When it comes to gaming, AMD has taken over the market for sure. By choosing the Ryzen 5 3600 processor, you have made a wise decision. Now you only need to buy the best motherboard for Ryzen 5 3600 to get unrivaled performance, GPU support, and long-term use. A motherboard is crucial to hold all the components and we don’t want you to invest in something that can’t provide value for money.
While buying a motherboard, there are plenty of considerations one should make, it should go through various tests like compatibility, aesthetics, performance, features, and whatnot. Our passion for testing motherboards and providing you with an unbiased review will surely help you make a wise decision and invest in the right one. Moreover, through our expertise, we’ve prepared a buying guide and given some important tips that’ll make you confident in buying one. Let’s begin.
Our Picks for Best Ryzen 5 3600 Motherboards
In-Depth Review of Best Motherboards for Ryzen 5 3600
We have physically tested more than twenty motherboards that are compatible with Ryzen 5 3600 and picked the best ones that deserve your attention. Moreover, we’ve made sure to include different form-based motherboards for your PC case.
1: ASUS ROG Strix B550-F Gaming (WiFi 6)
Specifications:
- Brand: ASUS
- Form Factor: ATX
- Socket: AM4
- Chipset: AMD B550
- RAM: DDR4, 4x, 128GB Max
- Speed: 4400 MHz
- Wireless: WiFi 6, 802.11a/b/g/n/ax/ac
- Weight: 2.38 pounds
- Dimensions: 13.3 x 10.7 x 2.7 in
The ATX-based ASUS B550-F is a WiFi-enabled motherboard for Ryzen 5 3600 that performed exceptionally well in our stress test. At first glance, the black theme of this motherboard having ROG name with LED will attract you and gives a premium feel to users.
Aesthetics are something that can not be expressed by words alone but this is the so far appealing board that we’ve tested. In terms of connectivity, it offers an RGB header, two additional fans, multiple I/O, M.2 slots, and a large VRM heatsink for maintaining the temperature.
As compared to its Asus B450F (Its predecessor), you get almost 534MHz higher ram speed, 1 extra PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, and much more at a lower price which is surprising. As for performance, it pairs perfectly with the Ryzen 5 3600 and supports 4x DDR4 RAM up to 128GB which takes the multi-tasking and intensive gaming to the next level.
The WiFi 6 technology allows greater bandwidth and reduces the latency of online competitive games. Although ASUS claims that the thermal solution of fanless VRM and heatsinks are very reliable, this segment should be improved a bit. But, for a price lesser than its predecessor while providing additional features, this motherboard is worth investing in.
2: MSI Arsenal Gaming
Specifications:
- Brand: MSI
- Form Factor: ATX
- Socket: AM4
- Chipset: AMD B450
- RAM: DDR4, 4x, 64GB Max
- Speed: 2133 MHz
- Wireless: Bluetooth
- Weight: 3 pounds
- Dimensions: 12 x 9.6 x 2 in
The next one on our list is the MSI Arsenal Gaming motherboard. We consider it a game-changer in our review due to its budget-friendly price and gaming-centric features. The motherboard feels thick and sturdy for its price range. Moreover, we love the extended heatsink design and put it to a test.
It can handle games like Valorant and Fortnite without overheating the CPU and other components. All thanks to its Core Boost technology that provides premium power delivery to all the components and makes the PC highly efficient. However, we recommend you invest in AMD graphics cards for long and enjoyable gaming sessions.
The DDR4 RAM support is good enough and reaches up to 2133MHz speed which is perfect for gamers. Moreover, it has an audio boost feature that allows hearing every tiny detail in competitive games and you can flash its BIOS using a connected power supply without needing a CPU or memory in easy steps.
Despite having these features, it lacks maximum RAM capacity. 64GB feels not enough when you become a hard-time gamer. But again, for this price and plenty of positive reviews on Amazon, this is the best MSI motherboard for ryzen 5 3600.
3: Gigabyte B550I Aorus Pro AX
Specifications:
- Brand: Gigabyte
- Form Factor: Mini-ITX
- Socket: AM4
- Chipset: AMD B550
- RAM: DDR4, 2x, 64GB Max
- Speed: 4866 MHz
- Wireless: 802.11ax
- Weight: 2.83 pounds
- Dimensions: 8.74 x 7.44 x 3.07 in
If you’re building a PC setup, and you need a compact motherboard, the Gigabyte B550I Aorus Pro AX is your best bet. We all know a gamer wants to use every space possible and this Mini-ITX motherboard fulfills your needs. It is a perfect blend of performance with aesthetics.
The motherboard feels very compact in hand and you are sure to get a feel of lacking performance but do not misunderstand the size for power, it is equipped with an effective thermal solution and pre-installed GPU for performance. We tested this motherboard for more than 8 hours of gaming and heavy workloads. The temperature surely rises, but, it didn’t affect the performance.
The Intel WiFi 6 connectivity is useful when you play online games and compete in higher lobbies. The reason we ranked it number three is not because of lacking performance, or aesthetics, but the Mini-ITX design. We believe every gamer needs to make their own wise decisions and if you’ve selected an ITX-based case for your build, this is the best b550 motherboard for Ryzen 5 3600 that’ll fit your needs.
4: Gigabyte B450M DS3H
Specifications:
- Brand: Gigabyte
- Form Factor: Micro ATX
- Socket: AM4
- Chipset: AMD B450
- RAM: DDR4, 4x, Max 64GB
- Speed: 3600 MHz
- Wireless: No
- Weight: 1 pound
- Dimensions: 15 x 12.25 x 4.22 in
As we reviewed ATX and Mini-ITX motherboard for Ryzen 5 3600, you can expect the next motherboard to be Micro-ATX. We know that a gamer needs varieties which is why the Gigabyte B450M DS3H is one of our choices in this review. It is among the cheapest yet good-performing motherboards that we’ve tested so far for AMD Ryzen 5 3600 3.6 GHz 6 core processor.
The black base with a gray striped pattern complements its look and it features 2x PCIe slots which makes the AMD CrossFire GPU compatible. Moreover, the rear panel of this board includes basic ports and connections with 4x USB 3.1, and 4x USB 2.0 A ports.
The 3x 3.55mm audio jacks that are powered by Realtek ALC887 do not disappoint and the video output of HDMI-2.0 and DVI-D makes it suitable for a beginner gaming system. Although it supports RGB fusion LED strips, it lacks some performance and is ideal for basic gaming and daily workloads. We only recommend you buy this if you have a Micro-ATX case and you’re looking for a budget-friendly motherboard for your Ryzen 5 3600 6 core.
5: ASUS AM4 TUF Gaming X570-Plus (Wi-Fi)
Specifications:
- Brand: ASUS
- Form Factor: ATX
- Socket: AM4
- Chipset: AMD 570X
- RAM: DDR4 SDRAM, 4x, Max 128GB
- Speed: 4400 MHz
- Wireless: Yes, WiFi 5
- Weight: 2.64 pounds
- Dimensions: 13.31 x 10.74 x 2.68 in
The last spot on our review of the best motherboards for Ryzen 5 3600 is claimed by the ASUS AM4 TUF Gaming X570-Plus motherboard. It is equipped with Bluetooth 5.0 and advanced WiFi 5 connectivity for a lag-free gaming experience. It has multiple temperature sources like the VRM heatsink, active PCH heatsink, M.2 heatsink, and hybrid fan headers. When put into stress test, the motherboard maintains an optimal temperature and continued to provide enough power to the CPU.
In terms of design, the premium black surface with yellow highlights complements its look and will make your PC build much more appealing. Asus has used Military-grade components that make it durable to take heavy loads without compromising on power. As for connectivity, the motherboard can support dual M.2 PCIe 4.0, USB 3.2 Type-C/A.
The Type-C connectivity and effective cooling system impressed us a lot. The only drawback we consider for this board is no USB 3.1 on the front panel. Other than this, the features, aesthetics, performance, and pricing are up to the point and make it the best motherboard for Ryzen 5 3600 with WiFi.
Tips for Buying a Ryzen 5 3600 Motherboard (Quick Guide)
Now that our top picks of motherboards for Ryzen 5 3600 are revealed, we believe some extra tips will make you confident to invest in the best one for you.
1: Consider Form Factor to Avoid Wrong Adjustments
What could be more wrong than a motherboard not fitting in your PC case? Motherboards have different sizes known as form factors and three common ones are:
1: ATX: This can be called a standard size for motherboards which usually measure around 12 x 9.6 inches. It features 4x RAM and 7x expansion slots. It is more expensive than smaller sizes due to the extra production cost and most connectivity options.
2: Micro-ATX: The next form is a bit smaller than ATX motherboards. It measures 9.6 x 9.6 inches while providing almost the same functionalities as ATX boards. These boards are usually cheaper and provide 4x or at least 2x RAM slots.
3: Mini-ITX: The third most common factor in motherboards is Mini-ITX. It is the smallest and perfect for Compact PC builds. It generally offers a single PCIe slot and measures 9.0 x 7.5 inches. As the size is compact, you get only 2x DIMM slots and a few ports and headers.
2: Aesthetics for making your Build Appealing
The second thing you need to consider is aesthetics. You might have an appealing case and premium components but having a motherboard with basic looks is a big no. Recently, motherboard manufacturers are making quite improvements in aesthetics. You’ll see black PCBs with elements colored in silver, gray, or white.
These color combinations please your eyes and make your PC build more appealing. In addition, several motherboards feature built-in lighting and if budget is no concern, you can go with RGB motherboards. You can customize the RGB of your motherboard and make it similar to your theme. Moreover, you can go for the best white X570 motherboard and add a cool touch to your setup.
3: VRM Cooling for Maximum Performance
There is no need to tell the importance of overclocking and VRM cooling is crucial for it. Motherboards now come with big VRM heatsinks to maintain the temperature. It is important that you avoid such motherboards lacking VRM heatsink or not good for overclocking as it’ll compromise the overall performance of your PC.
4: Always Look for Additional Features
Additional features may not attract you a lot but they increase the value of your motherboard. Some of these include debugging LEDs, BIOS flashback, I/O shield, and buttons for faster boot. These features come in handy when you need to install the motherboard or fix any issue.
5: Never compromise on Connectivity
This tip will save you from additional expenditures. Most first-time motherboard buyers only consider basic connectivities like USB ports, M.2 slots, fan connectors, etc. As compared to motherboards for Ryzen 5 2600, the Ryzen 5 3600 motherboards are more durable and as the technology is advancing, you need to consider connectivities like USB-C, WiFi 6, and SATA ports for a future-proof investment.
6: GPU support for Intensive Games
Another important tip for buying a motherboard is to seek GPU support. It is crucial for enhancing the graphics of your games giving you a smooth experience with a high frame rate. Many processors are equipped with integrated graphics that are good for low-end games but if you’re a dedicated gamer and play intensive games, sooner or later, you’ll need a GPU. Regardless of your intent on using the PC, you must look for GPU support on a motherboard.
7: Maximum RAM Support for Speed
The amount of RAM you need totally depends on your intent of using it. If you’re a regular gamer who plays low-graphics games, 8GB of RAM can fulfill your needs. Meanwhile, if you’re into competitive games like Valorant, Fortnite, CS: GO, etc. then you’ll need up to 32GB of RAM for maximum and at least 16GB of RAM for decent performance.
Final Verdict
CPUs and Motherboards are two important things that decide the overall performance of your PC. Without a doubt, Ryzen 5 3600 processor are best in the market but its performance can be unleashed only when you use a compatible motherboard with it. If you believe in the long run, we recommend you consider ASUS ROG Strix B550-F, and if you’re tight on budget and still want a decent motherboard, go with MSI Arsenal Gaming.
If you’re one of those who build their own PC and want to utilize the space, the Gigabyte B550I Aorus Pro AX is a Mini-ITX motherboard and will suit your needs. Hopefully, our experience of testing motherboards for Ryzen 5 3600 and review with the buyer’s guide will help you make a wise decision.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Which is the best motherboard for Ryzen 5 3600?
There are plenty of motherboards that can be considered the best for Ryzen 5 3600. However, these vary in their pricing. If budget is no concern for you, Gigabyte X570S Aorus Master is the best whereas the Gigabyte B450M is the cheapest motherboard available right now.
Q2. What chipset is best suited for AMD Ryzen 5 3600?
The Ryzen 5 3600 is compatible with the X470, X570, B450, and B550 chipsets. However, it is recommended to go with X570 and B550 chipsets as they are advanced and provide value for your money.
Q3. Which is the best budget motherboard for Ryzen 5 3600?
There are currently two motherboards that feel easy on the pocket and provide decent features for a normal gamer. They are MSI Arsenal Gaming and Gigabyte B450M DS3H.