Best Motherboards for AMD Ryzen 5000 CPUs - X570, B550 for Gaming & Content Creation

The B550i Uh Aorus Pro AX: A Solid Option for PBO Overclocking

The ASUS ROG Strix X570-I Gaming motherboard is a popular choice among enthusiasts, but it's not without its limitations. However, there's another option that's worth considering: the ASRock B550i Ac. It may seem counterintuitive to choose the cheapest B550 ITX board over the more expensive Strix, but bear with me as we dive into the details.

One of the main advantages of the ASRock B550i Ac is its price point. At $180, it's significantly cheaper than the Strix, which makes it an attractive option for those on a budget. However, one thing you're giving up by choosing this board is PCIE 4.0 support, which may be a downside if you plan to run a PCIE 4.0 SSD. But if you're not planning to use one of these high-speed storage devices, then the lack of PCIE 4.0 support won't be an issue.

The ASRock B550i Ac is still a solid motherboard when it comes to memory overclocking. It may not have the same level of features as the Strix, but it can still handle manual overclocking of your RAM. This is thanks in part to its new memory topology, which allows for more flexibility when it comes to overclocking.

Of course, one of the biggest advantages of the B550i Ac is its ability to support PBO (Powersave Boost) overclocking. The Strix has been known to have issues with PBO, but the B550i Ac seems to handle it much better. In fact, according to the reviewer's experience, even high-end CPUs like the Ryzen 5950X can be pushed to their limits on this motherboard.

In terms of features, the ASRock B550i Ac has a more modest list than the Strix. You get four SATA ports internally and two M.2 slots (one of which is PCIE 4.0 enabled), as well as Wi-Fi 5 and Realtek LAN. However, one thing you don't get is Q-Flash functionality or a second M.2 slot, which may be a disappointment for some users.

Overall, the ASRock B550i Ac is a solid option for those looking for a budget-friendly ITX motherboard that can handle PBO overclocking. While it may not have all the bells and whistles of the Strix, its price point and feature set make it an attractive choice for those on a budget.

A520i AC: The Cheapest B550 ITX Board

If you're looking for the absolute cheapest option available, then the A520i Ac is the way to go. At $120, it's one of the most affordable ITX motherboards available, and it's worth considering if you can live without PCIE 4.0 support.

Of course, there are some sacrifices you'll have to make by choosing this board over a more expensive option like the B550i Ac or Strix. For starters, you won't get Q-Flash functionality or Wi-Fi 6, which may be a disappointment for some users. You also only get one M.2 slot, but it's still PCIE 3.0 enabled.

However, there are still some benefits to choosing the A520i Ac over the B550i Ac. For starters, you'll save $20 compared to the B550i Ac, which may be worth it for those on a tight budget. You also get one more USB port internally and an additional gigabyte of Realtek LAN.

One thing that's not as well-suited for high-end CPUs like the Ryzen 5950X is the A520i AC since its CPU support is limited.