Looking at X470 Motherboards In 2022 - Choosing which one to get, and why.
Given the X470 chipset’s popularity, it comes as no surprise that there are a ton of X470 boards currently available, making it extremely challenging to find a board that checks all the boxes, which is why we are here with a list of the Best X470 Motherboards to help you choose the perfect motherboard for your current or upcoming build.
As expected from the successor of the x370 platform, the x470 chipset comes with many upgrades over the X370 chipset. One thing to keep in mind is that AMD is still using the same AM4 socket for the newer X470 chipset as well.
As for the upgrades, the newer chipset now supports DDR4 memory up to a speed of 3600 MHz. Additionally, AMD has increased the TDP to 4.8 W. Since the X470 is a high-end chipset, AMD has optimized it for overclocking, providing much better performance than the cheaper B450 platform.
It also provides significantly better overclocking performance than the older X370 chipset, making it perfect for anyone looking to overclock their Ryzen CPUs. There are also a total of 8 SATA ports and 8 PCIe Gen 2 lanes.
While the X470 chipset is definitely a step up from the x370 platform, some things, such as the USB ports remain unchanged. The X470 chipset comes with six USB 3.0 ports and two 3.1 Gen2 ports, which is exactly the same as the X370.
You can also check out our article on the Best X570 Motherboard if you want to find out more about the successor to the X470 chipset. If your budget does not allow you to go for the X470 chipset, then the B450 is also a solid option.
Our article on the Best B450 Motherboard is also worth checking out for those on a budget.
Specifications: CHIPSET: AMD X470 Chipset | MEMORY: 4 x DIMM, 128GB MAX (DDR4) DISPLAY OUTPUTS: HDMI, Display Port | REAR USB PORTS: 6 x USB 3.1 Gen1, 1 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C, 1 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-A | Network:Intel I211-AT LAN controller, Intel ® 802.11ac WiFi Module | Storage: 2x M.2, 8x SATA III
Asrock’s taichi lineup of X470 motherboards consists of two variants, a higher-end ultimate variant of the Taichi board and a cheaper option that comes with fewer features; however, the slightly cheaper variant of the card is still an extremely capable board.
While the ASROCK AMD X470 Taichi is cheaper than the Taichi ultimate, it is by no means a cheap motherboard. With its premium price tag, the ASROCK AMD X470 falls into the high-end category of motherboards.
Right off the bat, its unique design is what stands out; it comes with a black and grey PCB with a few RGB strips along the left side of the board. As expected from a premium board like this one, it comes with four RAM slots which support a maximum RAM speed of 3466 MHz
As far as storage is concerned, the ASROCK X470 Taichi has eight SATA ports and two M.2 slots. More importantly, the ASROCK X470 Taichi features an impressive 16-phase design VRM design in a 12+4 configuration.
The ASROCK X470 Taichi also has support for dual-channel graphic cards. For the PCIe slots, ASROCK has gone with two PCIe 3.0 x 16 slots which will run as x8/x8 if you are using two graphic cards.
Another PCIe 2.0 x16 slot can be found at the bottom, which uses 4 lanes. Furthermore, ASROCK has also included two PCIe 2.0 x 1 slots. There are five fan headers on the motherboard, four of which can also be used as water pump headers.
It comes with a decent selection of rear I/O ports, featuring six USB 3.0 ports, USB 3.1 Type, and a single USB 3.1 Type-C port. As for the display ports, a single HDMI port is present, which should be fine, considering most people will be using a dedicated GPU with this.
It also comes with a 1G LAN port. Since the ASROCK X470 Taichi also features Wireless LAN, it also comes with two antenna outputs.
There is a lot to like about the ASROCK X470 Taichi, starting with the VRM setup. It comes equipped with 16 phases which also maintain low temperatures, increasing the motherboard’s overall overclocking performance.
It is clear that ASROCK has cut no corners when it comes to storage, with the inclusion of two M.2 slots along with eight SATA ports. Apart from that, the selection of rear I/O ports is also quite impressive.
Since the ASROCK X470 Taichi is not a gaming motherboard, gaming performance can be rather underwhelming, especially given its high price.
While the ASROCK X470 Taichi does come with WIFI, its speed is limited to 433Mbps, which can be a problem for some users, especially considering that most high-end X470 boards provide speeds higher than 867 Mbps.
Another thing worth mentioning is the lack of a 10 Gigabit LAN port. Since it only comes with a single 1G port, it is reasonable to presume that the ASROCK X470 Taichi is not for anyone who intends on using a higher bandwidth connection.
While its gaming performance might not be on par with some of the other higher-end boards, it still manages to provide great overclocking performance thanks to its beefy VRM setup.
In addition, it comes with eight SATA III ports, an upgrade over other motherboards in this price range. Moreover, the inclusion of a heatsink on the M.2 slot allows it to run at safe temperatures.
Overall, the ASROCK X470 Taichi is a well-built motherboard with premium components. It uses a 2oz copper PCB and also comes with Intel’s 802.11ac WiFi Module. Asrock has also included a postcode display which can be helpful for enthusiasts interested in overclocking.
Despite its slightly underwhelming gaming performance, the ASROCK X470 Taichi is still a fantastic pick if you are planning on upgrading to the X470 chipset. It is packed with all the features you need to power a high-end processor.
In conclusion, the ASROCK X470 Taichi is an excellent motherboard with impressive specifications and features. Its unique design, coupled with its solid performance and build quality make it the Best High-End X470 Motherboard.
Specifications: CHIPSET: AMD X470 Chipset | MEMORY: 4 x DIMM, 128GB MAX (DDR4) DISPLAY OUTPUTS: HDMI, Display Port | REAR USB PORTS: 2 x USB 3.1 Gen 2, 4 x USB 3.1 Gen 1, 2 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 | Network: 1x Intel® I211-AT Gigabit LAN controller | Storage: 2 x M.2, 6x SATA III
ASUS is responsible for manufacturing some of the highest quality products we have seen, ranging from graphic cards to motherboards. They offer a wide selection of motherboards, with their most popular lineups comprising the ROG series, TUF Gaming Series, and their Prime Series of motherboards.
The ROG Strix lineup of motherboards from ASUS is undoubtedly one of the most popular series of motherboards. Their popularity among gamers continues to grow with every generation due to the sheer number of features these motherboards provide.
The ASUS ROG Strix X470-F Gaming is no exception to this; as the name suggests, it is aimed at gamers and enthusiasts wanting to get the most out of their processors. Its black PCB, coupled with the angular heatsinks and the RGB strips, further pushes the gamer aesthetic.
While it shares a lot of similarities with the previous generation X370 ROG Strix motherboard, it still brings many new features that are exclusive to the X470 chipset.
One look at the board, and it becomes clear that the ROG Strix X470-F is a gaming motherboard. It features an all-black PCB with a heatsink with reflective text on top of it to further compliment its design. ASUS refers to this design as a “Cyber Outlook.”
As far as the RGB lighting is concerned, a single RGB strip can be seen on top of the rear I/O, along with a ROG logo that also lights up. Much like the rest of the motherboards from ASUS, the RGB is compatible with ASUS’ Aura Sync Software.
As expected from a ROG Strix motherboard, it comes with four RAM slots that support DDR4 memory up to a speed of 3600 MHz. ASUS has also implemented their overcurrent protection for the DRAM modules, which protects the modules from overcurrent, increasing their overall lifespan.
It comes with a pre-installed I/O bracket which features a wide variety of ports; five USB 3.1 Gen1 ports, a single USB 3.1 Type-C port, and two USB 3.1 ports can be found on the rear I/O. Surprisingly, the rear I/O also features both HDMI and a Display port.
For storage, ASUS has gone with six SATA ports and two M.2 slots, which is pretty common for motherboards at this price range. One thing to keep in mind is that the second M.2 is a PCIe 3.0 x2 slot, slightly limiting its performance.
ASUS has gone with two PCIe 3.0 x16 slots, with one of them running at x8 speeds; another PCIe 2.0 x16 can also be found at the bottom of the motherboard, which operates at x4 speeds. In addition to that, there are a total of three PCIe 2.0 x1 slots.
For the VRMs, ASUS has equipped the ROG Strix X470-F Gaming with a 6+4 phase VRM setup. While the VRM temperatures might be on the higher side, you should have enough headroom for overclocking.
The M.2 heatsink runs from the Rear I/O panel cover all the way to the M.2 shroud, which also covers the PCH.
The ASUS ROG Strix X470-F Gaming is jam-packed with features. From a decent selection of USB ports on the rear I/O to the dual M.2 slots, the X470-F Gaming provides everything you need at a slightly lower price.
Overclocking is not a problem with the ASUS ROG Strix X470-F, thanks to the 6-phase VRM setup used for the CPU. It also does not disappoint when it comes to aesthetics and build quality, thanks to the sleek RGB and the unique reflective pattern present on top of the heatsink.
There is not much to dislike about the ASUS ROG Strix X470-F aside from a few nitpicks. Starting with the 2nd M.2 slot, which does not operate at full speed; instead, it is limited to operating at PCIe x2 speeds. Moreover, there is no heatsink for the second M.2 slot either.
While the ASUS ROG Strix X470-F does offer great overclocking performance, one thing to keep in mind is that there are no onboard controls to help with overclocking.
Not only does it provide a visually appealing design, but it also manages to provide significantly better performance than some higher-end motherboards. The integrated IO shield is also an added benefit with the ROG X470-F; it makes the PC building process much easier.
It also offers ASUS’ top-notch SupremeFX S1220 Codec Audio solution with Dual OP Amplifiers; its audio quality is definitely up there with some of the higher-end X470 motherboards we have seen.
The inclusion of a heatsink right on top of the M.2 slot does wonders for its temperature; it provides enough cooling for it to operate at safe temperatures at all times.
To sum up, the ROG Strix X470-F Gaming is a well-built motherboard that not only manages to look aesthetically pleasing but also provides impressive overclocking performance.
ASUS has yet again outdone themselves with the ASUS ROG Strix X470-F Gaming. It manages to provide a nice balance between its performance and price, making it the Best Overall X470 Motherboard.
Specifications: CHIPSET: AMD X470 Chipset | MEMORY: 4 x DIMM, 128GB MAX (DDR4) DISPLAY OUTPUTS: HDMI, Display Port | REAR USB PORTS: 3 x USB 3.1 Gen 1, 1 x USB Type-C, 2 x USB 3.2, 2 x USB 2.0| Network: 1x Intel® I211-AT Gigabit LAN controller | Storage: 2x M.2, 6x SATA III
As mentioned previously, ASUS never fails to impress us when it comes to motherboards, which is why they have yet again managed to make it onto our list for the Best X470 Motherboards.
While ASUS’ prime lineup might not be as popular as the higher-end ASUS ROG Strix series of motherboards, they still provide impressive performance at a considerably lower cost.
The ASUS PRIME X470-Pro is one of the better-looking motherboards out of the PRIME lineup; it offers decent performance along with a clean black-and-white design at a relatively lower price point.
The PRIME X470-Pro features a rather unique black and white design, which stands out from the rest of the motherboards we have seen on this list and can also be a great addition to an all-white build.
RGB lighting can be found on the rear I/O cover and on top of the chipset heatsink., Naturally, the PRIME X470-Pro is compatible with ASUS’ Aura Sync software as well. Alternatively, RGB can also be controlled using the BIOS, which might be a little inconvenient.
There’s more to its design than just that; the heatsinks for the chipset and the VRMs both have a metallic finish with diagonal stripes on top. Furthermore, the chipset heatsink connects with the M.2 heatsink, improving the overall look of the motherboard.
Much like the rest of the motherboards at this price range, the ASUS PRIME X470-Pro also comes with 4 DIMM slots that support 64 GB of DDR4 memory up to a speed of 3600 MHz. A 24-pin power connection can also be found right next to these memory slots.
The Expansion slot configuration is nothing out of the ordinary, with three full-sized PCIe 3.0 x16 slots along with three PCIe x1 slots. The PCIe slots make use of ASUS’ “safeslot” technology, which reinforces the first two slots with metal to protect your graphics card. For storage, the ASUS PRIME X470-Pro offers 6 SATA III slots and 2 M.2 slots.
Additionally, the ASUS PRIME X470-Pro supports both Nvidia SLI and AMD 3-way CrossFireX.
On a more important note, it also comes with an 8+2 VRM setup which can be a big upgrade for someone upgrading from a lower-end motherboard.
Rear I/O ports do not see much of an upgrade over the previous generation ASUS Prime motherboards, with two USB 3.2 ports, three USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports, and a single USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-C port. The ASUS PRIME X470-Pro uses the Realtek S1220A as the audio solution.
For anyone interested in an all-white build, our articles on the Best White Pc Build and the best White PC cases are definitely worth checking out.
Its impressive specifications, coupled with the white heatsinks and the black PCB, make it a perfect addition for your next white-themed build. The price is what makes the ASUS PRIME X470-Pro an excellent choice for a mid-range build.
It also comes with two M.2 slots, with one of them being cooled using a heatsink. The M.2 heatsink runs all to the right of the motherboard, connecting with the chipset heatsink, giving the motherboard a unique look. ASUS has done a brilliant job with the design of the PRIME X470-Pro.
The lack of onboard buttons for troubleshooting or overclocking can be a problem for enthusiasts wanting to overclock their processors.
While it does come with a decent selection of USB ports on the rear I/O, more USB 3.1 ports would have been a nice inclusion.
Its looks aren’t the only thing that makes the ASUS PRIME X470-Pro stand out; ASUS has equipped the motherboard with an 8+2 VRM setup. The VRM temperatures stay relatively low thanks to the efficient heatsink responsible for cooling them.
While the ASUS PRIME X470 Pro is by no means a high-end motherboard, calling it cheap would be an overstatement. It fits perfectly into the mid-range category of motherboards, and it performs surprisingly well for its price.
The ASUS PRIME X470-Pro is a mid-range board that benefits from all the features of the X470 chipset at a considerably lower price. On top of that, it also features a striking white design which is bound to look good when paired with similar themed components.
Taking all of its features into account, we have crowned the ASUS PRIME X470-Pro as the Best White X470 Motherboard. If you are looking for a motherboard that not only matches your build but also performs well, then the ASUS PRIME X470-Pro is the way to go.
Best X470 Motherboard For Overclocking
Specifications: CHIPSET: AMD X470 Chipset | MEMORY: 4 x DIMM, 128GB MAX (DDR4) DISPLAY OUTPUTS: HDMI, Display Port | REAR USB PORTS: 8 x USB 3.0 Gen 1, 1 x USB Type-C, 1 x USB 3.1 Gen 2, 2 x USB 2.0 | Network: 1x Intel I211-AT Gigabit LAN Controller | Storage: 2 x M.2, 6x SATA III
The Crosshair lineup of motherboards from ASUS are the company’s top-of-the-line offerings, bringing forth the best features the company has to offer. These motherboards are equipped with premium components, built to extreme overclocking.
That also seems to be the case with the ASUS ROG Crosshair VII Hero. As mentioned previously, the Crosshair series of motherboards are aimed at enthusiasts interested in overclocking their processors to their very limits.
The ASUS ROG Crosshair VII Hero does not go out of its way to look visually appealing; however, its all-black PCB, coupled with the silver finish on the heatsinks, gives the entire motherboard a premium look.
For the expansion slots, it comes with two full-sized PCIe 3.0 x 16 slots, along with two PCIe 2.0 x1 slots and a single PCIe 2.0 x 4 slot. The two full-sized PCIe slots will run with x8 speeds if there are two GPUs installed.
The expansion slot lane distribution can get a little confusing in the Crosshair ROG VII Hero. There are a total of two M.2 slots available; however, using the first M.2 slot will limit the first PCIe slot to x8 speeds, which is why using the second M.2 slot at the bottom is recommended.
As for the other storage options, it features six SATA ports which is not much of an upgrade from other motherboards. Much like the previous generations, ASUS uses their Supreme FX S1220 CODEC Audio solution for the Crosshair VIII Hero.
Coming in with a 12-phase VRM setup, the Crosshair VII Hero assigns 10 phases for the CPU voltage and 2 phases to the SOC voltage
ASUS used the Intel I211-AT chip for the Gigabit Ethernet port on the rear I/O. Since the motherboard comes with Wi-FI, there is a WIFI dongle included in the box for wireless connectivity.
For the rear I/O ports, ASUS has included a staggering eight USB 3.1 Gen1 ports, 2 USB 2.0 ports, and two USB 3.1 Gen2 ports, with one of them having a Type-C connection.
ASUS did not hold back in terms of the overclocking features; not only did they add a postcode display on the top-right corner, but there are color-coded debug LEDs present to help you with the troubleshooting process.
Furthermore, ASUS has gone all out with the internal I/O connectors as well, equipping the Crosshair VII Hero with almost every connector imaginable. The same goes for the rear I/O ports.
VRMs are a crucial part of overclocking, and ASUS has clearly done an amazing job with the VRM setup of the Crosshair VII Hero. The VRM temperatures stay low even with the beefier 12-phase setup, not to mention that the 10+2 configuration is already overkill for most processors.
Naturally, the high-end components and features that the ASUS ROG Crosshair VII Hero is equipped with will cost you a premium, which brings us to its main disadvantage, the price.
Since it is able to deliver top-notch performance when it comes to overclocking, the Crosshair VII Hero is priced at a very high point. Going for a cheaper motherboard will be a better choice for people not interested in overclocking.
ASUS has completely blown us away with the ROG Crosshair VII Hero’s performance; if sheer power and performance is what you are looking for in a motherboard, then the ROG Crosshair VII Hero is just the motherboard for you.
Additionally, a BIOS flashback button is also included near the rear I/O, allowing you to flash your motherboard without a CPU. A postcode is also included on the top-right corner of the motherboard extremely useful during troubleshooting.
The ASUS ROG Crosshair VII Hero is undoubtedly one of the best-performing X470 motherboards one can get their hands on.
Overclockers are bound to love this pick on our list because of its enthusiast-level overclocking features. While it is priced at a higher point, it manages to deliver exceptional overclocking performance, making it the Best X470 Motherboard For Overclocking.
Specifications: CHIPSET: AMD X470 Chipset | MEMORY: 4 x DIMM, 128GB MAX (DDR4) DISPLAY OUTPUTS: HDMI| REAR USB PORTS: 6 x USB 3.1 (4x front and 2x rear), 6 x USB 2.0 (4x front and 2x rear) | Network: 1x Realtek 8111H Gigabit LAN controller | Storage: 2x M.2, 6x SATA III
MSI only offers a few motherboards with the X470 chip, each of them at a different price category. In this review, we will look at the MSI X470 Gaming Plus board, which is not only price effective but also has a good number of improvements over the previous version of the X370 chip.
Starting with the design, the MSI X470 Gaming Plus sports a combination of gray, black, and muted red tones, which is a typical MSI color theme. However, they have decided to go for a slightly duller tone, which gives it a rather sleek appearance.
For the expansion slots, MSI has equipped the X470 Gaming Plus with a full-sized PCIe 3.0 x 16 slot which is reinforced with steel armor to protect the graphic cards. Apart from that, two other full-sized PCIe slots can also be found; however, these slots operate at x8 and x4 speeds.
MSI has kept things simple in terms of memory compatibility, providing four slots in total. It is capable of providing speeds up to 3466 MHz which is expected from an X470 motherboard.
Additionally, it also comes with three PCIe 2.0 x1 slots for extra cards you might want to install. Crossfire is supported; however, Nvidia SLI is not. Two M.2 slots are also found on the motherboard; however, there are no separate heatsinks for them.
MSI has included a number of rear I/O ports with the X470 Gaming Pro, including 4 USB 3.1 Gen1 ports and two USB 3.1 Gen 2 ports. While that might not sound like a lot, it is rather impressive for a budget board.
Taking a closer look at the VRM, it comes equipped with a dual 4-phase VRM design. While MSI does refer to this design as an 11-phase design, in reality, it comes with a 4+2 setup in an eight-phase configuration.
However, even with that VRM design, the MSI X470 Gaming Plus offers performance on par with most mid-range X470 motherboards. While it may not be able to handle serious overclocking, it is perfectly capable of running most Ryzen processors at a comfortable clock speed.
The MSI Gaming Plus is a budget motherboard that brings all of the features of the X470 chipset at an entry-level price point. It comes equipped with 2 M.2 slots along with six SATA ports, as well as all of the expansion slots you would expect from an X470 board.
The MSI X470 Gaming Plus is an incredible motherboard that not only impressively delivers performance but also falls at an attractive price point. However, there are a few details that can be improved.
Firstly, MSI refers to the VRM design as an 11-phase setup; however, as mentioned above, that is clearly not the case which can be misleading for new buyers.
Furthermore, its red accents on the PCB might not be everyone’s cup of tea. While it might not be a huge issue for people on a budget, it is still something you should take into account.
The price is what makes the MSI X470 Gaming an excellent motherboard; it offers all of the features of the X470 chipset at an exceptionally low price point. MSI has also included two USB 3.1 Gen2 ports, which is always nice to see, especially on a budget motherboard.
For the price, MSI has done an excellent job with the specifications of the MSI X470 Gaming. It features a decent selection of rear I/O ports and provides great performance at a low price, making it the Best Budget X470 Motherboard.
Starting with the similarities, both the B450 and X470 are built with the same AM4 socket. While the newer B550 and X570 chipsets do provide many upgrades over these chipsets, the B450 and X470 both are perfectly capable of handling modern processors as well.
The X470 is the superior chipset between the two; however, they share a lot of similarities in their specifications. As a matter of fact, they both support the same generation of processors and make use of the same PCIe lanes.
The X470 chipset allows eight PCIe Gen 2 lanes compared to the six PCIe Gen 2 slot limit on the B450 board. Storage is another area where the X470 chipset wins over the B450 since the X470 supports more SATA 6 Gb/s connections compared to the B450.
If you intend on making use of dual GPUs using Nvidia SLI or AMD crossfire, then the X470 should be the obvious choice since B450 motherboards lack SLI and crossfire support.
All things considered, choosing between the two chipsets becomes especially difficult given the little price gap between the motherboards; however, the prices may vary depending on the motherboard you end up with.
B450 motherboards definitely offer excellent value for your money; on the other hand, the X470 chipset is a bit more future-proof.
While it boils down to personal preference, in the end, the X470 seems like the better choice considering you can upgrade to a newer processor down the line, which can make use of the additional features that the X470 provides.
The X570 chipset is the successor to the X470; while both of them use the same AM4 socket, unlike the X470, the X570 chipset does not support 1st generation Ryzen processors; however, it provides many upgrades over its predecessor.
Their specifications alone make it quite obvious that the X570 is the superior chipset between the two. The X570 provides a total of eight PCIe Gen 4 lanes, which is a huge upgrade compared to the PCIe Gen 2 lanes on the X470 chipset.
On top of that, the X570 provides better overclocking performance, stable VRMs, and better thermal performance compared to the X470 chipset.
The biggest difference between the two chipsets comes down to the PCIe lanes; with the newer chipset, most motherboards have shifted to using PCIe 4.0 expansion slots; which provide significantly better speeds than the previous generation PCIe 3.0 slots.
The X570 chipset also comes with a higher TDP of 15W compared to the 5W TDP of the X470 platform. The higher power consumption has also led to manufacturers equipping most X570 motherboards with a dedicated fan.
Additionally, the X570 chipset also supports eight USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports in total, which can provide transmission speeds up to 10 Gb/s, which is also an upgrade over the USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports available on both the X470 and the X370 chipsets.
In conclusion, the X570 provides huge upgrades over the X470 chipset, providing a much better experience when it comes to PCIe lanes and connectivity. Power consumption has also been significantly increased with the newer chipsets. The X570 chipset is far more future-proof than the X470 thanks to its higher bandwidth PCIe lanes, making it a better option for a new build.
The B550 is a newer generation mid-range chipset; being the successor to the B450 chipset, it provides great value and offers fewer features compared to the higher-end X570 chipset.
In terms of CPU compatibility, the X470 supports almost every Ryzen processor currently available; it even has support for the newer Ryzen 5000 series processors with a BIOS update.
However, that is not the case with the B550 chipset; not only does it not support the older Ryzen 2000 and 1000 series processors, but it also does not have support for Ryzen 3000 series APUs.
Memory speed is something that most older generation chipsets suffer from; that is also true for the X470 chipset. The X470 chipset has a limited maximum memory speed of 3466 MHz. While most manufacturers are able to get 3600 MHz out of the chipset, it still comes nowhere close to the speeds that the B550 chipset offers.
The B550 chipset offers a maximum memory speed of 5400 MHz, which is a huge upgrade over the older X470. This becomes especially important, considering most Ryzen processors benefit a lot from faster memory. Moreover, B550 also has a maximum memory capacity of 128 GB which is higher than the 64 GB of the X470 boards.
In terms of the I/O ports, the newer B550 motherboards benefit from USB 3.1 Gen 2 ports which are capable of providing transmission speeds up to 10 Gb/s. On the other hand, the X470 chipset is limited to USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports with significantly slower transmission speeds.
A full-sized PCIe 4.0 x 16 slot is common with most B550 boards, although the same cannot be said for the X470 motherboards. The X470 chipset does not have support for PCIe Gen 4 slots, limiting it to PCIe Gen 3 bandwidths.
Overall, for anyone using an older generation Ryzen processors or Ryzen 3000 series APUs, the X470 chipset is the obvious choice since the newer B550 platform does not have support for older processors.
You may read our Best B550 Motherboard article to get familiar with which motherboard to go with.
Voltage Regular modules also known as VRMs, are an essential part of any device; they are responsible for regulating the flow of current in any component. In this case, the VRMs of a motherboard provides the CPU and other components with the right amount of voltage. Compromising on a VRM can be disastrous, especially if you intend to do any overclocking.
VRMs also play an important role in overclocking; better VRMs will allow you to reach higher clock speeds. On the other hand, overclocking with inefficient VRMs can be harmful to your processor; it can also reduce the lifespan of your CPU.
Overclocking potential also depends on the temperatures around the VRM. Most motherboards come with heatsinks responsible for cooling down the VRMs to ensure they run at safe temperatures.
Temperatures can highly impact the performance of your system, especially if you intend on overclocking it. High temperatures can lead to bottlenecks that reduce your CPU’s clock speeds, resulting in a huge performance loss.
Modern motherboards come with adequate cooling solutions to cool down the VRMs and the M.2 slots. An M.2 heatsink is important to have, especially when dealing with high-speed M.2 SSDs.
Before finalizing your decision to purchase a motherboard, you need to make sure that the chosen motherboard comes with enough internal connectors and rear I/O ports to satisfy your needs.
While most of the internal connections and rear I/O ports depend on your personal usage, it is important to get a motherboard with more ports and connectors that you might want to connect in the future.
Expansion slots are responsible for connecting cards to your motherboard, which provide different kinds of functionality; the most commonly used cards comprise GPUs, sound cards, and Wi-FI cards. Modern motherboards make use of PCI express slots.
The X470 chipset supports PCIe Gen 3 lanes; you need to ensure that the motherboard you end up going with has enough PCIe slots to meet your requirements.
While both of these processors use the same socket, the X470 does provide a few upgrades over the B450 chipset. The X470 chipset offers more PCIe lanes and provides a better overclocking experience thanks to its better VRMs. X470 boards also support SLI and crossfire.
Simply put, the X570 offers much more when it comes to features and rear I/O ports. Unlike the X470 chipset, the X570 platform also comes with PCIe gen 4 support. Additionally, X570 boards also come with USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports that provide faster transmission rates.
While the X370 and X470 chipsets are almost entirely the same, the X470 chipset provides a lot of fixes to the problems that X370 struggled with. X470 also offers a better BIOS compared to the X370, making it a much better option.
Updating your BIOS is by no means necessary with any board unless you are required to do so. In the case of upgrading to a Ryzen 5000 series processor, you will have to update your BIOS.