As an Amazon Influencer, we earn from qualifying purchases you might make if you click any of the links or buttons on this page.
Searching for the best Motherboard for the Ryzen 5 9600X?
With its solid gaming performance, low power consumption, and reasonable price, the Ryzen 5 9600X is arguably the best mid-range CPU for gaming right now. To get the most bang for your buck, though, you need a good motherboard to utilize its performance.
In this guide, I’ve researched and tested a wide variety of motherboards across different budgets to narrow it down to the three best options. All the following motherboards have great performance, reliability, and value. You’ll surely find something for the 9600X here, regardless of your budget.
Our Top Picks
- ASUS Prime B650 Plus Wi-Fi – Best Budget Motherboard For Ryzen 5 9600X
- ASUS ROG Strix X870-A – Best Premium Motherboard For Ryzen 5 9600X
- Gigabyte B850 Aorus Elite Wi-Fi – Our Top Choice
Why Should You Trust Us?
When it comes to motherboard recommendations and detailed hardware insights, experience is key. Konstantinos Chiotis brings over 24 years of hands-on experience building PCs and more than a decade of professional involvement in the tech industry. His passion lies in understanding and evaluating the latest motherboards, GPUs, CPU coolers, and processors, allowing him to deliver informed, reliable, and unbiased guidance to help readers confidently build and upgrade their gaming setups.
With extensive first-hand experience in PC building, Konstantinos knows precisely what gamers and hardware enthusiasts seek. Each recommendation provided here is thoroughly researched, tested, and vetted, ensuring accurate advice you can trust when selecting the ideal motherboard for your Ryzen 5 9600X.
Things To Consider When Buying a Motherboard for the Ryzen 5 9600X
Selecting the right motherboard for your Ryzen 5 9600X is essential for maximizing performance, reliability, and value. Here are the key considerations you should keep in mind to make an informed decision:
1. Chipset Compatibility
The Ryzen 5 9600X uses AMD’s AM5 socket, and it’s compatible with chipsets like the B650, x670, B850, and X870. Here’s a quick breakdown of each:
| Chipset | Target User | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| B650 | Budget | PCIe 5 (limited), decent VRM |
| B850 , X670 | Mid-range | Improved VRMs, wider PCIe 5 support |
| X870 | Premium | Advanced VRMs, maximum PCIe 5 |
For everyday gaming and moderate overclocking, B850 motherboards offer the sweet spot between performance and price.
2. Power Delivery (VRM)
Effective power delivery ensures stable performance and room for overclocking. Ryzen CPUs benefit significantly from solid VRMs:
- Aim for at least 12+ power phases to comfortably manage CPU performance and slight overclocking.
- Robust VRM heatsinks are crucial to maintain lower temperatures during sustained gaming sessions.
3. PCIe Support
Ryzen 5 9600X can leverage PCIe 5, particularly for GPUs and fast NVMe storage:
- Ensure at least one PCIe 5.0 x16 slot for future-proof GPU compatibility.
- Prioritize boards with at least one PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot for ultra-fast storage options.
4. Memory Support and Overclocking
The Ryzen 5 9600X significantly benefits from fast DDR5 memory:
- Look for motherboards supporting at least DDR5 7600 MT/s to maximize CPU performance.
- Motherboards with easy-to-navigate BIOS and built-in overclocking profiles simplify the process of tuning RAM speeds.
5. Connectivity Features
Good connectivity ensures versatility in daily usage and future upgrades:
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth: Preferably Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3 or higher for seamless wireless connectivity.
- Ethernet: 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet should be standard for faster and more stable wired connections.
- USB Ports: At minimum, multiple USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports and at least one Type-C port enhance compatibility with modern peripherals. USB 4 is nice to have but not essential.
6. Cooling Solutions and Thermal Management
Effective thermal management keeps performance optimal and increases component longevity:
- Check for multiple fan headers and strong heatsinks, especially around the VRM and chipset areas.
- Features such as dedicated M.2 heatsinks and thermal pads further improve NVMe drive reliability.
7. Future Upgrade Potential
Consider future CPU upgrades and peripheral additions:
- Opt for a board with good VRM and PCIe 5 support to comfortably accommodate higher-tier Ryzen 9000-series CPUs.
- Boards with intuitive BIOS update utilities (such as BIOS Flashback) simplify future compatibility updates.
Considering these factors ensures you choose a motherboard that perfectly matches the Ryzen 5 9600X’s capabilities, optimizing performance and longevity without overspending.
Reviews Of The Best Motherboards For Ryzen 5 9600X
ASUS Prime B650 Plus Wi-Fi – Best Budget Motherboard For Ryzen 5 9600X
B650 motherboards are a generation old at this point, but apart from wider PCIe 5 support, you’re not missing out on much compared to B850. The ASUS Prime B650 Plus offers reliable performance, great memory overclocking, and great connectivity. For pure gaming performance and everyday use, that’s all you really need.
Compared to the Prime B550 Plus, the B650 version brings notable improvements. This includes PCIe 5 support for the top M.2 slot, 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet, USB Type-C ports, and much better power delivery. The design is also a bit visually different, though it retains the industrial look that is synonymous with Prime motherboards.
Speaking of which, this is a pretty decent-looking board for the price. You have an all-black PCB, but white heatsinks for the M.2 slot, chipset heatsink, and VRMs. The rear I/O cover isn’t the biggest, but it does a decent job of hiding some of the rear ports.
For the physical configuration, you have two PCIe 4.0 x16 slots, two M.2 slots (top one is PCIe 5.0), and four SATA ports. Memory support consists of four DIMM slots with support for up to 192GB of DDR5 memory at 7600 MT/s (with overclocking). RAM overclocking is very good here, thanks to the board’s easy-to-use BIOS and overclocking profiles.
General performance is also rock-solid, thanks to the robust 12+2 phases for the power delivery setup. Surprisingly, this board is capable enough to even handle chips like the Ryzen 9 9800X3D, even with light overclocking. While overclocking certainly won’t compare to X870 or X870E chipsets, you do get a bit of room to push your CPU past its factory limits.
As for connectivity, you get Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, and 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet. The board features a USB-C port, though it’s not USB-4. Instead, you get a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port, five 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, and two USB 2.0 ports. The lack of USB 4 is obviously a slight drawback for those who care about high-speed file transfers, but it won’t affect your everyday gaming needs.
The closest competitor to this board is the MSI B650 Gaming Plus. It has a great stealthy design, a slightly better VRM setup, and reliable memory overclocking. Unfortunately, the MSI board is a bit pricier and doesn’t feature PCIe 5 support. Even if that doesn’t matter much to you, the ASUS board is of better value because of the low price.
One of the downsides of going with an older chipset is that you’ll have to update the BIOS. Fortunately, ASUS makes it easy to do so because of BIOS Flashback. Other than that, this is a rock-solid board with great performance and sufficient support for overclocking. It’s a great choice for mid-range CPUs like the Ryzen 5 9600X
To sum up, what I like is….
- Great reliability and performance
- Decent power delivery system
- Affordable price
On the downside…
- Requires BIOS update for Ryzen 9000
- No USB 4
ASUS ROG Strix X870-A – Best Premium Motherboard For Ryzen 5 9600X
If you’re ever going to splurge on a motherboard, ASUS’ ROG Strix line is always a great option. You are guaranteed to get a great design language, stable and intuitive BIOS, and the best fan and lighting control in the game. Strix motherboards always come at a heftier price, but the X870-A is easy to justify because of its high-end features.
As expected, the X870 version brings a lot of improvements compared to its X670 predecessor. The new board adds Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and dual USB4 ports (vs. Wi-Fi 6E and no USB4 on X670E-A). It supports PCIe 5.0 for the GPU and M.2 slots, whereas the previous version only had PCIe 5 support for the GPU. You also get better support for higher-speed DDR5 memory.
In terms of appearance, this is a silver and white board, which is great if it works with your rig’s color theme. However, the board might stand out like a sore thumb in all-black builds. For what it is worth, the design does look great. You have a silver/white PCB, with gigantic silver heatsinks all around to keep the color theme unified.
The top M.2 slot has its separate heatsink, while the other three slots share a heatsink with the chipset. These heatsinks are silver, but the gigantic rear I/O cover is all-white with sleek blue ROG branding.
The physical configuration consists of two PCIe x16 slots (the top one is PCIe 5.0) and four M.2 slots (two are PCIe 5). Memory-wise, you get support for 256GB of DDR5 memory at 8000 MT/s, which is more than enough for Ryzen 9000 CPUs. The board handles memory overclocking very well, and ASUS includes a bunch of software tools that utilize AI-overclocking for fine-tuning CPU and memory clocks with a few clicks.
There is a host of enthusiast features here, such as quick release mechanisms for the M.2 and PCIe slots, debugging LEDs for troubleshooting, and BIOS flashback. You also get a clear CMOS button around the back.
Power delivery is top notch, as you get 16+2+2 power stages and strong VRM cooling. This board will easily allow you to push any Ryzen 9000 series CPU to its limits, provided you have a good CPU cooler. Considering it’s not ridiculously more expensive than a B850 board, that’s not a bad value.
As for connectivity, you get Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and Intel 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet. Additionally, you get two USB 4 Type-C ports, six USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, and four USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports. Fan control and lighting are provided by the ASUS Aura Sync software, which is easy to use and customize.
The closest competitor to the Strix is the MSI MAG X870 Tomahawk. The Tomahawk features fantastic performance, a stealthy all-black design, and the same connectivity. ASUS has better lighting and fan control, more robust VRMs, and an all-white design. Both are neck and neck, but I’ll give it to the Strix as it’s actually priced lower than the MSI board these days.
In conclusion, not much to complain about with this board. You’re getting all the features you need, reliable and future-proof performance, and one of the best software suites in the game. Pricing isn’t too bad either for a fully loaded X870 board. The all-white design won’t be for everyone, but it’s not a major dealbreaker when the motherboard is so capable otherwise.
To sum up, what I like is….
- Phenomenal performance and power delivery
- Plenty of smart AI features
- Excellent fan and lighting control
- Great for heavy overclocking
On the downside…
- All-white design won’t work for everyone.
Finally my top pick for the average user is the Gigabyte B850 Aorus Elite Wi-Fi
Gigabyte B850 Aorus Elite Wi-Fi – Our Top Choice
Gigabyte’s Aorus Elite line has always been a solid contender in the past when it comes to motherboards with great value. The latest board with AMD’s B850 chipset is no different, as just shy of some exclusive X870/E features, this board meets most people’s needs without breaking the bank.
Compared to its B650 predecessor, the B650 Aorus Elite AX, there are some major improvements on board here with the latest version. Connectivity is significantly better, as we have Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4. You also get PCIe 5 support, USB 4, and a notably better power delivery system.
It’s very similar to its predecessor in terms of appearance, but the heatsinks are much bigger this time. This is a very sleek motherboard with an enormous rear I/O cover, a combined heatsink for the chipset and M.2 slots, and a clean all-black PCB. Due to its stealthy appearance, this board will look good in almost any build.
Memory-wise, you have wide support for DDR5 kits up to 256GB at speeds of 8200 MT/s (with overclocking). If you care about fine-tuning memory frequency and timing, that won’t be a problem thanks to the intuitive BIOS and overclocking profile features. You get a total of three PCIe x16 slots, and the top one is PCIe 5. Similarly, one of the three M.2 slots is PCIe 5, and the other two are PCIe 4.
Like many other B850 boards, this one also features a quick-release design for the PCIe and M.2 slots. No need to mess around with screws here, as you can easily access slots with the intuitive latch design.
The power delivery system is impressive here, thanks to the 14+2+2 phases. This is more than enough for mid-range CPUs like the Ryzen 5 9600X, even with overclocking. The board is also capable enough to handle higher-end chips, so if you plan on upgrading in the future, it won’t be a bottleneck with your next CPU.
In terms of connectivity, you get Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet. Unfortunately, there is no USB 4 support here, so you are left with USB 3.2 Gen 2. One of those is a Type-C port, while the other three are Type-A. You get four more USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports and four USB 2.0 ports.
The closest competitor to this board is the ASUS TUF Gaming B850 Plus WiFi. While the ASUS board is slightly cheaper, the Gigabyte one has more power phases, a quick-release design for multiple slots, and a sleeker appearance. However, the TUF does have USB 4, if you care about that. Even then, the Gigabyte board is the more well-rounded of the two in terms of real-world features for gaming.
All in all, this is a very solid motherboard that doesn’t compromise much. The lack of USB 4 support is a bit strange at this price, but that won’t affect everyday use for most people. For the price, it’s a very future-proof board for AM5 users.
To sum up, what I like is….
- Competitive price
- Highly capable VRM configuration
- Great memory overclocking
- Clean and stealthy design
On the downside…
- No USB 4 support
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What chipset is best for the Ryzen 5 9600X?
The best chipset for the Ryzen 5 9600X is typically AMD’s B850 or X870 chipset. B850 offers a great balance of affordability and performance, while X870 provides additional features and better support for heavy overclocking.
2. Do I need PCIe 5.0 for the Ryzen 5 9600X motherboard?
PCIe 5.0 isn’t essential for Ryzen 5 9600X, but it provides future-proofing benefits. If you plan to upgrade your GPU or storage to next-gen hardware, choosing a motherboard with PCIe 5.0 support is beneficial.
3. How much RAM is supported by motherboards compatible with Ryzen 5 9600X?
Motherboards compatible with Ryzen 5 9600X usually support up to 256GB of DDR5 memory, with speeds often exceeding 8000 MT/s. For most gaming setups, 32GB to 64GB at around 6000–7000 MT/s is sufficient.
4. Should I choose a motherboard with USB4 support for the Ryzen 5 9600X?
USB4 is beneficial but not crucial for everyday gaming or typical use with Ryzen 5 9600X. However, if you frequently transfer large files or use high-speed external drives, USB4 support would be useful.
5. Do all motherboards for Ryzen 5 9600X require a BIOS update?
Not all motherboards require a BIOS update, but older chipsets like B650 typically need updates to support Ryzen 9000 CPUs, including the Ryzen 5 9600X. Always confirm if BIOS updates are needed before purchasing.
6. How important is VRM quality for Ryzen 5 9600X motherboards?
VRM quality is very important for the Ryzen 5 9600X, especially if you plan to overclock. A motherboard with robust power phases and quality cooling will ensure stability and extend CPU lifespan.
7. Is Wi-Fi 7 necessary for Ryzen 5 9600X motherboards?
Wi-Fi 7 isn’t necessary for standard gaming or general use. However, Wi-Fi 7 offers improved connection stability, lower latency, and higher speeds, making it beneficial if you prefer wireless connectivity.
8. What cooling features should I look for in a Ryzen 5 9600X motherboard?
Look for motherboards with effective heatsinks on the VRM and M.2 slots, and sufficient fan headers for proper airflow. This ensures optimal cooling performance and stability, particularly when overclocking the Ryzen 5 9600X.
9. Can I use older DDR4 RAM with Ryzen 5 9600X motherboards?
No, motherboards compatible with Ryzen 5 9600X use DDR5 memory exclusively. You’ll need to upgrade to DDR5 RAM to utilize the new Ryzen CPUs and motherboards effectively.
10. Is Bluetooth version important when buying a motherboard for Ryzen 5 9600X?
Bluetooth version matters mainly if you frequently use wireless peripherals like headphones, keyboards, or controllers. Newer versions (like Bluetooth 5.4) offer improved connection stability, lower power consumption, and better range.
- Best CPU coolers For Ryzen 9 9950X3D In 2025 - July 30, 2025
- How to Choose a Graphics Card - July 25, 2025
- The Best CPU Coolers for Ryzen 5 9600X In 2025 - July 17, 2025