On the global component market, an unexpected trend has been observed: the “outdated” AMD AM4 socket has emerged as the leader in sales. According to data from major retailers such as Amazon in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, as well as Mindfactory in Germany, motherboards based on the B550 chipset are steadily outperforming the more modern AM5 solutions. The Asus ROG Strix B550-F Gaming WiFi II has become the bestseller in the USA. In Europe and Canada, the Asus TUF Gaming B550-Plus WiFi II and MSI MPG B550 Gaming Plus lead the way. In the German market, Mindfactory reports that the model from MSI has surpassed 55,300 units sold overall, with 70 sold just last week.
The revival of interest in the B550 is not without reason-astronomical prices for DDR5 memory are pushing users back to the old DDR4 platform. Prices for DDR4 memory are also on the rise, but the total cost of building on the AM4 platform remains significantly lower. Moreover, the AM4 socket, debuting almost nine years ago, is considered the longest-living and most flexible platform in history: the Ryzen 5000 series processors (and even older Ryzen 3000) still provide decent performance in modern games and work tasks.
Recent statistics further illustrate the appeal of B550 motherboards compared to their AM5 counterparts. The AM5 adoption has been slower, primarily due to the higher cost of DDR5 memory and processors adapted to the AM5’s specifications. Industry experts suggest that consumers currently prioritize value and compatibility with existing components, which the AM4 provides more readily. As DDR5 prices eventually decline and support broadens, it is expected that AM5 sales may increase gradually over the next few years.
In terms of performance, the AM4 platform, paired with mid-range graphic cards, continues to offer a balanced solution for gamers and professionals seeking cost-effective setups without heavily compromising on speed. Experts predict that AMD’s decision to extend AM4’s lifespan has not only appealed to a budget-conscious demographic but also shifted market dynamics, putting pressure on competitors to reevaluate their strategies regarding backward compatibility and pricing amidst economic fluctuations.
