Gigabyte unveils B550M Gaming X Wi-Fi 6E: A DDR4-based AM4 board with Wi-Fi 6E
Gigabyte is expanding its AM4 lineup with the introduction of the B550M Gaming X Wi-Fi 6E. This micro-ATX motherboard targets users looking to leverage DDR4 memory while benefiting from modern wireless standards, providing an affordable path for builds using AMD's Ryzen processors.
Power Delivery and Memory Overclocking
Built on the AMD B550 chipset, the board supports Ryzen 5000, 4000, and 3000 series CPUs, including those with integrated graphics. It features a 6+2 hybrid digital VRM design (Vcore + SoC) powered by a single 8-pin connector. While Gigabyte markets the board as overclocking-capable, the relatively modest VRM configuration suggests it is not intended for extreme voltage adjustments.
The board includes four UDIMM DDR4 slots, supporting up to 128GB of total capacity. While the standard rated speed is 3200 MT/s via XMP profiles, Gigabyte claims that overclocking can push speeds up to 4733 MT/s, depending on the capabilities of the CPU's memory controller and the RAM modules themselves.
Connectivity and Expansion
The primary upgrade over the standard Wi-Fi 6 version is the inclusion of Wi-Fi 6E support (utilizing the 6GHz band) and Bluetooth 5.3. For storage and expansion, the board offers two M.2 slots (one Gen 4 x4 and one Gen 3 x4), four SATA III 6Gb/s ports, and three PCIe slots (running at x16 Gen 4, x1 Gen 3, and x4 Gen 3 speeds respectively).
The rear I/O and connectivity options include:
- USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps) and USB 2.0 ports;
- HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4 outputs;
- Gigabit LAN and a legacy PS/2 port;
- Three 3.5mm audio jacks.
To simplify the DIY experience, Gigabyte has integrated several user-friendly features, such as an integrated I/O shield, a screwless M.2 locking mechanism, and the Q-Flash button for BIOS updates via USB. Note that while the board supports ARGB fans, it is equipped with only four PWM headers.
Although an official price has not been released, based on the pricing of the previous B550M Gaming X Wi-Fi 6, the expected retail price is approximately $130 / £100.
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