The Best Motherboards For Ryzen 5 2600/2600X In 2023

Last updated: Today

Erin Carpenter

Top 5 Best Motherboards For Ryzen 5 2600 / 2600X in 2023:

  1. ASUS ROG Strix X470-F Gaming Motherboard
  2. ASRock B450M PRO4 AMD Motherboard
  3. ASUS ROG Strix B450-F Gaming Motherboard
  4. MSI Performance Gaming AMD X470 Motherboard
  5. Gigabyte B450 AORUS PRO WIFI Motherboard

The Ryzen 5 2600 and the Ryzen 5 2600X are AMD’s top-notch mid-range CPUs for gaming PC builds. You can get your hands on one for less than $200 and still get fantastic performance and overclocking potential.

Step aside, Intel; AMD’s got this. 

As mind-blowing as these processors are – especially for the price range that they’re in – they have to be paired with a motherboard that’s just as good. 

But considering that there are hundreds of motherboards out there, doing your research alone would be quite a time-consuming feat. 

So, why not let us help you pick the best motherboard for Ryzen 5 2600/2600X, instead? We have our top picks listed below! 

Related:


5 Best Motherboards For Ryzen 5 2600/2600X In 2023: Detailed Reviews

Without a proper motherboard, your Ryzen processor won’t ever be able to live up to its potentials – and with so many options, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and frustrated. 

We’re here to help you, though:

Expert advice can do wonders in terms of helping you choose the right motherboard for your processor, especially if you’re not that well-versed in DIY PC builds. So, let’s take a closer look at the best motherboards for Ryzen 5 2600 and 2600X together! 

1. ASUS ROG Strix X470-F Gaming Motherboard – Best Motherboard for Ryzen 5 2600/2600X

Image Credit: Amazon.com

If you want what’s best for your Ryzen 5 2600/2600X processor, the ASUS ROG Strix X470-F Gaming is, by and far, the motherboard for you. 

First off, there’s a lot of focus on speed and connectivity here. This ATX motherboard has dual M.2 slots, USB 3.1 ports on the front panel, four DDR4 DIMM slots with support for up to 64GB, as well as 256MB Flash ROM.

Furthermore, it’s equipped with 5-Way Optimization, a handy feature that allows one-click overclocking that’s tailor-made for your PC; the amount of control you have over the fans is equally impressive. 

Another thing that deserves mention is the SupremeFX technology, which, alongside eight-channel HD audio, makes for an immersive sound experience. 

More importantly, all this comes wrapped in a high-quality package, boasting an excellent choice of materials and an eye-catching touch of the large, primary heatsink. And since we’re already on the subject of “eye-catching,” the motherboard comes with ASUS-exclusive Aura Sync RGB lighting, too!  

The only thing that’s missing here is a built-in Wi-Fi module. But since this will likely be a part of a gaming rig, we’re not sure if including one would’ve made much sense. 

Pros

  • Excellent build quality and reliable gaming performance
  • ATX form factor with AM4 socket and X470 chipset
  • 5-Way Optimization for one-click overclocking 
  • Eight-channel HD audio with SupremeFX audio technology
  • Features ASUS-exclusive Aura RGB lighting for personalization

Cons

  • Doesn’t have a Wi-Fi/Bluetooth module 

2. ASRock B450M PRO4 AMD Motherboard – Best Budget-Friendly Motherboard

Image Credit: Amazon.com

Now, our next pick – the ASRock B450M PRO4 motherboard – is a relatively cheap one compared to the previous one we showed you. 

We wouldn’t necessarily recommend that you go with an ultra-cheap motherboard for a CPU such as Ryzen 5 2600 or 2600X. More often than not, a cheap motherboard won’t be able to give you the overclocking and thermal cooling performance that you need.

However, we feel that the ASRock offers a decent enough – and most importantly, stable – performance for the money, especially if you don’t expect to push your system to its limits. 

The ASRock B450 PRO4 is a Micro-ATX motherboard, but you’d be surprised how many features it manages to cram inside its relatively small form factor. Plus, it has a relatively decent build quality complete with large enough VRM heatsinks.

You get an M.2 slot, a total of three PCI Express slots, four SATA3 connectors, as well as two USB 2.0 and one USB 3.1 headers.

Even though the AMD Promontory B450 chipset generally cuts some non-essential features – for instance, having only four SATA ports could be a limiting factor in future upgrades and expansions – you get a better bang for your buck.

Pros

  • Budget-friendly Micro-ATX motherboard 
  • Features an AMD Promontory B450 chipset
  • Includes USB 2.0 and USB 3.1 headers 
  • Supports AMD Quad CrossFireX 
  • Four DDR4 DIMM slots 
  • Three PCI Express slots 
  • Comes with an RGB LED header 

Cons

  • Only four SATA ports limit future expansion options 

3. ASUS ROG Strix B450-F Gaming Motherboard – Best Mid-Range ATX Motherboard 

Image Credit: Amazon.com

It may be classed as a middle-of-the-road ATX motherboard with a B450 chipset, four DIMM DDR4 slots, and dual M.2 slots, but the level of performance – and the overall build quality – had a somewhat premium feel. 

The ASUS ROG Strix B450-F Gaming should be one of your top choices if you’re going for a mid-range Ryzen gaming PC build. 

First off, the board’s general design screams “gaming.” The cool-looking pattern on the ROG Strix heatsink and the ASUS Aura RGB lighting look the part – and give it an edge over the competition. 

We’re happy to say that the layout and specs of the ROG Strix B450-F are every bit as impressive: 

If you look at the pre-mounted I/O shield, you can’t ignore the outstanding number of ports – USB 3.1, Gigabit LAN, and both audio and display outputs. You can have the most peripheral-rich gaming rig, and this will still be enough. 

You also get 5-Way Optimization for fine-tuning different aspects of your system, as well as comprehensive cooling options, thanks to the Fan Xpert 4. 

We missed the Wi-Fi module and heatsinks on M.2 slots, but considering how crammed the board already feels, not including them was smart.

Pros

  • Excellent build quality and cool, gaming-rig-inspired design 
  • Features ASUS Aura RGB lighting 
  • Pre-mounted I/O shield with plenty of ports 
  • Eight-channel HD audio employs SupremeFX tech 

Cons

  • No heatsinks on M.2 slots 
  • No Wi-Fi module
  • Feels a bit crammed 

4. MSI Performance Gaming AMD X470 Motherboard – Best Budget-Friendly X470 Chipset Motherboard 

Image Credit: Amazon.com

The MSI X470 Gaming Plus is another motherboard that’s easy on the pocket and can be used as a foundation for your Ryzen-powered system. It’s an excellent example of a low-cost X470 chipset motherboard that can still go neck-to-neck with the much more expensive options. 

As such, we recommend this one for gamers and PC users alike, especially if navigating a tight budget. 

Now, considering the price range, this ATX motherboard with an AM4 socket and X470 chipset has some pretty impressive things to offer: 

It comes with DDR4 memory support, MULTI-GPU support for AMD’s CrossFire, which allows you to use more than one graphics card, and is fundamentally compatible with the latest Ryzen CPUs. On that note, the motherboard also features Steel Armor PCI-E slots to make use of heavy graphics cards possible. 

Furthermore, we’re glad to report that the MSI X470 Gaming Plus also features BIOS 5, which not only has an easy-to-navigate layout but also allows for some advanced system tuning. 

Also, MSI did include two USB 3.1 ports. However, the thing that bugs us is that they opted to stick with Type-A, meaning that the board doesn’t come with USB Type-C ports. 

Pros

  • Budget-friendly ATX motherboard with an X470 chipset 
  • AM4 socket and DDR4 support 
  • MULTI-GPU support for AMD CrossFire 
  • Has Steel Armor PCI-E slots for proper graphics card support 
  • Features easy-to-navigate BIOS 5 
  • Comes with RGB LED headers 

Cons

  • Doesn’t include any USB Type-C ports 

5. Gigabyte B450 AORUS PRO WIFI Motherboard – Best Motherboard with Built-In Wi-Fi Module

Image Credit: Amazon.com

Okay, let’s get back to B450 chipset motherboards for a second before we wrap up the reviews. We believe it to be the sweet spot for PC builders and gamers that don’t need the bells and whistles of X470 chipsets. 

Gigabyte’s AORUS series of motherboards has built a reputation for itself – and that reputation includes offering a variety of features, unique aesthetics, and overclocking capabilities on a budget. And in that sense, the Gigabyte B450 AORUS Pro motherboard certainly deserves a spot on our list! 

The most noteworthy features of this motherboard are its dual M.2 slots with thermal guards, integrated RGB lighting with integrated expansion headers, high-quality Realtek ALC1220-VB enhanced audio, and USB 3.1 ports, both Type-A and Type-C. 

It also features dual-channel DDR4 memory with four DIMMs, and HDMI and DVI-D for multi-display setups. The PCI-E connectors get the extra graphics-cards-supporting strength thanks to the one-piece stainless steel reinforcement. 

Plus, it comes with built-in 802.11ac Wi-Fi with dual-band support. 

Not too shabby for a motherboard at this price point, huh? 

Granted, it won’t precisely push your Ryzen CPU to its limits; the best that you can hope for here is some modest overclocking. Other than that, though, this Gigabyte motherboard offers hard-to-beat value. 

Pros

  • Includes Type-A and Type-C USB 3.1 ports
  • Dual M.2 with thermal guards
  • PCI-E connectors with stainless steel reinforcement 
  • Comes with built-in Wi-Fi module with dual-band support 
  • Features RGB lighting 
  • High-quality Realtek ALC1220-VB enhanced audio

Cons

  • Comes with some overclocking limitations 

How To Pick The Best Motherboard For Ryzen 5 2600/2600X? 

It’s pretty rare to find a CPU for gaming that’s capable of delivering high-end performance while retaining a relatively inexpensive price tag. But as it turns out, AMD’s Ryzen 5 2600 and 2600X processors are set out to do just that: 

These CPUs deliver a seamless experience that leaves all PC enthusiasts – and especially hardcore gamers – mind-blown by how exceptional these mid-range processors are. 

The 2600 and the 2600X both boast six cores and 12 threads, and maximum clock speed in the neighborhood of 4 GHz. Best of all, both are unlocked, offering excellent overclocking possibilities. 

We’re sure that you went over the specs already and know the numbers by heart, so let’s get to the real reason you’re here – finding a compatible motherboard

The motherboard is what allows the CPU – and the rest of your PC – to reach its full potential. It doesn’t matter how impressive the Ryzen 5 2600 and 2600X are on their own; they won’t achieve their peak performance without a good motherboard. 

Then again, the phrase “good motherboard” has a relative meaning and stands for some pretty different things from one PC build to the next. 

You should consider several crucial factors when picking the best motherboard for Ryzen 5 2600/2600X, though!

1. Form Factor 

Motherboards are available in different sizes to allow you flexibility in building a PC that will fit your particular needs and environment. 

Some have enough space for a full-sized tower, and others are looking for a compact home theater PC that would fit underneath their TV – and the size of your motherboard plays a pretty significant role here. 

The motherboard’s form factor defines more than just its general shape and physical size, though: 

Generally speaking, a larger motherboard will support more components. Even more so, the form factor determines the locations of the mounting holes and, in turn, the way the motherboard fits a particular case. 

If you’re doing a complete PC overhaul and getting a new case, this shouldn’t be too big of a concern. But if not, you have to ensure that your new motherboard matches not only your Ryzen CPU but your existing PC case, too. 

Although it has many variations – including Mini ATX and Micro ATX – the standard ATX is the most popular form factor because it offers the convenience of added expansion slots. 

2. Socket Type 

Once you’re set on a suitable form factor, the next factor to consider is the motherboard socket type. 

Do we need to point out how vital it is that the socket on the motherboard matches your processor? Yeah, we didn’t think so. 

As far as socket types go, generally speaking, three are in use today: 

  • LGA, or land-grid-array, sockets that are used by Intel  
  • PGA, or pin-grid-array, sockets that are used by AMD  
  • BGA, or ball-grid-array, sockets that are soldered permanently to the circuit board  

The one that you should focus on is, of course, AMD’s PGA socket type

Now, the fact that you already have your CPU picked out – whether it’s Ryzen 5 2600 or 2600X – helps narrow your choice of socket types down drastically. 

In fact, since all Ryzen CPUs use the same socket type – the AM4 socket. So, this one’s a no-brainer: 

Pick a motherboard with an AM4 socket, and you’re good to go socket-compatibility-wise.

3. Chipsets: B450 Or X470?

The chipset is pretty much an administrative assistant to your CPU. It handles everything that goes in and out and takes care of functions that, in turn, make it possible for your processor to compute. That’s the easiest way to put it. 

The motherboard’s chipset determines which of the two adapter standards – AGP or PCI Express – embedded features, and types of memory are supported. And yes, it’s one of deciding factors when it comes to processor compatibility, too. 

Since you already have a CPU picked out, this will dictate the compatible chipset options

When it comes to AMD’s Ryzen 5 2600 and 2600X processors, both of which are unlocked, your choice comes down to two chipsets – X470 and B450

The X470 chipset motherboard is a much better fit if you plan on pushing your CPU to its absolute limits, but could be overkill for the Ryzen 5 2600. The B450 chipset is usually a bit cheaper and gets the job done for most users.


Conclusion 

The right motherboard is arguably the most crucial part of your PC build – even though it doesn’t get as much attention as CPUs and graphics cards often do. Every part of your PC will plug into the motherboard; don’t ever let this slip your mind. 

Now, as far as the best motherboard for Ryzen 5 2600/2600X goes, our seal of approval goes to the ASUS ROG Strix X470-F Gaming Motherboard

That said, the ASRock B450M PRO4 AMD Motherboard is another fantastic choice, especially if you’d like a pocket-friendly B450 chipset motherboard. 

Think about where you’re going with your PC build – and take your pick!

About Erin Carpenter

Erin Carpenter has over 15 years experience in the diamond industry working with Artic Canadian Diamonds, Anglo-American Diamonds. She is recognized as an industry expert and has been quoted in publications such as USA Today, Forbes, The New York Times and more.