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MSI · AM4 · B550

MSI B550 Gaming GEN3

ATX · DDR4 · 4 DIMMs · 5-phase VRM

Quality
38
VRM
14
Value
38
Amazon
$190
MSI B550 Gaming GEN3
View MSI B550 Gaming GEN3 Gallery in high resolution
$190
Available Updated 2 days, 5 hours ago
Overall37.8
VRM14.0
Chipset77.0
Expansion / storage45.0
Connectivity13.0
Audio40.0
Quality / price37.8
$190 on Amazon Motherboard table Compare this motherboard

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Written analysis

MSI B550 Gaming GEN3 at a glance

The MSI B550 Gaming GEN3 uses the ATX form factor, AM4 socket, and B550 chipset. This is a balanced mainstream platform: enough expansion and connectivity for a performance PC without paying only for flagship extras.

Memory support is DDR4 across 4 DIMM slots, with up to 128 GB and rated overclocked speeds up to 4400 MT/s. ECC modules are accepted, subject to CPU support. XMP / EXPO memory-profile support is recorded for easier tuning.

Best fit: a budget or straightforward office build using a lower-power CPU and a small number of add-in devices.

Power delivery

The calculated VRM score is 14.0, placing the power delivery in the basic class. The board lists 5 CPU power phases, 55 A power stages in a 5+1 layout. CPU power input is listed as 0. Keep it paired with lower-power processors and avoid sustained overclocked loads.

Expansion and storage

The expansion and storage score is 45.0: focused on the essentials. The platform supports PCIe 3.0. Physical expansion includes 2 ×16 slots, and 4 ×1.

On-board storage consists of 1 M.2 slot and 6 SATA ports. Supported M.2 lengths are listed as 22110, 2280, 2260. The single M.2 slot makes drive planning more important if future expansion matters.

Connectivity and rear I/O

The connectivity score is 13.0, rated essential. There is no recorded onboard Wi-Fi ; wired networking is 1x Realtek® RTL8111H LAN controller at up to 1000 Mbps. The recorded USB provision is 0 rear connections; a front-panel total is not recorded. The specification sheet below separates every USB speed and connector type.

Display connectivity includes HDMI 2.0b. These motherboard outputs require a processor with integrated graphics.

Audio

The audio score is 40.0. This is a standard onboard solution using Realtek® ALC897 Codec. It covers normal gaming and communication; demanding headphones or production work still benefit from an external interface.

Buying verdict

Overall quality is 37.80, a basic but usable result for office, media, and budget gaming systems.

At the recorded Amazon price, the quality-to-price score is 37.8. The nearby-board comparison below may reveal a better-equipped option at a similar price.

Board data

Full specifications

Platform, expansion, storage, rear I/O, internal headers, networking, audio, and board controls in one sheet.

General

Manufacturer
MSI
Motherboard
MSI B550 Gaming GEN3
Chipset / socket
B550 / AM4
Form factor
ATX
Launch price
—
Amazon price
$190
Availability
In stock
Price updated
2 days, 5 hours ago

VRM

CPU phases
5 (55 A)
Power design
5+1
EPS connector
0

Memory

Type / slots
DDR4 / 4 DIMMs
Max capacity / OC
128 GB / 4400 MT/s
Per DIMM
32 GB
XMP / EXPO
Yes
ECC
Modules supported

PCIe

Supported version
PCIe 3.0
x16 physical
2
x16 Gen 3
2
x1 physical
4

Storage

M.2 slots
1
M.2 lengths
22110, 2280, 2260
SATA ports
6

Display outputs

HDMI
Yes · 2.0b · 4096x2160 @30Hz
DisplayPort
No
USB-C DisplayPort
No

USB

Header USB 2.0
4
Header USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A 5 Gbps
2

Networking

Ethernet
1x Realtek® RTL8111H LAN controller
LAN ports
1
LAN speed
1000 Mbps
Wi-Fi
Not included
Bluetooth
No

Audio

Chipset
Realtek® ALC897 Codec
Analog jacks
—
Gold-plated jacks
No
Optical S/PDIF
No
Spatial audio
No

Buttons

BIOS flashback
Yes
Clear CMOS
No
Q-Flash Plus
No
Smart button
No
Onboard start / reset
No

Additional information

Memory notes
Supports DDR4 memory. JEDEC speeds supported: 1866/ 2133/ 2400/ 2667/ 2800/ 2933/ 3000/ 3066/ 3200 MHz. A-XMP OC MODE supports speeds up to 4400+ MHz. Max speed varies by DIMM configuration: 1DPC 1R max 4400 MHz, 1DPC 2R max 3733 MHz, 2DPC 1R max 3866 MHz, 2DPC 2R max 3466 MHz. Supports un-buffered memory. ECC UDIMM memory is supported but operates in non-ECC mode.
Display notes
Includes 1x DVI-D port, supporting a maximum resolution of 1920x1200 @60Hz. The HDMI port also supports 2560x1600 @60Hz. Maximum shared memory is 16 GB.
Expansion notes
PCI_E1 slot (From CPU) Supports PCIE 3.0 x16. PCI_E4 (From B550 chipset) Supports PCIe 3.0 x4. PCI_E2, E3, E5 and E6 slots (From B550 chipset) Supports PCIe 2.0 X1.
M2_1
3.0 4 · SATA · 2260, 2280, 22110 · From CPU
RAID
SATA (['0', '1', '10'])
Storage notes
The 6 SATA 6Gb/s ports are provided by the B550 chipset.
USB notes
All specified USB ports are provided via internal headers from the B550 chipset. The primary data lists one USB 3.2 Gen 1 header supporting 2 ports, and two USB 2.0 headers supporting 4 ports.
Audio notes
7.1-Channel High Definition Audio
Fan / RGB headers
1 CPU · — OPT · 1 AIO · 4 chassis · — ARGB · — RGB
Other headers
Front audio · System panel · TPM
Dimensions
30.5 cm x 24.4 cm

Extracted notes sit here. Official manufacturer copy is at the bottom of the page.

Amazon

Price history

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Vendor copy

Official manufacturer data

Raw manufacturer text kept for reference. Structured specs above are extracted from this copy and are the source for scores and tables.

Memory

4x DDR4 memory slots, supporting up to 128GB 1
Supports 1866/ 2133/ 2400/ 2667/ 2800/ 2933/ 3000/ 3066/ 3200 MHz by JEDEC
Supports DDR4 2667/ 2800/ 2933/ 3000/ 3066/ 3200/ 3466/ 3600/ 3733/ 3866/ 4000/ 4133/ 4266/ 4400+ MHz by A-XMP OC MODE
1DPC 1R max speed 4400 MHz
1DPC 2R max speed 3733 MHz
2DPC 1R max speed 3866 MHz
2DPC 2R max speed 3466 MHz
Dual channel memory architecture
Supports non-ECC UDIMM memory
Supports ECC UDIMM memory (non-ECC mode)
Supports un-buffered memory

Graphics

1x DVI-D port, support a maximum resolution of 1920x1200 @60Hz 1
1x HDMI™ 2.0b port, supports a maximum resolution of 4096x2160 @30Hz, 2560x1600 @60Hz 1/2
Maximum shared memory of 16 GB

Expansion slots

2x PCIe x16 slots
PCI_E1 slot (From CPU)
Supports PCIE 3.0 x16
PCI_E4 1(From B550 chipset)
Supports PCIe 3.0 x4
4x PCIe x1 slots
PCI_E2, E3, E5 and E6 slots (From B550 chipset)
Supports PCIe 2.0 X1

Storage

SATA Ports
6x SATA 6Gb/s ports (From B550 chipset)
M.2 SSD Slots
1x M.2 slot (Key M)
M2_1 slot (From CPU)
Supports PCIe 3.0 x4
Supports SATA 6Gb/s
Supports 2260/ 2280/ 22110 storage devices
RAID
Supports RAID 0, RAID 1 and RAID 10 for SATA storage devices

USB

1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 5Gbps connector (From B550 chipset)
Supports additional 2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 5Gbps ports
2x USB 2.0 connectors (From B550 chipset)
Supports additional 4 USB 2.0 ports

Internal I/O

Internal USB Connectors
1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 5Gbps connector (From B550 chipset)
Supports additional 2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 5Gbps ports
2x USB 2.0 connectors (From B550 chipset)
Supports additional 4 USB 2.0 ports
Fan Connectors
1x 4-pin CPU fan connector
1x 4-pin water-pump fan connector
4x 4-pin system fan connectors
System Connectors
1x Front panel audio connector
2x System panel connectors
1x Chassis Intrusion connector
1x TPM module connector
1x Serial port connector
1x Parallel port connector

Rear I/O

Keyboard / Mouse
USB 3.2 Gen 1 5Gbps Type-A
LAN
Audio Connectors
Flash BIOS Button
USB 2.0
DVI-D
HDMI™
USB 3.2 Gen 2 10Gbps Type-A

Audio

Realtek® ALC897 Codec
7.1-Channel High Definition Audio

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