Thursday, May 7th 2020
AMD B550 Chipset Detailed, It's Ready for Zen 3, Older AM4 Motherboards not Compatible
In their briefing leading up to today's Ryzen 3 3100 and 3300X review embargo, AMD disclosed that its upcoming "Zen 3" 4th generation Ryzen desktop processors will only support AMD 500-series (or later) chipsets. The next-gen processors will not work with older 400-series or 300-series chipsets. This comes as a blow to those who bought premium X470 motherboards hoping for latest CPU compatibility running into 2020. At this time only B550 is available, but we expect more news on enthusiast chipsets as the Zen 3 launch date comes closer. AMD B550 is a fascinating new mid-range chipset by AMD. Launching today as a successor to the popular B450 chipset, B550 is a low-power silicon with roughly the same 5-7 W TDP as the older 400-series chipset. Although AMD won't confirm it, it's likely that the chipset is sourced from ASMedia. It brings a lot to the table that could draw buyers away from B450, but it also takes some away.
The AMD B550 currently only supports 3rd generation Ryzen "Matisse" processors. Ryzen 3000 "Picasso" APU are not supported. What's more, older Ryzen 2000 "Pinnacle Ridge," "Raven Ridge," and first gen Ryzen 1000 "Summit Ridge" aren't supported, either. The Athlon 200 and 3000 "Zen" based chips miss out, too. AMD argues that it ran into ROM size limitations when trying to cram AGESA microcode for all the older processors. We find that hard to believe because B450 motherboards with the latest ComboAM4 AGESA support 2nd gen and 3rd gen processors, including APUs and Athlon SKUs based on the two. On the bright side, AMD assured us (within its marketing slides for the B550), that the chipset will support upcoming processors based on the "Zen 3" microarchitecture. The company also came up with a new motherboard packaging label that clarifies that the processors won't work with the 3400G and 3200G.
AMD B550 motherboards will feature partial PCI-Express gen 4.0 support. The main PCI-Express x16 slot, and one of the M.2 NVMe slots that are wired to the "Matisse" processor will be PCI-Express gen 4.0, however, all downstream PCIe lanes put out by the B550 chipset are gen 3.0. This is still a step up from 400-series "Promontory" chipsets, which are limited to gen 2.0. B550 puts out eight PCIe gen 3.0 lanes, which combine with the 20 usable processor lanes from "Matisse" to take the platform's total PCIe budget to 28 lanes (x16 gen 4.0 + x4 gen 4.0 + x8 gen 3.0). The B550 chipset itself connects to the "Matisse" processor via a PCI-Express 3.0 x4 connection.
In terms of connectivity, AMD's B550 chipset puts out up to six SATA 6 Gbps ports with AHCI and RAID capability; two each of 10 Gbps USB 3.2 gen 2 and 5 Gbps USB 3.2 gen 1 ports; and six USB 2.0 ports. PCIe, SATA, and USB connectivity from the "Matisse" processor is unchanged: four 10 Gbps USB 3.2 gen 2 ports, and up to two SATA 6 Gbps ports.
The processor includes a PCI-Express 4.0 x16 PEG connection that can be split between slots. AMD is allowing motherboard designers to have multi-GPU capability with the B550, where the x16 PEG link is split between two x16 slots (electrical x8). Previously this capability was limited to the top-tier X370 and X470 boards. The processor also puts out one PCI-Express 4.0 x4 link meant to drive one M.2 NVMe slot or U.2 NVMe port. Every B550 motherboard we've seen so far features one M.2 PCIe gen 4.0 x4 (64 Gbps) slot.
As with both its predecessors, the B350 and B450, the new B550 chipset enables full multiplier-based CPU overclocking, along with broad memory overclocking support. Motherboard designers are at liberty to kit out the B550 with the most elaborate CPU VRM solutions. Expect some of the pricier B550 boards to match their X570 counterparts in overclocking capability.
Motherboards based on the AMD B550 chipset are expected to launch on June 16, 2020. Prices start at $100, according to AMD.
The AMD B550 currently only supports 3rd generation Ryzen "Matisse" processors. Ryzen 3000 "Picasso" APU are not supported. What's more, older Ryzen 2000 "Pinnacle Ridge," "Raven Ridge," and first gen Ryzen 1000 "Summit Ridge" aren't supported, either. The Athlon 200 and 3000 "Zen" based chips miss out, too. AMD argues that it ran into ROM size limitations when trying to cram AGESA microcode for all the older processors. We find that hard to believe because B450 motherboards with the latest ComboAM4 AGESA support 2nd gen and 3rd gen processors, including APUs and Athlon SKUs based on the two. On the bright side, AMD assured us (within its marketing slides for the B550), that the chipset will support upcoming processors based on the "Zen 3" microarchitecture. The company also came up with a new motherboard packaging label that clarifies that the processors won't work with the 3400G and 3200G.
In terms of connectivity, AMD's B550 chipset puts out up to six SATA 6 Gbps ports with AHCI and RAID capability; two each of 10 Gbps USB 3.2 gen 2 and 5 Gbps USB 3.2 gen 1 ports; and six USB 2.0 ports. PCIe, SATA, and USB connectivity from the "Matisse" processor is unchanged: four 10 Gbps USB 3.2 gen 2 ports, and up to two SATA 6 Gbps ports.
Motherboards based on the AMD B550 chipset are expected to launch on June 16, 2020. Prices start at $100, according to AMD.
434 Comments on AMD B550 Chipset Detailed, It's Ready for Zen 3, Older AM4 Motherboards not Compatible
Also, a lot of people trash/trashed AMD for power consumption, but that's just because Force lightning is really taxing.
It was picky with ram, but when it worked, it worked well.
Seriously, max fps, in 60Hz monitor ? Yeah highest graph is more readable than lower graph such as minimum or low percentage :laugh:
This is a bit of a dick move from AMD, but it's almost certainly a response to Intel's continuing failure to provide any sort of competition to Zen. As an enthusiast I can't say that I like it, but I understand it from a financial viewpoint.
While you're at it find a review that says get b450 for the upgrade path I recall none using that argument.
Then while you're at it slap yourself and re read what you wrote which in part is true except the who.
SOME people said not AMD... ...
Learn a lesson about hearsay and rumours.
@lynx29 grow up , run off buy what you want and crack on with it, AMD and not a single reader of your drivel(I'm certain) gives the slightest shit what you want, or me.
Kin AMD n intel the shit bastard's I wanted 64 cores and more importantly 64 pciex4 lanes for mainstream money.
Thankfully due to the war (processor)that might now happen , sure as f### not because of intel though.
Roll on 2023.
You know what, buy from Intel then and never touch anything made by AMD if you think that. No matter what will happen people will always come up with the most bewildering explanations on why a brand is worse or better. Just pick your favorite color buddy and sparse us this nonsense, you don't need to explain yourself at the end of the day for anything.
If you like to pay extra for the privilege to get ripped off the most from a particular company, knock yourself out.He's a troll at best or suffers from cognitive dissonance at worst, spends most of this time on this forum going back and forth why Intel/AMD/Nvidia is dead or the best.
@Turmania dangerous word that usually weilded by one and often like with you, f all facts just vitreal.
Were 7 pages deep mostly on irrelevant shit that's nowt to do with b550 , time for facts proof and some to stop trolling and start backing up their BS.
This deserves as much bashing as intel for their stuff.
Do show
It costs f all I'm bored cos of Rona but tbf I'm getting more bored with they said!
Should we all join in berating even if a we as an engineer understand the why, no mate.
And they stated this even today.
community.amd.com/community/gaming/blog/2020/05/07/the-exciting-future-of-amd-socket-am4
This here is a recent slide, it says 2021.
You can't find 2021 cos it's in your head.
And points out exactly what this says 550/570/ only for zen3.
And say's why.
And touting support of a socket means nothing if you don't intend to support most of AM4 CPUs on most Chipsets gens, and that's people understood indeed, that's why many are so pissed right now.
Ffs how many incompatible 1151 board types have intel released, I have a b250 I know.
They never said either btw.
As for that slide you made coal out of beans on toast it says nothing of the sort and if you got full backwards support from that you need help dealing with information.