Gigabyte X570S Aorus Master Review
Our Verdict
With its strong feature set including four M.2 slots, Wi-Fi 6E and loads of USB ports, the X570S Master justifies its price tag.
For
- Strong VRM and cooling
- Loads of USB
- Four M.2 slots
Against
- Single 2.5G LAN only
- 5G would be nice
Why you can trust PC Gamer
Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
The X570 chipset might be a couple of years old, but that doesn’t mean it’s time to put it out to pasture just yet. With PCIe 4.0 lanes, it’s possible to add year 2021 features quite easily. That’s exactly what Gigabyte has done with the X570S Aorus Master. It shares a lot in common with its already highly regarded 2019 predecessor, and with the inclusion of some key feature updates and design tweaks, the X570S Aorus Master should remain a best-in-class contender for AMD motherboards .
When we first saw X570 boards en masse at Computex in 2019, one of the things that concerned us was the almost universal presence of chipset fans. A 15w TDP combined with the heat of several PCIe 4.0 drives meant that active cooling was required in many cases, though thankfully not all the time. The S in X570S denotes silence. The base chipset design hasn’t changed, but Gigabyte has added a lot of surface area to the cooling assembly, with almost the entire bottom half of the board now covered with heatsinks.
Gigabyte’s high-end boards tend to look fairly similar. The X570S Master features a black theme and just a hint of RGB above the I/O section. If you want more RGB, you get five RGB headers, two of which are addressable. There are ten fan/pump headers, a Type-C USB 3.2 Gen 2 header plus power and reset buttons.
The X570S Master is one of few boards of any type to come with four M.2 slots. Notably, the topmost M.2 heatsink features a raised profile. Some M.2 drives really do run hot so a bit of additional heatsink surface area is welcome.
The M.2 ports are joined by six legacy SATA ports.
X570S Aorus Master specs
Form factor: ATX
Socket: AMD AM4
CPU support: AMD Ryzen 5000 Series/ 4000 G-Series/ 3000 Series/ 3000 G-Series/ 2000 Series/ 2000 G-Series
Storage: Up to 4x M.2; 6x SATA
USB: Up to 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2×2, 6x USB 3.2 Gen 2, 6x USB 3.1 Gen 1, 8x USB 2.0
Networking: Intel AX210 Wi-Fi 6E, Intel I225-V 2.5G LAN
Audio: Realtek ALC1220-VB 7.1 Channel HD Audio
Price: $389 | £336
Gigabyte deserve credit for continuing to use finned VRM heatsinks which add a lot of surface area. They’re proof that it’s possible to blend function with form. A 14 phase VRM with 70a MOSFETS is enough to power a 5950X cooled by LN2 with headroom to spare, which means users of ambient cooling won’t face any issue.
Gigabyte’s audio implementations usually impress, and the X570S does again.
Purists will swear by discrete DACs, or 3rd party solutions, but with a decent ALC1220-VB audio codec and ESS Sabre Hi-Fi 9118 DAC for headphones, along with Chemicon and WIMA audio capacitors, gamers listening to bullets and bombs rather than Bach will be happy.
(Image credit: Gigabyte)
The rear I/O is fully featured, particularly when it comes to USB connectivity. There are twelve ports consisting of four USB 2.0, two USB 3.1 Gen 1, five USB 3.2 Gen 2 and a single Type-C USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 port. Something has to be done about that ridiculous USB naming scheme, but that’s a story for another day. You get clear CMOS and BIOS Flashback buttons, antenna connectors, the standard audio ports with S/PDIF and finally a single Intel i225-V 2.5G LAN port.
We’d like to have a 5G option at this price. Additionally, the non-S Aorus Master had dual LAN. A second may be desirable for some but now that Wi-Fi 6 and 6E is becoming widespread, dual LAN and Gigabit in particular is not as important as it once was.
System performance
The X570 platform, with years of AGESA updates is well matured. Usually there are few surprises when it comes to performance. Anything outside of a 1 or 2 % difference raises an eyebrow. We disabled any core boosting technologies, leaving the processor in its default state.
Image 1 of 4
Gaming performance
Image 1 of 4
Test rig
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5800X
GPU: MSI RTX 3080 Gaming X Trio
RAM: 16GB Teamgroup Xtreem ARGB @ DDR4-3600
Storage: 1TB Samsung 860 Pro, 500GB Samsung 980 Pro
Cooling: NZXT X73 360mm AIO
PSU: Corsair AX1000
Chassis: Thermaltake Core P8
The X570S Master proved to be quite strong under multi-threaded loads while its single threaded performance is about average. Gaming performance is bang on where we expect it to be, with margin of error differences.
It also showed itself to have strong M.2 SSD performance.
We’re impressed by the VRM cooling of the X570S Master, and it showed in testing. With PBO enabled on our 5800X processor, we saw a peak VRM temperature of just 48°C. That’s a full 5°C cooler than our recent test with an ASRock X570S PG Riptide .
Image 1 of 4
(Image credit: Gigabyte)(Image credit: Gigabyte)(Image credit: Gigabyte)(Image credit: Gigabyte)
Should you buy it? If you have an X570 board already, the answer is a resounding no.
At $389 US dollars, the X570S Aorus Master sits below the truly high-end AMD motherboards, those which add a lot of additional cost for relatively few extra benefits. Should you buy it? If you have an X570 board already, the answer is a resounding no.
But if you’ve been holding off on upgrading, for example, you are looking for something upmarket to pair with a (now readily available) high core count processor, then it’s definitely worth a look.
If/when AMD releases a Zen 3+ refresh or V-Cache models in a few months, premium tier X570S boards will be first out of the gate with support.
There’s a flipside to that, though. AM4 is in the twilight of its venerable career. We’re casting an eye towards Zen 4, Alder Lake , and DDR5. There’s always something over the horizon though. But if you’re coming from something older, such as a B350 or Z170 system, and you need more cores or PCIe 4.0 support, you’ll see a huge jump indeed.
The Aorus Master is packed with features that keep AM4 and X570 totally relevant and up to date. it’s got loads of USB ports and storage options. It looks good too. A board around the $400 mark can’t ever be considered affordable, but we feel it offers a good feature set at this price.
If you’re after what could well be the last AM4 motherboard you’ll ever need, then the X570S Aorus Master is well worth a look; there’s still some life left in the veteran AM4 socket yet.
Gigabyte X570S Aorus Master: Price Comparison
£491.
75
View
powered by
Read our review policy
Gigabyte X570S Aorus Master
With its strong feature set including four M.2 slots, Wi-Fi 6E and loads of USB ports, the X570S Master justifies its price tag.
Chris’ gaming experiences go back to the mid-nineties when he conned his parents into buying an ‘educational PC’ that was conveniently overpowered to play Doom and Tie Fighter. He developed a love of extreme overclocking that destroyed his savings despite the cheaper hardware on offer via his job at a PC store. To afford more LN2 he began moonlighting as a reviewer for VR-Zone before jumping the fence to work for MSI Australia. Since then, he’s gone back to journalism, enthusiastically reviewing the latest and greatest components for PC & Tech Authority, PC Powerplay and currently Australian Personal Computer magazine and PC Gamer. Chris still puts far too many hours into Borderlands 3, always striving to become a more efficient killer.
Best AMD Motherboards: Holiday 2022
Here’s the latest update to our list of recommended AMD motherboards in our series of motherboard buyers guides. All numbers in the text are updated to reflect pricing at the time of writing.
Best AMD Motherboards: Holiday 2022
It has been a busy couple of months for both Intel and AMD, as well as their partner motherboard manufacturers. The release of AMD’s latest Ryzen 7000 series processors back in September marked the start of a new era for AMD and its AM5 platform – although AM4 isn’t quite dead yet.
With the launch of Ryzen 7000 and AM5 comes support for DDR5 memory, which provides benefits to performance and gets AMD setup to use what is becoming the current generation of memory for the industry. But unlike Intel’s 13th and 12th Gen Core series processors, AMD dropped any support for DDR4 memory, opting to fully focus on next-generation memory and the long-term prospects of the platform. This has meant that users looking to build a Ryzen 7000 system will not be able to recycle any DDR4 memory they already have, and instead will need to buy DDR5 to work with AM5.
Regardless of whether you’re looking to build a new system or upgrade an older one, AMD has a wide range of processors to cover all use cases. Its AM4 platform has been a highly successful one for AMD, giving us the likes of Ryzen 1000 (Zen), Ryzen 2000 (Zen+), and even Ryzen 3000 (Zen 2) and Ryzen 5000 (Zen 3). With the launch of Ryzen 7000 processors to the market, it has delivered better performance in applications, content creation, rendering, and gaming than it ever has before. So while no longer the new and shiny thing from AMD, AM4 is still a viable platform and will remain so for well into 2023.
Given that AMD is in the midst of this transition, for our latest buyers guide we have opted to split our selections between AM4 and AM5. Despite Ryzen 7000 dominating performance charts, there is still quality and value to be found from AM4, especially at the lower end. So without further adu, here are our picks for AMD motherboards for the 2022 holiday period.
Looking for our best Intel motherboard choices? Head on over to our Intel Motherboard Buyers Guide instead!
| AMD Motherboards Recommendations Holiday 2022 |
||||
| AnandTech | Motherboard | Amazon | Newegg | MSRP |
| AM4 | ||||
| Sweet Spot (Gaming) | MSI MPG B550 Gaming Edge WIFI | $200 | $200 | $200 |
| Value Choice | ASRock B550 Phantom Gaming 4/AC | $130 | $95 | $125 |
| Mini-ITX | GIGABYTE B550I Aorus Pro AX | $200 | $200 | $200 |
| AM5 | ||||
| Performance (Gaming) | GIGABYTE X670 Aorus Elite AX | $320 | $290 | $330 |
| Money No Object | MSI MEG X670E Godlike | — | $1300 | $1300 |
Our recommendations for motherboards are based entirely on my personal and professional opinion.
For our holiday 2022 picks, we’ve considered updated pricing as well as availability in the US. Some of these models are slightly adjusting in stock levels and price, so we’ve adjusted our guide to accommodate this.
AM4 & AM5 Motherboards: We’ve Made Selections For Both Platforms
Since the launch of AMD’s Ryzen 7000 series, it has been noted widely that there is very little in terms of ‘value’ to be found from the AM5 platform. One of the reasons is the additional expense that DDR5 brings to the table, and in reality, there are slim pickings on good deals for AM5 motherboards, even from the cheaper B650/B650E series models.
Because of this, we’ve decided to include viable selections from AM4 in our guide, as there is much more value overall to be found for users on a strict budget. The essence of value from the AM4 platform comes from a mixture of DDR4 memory which is cheaper than its newer DDR5 counterparts, as well as motherboard availability; AM4 has been out for quite a while now so there are much better deals to be found online.
However, we have made a couple of AM5-based selections in relation to performance/gaming at a good price, as well as our money-no-object selection.
For users looking for other options, we’ve also gone over multiple chipset families as well in the links below.
- The Intel Z690 Motherboard Overview (DDR5): Over 50+ New Models
- The Intel Z690 Motherboard Overview (DDR4): Over 50+ New Models
- The AMD B550 Motherboard Overview: ASUS, GIGABYTE, MSI, ASRock, and Others
- The Intel W480 Motherboard Overview: LGA1200 For Xeon W-1200
- The AMD TRX40 Motherboard Overview: 12 New Motherboards Analyzed
- The AMD X570 Motherboard Overview: Over 35+ Motherboards Analyzed
- Analyzing B450 for AMD Ryzen: A Quick Look at 25+ Motherboards
- An AMD Threadripper X399 Motherboard Overview: A Quick Look at Seven Products
Sweet Spot For Gaming (AM4)
MSI MPG B550 Gaming Edge WIFI ($200 at Amazon/$200 at Newegg)
For our pick that represents what we think is the best sweet spot for gamers taking into account things like features, DDR4 memory compatibility, and pricing, we’ve opted to go for a mid-ranged B550 model from MSI.
The MSI MPG B550 Gaming Edge WIFI sits just below its premium B550 Gaming Carbon WIFI board but comes with a range of features such as 2.5 GbE, WI-Fi 6, and a decent Realtek ALC1200 HD audio codec.
Looking at what makes the B550 Gaming Edge WIFI our pick for August, it has a simplistic black aesthetic with silver accents on the heatsinks, with integrated RGB LEDs within the chipset heatsink. There’s plenty of PCIe expansion support with one full-length PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, a full-length PCIe 3.0 x4 slot, and two PCIe 3.0 x1 slots. For storage, the B550 Gaming Edge WIFI includes two M.2 slots with the top slot operating at PCIe 4.0 x4, and the second slot limited to PCIe 3.0 x4, while six SATA ports are present which support RAID 0, 1, and 10 arrays. MSI includes support for fast DDR4-5100 memory and allows users to install up to 128 GB of system memory across four memory slots.
The MSI MPG B550 Gaming Edge Wifi has an MSRP of $200 and represents its more mid-range AM4 series aimed at gamers.
At present, Newegg is selling this model for $200, while it’s also at Amazon for $200. MSI has included some premium components including a Realtek RTL8125B 2.5 GbE Ethernet controller, with an Intel AX200 Wi-Fi 6 CNVi offering decent wireless networking compatibility, as well as support for BT 5.0 devices. Overall the MSI MPG B550 Gaming Edge WIFI has plenty of features to satisfy gamers, it features overclocking support with Ryzen 5000/3000 processors, and brings enough to the table to make it a solid option for gamers looking for a more cost-effective gaming system with support for DDR4 memory.
The Value Option (AM4)
ASRock B550 Phantom Gaming 4/AC ($130 at Amazon/$95 at Newegg)
In previous guides, the value options have mostly been B-series models, and nothing has changed here as there is much value from AMD’s B550 chipset due to its support for features such as overclocking. As we’ve highlighted throughout, there is still value at the lower end with processors such as the Ryzen 5800X3D with its exceptional gaming performance.
With price drops across the board on Ryzen 5000 processors in today’s current financial climate, AM4 is still the go-to value chipset for users wishing to opt for AMD. For this reason, we’ve chosen the B550 Phantom Gaming 4/AC, which represents ASRock’s entry-level gaming series as well as support for PCIe 4.0 devices.
Even though it is one of the cheapest B550 boards, ASRock’s B550 Phantom Gaming 4/AC offers a competitive entry-level feature set. The board comes with a PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slot and augments that with four SATA ports, which is plenty of capacity for game storage. The top full-length PCIe 4.0 slot operates at x16, while the bottom slot is locked to PCIe 3.0 x4, which is controlled by the chipset, along with two additional PCIe 3.0 x1 slots. For networking it is using a standard Realtek based Gigabit Ethernet controller, along with an Intel Wi-Fi 5 interface. This is pretty standard for an entry-level model that focuses more on overall support than adding extra cost at the expense of premium controllers.
The B550 Phantom Gaming 4/AC is also using a Realtek ALC1200 HD audio codec but with just three 3.5 mm audio jacks on the rear panel and a basic 8-phase power delivery.
The ASRock B550 Phantom Gaming 4/AC is currently available for an amazing price at Newegg for $95 which is the lowest we’ve seen this model. Amazon also stocks this model, but it’s more expensive at a cost of $130, so we recommend users purchase this model at Newegg. At $95, this price makes it one of the best-value AM4 models currently on the market in terms of features, specification, and price. Looking at the bigger picture, most of the PG4/AC’s competition comes from the cheaper selection of A520 boards with the majority of these based on the smaller micro-ATX form factor, with limited expansion options. Meanwhile, the biggest competition from the X570 product stack is arguably ASRock’s own X570 Phantom Gaming 4S model, which is currently available at Newegg for $140.
Mini-ITX Choice To Consider (AM4)
GIGABYTE B550I Aorus Pro AX ($200 at Amazon/$200 at Newegg)
There are an impressive array of Mini-ITX AMD boards to choose from, especially on AM4, but the same cannot be said for AM5 at present.
Due to this, our pick for the best mini-ITX motherboard at present remains unchanged, and that is GIGABYTE B550I Aorus Pro AX. The Aorus Pro AX represents a solid premium offering, with official PCIe 4.0 support, two M.2 slots, a Realtek 2.5 G Ethernet controller, and an Intel Wi-Fi 6 interface, all at a solid price point.
You can read our full review here:
The GIGABYTE B550I Aorus Pro AX Motherboard Review: All The Small Things
The GIGABYTE B550I Aorus Pro AX has four perpendicular SATA ports, one PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slot, and an additional PCIe 3.0 x4 M.2 slot with a full-length PCIe 4.0 x16 slot. In terms of power, the GIGABYTE B550I Aorus Pro AX has a direct 8-phase power delivery with eight premium Intersil ISL99390 90 A power stages and is controlled by an ISL229004 PWM controller. This is impressive not only for a mini-ITX motherboard but one designed for the ‘budget’ B550 chipset.
Focusing on connectivity, this board has dual HDMI 2.
0 outputs as well as DisplayPort 1.4, a single Realtek RTL8125BG 2.5 GbE controlled Ethernet port, and an Intel AX200 Wi-Fi 6 interface. There are also plenty of USB ports to make use of, with one USB 3.2 G2 Type-C, one USB 3.2 G2 Type-A, and four USB 3.2 G1 Type-A ports, as well as a handily located Q-Flash firmware update button. In an upgrade to supported memory for B550, the B550I Aorus Pro AX also supports up to DDR4-5300 memory.
The GIGABYTE B550I Aorus Pro AX has an MSRP of $200 and Newegg has it for $200 currently, while Amazon has it for the same price at $200. Although the pricing on this model fluctuates week by week, we consider this board to represent good value for money between the $190 and $225 price mark, with stern competition from ASRock’s $200 premium B550 ITX board or ASUS’s also-$200 B550 mini-ITX offering. Out of all of the AM4 mini-ITX models on the market, some X570 models include Thunderbolt 3 – notably the ASRock X570 Phantom Gaming-ITX/TB3 – but it does cost more with an MSRP of $240.
Overall the GIGABYTE B550I Aorus Pro AX is our top mini-ITX pick out of all the AMD AM4 models when taking quality, feature set, and pricing into consideration.
Performance/Gaming Choice to Consider (AM5)
GIGABYTE X670 Aorus Elite AX ($320 at Amazon/$290 at Newegg)
Moving onto our AM5-based picks specifically designed for AMD’s Ryzen 7000 series of processors, all of the AM5 motherboards from the top of the range X670E down to the ‘budget’ B650 models, only feature support for DDR5 memory.
When it comes to wanting to harness the power of AMD’s Zen 4 core based on TSMC’s 5nm node, then AM5 and DDR5 are the minimum requirements. With lots of different motherboards currently on AM5 including the top-tier X670E with PCIe 5.0 PEG and M.2 slots, down to X670 that uses PCIe 4.0 for the PEG slot, but offers one PCIe 5.0 x4 M.2 slot, there’s a lot to pick from. For gaming and general performance, we’ve opted for the reasonably priced, yet feature-packed GIGABYTE X670 Aorus Elite AX.
Deciding against the X670E platform with the PCIe 5.0 PEG slot, at present, there are no graphics cards that will benefit from this extra bandwidth; even the latest NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 is CPU-bound in most cases as has been reported by various outlets. Explaining more about why I’ve opted to go for the GIGABYTE X670 Aorus Elite AX, it has a pretty solid feature set, with a Realtek-based 2.5 GbE controller and an AMD RZ616 Wi-Fi 6E wireless interface offering access to the 6 GHz band as well as BT 5.2 connectivity.
In terms of connectivity, the X670 Aorus Elite AX has three full-length PCIe slots to utilize. Going from top to bottom, there is one full-length PCIe 4.0 x16 slot which benefits from metal armor reinforcement, while the second slot is electronically locked to PCIe 3.0 x4 and the bottom slot PCIe 3.0 x2. This is still plentiful for most add-in cards such as streaming devices and external audio controllers. Touching on audio, the GIGABYTE is using a Realtek ALC897 which is quite outdated, but it is still capable and the expansion slots allow users to use more powerful and quality DACs.
For storage, there’s plenty for users to appreciate, with one PCIe 5.0 x4 M.2 slot for the new SSDs expected in the next couple of months, as well as three PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slots and four SATA ports. Memory compatibility is also impressive, with support for up to DDR5-6666 and a total of four slots capable of housing 128 GB. On the rear panel, GIGABYTE includes one USB 3.2 G2x2 Type-C, two USB 3.2 G2 Type-A, six USB 3.2 G1 Type-A, and four USB 2.0 ports, which are plentiful. As the Ryzen 7000 series now includes integrated graphics, GIGABYTE includes a single HDMI video output.
Focusing on pricing, the GIGABYTE X670 Aorus Elite AX has an MSRP of $330, while Amazon has it for $320, and Newegg has it for a much better price of $290. Making our assessments based on the $290 pricing, the Aorus Elite AX AM5 model has plenty going for it in terms of connectivity, storage support, and memory compatibility. It has everything needed to get the performance benefits out of Ryzen 7000 without breaking the bank on over-the-top power deliveries or expensive controller sets.
That brings us to our final pick…
Money Is No Object Selection (AM5)
MSI MEG X670E Godlike (N/A at Amazon/$1300 at Newegg)
When it comes to my money-no-object pick from all of AMD’s available motherboards, I’ve typically gone for flagships with oodles of features. Despite the distinct lack of ‘value’ in these selections, I’ve opted for arguably perhaps one of the most premium desktop models ever created, the MSI MEG X670E Godlike. Going for such an expensive motherboard as this, isn’t just about performance, because processors and motherboard vendors squeeze all of the performance out on the entry-level models these days. Opting for a flagship is about the overall package, extravagant looks, highly premium designs, and top-of-the-range controller sets and I/O configurations, and the Godlike certainly delivers a solid premium package.
So some of the aspects that make the MSI MEG X670E Godlike a solid flagship offering include a large 24+2 phase power delivery with 105 A smart power stages, as well as support for up to six M.
2 drives; some come via the included M.2 XPANDER-Z Gen5 add-in card which allows users to use two PCIe 5.0 x4 M.2 SSDs. It also features a classy dual black tone across its body, with MSI M-Vision 4.5 inch touchable LCD panel which adds an extra element of style.
Focusing on the features of the Godlike, MSI includes support for DDR5-6666 memory, with four slots available and supporting up to 128 GB. Going more into the storage capabilities, as we mentioned, the Godlike can support up to six M.2 drives. This includes one integrated PCIe 5.0 x4 slot, three PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slots, and two PCIe 5.0 x4 M.2 slots available with the XPANDER-Z Gen5 add-in card included in the accessories bundle. In addition to M.2 support, the Godlike has eight SATA ports with support for RAID 0/1/10 arrays.
Onto the controller set and I/O, the X670E Godlike is packing plenty for content creators, gamers, and enthusiasts. Despite omitting any Thunderbolt 4 connectivity, there are two USB 3.
2 G2x2 Type-C and seven USB 3.2 G2 Type-A on the rear panel, with front panel headers offering a further one USB 3.2 G2x2 Type-C, four USB 3.2 G1 Type-A and four USB 2.0 ports.
In terms of networking, the Godlike has aplenty with one Marvell AQC113CS-B1-C 10 GbE controller, with a secondary Intel I225-V 2.5 GbE controller and an AMD Wi-Fi 6E wireless interface providing both high-end Wi-Fi and BT 5.2 device support. Onboard audio is also premium with a Realtek ALC4082 HD audio codec taking precedence and an ESS Sabre ES9280AQ DAC with support for HPA amplifiers which adds an extra dimension to what most motherboards offer at retail.
Going for a motherboard with so much in terms of features, quality, and pizazz does come at a price, as the MSI MEG X670E Godlike has an eyewatering MSRP of $1300; if you want the most feature-packed and up-to-date solution, unfortunately, this is the current trend in regards to flagship motherboard pricing. Of course, if money is no object, and the best is desired, then, in my opinion, the Godlike is the ‘god’ of AM5 right now.
Recent AMD Motherboard Reviews at AnandTech
- EVGA X570 Dark
- ASUS ROG Strix X570-E Gaming
- GIGABYTE B550I Aorus Pro AX
- ASRock B550 Taichi
- ASUS ROG Strix B550-F Gaming Wi-Fi
- AMD B550 Motherboard Overview: ASUS, GIGABYTE, MSI, ASRock, and Others
- ASRock Rack EPYCD8-2T
- GIGABYTE MZ31-AR0
- GIGABYTE’s X570 I Aorus Pro WIFI
- MSI Creator TRX40
- ASUS ROG Zenith II Extreme TRX40
- ASRock X570 Aqua
- ASRock X570 Phantom Gaming-ITX/TB3
- In The Lab: ASRock X570 Aqua Motherboard Preview
- GIGABYTE X570 Aorus Xtreme
- MSI MEG X570 Godlike
- ASUS Pro WS X570-Ace
- MSI MEG X570 Ace
- The AMD X570 Motherboard Overview: Over 35+ Motherboards Analyzed
Tweet
The best AM4 motherboards of 2023 are the basis for the game
The AMD Ryzen processor line is now in its fourth generation and has finally done what many have been waiting for for several years.
AMD has actually surpassed Intel in the battle for the processor hierarchy. This means that AM4 motherboards are in demand, so finding the best AM4 motherboard is a hot topic. Their incredibly powerful Ryzen 9 5950X processor is currently at the top of the processor list thanks to its high power in both single and multi-core processes.
However, it wasn’t just the 5950X that impressed us; AMD’s entire line of 4th Gen processors hit the shelves with fantastic performance that either outperforms or equals that of their Intel counterpart. Additionally, AMD has kept its word by designing all of the latest chips with AM4 compatibility.
This means that whether you’re looking for the best X570 or the budget B550, you’ll be able to find a motherboard in your price range that can run one of these great chips.
With that said, let’s not waste any more time and jump straight into what we rate as the the best AM4 motherboards available.
Update : Don’t forget, AM4 motherboards are also compatible with Ryzen 5000 series processors.
-
Best AM4 Motherboard — ASUS ROG STRIX X570-F
The
ASUS ROG STRIX X570-F motherboard is considered one of the best motherboards you can buy, with a huge amount of features combined with a fairly high price.
What we liked :
- One of the most beautiful
- Integrated radiator fan
- Great overclocking potential
motherboards
What disappointed us :
- Dear
This motherboard is by no means a budget option as it comes with a high quality 12+2 digital power phase circuit which requires a lot of heat dissipation.
In terms of design, you can’t beat the ROG STRIX X570-F. The motherboard is equipped with Aura Sync RGB, which can be optimized according to your requirements in the ASUS software package.
Other more important features include a new heatsink design, an M.2 expansion card, and Intel Gigabit Ethernet connectivity.
The board also supports PCIe 4.0, HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.2, and two M.2 slots, as well as USB 3.2 Type-A and Type-C connectors. Overall, this is an excellent motherboard with fantastic built-in Wi-Fi capabilities.
-
Gigabyte X570 Aorus Master — Enthusiast Level Technology
For consumers who use high-end rigs and are looking to push their system to the limit, the Gigabyte X570 Aorus Master is a great choice.
What we like :
- High performance
- Dual Ethernet with 1 port 2.5GbE
- Three PCI-Express 4.0 M.2 slots with heatsinks
- Lots of features including Wi-Fi
What disappointed us :
- Very expensive
- Steel backplate adds some weight
This board offers many of the premium features that high-end enthusiasts want at half the price of the Gigabyte Aorus Extreme Master and MSI Godlike models.
This board might be overkill for most AMD Ryzen users, but for those who work at a higher level, the introduction of a PCIe 4.0 and 2.5 Gbps Ethernet controller might be tempting when you factor in the price. Other features include crisp CMOS and Flash buttons, as well as Wi-Fi and separate heatsinks for M.2 drives.
The
Master advertises 14 straight phases (12+2) from 50A Infineon IR3556 MOSFETs which are in turn cooled by a traditional finned heatsink. The PWM IC is a true Infineon 16-phase controller, not just a typical, fewer-phase unit using doublers. This motherboard also comes with DualBIOS for added security. We see PCIe 4.0 slots with heavy-duty armor, and finally there’s nice RGB lighting on the board.
So if you’re building a PC with a Ryzen 5000 processor and want more onboard memory, a 2.5Gb/s controller and all the premium features you could possibly need, the X570 Aorus Master is a great option.
-
ASUS TUF X570-Plus — excellent performance
ASUS TUF X570-Plus is one of the premium offerings for gamers, providing consumers with a wide range of popular features such as proprietary RGB lighting, a powerful heatsink, and support for DDR4 4133 RAM.
What we like :
- Gamer-focused features
- Supplied with WI-FI
- Good headroom for overclocking
What disappointed us :
- Relatively expensive
Some people may wonder if it’s worth updating their old X470 that served them so well? Well, the biggest improvement that ASUS has made to the new X570 is the beefed-up power delivery heatsink that we’ve seen on ASUS products in recent history.
Another big difference we’ve seen from the last generation boards is the increased RAM speed, which is now 4133MHz when overclocked.
As many know, the ideal RAM for any AMD chip would be over 2600 MHz. This means that this motherboard is perfectly assembled to squeeze every last drop of performance out of the components it will inevitably be paired with.
-
Asus Prime X570-P — good performance on a budget
The Asus Prime X570-P comes with two full-height PCIe 4.
0 slots, two PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots, and budget audio and network controllers. The overall design is simple and the chipset is actively cooled by beautiful heatsinks. The chipset is powered by an 8-phase power system, and the heatsink handles it well. What we liked :
- Good budget performance
- Reinforced PCIe slots
- ROM for two Gen 4.0 M.2 slots
What disappointed us :
- Pretty simple design
- No premium features
The main features are, as mentioned, the expansion slots and m.2, but there is no Wi-Fi or flashy heatsinks on the board. Memory support is reasonable, with slots supporting up to 128GB that can be overclocked to 5100MHz. The board also has six SATA ports, six USB 3.1 G2 Type-A ports, two USB 2.0 ports, and three standard 3.5mm audio jacks, but unfortunately no Type-C connectors.
With a board that offers the same value as the Asus Prime X570-P, there’s no point dwelling on what it doesn’t have.
This board is the perfect way for most gamers to save money and still use the X570 chipset. -
ASUS ROG Strix B550-F
The ASUS ROG Strix series has always had fun and interesting designs, especially with its graphics cards. We see the same unique branding on this B550-F motherboard. We see a bold ROG eye logo and a futuristic cyberpunk aesthetic.
What we like :
- Good performance
- Support for all AM4 processors
What disappointed us :
- Expensive for features
This motherboard supports the latest PCIe 4.0 through one of the two M.2 slots on the board. This is designed to provide the best storage flexibility and data transfer speed. ROG Strix is designed with 3rd generation AMD Ryzen processors, so it’s perfect if that processor is your preference.
The cooling system is equipped with an ASUS ProCool power connector, a CPU fan header, and an AIO pump fan header.
The motherboard is also cooled down thanks to the 6-layer PCB, which helps dissipate heat quickly around the VRM, allowing for more stable overclocking. Also included is a plethora of ROG-exclusive software for great gaming and audio enhancements. These include the ASUS 5-Way Optimization utility, which can be used for overclocking, among other things. RAMCache III is impressive because it can increase game loading times.
What to Consider When Choosing a Gaming Motherboard
As you make your way through the lists of the best AM4 motherboards, you might be asking yourself: everything is great, but what makes these boards different from each other? What should I look for when deciding which one to choose?
These are great questions that people ask regularly. We decided to break down the most important aspects of choosing a motherboard and explain what they do and why they matter. We do this so that you, as an informed consumer, are more likely to make the right choice.
Below are some aspects of the motherboard that you should consider when searching.
Motherboard Form Factor
Form factor, for lack of a better word, is the physical size of the board. In this article, we will cover a wide range of motherboard forms, so it is very useful to discuss the features and benefits of the main types.
The most popular forms range from E-ATX (for classic PC enthusiasts looking to build the best of the best) to Mini-ITX (for consumers who want to build from an extremely compact computer).
The size is what you need to decide at the beginning of the assembly process. If you start building without knowing your board’s form factor, you may find that some components simply won’t fit. Which will be annoying, time-consuming and potentially expensive.
There are 5 popular motherboard form factors: EATX, ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ATX, Mini-ATX. This helps eliminate any confusion you may encounter when choosing a form factor.
Motherboard socket
Currently, there are 2 main types of motherboards: LGA 1151 and AMD AM4 . In this article, we are focusing on the AM4 connector.
Socket is the physical slot on the motherboard through which the processor is connected. Intel uses LGA1151 and AMD uses AM4. This means that the latest AMD 2700x is not compatible with any of the LGA1151 boards and vice versa.
Please never try to install the processor in the wrong socket type, as this may cause fatal damage to your newly purchased components.
Motherboard chipsets
Probably the most important factor in choosing a motherboard is the chipset. The chipset, for those who don’t know, is a key factor in determining what features your motherboard comes with. Capabilities range from PCIe lanes and SATA ports to overclocking support and the latest generations of USB.
You really need to make sure you know what your motherboard’s chipset is capable of before you start buying other components, or you may find yourself in a position where you’ve bought hardware that you can’t use.
Also, as technology advances faster than ever, always make sure your specifications are up to date. There are a number of older and cheaper boards that don’t support M.2 or DDR4 RAM for example.
Memory Support
Memory is one of the most important pieces of hardware you can buy when building a computer. Due to the nature of Ryzen chips, the best way to maximize performance is to equip your build with fast RAM.
Therefore, you must make sure that your motherboard can accommodate the RAM you want to link it to. Note the following: maximum supported memory , memory speed , multichannel support and number of memory slots on the board.
The easiest way to check if your motherboard is compatible with the RAM you currently own or want to buy is the motherboard specification. She will immediately tell you how much and at what speed the board can accommodate memory.
Memory location
Particularly important when purchasing a smaller board is the location of the memory slots.
You are probably asking yourself now why would this be a problem if it fits? Strictly speaking, memory location is rarely an issue. However, if you’re crazy about overclocking, you may have purchased a large, dedicated CPU cooler.
In some cases, a larger than usual radiator can be a real problem. Just make sure the RAM is far enough away to fit a big cooler.
PCI Slots
The Peripheral Interconnect or PCI is a physical slot that you can use to expand the capabilities of your base system.
This includes but is not limited to:
- Wi-Fi card
- Video card
- Additional USB ports
- NVMe expansion cards
There are two types of PCI slots: PCI and PCI Express (PCIe). A PCIe slot is a larger, faster version of a PCI slot that typically houses your graphics card.
If you’re planning on running two GPUs, it’s always important to make sure you have enough PCI slots. In most cases, manufacturers will make compromises to keep the price down, so making sure all your cards and expansion packs are accounted for should be a top priority.
The other thing to look for is the headroom. If you’re planning on using multiple large GPUs, you may want PCIe slots that are farther apart to provide enough space.
Frequently asked questions about AM4 motherboards
What is an AM4 motherboard?
AM4 is a PGA socket designed specifically for all AMD processors with Zen, Zen+, Zen 2, Zen 3 and Excavator microarchitecture. Basically, if you want an AMD gaming build, you’ll need an AM4 motherboard.
Launched in September 2016, it was designed as a universal socket for new processors, making the previous AM3+, FM2+ and FS1b formats redundant. With support for both single-channel and dual-channel DDR4 memory, it was able to compete with Intel’s advanced sockets.
There are currently three AM4-branded chipset series for a total of eight options, but for gaming you will most likely only need to choose between two series.
The X-series, commonly found in high-end boards designed for ultra-low latency gaming, is a premium option.
Series B is more user friendly and is the most popular choice for standard gaming builds due to its affordability.
Will AM4 continue in the future? The
AM4 has been an absolute workhorse until today. It supports more processors than you might imagine.
But as grateful as we are for AM4’s faithful service, many of us wonder how much power it has left. Of course, AMD doesn’t plan to release backward compatible processors forever.
AMD has already released Zen 4 processors along with new socket AM5 motherboards.
This does not mean that the AM4 is not designed for the future. A quality AM4 rig will still support all of the AAA titles scheduled for release for the foreseeable future, it just won’t be able to accommodate the new AMD processors. Until AMD stops production of AM4 processors completely, you have nothing to worry about.
Which gaming motherboard is best for you
This is our selection of best AM4 motherboards.
Now the question is, which one is best for your needs?
We have tried to meet all needs, offering several high-end, mid-range and budget options.
A selection of the best budget motherboards for Ryzen
Ryzen has shown good results this year. Powerful processors at an affordable price, that’s what many gamers demand. But building a good PC requires a good platform. After all, starting from the processor, we begin to look for a high-quality motherboard. Therefore, we have compiled the best selection of budget Socket AM4 motherboards for Ryzen processors.
GIGABYTE B450 AORUS PRO
GIGABYTE B450 AORUS PRO Motherboard — This m-ATX motherboard is designed to enhance the gaming PC, and therefore, it has numerous connectors for connecting high-quality components. Based on the B450 chipset, the board is equipped with four DDR4 memory slots, allowing you to equip your system with 64 GB of memory.
To improve reliability and ensure component failure-free operation throughout the life of the components, GIGABYTE engineers have implemented a forced cooling option for M.2 drives using proprietary Thermal Guard radiators.
MSI B450-A PRO
MSI B450-A PRO Motherboard — This motherboard is suitable for any PC. MSI introduced DDR4 Boost technology with optimized board trace layout and fully isolated memory circuits. Which guarantees no distortion in the memory signals, optimal performance and stability.
ASUS PRIME B350-PLUS
Motherboard ASUS PRIME B350-PLUS — this model is suitable for socket AM4 Standard-ATX format. The AMD B350 chipset enables support for the UEFI BIOS interface equipped with the EZ Flash 3 utility, which guarantees configuration and management flexibility. The motherboard uses a cooling management system to achieve efficient cooling of the entire PC with minimal noise.
The audio subsystem tracks and the PCI-E slot are accompanied by LED backlighting.
ASRock AB350 Pro4
ASRock AB350 Pro4 motherboard is one of the advantages of ASRock AB350 Pro4, it has four slots for installing DDR4-3200 MHz memory modules, as well as two PCI-Ex16 expansion slots for connecting video cards. High-quality sound is guaranteed by the use of a 7.1 audio sound card based on the Realtek ALC892 chipset. The board uses three 4-pin connectors to connect the CPU cooler.
GIGABYTE B450 AORUS ELITE
GIGABYTE B450 AORUS ELITE Motherboard — This motherboard is based on the AMD B450 chipset and is part of the company’s premium product line, which guarantees its high performance and reliability. It is made with high quality components and supports AMD RYZEN processors. For cooling GIGABYTE B450 AORUS ELITE, large radiators are used to effectively remove heat from elements that become very hot under load.
Author — Ganibal. Posted: 02 October 2018 23:40. Product — GIGABYTE B450 AORUS PRO
ECSIPC LEET Z790H7-A Mainboard Introduced…
ECS Industrial Computer Expands Its Mainboard Lineup With LEET Z790H7-A, Which Introduced…
Biostar B760M-SILVER Mainboard Introduced…
Biostar Expands Its Mainboard Range motherboard model B760M-SILVER for 12th and 1st Intel Core chips…
Biostar Z79 motherboard introduced0A-SILVER…
Biostar introduced the Z790A-SILVER motherboard.
…
Biostar Z790A-SILVER mainboard introduced…
Biostar has expanded its range of motherboards with the Z790A-SILVER model, which is designed for…
Overview of MSI MPG Z790I EDGE WIFI. Compact Motherboard …
The MSI MPG Z790I EDGE WIFI motherboard reviewed today is made in the mITX form factor. We ran it..