Introduction

Specifications

Specifications CPU Support: AMD Socket AM4 A-Series APUs (Bristol Ridge) and Ryzen CPUs (Summit Ridge and Raven Ridge) Power Design: CPU Power: 9 phase

Memory Power: 2 phase Chipset: AMD Promontory B450 Integrated Graphics: Dependent on installed CPU/APU Memory: Dependent on installed CPU/APU BIOS: AMI UEFI BIOS Expansion Slots: 1x PCIe 3.0 x16 slots

1x PCIe 2.0 x16 slot

3x PCIe 2.0 x1 slot Storage: 6x SATA 6 Gb/s port

2x M.2 port (PCIe 3.0 x4 or SATA 6 Gb/s) Networking: 1x Intel I211AT Gigabit LAN Controller Rear Ports: 1x BIOS Flashback+ button

1x PS/2 keyboard/mouse combo port

2x USB 2.0 Type-A (black)

1x DisplayPort

1x HDMI

1x LAN (RJ45) port

1x USB 3.1 Gen1 Type-C

2x USB 3.1 Gen1 Type-A (blue)

1x WiFi Antenna connectors

5x Audio jack

1x Optical S/PDIF OUT connector Audio: Realtek ALC1220 Codec Fan Headers: 6x 4-pin Form Factor: ATX Form Factor: 12 in x 9.6 in, 30.5 cm x 24.4 cm Exclusive Features: Audio Boost

Nahimic 3

Voice Boost

Twin Turbo M.2

Extended Heatsink

Gaming fan control

Mystic Light

Mystic Light Extension

Mystic Light SYNC

EZ DEBUG LED

M.2 Shield

PCIe steel Armor

PCIe steel Slot

AMD 2-way CrossFire

DDR4 Boost

CORE Boost

GAME Boost

AMD Turbo USB 3.1 Gen 2

GAMING LAN with Gaming LAN Manager

Click BIOS 5

StoreMI

BIOS FLASHBACK+

AMD Precision Boost OverDrive

It is once again time to talk about a new chipset from AMD. This particular release, the B450 chipset, is no surprise. After the refresh of the X370 in the way of the X470 earlier this year, it was only a matter of time before the B300 series got the same treatment. The differences between the the old B300 series and new B400 series are pretty minor. However, the board we are looking at today is anything but minor. The MSI B450 GAMING PRO CARBON AC from MSI brings a lot more to the table than you might expect from a refreshed midrange board, and it is my pleasure to use it in this review as introduction to the chipset.The MSI B450 GAMING PRO CARBON AC is a fully sized ATX board featuring everything we have come to expect from mainstream performance motherboards. The board features two M.2 slots, the first of which is covered by a thermal solution to increase drive performance and longevity. An impressive array of heatsinks cover the VRM and chipset to negate the risk of thermal throttling no matter the work load or climate. Add in a fully fleshed out audio solution, MSI Mystic Light, and Mystic Light Sync for expandable RGB support, and an especially beefy VRM design, and the MSI B450 GAMING PRO CARBON AC could be a true gaming powerhouse.The MSI B450 GAMING PRO CARBON AC is actually fighting a battle on two fronts. On one hand, as a midrange chipset board, it is competing with boards like the ASRock AB350M Pro4 I took a look at earlier this year, affordable boards that still offer good performance. On the other hand, the MSI B450 GAMING PRO CARBON AC is offering the premium features you would expect from mainstream X470 boards. MSI has put themselves on a tightrope balancing features with affordability. By the end of this review, we will see whether they made it.