Ryzen 4000 Zen 3 Desktop CPU Compatibility Only With X570 & B550, not 400 or lower
It's been a bit of an uncertain fact, however, AMD now has confirmed that the next generation of Ryzen processors will not be compatible with Series 300 and 400 chipsets, it, however, will remain compatible with B550 and X570.
The news is somewhat unexpected but was anticipated as most people expected Ryzen 4000 to be drop-in compatible on AMD Socket AM4 motherboards. Those who bought an X370 or B350 motherboard with the first generation Ryzen could later (through a bios update) add support for processors from the Ryzen 2000 and 3000 series. This was the case even on some A320 boards.
Earlier and cheaper motherboards use smaller bios (16MB) chips, that's less storage space than needed. As a result, it became increasingly difficult for motherboard manufacturers to continue to add support for newer processors; it simply no longer fits on the bios chips. AMD will need 32MB BIOS ROM chips. AMD certainly gave series 300 and 400 a long lifespan as even most people did not expect to see ZEN2 supported on Series 400. In short, for Ryzen 4000 aka ZEN3 processors that are released in the future, require at least a B550 or X570 motherboard, mandatory. With B550 and X570, you thus are guaranteed to get support for Zen 3 processors when they get released. Much like before, support will be added through firmware updates that motherboard manufacturers will make available.
Small interesting fact though, MSI did release some Series 400 mobos labeled "MAX" which have been specifically fitted with 32MB BIOS ROM chip. It will be interesting to see if such a motherboard will get Ryzen 4000 support.
AMD:
Q: Will the “Zen 3” architecture be compatible with AMD Socket AM4?
A: Yes! AMD officially plans to support next-gen AMD Ryzendesktop processors, with the “Zen 3” architecture, on AMD X570 and B550 motherboards. This will require a BIOS update. Specific details about this update will come at a later time, but we’re committed to keeping you up-to-date. We’ve also updated our official chipset/CPU support matrix to take future “Zen 3” processors into account (below).
AMD has no plans to introduce “Zen 3” architecture support for older chipsets. While we wish could enable full support for every processor on every chipset, the flash memory chips that store BIOS settings and support have capacity limitations. Given these limitations, and the unprecedented longevity of the AM4 socket, there will inevitably be a time and place where a transition to free up space is necessary—the AMD 500 Series chipsets are that time.
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Senior Member
Posts: 6764
Joined: 2010-10-16
AMD promised socket and chipset compatibility up to Zen2, which is already 2 generations more than anything Intel, so your little stunt here backfired.
Besides haven't you been warned by mods to stop spamming anti AMD crap?
You're pro-Intel, fine. No one cares.
Senior Member
Posts: 723
Joined: 2011-03-23
AMD promised socket and chipset compatibility up to Zen2, which is already 2 generations more than anything Intel, so your little stunt here backfired.
Besides haven't you been warned by mods to stop spamming anti AMD crap?
You're pro-Intel, fine. No one cares.
He just can't understand how AMD supported 1xx, 2xx and 3xx Ryzen on the same socket and through 3 chipsets.
Senior Member
Posts: 725
Joined: 2011-03-28
He just can't understand how AMD supported 1xx, 2xx and 3xx Ryzen on the same socket and through 3 chipsets.
And now all a sudden can't, even though the PINS are the same. At least Intel makes you "upgrade" your mobo because there IS PIN differences. You know very well people who bought would have assumed Zen 3 would work in their AM4 mobo, etc based on HISTORY.
The hypocrisy from AMD fanboy's is hilarious.
Their long support for AM4 in the Ryzen series was one the main things you guys all had "gotcha Intel" statements about.
And AMD also very well probably knew this early on but never said anything until now, after a bunch of X470, X370, and other mobos were sold.
Besides haven't you been warned by mods to stop spamming anti AMD crap?
Tell that to the AMD guys around here who also love to jump into every Intel thread. I'm literally reporting facts and news from their website. You just don't like it.
Well I don't think they ever said specifically that older chipsets would support new chips.
X470 is now considered "old"? But AM4 was suppose to be this holy grail of support. Pretty sure it was understood Zen 3 would work on more than just X570 & B550.
So what you are saying is at worst and its acceptable that the original marketing was deceptive.
Senior Member
Posts: 177
Joined: 2006-05-22
Oh no, AMD, pulling an Intel?!
https://community.amd.com/community/gaming/blog/2020/05/07/the-exciting-future-of-amd-socket-am4

From what i just read on amd site it basically let's it be at the motherboard makers decision as they clearly say it needs a bit more bios memory so basically a bios for x370 thats drops supports for 1st and 2nd gen ryzen and keeps only 3k and 4k compatibility it's possibile but it's gonna be at motherboards maker discretion if it wants or not, that's what i understood there so basically what you wrote is wrong.
Senior Member
Posts: 3981
Joined: 2003-11-15
Well I don't think they ever said specifically that older chipsets would support new chips. There was some worry back when Zen 2 came out that we wouldn't get old board support as I recall it.