MSI's $80 AMD motherboards with DDR4 support swoop in to rescue gamers amid the global RAM crisis — AM4 emerges as the unexpected hero with RAM prices skyrocketing

MSI (via Hermitage Akihabara) will launch the Pro B550M-B and B550M-A Pro motherboards, which leverage AMD's last-generation AM4 socket. While these new motherboards are unlikely to win any beauty contests or be contenders for the best motherboards, they offer consumers some relief amid a memory shortage — in which DDR4 memory is generally more affordable than DDR5.

Both motherboards employ AMD's B550 chipset — a standout favorite among manufacturers due to its balance of features and cost. Positioned between the premium X570 and entry-level A520, B550 offers complete PCIe 4.0 support from the processor, improved connectivity options, and, more importantly, processor and memory overclocking, which isn't available on the A520 chipset.

From a compatibility standpoint, the AM4 platform supports a wide range of Ryzen processors, going back several generations. The lineup includes Ryzen 5000, Ryzen 4000G, and Ryzen 300 processors. AM4 provides a unique upgrade path for consumers. However, consumers who are likely to pick up a new AM4 motherboard in current times will probably gravitate toward the Ryzen 5000 series for performance and longevity.

The Pro B550M-B and B550M-A Pro are microATX motherboards that come with the bare minimum. Don't expect any flashy RGB lighting or fancy features. They provide a comfortable home for AM4 processors, and that's it. The duo of B550 motherboards seems to carry a six-phase power delivery subsystem. Power supply is a bit different, though. The Pro B550M-B requires a standard 8-pin EPS power connector, while the B550M-A Pro has a 4-pin variant. Therefore, the former provides more power, which is good for high-end chips or when you're overclocking.

Image 1 of 2

Starting with memory, both motherboards feature 2 DDR4 memory slots, supporting up to 64GB (2x32GB). Data rates vary with the processor, but we're looking at up to DDR4-4600 and possibly beyond, if your processor has an extraordinary integrated memory controller (IMC).

The Pro B550M-B has only one PCIe 4.0 x16 expansion slot that directly connects to the processor. In comparison, the B550M-A Pro steps up connectivity with one PCIe 4.0 x16 and one PCIe 3.0 x1 expansion slots. However, the B550M-A Pro falls short in storage, with only four SATA III ports and one PCIe 4.0 M.2 slot. Meanwhile, the Pro B550M-B matches the design but adds a valuable PCIe 3.0 M.2 slot that's connected to the B550 chipset.

The rear ports on the two MSI motherboards are very similar. Both offer two USB 3.2 Gen 1 5 Gbps Type-A ports and six USB 2.0 ports. However, the B550M-A Pro is better suited for older devices as it provides a DVI-D port and two PS/2 ports. On the other hand, the Pro B550M-B only has one PS/2 port and substitutes the DVI-D port for a newer DisplayPort 1.2 output.

In Japan, the Pro B550M-B and B550M-A Pro could launch with estimated MSRPs of $89.37 and $76.58, respectively, including taxes. Excluding taxes, prices land at $81.25 for the former and $69.62 for the latter, making them very competitive options for budget-conscious buyers. Their official retail launch is set for Feb. 27, so we'll soon have clear U.S. MSRPs for those eager to purchase them stateside.

Follow Tom's Hardware on Google News, or add us as a preferred source, to get our latest news, analysis, & reviews in your feeds.