Products at a Glance
How we picked the best motherboard for Ryzen 9, 7, 5
Our selection process for the best motherboards for Ryzen processors involves a thorough examination of technical specifications, compatibility, and user-centric features. We assess each motherboard’s ability to support the different Ryzen series, focusing on their power handling, cooling solutions, and memory support: ultimately, the board needs to keep up with the Ryzen’s overclocked turbo boost speed and high specs.
In addition to user experiences, we reference publicly available benchmarks and professional opinions to evaluate the motherboards’ performance in various scenarios, such as gaming, content creation, and everyday usage. Furthermore, we consider factors like overclocking capabilities, I/O options, and any additional features that might further enhance your motherboard experience. Overall, it’s important to strike a fine balance between performance and features, whilst ensuring that our choices cater to a diverse range of requirements in terms of both power and budget.
Across PC Guide, we’ve used our in-depth topic knowledge of motherboards and PC components to put together a range of buying guides to help you upgrade your rig. If these motherboards don’t do it for you, you can also check out our picks of the best motherboards for gaming, or the best motherboard for Intel 14th Gen if you’re more Intel than AMD.
Product Reviews
- Robust 18-Phase VRM configuration
- WiFi 6E for advanced wireless connectivity
- Excellent overclocking capabilities
- Premium price point
- No USB 4.0 support
- May be overkill for more modest builds
The Gigabyte X670E AORUS Master, packed with features, maximizes the capabilities of AMD’s AM5 socket processors. It boasts a formidable 18-phase VRM configuration, ensuring stable and efficient power supply, a key factor for top-end Ryzen CPUs. This configuration significantly boosts overclocking potential, making it perfect for enthusiasts and gamers aiming to maximize their system’s performance.
Equipped with WiFi 6E and a wide range of USB ports, including USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C, the X670E AORUS Master excels in connectivity. It further distinguishes itself with PCIe Gen 5 support, hosting a full-sized PCIe Gen 5.0 x16 slot and two M.2 slots with PCIe Gen 5, delivering top-tier bandwidth for the newest GPUs and SSDs.
- Extensive PCI-E 5.0 support
- High potential for overclocking
- Exceptional connectivity options
- E-ATX form factor may limit case compatibility
- Premium pricing for high-end features
The MSI MEG X670E ACE, tailored for Ryzen 9 processors from the 7000 series, is a high-performance motherboard. It stands out in connectivity, featuring numerous PCI-E 5.0 slots for both GPUs and SSDs, ideal for demanding gaming and professional uses. With its powerful power delivery system and support for DDR5 8000MHz RAM, this motherboard is a prime choice for users targeting extreme overclocking and peak performance.
Its E-ATX form factor brims with features, including several PCI-E x16 Gen5 slots and a specialized Gen5 PCI-E x4 slot, offering extensive expansion options for multi-GPU setups or swift storage configurations. The MSI MEG X670E ACE is perfect for assembling a high-end system, whether for gaming, content creation, or intensive computational tasks.
- Robust 14-phase VRM for stable power
- WiFi 6E for advanced wireless connectivity
- Good storage and expansion options
- Slightly expensive for a B650E board
- No native USB 4.0 support
- Limited appeal for extreme overclockers
The ASUS ROG Strix B650E-F Gaming WiFi motherboard is designed to synergize with AMD’s Ryzen 7 series, particularly the Ryzen 7 7700X. It boasts a strong 14-phase VRM setup, suitable for mild overclocking and ensuring stable power delivery. This motherboard supports DDR5 memory up to 128GB, offering substantial performance and future-proofing for demanding applications. The inclusion of WiFi 6E indicates a commitment to cutting-edge wireless connectivity, enhancing the overall user experience.
The Strix B650E-F Gaming stands out with its PCIe support, featuring a Gen 5.0 x16 slot and a standard Gen 4 slot, alongside two Gen 5 M.2 slots and a PCIe 4.0 M.2 slot. This array of options caters well to storage and expansion needs, backed by six SATA ports for additional versatility.
- Reasonable set of fast I/O options
- Ample PCIe slots for expansion
- Integrated WiFi 6E for wireless connectivity
- No PCIe 5.0 support
- Inclusion of USB 2.0 ports
The Gigabyte B650 Gaming X AX is a well-rounded motherboard that balances performance and cost, making it a great fit for Ryzen 5 series CPUs, like the 7600X. It features a solid set of I/O options with the majority of USB ports offering fast speeds, although the inclusion of USB 2.0 ports is a nod to cost-effectiveness. The motherboard supports DDR5 8000MT/s RAM, offering high-speed memory compatibility for enhanced system responsiveness and multitasking.
For expansion and storage, the Gaming X AX provides ample opportunities with three Gen4 PCIe x4 slots and two Gen4/Gen3 PCIe x16 slots. This setup is more than adequate for most Ryzen 5 users, allowing for a variety of graphics card and storage configurations. The lack of PCIe 5.0 support isn’t a significant drawback for this segment.
Features and Considerations
When evaluating motherboards for Ryzen 9, 7, and 5, the chipset is arguably one of the most critical factors. Chipsets such as the B550 and X570 are popular choices, offering gamers and professionals a good balance of features and performance. These chipsets provide support for PCIe 4.0, which is essential for future-proofing your build, especially if you plan to use the latest GPUs and NVMe SSDs.
Other features to consider include RAM compatibility and speeds, as Ryzen CPUs benefit significantly from high-speed and reliable memory. So, you’ll want to look for motherboards that support the latest RAM standards and offer options for overclocking.
Does Ryzen 9 fit in an AM4 motherboard?
No, the Ryzen 7000 series won’t fit in an AM4 motherboard. These latest CPUs require an AM5 socket, which is a different socket design from AM4. Upgrading to a Ryzen 7000 series processor will necessitate a motherboard with an AM5 socket to accommodate the new chip’s architecture and features.
Is it worth upgrading from AM4 to AM5?
Upgrading from AM4 to AM5 can be worth it, especially for users seeking to leverage the latest advancements in CPU technology and performance. The AM5 platform supports newer features like PCIe Gen 5 and DDR5 memory, offering significant improvements in speed and bandwidth.
Our Verdict
Final thoughts
All in all, the Gigabyte X670E AORUS Master excels as the best motherboard for Ryzen CPUs, particularly for those seeking to harness the power of AMD’s latest offerings. With its robust 18-phase VRM configuration and support for WiFi 6E, this motherboard is a testament to high-performance engineering. Its excellent overclocking capabilities make it an outstanding foundation for building a top-tier Ryzen-based system.
Alternatively, the MSI MEG X670E ACE shines for Ryzen 9 users with its extensive PCI-E 5.0 support and impressive connectivity options. When it comes to motherboards for the Ryzen 7, the ASUS ROG Strix B650E-F Gaming WiFi offers a strong VRM setup and a good balance of features and performance. Lastly, the Gigabyte B650 Gaming X AX, optimized for Ryzen 5, provides a well-rounded option with solid I/O capabilities and WiFi 6E, making it ideal for mainstream builds.