ASRock B550 Taichi

The ASRock B550 Taichi is the top-end model from the company, with the key highlight being the use of Intel’s 2.5 gigabit Ethernet controller as well as the Intel AX201 module for Wi-Fi 6 capabilities. As with other ASRock Taichi models, the focus is always on all the cogs working together, and for this motherboard the company has splashed a good amount of brushed metal around the heatsinks. The chipset heatsink is an extended affair across most of the bottom half of the motherboard, also covering the two M.2 slots.

This motherboard is also unique among other B550 boards by offering dual 8-pin CPU power connectors, along with sixteen power phases on board. Despite this being a B550 ‘mid-range’ motherboard, ASRock wants users to push the system, as right in the middle is enscribed ‘Philosophy of Infinite Potential’.

The socket area has four easy-to access 4-pin fan headers, and the power delivery heatsink extends through a heatpipe into a more solid mass on the rear panel. The system has single sided DRAM slots, suggesting users need to push hard on the modules to make sure they are in properly. On the right hand side of the motherboard are two USB 3.0 front panel headers, a USB Type-C header, another 4-pin power connector, and eight SATA ports.

Another unique thing about this board is that this is the only B550 board we have seen with eight SATA ports. In this case, ASRock uses the four SATA ports on the chipset and adds another four from an ASMedia ASM1061 controller.

The top two full-length PCIe 4.0 slots from the CPU can run at x16 or x8/x8, while the bottom full-length slot is a PCIe 3.0 x4 from the chipset. Each of these three slots use extra protection for heavy graphics cards.

On the bottom of the motherboard are additional fan headers, RGB headers, two USB 2.0 headers, and power/reset buttons with a two-digit debug LED.

Audio on the right hand side of the motherboard comes from a Realtek ALC1220 codec, which also has an NE5532 amp in the setup.

From left to right, the rear panel has the two antenna for the Wi-Fi 6 module, a BIOS flash button, a Clear CMOS button, DisplayPort and HDMI, four USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, Intel’s I225-V 2.5 gigabit Ethernet, two USB 2.0 ports, a Type-A USB 3.2 Gen 2 port, a Type-C USB 3.2 Gen 2 port, and the audio jacks.

B for Budget ASRock B550 Steel Legend
Comments Locked

101 Comments

View All Comments

  • Makaveli - Tuesday, June 16, 2020 - link

    Replace AMD in your sentence with motherboard makers AMD it not setting the price for them. Looking at list of boards here is seems most of them added features just to jack the prices up.
  • WaltC - Wednesday, June 17, 2020 - link

    Yep, price is all down to the mboard OEMs.
  • sing_electric - Thursday, June 18, 2020 - link

    On one hand, you're right, on the other, AMD provides the chipset and specifications, and the fact that NO OEMs seem to be able to make cheap boards suggests that there's challenges with meeting the spec at a certain budget.
  • _cracken - Wednesday, October 28, 2020 - link

    No you are wrong on both hands. AMD does not deliver chipsets for B550, it is made by asmedia.
  • Irata - Tuesday, June 16, 2020 - link

    Well, the cheapest board starts at $95, there are still plenty cheap B450 boards around and there will be B520 soon.

    As for OEM, I am sure they will have boards built based on their requirements.

    I am curious to see what will happen to mainboard prices in a few months and if there will be additional / improved entry level options like for X570.
  • Chaitanya - Tuesday, June 16, 2020 - link

    B550 has better connectivity than X470 with excellent VRM to boot.
  • _espo - Wednesday, July 1, 2020 - link

    U have to understand amd didnt fuck up.motherboard companys didnt too because theres thing like covid and mb are made in china so
    Its more expensive to them now.And they have less stock and they still have to make money
  • Desierz - Tuesday, June 16, 2020 - link

    Article refers to AMD's SMT as hyperthreading. I think hyperthreading is an Intel specific term.
  • WaltC - Wednesday, June 17, 2020 - link

    Intel has no objection to AMD using the phrase...;)
  • MB-Guru - Tuesday, June 16, 2020 - link

    I would like to purchase this MB. Which Reputable Vendor is selling this Gigabyte B550 vision D right now? Does anyone know? Thanks !

Log in

Don't have an account? Sign up now