Searching for affordable AM4 boards compatible with B550M.
Searching for affordable AM4 boards compatible with B550M.
Hi, I'm looking for a budget B550M motherboard (yes, m-ATX, B550 chipset). The reason I choose this is because it has PCIe gen 4 support from CPU PCIe lanes. Some B450 can do that but I want something a bit decent. Furthermore, B450 boards are quite limited in my shop. Anyway, Here's what I intend to build: - AMD Ryzen 5 3600 - RAM 2x 8GB 3200MHz value RAM - GPU is GT1030 - mATX case The CPU, RAM and GPU will be upgraded in the future, so I'm looking for a board that could at least give me the freedom for upgrade. I may upgrade my processor to Ryzen 7 5800X in the near future. I'm not going to overclock the system but I wish to have a longer PBO time when I'm gaming. So far, these are what I can find that is within my budget (RM500 or about USD125 including tax): - Asus Prime B550M-K (Tier-F, so I'm not likely to pick this up) - Gigabyte B550M Aorus Elite (Tier-D, a little out of my budget, still, it looks cool...) - MSI B550M VDH PRO (Tier-C) - AsRock B550M Pro 4 (Tier-C) Of course, I'm open to a better suggestion if you have any. And yes, unfortunately, my budget is a bit tight, but I think I can shelf out a little more. I'm tempted to get Gigabyte B550M Aorus Pro or AsRock B550M Steel Legend. Oh well. Thanks in advance. Regards, Chiyawa
Based on these choices, I’d likely pick the MSI board. However, the cost of the 3600 seems high unless you’re getting a great deal. If you’re spending around $200 on that chip, alternatives like the i5 12400f and ASUS Prime B660M-Plus D4 would be more affordable ($180 and $140) and could match or exceed its performance in most cases.
In general, the build isn’t worth much. For the CPU and motherboard, it’s best to choose Intel 12th generation. For the GPU, consider used options like the HD 7870—about 89% more powerful than the 1030 at a similar price. You could also opt for the GTX 950 or R9 270X. What’s your budget and where are you located? We can help you find a better deal.
PCPartPicker list for CPU: Intel Core i5-12400F at 2.5 GHz with 6 cores ($179.99 from B&H).
Motherboard: Asus PRIME B660M-A D4 Micro ATX LGA1700 ($139.99 from Amazon).
Memory: Crucial Ballistix 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3600 CL16 ($77.16 from Amazon).
Total cost: $397.14. Prices cover shipping, taxes, and available discounts. Created by PCPartPicker on 2022-01-21 21:53 EST.
GPU link: https://www.ebay.com/itm/284615472067
I understand your situation better now. You already have the CPU, RAM, and the case (dumpster PC). You also own a GT1030 GPU. The dumpster PC uses an MSI B450 motherboard, but it seems to be faulty—testing shows RAM and CPU are functional, though the PSU isn’t working. The case has some scratches, but they aren’t obvious. You’re considering replacing the motherboard and giving it to a friend who needs a PC for their home office.