Help narrow down mobo choices please.

[pinky33]

I have it narrowed down to these 10 options. I know this is still a lot of options. I so anything I can do to weed this down would be great. The biggest factor will be what mobo my local microcenter actually has in stock. Although for the right price/mobo I could amazon or newegg it.


I don't want to spend more than $200
needs to have optical out
full atx would be nice
will probably have a ryzen 3600 installed at first and then a 8+ core zen 3 later in life
I need to be able to use all 6 sata ports and at least one m.2 slot, maybe both m.2 slots
Will start with 2x8GB ram and move to 4x8 or something as needed.

Please let me know if you need any more info.

Are any of these known to have issues?

Thank you,

Pinky


https://rog.asus.com/us/motherboards/rog-strix/rog-strix-b550-a-gaming-model/

https://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards/TUF-GAMING-X570-PRO-WI-FI/

https://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards/TUF-GAMING-X570-PLUS/overview/


https://us.msi.com/Motherboard/MPG-B550-GAMING-PLUS

https://us.msi.com/Motherboard/MPG-B550-GAMING-EDGE-WIFI

https://us.msi.com/Motherboard/MAG-B550-TOMAHAWK

https://us.msi.com/Motherboard/MAG-B550-TORPEDO



https://www.gigabyte.com/us/Motherboard/B550-AORUS-ELITE-V2-rev-10#kf

https://www.gigabyte.com/us/Motherboard/B550-AORUS-ELITE-AX-rev-10#kf


https://www.newegg.com/gigabyte-x57...813145160?Item=N82E16813145160&quicklink=true

 

[Johan45]

Out of those I'd go for the Gigabyte X570 Elite, looks like it's really dropped in price

 

[Janus67]

I have the X570 TUF Pro, it's a solid board, but I couldn't tell you enough about how much storage it uses for the SATA ports and such (as I just have one SATA device and one M.2 nvme drive on it). The TUF Pro is basically an upgraded TUF Plus

 

[Woomack]

Many users have problems with AMD TUF boards and I mean like compatibility issues. Some users say it's good, some say they have problems with memory kits and other devices. Just saying, don't want to make a rule out of that as I wasn't testing it.
Strix A and F are cheaper but solid boards (preety much the same). Strix E supports a bit higher memory kits but at 1:1 with IF all are the same so it's not worth to pay more for the E version.
From Gigabyte, Pro and Master support higher memory clock than Elite and Vision. Besides that, all of them are somehow similar in most things, matter of additional features. B550 Elite AX seems the best option as it has AX WiFi/BT5.1 and if I'm right then V2 has worse power section as Gigabyte had problems with components and just used cheaper ones (I can be wrong as I didn't check what exactly they changed).
MSI Tomahawk has some good reviews as it support high memory frequency, has no problems with compatibility, has good power section and is quite cheap.

All depends on the price but I would pick Strix B550 A, B550 Elite AX or MSI B550 Tomahawk.
B550 chipset in general seems better than the X570 (if you don't need additional PCIe slots). It heats up less, most motherboards don't need additional fans, it's newer so can count on longer BIOS support and it's somehow easier for some compontents giving higher compatibility. Just some thoughts after testing multiple motherboards. Other users can have different experience.

 

[Zerileous]

If you look at the manual of the Tomahawk for example, there is a statement

When installing devices in M.2_2, PCI_E2 & PCI_E3 slots at the same time, PCI_E3 slot will be unavailable, and M2_2 slot only supports PCIe x2.

. In this case it seems to take PCIe lane for the extra M.2 from the slots, not the sata ports, but it does appear that B550 is not 100% free from lane limitations. That said, whatever board you decide to go with, you'll need to review the manual prior to purchasing to ensure that your intended configuration is supported.

 

[JLK03F150]

I have the X570 Aorus Elite WIFI, which is currently on sale for the same price as the non-WIFI version. I don't need the WIFI, but this version includes Bluetooth with the WIFI. That's a plus for me (bluetooth headphones!). The only down-side IMO is fan headers. There are 2 CPU 4-pin PWM headers and only 2 System 4-pin PWM headers. I've set the RAM to DDR4-3600 & enabled PBO, everything else is stock for now. Performs very well for me.

The VRM is highly rated on this board. I expect to see a 5900X in my socket at some point.

 

[pinky33]

Many users have problems with AMD TUF boards and I mean like compatibility issues. Some users say it's good, some say they have problems with memory kits and other devices. Just saying, don't want to make a rule out of that as I wasn't testing it.
Strix A and F are cheaper but solid boards (preety much the same). Strix E supports a bit higher memory kits but at 1:1 with IF all are the same so it's not worth to pay more for the E version.
From Gigabyte, Pro and Master support higher memory clock than Elite and Vision. Besides that, all of them are somehow similar in most things, matter of additional features. B550 Elite AX seems the best option as it has AX WiFi/BT5.1 and if I'm right then V2 has worse power section as Gigabyte had problems with components and just used cheaper ones (I can be wrong as I didn't check what exactly they changed).
MSI Tomahawk has some good reviews as it support high memory frequency, has no problems with compatibility, has good power section and is quite cheap.

All depends on the price but I would pick Strix B550 A, B550 Elite AX or MSI B550 Tomahawk.
B550 chipset in general seems better than the X570 (if you don't need additional PCIe slots). It heats up less, most motherboards don't need additional fans, it's newer so can count on longer BIOS support and it's somehow easier for some compontents giving higher compatibility. Just some thoughts after testing multiple motherboards. Other users can have different experience.

I am thinking MSI b550 Tomahawk if I go B550 chipset. My only hesitation was/is exactly what Zerileous is stating.

If you look at the manual of the Tomahawk for example, there is a statement . In this case it seems to take PCIe lane for the extra M.2 from the slots, not the sata ports, but it does appear that B550 is not 100% free from lane limitations. That said, whatever board you decide to go with, you'll need to review the manual prior to purchasing to ensure that your intended configuration is supported.

If I am reading it correctly it should be OK still.

I do plan to use both m2. spots and PCI_E3. It would just mean I cant use PCI_E2 and be stuck wtih only PCI_E4 slot for any add on card. Wireless, sound, ect.

all SATA slots will still be fine.

See attached photos to help confirm.

I have the X570 Aorus Elite WIFI, which is currently on sale for the same price as the non-WIFI version. I don't need the WIFI, but this version includes Bluetooth with the WIFI. That's a plus for me (bluetooth headphones!). The only down-side IMO is fan headers. There are 2 CPU 4-pin PWM headers and only 2 System 4-pin PWM headers. I've set the RAM to DDR4-3600 & enabled PBO, everything else is stock for now. Performs very well for me.

The VRM is highly rated on this board. I expect to see a 5900X in my socket at some point.

For what seems like $25 more I can get x570 with a lot more bandwidth. Might work with SAM better??? Can't seem to find any limitations with x570 elite other than power and cost.

- - - Auto-Merged Double Post - - -

pics

 

[pinky33]

Gigabyte Aorus Elite Wifi x570 is $179 with combo deal of ryzen 3600

use this ram if they even really have it in stock.

https://www.microcenter.com/product...nel-desktop-memory-kit-bl2k8g36c16u4w---white


Then just wait for a gfx card in 20 years when they come in stock.

Then maybe a monitor that can do over 60hz with g sync action action action.