Ryzen 5 3600 is a powerful processor and is suitable for both gamers and high-end PC enthusiasts. With a staggering 6 cores and 12 threads, this CPU can handle just about anything you throw at it. But which is the best motherboard for Ryzen 5 3600? That’s what we’re here to answer.
At a Glance:
Best X570 Motherboard for Ryzen 5 3600
MSI MPG X570 GAMING PLUS
- Pretty adequate voltage regulator
- Impressively solid VRM
- Impressive overclocking potential on Ryzen 5 3600
- Affordable price tag
Best Premium Motherboard for Ryzen 5 3600
ASUS Prime X570-Pro
- Design that is both sleek and minimal
- Impressive overall performance
- Excellent components for power delivery
- Unmatched memory overclocking
Best Motherboard for AMD Ryzen 5 3600
MSI B450 TOMAHAWK MAX II
- Loaded with 6 fan headers
- Decent looking VRM
- Affordable price tag
- Shielded PCIe x16 slot
Ever since AMD’s Ryzen 5 3600 was released, PC enthusiasts have been wondering which motherboard is best for it. The answer depends on your needs and performance requirements.
For example, if you want something that has an affordable price, the MSI B450 TOMAHAWK MAX II could be perfect for you. However, if you’re looking for something that can overclock at higher speeds, the ASUS ROG STRIX X570-E Gaming will be a great option. No matter what type of motherboard works best with your system, though, one thing is certain: AMD’s Ryzen 5 3600 will work perfectly well. Read on to find out more about these AMD Ryzen 5 compatible motherboards that are sure to impress your friends with their impressive specs and features.
- The 7 Best Motherboards for Ryzen 5 3600
- MSI B450 TOMAHAWK MAX II
- ASUS Prime X570-Pro
- MSI MPG X570 GAMING PLUS
- GIGABYTE B450 AORUS PRO WiFi
- ASUS ROG STRIX X570-E Gaming
- MSI B550-A PRO
- MSI B450I Gaming Plus AC
- Quick Shopping Tips
- The Right Chipset
- The Form Factor
- Connectivity Options
- Summary of Best Motherboards for Ryzen 5 3600
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions
The 7 Best Motherboards for Ryzen 5 3600
| Award | Design | Motherboards | Retailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Motherboard for AMD Ryzen 5 3600 | Budget Pick | Check Price | |
| Best Premium Motherboard for Ryzen 5 3600 | Staff Pick | Check Price | |
| Best X570 Motherboard for Ryzen 5 3600 | Best Pick | Check Price | |
| Best Mid-Range Motherboard for Ryzen 5 3600 |  | Check Price | |
| Best Gaming Motherboard for Ryzen 5 3600 |  | Check Price | |
| Best B550 Motherboard for Ryzen 5 3600 |  | Check Price | |
| Best B450 Motherboard Ryzen 3600 |  | Check Price |
MSI B450 TOMAHAWK MAX II
Budget PickBest Motherboard for AMD Ryzen 5 3600
| Form Factor | ATX |
| CPU Socket | Socket AM4 |
| Chipset | B450 |
| Memory Speed | 4133 MHz(OC) |
| Memory Capacity | 64 GB |
| RAM Memory Technology | DDR4 |
| DDR4 Memory Support | 4 x DIMM |
Pros
- Loaded with 6 fan headers
- Decent looking VRM
- Affordable price tag
- Shielded PCIe x16 slot
Cons
- Lacks 2nd M.2 slot
- RGB headers lack independent control
The MSI B450 Tomahawk MAX II motherboard is the winner in terms of budget to performance ratio. It is the best motherboard for Ryzen 5 3600 aimed at the average PC user and gamer.
Overall Looks
The board is pretty decent, and the RGB lighting adds further to its looks. The board features a larger heatsink, and the VRM has an efficient power implementation that seems enough for most CPUs on the market today.
Connectivity
It does have a good number of SATA ports, so gamers won’t have to worry about running out of SATA ports on their hard drives any time soon. Also, there is one turbo M.2 slot that supports up to 32 GB/s transfers speeds each. This motherboard also has many USB ports, including USB 3.1 (10 GB/s) ports and good support for NVMe SSDs.
There are four DDR4 DIMM slots that take up to 64 GB of RAM in total. The B450 chipset offers memory speeds to 4133 MHz maximum when overclocking, as the Ryzen CPUs support up to 3200 MHz without any problem. It is likely because there are only two DIMM slots per channel, so you are limited in big memory kits anyway. You should be fine with most 2400 MHz or 2666 MHz memory kits on the market today, though.
Onboard Audio
Onboard audio is decent and doesn’t get distorted at high volume levels like many budget onboard sound implementations do these days.
Overclocking Support
The overclocking support is pretty decent on this board, but you won’t get the same experience out of it as you would with higher-end boards like ASUS ROG. It’s still not bad and should be enough to squeeze a stable 4 GHz or so out of Ryzen CPUs that are known to have high overclocking margins.
It seems MSI focused mostly on budget users with this motherboard. It is understandable since AMD has been catching up to Intel in recent years when it comes down to raw performance per dollar spent. The B450 chipset itself also makes sense because both current Ryzen CPUs offer very good value for money together with the AM4 platform in general.
Bottom Line
If you are looking for a decent, cheap motherboard to pair with a Ryzen CPU for normal use, you won’t go wrong with the MSI B450 Tomahawk MAX II.
ASUS Prime X570-Pro
Staff PickBest Premium Motherboard for Ryzen 5 3600
| Form Factor | ATX |
| CPU Socket | Socket AM4 |
| Chipset | X570 |
| Memory Speed | 2133 MHz |
| Memory Capacity | 128 GB |
| RAM Memory Technology | DDR4 |
| DDR4 Memory Support | 4 x DIMM |
Pros
- Design that is both sleek and minimal
- Impressive overall performance
- Excellent components for power delivery
- Unmatched memory overclocking
Cons
- Lacks WiFi
- Software package needs to be upgraded
The runner-up on our Ryzen 5 3600 compatible motherboards list is ASUS Prime X570-Pro with an AM4 socket. The motherboard comes with support for up to 128 GB of DDR4 memory, and it is also one of the latest motherboards that support PCI Express 4.0 standards.
Connectivity
This motherboard also has an M.2 storage slot for PCI Express-based SSDs on the back of the board. It is located between the PCI Express slots 3 and 4, which can cause some problems in the case of larger graphics cards.
The board comes with 4x (2133 MHz) RAM support. It also has a pre-installed I/O shield.
Audio
The audio solution on this board has been improved to a flagship standard. Furthermore, the AM4 socket is located at the top of the board near two fan headers. One of these is specifically for CPU cooling fans, while the other may be used for watercooling setups using AIO solutions or other fans.
The board comes with a high-quality backplate for structural rigidity, and the RGB LEDs further add to the looks and aesthetics.
Bottom Line
The ASUS Prime X570-Pro is a high-end AM4 motherboard with some next-generation technologies. It has the excellent built quality and good aesthetics, which make it an attractive motherboard to purchase.
This motherboard comes loaded with several features like 2x M.2 slots, SLI support on the board, USB3.1 Gen 2 6Gbps ports. There are just too many features for this price point, making it difficult not to recommend this product for Ryzen 5 3600 CPU. The ASUS Aura Sync RGB lighting is also an added bonus on most boards at this price point.
MSI MPG X570 GAMING PLUS
Best PickBest X570 Motherboard for Ryzen 5 3600
| Brand | MSI |
| Form Factor | ATX |
| CPU Socket | Socket AM4 |
| Chipset | X570 |
| Memory Speed | 4400 MHz (OC) |
| Memory Capacity | 128 GB |
| RAM Memory Technology | DDR4 |
| DDR4 Memory Support | 4 x DIMM |
Pros
- Pretty adequate voltage regulator
- Impressively solid VRM
- Impressive overclocking potential on Ryzen 5 3600
- Affordable price tag
Cons
- Lacks WiFi
- Has no built-in RGB lighting
MSI MPG X570 GAMING PLUS is a fairly standard AM4 motherboard for gamers looking to future-proof themselves as much as possible with the Ryzen 5 3600 processor. It retains many similar features to its predecessors, such as SLI/CFX support and overclocking capabilities. Yet, some unique selling points may attract those interested in some of Ryzen’s new technologies.
Connectivity
First off, you have the usual dual M.2 slots on the motherboard with support for PCIe 4.0. There are also six SATA ports, one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port, and two front-panel USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-A ports.
The MSI MPG X570 GAMING PLUS has been equipped with two full-speed PCIe 4.0 x16 slots and a third PCIe 4.0 x16 slot that is only running at gen 3 speeds. This last slot operates as an additional M.2 connector for Ryzen 3000 support, specifically the integrated Radeon Vega graphics built-in to the Ryzen 3000 CPUs.
AMD’s new processors are also equipped with the company’s flagship chipset, the X570, which is PCIe 4.0 compatible and brings native USB 3.2 Gen 2 support to the table. MSI has done away with M.2 shields on this motherboard instead of using a more aesthetically pleasing cover that is interchangeable.
Bottom Line
All in all, this new MSI MPG X570 GAMING PLUS is a great-looking motherboard that offers up everything necessary for the new CPU generation. Furthermore, for such an affordable board, MSI has packed the X570 Gaming Plus with all the features you could expect at this price point and then some.
GIGABYTE B450 AORUS PRO WiFi
Best Mid-Range Motherboard for Ryzen 5 3600
| Brand | GIGABYTE |
| Form Factor | ATX |
| CPU Socket | Socket AM4 |
| Chipset | B450 |
| Memory Speed | 3600 MHz |
| Memory Capacity | 128 GB |
| RAM Memory Technology | DDR4 |
| DDR4 Memory Support | 4 x DIMM |
Pros
- The triple NVME M2 slots are awesome
- Has Built-in WiFi
- The audio on this motherboard is impressive
- Easy overclocking tools are included
Cons
- Overlocking limitation due to hardware and software implementation
- Primary M.2 is under the GPU slot
The Gigabyte B450 AORUS PRO WiFi is a great choice for any Ryzen 3rd generation system. It comes with the solid build quality, support for two M.2 drives, and dual-band WiFi in Intel and AMD Ryzen systems.
It may have some compatibility issues in older AM4 motherboards in regards to maximum memory speeds. However, in the BIOS, some options can adjust timings to help alleviate this problem by reducing latency. If you plan to use Ryzen or upgrade, this motherboard will be perfect for you.
Looks and Aesthetics
The motherboard has a good aesthetically pleasing design with heatsinks on all major components and an overall premium feel when using it. One downside is that inside the box, there were no cable labels for the included SATA cables. It could have been beneficial when installing the motherboard into a case with multiple storage drives to help keep things looking nice and neat.
Connectivity
The ports and connectors available onboard are numerous: 2xM2, 6xSATA 6Gb/s, 2xUSB3.1 Type-A + C, eight channels audio connectors (ALC1220), PS/2 port for connecting devices with a PS / 2 connector, and finally, WiFi antennas integrated into the backplate.
To boost your system’s performance, it contains an M2 slot that you can use to install SSDs with a format M.2 NVMe or SATA and an M.2 slot for WiFi, which you can use to insert the WiFi module.
Audio
Regarding the audio equipment, it is worth mentioning that this motherboard features an isolated audio PCB and ALC1220 codec that guarantee good sound quality by eliminating interference from other elements of your computer system.
The Lighting
It also has red LED lighting on several connectors around the motherboard’s edge, located near the memory slots, making it easier to thread cables in dark environments.
Bottom Line
Finally, it is built using quality components guaranteeing durability over time with high performance at all times. Overall, this is a great motherboard for a great price point.
ASUS ROG STRIX X570-E Gaming
Best Gaming Motherboard for Ryzen 5 3600
| Brand | ASUS |
| Form Factor | ATX |
| CPU Socket | AMD AM4 |
| Chipset | X570 |
| Memory Speed | 2133 MHz |
| Memory Capacity | 128 GB |
| RAM Memory Technology | DDR4 |
| DDR4 Memory Support | 4 x DIMM |
Pros
- Plenty of USB3 Gen2 ports than rivals
- Excellent overclocking
- 2.5GbE plus Gigabit Ethernet plus WiFi 6
- Aura Sync RGB lighting
- Perfect audio solution
Cons
- A bit expensive for budget gamers
- Only 2 NVMe slots
ASUS ROG STRIX X570-E Gaming is the top model in the series of AMD’s Ryzen 3000 chipset motherboards and has the best compatibility with Ryzen 5 3600 CPU. Thanks to addressable headers onboard, the motherboard features dual M.2 slots with 10 GB/s USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, dual GbE LAN, and lots of RGB LEDs.
Connectivity
The mainboard has two PCI-Express x16 slots wired to four lanes each for SLI or CrossFire multi-GPU configurations. ASUS ROG STRIX X570-E Gaming is ahead in its segment when it comes to expansion capabilities.
There are two M.2 slots (one can be used for WiFi/BT module), eight SATA 6 Gb/s connectors, and a single U.2 port. All three x16 PCIe lanes use PCI-Express switches, which help implement 3x SLI or 3x CrossFire without additional devices needed on board, at least theoretically…
The mainboard has two USB 3.2 Gen 2 headers located by the side of the 24-pin ATX power connector. These ports can be used for front panel connectors when the mainboard is installed in the inverted position (the standard position). It’s not a common solution, and it will require some special cases/mounting kits to make such cables work with most chassis (otherwise, we’ll have to use adapters).
In addition to two real M.2 slots, the mainboard features a special connector (right under 24-pin ATX power connector) that can be used for WiFi/BT modules with antennas attached on the backside of the board.
Memory Support
The motherboard has four DIMM memory slots which support up to 64 GB DDR4 operating at up to 3600 MHz frequencies when overclocking is enabled. Theoretically, this motherboard can support 128 GB of RAM running at up to 2133 MHz frequency.
Networking
Intel I211-AT controller handles the onboard network. It supports features unavailable even in most expensive mainboards: WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac with up to 1700 Mbps speed over two antennas and Bluetooth 5.0 thanks to included internal 2T2R antenna on WiFi module located in M.2 E Key slot under the heat spreader.
The Audio
The audio subsystem also features ASUS exclusive technologies like SupremeFX S1220A, DTS®, and Sonic Studio III, which have five profiles for equalizing sound to user’s personal preferences (Normal, Game, Music, Movie, and Sports).
Bottom Line
In conclusion, the mobo features all the high-level enthusiasts’ features, including WiFi, an Innovative audio solution, plenty of connectivity ports, and beautiful RGB. The price is a bit expensive than other budget options on the list, but it’s worth the price.
MSI B550-A PRO
Best B550 Motherboard for Ryzen 5 3600
| Brand | MSI |
| Form Factor | ATX |
| CPU Socket | AMD AM4 |
| Chipset | B550 |
| Memory Speed | 4400 MHz |
| Memory Capacity | 128 GB |
| RAM Memory Technology | DDR4 |
| DDR4 Memory Support | 4 x DIMM |
Pros
- PCIe 4.0 support at an affordable price
- Solid and durable PCB
- Plenty of case fan headers
- 2.5G and 1G LAN connectivity
Cons
- Lacks WiFi connectivity
- No SLI Support
The MSI B550-A PRO is pretty affordable yet has all the high-end features of a truly amazing motherboard. It proves itself as the best B550 motherboard for Ryzen 5 3600. However, it is not common to find a motherboard with so much to offer for such an incredibly low price.
The B550 comes equipped with USB 3.1 Gen2 connectivity, 4 DDR4 DIMM slots, support for two graphics cards in SLI or CrossFire configurations, and much more.
RAM Support
The MSI B550-A PRO also supports up to 128GB of DDR4 RAM. It will help you run multiple programs and open browsers simultaneously as the MSI B550-A PRO has plenty of memory for multitasking.
Overclocking Potential
The motherboard even has a few overclocking features built-in, such as the OC Genie button on the back panel and an all-core overclock setting. If anything goes wrong during overclocking, there is also a clear CMOS button to keep things safe while experimenting or just resetting your settings.
Plenty of Supportive Features
The MSI B550-A PRO also supports AMD CrossFire multi-graphics card setups, making it perfect for hardcore gamers. Gamers who require top performance from their PC at all times. In general, the MSI B550-A PRO can handle whatever situation you put it in.
In our opinion, the MSI B550-A PRO is perfect for gamers who want to play most modern games at ultra-settings with high frame rates but also includes some overclocking capabilities if the need arises. It’s also great for users looking for a solid motherboard that can handle whatever they throw at it without spending an arm and a leg on getting it.
The only drawback we observed is that there are no built-in WiFi antennas. However, wireless connectivity can easily be added via an inexpensive USB dongle or PCI-E wireless card for those who would rather go that route.
Bottom Line
Overall, the MSI B550-A PRO is more than worth its low price tag. We would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a motherboard with all the bells and whistles without having to pay the high price.
MSI B450I Gaming Plus AC
Best B450 Motherboard Ryzen 3600
| Brand | MSI |
| Form Factor | Mini-ITX |
| CPU Socket | AMD AM4 |
| Chipset | B450 |
| Memory Speed | 4400 MHz |
| Memory Capacity | 64 GB |
| RAM Memory Technology | DDR4 |
| DDR4 Memory Support | 2 x DIMM |
Pros
- Impressive build quality
- Plenty of headroom for overclocking
- Much packed in a small form factor
- 802.11ac WiFi
Cons
- Lacks M.2 Cooler
- Memory limited to 32GB only
If you’re looking for an AM4 motherboard to build a powerhouse of a gaming PC, but don’t have the budget for an expensive board, then MSI has you covered. Let’s be honest, there are some really expensive things out there in the world of computer hardware, but when it comes to PC components, MSI is on par with Sapphire and Asus.
The MSI B450I Gaming Plus AC lacks support for SLI, which is expected from a budget motherboard. However, if you did opt for two GTX 1070s or 1080s, it’s fairly easy to do an SLI bridge for this motherboard.
MSI’s motherboards are high-performance products that can be used for both gaming and overclocking. The software comes preinstalled on the motherboard, making it easy to use – even if you’re not very computer savvy. Xboost optimizes data transfer speeds from USB drives or M2 SSDs. Additionally, the command center allows us to control the fan speed and clock frequencies to get optimal performance out of our system without any hassle at all.
Overall Looks
MSI really knows how to make their boards aesthetically pleasing, considering both color schemes look polished and glossy.
With this motherboard’s M.2 and 2x PCI-E slots, you can get read speeds of 3200MB/s and write speeds of 2400MB/s using an NVMe SSD (not included) like the Samsung 960 Evo. The front USB 3.1 Type-A port is also great for anyone who uses flash drives regularly.
The B450 chipset is a good package, but it has some drawbacks. It cannot take RAM capacity above 64GB due to only two memory slots and one M.2 drive slot. The reason is that the motherboard size is too small for any manufacturer who wants an mITX board with all of its features included in such minor factors.
Bottom Line
Finally, the MSI knocked it out of the park with their B450 lineup, and this board doesn’t disappoint in performance or quality. With an affordable price tag, you can’t go wrong with this motherboard if you’re looking to build a mid to high-end system. We rate this motherboard 4.5/5 stars, and it is highly recommended to any PC builder who is on a budget looking for some mid-range components.
Quick Shopping Tips
The motherboard is an important component of any computer, but buying one can be intimidating because there are many options on the market to choose from at various price points. This guide will help you make the right choice on which motherboards to get for your Ryzen 5 3600 CPU, including some older models if they are still compatible with Ryzen 5 3600.
The Right Chipset
There are several brands of motherboards on the market today, but ASUS, GIGABYTE, MSI, and ASRock tend to dominate this space in most countries. As such, their products usually account for 90%+ of what is available in stores. Based upon AMD’s 450 chipsets, boards are budget models, while the B550 boards are the mainstream ones. The X470 is AMD’s high-end chipset for Ryzen CPUs of this generation. These are only general guidelines, though, as brands also have their own sub-brands that usually fall into specific price points or performance categories.
The Form Factor
Besides picking the right chipset, you should pick a board with plenty of features based upon your needs and budget. A good way to do this is by choosing one of each class (entry, mid, and high) so you can plan around your future upgrade path too. If you think you might use all the slots on your motherboard, an ATX is a better option instead of mATX.
Connectivity Options
The board should also have at least one or two USB 3.1 type-A ports on the back. Ryzen CPUs now support this faster interface natively, so you don’t have to buy a separate 3rd party controller card to get it anymore. It is great for people who are eyeing cheaper boards since those usually lack these ports despite being fully compatible with Ryzen CPUs.
Lastly, you might want to consider getting an ITX model if you are building a small form factor build, e.g., in a Mini-ITX case. The smaller boards tend to be pricier, though.
Summary of Best Motherboards for Ryzen 5 3600
| Award | Design | Motherboards | Retailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Motherboard for AMD Ryzen 5 3600 | Budget Pick | Check Price | |
| Best Premium Motherboard for Ryzen 5 3600 | Staff Pick | Check Price | |
| Best X570 Motherboard for Ryzen 5 3600 | Best Pick | Check Price | |
| Best Mid-Range Motherboard for Ryzen 5 3600 | | Check Price | |
| Best Gaming Motherboard for Ryzen 5 3600 | | Check Price | |
| Best B550 Motherboard for Ryzen 5 3600 | | Check Price | |
| Best B450 Motherboard Ryzen 3600 | | Check Price |
Conclusion
If you’re looking for the best RAM for Ryzen 5 3600, we recommend checking out our list of the top 7 picks. We hope this article has helped you find what you were looking for and that it’s been informative. Let us know if there are any other questions about this topic or any Ryzen related questions by commenting below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is B450 Compatible with Ryzen 5 3600?
It is perfectly compatible with Ryzen 5 3600 and can offer optimal performance in games and high-end video editing tasks.
What Motherboard Goes with Ryzen 5 3600?
The MSI B450 TOMAHAWK MAX II is a great motherboard for those looking to invest in Ryzen 5 3600 processors. It won’t bottleneck your new GPU as it has enough connectivity options with a variety of ports. In addition, the price point makes this product an affordable choice too.
Which is better, B450 or X570?
The X570 chipset is a superior choice for gamers and enthusiasts alike. The difference between these chipsets comes down to their compatibility. However, it seems like B450 will be more compatible with older games than the newer ones out there on shelves right now.
