ASRock B450M Pro4-F
The micro-ATX standard-bearer for budget-conscious AM4 builders needing robust VRMs and dual M.2 storage.
Overview
How It Works
CPU Installation
Mount the processor into the AM4 Zero Insertion Force (ZIF) socket, ensuring correct orientation using the gold triangle alignment mark.
Memory Configuration
Install DDR4 memory modules into the preferred dual-channel DIMM slots (slots A2 and B2) to ensure maximum system stability and enable high-speed XMP Profiles.
M.2 Drive Mounting
Secure your high-speed storage by populating the primary Ultra M.2 slot for Gen3 x4 PCIe NVMe speeds, or the secondary M.2 slot for SATA-based solid-state drives.
Power Connection
Connect power supply leads, including the crucial 8-pin EPS 12V CPU power connector, to adequately feed the motherboard's 9-phase VRM assembly.
BIOS Optimization
Boot into the ASRock UEFI BIOS to configure fan curves via Full Spike Protection settings and toggle on the custom memory speed profiles.
Key Features
9-Power Phase Design
Features robust power phases with analog/digital hybrid control to deliver smooth power to the AM4 CPU.
Dual M.2 Slots
Includes one Ultra M.2 (PCIe Gen3 x4) and one secondary M.2 slot supporting SATA3 6.0 Gb/s.
Premium ELNA Audio Caps
High-quality audio capacitors that significantly reduce noise leakage for clean onboard sound.
Triple Monitor Support
Equipped with HDMI, DVI-D, and D-Sub outputs for versatile multi-display productivity without a discrete GPU.
Full Spike Protection
Protects sensitive motherboard components from sudden, harmful voltage surges.
Polychrome RGB Sync
Provides addressable and standard RGB headers to coordinate custom lighting schemes across your build.
High-Density Glass Fabric PCB
Reduces the gaps between PCB layers to protect against short circuits caused by humidity.
Copper Inner Layers
Features 2oz copper inner layers to ensure stable signal traces and lower temperatures during overclocking.
USB Type-C Connector
Includes a reversible Type-C port on the rear I/O running at USB 3.1 Gen1 speeds.
VRM and Power Delivery
Sustained Power Performance
9-Phase Configuration
Utilizes a 3x2 (doubled) + 3 phase configuration to cleanly distribute load currents across multiple choke units.
Premium Power Choke
Equipped with high-saturation 42A power chokes that improve electromagnetic shielding and thermal efficiency.
Digi Power Design
Integrates a digital PWM controller that provides more precise and stable Vcore voltage compared to analog designs.
Alloy Heatsinks
Features oversized aluminum alloy heatsinks over the MOSFETs to dissipate heat effectively during heavy gaming workloads.
8-pin EPS Connector
Ensures plenty of auxiliary current headroom is available for standard and overclocked 65W to 105W TDP CPUs.
Memory Architecture and XMP Support
Unlocking High-Speed DDR4 Memory
Dual-Channel Topology
Four physical DIMM slots support dual-channel configurations up to 64GB (or 128GB with high-density non-ECC modules).
XMP Profile Compatibility
Provides hassle-free DRAM speed targeting via AMD Memory Profile (AMP) and Intel XMP settings up to 3200+ MHz.
15μ Gold Contacts
Memory slots are equipped with thick gold plating inside the contacts to prevent corrosion and signal degradation.
High-Frequency Support
Supports up to DDR4 3200+ (OC) with Ryzen Pinnacle Ridge/Matisse architectures, boosting gaming frame rates.
ECC Memory Support
Supports ECC and non-ECC unbuffered memory modules, expanding usability to budget home servers.
Expansion and Multi-GPU Capabilities
PCIe Layout and Bandwidth Allocation
Primary PCIe 3.0 x16 Slot
Provides full x16 bandwidth directly connected to the CPU for optimal performance from modern graphics cards.
Steel Slot Protection
The main PCIe slot features reinforced solder points to prevent physical shearing under the weight of heavy triple-slot GPUs.
AMD Quad CrossFireX
Supports multi-GPU rendering setups using the primary PCIe 3.0 x16 and secondary PCIe 2.0 x16 physical slots.
Flexible PCIe Gen2 Expansion
Includes a PCIe 2.0 x1 slot for add-in cards like Wi-Fi network cards, internal sound cards, or USB expansion hubs.
Matte Black PCB Routing
Advanced board routing mitigates electromagnetic interference between high-frequency PCIe traces.
Storage and High-Speed Connectivity
Dual M.2 Drives and SATA Capability
Ultra M.2 Slot (M2_1)
Supports PCIe Gen3 x4 NVMe solid-state drives up to 32 Gb/s for ultra-fast boot and load times.
Secondary M.2 Slot (M2_2)
Offers an extra M.2 slot operating in SATA3 mode (6 Gb/s), perfect for affordable secondary storage drives.
Four Right-Angle SATA Ports
Includes four SATA3 6.0 Gb/s ports supporting traditional platter hard drives and 2.5-inch SSDs.
RAID Array Configurations
Supports RAID 0, RAID 1, and RAID 10 storage arrays directly through the AMD BIOS menu.
Shared Bandwidth Note
The secondary M2_2 slot shares data pathways with the SATA3_3 port, necessitating careful drive mapping.
Rear I/O and Peripheral Connectivity
Flexible Connectivity for Every Device
Reversible USB Type-C
Features a rear USB 3.1 Gen1 Type-C connector providing 5 Gbps data transfer speeds and simple plug orientation.
Triple Video Output
Offers native HDMI 1.4, DVI-D, and D-Sub (VGA) ports for legacy and modern displays running Ryzen APUs with Radeon Vega graphics.
Realtek Gigabit Ethernet
Uses the Realtek RTL8111GR controller for reliable, wired high-speed network connections with surge protection.
ELNA Audio Capacitors
Three specialized ELNA 3uF audio caps reduce physical noise leakage for a cleaner analog audio experience.
Legacy Peripheral Support
Retains a physical PS/2 keyboard/mouse port for compatibility with older peripherals or diagnostic tools.
✓ Pros
- ✓Highly competitive pricing offering exceptional value for AM4 builders
- ✓Competent 9-phase (3x2 + 3) VRM design that easily handles 6-core and 8-core CPUs
- ✓Dual M.2 slots for flexible SSD configuration options
- ✓Includes USB Type-C port on the rear I/O panel
- ✓Features physical VRM heatsinks to keep operating temperatures in check
- ✓Supports legacy visual outputs (VGA/DVI) along with modern HDMI
- ✓Addressable and standard RGB headers for visual customization
- ✓Full compatibility with AMD Ryzen 5000 series via BIOS update
✗ Cons
- ✗Secondary M.2 slot is limited to SATA speeds and disables a physical SATA port
- ✗Only standard Gigabit LAN, missing modern 2.5G Ethernet chips
- ✗No integrated Wi-Fi or Bluetooth out of the box
- ✗Realtek ALC892 audio codec is basic compared to premium ALC1200 options
- ✗Limited PCIe lanes from B450 chipset limit future high-speed expansion
Use Cases
Technical Specifications
Budget Micro-ATX B450 Motherboard Comparison
| Feature | b450mPro4F | b450mDs3h | b450mProVdhMax |
|---|---|---|---|
| VRM Design | 9-Phase Design (with VRM heatsinks) | 4+3 Phase (no VRM heatsink on SoC) | 4+2 Phase (modest VRM heatsink) |
| M.2 Slots | 2 (1x NVMe Gen3x4, 1x SATA) | 1 (NVMe Gen3x4) | 1 (NVMe Gen3x4) |
| USB Type-C | Yes (1x Rear Type-C Gen1) | No | No |
| Display Outputs | HDMI, DVI-D, D-Sub | HDMI, DVI-D | HDMI, DVI-D, D-Sub |
| Audio Caps | ELNA Audio Caps | Standard Japanese Caps | Chemi-Con Audio Caps |
| RGB Headers | 1x ARGB, 1x RGB | 1x RGB | 1x RGB |
| LAN Controller | Realtek RTL8111GR | Realtek RTL8111H | Realtek RTL8111H |
Setup Tips
BIOS Flash Check
Update to the latest non-beta BIOS immediately to ensure maximum memory compatibility and security patches.
DRAM XMP Activation
Always enable AMD's XMP equivalent (often labeled as XMP or DOCP) in the BIOS to get your DDR4 memory running at its advertised speed instead of the default 2133 MHz.
Chassis Standoff Check
Double check the motherboard standoffs inside your PC case before mounting, ensuring they align exactly with the Micro-ATX pattern to avoid electrical shorts.
PWM Fan Configuration
Configure the system fan control mode (PWM or DC) in the BIOS to prevent your cooling fans from constantly spinning at full speed.
SATA Bandwidth Allocation
Do not plug a storage drive into SATA3_3 if you are using the secondary M.2 slot, as they share the same physical bandwidth lanes and only one will work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Key Takeaway
The ASRock B450M Pro4-F is a highly reliable and exceptionally valued micro-ATX motherboard that maximizes the potential of AMD AM4 desktop processors. Featuring a capable nine-phase power design with dedicated heatsinks, it comfortably supports both budget and mid-range Ryzen chips. Dual storage M.2 slots, flexible video outputs, and integrated USB Type-C ensure it easily handles modern workstation and gaming setups without breaking the bank.
