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Top 6 Best Budget Motherboard For Ryzen 5 5600x in 2023 (Cheap & Efficient)

    ✅ Fact Checked
    Updated on February 9, 2023
    John Chad, Bachelor Computer Science Degree & Computer Engineering.
    Written by
    John Chad, Bachelor Degree in Computer Science & Computer Engineering.
    Russel Collins
    Fact Checked by
    Russel Collins
    John is a certified IT & Computer Engineer with a Bachelors Degree. He has worked for a International Insurance Company in the IT department before deciding to become a full time blogger to help his readers. Holds a Bachelors Degree in Computer Science from Stanford University.

    Choosing the right motherboard is never easy since there are so many different ones to pick from, different models, different chipsets, and different brands, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed, that’s why we’re here to help you pick the best budget motherboard for Ryzen 5 5600x by giving you a few good motherboards that we’ve personally tested and approved.

    There are 2 chipsets that we suggest you focus on as they provide everything you need for your CPU, the B550, and the upgraded version, the X570.

    The difference between the B550 and the X570 is that the X570 allows for more extreme overclocks & the features & components are usually a bit better than the B550.

    In our opinion you should get the X570’s if you have the budget for it, even the cheapest X570 has far better features than the B550 and allows a much more stable overclock, however, B550’s are the perfect choice for you if you’re on a tight budget, just keep in mind that its features will not be as good as the X570’s nor can you overclock as much nor as stable.

    There is a third chipset that is compatible with the Ryzen 5000’s generation, and that’s the A520 motherboards, however, they lack a lot of connectivity and features overall, along with not allowing you to overclock your CPU, on the plus side, they’re considerably cheaper, however, due to lack of features & not being able to overclock, we only recommend this if you’re on a very tight budget.

    We also have more recent guides for both the Ryzen 9 7900X and the Ryzen 5 7600X if you’d like to have a look at those.

    Why should you trust our reviews/opinions?

    Here at TechReviewTeam, we test every single Motherboard before writing a detailed review on them. Unlike other websites, we don’t simply write reviews on products we’ve never tested. While others write reviews based on “theoretical performance” that the product SELLER ADVERTISES, we actually take our time to test the product we talk about & share the knowledge with you.

    List of Top 6 Best Budget Motherboards For Ryzen 5 5600x

    • ASUS AM4 TUF Gaming X570-Plus
    • MSI MPG X570 GAMING EDGE
    • MSI MAG B550 TOMAHAWK
    • ASUS ROG Strix B550-F
    • Gigabyte A520 AORUS Elite
    • Gigabyte A520M S2H

    We’ll now go a bit more in-depth on the features of each of these motherboards.

    Best X570 Motherboard

    ASUS AM4 TUF Gaming X570-Plus (Wi-Fi) AM4 Zen 3 Ryzen 5000 & 3rd Gen Ryzen ATX Motherboard with PCIe 4.0, Dual M.2, 12+2 with Dr. MOS Power Stage
    • AMD AM4 socket: Ready for 2nd and 3rd Gen AMD Ryzen processors to maximize connectivity and speed with up to two M.2 Drives, USB 3.2 Gen2 and AMD StoreMI
    • Enhanced power solution: Military-grade TUF components, Pro Cool socket and Digi plus VRM for maximum durability
    • Comprehensive Cooling: Active PCH heatsink, VRM heatsink, M.2 heatsink, hybrid fan headers and Fan Xpert
    • Next-Gen connectivity: Dual PCIe 4.0 m.2 and USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A/Type-C
    • Gaming Networking: Exclusive Realtek L8200A Gigabit Ethernet, Intel 2x2 802.11ac Wi-Fi with MU-MIMO support, Bluetooth 5.0, TUF LANGuard and technology
    The ASUS TUF Gaming X570 we used for testing

    ASUS TUF Gaming X570 Rating: 9.5/10

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    Pros

    • Relatively cheap, good price/performance ratio
    • Good quality & provides all the needed features
    • Allows overclocking
    • Good Brand
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    Cons

    • Not quite as good as the following X570 in terms of quality / features.

    What do we like about the TUF Gaming X570?

    In our opinion, this MOBO really stands out when compared to other ones, it’s top of the line in terms of quality. It’s a regular-sized ATX motherboard so it will only fit in ATX sized cases, make sure you pay attention to that.

    In terms of performance & build quality it’s great, pretty similar to the next one in this list, however, it’s way better than any other options that we will show you later in this article, the TUF Gaming X570 excels in terms of quality and the fact that it’s an X570 is nothing but beneficial as it will allow you to do anything you want with it including extreme overclock, we’re sure that it will meet all the users needs now & in the future.

    The brand is a giant in the Hardware field so you can rest assured that ASUS will not fail you in terms of quality or customer support. It’s one of our favorite motherboards on this list.

    The ASUS TUF Gaming X570 is designed with AMD AM4 Socket for 2nd and 3rd Generation Ryzen processors to optimize compatibility and speed with up to two M.2 drives, USB 3.2 Gen2, and AMD Store MI memory end-points on the FCH die.

    This X570 motherboard features an active PCH heatsink, VRM vape cooler, M.2 drive heatsinks, hybrid fan headers, and Fan Xpert comprehensive cooling system controlled by intelligent thermal ICs!

    To keep you connected over Gigabit Ethernet or Intel Wi-Fi types Type-A next-generation wireless networking are high-performance dual PCIe 4x different speeds of M.2 slots next generation (PCIe) for SSDs – instead of just one.

    See also  Best Cpu Cooler For I5 2500K (Expert Review)

    What do we dislike about the TUF Gaming X570?

    It’s not as good as the next motherboard on this list & it’s a bit expensive when compared to B550’s.

    Sale
    MSI MPG X570 GAMING EDGE WIFI Motherboard (AMD AM4, DDR4, PCIe 4.0, SATA 6Gb/s, M.2, USB 3.2 Gen 2, AC Wi-Fi 5, HDMI, ATX)
    • Supports 2nd and 3rd Gen AMD Ryzen / Ryzen with Radeon Vega Graphics Desktop Processors for AM4 socket
    • On-board Wi-Fi 5 (802. 11AC) with mu-mimo support
    • Audio boost 4 technology with nahimic 3 software enhancement for immersive experiences
    • Frozr heatsink with patented fan design – propeller blade technology and double ball bearings
    • Pre-installed IO shielding is grounded and protects the IO ports from potential electrostatic discharge damage from the external environment
    The MSI MPG X570 Motherboard we used for testing

    MSI MPG X570 Gaming Edge Rating: 10/10

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    Pros

    • Best or one of the very best X570s in the market
    • Offers all the features you will ever need in a motherboard
    • Best overclocking results and stability
    • Good Brand
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    Cons

    • More Expensive than the previous options

    What do we like about the MSI MPG X570 Gaming Edge?

    Another of our favorites, the MSI MPG X570 Gaming Edge is even better than the previous TUF Gaming X570, in the sense that it’s a 100% complete motherboard, every component is high-quality and there’s literally nothing missing in this motherboard, if you wanted a better one it’d be hard to find as there’s nothing else it’s missing. It really stands out when compared to other ones such as B550’s. As for its size, it’s also an ATX Motherboard.

    Also allows you to do powerful & even extreme overclocks while staying relatively stable & with such a good brand behind as the MSI you won’t have to worry about customer support & warranty. (Do remember that overclocking voids the warranty).

    In our opinion, the MSI MPG X570 Gaming Edge really stands out from its competitors.

    The MSI MPG X570 GAMING EDGE motherboard is ready for the latest AMD Ryzen processors, packs intel Wi-Fi wiring in every port, has the quickest memory bandwidth for high-frame rates and 4K gaming, and allows you the creativity boost needed to design more immersive games with Nahimic 3 intelligent audio enhancement software and Audio Boost 4.

    Exclusive cooling features include a proprietary fan architecture with propeller blade technology that creates six air baffles for smoother airflow over components plus double ball bearings on its shielded metal heatsink frozr which conducts heat away quickly – all these guarantee uninterrupted frames at your highest resolutions while running some of the most intense applications and games.

    What do we dislike about the MSI MPG X570 Gaming Edge?

    It’s even more expensive than the previous X570, as such it’s the most expensive motherboard in this list.

    Best B550 Motherboard

    Sale
    MSI MAG B550 TOMAHAWK Gaming Motherboard (AMD AM4, DDR4, PCIe 4.0, SATA 6Gb/s, M.2, USB 3.2 Gen 2, HDMI/DP, ATX, AMD Ryzen 5000 Series processors)
    • Support for 3rd Gen AMD Ryzen processors and future AMD Ryzen processors with BIOS update.Audio ports (Rear): 5plus Optical S/PDIF (Realtek ALC1200 / ALC1220P Codec)
    • Supports dual channel DDR4 memory up to 128 GB (4866 MHz)
    • On-board dual LAN: 2.5G LAN plus Gigabit LAN
    • Mystic Light: RGB LED lighting and extendable pin headers – 16.8 million colors / 29 effects
    • Audio Boost rewards your ears with studio grade sound quality for immersive gaming experiences
    The MSI MAG B550 TOMAHAWK Motherboard we used for testing

    MSI MAG B550 TOMAHAWK Rating: 8/10

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    Pros

    • The cheapest option available in this list
    • Offers all the basic features needed
    • Good Brand
    • Amazing Price / Performance Ratio
    • Allows Overclocking
    • Best B550 Motherboard For Ryzen 5 5600x
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    Cons

    • Not quite as good as the X570s in terms of features and quality
    • Overclocking capabilities aren’t as good as the other options

    What do we like about the MSI MAG B550 TOMAHAWK?

    The MSI MAG B550 TOMAHAWK is quite good at doing what it sets out to do, which is providing a cheap & high-performance motherboard for consumers. It’s one of the cheapest if not the cheapest in the market while still providing all the basic needs that you’ll need from a motherboard. The only downside is that you can’t really overclock as well or as stable as with an x570 and obviously doesn’t have as many features nor is it as high quality as the X570s are.

    The brand behind it is also a giant so again, no worries regarding warranty & customer support, MSI is always providing us with quality products in our opinion.

    A gamer’s dream with the MSI MAG B550 TOMAHAWK’s support for AMD Ryzen 3rd Generation processors, DDR4 memory, built-in RGB LED lighting and Mystic Light effects, and a flash of lightning Fast Game Experience. It even includes an onboard M.2 SSD storage device to improve game loading speed from up to 9000MB/s* without any performance downgrade.

    MSI puts everything in the palm of your hand with the MSI MAG B550 TOMAHAWK motherboard!

    What do we dislike about the MSI MAG B550 TOMAHAWK?

    The B550 Chipset just isn’t as good as the X570 chipset, despite being a decent B550, this motherboard’s overclocking capabilities aren’t quite as good as the other options.

    Sale
    ASUS ROG Strix B550-F Gaming AMD AM4 Zen 3 Ryzen 5000 & 3rd Gen Ryzen ATX Motherboard (PCIe 4.0, 2.5Gb LAN, BIOS Flashback, HDMI 2.1, Addressable Gen 2 RGB Header and Aura Sync)
    • AMD AM4 Socket and PCIe 4. 0: The perfect pairing for Zen 3 Ryzen 5000 & 3rd Gen AMD Ryzen CPUs.Audio: Supports up to 32-Bit/192kHz playback
    • Robust Power Design: 12plus2 DrMOS power stages with high-quality alloy chokes and durable capacitors provide reliable power for the last AMD high-count-core CPUs
    • Optimized Thermal Solution: Fanless VRM and chipset heatsinks with ASUS Stack Cool 3plus design keep your system running reliably under heavy load by enhancing passive cooling capacity for critical onboard components.
    • High-performance Gaming Networking: 2. 5 Gb LAN with ASUS LANGuard
    • Best Gaming Connectivity: Supports HDMI 2. 1(4Kat60HZ) and DisplayPort 1. 2 output, featuring dual M. 2 slots (NVMe SSD)—one with PCIe 4. 0 x4 connectivity, USB 3. 2 Gen 2 Type-C port and Thunderbolt 3 header
    The ASUS ROG STRIX B550-F Motherboard we used for testing

    ASUS ROG Strix B550-F Rating: 8.5/10

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    Pros

    • Best B550 in the market currently
    • Has all the basic features you need from a motherboard
    • Decent overclocking capabilities
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    Cons

    • Still not as good as the X570s
    • A bit more expensive than the previous B550
    • Overclocking despite being better than the previous B550 it’s still not quite as stable as the X570

    What do we like about the ASUS ROG STRIX B550-F?

    If you decided to go with a B550 instead of an X570 then the ASUS ROG STRIX B550-F is our favorite. It stands out from the rest of the B550’s as the best one in its chipset. Has the majority of all the basic features you need from a motherboard along with quite decent overclocking capabilities, although, as expected, still not as good as X570 but then again it’s also quite cheaper.

    Cutting-edge gaming motherboard that is an ideal match for Zen 3 Ryzen 5000 and 3rd Generation AMD Ryzen CPUs. The ASUS ROG Strix B550-F Gaming caters to the professional gamer, supporting cutting-edge technologies such as M.2 sockets, PCIe 4.0, WiFi 6 (802.11ax), 2.5 Gb Ethernet lighting-fast data rates with combo antennas that provide world-class coverage even when moving at high speeds through obstacles such as doors and walls!

    The ROG Strix B550-F Gaming has no visible wires or antenna lines on account of a hidden design purpose: to give gamers the sleekest appearance without going back on speed or performance! This system is perfect for gaming thanks to its 8-channel HD Audio and SupremeFX S1220A CODEC.

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    What do we dislike about the ASUS ROG STRIX B550-F?

    It’s B550 Chipset, as such it’s not as good as the X570s. It’s also more expensive than the previous B550.

    Best A520 Motherboard

    Gigabyte A520 AORUS Elite (AM4/AMD/ A520/ ATX/M.2/SATA 6Gb/s/USB 3.2 Gen 2/Realtek GbE LAN/Motherboard)
    • Supports 3rd Gen AMD Ryzen Processors
    • AMD AM4 Socket
    • Dual Channel DDR4, 4 DIMMs
    • 5+3 Phases Digital PWM
    • Advanced Thermal Design with Enlarged Surface Heatsinks
    The Gigabyte A520 AORUS Elite Motherboard we used for testing

    Gigabyte A520 AORUS Elite Rating: 6.5/10

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    Pros

    • The best A520 in the market currently
    • Has all the basic features you need from a motherboard
    • Cheaper than B550/X570
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    Cons

    • Not as good as the B550/X570
    • Lacks features when compared to the other 2 chipsets, especially in terms of connectivity
    • No Overclocking capability

    The A520’s are generally for people who have no desire at all to overclock and only need the bare minimum from your computer build. In our expert’s opinion, we always suggest you to go with a B550 or X570 instead since overclocking is a big deal, especially a few years down the line once your hardware is getting old and you want to get some extra performance out of your CPU/GPU/RAM, you can overclock them and get some extra few years of performance without having to buy a new build. If you choose an A520 chipset motherboard this will not be possible as you can’t overclock at all, that’s the big downside of this chipset.

    What do we like about the Gigabyte A520 AORUS Elite?

    However, if you’re still interested in the A520s, the Gigabyte A520 AORUS Elite is one of our favorites, it’s in our opinion, the best in this chipset in terms of features & overall quality. However, despite being the best keep in mind that it’s still not as good as any other B550/X570.

    The Gigabyte A520 AORUS Elite AM4 motherboards are ready. Based on AMD’s latest AM4 platform, Gigabyte has made these mainstream motherboards better without sacrificing quality. The AORUS series motherboards come ready with an M.2 heatsink, power pre-regulator, and all solid capacitors to ensure consistent performance, improved system stability, and greater power efficiency – all of which help you get the most out of your 3rd Gen AMD Ryzen processor.

    Whether you are gaming or working, this motherboard is ideal for all users and any PC build. With the latest innovative technologies like NVMe, USB 3.1 Gen2 as well as four DDR4 memory slots, this motherboard is ready to take performance to the next level!

    AORUS A520 is an ATX gaming motherboard, engineered to bring gamers the ultimate experience. With high-quality audio, optimized gaming connectivity, and a protected in-game audio pipeline, it features everything you need to hear every detail and be the best on the battlefield.

    Designed to fit ATX factor cases, it features Dual Channel DDR4, 4 DIMMs, as well as 5+3 Phases Digital PWM that ensure your system always has the cleanest power!

    What do we dislike about the Gigabyte A520 AORUS Elite?

    Not as good nor has as many features as the B550 or the X570 chipsets, especially considering how you can’t overclock with this motherboard.

    Gigabyte A520M S2H (AMD Ryzen AM4/MicroATX/4+3 Phases Digital PWM/Gigabyte Gaming GbE LAN/NVMe PCIe 3.0 x4 M.2/3 Display Interfaces/Q-Flash Plus/RGB Fusion 2.0/Motherboard)
    • Supports 3rd Gen AMD Ryzen Processors
    • AMD AM4 Socket
    • Dual Channel DDR4, 2 DIMMs
    • 4 plus 3 Phases Digital PWM
    • PCIe 3.0 x16 Slot

    Gigabyte A520M S2H Rating: 6/10

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    Pros

    • The cheapest A520 in the market currently.
    • Has all the basic features you need from a motherboard
    • Cheaper than even the previous A520
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    Cons

    • Not as good as the B550/X570
    • Not as good as the previous A520
    • Lacks features when compared to the other 2 chipsets, especially in terms of connectivity
    • It’s Mini-ATX so it has even less connectivity features than the previous ATX A520
    • No Overclocking capability

    What do we like about the Gigabyte A520M S2H?

    The Gigabyte A520M S2H is a great choice if you are looking for a small-budget PC with maximum functionality and productivity. Its compact form factor and powerful 3rd Gen AMD Ryzen Processor allow you to play games & simultaneously run all kinds of activities & applications.

    The Gigabyte A520M S2H is the motherboard for those who want stable performance in a mid-range computer builds. It features Dual-channel DDR4 4733Mhz memory, 4+3 phases digital PWM, and one HDMI interface.

    Onboard the latest ALC887 audio codec for 8-channel audio output. This enables a high audio resolution and supports 7.1-channel surround sound playback with a 2-channel independent headphone out.

    The Gigabyte A520M S2H is equipped with a PCIe 3.0 x16 slot, which will deliver up to 2000MB/s data-transfer bandwidth. With it, you can fit one x16 graphics card and still have two empty slots to install the other cards. The NVMe PCIe 3.1 x4 M.2 slot is specifically designed for the latest and fastest solid-state drives (SSD), thereby delivering up to four times faster read & write speeds than traditional SSDs.

    What do we dislike about the Gigabyte A520M S2H?

    Again, it’s an A520 chipset, thus not as good as B550 or an X570, it lacks a lot of features & overall component quality. It’s a Mini ATX motherboard, and as such space is tight & components are likely to get hotter than on an ATX motherboard. Since it’s A520 Chipset you can’t overclock with this motherboard.

    When shopping for any computer component — CPU, GPU or RAM — it’s always wise to purchase from an authorized seller with a solid reputation and warranty. But once that piece has been added into the system, there’s still so much more to consider beyond the brand name and price tag!

    Choosing a motherboard is one of the most important things you can do when purchasing a new PC because this device dictates many other components like the cooling solution, storage options, power supply type, etc… As such, we will tell you exactly what made us choose the previous 4 motherboards.

    How We Chose The Best Motherboards For Ryzen 5 5600x

    CPU Socket

    This may seem pretty self-explanatory, but if you’re not familiar with sockets, they essentially refer to where the processor sits on its socket. There are several types of sockets depending on whether they accept desktop processors, APUs, embedded systems, etc..

    In general, “LGA” stands for land grid array and refers to traditional CPUs while “APU,” short for accelerated processing unit, are integrated graphics cards found on some smaller form factor laptops. The two main categories of AM4 sockets are FM1 and X399. You’ll find them in all sorts of devices including desktops, mobile phones, tablets, smart TVs, and even high-end gaming PCs. If you see both LGA and APU mentioned together, then it means that the socket supports multiple generations of processors. So if you’ve got an older generation laptop that doesn’t have a slot to upgrade to newer ones, simply buy a compatible adapter card to add support for newer generation processors.
    In addition to socket compatibility, make sure that your chosen motherboard also uses pin compatibility. Pin compatibility allows you to use existing pins on your current processor without having to change out the pins entirely. If you want to take advantage of PCIe Gen 4 connectivity, then check to see what kind of ports the motherboard offers. Some boards only offer single full-length slots whereas others provide dual SLI connectors. Make sure to compare the features offered by each individual board before making your final decision.

    CPU Compatibility

    Once you’ve determined how well your intended processor fits into the socket, the next step is checking for compatibility with the specific model you wish to purchase. Since we’re talking about the Ryzen 5 5600x, then we picked the 4 chipsets that are compatible with it, the X570, B550 & A520.

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    Chipset

    As mentioned previously, the chipsets that are compatible with the Ryzen 5 5600x are the X570, B550 & A520.

    The chipset plays a crucial role in helping your motherboard communicate with all hardware installed within the machine. It does this through USB 2.0, SATA 3Gb/sec, PCI Express, DDR3 memory, and LAN port(s) along with supporting video output functionality. A good quality chipset provides excellent transfer speeds between internal components and external peripherals. Additionally, these chipsets often contain extra features like overclocking capabilities, multi-channel audio jacks, WiDi technology, Thunderbolt support, and more. That being said, certain brands perform better than others when it comes to overall stability and reliability. Before committing to any particular board, try downloading the user manual or contacting customer service directly to ensure that your needs are met.
    There are three major chipset manufacturers who produce models suitable for every level of PC builder. They are ASRock, Gigabyte, MSI, Realtek Semiconductor Corporation, and ZOTAC International GmbH. Each company tends to focus on providing either value-oriented products aimed toward consumers, enthusiast-oriented boards meant for overclockers, or high-end professional-grade offerings targeted toward IT professionals. With that being stated, it makes sense to research each company independently to decide which suits your preferences.

    Form Factor

    While technically speaking, you could build a powerful yet compact mini ATX tower computer, standard ATX cases tend to occupy too much space for some people, although they come with benefits such as improved airflow that helps keep all components cool. However, there are plenty of miniature versions of this case design called MiniITX, MicroATX, NanoATX, and DTX form factors. Mini-ITX computers measure anywhere from 7 inches x 6 inches x 11 inches to 8.25 inches x 9.5 inches x 17.75 inches. They usually consist of six expansion bays, four mounting points, and one set of headers for water cooling.

    Compared to regular ATX towers, these small sizes allow for greater flexibility and mobility as well as less wasted physical real estate. Most importantly, though, mini ITX cases are perfect for anyone wanting to squeeze a few extra bits of storage inside their rigs. Since there aren’t any fans or other bulky heat sinks present, airflow remains relatively consistent regardless of ambient conditions.
    Alternatively, microATX measures roughly 12 inches square to 13 inches long. Unlike miniITX, however, microATX enclosures feature fewer expansion slots, typically five. While this gives microATX units limited versatility compared to larger alternatives, they are great for people needing something portable yet functional. Notable examples of microATX enclosures include the Apple Mac Pro, HP Envy 15t Notebook, Dell XPS 8920T Desktop, Acer Predator Orion 9000 Gaming Monitor, etc. Lastly, NanoATX measures somewhere around 18 inches wide to 19 inches tall and is ideal for those building low-profile HTPCs or media centers. Of course, you’d have to pay attention to the exact specifications of whatever enclosure you go with.

    Memory Support

    With regards to RAM, it’s extremely straightforward. Simply pick a number that matches the maximum capacity of your sticks and proceed. There are no special considerations needed beyond that point unless you plan on upgrading later.

    PCIe and Expansion Slots

    Expansion slots range from 1x to 16x. Generally speaking, higher numbers indicate faster data transfer rates. When choosing a motherboard, stick to one that includes enough expansion slots to accommodate future upgrades as necessary.

    One thing worth keeping in mind is that adding another PCIe connector increases cable clutter. Therefore, if you already have cables connected throughout the interior of your rig, it wouldn’t hurt to save room by skipping a second PCIe connection altogether. On top of this, you should avoid boards with only a handful of legacy connections like PS/2 ports, serial ports, parallel ports, VGA ports, DVI ports, HDMI ports, etc. Although they serve a purpose now or in the past, they won’t continue to function properly moving forward.

    Also, don’t forget to compare the specs of the board itself to figure out exactly what kinds of peripheral devices it actually supports.

    Storage Options

    Motherboards vary greatly in terms of drive bay configurations. Some only offer a pair of hard drives, whereas others provide eight total expansion slots. Depending on what kind of equipment you intend to install, you may want to prioritize a bigger HDD cage or SSD. Hard drives generally range in size from 250GB to 4TB, while SSDs start out around 120GB up to 2TB.

    Power Connectors

    Depending on whether your PC is going to reside primarily outdoors or indoors, you may require varying amounts of power. Power supplies convert AC electrical energy from the outlet to usable DC electricity that runs critical components. Their efficiency largely depends on wattage requirements. Thus, it’s essential to match the PSU’s rating to the demands of the entire system.

    A good quality motherboard allows for the power to move stably around the whole system & helps avoid any issues.

    RAM Socket

    Before we get into specific features, let’s talk about RAM sockets. All current generations of AMD Ryzen processors come with two memory slots, nowadays, most motherboards support both slots simultaneously, however, the key lies in the maximum speed allowed by each motherboard. Higher-end motherboards tend to allow your RAM to reach higher speeds such as 3200Mhz while lower-end motherboards only allow 2333Mhz up to 2600Mhz.
    If you intend on overclocking your CPU, you may consider getting a high-end motherboard as RAM speed is quite important for Ryzen 5 5600x CPUs.

    BIOS

    The BIOS is essentially a tiny operating system that runs inside your motherboard once you boot up your computer. It contains essential information such as what kind of processor your motherboard has, how much RAM it has installed, and how many USB ports you have. Since each motherboard manufacturer provides its own unique version of BIOS, they each contain slightly different information.
    As such, make sure you read reviews online and compare specs between models before committing to any particular product. There are plenty of great websites that rate and review BIOSes based on various criteria.

    Rear Ports & Connectivity

    There are three main kinds of connections found on today’s PCs: USB 3.1 Gen 1 / Type-A, USB 3.1 Gen 2 / Type-C, and Thunderbolt 3. Depending on your needs, you might want to prioritize one type over another.

    Here are some basic guidelines to help you decide which ports you want on your motherboard:
    – USB 3.1 Gen 1 / Type-A: These ports provide backward compatibility with older devices. They are still fast enough to transfer files back and forth to external hard drives, cameras, portable SSDs, and other USB devices. The newest iteration is USB 3.1 Gen 2 / Type-C, which allows for faster transfers, charging phones and tablets, and powering larger accessories.

    – USB 3.1 Gen 2 / Type-C: This port was introduced alongside Intel Skylake CPUs in late 2015, replacing the previous generation’s USB 3.0 port. It provides twice the speed of USB 3.1 Gen 1 / Type-A.

    – Thunderbolt 3: While it wasn’t originally included on Skylake chipsets, Intel released its own version of Thunderbolt called Bolt, which allowed users to connect peripherals via cables instead of slower USB connections. Nowadays, Thunderbolt 3 connects computers to monitors, external storage devices, and other accessories.

    Some manufacturers include multiple kinds of connectivity in their products. In this case, you should pay close attention to the motherboard’s specification sheet because it lists the exact number of each port available on the motherboard.

    RGB Lighting

    In addition to being relatively inexpensive, RGB lighting is aesthetically pleasing and makes your system stand out among others. Not surprisingly, therefore, many high-end motherboards now feature RGB LEDs. When building a computer around a high-end CPU like the Ryzen 5 5600x, RGB lighting really makes everything stand out and look amazing. However, they aren’t without their downsides. Firstly, RGB lights drain power. That means if you leave your computer running 24 hours a day while sitting idle, it could quickly die due to excessive power usage. Secondly, you can’t set certain LED colors to turn off after a certain period of time, which leads to wasted energy. Lastly, RGB lights add complexity to your PC’s design.

    Warranty

    Lastly, always make sure to consider the warranty when shopping for a motherboard. Some brands include extended warranties, while others don’t.

    When comparing prices, make sure you take into account whether or not you receive coverage under the company’s warranty policy.

    FAQ

    What motherboards support AMD ZEN3 CPUs?

    The main chipsets are the B550 & the X570 as they’re the chipsets being released specifically for the ZEN3 CPUs, they are tailored for them & as such will have the best performance along with more stable overclocks, however, you can also use ZEN3 CPUs with the previous generation chipsets such as the B450 & the X470.
    The B450 and the X470 however, require you to do a specific BIOS update to work with the new ZEN3 CPUs & we can’t vouch for how well they perform in terms of overall performance & overclocking stability and capabilities, as such, if possible we suggest going with a B550 & X570, unless you’re on a tight budget and already a B450 or X470 from your current desktop build.

    How do I overclock my Ryzen 5 5600X?

    If you plan on overclocking, it might be wise to invest in a powerful motherboard to go with it as it’ll be able to maximize your overclocking capacity while improving its stability, as such, the X570’s are perfect for this. If you wish to save some money and do mild overclocks you could go with the B550’s.
    After you pick our motherboard we suggest you read guides on how to overclock such as:
    https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/how-to-overclock-your-amd-ryzen-cpu

    Is the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X series good for gaming?

    Yes! This CPU is from the latest generation of AMD CPUs, as such, it’s perfect for gaming! It will be able to handle any game at ultra settings even in a 4K Monitor! It’s one of the best purchases you could make if you intend to play high CPU-intensive games or do highly intensive tasks like video rendering/editing. It’s one of the best purchases you could make for your build.

    Hopefully, this article has helped you understand what to look for when selecting a motherboard. While it may seem daunting at first, finding the right board shouldn’t take long at all. Once you’ve done so, enjoy your new PC!

    Is the Ryzen 5 5600X still good in 2023?

    Yes, it’s still a very powerful CPU that will allow you to play all the latest games at the maximum settings without any hiccups. It is a great choice regardless of what your needs are as it will surely be able to do anything you need it to. Just make sure you have a powerful GPU to go along with it and avoid any bottleneck issues.

    Can I use a B450 with Ryzen 5 5600X?

    You can, however, they require a specific BIOS Update to function correctly and they aren’t nearly as good as the B550s or X570s if you wish to overclock it later on, as such we always recommend getting the latest generation motherboards instead unless you already have a B450 laying around the house and you need to save some money.