B550 vs X570
In this article, you will know all major differences (B550 vs X570).
The X570 is the highest chipset from AMD while the B550 Chipset is the next best. Both of these chipsets support the latest 5000 CPU Series CPUs from AMD.
Both have replaced the previous generation chipsets namely, the X470 and B450 respectively. With PCIe4.0 support and extensive CPU support, the X570 and B550 are the two main options for AMD motherboards right now.
So, in this article, we will explore more about the X570 and B550 chipsets, draw a comparison of the B550 vs X570 for the pros, cons, and features and have a small shopping guide that tries to answer an important question: Which motherboard is right for you, the X570 or B550?
B550 chipset
The B550 Chipset was released year-round after the X570 in June 2020. It costs less than the X570 Chipset and replaces the previous generation B450 Chipset. The B550 Chipset is also intended to be paired with Zen 3 Ryzen 5000 Series CPUs but as this is also based on an AM4 socket, it supports Zen 2.
As you can see in the table of features above, the B550 Chipset does not have PCIe 4.0 lines from Chipset as the link between CPU and B550 Chipset is PCIe 3.0 x4 lines. If the CPU has direct PCIe 4.0 graphics card nodes and NVMe storage, then B550 Motherboards can be designed for that.
Even motherboards of B550 Chipset are aimed at high-end gaming consoles, content creators, professional graphics, and video applications. Also, the B550 has all the hardware and whistle the most expensive X570 has.
Coming to CPU support, the B550 chipset is mainly intended to be paired with Zen 3 CPUs based on the Ryzen 5000 Series. But also the Ryzen 3000 Series CPUs can be used.
The maximum power output of the B550 Chipset is approximately 6W. Therefore, unlike the X570 Motherboards, the B550 Motherboards do not have cooling fans on the chipset.
X570 chipset
Let’s start with the B550 vs X570 compared to the X570 Chipset. Launched in July 2019, the X570 replaced the previous-generation X470 Chipset and was supported, with the upcoming Zen 3 based Ryzen 5000 Series CPUs. The first chipset is supported by graphics cards based on PCIe 4.0 and NVMe storage devices.
The X570 Chipset is intended for high-quality games and content creation programs for gamers, professionals, photo and video content developers. The X570 Chipset is designed for AM4 CPUs sockets for AMD.
This means that if you have one of the previous generations of Ryzen processors, you can continue to use them. But the catch is that this only applies to the CPUs of the Ryzen 2000 Series and not to the CPUs of the 1st gen Ryzen 1000 Series.
Depending on the number of PCIe 4.0 lines, the X570 Chipset pulls anywhere between 11W to 15W of power. This is much higher than the previous generation of the X470 Chipset, which had a pull-up limit of 6W. Also, many of the X570 Motherboards have a dedicated cooling fan for their chipset.
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Differences between B550 vs X570 Chipsets
Chipset PCIe Support
The main difference between the B550 and X570 Chipsets is the version of PCIe routes from them. Ignoring PCIe routes directly from the current CPU, the X570 Chipset connects to the CPU over PCIe 4.0 lines while the B550 Chipset connects to the CPU over PCIe 3.0 lines.
This means that additional PCIe routes from X570 Chipset PCIe 4.0 and that from B550 Chipset are only PCIe 3.0. Since the GPU connection is directly from the CPU, which is PCIe 4.0 on both the X570 and B550 motherboards, if you want more PCIe 4.0 connectivity on the chipset, you can choose the X570 Motherboard. If not, the B550 Motherboard will suffice.
Overclocking and Performance
Both the X570 and B550 Motherboards support CPU and DRAM overclocking. However, the VRMs on the more expensive X570 tend to be slightly better compared to the B550 motherboards.
Since all PCIe lines from the X570 are PCIe 4.0, the chipset pulls in at around 15W. Therefore, almost all X570 motherboards have a cooling fan installed on the chipset. This is not the case with B550 Motherboards.
Dual GPU support
If you want to install two graphics cards in your building, your motherboard and CPU should support Nvidia’s SLI or AMF CrossFire. Both the X570 and B550 chipsets support these features but in the case of B550 motherboards, only some premium and high-end options only support them.
USB connection and SATA
Apart from PCIe routes, other important options are connecting USB and SATA. The B550 Chipset supports only 2 10Gbps USB ports and the X570 Chipset supports up to 8 USBs. When it comes to USB 5Gpbs ports, the X570 chipset does not have it while the B550 Chipset has 2. Finally, the B550 Chipset has 6 USB ports and the X570 Chipset has 4 USB ports.
While the dedicated SATA III 6Gbps ports come from both X570 and 4 B550 Chipsets, you can have an additional 8 SATA III 6Gbps ports in the X570 chipset and 2 in the B550 chipset.
Price
The last and most important difference is the price of motherboards. If you compare the prices of the B550 vs X570 motherboards, then the X570 is more expensive than the B550 options. This is related to PCIe 4.0 routes from X570 Chipset (requiring more expensive PCB), better VRM, and X570 cooling solution.
Future proof
Sadly, AMD is moving from a long-term AM4 socket to a new AM5 socket for its upcoming Ryzen 6000 Series CPUs. This means that the B550 and X570 motherboards cannot be considered as proof of the future.
Which Motherboard you should buy, X570 or B550?
From the above comparison between the B550 and X570 Chipsets, it is clear that the main thing that separates these two options is the PCIe connection with the chipset. All PCIe lines from X570 are PCIe 4.0 while only PCIe 3.0 is in the B550 case.
But both chipsets have a PCIe 4.0 graphics card and an M.2 NVMe drive, which comes directly from the CPU. So, since the B550 and X570 support PCIe 4.0 GPU and at least one NVMe storage, the price plays a significant role. If you do not need additional PCIe 4.0 routers, then the B550 Motherboards are relatively cheap as they have good VRM, overclocking support, and much more communication.
But if PCIe 4.0 is important to you, then the X570 is the best option. Additionally, you also get better VRM overtime overclocking, especially at the end of the Ryzen 7 and Ryzen 9 CPUs.
This is it for today’s article on “B550 vs X570”, hope it was informative!
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