Asrock X470 Master Sli, what about it?

[Hyebri]

I'm seeing quite a bit of debate around this motherboard and I was wondering if I should go for it or not.
I'm looking for a motherboard that's compatible with my R5 3600 and this one has had it's BIOS updated, so it could run a 3000 series Ryzen cpu. Options in my country aren't that good, so currently this might be the best option.
Is this board as bad as some people are saying it is, or is it fine?

[_I_]

you can go cheaper, sli is pointless at this time

just make sure it has these features

latest chipset for the cpu (get a 5xx board for the 3xx cpu)
standard atx/matx/itx layout
4 dimm slots (proper ram type for the cpu)
6 sata 3 ports
1-2 m.2 slots
1 lan port (removes server/hedt boards)

[Hyebri]

The cheapest X570 board is 150+€, this X470 is 125€. I didn't choose this board because it has SLI, but because it's the cheapest board I could find that supports 3xxx Ryzen.

[Viking2121]

Publicado originalmente por _I_:

you can go cheaper, sli is pointless at this time

just make sure it has these features

latest chipset for the cpu (get a 5xx board for the 3xx cpu)
standard atx/matx/itx layout
4 dimm slots (proper ram type for the cpu)
6 sata 3 ports
1-2 m.2 slots
1 lan port (removes server/hedt boards)

Problem with these AMD boards, to support a high core count cpu with decent vrm's and voltage area, you typically have to get a higher teir board which of course 98% of the higher end ones support sli, not many boards below the x series chipsets that I'd trust running a high core count chip.

[Hyebri]

So can I get a conclusion or something? Is this board fine? Or should I got with an X570, though more expensive?

[Autumn_]

Publicado originalmente por Hyebri:

So can I get a conclusion or something? Is this board fine? Or should I got with an X570, though more expensive?

I'd personally say, just grab an x570 board. Better VRMs in almost every case, PCI-E4.0 if you ever find a use for it, more features and support, no need to worry about BIOS update/flashing. And should support the next gen of Ryzen.

[Hyebri]

Publicado originalmente por Autumn:

Publicado originalmente por Hyebri:

So can I get a conclusion or something? Is this board fine? Or should I got with an X570, though more expensive?

I'd personally say, just grab an x570 board. Better VRMs in almost every case, PCI-E4.0 if you ever find a use for it, more features and support, no need to worry about BIOS update/flashing. And should support the next gen of Ryzen.

The cheapest X570 is 40€ more than this one, and that's on sale. Even though this X470 has had it's BIOS updated, I should still go with an X570?

[Lord Flashheart]

As you posted this on steam I assume you are mainly interested in gaming.

My motherboard suggestions is:
https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/B450-TOMAHAWK

It has a bios flashback option to update without a CPU installed. I suggest using 7C02v19 BIOS as the latest is apparently buggy.

It is the one I invested in. The only issue is the smaller capacity BIOS chip which means losing the nicer BIOS gui.

There is an update to this board apparently

https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/B450-TOMAHAWK-MAX/Overview

[_I_]

to save on troubles

either get a 5xx with the 3xxx cpu
or a 4xx board with a 2xxx cpu

you can wait for the prices of the 5xx boards to go down, or pick components you can afford

[ericcui1]

Don't touch Master Sli. It has one of the worst VRM among X470 boards, possibly can't handle a R7 2700X at default. Asrock also has worst BIOS support for AM4 boards

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Even if that X470 board supports the newer cpus, you have to update the bios yourself, it's usually not going to ship with the latest bios already on it.

Play it safe and buy an X570 board with the layout and features you want.

Look and see what MSI offers for X570

[Frank Guertler]

as far as i know, asrock 4xx mainboards won't get a bios update with pci-e 4.0 support. if u want pci-e 4.0 go with the 570 mobo.

[_I_]

Publicado originalmente por ericcui1:

Don't touch Master Sli. It has one of the worst VRM among X470 boards, possibly can't handle a R7 2700X at default. Asrock also has worst BIOS support for AM4 boards

what?
https://www.asrock.com/mb/photo/X470%20Master%20SLI%28L2%29.png
it has more vrm phases than your mom*
*unless your mom is a mobo+gpu with more vrm phases combined

the board has 12 choke coils, even if they are doubled up, its still a 4+2
it has a eps 4+4 power header and extra 4pin power connector for eps
way more than enough for 250+w cpu (avg 20-25w per choke coil = 240-300w cpu max)
with vrm heatsinks, as long as there is ariflow it will keep them cooler and allow higher oc (if not limited by the cpus voltage/oc wall)

its an excellent board, but not designed for ryzen 3xxx cpus

[ericcui1]

Publicado originalmente por _I_:

Publicado originalmente por ericcui1:

Don't touch Master Sli. It has one of the worst VRM among X470 boards, possibly can't handle a R7 2700X at default. Asrock also has worst BIOS support for AM4 boards

what?
https://www.asrock.com/mb/photo/X470%20Master%20SLI%28L2%29.png
it has more vrm phases than your mom*
*unless your mom is a mobo+gpu with more vrm phases combined

the board has 12 choke coils, even if they are doubled up, its still a 4+2
it has a eps 4+4 power header and extra 4pin power connector for eps
way more than enough for 250+w cpu (avg 20-25w per choke coil = 240-300w cpu max)
with vrm heatsinks, as long as there is ariflow it will keep them cooler and allow higher oc (if not limited by the cpus voltage/oc wall)

its an excellent board, but not designed for ryzen 3xxx cpus

They just put two chokes in parallel, not even doubled up using doublers. They are on the same rail. This is purely for cosmetic. The extra 4pin power connector doesn't matter either, one 8pin EPS can handle up to 384W, at that point, the VRM of this board is long gone.
The main heat source of VRM is low side MOSFET, not chokes. Unfortunately, on Master SLI, they use SM4336 with 5.5 mΩ RDS(ON)，which is one of the worst MOSFETs you can get on a motherboard. The heat sink on Master SLI is also on the small side. If you don't have a fan directly above the VRM, you can probably get away with 170W CPU power, anything above that the VRM will overheat.
Just for comparison, MSI B450M Mortar, which is a fairly cheap motherboard, uses SM4503 for low side MOSFET, 3 mΩ RDS(ON), way bigger VRM heat sink.

If you put a Ryzen 7 3700X on it, I'd say the VRM should be fine, 3rd gen Ryzen need far less power than 2nd gen. However, the poor power delivery capability hardly justify the price.

[_I_]

it has massive hetsinks and multiple vrms per phase, its a very good vrm config for cpus around the 100w range

[ericcui1]

Publicado originalmente por _I_:

it has massive hetsinks and multiple vrms per phase, its a very good vrm config for cpus around the 100w range

Sure on can put a R5 3600 on that board and it will run just fine. But really, why bother with it when there are plenty of better and cheaper alternatives? For example, MSI B450 gaming plus, it's 30$ cheaper, has better VRM than Master SLI, better BIOS, and pretty much every feature Master SLI has to offer except SLI support.