NZXT N7 B550 review: One of the most feature-rich B550 motherboards around
Source: Rich Edmonds / Windows Cardinal
NZXT has been busy trying to break into new product categories, and motherboards have merely seen a steady influx of Intel offerings. Times are irresolute as the PC hardware manufacturer is releasing its first AMD-powered motherboard, utilizing the B550 chipset for AMD Ryzen 3000 and Ryzen 5000 series processors.
The NZXT N7 B550 marks the company's start attempt to provide a platform for PC builders to create an AMD-powered system using other NZXT products, including cases, lighting, and CPU cooling. Priced at $230, the N7 B550 is expensive, especially compared to the competition, just in that location's plenty to like here.
NZXT N7 B550
Bottom line: This is NZXT's first AMD motherboard, and it's an impressive initial release. While the company went with B550 and not X570, the price does cover some loftier-terminate features like Wi-Fi 6e, plenty of well-placed fan headers, and more.
The Good
- ASRock build quality
- Great layout and pattern
- Skilful BIOS support
- Connect with NZXT CAM
- Excellent characteristic prepare
The Bad
- No M.2 cooling
- Removed numeric code brandish
- Pricey for B550 motherboards
NZXT N7 B550: Cost and availability
Source: Rich Edmonds / Windows Key
NZXT launched the N7 B550 motherboard in Apr 2022, and you lot can look to see it bachelor at the total $230 asking price. Stock levels for most PC hardware right now are in flux, meaning you likely won't be able to notice 1, and prices may be inflated due to scalping.
NZXT N7 B550: The good
It'south difficult to go excited about motherboards these days, and that's not to say the components are tedious. You'll be difficult-pressed to discover motherboards that aren't at least very good. Well-nigh motherboards produced today come with enough tech for modern PC builds, take loftier-quality components for more powerful processors and other parts, and have stable software support.
NZXT's line-upwardly of motherboards is interesting considering the company tries to do something a little differently. Y'all tin can't really switch up too much on the motherboard; those purchasing i for their next PC build would wait to see the CPU ATX sockets in the same place. The same goes for the 24-pin ATX socket, every bit well as SATA ports, forepart panel headers, and more.
The company can make some changes with the pattern and placement of some of those aforementioned headers. The result is the N7 family of motherboards that look unique and are pretty skilful for system builds. The B550 is NZXT's start endeavour at an AMD motherboard, only partnering with ASRock allowed the company to offer quite the package.
| Category | NZXT N7 B550 |
|---|---|
| Size | ATX |
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 3000 AMD Ryzen 5000 |
| Socket | AM4 |
| RAM | 4x DDR4 DIMM (upwards to DDR4 4666+), 128GB limit |
| Chipset | AMD B550 |
| Expansion | 1x PCIe 4.0 x16 slot 1x PCIe 3.0 x4 slot 2x PCIe 3.0 x1 slots 1 x M.2 slot (Key E, 2230 Wi-Fi) |
| Storage | 6x SATA (6Gbps) 1x M.2 (PCIe iv.0 x4/SATA SSD back up) 1x G.2 (PCIe 3.0 x2/SATA SSD back up) |
| Sound | Realtek ALC1220 |
| Rear ports | 2x Wi-Fi 1x HDMI 2x USB ii.0 3x USB-A iii.2 Gen 2 ports 1x USB-C iii.two Gen 2 ports 4x USB-A 3.2 Gen ane ports 1x two.5Gb LAN v.ane Aqueduct audio jacks 1x Optical Due south/PDIF 1x Clear CMOS push button 1x BIOS Flashback push |
| NVIDIA SLI | - |
| AMD CrossFire | ✓ |
| Launch price | $230 |
The B550 chipset is compatible with Ryzen 3000 and Ryzen 5000 series processors, though Ryzen 3000 APUs will not work. For testing purposes, I used an AMD Ryzen 9 5950X to meet what this motherboard tin really do — NZXT and ASRock included an optional additional four-pin socket for supplying ability to the CPU.
If you enjoy clean PC builds, you lot'll beloved the NZXT N7 B550 motherboard.
The outset thing yous'll notice with the NZXT N7 B550 is the expect. It doesn't look like anything else on the market place, aside from the company's own Intel motherboards. In that location's a metal shroud that covers a good 70% of the unabridged PCB, only showing RAM slots, PCIe slots, CPU socket (and surrounding area, too as the VRMs and numerous headers and ports.
It's a make clean blueprint and ane that will fit right in with whatever NZXT-based PC build, simply information technology'll work in other cases. This shroud tin be completely removed by extracting a few screws on the rear of the board, which allows for easier modding or personalization. You lot tin only leave it off completely if that's more your preference, though I'd opt to have it installed for a cleaner finish.
Interestingly, one matter that is missing from the NZXT N7 B550 design is RGB lighting. Motherboards usually come up with integrated LEDs controlled through the BIOS or supporting software, simply NZXT chose not to include any. But fear non if you lot plan on creating a calorie-free evidence every bit NZXT included a four-pivot RGB header, three-pin aRGB header, also as ii iv-pin NZXT RGB headers.
Speaking of headers, there are many bachelor for you to connect everything. Vii (yes, seven) fan headers are placed throughout the motherboard in positions that make for easier cable management. Each header is capable of delivering upward to 2A, negating the need to utilise a fan controller. Everything connected to the N7 B550 can exist controlled through NZXT's CAM software.
The four DDR4 RAM DIMM slots can back up speeds of up to 4666+, and yous've got USB three.2 Gen2 Type-C, two USB iii.2 Gen1 headers, and six SATA ports (two are disabled if using the second M.2 slot). And at that place are two Chiliad.2 slots available, one capable of PCIe 4.0. These are joined past 4 PCIe slots, with ii existence x16 for the best graphics bill of fare.
Finally, there's the decent Realtek ALC1220 audio codec, likewise every bit Wi-Fi 6e. Motherboard performance was well in line with expectations. Most motherboards volition perform around the aforementioned, especially in games or lite to heavy workloads. Only when you push the system to extreme levels through advanced overclocking will you more probable see differences between boards.
Using the Ryzen nine 5950X with the N7 B550 12+2(+two) phase ability commitment, I used the CPU without any form of throttling. A few benchmarks and synthetic tests showed similar numbers to an X570 motherboard in the same toll range. You won't run into whatever issues attempting to use Ryzen 5000 series processors with this board.
The BIOS is easy to use, so too is the CAM software, which tin control connected fans and RGB lighting. Having power and reset buttons on the board is handy, especially if you desire to build and test the PC exterior the chassis.
NZXT N7 B550: The not so proficient
I have two minor complaints about the N7 B550. Firstly, at that place's no passive cooling for the M.2 SSD storage drives. Most motherboards come with metal covers for these M.2 drives that accept thermal pads underneath. The N7 does not have thermal pads since the covers are made from plastic. In fact, the company really recommends yous remove these covers should M.2 drives be installed.
Secondly, while information technology's adept to have some form of readout for errors in LED condition indicators to determine if something is wrong on kick, NZXT used to have the more than referred solution with a numeric lawmaking display. This would evidence a lawmaking to stand for an issue with the motherboard or a specific component. Now we just have a few LEDs for the absolute basics.
NZXT N7 B550: Competition
Source: Rich Edmonds / Windows Central
The contest is fierce in the motherboard segment, especially with the AMD B550 chipset. This chipset allows motherboard vendors to cutting features and functionality to cater to those who don't have vast budgets to spare on PC parts. Nonetheless, it does also allow motherboards to be created with more than features than fifty-fifty some X570 solutions.
NZXT'south N7 B550 is pricey, only well worth information technology for the additional functionality.
The NZXT N7 B550 is well-placed with its long listing of features. Rocking highlights like Wi-Fi 6e and ii.5Gb LAN, not to mention a very strong ability phase delivery pattern, it's easy to overlook the price and just attribute it to the NZXT brand, but it has enough of kit for the additional cost.
Compare this motherboard against the MSI MAG B550 TOMAHAWK Gaming, which comes in at just $160, and there are a few notable differences. The MSI board has Wi-Fi 6, just it'south not Wi-Fi 6e. Information technology has the same two.5Gb LAN support. There are far fewer USB ports on the rear, not to mention the header layout on the lath is the standard mess.
Information technology's the little touches that permit NZXT to charge a minor premium. Take the shroud cover, for instance. This has become a stable blueprint of NZXT motherboards, and it'south one many PC builders adopt to complete a make clean look. In that location are also no integrated RGB LEDs, which can be viewed as a positive or drawback, depending on which you'd prefer. NZXT does have multiple RGB headers available, though.
When it comes down to it, if you want a motherboard that'due south specially designed for make clean PC builds, there really isn't a better option than NZXT's N7 B550 for AMD builds anyway.
NZXT N7 B550: Should y'all buy it?
You should purchase this if ...
- You lot need an AMD motherboard.
- You don't mind spending more than $200 on a motherboard.
- Y'all plan to build a PC with plenty of RGB lighting.
- You want to claw up numerous fans to the motherboard.
- You programme to use NZXT CAM software.
You shouldn't buy this if...
- You want X570 chipset features.
- You only require a basic B550 motherboard.
- You don't want to spend more than $200 on a B550 motherboard.
NZXT's starting time AMD motherboard is a peachy offset, but that shouldn't be much of a surprise. ASRock has decades of motherboard building experience, and when paired with some excellent designs from NZXT, yous've got ane awesome foundation for an AMD-powered PC. Is it worth the additional cost compared to even X570 motherboards from the likes of ASUS and MSI? That depends.
For a motherboard with AMD's B550 chipset, the NZXT N7 B550 is actually expensive. You lot can find a upkeep-friendly B550 board for effectually $100, fifty-fifty less if yous really want to skimp on features. Only that additional toll is well worth it if you feel this motherboard is right for your PC build.
The header layout results in meliorate cablevision direction. It has an boosted iv-pivot CPU ATX input for extreme overclocking, only similar the more expensive X570 motherboards (though it's arguable simply how useful it truly is). The metal shroud is bright for hiding all the PCB components while allowing for modding and personalization.
It also has a stable BIOS and can handle even a Ryzen 9 5950X with plenty of RAM clocked at 4,000MHz. In that location's plenty to dear here, simply information technology'southward not all expert news. The K.2 covers are not metallic but are fabricated of plastic, so there'southward no boosted passive cooling for your K.2 storage. NZXT also chose to remove numeric error codes and replaced them with LED condition lights.
But if y'all're seeking a B550 motherboard that pushes the chipset from AMD to its limit, the N7 B550 from NZXT is a solid choice. It's definitely a contender for a position in our best motherboards collection.
NZXT N7 B550
Bottom line: NZXT fabricated a great motherboard with its first attempt at creating an AMD platform. The B550 chipset was pushed to its limit with the N7, offering an impressive array of features.
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