MSI's $80 AMD motherboards with DDR4 support swoop in to rescue gamers amid the global RAM crisis — AM4 emerges as the unexpected hero with RAM prices skyrocketing

MSI (via Hermitage Akihabara) will launch the Pro B550M-B and B550M-A Pro motherboards, which leverage AMD's last-generation AM4 socket. While these new motherboards are unlikely to win any beauty contests or be contenders for the best motherboards, they offer consumers some relief amid a memory shortage — in which DDR4 memory is generally more affordable than DDR5.

Both motherboards employ AMD's B550 chipset — a standout favorite among manufacturers due to its balance of features and cost. Positioned between the premium X570 and entry-level A520, B550 offers complete PCIe 4.0 support from the processor, improved connectivity options, and, more importantly, processor and memory overclocking, which isn't available on the A520 chipset.

From a compatibility standpoint, the AM4 platform supports a wide range of Ryzen processors, going back several generations. The lineup includes Ryzen 5000, Ryzen 4000G, and Ryzen 300 processors. AM4 provides a unique upgrade path for consumers. However, consumers who are likely to pick up a new AM4 motherboard in current times will probably gravitate toward the Ryzen 5000 series for performance and longevity.

The Pro B550M-B and B550M-A Pro are microATX motherboards that come with the bare minimum. Don't expect any flashy RGB lighting or fancy features. They provide a comfortable home for AM4 processors, and that's it. The duo of B550 motherboards seems to carry a six-phase power delivery subsystem. Power supply is a bit different, though. The Pro B550M-B requires a standard 8-pin EPS power connector, while the B550M-A Pro has a 4-pin variant. Therefore, the former provides more power, which is good for high-end chips or when you're overclocking.

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Starting with memory, both motherboards feature 2 DDR4 memory slots, supporting up to 64GB (2x32GB). Data rates vary with the processor, but we're looking at up to DDR4-4600 and possibly beyond, if your processor has an extraordinary integrated memory controller (IMC).

The Pro B550M-B has only one PCIe 4.0 x16 expansion slot that directly connects to the processor. In comparison, the B550M-A Pro steps up connectivity with one PCIe 4.0 x16 and one PCIe 3.0 x1 expansion slots. However, the B550M-A Pro falls short in storage, with only four SATA III ports and one PCIe 4.0 M.2 slot. Meanwhile, the Pro B550M-B matches the design but adds a valuable PCIe 3.0 M.2 slot that's connected to the B550 chipset.

The rear ports on the two MSI motherboards are very similar. Both offer two USB 3.2 Gen 1 5 Gbps Type-A ports and six USB 2.0 ports. However, the B550M-A Pro is better suited for older devices as it provides a DVI-D port and two PS/2 ports. On the other hand, the Pro B550M-B only has one PS/2 port and substitutes the DVI-D port for a newer DisplayPort 1.2 output.

In Japan, the Pro B550M-B and B550M-A Pro could launch with estimated MSRPs of $89.37 and $76.58, respectively, including taxes. Excluding taxes, prices land at $81.25 for the former and $69.62 for the latter, making them very competitive options for budget-conscious buyers. Their official retail launch is set for Feb. 27, so we'll soon have clear U.S. MSRPs for those eager to purchase them stateside.

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