Best Motherboard for Ryzen 5

Ryzen 5 processor lineup is truly versatile with various options that work for gaming, creative workflows, and demanding machine learning applications. For you to make the most out of these processors from AMD motherboards, you need a dedicated motherboard that adopts the same socket standard.

We’ve compiled a list of the best motherboards for Ryzen 5 and made sure we include a healthy variety of different chipsets to ensure you land on the option that is tailored for your needs.

Best Motherboard for Ryzen 5 (Our Review)

1. ASUS ROG Strix B450-F Gaming – Best for Ryzen 5 2400G

The ASUS ROG brand is an established name among PC gamers, and for good reasons. Whenever you see the ROG tag, you know that the product puts gaming front and center and builds everything around delivering the smoothest experience. 

This is especially true with the ASUS ROG Strix B450-F Gaming, which runs perfectly with AMD’s 3rd gen Ryzen processors like the Ryzen 5 2400G. On the graphics front, you get two PCIe x16 slots, allowing you to keep up with the more graphically demanding games.

Just like the Gigabyte GA-AB350-Gaming 3, the board offers four DIMM slots that max out at 64GB of RAM, in addition to dual M.2 slots and fast USB 3.1 ports. You’d also appreciate that the cooling system is expecting you to overclock your computer, so thermal issues won’t hold you back even while running at high clock speeds for extended periods.

In addition to delivering on the basics, the Strix B450-F Gaming has some more tricks under its sleeves. The board adopts the ASUS SafeSlot standard to add extra durability to its ports. This means you have room to experiment with different hardware parts without worrying about getting port damage while plugging and unplugging different add-on cards.

The pre-mounted I/Os are another welcome addition, making the installation process into your PC tower a breeze. The I/O shield also reduces the risk of short-circuiting your board, adding extra longevity to your investment.

If you want to get started with a capable gaming build, check our motherboards for Ryzen 5 2400G for more options.

Key Features:

• Ideal for the Ryzen 5 2400G processor
• Offers two PCIe x16 slots to assign to your gaming graphics cards
• Expandable NVMe SSD through the dual M.2 connectors
• Comes with fast USB 3.1 ports for transfer speeds of 10GB/s

Pros:

• Offers better port durability thanks to the SafeSlot technology
• Comes with a pre-installed I/O shield for easy mounting onto your PC tower
• Supports multiple displays through HDMI 2.0 and DisplayPort
• Rich sound experience thanks to the SupremeFX S1220A audio codec

Cons:

• The voltage output to the PCIe x16 connectors takes a dip when using the dual M.2 slots
• No onboard Wi-Fi module

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2. MSI B450 Gaming Pro Carbon AC – Best for Ryzen 5 2600/X

The whole premise of the B450 chipset is to deliver the most value for money. These boards borrow many features from their higher-end big brothers and bring them to a more affordable package. If you care about overclocking and don’t want to break the bank while building a capable PC, the MSI B450 Gaming Pro Carbon AC is for you.

The board works perfectly with the thoroughly-tested 1st and 2nd generation Ryzen processors. You can snatch the higher-performing CPUs in the lineup at reasonable prices nowadays. Though those outdated processors lack some of the glamors of their 3rd gen counterparts, you get an overclocking capable computer suitable for casual PC gamers.

By now, you can expect some cornerstone features like the dual-channel 64GB RAM capacity, 2-Way Crossfire graphics performance, and dual M.2 slots. 

What makes the Gaming Pro Carbon AC stand out from our earlier two entries is the onboard Wi-Fi capabilities. The 802.11ac Wi-Fi frees up your M.2 slots for SSD expansions, as you can jump online without any additional wireless add-in cards.

For more mid-range gaming motherboards, check our motherboards for Ryzen 5 2600 and motherboards for Ryzen 5 2600X lists.

Key Features:

• Delivers an affordable mid-range package for casual gamers
• Comes with onboard EZ debug LEDs for easier troubleshooting
• Support DDR4 memory boost, which yields higher processor performance
• The integrated X-Boost technology delivers a consistent performance out all your external storage devices

Pros:

• Suitable for 1st and 2nd generation Ryzen processors, including the Ryzen 5 2600
• Adopts a fully digital power design that supports more CPU cores and high clock speeds
• The PCIe slots use steel connectors to protect your VGA cards from bending
• Comes with dual M.2 slots that enable a data transfer rate of 32GB/s

Cons:

• Doesn’t support the 3rd generation Ryzen processors
• No USB Type-C

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3. Gigabyte B450 AORUS M – Our Compact Pick

If you’re still sticking to your 1st or 2nd gen Ryzen processor and looking for a compact board to go along with it, the Gigabyte B450 AORUS M ticks all the boxes. For under $100, you’re getting a mid-range Micro-ATX motherboard that fits in smaller PC cases. 

There’s something undeniably unique about trimming down your PC tower to fit anywhere on your desk with no second thoughts about space management. Such a sleek board also rocks 8+2 power phases, giving you decent passive cooling. Add this to the VCore aluminum heatsink, and you have a good enough thermal architecture for average everyday usage.

It’s worth noting that we were surprised by the number of ports that Gigabyte managed to squeeze into its Micro-ATX board.  You get six USB 3.1 Gen1, two USB 3.1 Gen2, and another six regular USB 2.0 ports. Depending on the project in hand and the capabilities of your external storage, you can pick the port that gives you the best data transfer speed.

Our only complaint is the inclusion of only one PCIe x16 connector, making your graphics card upgrade options limited down the line.

Key Features:

• Comes in a Micro-ATX form factor for a more manageable PC tower size
• Offers plenty of USB ports to connect multiple devices all at once
• Decent VRM design with 8+2 power phases
• Supports multiple displays through HDMI and DVI-D ports

Pros:

• Features four DIMM slots that support unbuffered DDR4 RAM
• Offers dual M.2 and four SATA slots for a storage upgrade
• Supports Gigabyte’s RGB fusion with customizable digital LEDs and RGB headers
• Comes with high-quality audio capacitors for noise-free sound

Cons:

• Doesn’t support the 3rd generation Ryzen processors
• The lack of USB Type-C can be disappointing for some users

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4. ASUS ROG Strix X570-E Gaming – Premium Pick

The ASUS ROG lineup graces our list one more time with the Strix X570-E Gaming, and this time around, the board goes the extra mile of adding all the bells and whistles that define modern gaming motherboards.

The X570 chipset pairs nicely with the Ryzen 5 3600/X processors that can sustain stellar performance thanks to the comprehensive active cooling system. Furthermore, PCIe 4.0 connectors are a game-changer. They offer double the bandwidth of their 3.0 counterparts, allowing you to use the newest generation of graphics cards and SSDs.

In terms of connectivity, you get 2.5Gb LAN and Wi-Fi 6, delivering virtually no input lag to give you the edge in competitive online games. Finally, the latest 4th generation M.2 slots cut the loading times significantly as they support SSDs with unidirectional data transfer speeds up to 64GB/s.

For more high-end gaming boards, check our lists of motherboards for Ryzen 5 3600 and motherboards for Ryzen 5 3600X.

Key Features:

• Supports 2nd and 3rd generation AMD CPUs
• Features a pre-mounted I/O shield for easy installation
• Adopts ASUS SafeSlot design for better retention of PCIe add-on cards and more shearing resistance
• Lightning-fast connectivity with Gigabit Ethernet and Wi-Fi 6

Pros:

• Comes with dual PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots that support data transfer speed of 64GB/s
• Offers four DIMM slots with a maximum RAM capacity of 128GB
• Features the latest USB 3.2 Gen2 ports
• Modern aesthetics with RGB arrays that can be customized through ASUS Aura software

Cons:

• On the pricey side
• The debug LEDs have inconvenient placement, making it tricky to pinpoint the exact site of the issue

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5. MSI MPG X570 Gaming Plus – Best Entry X570 Motherboard

As you might expect, the X570 chipset doesn’t come cheap, as it’s AMD’s most advanced chipset to date. However, some models are more budget-friendly than others, and the MSI MPG X570 Gaming Plus is one of those.

At around half the price of the Strix X570-E Gaming, you still get PCIe 4.0 connectors, which is the selling point for many users looking for the X570 chipset in the first place. The 128GB maximum RAM capacity is also still here, offering you memory-boosting to 4400MHz.

The only feature that you’ll be missing for going for the cheaper MPG X570 Gaming Plus over its more expensive ASUS’ counterpart is onboard wireless connectivity. Out of the box, your only option to go online is by using the Realtek Gigabit LAN.

Finally, MSI borrows a page from ASUS ROG’s playbook and offers pre-installed I/O shielding to protect your board from any electrostatic discharge finding its way to your PC tower.

Key Features:

• Comes with PCIe 4.0 connectors for expandable SSD, graphics cards, and other add-on cards
• Offers 128GB of maximum RAM with clock speeds of 4400MHz
• Fast connectivity through Realtek Gigabit LAN
• Features Audio Boost 4 for rich sounds

Pros:

• Robust cooling system with Frozr heatsink and innovative fan design
• Pre-mounted I/Os for better protection against electrostatic discharge
• Supports multiple displays for more effective multitasking and immersive gaming experiences
• Features Mystic Light RGB with 16.8 different colors

Cons:

• Doesn’t come with an onboard Wi-Fi module, which means you’ll have to give up one precious M.2 slot for an external wireless card

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6. ASUS Prime X570-P – Best Cooling System

We’ll wrap up our list with one final X570 entry that sets itself apart from the competition, thanks to its unmatched cooling options. The ASUS Prime X570-P offers robust cooling controls that give you full control of your board’s heat production.

This is made possible thanks to the Fan Xpert 4 BIOS that uses thermal sensors scattered all over the board to monitor the graphics card temperature and lets you tweak your clock speed accordingly. 

That’s not all; you also get a dedicated heatsink solution for the chipset, as the X570 features PCIe 4.0 that runs at double the bandwidth of its predecessor connector, so it comes as no surprise that it requires active cooling when handling demanding tasks.

This isn’t the only next-generation port that makes an appearance on the ASUS Prime X570-P, as the board offers dual M.2 slots for SSD upgrades and USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports for fast data transfer.

Finally, the board rocks unique aesthetics with its white and black stripes running diagonally along with the fiberglass material, metal plates, and different connectors. These shades can be further accentuated by connecting RGB LEDs and accessories to the dedicated onboard headers. 

The icing on top is that you can customize the colors and effects through the intuitive ASUS Aura Sync software, which lets you personalize your PC tower’s look to suit your settings and style. 

Key Features:

• Features PCIe 4.0 connectors that are capable of achieving double the bandwidth of their 3.0 predecessors
• Features the 4th generation M.2 slots with transfer speeds of 64GB/s
• Comes with fast USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports
• Unique aesthetics with RGB headers for a futuristic look

Pros:

• Comprehensive cooling system with real-time control over your BIOS, using the Fan Xpert 4 tool
• Features AIO pumps for optional liquid cooling
• Efficient power consumption
• ASUS Optic-MEM technology allows for improved memory overclocking

Cons:

• Doesn’t come with USB Type-C ports
• No built-in Wi-Fi module

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7. Gigabyte GA-AB350-Gaming 3 – Best for Ryzen 5 1600

Doubling on performance without getting the price to jump too high is a task easier said than done, and Gigabyte manages to strike such a delicate balance with its GA-AB350-Gaming 3. The board has an efficient voltage output to regulate the power at which the CPU and graphics cards run at different clock speeds.

Add this to an intricate thermal architecture that uses six temperature sensors, high-current fans, and optional water cooling, and your PC won’t turn into a mini-oven when you push it near its limits. 

In terms of memory, you get four DIMM slots that support up to 64GB of RAM, running at clock speeds of 3600MHz. This should be enough to run all modern games at a resolution of 1080p, so unless you’re planning to invest in a pricey 4k monitor, you won’t be missing on anything here.

It won’t be a gaming PC without capable graphics performance, and the GA-AB350-Gaming 3 doesn’t disappoint. You get two PCIe x16 slots that support 2-Way AMD Crossfire. In other words, you can hook two graphics cards to your board at the same time and enjoy higher image fidelity.

Check our motherboards for Ryzen 5 1600 for more affordable gaming motherboards.

Key Features:

• Suitable for the Ryzen 5 1600 as it comes with an AM4 socket
• Comes with Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi MB5 audio codec for 7.1 surround sound
• Supports dual graphics cards through AMD’s Crossfire
• Features USB 3.1 Gen2 capable of data transfer speeds up to 10GB/s

Pros:

• Offers two RGB arrays with seven different light effects and 16.8 million colors
• Comes with an onboard M.2 connector that supports NVMe SSDs with transfer speeds of 32GB/s
• Intuitive installation tool that manages BIOS and drivers with a click of a button
• User-friendly G-connector design for better accessibility of the front panel cables

Cons:

• Doesn’t come with USB Type-C ports
• You need to keep the BIOS up to date for a smooth performance

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Best Motherboard for Ryzen 5 (FAQ)

What’s Special About the Ryzen 5 Processors?

They are AMD’s mid-range performance family of CPUs that can go up to hexa-cores, which makes them comparable to Intel’s i5 processors. However, AMD’s offerings come at a lower price, removing the barrier for many users to build their own PCs.

How Can Different Chipsets Affect My Ryzen 5 Motherboard Purchase Decision?

The board’s chipset is probably the first thing you need to keep an eye on before considering a new motherboard. Different chipsets offer different features like the number of ports, connectors’ standards, and overclocking capacity.

Which Board Socket Works With Ryzen 5?

Just like many 3rd generation AMD processors, the Ryzen 5 uses the AM4 socket. This socket is still in its prime age, as AMD promises to keep supporting it for the foreseeable future. Actually, the yet-to-be-released 4th gen processors adopt the same socket standard.