Lately, the buzz is all about the insanely-spec premium mainboards that come equipped with the X370 chipset. However, in case you didn’t know, AMD also offers quite a few chipsets for the mid-range and the entry-level market. Cut back in time, the first AMD generation released motherboards like the B350 and A320 chipsets, which turned the tide of competition in the market.
With that said, all mainboards equipped with a b350 chipset, in particular, gained a significant deal of popularity since its inception. The best part, these boards can be overclocked! Much unlike the ones that come with an X370 chipset, b350 can be brought to a respectable comparison with the former.
The Ryzen 3000 Series CPUs (2nd Generation CPUs) are fully compatible with the B350 Chipset. You don’t need any BIOS update as well. However, you will have to compromise on some features because the B350 is a low-end chipset as compared to the X370 and B450.
Due to AMD’s lack of progress in developing a suitable replacement for the first-gen A320 in the entry-level market, it continued to enjoy a significant amount of market share for a fairly long time.
For the record, most of us have this misconception that the high-end X370 and X470 chipsets are only compatible with the latest Ryzen family of processors. It’s time to bust this myth once and for all! On the brighter side, even the more affordable chipsets are compatible, and all that is needed is just one BIOS update.
The manufacturer of these motherboards are already distributing updated BIOS versions for 1st gen B350 and A320 chips. These new BIOS versions include either AGESA 0.0.7.2 or 0.0.7.0. Even the most affordable motherboard, the Asus Prime A320M-K, has been upgraded to the most recent version.
By this, we can safely say that the new Ryzen 3000 CPUs are compatible with even the most affordable motherboards of the pilot generation. With that out of the way, the question of how a 16-core processor such as the rumored Ryzen 9 3850X would be in sync with the A320 mainboard is left unanswered. However, AMD provides the opportunity in case you want to grab it!
How to know if my motherboard supports Ryzen 3000?
If you’re in the market for a new motherboard, we advise you to look out for a label in the box that says “AMD Ryzen Desktop 3000 Ready.” If the label is ob, it means that the motherboard is compatible with the most recent AMD Ryzen CPUs. Furthermore, you save some time as the BIOS is already updated.
The best part, AMD maintains a matrix of details that tells you which CPUs are compatible with a particular motherboard and which of its platforms unquestionably need an upgrade. If you’re going to be using a Ryzen CPU from the 3000-series, any X570 motherboard should be compatible. It is likely that older motherboards, such as X470 and B450, and X370 and B350, will need BIOS upgrades. However, keep in mind that the A320 motherboards will not function at all.
Also Read: Are AMD Motherboards Backward Compatible?
Make use of the BIOS Flashback
In case you’re wondering, the ability to update the BIOS of a motherboard via a USB stick is known as “BIOS Flashback.” For starters, a handful of motherboards feature this capability.
To determine whether or not this is compatible with your motherboard, you will need to refer to the user manual. On the rear end of some models, you’ll see a button labeled as “Update.” Also, this feature is not included on entry-level motherboards. But regardless of the circumstances, certain motherboards can be updated without the need for a CPU.
Can you install a Ryzen 3000 series CPU on the B350 motherboard?
Wrap Up
To summarize everything in one go- Yes, the B350 is compatible with the Ryzen 3000. In case you face any issues in the setup such as doing the BIOS update, seek help from the manufacturer’s official site for a speedy solution. Everything else is just a cakewalk!
I am Anshul Rana, an experienced author specializing in PC gear reviews and Windows 10 software tutorials. With a strong passion for technology and an in-depth understanding of the PC industry, I provide insightful and detailed analyses of computer peripherals, gaming gear, and software solutions. My writing style is concise yet informative, making complex topics accessible to both beginners and advanced users. Through my reviews and tutorials, I aim to offer valuable guidance, helping readers make informed decisions to enhance their PC experience and explore the vast possibilities of Windows 10 software.
