Best motherboards for AMD Ryzen 9 5950X in 2022
The absolute best AMD motherboards are in.
AMD Ryzen 9 5950X is a 16-core processor running on the AM4 platform. This processor is part of the 5000 Series, requiring a 500-series motherboard, namely the A520, B550, and X570. We rounded up the best motherboards for the AMD Ryzen 9 5950X to provide some enticing compatible board options.
Premium X570
To really get the most out of your Ryzen 5950X, you'll need an X570 motherboard. The ASUS ROG Strix X570-E has some pretty good VRMs, which allow you to overclock the processor with more stable results. There are other benefits, including PCIe 4.0 support, high-quality components, Wi-Fi 6, and Gen 4 M.2 slots capable of unidirectional transfer speeds up to 64GB/s, rapid LAN ports, and plenty of RGB lighting options to boot.
Budget pick
Gigabyte's B550 motherboard isn't quite as advanced as X570 motherboards, but it's still worth considering for a new Ryzen build. The B550 AORUS Elite V2 is compatible with the latest 5000 Series processors, supports PCIe 4.0, comes with a decent VRM setup,2.5Gb LAN, and other highlight features.
Compact board
If you want to create a more compact PC build, you'll need a Mini-ITX motherboard. The ASUS ROG Strix X570-I is a great foundation for such a system, thanks to the 8+2 phase delivery with active VRM cooling alongside active chipset cooling. There's also PCIe 4.0 and plenty of other features.
Entry X570
There are X570 motherboards out there that don't cost too much like the Prime X570-P from ASUS. It's more of a standard board with little in terms of flashy design and advanced features, but you still get one fine board with metal VRM heatsinks, PCIe 4.0 support, and high-quality components.
Enthusiast build
This motherboard is for an enthusiast PC build or for someone who truly wants everything a motherboard can provide. It's complete overkill for most systems but will work well with the Ryzen 9 5950X. Highlight features include high-quality components for stable overclocking, as well as a heatsink block that can be connected to your custom water-cooling loop. It's quite literally insane.
Choosing the best motherboard for AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
Why you can trust Windows Central
The motherboard is one of the most important decisions to make for a PC build or upgrade. It's what determines what CPU you can use, as well as RAM. The Ryzen 9 5900X doesn't necessarily demand the best motherboard around, but it's always good to choose a board that's not only compatible but also provides features you need.
Just remember to check the BIOS version to make sure the motherboard is ready to accept the Ryzen 5000 Series CPU. If it's outdated, you may need to source a Ryzen 3000 Series CPU to perform a BIOS update.
Our top pick for the Ryzen 9 5900X goes to the ASUS Strix X570-E, which comes with super-fast LAN ports and PCIe 4.0, thanks to the X570 chipset from AMD. It's not the most affordable but will easily handle even the most powerful Ryzen 9 processor.
If you want to save a little but still enjoy all the benefits of X570, the ASUS Prime X570-P is a great second choice, coming with PCIe 4.0 support, high-quality components, and a great BIOS at a more affordable price.
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Rich Edmonds was formerly a Senior Editor of PC hardware at Windows Central, covering everything related to PC components and NAS. He's been involved in technology for more than a decade and knows a thing or two about the magic inside a PC chassis. You can follow him on Twitter at @RichEdmonds.