Amd b450 vs b350 vs x470: differences between chipsets

With the arrival of the AMD Ryzen 2000 processors we have seen the arrival of a new generation of motherboards with the AMD 400 chipsets. For now only the X470 and B450 chipsets have been released, so we are going to analyze the differences between them and the to the models of the previous generation. AMD B450 vs B350 vs X470, differences between chipsets.

Index of contents

Understanding the importance of AMD B450 vs B350 vs X470 vs X370 chipset

First of all, we must understand the importance of the chipset on the AM4 platform. Ryzen processors are based on a SoC (System on a chip) design, so that the processor itself integrates a large amount of the logic necessary for its operation. The processor includes everything essential for its operation, although in a way that is too limited to be useful to the user. This means that we do not see motherboards without a chipset, although technically it should be possible to run one of these processors on a motherboard without a chipset.

We recommend you read our post on the best processors on the market

The AM4 motherboards are classified into three different ranges with the X, B and A series chipsets, although the A chipsets are the lowest-end, so AMD has chosen not to launch a new model in this second generation. The new chipsets launched with the X470 and B450, which join the previous X370 and B350, in addition to the low-end A320. All Ryzen processors are compatible with all motherboards, offering great mounting flexibility. Perfectly you can mount the top of the range, the Ryzen 7 2700X on the cheapest motherboard on the market, although it is not recommended because the VRM of this will not be designed with such a powerful processor in mind.

The following table summarizes the most important characteristics of chipsets for the AM4 platform:

Chipset	X470	X370	B450	B350	A320
USB 3.1 Gen 2	two	two	two	two	one
USB 3.1 Gen 1	6	6	two	two	two
USB 2.0	6	6	6	6	6
SATA III	4	4	two	two	two
PCIe 3.0	two	two	one	one	one
PCIe 2.0	8	8	6	6	4
GPU	1 × 16/2 × 8	1 × 16/2 × 8	1 × 16	1 × 16	1 × 16
Overclocking	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Do not
XFR2	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Precision Boost Overdrive	Yes	Do not	Yes	Do not	Do not
Store MI	Yes	Do not	Yes	Do not	Do not

B450 is a slight cut of the X470 to be cheaper to manufacture

X470 is therefore the new high-end chipset, it is the model that gives life to the most advanced and expensive motherboards. The main difference between this chipset and the mid-range B450 is that it provides four additional USB 3.1 ports, as well as two additional SATA III ports and more PCI Express lanes for high-end graphics cards and NVMe storage units. This makes the X470 a better chipset for users who are going to use multiple graphics cards on the same PC, or who want to use a high number of NVMe drives. Another difference is that the B450 only allows CrossFire configurations, while the X470 allows CrossFire and SLI.

We highlight that both the B450 and X470 allow the processor to be overclocked, although the X470 motherboards usually come with a more robust and better-cooled VRM, so they are more indicated when it comes to demanding overclock, although this difference is due to to factors external to the chipset. It is also possible that the BIOS of the X470 motherboards have more parameters related to overclocking, which will allow a finer adjustment. These differences related to overclocking will only be noticeable for more experienced users, so that for the majority of players, both chipsets offer the same in this regard.

Little innovation compared to the previous generation

The differences from X470 vs. X370 and B450 vs. B350 are very few. In addition to adding support for Ryzen 2000 processors without updating the BIOS, they include new Store MI and Precision Boost Overdrive technologies. The first of these is intended to use an SSD to speed up a mechanical hard drive, just like Optane. As for Precission Boost Overdrive, its goal is to allow processors to reach somewhat higher operating frequencies by relying on advanced algorithms to unleash their full potential.

You can learn more about these technologies in our post dedicated to the news of the new AMD 400 chipsets.

At this point we have the doubt about whether it compensates the change from an AMD 300 motherboard to one of the new AMD 400, our conclusion that it is not worth it, because the best obtained are very few and do not offset the financial outlay Better wait for the third generation.

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