Your motherboard links every part of your PC together. It’s a pivotal piece of equipment, and picking the right one is the most important thing you can do for your computer build. Figuring out the best motherboard for Ryzen systems doesn’t need to be hard, so we broke it down to make it as easy as possible. As for the best GPU for Ryzen 5 2600 we got you covered as well.

Favorite Motherboards for Ryzen Comparison

1. ASUS ROG Strix B450-F Gaming Motherboard (ATX) AMD Ryzen

Editor’s Rating: 4.8/5

• Easy to install
• Great quality
• Durable

2. Asus TUF B450M-Plus Gaming AMD Ryzen 2

Editor’s Rating: 4.7/5

• Incredibly fast
• Affordable
• Cool and quiet system

3. Asus Prime X570-Pro Ryzen 3

Editor’s Rating: 4.7/5

• Very customizable
• Runs very cool
• Enhanced battery life

How to Pick the Right Motherboard for Ryzen

Before you begin picking out a motherboard for your Ryzen computer system, you need to determine how large you want your build to be. Your motherboard is going to be fixed in size, so determining your build size comes down to determining your motherboard as well. The Ryzen system will determine what motherboard you can use, but once you figure out the Ryzen compatibility of your motherboard, your potential choices give you tons of control.

Taking account of these differences in builds will also ensure that you don’t waste your money down the line. If you know what your motherboard is, from its form to the sockets it’s compatible with to the PCI type it uses, you can save money and even the health of your systems.

How We Tested Motherboards

Testing motherboards does not need to be complicated. Most manufacturers have free, downloadable programs online that allow you to test the function of your motherboard in your own home. By using the BIOS configuration or changing the CMOS battery and then running the testing software.

You can get a more accurate read of your motherboard’s function by removing any unnecessary plug-in devices and disconnecting the hard drive. By unplugging, replugging, and turning on and off the different parts of your computer, you can test if there are parts of your motherboard that don’t work.

We used this test to determine that our motherboard was the one functioning for our tests. We then ran normal functions and tracked how our computers performed with different motherboards installed.

Best Motherboard For Ryzen Reviews

1. ASUS ROG Strix B450-F Gaming Motherboard (ATX) AMD Ryzen

Editor’s Rating: 4.8/5

Features

• Incredible speed allows you to work or play at the touch of a fingertip, almost as quickly as you can think of what to do next

• Five-way optimization with Fan Xpert 4 allows you to have an advanced cooling system exactly how you need it, preventing overheating and thermal shutdowns

• Easy installation with a pre-mounted I/O shield streamlines your process

• Using the dashboard, you can fine-tune every aspect of your gaming or computing experience

• The SupremeFX integrated audio system allows you to have the optimal sound experience, immersing you in quality scores or real-time conversations

• Full RGB lighting setup gives you incredible access to great patterns and perfect aesthetic lighting

If you are a gamer, or someone who just needs a powerful build, the ASUS ROG Strix B450-F Gaming Motherboard would be a great addition to your Ryzen system. This is a powerful motherboard with a great build, that allows you to not only really customize your setup, but gives you intense speed no matter what customization you end up going with.

ASUS ROG Strix B450-F Gaming Motherboard (ATX) AMD Ryzen	Header
System	AMD Ryzen AM4 Second Generation
Cooling System	Fan XPert 4
Battery Included	Yes
Fan Header Number	Five

When I first put this motherboard into my build, I literally took a second to marvel at how easy it was to install compared to other motherboards I’ve worked with in the past. There was nothing complicated about it, especially with how streamlined the I/O shield was. Setting up the optics, performance, and overclocking for my gameplay was also easy, because I was able to use their simple dashboard to finetune my computer’s performance. Every part of my build through the motherboard was customizable, meaning I was able to set exactly the metrics I desired.

The most value I found in the customization of my setup was the cooling system. There is a five-way optimization with Fan Xpert 4 that really allowed me to dig into my system and produce the highest level of cool while simultaneously making sure my build wasn’t an energy sucker. I’m absolutely confident that this motherboard will never give you a thermal shutdown, no matter how long you play on it or how many different systems you connect.

Another note is that the audio system in this motherboard provides great sound quality. Sometimes when you use the motherboard’s audio processor, you can lose some of the scope of your game’s score. However, that isn’t the case here. This integrated audio processor provides great sound quality. Another quality addition to this motherboard is the RGB lighting setup, which is entirely customizable and provides great ambiance to your space.

This motherboard is durable. It’s relatively affordable as far as Ryzen motherboards go. It’s great quality. It’s straightforward to customize and install. However, because it comes with so many extra components, if you’re a total beginner to building, you may have to take it a little more slowly than you anticipate. That’s literally the only note I have on this motherboard.

Pros

• Durable
• Fast
• Easy to install
• Great quality
• Ease of customization

Cons

• CPU and CPU Opt Fan Slot are not different colors on this model

Conclusion:

2. Asus TUF B450M-Plus Gaming AMD Ryzen 2

Editor’s Rating: 4.7/5

Features

• Built with military-grade TUF components so that you don’t have to worry about damage or issues arising with your durable build

• Overvoltage protection allows you to use your computer without any worry that you may fry your internal hardware

• ASUS Exclusive RGB lighting allows you to develop an aesthetic that is truly fit for your setup

• USB 3.1 Gen Two provides extreme speeds and increased connectivity with other devices, allowing you to get the most out of your build with the smallest effort possible

• Fan Xpert 2+ cooling system provides the most comprehensive cooling system on the market, meaning you don’t have to worry about thermal meltdowns or overheating

• Ultrafast Transfer Speeds allow you to work at speeds of up to ten GBPS, so you’re working at an optimized pace.

Asus TUF B450M-Plus Gaming AMD Ryzen 2	Header
System	AMD Ryzen AM4 Second Generation
Cooling System	Fan Xpert 2+
Battery Included	Not Stated
Fan Header Number	Not Stated

If you’re looking for a motherboard on a “your mother would approve this purchase” budget, you should consider the ASUS TUF B450M-Plus Gaming motherboard. Not only is it optimized for great gameplay, it’s also wildly affordable, as well as military-grade tough. If you need a durable build that also provides great system support, this is a great choice for you.

The word for this motherboard is “protection.” It comes with overvoltage protection, USB 3.1 connectivity for extreme speed, and Fan Xpert 2+ cooling systems, on top of the military-grade components that already provide system protection from the outside. Your build will be on lock, for an affordable price.

Not only will your system be basically impenetrable, you can also have RGB lighting as well on a budget. You can select colors, patterns, and timing on your lighting system, allowing you to really optimize your space.

The best gaming motherboards for Ryzen can run at a high price, but this one is affordable while still giving you access to intense speeds and great cooling systems. It’s great for a beginner who doesn’t want to invest too much money in their first build but still wants a quality product that they can get the most out of.

My only suggestion after using this motherboard is to make sure that your BIOS is updated. If they aren’t updated you may find scenarios in which they aren’t compatible with your motherboard, which can leave you lost for time and capability. It’ll slow down your loading speed and leave you with a lag, which is the last thing anyone wants in a gaming motherboard.

Pros

• Incredibly fast
• Very durable
• Cool and quiet system
• RGB lighting for a great aesthetic
• Affordable

Cons

• If you do not update the BIOS settings, you may encounter problems with proper loading

Conclusion:

3. Asus Prime X570-Pro Ryzen 3

Editor’s Rating: 4.7/5

Features

• Enhanced power solutions for better battery life, meaning your system can keep going for as long as you can

• Five-Way optimization with one click, allowing you to overclock, cool intelligently, or task specific parts of your computer

• Top of the line cooling system provides a healthy amount of air to your computer setup, so you never have to worry about thermal meltdowns in your system

• Improved memory overclocking due to routing of traces and vias allows you to get increased speed and performance from your build

• The processors in the machine can boast more core and bandwidth, meaning you’ll be more powerful no matter what additions you put in

• RAID configurations can be easily created, allowing you to have more customization and optimization in your build

• USB 3.2 allows you to have more control over your plugins and your systems

• The pre-mounted I/O means that the streamlined installation process can let you get finished building quicker to allow you to get right into your game

• Beautiful RGB lighting allows you to customize your system entirely, from the way the computer runs to how its lighting looks

Asus Prime X570-Pro Ryzen 3	Header
System	AM4 with PCle Gen 4
Cooling SystemFan Xpert 4 or UEFI Bios	Fan Xpert 4 or UEFI Bios
Battery Included	Yes
Fan Header Number	Not Stated

The Asus Prime X570-Pro is the golden motherboard if you’re searching for great optimization for a Ryzen system while simultaneously wanting a great product that performs as advertised. The top of the line cooling system and enhanced power solutions really add the support needed for you to run this motherboard without complications, no matter how much you customize its performance.

The five-way optimization can be achieved with one simple click, giving you instant overclocking capability. You can use the task controller to get specific control over certain parts of your computer, such as your fans, to make sure they’re performing at the level your setup needs. This includes the improved memory, which allows you to overclock with ease while simultaneously using advanced AI and steady computer memory to develop a tracing route.

More core and bandwidth means that you have the best opportunity available to have a quick response from your computer. Combined with the memory capabilities and RAID configurations, you can truly get any response that you want from your build when this motherboard is in place.

I had a lot of fun not only customizing this setup, but putting it together. I was able to choose my RGB lighting easily, and then control the rest of my build so that everything I worked on was optimized to my exact want. The enhanced battery life in this machine is also very attractive, especially because it means that I don’t have to worry about the high powered fan system potentially eating up my battery.

The one thing to keep in mind, however, is the potential that the QLED light may not light up. It’s potentially a model flaw, but customer service from Asus should be able to assist you. This is also a motherboard that needs you to listen to what its compatibilities are. It’s susceptible to damage if you try to put the wrong products on it.

Pros

• Very customizable
• Durable
• Easy to install
• Great RGB lighting structures
• Runs very cool
• Enhanced battery life

Cons

• Can have USB issues if ordered from a third-party service, or if mishandled or fried

Conclusion:

4. GIGABYTE GA-AB350M-Gaming 3

Editor’s Rating: 4.6/5

Features

• High quality audio processing and audio noise guard technology mean that you have a great system that provides audio clarity with ease

• USB 3.1 Gen 2 equipment allows you to really focus on quality attachments that can allow you to reach your speed and processing goals

• Fan system comes with five temperature sensors so that you can be sure that your system is always kept in check

• Fan system also comes with three hybrid fan headers, to install a quality cooling system that combines effectiveness with durability

• Fan system also includes overcurrent protection, so you don’t have to worry about your cooling system giving out while you’re playing

• Includes cFosSpeed which manages your network traffic in order to have better responsiveness in crowded LAN environments

• DUAL Bios protects the BIOS in your computer, as well as provides a backup BIOS in case of damage

GIGABYTE GA-AB350M-Gaming 3	Header
SystemNew Generation AM4	New Generation AM4
Cooling System	Smart Fan Five
Battery Included	No
Fan Header Number	Three

If you are looking for a speedy, effective little motherboard, the GIGABYTE GA is a great gaming motherboard for you. It’s made to run with multiple attachments, and comes with multiple heat sensors to keep your system cool. Overcurrent protection is also in place for your fans, which is great because the oFosSpeed addition allows you to have better responsiveness in crowded LAN environments.

If you need a great cooling system and simultaneously don’t want to have too many customizations in your system, this could be a perfect Ryzen motherboard selection for you. Gaming doesn’t need to be complicated, and this motherboard really proves that by providing quality speeds and cooling without overcomplicating your builds.

It’s fast, you can customize it if you desire, the audio is typically pretty good for an embedded audio system in a motherboard, and it has an advanced fan system. You can definitely use this for gaming, and it will definitely allow you to get the job done well.

Something that I noticed in my particular build was that the audio system broke. I bypassed this with a soundcard, but it was disappointing. This may be a singular issue on my end, but I took note of it for the review.

Pros

• High quality
• Fast
• Able to be customized
• Advanced fan system for optimal cooling
• Increased capabilities for crowded LAN environments in particular

Cons

• Sound can sometimes break, however you can bypass this with a soundcard

Conclusion:

5. ASUS ROG Crosshair VII Hero (Wi-Fi) AMD Ryzen 2 AM4

Editor’s Rating: 4.6/5

Features

• Five-Way Optimization for complete control over your build and its function

• Aura Sync RGB lighting allows you to develop an exact aesthetic and control the pattern, color, and lighting quality for a truly customizable system for your setup

• Pre-Mounted I/O shield ensures streamlined installation for an easy build process

• Improved overclocking support means that you can get extreme speed and capability from your system

• The ROG Crosshair VII Hero is a great foundation that provides multiple benefits, from cooling to speed, for your build

• You can choose your cooling system, from the top of the line Fan Xpert 4 or the optimized system compatible UEFI. Both use system auto-tuning so you don’t have to worry about overheating

• Easy to use interfaces allow beginners or experienced computer builders who don’t want to deal with extra fuss have a straightforward building and use experience

ASUS ROG Crosshair VII Hero (Wi-Fi) AMD Ryzen 2 AM4	Header
System	AMD Ryzen 2 AM4 and 7th Generation Athlon
Cooling System	Fan Xpert 4 or UEFI
Battery IncludedYes	Yes
Fan Header Number	Not Stated

Putting the ASUS ROG Crosshair VII Hero into your build means that you have a great foundation with multiple benefits, ranging from cooling to speed to advanced optimization. If you are interested in longterm use in your system, this could be a perfect choice for you.

This has a similar five-way optimization to other motherboards on this list, but this one is a little more streamlined by means of function. If you are looking for a system that won’t overwhelm you with too much customization, this is a choice that could be a great addition to your setup. The build process is also easy because of this simplicity, and because of the pre-mounted I/O shield.

If you’re interested in overclocking your systems, you won’t find a motherboard much more capable than this one. Extra overclocking support means that you can hit crazy maximum speed while simultaneously keeping your system cool. If you want to decide which cooling system you’d like to use, you’re in luck. You can choose between the highly acclaimed Fan Xpert 4, or the award-winning UEFI system.

The only issue that I have with this system came up in the RGB lighting compatibility. I had an older Corsair kit that I wanted to use, and it wasn’t recognized by the system. That’s fine, but I was annoyed with it overall.

Pros

• Straightforward and intuitive systems
• Customizable
• Easy to install
• Durable
• Great cooling systems

Cons

• Older Corsair RAM kits may not be recognized by the system

Conclusion:

6. MSI Arsenal GAMING AMD Ryzen 1st and 2nd Gen AM4

Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5

Features

• Extended heat sinks with the motherboard provide for more cooling capacity, allowing you to use your system for longer

• Supports two way and crossfire technology, for more versatility in your build

• Tested extensively by gaming groups and is gaming certified, meaning you know that you are buying a board that is approved for longterm gaming

• Easy BIOS recovery doesn’t require CPU or memory through the Flash BIOS button, allowing you to recover your information and setup

• Thermal and power designs keep the temperature in your system low

• Gaming Device port allows you to customize your setup with MSI gaming tools, so you can use great technology and additions to bring an extra boost to your gaming

• New Core technology combines MSI’s layout with a great power design to increase the CPU power, allowing you to support multiple cores in your CPU

• High-quality Audio processing means that you are getting a truly immersive sound experience

MSI Arsenal GAMING AMD Ryzen 1st and 2nd Gen AM4	Header
Systems	AMD Ryzen First and Second Generation
Cooling System	Not Stated
Battery Included	No
Fan Header Number	Not Stated

The MSI Arsenal Gaming AMD Motherboard is great for people who want versatility in their gaming systems. There’s tons of choices to make with this build, and they’re backed up by the easy BIOS recovery button. It’s comporable to this motherboard.

In particular, I was a huge fan of the gaming port. It allowed me to plug in a huge amount of different additions from the MSI gaming system catalog, which really increased my gameplay. The features that increase the versatility of this product just keep coming, so if you’re looking for something that’s easy on the eyes, this may be a great build for you.

Pros

• Tested and proven for gaming
• Lots of versatility in your build
• Increased cooling capacity
• Easy BIOS recovery
• Gaming Device port compatible with other MSI gaming products
• Powerful multi-core CPU capacity

Cons

• Not compatible with Ryzen 3000 series at this time

Conclusion:

7. Gigabyte Z370XP SLI

Editor’s Rating: 4.4/5

Features

• Two Way SLI Support and Multi-Way graphics support combined with PCIe Armor mean that you have a very durable motherboard inside of your build

• USB 3.1 Generation Two allow you to have multiple plugins and customizations to your motherboard and your setup, so that you can do more of what you want to do

• Amp Up Audio system provides a great listening experience

• Six temperature sensors with the Smart Fan Five Cooling system allow you to be sure that your system never goes into thermal meltdown so that your PC can perform while maintaining a cool internal temperature

• Dual PCIe Gen3 x4 M.2 maximizes your build’s speed potential

Gigabyte Z370XP SLI	Header
System	8th Generation Intel Core Processors
Cooling System	Smart Fan Five Cooling
Battery Included	Yes
Fan Header Number	Not Stated

The Gigabyte Z370XP SLI is pretty good as far as motherboards go. It’s quick, the audio system is good, and the Two Way SLI Support and Multi-Way Graphics Support combine with other features to make sure that the build inside of your setup is strong and intact no matter what goes on with your machine.

There are multiple temperature sensors in the cooling system, which allow you to really get the most out of any system that you choose to use.

While this one isn’t my favorite because of its comparative lack of customizations, it’s a great choice for people who want a reliable build within their system.

Pros

• Very durable
• Easy to install
• Straightforward customization
• Runs cool and quiet

Cons

• Does not have support for a headset

Conclusion:

Form Factor

Form factors are a big deal for your computer build. Taking into account what you need means that you can determine exactly what form factors you want for your computer. These factors determine your dimensions, power supply, number of ports, and more. If you need tons of plugs, be sure that you don’t get a motherboard with a limited form factor.

Sockets, chipsets, PCI slots, and memory locations are all determined by your form factor and build, so taking this seriously allows for your computer to really be optimized. A cheap form factor can also cause damage to your computing systems.

Socket

The sockets on your motherboard are determined by what kind of CPU card you want to use. Your CPU will specify what type of socket you need. If you’ve ever looked at your motherboard and seen an area with pins and a securing mechanism, that’s your socket. Make sure that your socket and your CPU are compatible, because either they won’t fit together, or you’ll fry both systems.

Chipsets

Chipsets are a part of your motherboard that control your data flow between the processor, memory, and peripherals. They’re only designed to work with certain microprocessors, so make sure that your chipsets are compatible with other parts of your computer. If they aren’t compatible, they either won’t work or could become damaging to the rest of your build.

Intel or AMD

Make sure to take into account which processor your motherboard uses. Ryzen systems are AMD systems, so if you don’t select a good motherboard for these systems, you could find yourself without a compatible build. Like most other incompatibilities in motherboards, either the system won’t work, or it’ll become damaged.

This article is only going to cover the best motherboards for the Ryzen system, which is an AMD system. If you are looking for motherboards for an Intel system, plenty of prominent manufacturers cater to Intel or both AMD and Intel.

Memory and Memory Location

Every motherboard has at least one flash memory device that enables your build to run quickly and easily. Only specific kinds of memory can work on your motherboard, so check out your RAM slot to make sure your different hardware units are compatible. Make sure you know exactly how many RAM sticks to buy as well, so that your motherboard can function at its highest capacity.

Memory location is typically influenced by the reading and writing operations into memory. In order to make sure your processes are moving as quickly as possible, your systems will jump back and forth between memory sticks in order to speed up your processes.

PCI Slots

PCIs and PCI Express come in handy when you are trying to optimize your speed. PCI itself is an older unit, while newer computers and builds have different forms of PCI. Understanding how many PCI slots you have and how they connect to your systems is a game-changer, especially when it comes to your computer’s inherent speed. More PCI slots doesn’t necessarily mean faster operation, especially with the different types of PCI that are currently on the market. Understanding the processing speeds of different PCIs and how your computer will interact with them will make a huge difference in your build.

Fan Headers

Fan headers are areas on your motherboard that allow you to connect your fans. They usually come as pins, and are three-pin fans and four-pin fans that you need to consider. When picking a motherboard, make sure you have sufficient fan headers, as well as that you are buying the right type of fan to attach to your fan headers.

Cooling is one of the most important functions in your computer system, so making sure that you not only have ample fan power, but good fan location can really ensure the health of your build. Checking in on your build’s power is great, but if your machine overheats regularly or goes into thermal shutdown, it won’t be of much use to you.