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AMD’s latest Ryzen 9000 series processors are finally out on the market, and they’re some of the best gaming processors I have seen so far. The new Ryzen 5 9600X is a great mid-range CPU and offers incredible performance for its pricing. However, you’ll need the best motherboard for the Ryzen 5 9600X to enjoy its benefits. Therefore, I have compiled a list of some of the best offerings for the processor based on my first-hand testing experience.
Here’s a quick comparison table of all our top motherboard offerings:
Best Motherboards For Ryzen 5 9600X
Here are the motherboards I have chosen for the Ryzen 5 9600X based on my hands-on testing experience and the features they come with:
- Best Overall: Gigabyte B650 Aorus Elite AX V2
- Best Value: MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk WiFi
- Best White: ASUS ROG Strix B650-A Gaming WiFi 6E
Gigabyte B650 Aorus Elite AX V2
Best Overall Motherboard For Ryzen 5 9600X
Chipset: AMD B650 | Memory: DDR5 8,000+ (OC) | VRM: 12+2+2 | Video Outputs: HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4 | RGB Lighting: Yes | Network: Wi-Fi 6E, Realtek 2.4/5/6G LAN, Bluetooth 5.3 | Storage: 3x M.2, 4x SATA 6G | USB Ports: 12x Rear, 7x Front
Pros
- Effective VRM cooling
- Plethora of USB ports
- Gen 5.0 M.2 slot
- Remarkable RAM support
- Ez latch M.2 connectors
- Overall good performance
- 5-year warranty
Cons
- No debug LED
- Minimal RGB lighting
Starting with the Gigabyte B650 Aorus Elite AX V2 motherboard’s aesthetics, it comes with a decent black body and slight RGB lighting. Personally, I would have loved some more RGB, but the motherboard is perfect for those trying to build a silent PC. It has a 12+2+2 VRM, making it an ideal match for mid-range CPUs that do not require too much power.
Additionally, you get 3x M.2 and 4x SATA 6G slots for storage, allowing enough slots to fit all your HDDs and SSDs. I also like the plethora of USB ports in the motherboard, with 11x ports at the rear and 7x at the front. Not only do those many USB ports ensure you can easily connect all your peripherals, but they also leave you some extra for future uses. However, the feature that intrigued me the most was the 8,000MHz support, which allowed incredible overclocking opportunities.
When Nauman Siddique, our hardware expert, tested the GIGABYTE B650 AORUS ELITE AX, he said:
At the end of the day, the B650 AORUS ELITE AX is almost a balanced feature set provider motherboard that the user can get for their daily driver need. The game is strong with the storage department of this motherboard and USB Type-C Gen 2×2 port provisions as well, though don’t expect to find a PCIe Gen 5 X16 slot.
What Makes It The Best Overall Motherboard For Ryzen 5 9600X?
The most intriguing aspect of the Gigabyte B650 Aorus Elite AX V2 motherboard is its outstanding RAM support, which allows incredible overclocking opportunities for Ryzen processors. Moreover, I loved the effective VRM cooling, many USB ports, and decent storage options, making it the best overall motherboard for the Ryzen 5 9600X.
The one thing I loved the most about the Gigabyte B650 Aorus Elite AX V2 motherboard is its tremendous RAM support, allowing enthusiasts to delve into extreme overclocking. I recommend this motherboard for enthusiasts who know how to overclock PC components.
– Usman Saleem
| Performance: 9/10 | Value: 10/10 |
| Features: 9/10 | Design: 7/10 |
MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk WiFi
Best Value Motherboard For Ryzen 5 9600X
Chipset: AMD B650 | Memory: DDR5 7,600+ (OC) | VRM: 14+2+1 | Video Outputs: HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4 | RGB Lighting: No | Network: Wi-Fi 6E, Realtek 2.5G LAN, Bluetooth 5.3 | Storage: 3x M.2, 6x SATA 6G | USB Ports: 10x Rear, 7x Front
Pros
- Solid 14+2+1 VRM phase
- Impressive 6-layer PCB
- Lots of storage slots
- Great cooling features
- Beautiful M.2 screwless cover
Cons
- No RGB
- No PCIe Gen 5
If you’re looking for a value option motherboard that pairs great with the Ryzen 5 9600X, the MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk WiFi is an amazing option because of its impressive 6-layer PCB and 14+2+1 VRM design. While the motherboard has decent features, its value comes from saving money on a fancy design with RGB and not including PCIe Gen 5.
With 10x rear and 7x front USB ports, you won’t have any problems connecting your peripherals. Moreover, the motherboard provides decent storage options with 3x M.2 and 6x SATA 6G slots. I also loved the beautiful M.2 screwless cover, which made installation easier and the design more elegant.
I tested the motherboard and loved its performance. Here’s what I stated in my review:
The MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk WiFi motherboard delivers robust performance at an affordable price, making it a great value for budget-conscious users. The motherboard features comprehensive USB connectivity with 23 ports, including a USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C. The cooling solutions, including extended heatsinks and thermal pads, also performed impressively well in all my tests. Overall, I recommend it to anyone looking for a bang-for-the-buck B650 motherboard.
What Makes It The Best Value Motherboard For Ryzen 5 9600X?
The motherboard is ideal for overclocking on a budget, providing a solid 14+2+1 VRM phase and an impressive 6-layer PCB. Furthermore, I also love its decent storage options and the beautiful screwless M.2 cover, ultimately making the MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk WiFi the best value motherboard for the Ryzen 5 9600X CPU.
| Performance: 8/10 | Value: 10/10 |
| Features: 8/10 | Design: 8/10 |
ASUS ROG Strix B650-A Gaming WiFi 6E
Best White Motherboard For Ryzen 5 9600X
Chipset: AMD B650 | Memory: DDR5 6,400+ (OC) | VRM: 12+2 | Video Outputs: HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4 | RGB Lighting: Yes | Network: Wi-Fi 6E, RealTek 2.5G LAN, Bluetooth 5.2 | Storage: 3x M.2, 4x SATA 6G | USB Ports: 9x Rear, 7x Front
Pros
- Beautiful aesthetics
- Impressive RGB lighting
- Solid VRM phase
- Decent cooling capabilities
- Good BIOS
- Reliable build quality
Cons
- Slightly expensive
- Lesser storage support for price
For the last motherboard, if you want to focus on aesthetics with the Ryzen 5 9600X and are planning a white PC build, then the ASUS ROG Strix B650-A Gaming WiFi 6E is an ideal choice because of its looks and performance. You also get a solid VRM design with a 12+2 VRM phase and don’t have to worry about VRM temperatures during slight overclocking, either.
With its beautiful white aesthetics and impressive RGB lighting, the motherboard charmed me within moments of unboxing. However, later on, I came to love its reliable build quality and reputable 9x rear and 7x front USB ports. Although it showcases lesser storage support for its price, the 3x M.2 and 4x SATA 6G support should be enough for most use-case scenarios.
What Makes It The Best White Motherboard For Ryzen 5 9600X?
Coming with deadly white aesthetics and beautiful RGB lighting, the ASUS ROG Strix B650-A Gaming WiFi 6E motherboard is more than just its looks. With a solid VRM phase, good BIOS, and decent build quality, it’s the best white motherboard for the Ryzen 5 9600X CPU.
| Performance: 9/10 | Value: 8/10 |
| Features: 8/10 | Design: 10/10 |
Specifications Comparison
We have created a specifications comparison table to make it easier for you to choose a motherboard based on your requirements:
| Motherboard Model | Total Power Phases | Max Memory Speed (MT/s) | No. of M.2 slots | No. of SATA III ports | No. of USB ports (Front) | No. of USB ports (Rear) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gigabyte B650 Aorus Elite AX V2 | 16 | 8000 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 11 |
| MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk WiFi | 17 | 7600 | 3 | 6 | 11 | 12 |
| ASUS ROG Strix B650-A Gaming WiFi 6E | 14 | 6400 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 9 |
Why We Didn’t Add The Following Motherboards
Because we narrowed it down to only three motherboards, there are quite a few that didn’t make the list. However, these are some of the stronger contenders that showed great potential:
- Gigabyte B650 Aorus Elite AX Ice: The motherboard’s lower-quality audio codec makes it unsuitable for high-end HiFi headphones, removing it from our list.
- ASRock B650 Pro RS: Although amazing as a value motherboard, its lack of built-in WiFi and support for PCIe Gen 5 makes it inferior to many other competitors within the same price range.
Key Motherboard Terms
- Chipset: Manages communication between the CPU, RAM, storage, and peripherals, keeping everything running smoothly.
- VRM (Voltage Regulator Module): Circuitry that ensures stable voltage to the CPU and other parts.
- CPU Socket: The slot where the CPU is installed, connecting it to the motherboard.
- PCIe Slots: Slots for expansion cards like graphics cards, sound cards, and network adapters.
- DIMM Slots: Slots for RAM modules, allowing the CPU quick access to temporary data.
- Form Factor: The size and shape of the motherboard determine which cases it fits into. Common sizes include ATX, micro ATX, mini ITX, and E-ATX.
How I Tested These Motherboards
For this roundup, I tested a bunch of different motherboards following this strategy:
- Power Delivery: When testing, I paid close attention to power delivery. The Ryzen 5 9600X is a great CPU, so we need to do it justice by pairing it with the right VRM structure.
- Features: Modern motherboards come loaded with features, but some stand out more than others. I looked at storage, connectivity, and networking features to help you choose the right one.
- Value For Money: For the Ryzen 5 9600X, I found the best options typically sit in the mid-range. As such, I focused on recommending motherboards that offer the best value for your money.
FAQs
The Ryzen 9000 series processors support AMD 600 and AMD 800 series chipset motherboards.
Unfortunately, no. AMD’s 7000 series and 9000 series processors are only supported by AM5 motherboards.
B650 motherboards can run a mid-range CPU like the Ryzen 5 9600X. If you’re planning on upgrading your CPU soon, an X670 might be warranted.
Looking for more options? We have you covered:
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[Reviews Specialist]
Usman Saleem brings 8+ years of comprehensive PC hardware expertise to the table. His journey in the tech world has involved in-depth tech analysis and insightful PC hardware reviews, perfecting over 6+ years of dedicated work. Usman’s commitment to staying authentic and relevant in the field is underscored by many professional certifications, including a recent one in Google IT Support Specialization.
- 8+ years of specialized PC hardware coverage
- 6+ years of in-depth PC hardware analysis and reviews
- Lead PC hardware expert across multiple tech journalism platforms
- Certified in Google IT Support Specialization
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