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Our test system uses Windows 10 64-bit OS (1909) with all threat mitigations applied. The motherboard BIOS used is the latest non-beta available to the public unless otherwise noted. The hardware used is as follows:
Test System Components
CPU | AMD Ryzen R9 3900X | Row 0 - Cell 2 |
Memory | G.Skill Trident Z Neo 2x8GB DDR4 3600 (F4-3600C16Q-32GTZN) | Row 1 - Cell 2 |
GPU | Asus ROG Strix RTX 2070 | Row 2 - Cell 2 |
CPU Cooler | Corsair H150i | Row 3 - Cell 2 |
PSU | Corsair AX1200i | Row 4 - Cell 2 |
Software | Windows 10 64-bit 1909 | Row 5 - Cell 2 |
Graphics Driver | Nvidia Driver 445.75 | Row 6 - Cell 2 |
Sound | Integrated HD audio | Row 7 - Cell 2 |
Network | Integrated Networking (GbE or 2.5 GbE) | Row 8 - Cell 2 |
Graphics Driver | GeForce 445.74 | Row 9 - Cell 2 |
For this review, we’ll be comparing the Gigabyte B550 Aorus Master ($279.99) to the two other competitors that arrived in time for testing before launch, the Asus ROG Strix B550-F Gaming (Wi-Fi) and the MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk.
Benchmark Settings
Synthetic Benchmarks and Settings | Header Cell - Column 1 |
---|---|
PCMark 10 | Version 2.1.2177 64 |
Row 1 - Cell 0 | Essentials, Productivity, Digital Content Creation, MS Office |
3DMark | Version 2.11.6866 64 |
Row 3 - Cell 0 | Firestrike Extreme and Time Spy Default Presets |
Cinebench R20 | Version RBBENCHMARK271150 |
Row 5 - Cell 0 | Open GL Benchmark - Single and Multi-threaded |
Application Tests and Settings | Row 6 - Cell 1 |
LAME MP3 | Version SSE2_2019 |
Row 8 - Cell 0 | Mixed 271MB WAV to mp3: Command: -b 160 --nores (160Kb/s) |
HandBrake CLI | Version: 1.2.2 |
Row 10 - Cell 0 | Sintel Open Movie Project: 4.19GB 4K mkv to x264 (light AVX) and x265 (heavy AVX) |
Corona 1.4 | Version 1.4 |
Row 12 - Cell 0 | Custom benchmark |
7-Zip | Version 19.00 |
Row 14 - Cell 0 | Integrated benchmark |
Game Tests and Settings | Row 15 - Cell 1 |
The Division 2 | Ultra Preset - 1920 x 1080 |
Forza Horizon 4 | Ultra Preset - 1920 x 1080 |
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Joe Shields is a Freelance writer for Tom’s Hardware US. He reviews motherboards.
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g-unit1111 I like that board and most of Gigabyte's offerings but considering that the prices are X570 level and don't offer X570 performance, and the MSI Tomahawk seems like it's a better B550 board for less money, I would go with the Tomahawk.Reply -
InvalidError B550 prices being what they are, I would be far more interested in lower-end boards that are more in-line with their B450 predecessors instead of X570 wannabees at X570-class prices. If I want an X570, I'll buy an X570. When I checked, there was only $20 between the B550 and X570 Tomahawk, the B550 currently makes no sense unless you favor lack of chipset fan over PCIe 4.0 for the long haul.Reply -
19Skeptron73
I'm one of the thousands waiting in line for the X570 Tomahawk too, but it's still nowhere to be found. Waiting for half a year already since it was first announced.InvalidError said:B550 prices being what they are, I would be far more interested in lower-end boards that are more in-line with their B450 predecessors instead of X570 wannabees at X570-class prices. If I want an X570, I'll buy an X570. When I checked, there was only $20 between the B550 and X570 Tomahawk, the B550 currently makes no sense unless you favor lack of chipset fan over PCIe 4.0 for the long haul. -
InvalidError
Chinese new year, human malware, ripple effects through the entire supply/manufacturing chain, travel bans, etc. are doing numbers on retail availability. I wouldn't be surprised if we get wonky retail availability of some products for the next year, maybe two if the medical community is proven correct about how much worse things may get based on the 1918 flu.19Skeptron73 said:I'm one of the thousands waiting in line for the X570 Tomahawk too, but it's still nowhere to be found. Waiting for half a year already since it was first announced. -
ocer9999 I wonder how long the "high" prices on the B550 will last, personally there's mobos very interesting just like the Aorus Master but they need to come down a bit in price to be competitive.Reply
If the tomahawk is not available, could be a good option. -
quasimod Am I missing something? Why doesn't this review mention the Thunderbolt header, and maybe talk about how to use it?Reply -
1foxracing I have the Pro AC B550 and also would like to know why there is no mention of the internal Thunderbolt header that can't be used. My messages to Gigabyte have gone un-answered.Reply
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everettfsargent I doubt that anyone will read this but ...Reply
If I wanted a 16-phase Voltage Regulator AND an MSRP below $300US this looks like a pretty good option. I also am not into OC or gaming, so that I am fine with a very cheap graphics card running 8X and three M.2 PCIE 4.0 SSD's in RAID0 and a 3950X running stock. I'll also use ECC memory an this thing will be running all 32-threads 247 for weeks on end.
So the question is is there anything out there that is available for a lower MSRP cost that has, at a minimum, a 16-phase Voltage Regulator? TIA
Oh and if you have a better solution for whatever reason(s) that would also be most useful.