The AMD Ryzen platform has been one of the best-selling CPUs of this generation with its focus on higher performance-per-dollar than Intel counterparts. We’ve already reviewed some of the top motherboard options for the highest-end AMD X470 chipset. Let’s take an overview of the most popular B450 Motherboards for AMD Ryzen.
The AMD B450 chipset is designed for general players that require more capacity to run their programs without bottlenecks. It is able to operate without features like SLI & NVMe RAID which are only available on X470 motherboards. The B450 motherboards have smaller PCI Express lanes than the X470 series, and there are small differences in the ability to overclock.
However, for the majority of people, they aren’t a big deal in the real world and, consequently, you will save a significant quantity of dollars by going for B450 motherboards with chipsets. Be aware that there aren’t any differences in the performance of the CPU by itself.
Similar to other chipsets, this best budget B450 motherboards are also available in ATX micro-ATX, & mini-ITX designs, making them suitable for any use case. It is possible to use them to create small HTPCs when you pair them with an AMD Ryzen APU, such as that of the Ryzen 5 2400G that comes with integrated Vega 8 graphics. You can also utilise the most powerful AMD Ryzen 7 2700X CPU. These boards are the most valuable together with Ryzen 5 2600 or Ryzen 5 2600X.
Here are the 6 most powerful B450 motherboards you can buy in 2022 to be compatible with the second-generation AMD Ryzen processors.
Best Budget B450 Motherboards for AMD Ryzen: 2022 Market Picks
Ranking | Best B450 Motherboard for AMD Ryzen | Reviews |
1. | GIGABYTE B450 AORUS ELITE | 5 out of 5 |
2. | MSI B450 Tomahawk MAX | 5 out of 5 |
3. | Asus ROG Strix B450-F Gaming | 4 out of 5 |
4. | MSI B450 GAMING PRO CARBON AC | 4 out of 5 |
5. | Gigabyte B450 AORUS Pro | 4 out of 5 |
6. | ASRock B450M Steel Legend | 4 out of 5 |
Best Budget B450 Motherboards for AMD Ryzen | Detailed Review
1. GIGABYTE B450 AORUS ELITE
GIGABYTE’s B450 AORUS ELITE is a standout for us due to the fact that it’s equipped to handle the most recent and modern AMD Ryzen 3000 series, while at the same time it can handle the earlier AMD Ryzen 2000 & 1000 series.
It also comes with a comprehensive array of features, including Ultra-durable Armor that supports PCIe memory slots. It also has fine audio quality and standard Wi-Fi designs, premium speed Ethernet and USB Type-C connections. These motherboards are great for those looking to create new and perfect AMD platforms.
With the aid of AMD Store MI technology, the Gigabyte B450 Motherboard series boosts your PC’s capabilities. It also speeds up traditional storage devices, allowing them to reduce time-to-boot and enhance the user experience overall.
This user-friendly utility combines all the performance of SSDs and the huge capacity of HDDs using a single drive. It increases the unit’s read and write rates to mimic SSDs. It also improves the performance of data for a great value, and transforms your daily PC into a setup that is optimised for performance.
Overall, it’s an extremely efficient motherboard that delivers the features it provides. People who have purchased previous Gigabyte B450 motherboards should know about the quality and performance of this model. This is a company that does not compromise in their quality products and aspects. If you are purchasing this brand for the very first time, we’re sure they’ll not be disappointed.
2. MSI B450 Tomahawk MAX
The Tomahawk series has achieved the status of a legend in the world of AMD motherboards manufactured by MSI. The B450 motherboard from this line MSI B450 Motherboard Tomahawk MAX, is not an exception, as it provides excellent value for money by combining an outstanding VRM design and a low price that will appeal to a majority of potential buyers who are searching for a motherboard with a B450. A majority of enthusiasts classify it as the most desirable MSI B450 motherboard available.
The main highlight in this motherboard is its power delivery system and its effective thermal management. MSI includes a robust VRM on this motherboard which should be able to support nearly all AMD CPUs available at the time of this writing.
The board is able to manage up to Ryzen 7 CPUs without issue This is more than what one could expect from a budget motherboard, such as the MSI B450 Motherboard Tomahawk. B450 Tomahawk. MSI is also incorporating large VRM heatsinks to help ensure that the temperature of the VRM components is at a manageable level when working at a high temperature.
It is also a bit more expensive. The B450 Tomahawk MAX is well-equipped in terms of features. The MAX moniker indicates it is a BIOS RAM size that has been increased by two times when compared to the regular Tomahawk and this implies that the board will have an official version of support for the Ryzen 5000 series in 2022. There is only one M.2 slot in the motherboard, but we think that MSI could have added another M.2 slot since there is ample space, and other competitors have as well.
The board is also not equipped with WiFi along with the USB ports, which could be an issue for those looking for a variety of connectivity choices. However, the affordable price for the device makes it easy to take.
3. Asus ROG Strix B450-F Gaming
If cost isn’t your primary concern and you want a bit more flexibility in the platform B450, then the Asus ROG Strix B450-F Gaming is certainly a good option for you. Asus B450 Motherboard ROG Strix comes with four PCI Express x1 slots, three PCI Express x16 slots, & two M.2 PCI Express x4 slots which means you have enough capacity to expand.
This motherboard is a great choice for gamers as there’s any RGB overflow. It is possible to enjoy the effects of light on the VRMs as well as the heatsink of the chipset. The model is suitable for automatic overclocking using AMD’s Precision Boost compared to manual overclocking in this case.
There are plenty of headers that you can choose from for your lighting strips , if needed. The Asus B450 Motherboard Gaming supports up to 64GB of memory, DDR4-3200. In terms of audio, the SupremeFX audio can deliver sufficient isolation of distortion-free audio with the Nichicon audio capacitors which help to produce the clear & clean output.
Gaming using the Asus ROG Strix B450-F Gaming is an absolute pleasure, and it lets players play the latest games at the top of their game without the limitations of the GPU and CPU systems. It’s a standard motherboard that allows users to access key features like XMP settings as well as the ability to set core voltage manually.
However, the most recent BIOS updates have added some missing functions. If you’re looking for absolute control over the way that components function, you can opt for the more expensive option. If you’re not too worried about overclocking or other PCI Express lanes, there isn’t any real difference with the B450 & X470 chipsets.
4. MSI B450 GAMING PRO CARBON
MSI’s B450 PRO GAMING CARBON stands out because of its infinite choices for personalization, and comes with massive gaming capabilities. MSI motherboards provide the most efficient and most enjoyable gaming experience.
You can also set the colours according to your preferences making use of the Mystic Light software. Additionally, you can decide and build your own colour scheme to fit your specific system. If you’re not happy with the appearance of your system, you can alter the entire appearance of your system within a matter of seconds.
For unbeatable performance, you need an efficient cooling system. To ensure reliability it is vital to invest in better and more efficient cooling systems. There are a variety of fan headers that meet your requirements and operate your system in any way you like, and will beat your competitors with the most effective way possible.
Overall, it’s an excellent motherboard with an array of functions. You will be able to beat your opponents in a match by using an array of incredible MSI games tools. The innovative and distinctive software & hardware tools were specifically created and developed to help you stay one step ahead of the competition and increase your abilities.
5. Gigabyte B450 AORUS Pro
The Gigabyte AORUS line has always been awed by its amazing motherboard options as well as their B450 AORUS Pro seems to be a further example of this tradition. It’s among the most impressive Gigabyte B450 motherboards on the market in terms of factors like design, features as well as power supply. It is in competition with the best offerings by MSI and ASUS. However, it’s priced a bit more than the models we’ve previously reviewed.
With the stylish VRM heatsinks, the Gigabyte heatsinks feature an extremely refined power delivery system that will be able to handle Ryzen 5 or Ryzen 7 CPUs with overclocked settings. This is a great thing for enthusiasts of overclocking who want to get the maximum amount of performance out of their CPUs. In addition, these VRM heatsinks serve the purpose of chilling the VRM components which is crucial when you’re trying to overclock Zen 3 CPUs aggressively.
In terms of specifications and features, the B450 AORUS Pro offers an average experience when you consider everything else. It does come with two M.2 slots and some great heat-spreaders , which is always an excellent addition to any board coming in 2022. It does not have WiFi which could be a disappointment for some. However, it can be fixed with a low-cost PCIe WiFi card.
In terms of aesthetics, the board stands apart with its use of the brushed aluminium accents everywhere and complemented by a good amount of RGB lighting. The lighting is also well located to give the board an extremely elegant appearance.
This Gigabyte AORUS Pro delivers a solid power delivery system, and it combines it with an impressive set of features that makes it a desirable Gigabyte B450 Motherboard choice in 2022, however, it’s priced more expensive than other boards in this class. The most notable feature of this model is its appearance, which is a subjective issue which places it at an advantage when compared to boards that come from ASUS and MSI on our selection. However it is a great choice. B450 AORUS Pro is an ideal choice for the right buyer.
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6. ASRock B450M Steel Legend
The ASRock B450 Steel Legend stood out to us due to the fact that it comes with the most affordable price. One of the most impressive features of this motherboard is its Crossfire support that a lot of popular motherboards don’t offer. Its capacity to store multiple GPUs makes it a sensible and simple to carry purchase for the gamers in the community.
As we’ve discussed previously the motherboard performs well for gaming. We are confident in saying that this model is the most efficient and appropriate for players. It comes with a huge graphic card support, and was designed to be superior to other gaming devices when it comes to gaming. Gamers searching for powerful gaming capabilities would consider this to be the most powerful and ideal for buying under such a cost.
In the end, it’s an outstanding device that has an impressive and memorable feature. Anyone looking to enjoy high-end games for a reasonable price is going to find this model the most effective. The brand boasts high-quality sound and massive graphics card support that is rapid and speedy Ethernet making it a great option for gamers.
Factors to Keep in Mind While Shopping for Motherboards for AMD Ryzen
Socket
It is crucial to make sure that the motherboard you purchase physically supports the CPU you are planning to purchase. In the case of the motherboards listed above, they all have an AMD AM4 socket, which is utilised by different AMD Ryzen processors ranging from 1st generation to the most recent 4th generation CPUs.
Form Factor
Beginning with one of the simplest but vital aspects is the design of the motherboard. Different motherboards come in different dimensions or shapes. The three most commonly used motherboard types. ATX is the biggest and most popular, while mini ITX is perfect for smaller designs such as Home Theater PC (HTPC). If you have a bigger size, it is more likely to have connectivity options which makes it ideal for those who play games and are content creators.
Memory Slots
Although a B450 motherboard can be compatible with nearly every AMD Ryzen CPUs launched till date, you need to make sure that it is able to handle the memory kit you intend to utilise. So, be sure to examine the amount of memory slots.
In general, you can typically find B450 motherboards that have four memory slots and mini-ITX models including two memory slots. In addition to the number of slots, it is also important to check the maximum speed of compatible memory. While some might only work with 3200 MHz of RAM, others may even be able to offer 4400 MHz to get the highest performance.
Chipset
Although your motherboard may have the correct socket, it will not work with the CPU you’d like to use until it comes with the appropriate chipset. As you might have guessed, all the motherboards in this list include the B450 chipset. This chip can be used to work with AMD Ryzen processors of all generations. However, you won’t receive all the new features available in the most recent AMD Ryzen 5000 series CPUs.
M.2 Slots & Storage
Similar to the memory on your laptop it is also important to ensure that you are able to install the latest SSD drives. Luckily, the majority of B450 motherboards have at least one M.2 slot. This is likely to be sufficient for most users. If you’re a heavy-duty consumer, you should consider B450 motherboards with either 2 or 3 M.2 slots to provide high storage capacity and also has excellent speed for storage.
PCI-E Slots & Expansion Slots
If you are looking to increase the functionality of the motherboards of your computer, the use of an expansion card could be a good idea. The cards connect to PCI-E slots or expansion slots on your motherboard.
In addition to your computer’s graphics card, the expansion slot can be used to connect audio cards, networking cards, storage devices and more. Although smaller ITX boards have one PCI-E slot to support your GPU, larger ATX boards have five to six PCI-E slots in various sizes, allowing for the connection of various expansion cards in a matter of minutes.
BIOS
The great thing about motherboards is their chipsets are able to be upgraded with BIOS updates. When you update your BIOS, you will receive new features as well with improved stability and performance from your computer. Therefore, it’s essential to check your motherboard’s site and verify whether it is regularly updated with BIOS updates.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Do B450 motherboards support Ryzen 7?
It is true that the Ryzen 7 3700X is compatible with the motherboard of the B450. Make sure you make use of dual channel memory to ensure the best performance . If you are considering an X470 or B450 motherboard to support Ryzen 7 3700X or Ryzen 7 3700X or 3800X and 3800X, you have the option of choosing from a variety of sensible alternatives that still offer impressive VRM quality & speed of execution.
Q2. Which is better: X570 Vs B550?
In general, the X570 chipset is thought to be the best option from AMD for motherboards, which is why it’s superior to the B550 alternative all things considered. The X570 chipset is more powerful and has the most PCIe Gen 4, which means it supports PCIe Gen 4 in both M.2 slots This isn’t the scenario with B550. Additionally, the X570 motherboards feature higher capacity RAM and CPU compatibility than B550, and are designed better to handle overclocking. But, when it comes to price the B550 remains the best choice.
Q3. Can B450 motherboards be overclocked?
The B450 chip is officially able to support overclocking. While you won’t be able break overclocking records on these motherboards, it’s definitely beneficial to have support for overclocking to get an extra performance of your system when you want to. Overclocking middle-range CPUs like Ryzen 5s or Ryzen 7s will be achievable and worthwhile on B450 motherboards. However, we recommend not overclocking any Ryzen 9 components using this chipset since generally the VRMs in these budget motherboards aren’t strong enough to handle these situations.