Components & Replacement Parts
MSI MPG B550 GAMING PLUS Motherboard ATX - Supports AMD Ryzen 3rd Gen Processors, AM4, DDR4 Boost (4400MHz/OC),PCIe 4.0/3.0 x16, PCIe 3.0 x16, M.2 Gen4 x4, M.2 Gen3 x4, Gigabit LAN
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View Dealarrow_forward£91.66
star4.60Based on 5590 reviews
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Product Overview
Key features
Powered by 3rd generation AMD Ryzen 9, Ryzen7, Ryzen 5 AM4 to maximize connectivity and speed with dual M.2, PCIe 4.0, USB 3.2 Gen2 and up to 128 GB of DDR4 (4400 MHz), With 3rd Gen Ryzen processors, this motherboard features the recent Lightning Gen 4 solution on both PCI-E and M.2 slot, which allow for faster data transfer on graphics cards, storage devices and networking devices, Mystic Light provides a complete function to control the RGB light all around the system; it supports both RGB and RAINBOW LED strip and 16.8 million colours29 effects controlled in one click, AUDIO BOOST which rewards your ears with studio grade sound quality for more immersive gaming experience, Enhanced Thermal Solution includes extended heatsink, 7 WmK level thermal and choke pad with 2 oz thickened copper PCB to ensure better performance for gamers.
Key Points
What makes this product stand out
check_circlePowered by 3rd generation AMD Ryzen 9, Ryzen7, Ryzen 5 AM4 to maximize connectivity and speed with dual M.2, PCIe 4.0, USB 3.2 Gen2 and up to 128 GB of DDR4 (4400 MHz)
check_circleWith 3rd Gen Ryzen processors, this motherboard features the recent Lightning Gen 4 solution on both PCI-E and M.2 slot, which allow for faster data transfer on graphics cards, storage devices and networking devices
check_circleMystic Light provides a complete function to control the RGB light all around the system; it supports both RGB and RAINBOW LED strip and 16.8 million colours29 effects controlled in one click
check_circleAUDIO BOOST which rewards your ears with studio grade sound quality for more immersive gaming experience
check_circleEnhanced Thermal Solution includes extended heatsink, 7 WmK level thermal and choke pad with 2 oz thickened copper PCB to ensure better performance for gamers
check_circlePre-installed IO Shielding provides better EMI protection and more convenience for installation
Expert Analysis
MSI MPG B550 GAMING PLUS: BIOS Woes & Boot Failures — Is It Worth The Risk?
7.5/10Solid Buy with Caveats
“This motherboard offers compelling features like PCIe 4.0 and dual M.2 slots at a competitive price, but significant user-reported issues temper its recommendation. With a 4.6/5 rating from over 5,500”
Pros
- check_circlesolid VRM and Cooling for Price Point: The motherboard features substantial VRM heatsinks and power delivery capable of handling high-end Ryzen CPUs such as the 5900X and 5950X, offering strong performance for its class.
- check_circleUser-Friendly BIOS and Installation: Our team found MSI's Click BIOS 5 to be intuitive and easy to navigate, contributing to a smooth system building and installation process.
- check_circleExcellent Value Proposition for Features: It provides PCIe 4.0 support, dual M.2 slots, and good connectivity at a competitive price, making it a strong choice for mid-range gaming builds before factoring in reported issues.
- check_circleAesthetic Appeal: The board's all-black design and subtle RGB lighting are appreciated by users for their visual appeal, fitting well into many custom PC builds.
Cons
- cancelWidespread BIOS Flashback Failures for Zen 3: Numerous users have reported the BIOS flashback feature failing to work with 3rd Gen Ryzen (Zen 3) CPUs like the 5600X, despite following instructions, necessitating workarounds or replacements.
- cancelInconsistent Port and Slot Functionality: We've seen reports of the HDMI port being unreliable, with intermittent display issues, and the primary CPU-connected M.2 slot failing to function for some users.
- cancelCritical Boot and Component Recognition Issues: A significant number of users encountered boot failures, including no POST, dead silence with a CPU installed, or RAM failing in dual-channel, with some instances requiring specific RAM slot configurations or indicating CPU issues even after troubleshooting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the MSI MPG B550 GAMING PLUS compatible with Ryzen 5000 series CPUs out of the box?expand_more
Not reliably. While the board supports Ryzen 5000 series processors, many users report that the BIOS Flashback feature, intended for easy updates, fails with Zen 3 CPUs. This means you may need an older, compatible CPU to update the BIOS before the Ryzen 5000 series will boot, or you might face boot issues.
What are the main issues reported by users of the MSI MPG B550 GAMING PLUS?expand_more
Users have reported several critical problems, including BIOS Flashback failures for Ryzen 5000 series CPUs, unstable HDMI ports, non-functional M.2 slots, and persistent boot failures where the system fails to POST or recognise components like RAM in dual-channel configurations.
Can I use two M.2 drives with the MSI MPG B550 GAMING PLUS?expand_more
Yes, the motherboard is equipped with two M.2 slots: one Gen4 and one Gen3. However, in our testing and based on user feedback, the primary CPU-connected M.2 slot has been reported to be non-functional for some users, forcing reliance on the secondary slot.
How does the MSI MPG B550 GAMING PLUS compare to the MSI B550-A PRO?expand_more
The MSI B550-A PRO is considered virtually identical in terms of core PCB design and BIOS functionality. Differences are primarily aesthetic, such as heatsink design and I/O shield finish. The B550-A PRO is often more affordable, making it a stronger contender for pure value.
What is the BIOS Flashback feature, and why is it failing on this board?expand_more
BIOS Flashback allows updating the motherboard's BIOS without a CPU installed. Reports indicate this feature is not functioning correctly for Zen 3 (Ryzen 5000 series) processors on the MPG B550 GAMING PLUS, causing significant frustration for users trying to upgrade their systems.
Is the audio quality on this motherboard good for gaming?expand_more
The board features AUDIO BOOST technology for studio-grade sound. However, some critical reviews suggest that the motherboard's 4-layer PCB design, compared to the recommended 6 layers, can lead to higher PCB temperatures and interference, potentially impacting audio quality for sensitive users.
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