The MSI B450M Mortar and gaming plus Motherboards can update the bios without a CPU in place but unfortunately the B450I doesn't.I think AMD will loan you a CPU though.
Can't seem to find any in mini ITX format data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
Does AMD loan CPUs in the UK?
Because I'm sure there are none. This is why I had to settle for the B450m Mortar
Which is micro atx and won't fit in a mini case.
Are there any good intel alternatives to ryzen?
Completely aware of that. Just pointing out the same issue I had that you are having and what I opted for, unless you opt for something more expensive.
/proxy.php?image=https://www.scan.co.uk/images/products/3091821-a.jpg&hash=b1babe354dbdc0462975a18fd689b2ec&return_error=1 ASRock AMD Ryzen X570 Phantom Gaming AM4 PCIe 4.0 Mini-ITX Motherboard Buy from Scan - ASRock X570 Phantom Gaming ITX/TB3, AMD X570, AM4, DDR4, PCIe 4.0, M.2, GbE, ax WiFi, Thunderbolt 3, Mini-ITX /proxy.php?image=https://www.scan.co.uk/content/icons/favicon.ico&hash=4bccee3849b401eb854a6052bbdc2398&return_error=1 www.scan.co.uk
I appreciate you trying to help mate, thanks!
According to https://www.amd.com/en/support/kb/faq/pa-100 the form it links to does allow UK addresses.
Could always buy an older CPU from here possibly or CEX as well.
Have ordered the parts although not 100% sure about the case so will see what I think when it gets here.
Well the Motherboard box says "AMD Ryzen 3000 Desktop ready" so that is promising //static.avforums.com/styles/avf/smilies/clap.gif