Choosing a new motherboard for your PC can be challenging at times, with a sea of options to choose from. Even though you might be a PC designing expert or an IT geek, you tend to find yourself lost in a barrage of choices you can see in the market.
The B450 boards were stunning models when they were released a few years ago. They could quickly get the job done for you. You really needn’t think of an update unless you really wanted to get stunning performance from your PC.
This could be the case for professional or hardcore gamers, who earn their livelihood from gaming. However, making the ideal option when designing a new PC between two blockbuster models, Asus ROG Strix B450-F vs Asus ROG Strix B550-F, can be challenging.
The AMD Ryzen 5000 series was released in the market last year. This was rated as one of the most monumental hardware launches in 2020. The AMD X570 chipset was already running, and now with PCIe 4.0 support, the X570 was an excellent jump to the past generation.
The Asus ROG Strix B450-F comes with several features infused in them. The BIOS also comes included and offers you with stress-free overclocking. It works well on the Ryzen 5000 series processors.
The Asus ROG Strix B550-F is more a cousin brother to the B450-F. The board can offer excellent support to the CPU and primary PCIe slot. Very often, we find that most readers jump on the bandwagon of the latest motherboards.
Yes, a new product is definitely good and comes with the latest updates. In this case, it won’t be fair to dump the previous model just because it is slightly older. Remember, the B550-F model is expensive than the B450-F model.
We found some exceptional B450 boards being sold in the market side-by-side to B550. These boards do their jobs well. Our tester was not really compelled into the B550 boards because they came with few new features.
At the end of the day, it is your requirement and needs that really matter. Besides, if you are alright with the price, no one will stop purchasing it. We have given you with the winner at the end of the post based on our research and test.
 |  |
|---|---|
| ASUS ROG STRIX B450-F | ASUS ROG STRIX B550-F |
| PROS | PROS |
| The design and aesthetics are done nicely. The software embedded in it is spectacular. It can support the Ryzen 3000 & 4000 CPUs. It has exceptional cooling technology infused in it. The board comes with a flexible set. | The design and aesthetics are stunningly good. The overclocking is excellent, thanks to the VRMs. It comes with a seamless transition for upgrading in the future. It provides you with a good resale value. The product is a good investment in SSDs for future users. |
| CONS | CONS |
| It is technically 4 + 2 phase VRM. | When compared to the B450-F, this model is quite expensive. |
FEATURES & LAYOUT
The Asus models have one thing in common, that is the design. They are nicely designed and come with an exceptional layout. It makes use of the classic Asus design features the PCB that comes in black tone.
You can also find black heat sinks that come in white and red accents. They are located at the rear I/O cover. If you notice, the CPU socket is open for the air coolers. You can also find 2 M.2 slots on the board.
They are located on the first PCIe x16 slot, and the other is below the second PCIe x16 slot. You can find the bottom slot having a full coverage heatsink. Besides, the board also comes using the 3 PCI Express 3.0 x16 slots.
The top 2 are steel-reinforced. It also comes with 3 PCI Express 3.0 x1 slots. It comes with a decent I/O offering, including an optical S/PDIF Out port. Few of the ports include 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2, 3 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, HDMI port, and 2 x USB 2.0.
Coming to the networking on the B450-F, it is done using the Intel I211AT Gigabit controller. On the other hand, you have the Asus ROG Strix B550-F coming PCIe 4.0 M.2 slot. You would be delighted to know that the boards come with a PCIe 4.0 M.2 slot for PCIe 4.0 SSD.
There the dual GPU support that works exceptionally well. Few of you may feel that most of the GPU systems are not famous as they used to be. However, they are good and offer you with immense support for GPU units.
It also comes with Gen3 PCIe lanes. While you can connect SSDs in the PCIe 4.0 slots, general PCIe lanes can also be done through the PCIe 3.0 instead. It means that the B550 chipset is flexible and quicker.
We were quite happy to see that the board comes with enthusiastic support for Wi-Fi 6. Please do note that B550 is not backward compatible with previous Ryzen processors. They will not work on the 2nd generation Ryzen processor or older models.
So, if you are planning on designing your PC on that processor, you might also forget about it. Likewise, it cannot support the 1st generation Ryzen processor too. It is the Ryzen 1000 series and can operate only with the Ryzen 3000 and the 4000 models.
Of course, other models that keep showing up in today’s market will work on the motherboard. All in all, both the boards come with excellent layout & design powers. You would be delighted to know that the similarities barring few differences, were too hard to ignore.
SOFTWARE AND FIRMWARE
We are coming to the software and firmware of the motherboards. Now, as we read the similarities between the layout & design of the B450-F and B550-F, will the software and hardware be the same? Let us find out.
Its BIOS is simply magnificent. Several users will love how they have provided them with a hockey to turn on and off the LEDs. We liked this because it was quite simple. Our tester also found the fan monitoring easy to operate.
When you do not have the CPU fan or use something else, the board shows an error. You have to change the settings or use another cooling fan for the board. This aspect can be debatable. We found the Sonic Studio III software exciting.
It comes with the Aura Sync RGB software for adjusting the color of the built-in RGB lights. We liked this feature as you can take data from several network connections simultaneously. Few users have bluntly said that the B450 is a straight rip-off of the B350.
We did not feel that way. Yes, many users still find the B350 board useful and even use it. However, the model remains quite suitable for several enhancements. The new version comes with several updated specifications and an incredibly fantastic layout too.
There is also the M.2 Key-M 22110 slot if you want to use it. When you do not intend to use the storage, then you can choose this board. The B550-F, on the other hand, comes with sublime features. Even small things have been taken care of that are a feast to the eyes.
If you are somebody well-vexed in technology, you would appreciate them. We found the PCIe 4.0 support lets PCIe 4.0 SSDs and GPUs operate at the maximum speed. You will want to know that PCIe 4.0 is required for any gamer or programmer.
It is not necessary that you have to do anything special about it. The multitasking on the B550-F was stunning. You can easily do video editing, designing, and even photography if you want. You can consider using a sublime graphics card like the RX 570 4GB.
This can be debatable too. When you plan to purchase a top-end PCIe 4.0 SSD, then you may want to use the PCIe 4.0 M.2 slot. If you are a content writer, video editor, or somebody who deals with plenty of information, then the B550-F may not be suitable.
Overall, we found the B550-F more exciting and futuristic in terms of the motherboard. Having said that, the B450-F is also a good board for doing menial tasks. However, when you want powerful software infused with phenomenal firmware, then the B550-F is worth a look.
OVERCLOCKING
The Asus ROG Strix B450-F offered us excellent overclocking. We were able to get 4.4 GHz at 1.35 V core voltage. This was on a Ryzen 3000 processor and was quite expected from it. We can say that this is not suggested for manual CPU overclocks.
We cannot term it fast. However, the memory and the CPU combination suited this board well. This is ideal for high frequency overclocking able to reach 4000 MHz. We did not notice any direct airflow occurring on the VRM.
The audio subsystem is not changed from the board. It comes with the Realtek ALC1220 DAC taken from the B350. It comes with an EMI shield. The components are then segmented from each other.
You can find a pair of OP-AMPs for boosting the signals and enhancing the audio performance. The board also comes with the Sonic Studio III software providing additional features. This helps in audio reverberation on the Windows sound controllers.
On the whole, the B450-F can handle anything that AMD wants to offer to you. We strongly feel that if the B550-F reduces the price, gamers and most users may opt for the B450-F. Having said that, the B550-F offers you with exciting features.
On the other hand, the B550-F comes with the ability to hit high speeds on the Ryzen 9 PCIe Gen4 SSD. You may want to understand that the ROG boards are a brand for value systems. You do not find many in the market put up for resale.
Based on our research, some users do not mind spending more than $100 on the boards. Another reason to choose the B550-F ROG would be the transition. When you want to upgrade to the Ryzen 4000 CPUs, then you may want to consider using it.
You could easily benefit from the VRMs that provide you with strong overclocking.
PRICE
The Asus ROG Strix B450-F is priced less than $130. We feel that the maker has priced it quite right. When B450 boards were launched, they were priced around the $120 range. The B550 board was expected to come around $140 or more.
It comes as no surprise that the B550 boards are priced close to the X570 board’s range. The Asus ROG Strix B550-F is priced less than $190. Our tester felt that it is pretty alright as it comes with a barrage of features like support for the new PCI-Express 4.0, Zen 2 and Zen 3 processors, and 128 Gigs of RAM.
This is ideal for hardcore gamers and programmers who are looking for sublime performance from their PC. It comes loaded with exceptional components. Though they come with a few shortcomings, they both are quoted well as far as the pricing is concerned.
VERDICT
This is the end of our comparison review on Asus ROG Strix B450-F vs Asus ROG Strix B550-F. Hope you enjoyed reading it. The Asus ROG strip B450-F motherboard comes with excellent features.
It provides you with the right kind of balance and price you are looking for. As far as the looks go, the B450-F offers a classic aesthetic appearance. We felt that the implementation of the RGB was done exceptionally well.
The design was neutral, and it came with its share of white and red accents. We were able to reach high levels of overclocking of 4000 MHz. There was a snag for it to reach the Windows along with tightened timings.
It does make use of a 4-phase VCore VRM for cooling. The power consumption on this board was incredible. We hardly felt anything give away. During the testing, they did not cross the dreaded 60degrees, leave alone 90degrees.
The Asus ROG Strix B550-F comes with exceptional features like the cooling and VRM infused in it. Its heatsinks are more significant when you compare them to the B450 predecessors. When you are particular about the Ryzen 4000 7 or 9, you might want to opt for B550-F.
Having said that, if you own a B450-F, then you might as well continue using it. However, when you are keen on upgrading or planning to design a new futuristic PC, then you can opt for the B550-F.
We came to know that a new set of AMD sockets will be released by the end of 2021 or early 2022. Doing that will also bring in sublime DDR5 memory. But purchasing the B570-F brings you a new lease of life to your PC.
James Smith has always been intrigued by electronic products since his childhood. After his post graduation in electronics from a popular university, he decided to pursue a career in the electronics sector. But his calling for writing about these marvellous pieces of work got the better of him. That is how UBG was started. With a writing career spanning more than 12 years, James has worked on several hundred product reviews. During his free time, he like to spend time with his pet dog and relax in the swimming pool.