The arrival of B550 Chipset-based motherboards marks a significant development in the market. We begin with the high-end B550 Aorus Master, which boasts features such as 2.5 GigE Ethernet, AX WIFI6, and three M.2 NVMe slots, leading us to question whether this exceptional motherboard truly fits within the B series. This board is compatible with all Ryzen generation processors, emphasizing both performance and aesthetics; notably, the CPU socket is equipped with metal-reinforced dual 8/4-pin connectors. The presence of dual pin connectors suggests a robust VRM, and indeed, this motherboard is designed with a 14+2 phase configuration supported by 70A power stages. Gigabyte employs a well-known dark and grey shielded aesthetic, optimized for thermal management, and features a comprehensive set of specifications centered around 14 power stages specifically for Ryzen processors. Additionally, it includes three cleverly concealed M.2 slots. The motherboard is equipped with standard features and more, such as a 2.5 Gigabit (Realtek) Ethernet connection and AX WIFI6. For audio, it utilizes the ALC 1220 Codec from Realtek, complemented by WIMA FKP2 studio-grade audio capacitors.
The B550 chipset is primarily designed for business-oriented motherboards, often referred to as quick add-in solutions, or for consumers, it is associated with budget-friendly options. It operates alongside the Ryzen 3 3000 series and the X570 chipset, specifically for AM4 socket processors. The x16 slot and one M.2 slot support PCIe Gen 4.0, which is contingent upon using a Ryzen 3000 processor; older processors will only provide PCIe Gen 3.0. However, the B550 chipset and its DMI uplink are limited to PCIe Gen 3.0.
The Gigabyte B550 Aorus Master features dedicated x4 lanes for a single M.2. SSD, while the x16 PCIe Gen 4.0 graphics slot is configured to provide a single 8x connection, thereby allocating 2x four lanes for additional use. This configuration allows any graphics card to operate with 8 lanes of PCIe Gen 3.0/4.0, enabling the simultaneous use of three M.2. SSDs at Gen 4.0 speeds. The motherboard is equipped with reinforced RAM slots, and the primary PCIe slot also benefits from reinforcement. It is important to note that the Gigabyte B550 Aorus Master cannot be classified as ‘budget,’ as it possesses features that position it as a premium flagship motherboard, reflected in its price.
The motherboard, as mentioned, is situated within a highly regarded area of the mainstream segment and exhibits a design that aligns well with AORUS aesthetics, which we certainly appreciate. Additionally, the new motherboard incorporates several intriguing features. Let us take a closer look before proceeding with the review.
