ASUS PRIME B550M-A Motherboard
Introduction
This guide provides information on the ASUS PRIME B550M-A motherboard. It covers package contents, specifications, installation procedures, and BIOS settings.
Package Contents
Verify the contents of your motherboard package. It should include:
- 1 x PRIME B550M-A Motherboard
- 2 x SATA 6Gb/s Cables
- 1 x I/O Shield
- 1 x M.2 Screw Package
- 1 x Support DVD
- 1 x User's Manual
If any items are damaged or missing, contact your vendor.
Specifications Summary
CPU
Socket: AMD AM4 for 3rd Gen AMD Ryzen™ Processors. (Refer to www.asus.com for CPU support list.)
Chipset
Chipset: AMD B550
Memory
- Max Memory: Up to 128 GB, DDR4 4400(OC)/4000(OC)/3866(OC)/3600/3400(OC)/3200/3000/2800/2666/2400/2133 MHz Un-buffered Memory (OC)/2133 MHz Non-ECC Memory
- Memory Architecture: Dual Channel Memory Architecture
- ECC Support: ECC Memory (State depends on CPU)
For a list of qualified memory vendors, refer to www.asus.com.
Graphics
- 1 x D-Sub port
- 1 x DVI-D port
- 1 x HDMI™ 2.1 port (4K@60Hz)
Expansion Slots
- CPU: 1 x PCIe 4.0 x16 slot (Supports x16 mode) for 3rd Gen AMD Ryzen™ Processors
- Chipset: 2 x PCIe 3.0 x1 slots
Storage
- Chipset: Supports 2 x M.2 slots and 4 x SATA 6Gb/s ports
- M.2 Slots: Supports 1 x M.2 Socket 3 (Key M), type 2242/2260/2280/22110 with support for PCIe 4.0 x4 and SATA modes (for 3rd Gen AMD Ryzen™ Processors)
- M.2 Slots: Supports 1 x M.2 Socket 3 (Key M), type 2242/2260/2280 with support for PCIe 3.0 x4 and SATA modes (for AMD B550 Chipset)
- SATA Ports: 4 x SATA 6Gb/s ports
- RAID Support: Supports RAID 0, 1, 10
LAN
1 x Realtek® RTL8111H 1Gb Ethernet controller
Audio
- Audio Codec: Realtek® ALC887 7.1-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC
- Features: Audio Shielding, Premium Japanese audio capacitors, Dedicated audio PCB layers, Selectable front panel audio (output)
Rear USB Ports
- 6 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (4 x Type-A at back, 2 x Type-A via internal connector)
- 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (2 x Type-A at back)
Internal I/O Connectors
- CPU Fan Header: 1 x 4-pin CPU_FAN header, 1 x 4-pin CPU_OPT header
- Chassis Fan Headers: 2 x 4-pin CHA_FAN headers
- Power Connectors: 1 x 24-pin EATX Power connector, 1 x 8-pin EATX 12V Power connector
- Storage: 2 x M.2 Socket 3, 4 x SATA 6Gb/s ports
- USB Headers: 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 header (supports 2 additional USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports), 2 x USB 2.0 headers (support 4 additional USB 2.0 ports)
- RGB Headers: 1 x Addressable RGB Gen 2 header, 2 x RGB headers
- Other Headers: 1 x Clear CMOS header, 1 x COM port header, 1 x Front panel audio header (AAFP), 1 x S/PDIF out header
Special Features
- ASUS 5X PROTECTION III: DIGI+ VRM, Overvoltage Protection, SafeSlot Core, Stainless Steel Back I/O, Q-Design, Q-DIMM, Q-Slot
- ASUS Q-Design: ASUS Q-DIMM, ASUS Q-Slot
- ASUS Thermal Solution: Aluminum heatsink design
- AURA Sync: RGB headers, Aura Sync
- ASUS Exclusive Software: AI Suite 3, TurboV EVO, EPU, Digi+ VRM, Fan Xpert 2+, EZ Update, ASUS CPU-Z, AI Charger
- AI Suite 3: AI Charger, AI Suite 3
- Norton™ Security Software: Free 60-day trial
BIOS
- BIOS Type: AMI UEFI BIOS
- BIOS Size: 256 Mb Flash ROM, UEFI AMI BIOS
- Features: ASUS EZ DIY, CrashFree BIOS 3, EZ Flash 3, ASUS UEFI BIOS EZ Mode
Form Factor
Form Factor: mATX (9.6 inch x 9.6 inch / 24.4 cm x 24.4 cm)
Product Overview
The ASUS PRIME B550M-A is a micro ATX motherboard designed for AMD AM4 socket processors, supporting 3rd Gen AMD Ryzen™ CPUs. It features the AMD B550 chipset and offers a robust set of specifications for gaming and productivity.
Installation Guide
CPU Installation
- Ensure the power cord is unplugged before proceeding.
- Open the CPU socket lever.
- Align the CPU with the socket's triangle mark and gently place it into the socket. Do not force the CPU.
- Close the CPU socket lever.
- Apply thermal paste to the heatsink if necessary.
DIMM Installation
- Open the clips on the DIMM slots.
- Align the DIMM with the slot and press down firmly until the clips lock into place.
Removing a DIMM
- Open the clips on the DIMM slots.
- Gently pull the DIMM out of the slot.
BIOS Setup
Accessing BIOS
Press the Delete or F2 key during POST (Power-On Self-Test) to enter BIOS Setup.
Loading Optimized Defaults
To load default settings, select Load Optimized Defaults from the Exit menu or press F5.
Updating BIOS
ASUS EZ Flash 3 allows you to update the BIOS without an OS-based utility. Use a FAT32 formatted USB flash drive with the latest BIOS file. Navigate to the Tool menu in BIOS Setup and select ASUS EZ Flash 3 Utility.
ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3
This utility automatically recovers corrupted BIOS files. Place the BIOS file on a USB flash drive and insert it into the motherboard. The system will automatically detect and enter ASUS EZ Flash 3.
RAID Support
The motherboard supports RAID 0, RAID 1, and RAID 10 configurations. Refer to the ASUS website for detailed RAID configuration guides.
Rear Panel Connectors
- 1: PS/2 Keyboard/Mouse Combo Port
- 2: VGA Port
- 3: LAN Port (RJ-45)
- 4: Audio Ports (Line In, Line Out, Mic-in)
- 5: USB 3.2 Gen 1 Ports (Blue)
- 6: HDMI™ Port
- 7: DVI-D Port
- 8: USB 3.2 Gen 2 Ports (Teal)
- 9: USB 3.2 Gen 2 Ports (Teal)
- 10: Audio Ports (Rear Speaker Out, Center/Subwoofer, Front Speaker Out, Side Speaker Out)
Internal I/O Connectors
- CPU Fan Header: CPU_FAN, CPU_OPT
- Chassis Fan Headers: CHA_FAN
- Power Connectors: ATX Power, ATX 12V Power
- Storage Connectors: M.2 Slots, SATA 6Gb/s Ports
- USB Headers: USB 3.2 Gen 1 Header, USB 2.0 Headers
- RGB Headers: Addressable RGB Gen 2 Header, RGB Headers
- Other Headers: Clear CMOS Header, COM Port Header, Front Panel Audio Header (AAFP), S/PDIF Out Header
Audio Configuration
The motherboard supports various audio configurations, including 2-channel, 4-channel, 5.1-channel, and 7.1-channel audio. Refer to the audio configuration table for specific port assignments.
