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AMD’s highly anticipated Ryzen 5000 Series CPUs have finally been announced. Out of the initial batch of models, the one CPU that appears to hold the most value, in regards to performance for the price, is the Ryzen 5 5600X.
Despite not being the most powerful of the processors announced, this CPU has plenty of power to process high-end gaming applications, even at higher resolutions.
The Ryzen 5 5600X comes equipped with 6 cores, including hyperthreading capabilities with 12 threads, a level 3 cache of 32 MB, PCIe 4.0 compatibility, an AM4 chipset, a TDP (Thermal Design Power) of 65 Watts, and a TSMC 7 nm FinFET fabrication process.
The Ryzen 5 5600X has a base clock speed of 3.7 GHz, which can be boosted to 4.6 GHz and can support a DDR4 memory system type with RAM of up to 3,200 MHz frequencies.
Of course, all of these specifications may sound very familiar, because they are, actually, identical to the previous generation Ryzen 5 3600X processor – the only difference being that there is a trade of 0.1 GHz in base clock speed for an increase of 0.2 GHz in boost clock speed.
The alterations between the Ryzen 3000 Series and Ryzen 5000 Series cannot be found in their advertised specifications, as these lie within the format of how the cores, threads, and memory are laid out.
Ryzen 3000 Series CPUs had a CCX (Core Complex) that could hold four cores and 16 MB of L3 cache, whereas the Ryzen 5000 Series CCX can hold up to eight cores and 32 MB of L3 Cache. This means that all cores, and the entire L3 cache of the Ryzen 5 5600X, can fit into a single CCX – translating to far less inter-core latency and a significant boost in single-core and single-thread performance. Especially when it comes to gaming, internal latency is of utmost importance, and considering that there are very few (if any) games, currently, that make use of more than six cores and twelve threads, the Ryzen 5 5600X is a wise choice to make, especially for the current generation and competitive multiplayer titles.
In order to provide enough power to make full use of the capabilities of the Ryzen 5 5600X, and its overclocking capacity, a motherboard is perhaps the most important hardware component to choose for your build.
That is why we’ve compiled a list of the best motherboards in the market to pair with the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X, depending on price and form factor.
A Quick Motherboard Beginners’ Buying Guide
If you already know what to look for when buying a motherboard, you can skip this section.
Budget
In terms of budget, the price of motherboards can range from entry-level models to high-end enthusiast boards. Generally speaking, a good quality motherboard should cost between $100 and $200 – but depending on the features it offers, this may vary.
Size
Motherboard sizes are categorized by their form factor. The most popular form factors are ATX (Advanced Technology Extended), mATX (micro ATX), and mini ITX. Generally speaking, larger motherboards will offer more expansion slots and ports than smaller ones – thus making them better suited for gaming systems or workstations that require plenty of storage space. But if you plan on building a compact PC and don’t mind sacrificing some expansion slots and ports, a mini ITX motherboard will do just fine.
Features It Offers
Before choosing a motherboard, it is important to consider the features it offers and how they align with your needs. Some of the most common features found on motherboards include the number and type of expansion slots, ports, power connectors, overclocking capabilities, CPU socket type, RAM slots/type/speed support, RAID support (if you plan on using multiple hard drives), PCIe version compatibility (for graphics cards and other components), etc. Motherboards in this list come with a different set of features, so make sure to check them out and pick the one that best suits your needs.
Compatibility
The last thing you need to consider is compatibility. Make sure that the motherboard you choose is compatible with your CPU (its socket type and chipset). The current Ryzen 5 5600X is compatible with the AM4 socket, as well as the X570, B550, A520, X470, and B450 Chipsets. Double-check if your motherboard supports this specific CPU before you make a purchase. All motherboards included in this list come with an AM4 socket and the said chipsets, so you don’t have to worry about it.
Once you’ve considered all these factors, you’ll be ready to pick the best motherboard that fits your needs and budget. Now, let’s take a look at some of the best motherboards to pair with the Ryzen 5 5600X.
Read Also: Best CPU Coolers for Ryzen 5 5600X
4 Motherboard Recommendations for Ryzen 5 5600X
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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ASUS Prime X570-Pro AM4 Zen 3 Ryzen 5000 & 3rd Gen Ryzen ATX... | 3,170 Reviews | $139.99 | Buy now |
Best Budget Motherboard for Ryzen 5 5600X – ASUS Prime X570-P
| Brand | ASUS |
| CPU Socket | Socket AM4 |
| RAM Memory Technology | DIMM |
| Compatible Processors | AMD 3rd Generation Ryzen |
| Chipset Type | AMD 570X |
| Memory Speed | 2133 MHz |
| Series | PRIME X570-P |
| Memory Storage Capacity | 128 GB |
| RAM Memory Maximum Size | 128 GB |
| Graphics Card Interface | PCI-E |
The best motherboard for those that care little about overclocking their CPU is one that will be cheap in price but still offer plenty of features, and a solid thermal solution. For its price, nothing beats the ASUS Prime X570-P.
This motherboard makes use of a 12-Phase VRM solution (4×2 + 2×2) with 50-amp Vishay power stages – all of which are heatsinked – and a fan on the PCH. It has the ability to hold up to 128 GB of DDR4 RAM, separated into four slots, with supported speeds of up to 4,400 MHz. The ASUS Prime X570-P can also accommodate two PCIe 4.0 M.2 SSDs, and six SATA III ports.
In terms of connectivity, it holds four USB 3.1 Type-A, two USB 3.0 Type-A, and two USB 2.0 slots. The audio codec included is a Realtek S1200A, which is a decent chipset, but far from the best, so, if you’re an audiophile then, an external sound card will be a necessary purchase.
The best part of the ASUS Prime X570-P is its price, as you can currently find it for only $127.99; down from its original $159.99 MSRP.
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Best Mid-Range Motherboard for Ryzen 5 5600X – Gigabyte AORUS Elite B550
| Brand | Gigabyte |
| CPU Socket | Socket AM4 |
| RAM Memory Technology | DDR4 |
| Compatible Processors | AMD 3rd Generation Ryzen |
| Graphics Card Interface | PCI-E |
| Memory Slots Available | 4 |
| System Bus Standard Supported | SATA 3 |
If you want to save money, but not miss out on some of the luxuries included in higher-end motherboard models, then the Gigabyte AORUS Elite B550 has you covered.
With an impressive 8 true phase, 14 virtual phases, and 12 + 2 VRM setup, this motherboard has 50 A power stages that are all heatsinked. It can hold 128 GB of total DDR4 RAM and speeds of up to 4,000 MHz; with each of its four RAM slots holding a maximum of 32 GB of storage. Speaking of storage, this motherboard can hold two M.2 SSDs, one of which is PCIe 4.0 (and has a heatsink cover), the other of which is PCIe 3.0 (and does not have a cover).
Four slots are included for SATA III SSDs, while connectivity includes ports for two USB 3.1 Type-A, four USB 3.0 Type-A, and two USB 2.0 inputs. Also included is a high-end Realtek ALC 1200 audio chipset, with plenty of audio features.
With a current price tag of $149.99, it’s hard to argue against the AORUS Elite B550 – especially mid-range for gaming builds.
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Best High-End Motherboard for Ryzen 5 5600X – ASUS Prime X570-Pro
| Brand | ASUS |
| CPU Socket | Socket AM4 |
| RAM Memory Technology | DIMM |
| Compatible Processors | AMD 3rd Generation Ryzen |
| Chipset Type | AMD 570X |
| Memory Speed | 2133 MHz |
| Platform | Windows 10 |
| Series | PRIME X570-PRO |
| Memory Storage Capacity | 128 GB |
| RAM Memory Maximum Size | 128 GB |
If you don’t mind spending a bit extra for a better VRM solution, features, and connectivity, the ASUS Prime X570-Pro is an excellent, and stylish choice to accommodate the Ryzen 5 5600X.
The Prime offers a 14-phase (6 true, 12+2) VRM solution with 50A power stages that are all heatsinked – including a fan on the PCH. 128 GB of up to 4,400 MHz frequency DDR4 RAM are supported, as well as two PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots (one of which has a heatsink cover), and six SATA 6 GB/s storage ports.
With a vast amount of connectivity, the Prime X570-Pro includes one USB 3.1 Type-C, three USB 3.1 Type-A, and four USB 3.0 Type-A slots. Additionally, it also has one 20-pin USB 3.1 header, one USB 3.0 19-pin header, and seven 4-pin fan/pump headers. The audio chipset is a high-end Realtek S1220A, with five included 3.5mm audio jacks and an optical S/PDIF jack.
Though a bit costlier than the aforementioned options, for $230.99 the ASUS Prime X570-Pro is well worth its asking price.
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- 5-Way Optimization: one-click, system-wide tuning delivers optimized overclocks and intelligent cooling for...
- Industry-leading cooling options: comprehensive controls for fans and dual pump headers, via fan Xpert 4 or...
- Asus Optic-MEM: careful routing of traces and vias to preserve signal integrity for improved Memory...
Best ITX Motherboard for Ryzen 5 5600X – Gigabyte X570I AORUS Pro Wi-Fi
| Brand | Gigabyte |
| CPU Socket | Socket AM4 |
| RAM Memory Technology | DDR4 |
| Compatible Processors | AMD 3rd Generation Ryzen, AMD 2nd Gerenration Ryzen |
| Chipset Type | AMD X570 |
| Memory Speed | 2666 MHz |
| Platform | Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 10 |
| Series | X570 I AORUS PRO WIFI |
| Memory Storage Capacity | 64 GB |
| RAM Memory Maximum Size | 64 GB |
If you are looking to use the Ryzen 5 5600X for an SFF build, then you will need an ITX motherboard that can fit within. The best option for this form factor: The Gigabyte X570I AORUS Pro Wi-Fi.
With an all-true 8-phase VRM solution, that has powerful 70-amp power stages, the AORUS Pro places focus on keeping thermals low, which is why all of its power stages are heatsinked (multilayer extended heatsinks) – including a PCH fan and 1.5mm thick LAIRD 5W/mK thermal conductivity pads.
Two memory slots can hold up to 64 GB of RAM (up to 4,400 MHz), while two M.2 slots (one heatsinked) and four SATA III slots comprise the supported storage. Additionally, six USB slots can be found in the rear I/O (1x 3.1 Type-C, 1x 3.1 Type-A, 4x 3.0 Type-A) for an impressive level of connectivity. The audio codec is the standard for the price Realtek ALC 1220-VB.
With its impressive thermal solution, this is motherboard is a must-have SFF case and can be found for as low as $207.61.
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Conclusion
That’s it for our list of the best motherboards for AMD Ryzen 5 5600X. To recap, it is important to look out for budget, size, features offered, and compatibility before making a purchase.
No matter which motherboard you choose, make sure that it offers the features you need and is compatible with your Ryzen 5 5600X CPU. With any of these motherboards, you are guaranteed to get the best performance from your AMD Ryzen 5 5600X processor.
