Best B350 Motherboards for 2020
When you’re an enthusiast builder who values flexibility and overclocking, then a B350 motherboard would work best with your AMD processor.
Although AMD B350 motherboards have chipsets with striking similarities, the boards are distinct in their own way with a wide array of designs and features.
One key aspect that makes B350 motherboards popular among gamers and builders is how well the boards handle CPU overclocking. By overclocking, you fine-tune the system allowing you to squeeze every last frame possible out of your games.
There’s no denying that B350 motherboards will share similar compatibility features. For instance, all the motherboards share the socket type. Other than that, there are different specifications to consider including the form factor, expansion slots, ports, GPU supports and more.
In the light of this, deciding on the best B350 motherboard can be terribly confusing and understandably so.
After hours of research scouring the internet, reading forums, and watching videos, we identified the best B350 mothers.
We’ve reviewed each of them, prepared a table for quick comparisons and sneaked in a simple buyer’s guide.
Top Pick - ASUS ROG Strix B350-F
ASUS ROG Strix B350-F Gaming supports AMD Ryzen AM4, 7th Gen Athlon & HD series 2000 processors and DDR4 which guarantees sterling performance. It also has 4 memory slots that allow to expand RAM up to 64GB. The RGB LED lighting immaculately illuminates your build helping you outshine your competition.
B350 Motherboards for 2020
1. ASUS ROG Strix B350-F Gaming
Designed to support AMD Ryzen AM4, 7th Gen Athlon & HD series 2000 processors, ASUS ROG Strix B-350-F Gaming is set to transform your gameplay.
ASUS ROG Strix B350-F Gaming comes integrated with RGB LED lighting that illuminates your system making it aesthetically pleasing. There’s no better way to outshine your gaming opponents?
Even better, the motherboard features Aura Sync Technology that grants you total control over the RGB LED illumination. Use the technology to sync the various lighting effects among the different system’s components including the mouse, keyboard, graphics, etc.
ASUS ROG Strix B350-F Gaming supports DDR4 memory with 4 DIMM slots allowing you to expand the RAM up to 64GB.
Use the 5-Way Optimization feature to achieve full system overclocking with just a single click. Two key parts of the optimization are Auto-Tuning and Fan Expert4 that help customize the overclocking to your liking resulting in improved system performance and dynamic cooling. Overclocking helps drive the memory frequencies to 3200MHz and above.
The T-Topology circuit design provides the memory capabilities for overclocking allowing you to make the best out of the DDR4 memory. T-Topology features innovative equidistant memory channels that help attain better control and ensure enhanced overclocking compatibility.
What’s more, ASUS ROG Strix B350-F Gaming prides itself in the creative SupremeFX S1120 audio technology. The technology delivers outstanding 113dB signal-to-noise ratio on the line-in connection helping achieve superior quality sound.
Experience high-speed data transfers for your SSDs with the NVMe M.2 interface. NVMe standard helps the match the read/write speeds of the hard drive with that of the flash memory. Onboard, too, are USB 3.1 Type-A headers.
Also integrated on the motherboard is a SATA interface that commands transfer rates as high as 6Gbps. The ASUS ROG Strix B350-F Gaming Intel Gigabit Ethernet port allows for reliable wired internet connectivity. LANGuard and GamefFast technologies allow for enhanced gaming networking.
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2. MSI 350 Krait Gaming ATX
As a builder, you can’t go wrong with MSI 350 Krait Gaming. The motherboard supports AMD Ryzen Series & 7th Generation A-Series/Athlon processors.
It has 4 DDR4 memory slots with DDR4 Boost, a feature that you can use to expand the memory and performance of your system.
MSI 350 Krait Gaming is VR-Ready. Enjoy and get fully immersed in the world of virtual reality in your gaming escapades with zero latency.
With Turbo M.2, you're set to enjoy a lightning-fast gaming experience. The motherboard supports NVMe and using the integrated PCIe 3.0 x4 slot, it’ll transfer data at extreme speeds up to 32Gbps. If you participate in online quests, the motherboard’s Gaming LAN with LAN Protect will ensure low latency gaming and exemplary bandwidth management.
For an immersive gaming experience, superior sound quality has to be part of the equation. MSI 350 Krait Gaming comes with Audio Boost, a feature that employs the best components to optimize the gaming audio.
Using the RGB Mystic Light Sync, you can personalize your system’s illumination to match your style. Select your own color scheme from a spectrum of colors through a smartphone or the MSI Gaming App and outshine your competition.
Lastly, the motherboard includes sufficient fan headers such that, however intense the gaming action gets, the system remains chill and performs at peak.
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3. GIGABYTE GA-AB350N-Gaming
Just like MSI 350 Krait Gaming, GIGABYTE GA-AB350N-Gaming was designed to support AMD Ryzen and 7th Gen A-series/Athlon Processors.
This mini-ATX motherboard supports DDR4 and has 2 DIMMs slots which you can use to expand the memory up to 32GB.
Regarding expansion slots and ports, GIGABYTE GA-AB350N-Gaming scores relatively well. It comes integrated with 2 USB 3.1 Gen 2 with USB Type A. Also embedded on the board is an ultrafast PCIe 3.0 x4 interface with PCIe NVMe and SATA mode.
Enjoy high-speed connection for your online gaming with this motherboard’s Intel 802.11ac Dual Band Wi-Fi card. It also has Bluetooth that’ll come in handy when you want to pair and transfer data with other Bluetooth-enabled devices. For high-speed reliable wired internet connection, the board has Gigabit LAN with cFosSpeed Internet Accelerator Software.
GIGABYTE GA-AB350N-Gaming guarantees high-quality sound for immersive gaming. Its Smart Headphone Amp Realtek delivers superior HD-quality sound with 120dB sound to noise ratio.
The motherboard’s RGB Fusion property illuminates your system with Multi-Zone LED Light Show design making it look cool.
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4. ASUS Prime B350M-A/ CSM
We present you another motherboard from ASUS, but this time, a micro-ATX. ASUS Prime B350M-A/ CSM supports AMD Ryzen AM4, the 7th Gen Athlon & HD 2000 series processors ensuring reliable performance.
ASUS Prime B350M-A/ CSM supports DDR4 with 4 DIMM slots that make it possible to expand the RAM up to 64GB.
For your video output, the motherboard comes with HDMI and DVI. It also includes 2 USB 3.0 ports as well as 2 USB 3.1 Type A ports. For SATA, graphics cards and RAID, ASUS Prime B350M-A/ CSM comes features a PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16 slot.
NVMe M.2 interface ensures high data transfer speeds for your SSDs. When gaming online, the Gigabit LAN will guaranteed reliable wired internet connection.
This motherboard has been engineered to last with 5X Protection III that combines the finest components and remarkable circuit design. With a stainless back I/O, stable power supply, overcharge protection and surge protected networking, you can be guaranteed of long-term durability.
ASUS Prime B350M-A/ CSM comes integrated with LED lighting that immaculately illuminates your build. Use the exclusive AMD RGB Fan to control the RGB header by personalizing the fan lighting schemes.
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5. ASUS Prime B350-Plus
Similar to other ASUS motherboards reviewed, ASUS Prime B350-Plus is powered by AMD Ryzen AM4, 7th Gen Athlon and HD 2000 Series Processors. It supports DDR4 memory with 4 DIMM slots that allow you to expand the RAM to 64GB. Gigabit LAN lets you accomplish reliable wired internet connection for online gaming with low-latency.
Illuminate your system in a wide array of styles with the built-in LED lighting options. Use the innovative Fan RGB header control to personalize your own lighting scheme for the AMD RGB Fan.
Regarding expansion slots and ports, ASUS Prime B350-Plus also steals a good position. For your video output, there’s HDMI and DVI. It also comes embedded with 1xPCIe 3.0/2.0 x16 slot perfect for graphics and RAID. On the board, too, are USB 3.0 and USB 3.1 Type A.
ASUS Prime B350-Plus employs the 5X Protection feature that includes a stainless steel back I/O, stable power supply, surge-protected networking. By employing these fine components, the 5X Protection gives the motherboard long-term durability.
What’s more, the board features Fan Xpert 2+ that helps balance the noise level and cool performance of every fan. This is accomplished through advanced thermal sensors and hardware level 4-pin/3-pin PWM/DC mode detection.
Its SafeSlot Core comes with a unique design such that the PCIe slots are anchored to the board by a special hook. That way, however large the graphics card you install are, there’ll no damages to the slots.
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6. ASRock AB350 PRO4
Designed to support AMD socket AM4 A-Series APUs and Ryzen Series Processors, ASRock AB350 PRO4 is ideal for build enthusiasts.
The motherboard supports DDR4 memory with 4 DIMM slots allowing you to expand the RAM up to 64GB. If you want to overclock, the motherboard can handle boosted speeds of up to 3200MHz.
ASRock AB350 PRO4 scores nicely in regards to the expansion slots and ports available. Embedded on the board are 2 PCIe 3.0 x16 slots usually associated with graphics card and RAID. It also has 4 PCIe 2.0 x1 slots for USB, SATA, etc.
What’s more, the motherboard comes with 6xSATA3 Ports that provide platforms for connecting your hard drives such as SSD. Besides, it has support for RAID, a new technology that helps store data across multiple platforms.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a gamer or like listen to music or watching shows, you want superior sound for full immersion. ASRock AB350 PRO4 comes integrated with ALC892 7.1 Channel Realtek ALC892 that delivers premium sound.
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7. ASRock FALAAB350 Gaming
Similar to ASRock AB350 PRO4 we reviewed above, ASRock FALAAB350 Gaming is powered by AMD Socket AM4 A-Series APUs & Ryzen series processors. It boasts a rock-solid performance that'll impress.
The motherboard supports dual DDR4 memory with 2 DIMM slots making it possible to expand the RAM up to 32GB. ASRock FALAAB350 Gaming. Overclocking is possible with this motherboard and it’ll comfortably handle boosted frequencies as high as 3466MHz.
ASRock FALAAB350 Gaming has a pretty good ports and expansion slots profile. Integrated are USB 2.0, USB 3.0, USB 3.0 Type A, USB 3.0 Type C. There are also HDMI ports and a PS/2 port for the motherboard and mouse.
For stuff like graphics card and RAID, this motherboard comes with 2 PCIe 3.0 x16 slots. The 4 PCIe 2.0 x1 slots handle USB & SATA.
With 6 SATA3 interfaces, you can easily connect your SSDs. It also has one ultra M.2 slots for PCIe Gen3 x4 and another one for SATA3 that ensure high-speed data transfer.
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Factors to Consider When Choosing a B350 Motherboard
- Form Factor
There form factor or size is the leading consideration when selecting a B350 motherboard. Motherboards sizes range from ATX, micro-ATX to mini-ITX (largest to the smallest).
Majorly, the number of memory slots, PCIe slots and the ports onboard determine the form factor/size.
You’ll be fine with micro-ATX or even mini-ITX motherboards if you have a small case or all you don’t care for many ports and do not intend to integrate multiple graphics cards.
But it’s prudent that you take as much time as possible before deciding. It’d be terribly painful to purchase a micro-ATX or mini-ITX motherboard today only to realize later that you need more ports, slots, etc.
For a tower or a desktop, we’re sorry that you have no other choice but to go for an ATX motherboard.
- The CPU Socket
Start by thinking about the CPU you plan to use with your motherboard. If the CPU and the motherboard’s sockets aren’t compatible, then the two will not connect.
As it is, B350 boards are only compatible AM4 sockets. That makes compatibility a lot easier, which means you should have no trouble with this aspect.
- Graphics Card Support
Virtually all AMD motherboards come integrated GPU, which helps with the visual output, but that's not all.
If you run operations that demand high visual accuracies such as video editing, gaming, and graphics design, then you might need to install one or several aftermarket graphics cards depending on the size of your motherboard.
- Expansion Slots
PCIe expansion slots range from the short PCIe x 1 slot to the long PCIe x16 slot. In between the two, you’ll find PCIe x 4 slots and PCIe x8 slots. However, most motherboards feature x4 and 16 slots.
PCIe x1 slots will help for things like USB and SATA while PCIe x 16 slots are useful for additional graphics cards and RAID cards.
Number of Ports
Basically, the motherboard has to feature USB 2.0 and USB 3.0. But right now, we have USB 3.1 Gen 1 and USB 3.1 Gen 2. An emerging trend that's spreading like wildfire in the tech industry is USB Type C, used for charging and high-speed data transfer.
Then there's a Thunderbolt port, which, although a rare feature in the budget motherboards, allows for extreme data transfers as high as 40Gbps. Motherboards support a thunderbolt though dedicated add-on cards.
A PS/2 port comes in handy if you plan on using a keyboard and mouse, and it goes without saying that you’ll need it.
Are audio ports important? Of course. Check out the ports and interfaces available for your audio so you can connect headphones and speakers.
Planning to use integrated graphics? Make sure that your motherboards has integrated HDMI and DisplayPort interfaces.
Integrated Add-Ons
For wireless internet connection, the motherboard must have a Wi-Fi card. A Gigabit Ethernet is integral for reliable wired internet connection.
Bluetooth is another feature you might need for your built, although not all motherboards have the mechanism pre-soldered.
Wrapping Up
If there’s something great about B350 motherboards, then it’s the way they’re optimized for overclocking. It’s by overclocking that you can boost your build so you can make the most out of the system. While there may not be lots of aspects to consider when purchasing a B350 motherboard, the few pointers available will still confuse. The rule of thumb is to pay close attention to the ports, expansion slots, graphics card support, etc. We hope you’ve found an excellent high-performance B350 motherboard for your build.