NZXT Rolls Out the N7 B550 Socket AM4 Motherboard

[btarunr]

NZXT, a leading designer of computer hardware, software, and services for the PC gaming community, today announces the release of the NZXT N7 B550 motherboard, the first AMD motherboard in NZXT's N7 motherboard lineup. NZXT is expanding the N7 lineup to bring the sleek, seamless design of the N7 ATX motherboard to more gamers. The N7 B550 has optimally placed port locations, supports the latest technology like PCIe gen 4 and WiFi 6e, and gives PC builders the tools they need to create a beautifully modern build.

The N7 B550 includes key features from our RGB and Fan Controller, allowing intuitive control of four RGB lighting channels and seven fan channels through NZXT CAM. Lighting accessories from all manufacturers are supported. The metal cover is available in white or black for a seamless look that blends into the background of any NZXT H Series case for a clean aesthetic.



Building Made Easier
The N7 B550 has the latest wireless standards such as WiFi 6E connectivity and utilizes all PCI express lanes available from the CPU and chipset. The N7's layout streamlines installation with an integrated rear I/O shield and optimally placed headers for easier setup.

N7 B550 Features

• Designed with AMD's B550 Chipset
• Compatible with AMD Ryzen 5000, 4000, and 3000 series CPUs.
• PCIe 4.0 support
• 12+2 DrMOS Power Phase Design and 6 layer PCB
• Intel Wi-Fi 6E wireless connectivity and Bluetooth V5.2
• Two M.2 connectors for storage devices
• Supports memory overclocking speeds of up to 4733 MHz and XMP
• 8-channel high-definition audio
• Metal cover made to match NZXT H Series cases
• MSRP Pricing: $229.99

Availability:

• USA: Now at NZXT.com
• Rest of the World: Now

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[Caring1]

Sweet, but not listed on their site when I look.

 

[TheLostSwede]

I guess they haven't updated their website yet...

 

[Dammeron]

I hope they upgraded both the VRM and it's cooling compared to their Z490 board. Also, the back I/O was poor, another thing to improve.

Good to see wi-fi and USB C front header though.

 

[ymbaja]

Looks like there is no longer the need for a case if the MB looks like that...

 

[Chrispy_]

Are these any good yet? Last few reviews I read, confirmed by plenty of forum posts of people with issues, is that NZXT weren't the best designed boards. The OEM (ECS) aren't doing anything wrong, there's just some inexperience showing through in the BIOS, Layout, and PCH/Chipset integration.

Combined with the "Vanity over functionality" and ridiculous overpricing, I honestly haven't been paying NZXT boards any attention for the last year or so.

This particular model appears to be double the price of very good existing boards from Tier1 manufacturers, and seems to completely lack adequate cooling for the VRMs and the B550 chipset. Yes, B550 can be passively-cooled, but you don't want to shield it from aiflow with some decorative shroud, nor are some tiny holes over the heatsink going to fix the fact that it's shielded from airflow.

 

[TumbleGeorge]

Yes there in web has info for model with z590 but also is in R&D phase. Website is soooo outdated that one can imagine that the administrators are dead.

 

[Tomorrow]

I hope they upgraded both the VRM and it's cooling compared to their Z490 board. Also, the back I/O was poor, another thing to improve.

Good to see wi-fi and USB C front header though.

They are as good as the OEM that makes the boards for them. For Z390 it was ECS. It was a low end design. For Z490 they "upgraded" to AsRock but that was also bad because AsRock botched their Z490 lineup and even blacklisted several Youtubers who dared to complain about their bad Z490 boards.

 

[Deleted member 205776]

Maybe it's just me but I like seeing all the chips and capacitors.

 

[TheDeeGee]

Hopefully it has no exposed 12 volt plane in the screw holes

 

[Chaitanya]

Overclock3D has posted a full review, overall IO looks good but I will wait for detailed VRM report of this board to find out how it compares against competition.

NZXT N7 B550 Motherboard Review - OC3D

Introduction Fairly recently we looked at the latest NZXT N7 motherboard that came in the form of the Intel Z490 chipset. Clearly NZXT have a philosophy in mind with their product range as the newest addition to their motherboard lineup is in the form of the AMD B550 chipset, but above that is...

overclock3d.net

 

[1d10t]

Overclock3D has posted a full review, overall IO looks good but I will wait for detailed VRM report of this board to find out how it compares against competition.

NZXT N7 B550 Motherboard Review - OC3D

Introduction Fairly recently we looked at the latest NZXT N7 motherboard that came in the form of the Intel Z490 chipset. Clearly NZXT have a philosophy in mind with their product range as the newest addition to their motherboard lineup is in the form of the AMD B550 chipset, but above that is...

overclock3d.net

I saw it, albeit faint, more likely 4 phases triple inductors, using uPI power stages.

 

[5 o'clock Charlie]

Can anyone confirm if ECS or ASROCK is the OEM for this new board? Thanks.

 

[iO]

Can anyone confirm if ECS or ASROCK is the OEM for this new board? Thanks.

Looks a lot like a modified ASRock B550 Steel Legend...

 

[Dragokar]

It is made by ASRock.

Source in german:

Fazit - Seite 8 - Hardwareluxx

Wir haben NZXTs neues N7 B550 einem Test unterzogen, das für die aktuellen Ryzen-Prozessoren konzipiert ist.

www.hardwareluxx.de

 

[Space Lynx]

Surprised I am the first comment linking this N7 name with Mass Effect remaster coming out in May.

 

[bonehead123]

The N7 B550 has optimally placed port locations

Although the ports may be in optimal locations, the ATX connector sure as hell is not... it's still facing upwards instead of outwards like it should be for a cleaner looking connection. And also, why are all the fan connectors at the top edge blocked by the VRM cooling shroud ?, meaning you have to route all your fan cables around, or even worse, underneath it.... 2 very MAJOR fails IMHO

Good to see wi-fi and USB C front header though.

^^Agreed^^ 'bout friggin time

 

[tabascosauz]

Combined with the "Vanity over functionality" and ridiculous overpricing, I honestly haven't been paying NZXT boards any attention for the last year or so.

This particular model appears to be double the price of very good existing boards from Tier1 manufacturers, and seems to completely lack adequate cooling for the VRMs and the B550 chipset. Yes, B550 can be passively-cooled, but you don't want to shield it from aiflow with some decorative shroud, nor are some tiny holes over the heatsink going to fix the fact that it's shielded from airflow.

To be fair, compared to the other dumpster fire N7 boards, this one doesn't seem so unreasonable. This isn't LGA1200, so you can make do just fine with a slab heatsink when you have 12 x 50A DrMOS for Vcore (well obviously SiC65x, it's ASRock lol) - the B550 Vision D doesn't have any issues whatsoever with its VRM thermals. As for the PCH you could honestly go without a heatsink entirely, this is still an ASMedia design. Have you seen some of the mATX PCH heatsinks? Literally would be the same without a heatsink, and they can still keep it in the 30s.

- A rear I/O offering better than the Taichi
- Clear CMOS and BIOS flashback buttons on the I/O, from the Taichi
- A 6-layer PCB, so either taken from the Taichi or PG Velocita, so it can't be a Steel Legend or Extreme4

The B550 Vision D is white and has TB3, but is something like $275-300 because of the TB3, and also out of stock. Has a POST code though.
The B550 Taichi is also $270-300, for basically a backplate, less rear I/O, and a different colour scheme. Has a POST code.

This board seems to have the same $229 MSRP as its Z490 cousin (which is a sucky board, christ look at that I/O), seems to be a decent spot for what it offers. It's not the equivalent of a Steel Legend, that's for sure.

The frickin CAM integration though - things like iCUE and CAM need to die in a fire.

 

[tiled-cpu]

Overpriced but I paid for the ridiculous premium for an N7 Z390 (second hand) because I really wanted to have a clean build. Motherboards without covers look very vulnerable and I don't prefer it.

I'm sure the "motherboard cover" feature is an easy implementation for other manufacturers and they should definitely catch up with NZXT on this.

 

[srsbsns]

Betting on its going to require CAM to be installed to run.

 

[Caring1]

Maybe it's just me but I like seeing all the chips and capacitors.

They are only covers to make it's appearance nicer, like clothing, they can be stripped off to see what is underneath and aren't necessary.

 

[DeathtoGnomes]

They are only covers to make it's appearance nicer, like clothing, they can be stripped off to see what is underneath and aren't necessary.

Good. I dont like the color scheme, painted covers make it look cheap.

 

[looniam]

isn't this a little late to the party?

 

[tiled-cpu]

Good. I dont like the color scheme, painted covers make it look cheap.

It's anodised aluminium, not painted aluminium.

 

[DeathtoGnomes]

It's anodised aluminium, not painted aluminium.

I'd paint it.