
I strongly suggest considering the X570 motherboard. These boards are newer, so manufacturers typically back them for another 2 to 3 years. The advanced features like PCIe Gen 4 will ensure good performance now and in the future, especially if many makers adopt this standard (PCIe Gen 4 can handle up to 1.96 GB/s per lane, supporting speeds like 10GbE Ethernet or USB 3.2 Gen 2 Superspeed+ with just a PCIe x1 slot). For B550, it’s ideal for dual M2 drives since the chipset supports Gen3 NVMe SSDs and PCIe Gen3 add-in cards, including many modern WiFi adapters. With B450, you’re fine if you’re okay with slower PCIe Gen 2 speeds.
It's unlikely they'd even notice the change. The update is still quite good.
Only the first PCIe slot appears to be available. Possibly I’m running low. It seems probable, though I’m not certain. I’ve noticed some B550 cards advertise SLI capabilities. That’s what I believe. The problem with PCIe 3 is that most GPUs today can only use half of a PCIe 3x16 slot, which might change. With PCIe 3 you could utilize just one of the slots on a PCIe 3 motherboard if you have a very fast card. PCIe 4 is twice as fast, making it even more difficult to fit multiple cards in a single slot. If they’re divided, the arrangement really impacts whether you can run more than one PCIe card. Using a setup like PCIe 4x16 or PCIe 4x8 plus PCIe 3x16 offers better flexibility. It could also boost the B550’s upgrade potential since you’d have room to add more cards without slowing down the GPU.
Sure thing. If you insert two cards, the slot shifts from PCIe 3x16 to 3x8. With three cards it’s x8, x4 and x4. Four cards are all x4 across. It usually doesn’t matter much. That’s why I gave a 99% chance. It depends on whether you’re a regular user or not. Edge case—could change in a few weeks. As hardware ages, ports evolve and adding PCIe cards often becomes necessary instead of swapping out entirely.