Motherboard VRM Tier List v2 (currently AMD only)

[Jurrunio]

20 hours ago, flickofdawrist said:

Hey Jurrunio. Which one should I pick? And why? Please help me. 

- B550-F ROG STRIX for 170USD
- B550-A ROG STRIX for 170USD

- MSI B550-A Pro for 110USD

- B550 Tomahawk for 155USD

I'll probably go for a 5900x. Most likely won't OC.

B550-A Strix is just B550-F in white

 

B550-A Pro's cheaper by only having 1Gb LAN and many USB 3.0 ports downgraded to 2.0. VRM is also worse even if it's okay for a 5900x

 

Tomahawk has 2.5G and 1G LAN at the same time, but USB disadvantage is made worse (fewer USB 2.0).

 

Out of these 4 either Strix board will do

[Narmonteam]

On 2/24/2020 at 12:06 PM, uko said:

Hi, i actually have build an SFF in Raijintek Metis Plus case but i live in Spain and the weather is almost the hell most part of the year, so i was thinking about switch to another case with better cooling like Cooler Master MasterBox Q500L is mATX case but support ATX mobos (found just for 50€) i still have some days to replace the components without lose money. My recent build is this one...

Case: Raijintek Metis Plus (61€)

CPU: Ryzen 3600 (170€)

MOBO: MSI B450i Gaming Plus AC (130€)

GPU: Asus Dual RX 580 OC 8GB (160€)

COOLER: Noctua NH-U12S (60€)

SSD M2: Sabrent Rocket NVMe 512GB (28€)

RAM: Corsair Vengeance LPX 3200 C16 2x16 32GB (100€)

PSU: Sharkoon SilentStorm SFX Gold 500W (80€)

1xFAN: Noctua F12 (20€)

 

Total build: 809€

 

I want to save some money (money "is not a problem" but i dont want to spend money in unnecesary expensive components), and my untouchable are cpu, ssd and ram:

CPU: Ryzen 3600 (170€)

SSD M2: Sabrent Rocket NVMe 512GB (28€)

RAM: Corsair Vengeance LPX 3200 C16 2x16 32GB (100€)

 

Now i need to find the rest in a perfect "best value" build.

Case: MasterBox Q500L (50€)

PSU: TXM 650W 80+ Gold (57€)

 

Total atm: 405€

 

Still need gpu and mobo (this is the reason why i came here across google) and cpu cooler, my intentions are OC (between 4.0 or 4.2 ghz) but not sure if just stay stock and let the system auto boost, the use of the computer will be mainly work (games & software development, cybersecurity studies (will need some vmwares) and some days will play some games (mostly cs:go and lol, easy to get more than 144fps in low and mid settings for max performance)). So... which mobo do u think will be enough for me and maybe which cpu cooler? I have reading almost whole google about b450 different mobos, and what i have learn is to buy an msi (not sure if thats the correct answer...) but i can buy msi mobos for this prices...

Gaming Plus Max - 75€ a friend who bought and never used (104€ new)

Bazooka V2 - 92€ new

Tomahawk Max - 115€ new

 

I am totally open to some other recomendation... thanks in advance!

At this point I'd rather go for B550, how much are the Gigabyte DS3H and MSI A-Pro? But your current motherboard is pretty good honestly. Also, the Q500l is an absolute hotbox, so I wouldn't recommend it.

 

As for overclocking, you'll get a much bigger boost from overclocking the memory as statics ocs are pretty much dead on Ryzen. If you want to, you could use a tool like CTR 2.0 by 1usm0us for boosting cpu perf but you can also just max out PBO settings, buildzoid has a tutorial iirc

 

Edit: Forum wasn't loading correctly, sorry for the random reply

[bulut]

helo Jurrunipo,

 

i looking for motherboard for my video-edit work station, cpu- 5900x that i buyed one week ago but cant choose the motherboard. 

i will go with 128 gb 3600mhz ram. at this point i look at gskill's qvl list here;

F4-3600C16Q-128GVK-G.SKILL International Enterprise Co., Ltd.

 

asus pro-ws x570 or asus strix gaming-e

which one that i should choose. i don't think to do overclocking. Gaming-e looking too better for me because 6 sata port and wifi-bluetooth capability. but stability much more imported for me.

gpu- 980 ti( will replace with 1080ti)

second gpu will be decklink for 10bit live playback.

 

sorry for my bad english :)

[MultiGamerClub]

Will there be a huge difference if i pick up a B550-F instead of an E?

 

I know the -E supports 2x x16 SLI but the more i think about it the more i probably wont need it.

 

As norway have shortages of the 5600x, thinking of going with the 5800x while im at it.

 

Also curious how these motherboards handles with memory as i want to try and get my 3000 mhz 2x8 corsair memory up to 3600 if its even possible.

[Haro]

23 minutes ago, MultiGamerClub said:

Will there be a huge difference if i pick up a B550-F instead of an E?

No, both boards will easily handle the 5800x and the Strix E doesn't really offer something compelling over the Strix F either way. 

23 minutes ago, MultiGamerClub said:

Also curious how these motherboards handles with memory as i want to try and get my 3000 mhz 2x8 corsair memory up to 3600 if its even possible.

Both can handle the 3600 MT/s, though it's wont be guaranteed that you'll hit get 3600 to run stably, as it's also down to the sticks themselves. 

[MultiGamerClub]

5 minutes ago, Haro said:

Both can handle the 3600 MT/s, though it's wont be guaranteed that you'll hit get 3600 to run stably, as it's also down to the sticks themselves. 

Trying to find something compatible with "Corsair Vengeance RGB 16GB DDR4 3000 MHz" (Corsair's website)

 

Something with close CL15 or CL16 as the one im using now is CL15.

 

Ram's never gone above 3000 on my B350-F board till this day, atleast now staying stable for long periods of time.

Could just be bad luck on this board and not necessarily all b350-f boards.

 

edit: Might go for a 3600 cl1/cl165 corsair vengeance pro as it closely resembles the previous generation of what im using

Edited February 24, 2021 by MultiGamerClub
edit: Might go for a 3600 cl1/cl165 corsair vengeance pro as it closely resembles the previous generation of what im using :)

[Haro]

8 minutes ago, MultiGamerClub said:

Might go for a 3600 cl1/cl165 corsair vengeance pro as it closely resembles the previous generation of what im using

You could always just try to manually overclock them again on the new board and seeing how far you can go, the difference between 3000 CL15 and something like 3600 CL16 wont really be huge and isn't worth paying for a whole new kit. Unless you're planning on mixing them with the old kit for extra capacity, if so, do note that all the sticks will run at the slowest frequency out of all of them, so 3000 MT/s in this case. 

[MultiGamerClub]

3 hours ago, Haro said:

You could always just try to manually overclock them again on the new board and seeing how far you can go, the difference between 3000 CL15 and something like 3600 CL16 wont really be huge and isn't worth paying for a whole new kit. Unless you're planning on mixing them with the old kit for extra capacity, if so, do note that all the sticks will run at the slowest frequency out of all of them, so 3000 MT/s in this case. 

I know they will run for the slowest one.. Thats kind of why im getting a 3600 and to see if i can clock BOTH up to 3600 as the one being 3000 stock isnt that big of a jump.

[Jurrunio]

3 hours ago, Haro said:

the difference between 3000 CL15 and something like 3600 CL16 wont really be huge

1 minute ago, MultiGamerClub said:

BOTH up to 3600 as the one being 3000 stock isnt that big of a jump.

Uhm, it is a big jump. On or below 3200MHz stuff aren't binned so it's completely random at that point.

[Haro]

Just now, Jurrunio said:

Uhm, it is a big jump.

I was referring to performance difference. 

My bad if I wasn't clear on that. 

[MultiGamerClub]

19 minutes ago, Jurrunio said:

Uhm, it is a big jump. On or below 3200MHz stuff aren't binned so it's completely random at that point.

oof, seeing 3200 being the highest and without the "(oc)" mark id assume the motherboard could take higher clock speed but beyond 3200 this seems like a random area of luck and unlucky guesses and tries.. Was hoping to make both kits clock higher as 3000 kinda feels a bit low for the 5600x/5800x cpu's.

 

Probably doesnt matter that much in the end.. But still

 

Now im kind of stuck between Auros Pro for 130$ or the B550-F for 190 cheapest / 220 at the usual webstore~ $..

 

Will the "Asus ROG Strix B550-F Gaming" really help towards greater memory clocks or will it be okay to go for a cheaper mobo like "Gigabyte B550M Aorus Pro"?

[Jurrunio]

5 hours ago, MultiGamerClub said:

oof, seeing 3200 being the highest and without the "(oc)" mark id assume the motherboard could take higher clock speed but beyond 3200 this seems like a random area of luck and unlucky guesses and tries.. Was hoping to make both kits clock higher as 3000 kinda feels a bit low for the 5600x/5800x cpu's

The motherboard and memory controller inside the CPU can, but the memory sticks are a different thing you have to match on your own. Your 3000MHz old sticks probably wont let you go faster.

 

You can try OC them, but note that with new sticks added running together the overclock will be even morr difficult.

[MultiGamerClub]

Just now, Jurrunio said:

The motherboard and memory controller inside the CPU can, but the memory sticks are a different thing you have to match on your own. Your 3000MHz old sticks probably wont let you go faster.

 

You can try OC them, but note that with new sticks added running together the overclock will be even morr difficult.

oof2.

 

Hehe, will probably have to get some cheap 3600 sticks then.

 

Saw some for 105$ something with no rgb at cl16 something..

 

For some weird reason.. anything beyond 3600 mhz seems to be cl17/18 and beyond.

 

Seeing 4000 mhz kits being cl18 and cl19 makes me think latency cant keep up?

 

Might just be me seeing high CL on high mhz kits for the first time.

[Jurrunio]

3 hours ago, MultiGamerClub said:

For some weird reason.. anything beyond 3600 mhz seems to be cl17/18 and beyond.

 

Seeing 4000 mhz kits being cl18 and cl19 makes me think latency cant keep up?

 

Might just be me seeing high CL on high mhz kits for the first time.

Latency only makes sense after you divide frequency with it. In other words, 4000MHz CL19 is better than 3000MHz CL15 in latency

[Bawls Walrus]

Would the Dark Hero be above the Hero because of the updated better VRM or did the Hero get revised with the Dark Hero vrm?

[Jurrunio]

4 hours ago, Bawls Walrus said:

Would the Dark Hero be above the Hero because of the updated better VRM or did the Hero get revised with the Dark Hero vrm?

Dark Hero technically is better but it's beyond practicality at that point and Hero already hits top tier.

[InfraDelta]

Just gonna ask how each brand compares to one another on the other stuff they bring into the table.
I've heard that in Asus TUF boards they have a longer warrantee than others. And each brand usually has their own programs that they advertise like MSI Gaming App.
I am currently looking at a Ryzen 5 3600, but is looking to upgrade to a 5000 series when budget isn't as tight. Is there a lineup that I should go looking at that's best fit for me?

[Jurrunio]

6 hours ago, InfraDelta said:

I've heard that in Asus TUF boards they have a longer warrantee than others. And each brand usually has their own programs that they advertise like MSI Gaming App.

TUF yes, but it's no longer made. TUF Gaming is a different thing and just another gaming board lineup

 

RGB software yes they have their own, but seems like none of them work that well either.

 

6 hours ago, InfraDelta said:

I am currently looking at a Ryzen 5 3600, but is looking to upgrade to a 5000 series when budget isn't as tight. Is there a lineup that I should go looking at that's best fit for me?

You didnt tell me enough as far as features you want on a board. In this case "cheaper is better" as long as it's rated well in the tier list. Maybe look for recommendations based on an 8 core for upgrades.

[InfraDelta]

1 hour ago, Jurrunio said:

You didnt tell me enough as far as features you want on a board. In this case "cheaper is better" as long as it's rated well in the tier list. Maybe look for recommendations based on an 8 core for upgrades.

I guess I forgot to add what features I wanted.
Well I guess I would want to have a bunch of SATA ports, as of the moment I will be needing maybe 4-6?
PCI-E ports for a GTX card and a future RTX card when prices drop or when they do lower in prices.
Quad-channel maybe? (but realistically I wouldn't need more than 32GB of ram so a dual-channel with 2x16 may suffice)
Maybe 5G ethernet? (I am not too familiar whether I should need a high G ethernet) and optional WiFi.
At least 1 M.2 for a future storage.
If possible at least 8 of USB ports at the back and at least 2x USB2.0 for the front connectors.
I can pass on RGB features due to the fact that my case is opaque.

[genexis_x]

Any major differences between Gigabyte B550M DS3H and B550M Aorus Elite?

[Jurrunio]

5 hours ago, InfraDelta said:

Well I guess I would want to have a bunch of SATA ports, as of the moment I will be needing maybe 4-6?

Plenty of boards (from cheap to expensive) offer up to 6, aside from most MSI boards. 8 is rare though, might be cheaper to get a PCIe to SATA card instead.

 

5 hours ago, InfraDelta said:

Quad-channel maybe? (but realistically I wouldn't need more than 32GB of ram so a dual-channel with 2x16 may suffice)

AM4 is dual channel max. You can have 4 sticks, but it's 2 sticks per channel.

 

5 hours ago, InfraDelta said:

Maybe 5G ethernet? (I am not too familiar whether I should need a high G ethernet) and optional WiFi

If router and internet plan isnt that fast (5Gb), it won't help. Mobo rarely offer 5Gb LAN though, a few have 10Gb but most B550 and X570 gets 2.5Gb instead.

 

5 hours ago, InfraDelta said:

At least 1 M.2 for a future storage.

All AM4 boards worth considering have one

 

5 hours ago, InfraDelta said:

If possible at least 8 of USB ports at the back and at least 2x USB2.0 for the front connectors.

2 USB 2.0 header should be common, but 8+ USB at the back is a rare thing. MSI just doesn't with B550, Asus Asrock and Gigabyte offer 8 or more while those from Gigabyte should be cheaper than the other 2 brands while offering the same (B550 aorus elite and aorus pro, both ATX boards)

 

3 hours ago, genexis_x said:

Any major differences between Gigabyte B550M DS3H and B550M Aorus Elite?

It's just a better looking reskin as far as I can tell.

[Mordotz]

I'm finally getting a desktop after having a laptop all my life, so I really appreciate this list. I've been watching Those Buildzoid/Gamers Nexus vids as well, but I just find it so confusing to find a good board.

My goals/info:
- A good quality board that can handle heat/cooling well. (I plan on using a noctua D15S), and I don't think i will do much overclocking, as i'll want something to be stable for 5+ years with no issues. 
- White board if possible (otherwise a clean black board with option for white light)
- Post code + troubleshoot LEDs seem great for a newbie builder like me
- Asus or MSI (Bios recommended by friend) 
- Don't know if B550 or X570 is better? 
- Atm I just plan on getting a GPU + 1-2 Gen4 SSD with a 5800x or 5900x

I was looking at the Asrock X570 taichi and Asus X570-E, but I'm not sure if these are a great choice or if there's alternatives.. also since i was told to avoid Asrock.. because of their bios?

Would love some input and perhaps 2-3 board recommendations (because prices can be very different here compared to the US), if possible. 

 

[Jurrunio]

13 hours ago, Mordotz said:

My goals/info:
- A good quality board that can handle heat/cooling well. (I plan on using a noctua D15S), and I don't think i will do much overclocking, as i'll want something to be stable for 5+ years with no issues. 
- White board if possible (otherwise a clean black board with option for white light)
- Post code + troubleshoot LEDs seem great for a newbie builder like me
- Asus or MSI (Bios recommended by friend) 
- Don't know if B550 or X570 is better? 
- Atm I just plan on getting a GPU + 1-2 Gen4 SSD with a 5800x or 5900x

I was looking at the Asrock X570 taichi and Asus X570-E, but I'm not sure if these are a great choice or if there's alternatives.. also since i was told to avoid Asrock.. because of their bios?

B550 and X570's biggest difference is bandwidth to the chipset. If you use 2 M.2 SSDs one will have to get bandwidth through the chipset (same for both), but B550 chipset gets 3.0x4 worth of bandwidth while X570 gets 4.0 x4, so B550 wont let 2 gen 4 SSDs run at full speed together (excluding the expensive as f B550-E, Aorus Master and Taichi, these cut GPU's PCIe bandwidth in half for M.2 SSDs).

 

Gigabyte B550 Vision D is white, sadly BIOS leaves much to be desired.

Asus X570-E is good for buyers with sufficient money that is afraid of buyers remorse (that is not money related), it does everything a normal user would want and doesnt have a sky high price.

MSI has low USB and SATA count, they don't like post code displays either.

[Mordotz]

4 hours ago, Jurrunio said:

B550 and X570's biggest difference is bandwidth to the chipset. If you use 2 M.2 SSDs one will have to get bandwidth through the chipset (same for both), but B550 chipset gets 3.0x4 worth of bandwidth while X570 gets 4.0 x4, so B550 wont let 2 gen 4 SSDs run at full speed together (excluding the expensive as f B550-E, Aorus Master and Taichi, these cut GPU's PCIe bandwidth in half for M.2 SSDs).

 

Gigabyte B550 Vision D is white, sadly BIOS leaves much to be desired.

Asus X570-E is good for buyers with sufficient money that is afraid of buyers remorse (that is not money related), it does everything a normal user would want and doesnt have a sky high price.

MSI has low USB and SATA count, they don't like post code displays either.

Does that mean if I just use Gen4 1 M.2 SSD, that a B550 will be better? I don't mind AIO much, since i don't plan on using more than 4-5 USB and probably 0 SATA if i use a M.2 I think. I actually just care about being easy to work with and can handle temps well (with an air cooler) if i may want to try some mild overclocking some day.

Thank you for you input. Sounds like if anything, then i'll just have to go for the Asus to avoid any remorse for the next 5 years as so

[Guest]

I have a 5800x and a B450 Aorus M. Is it worth upgrading the motherboard? On HWconfig it shows a max power draw of 142.28w/148.61A when running Cinebench. I don't really understand anything about this VRM stuff but I see that this motherboard doesn't max out the CPU on the tier list.