When building a powerful and efficient PC using AMD's Ryzen 9 5950X processor, selecting the right motherboard is crucial. With our experience as PC builders, we understand the importance of finding a compatible motherboard for a CPU. In addition, we understand the necessity of choosing one that offers the desired features. In this article, we will discuss the chipsets compatible with AMD's Ryzen 9 5950X. Our analysis and breakdown will help you make an informed decision to optimize your system's performance.
Furthermore, we researched the available motherboard options and have curated a list of our Recommended Motherboards
for the Ryzen 9 5950X below. This will simplify the decision-making process for you, making it easier to choose the right motherboard for your needs. Keep in mind that OEM-only chipsets that are not available on retail motherboards are outside the scope of this article.
Which Chipsets Are Compatible With the Ryzen 9 5950X Processor?
For AMD's Zen 3-based Ryzen 9 5950X processor, you'll need a motherboard with an AM4 socket and a compatible chipset.
Motherboards for AMD processors are made with chipsets provided by AMD. Each chipset offers a unique set of capabilities. However, motherboards must explicitly support features and capabilities for you to use them. Verify that a motherboard supports the features and capabilities you desire.
Ryzen 5000-series CPUs, which includes the Ryzen 9 5950X, are compatible with all 400 and 500-series consumer chipsets. Supported chipsets include the X570, B550, A520, X470, and B450.
To use Ryzen 5000-series CPUs with the 400-series chipsets, you'll need an updated BIOS. You either need to purchase one with an updated BIOS, perform the update with an older supported CPU installed, or use the USB BIOS Flashback feature (if available).
Products that ship with a compatible BIOS are typically marked as "Ready" for Zen 3 / Ryzen 5000 series / 4th Gen processors.
The older X370, B350, and A320 300-series chipsets are generally not compatible, out of the box, with Ryzen 5000-series CPUs. However, these 300-series chipsets may be supported by some motherboard manufacturers, when using a specific compatible BIOS.
The X570 is our recommended chipset for the Ryzen 9 5950X CPU, as it provides the most functionality and full support for PCIe 4.0. The Ryzen 9 5950X CPU also supports PCIe 4.0.
Only the X570 chipset provides PCIe 4.0 lanes via the chipset.
When using motherboards with the B550 chipset, you still have PCIe 4.0 lanes from the CPU for PCI-Express slots; however, all PCIe or M.2 slots connected via these chipsets will run at PCIe 3.0 speeds.
500-Series Chipsets
| X570 | B550 | A520 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Release Date | July 2019 | June 2020 | August 2020 |
| CPU Overclocking | Yes | Yes | No |
|
PCIe Slots via Processor See Exceptions: MAX, 1, 2, 3 |
One x16 + One x4 at PCIe 4.0 speeds or Two x8 + One x4 at PCIe 4.0 speeds |
One x16 + One x4 at PCIe 4.0 speeds or Two x8 + One x4 at PCIe 4.0 speeds |
One x16 + One x4 at PCIe 3.0 speeds |
|
PCIe Lanes via Chipset See Exceptions: MAX | Up to 16 lanes at PCIe 4.0 speeds | Up to 10 lanes at PCIe 3.0 speeds | Up to 6 lanes at PCIe 3.0 speeds |
| USB 3.2 Gen 2x1 (10 Gbps) | Up to 12 | Up to 6 | Up to 5 |
| Total USB | Up to 16 | Up to 14 | Up to 13 |
| SATA 3.0 Ports | Up to 14 | Up to 8 | Up to 6 |
| RAID | 0, 1, 10 | 0, 1, 10 | 0, 1, 10 |
MAX The maximum supported PCI-Express version for the Ryzen 9 5950X CPU is PCIe 4.0.
1 PCIe 4.0 requires a Zen 2 or newer processor.
2 "G" CPUs: One x8 + One x4 at PCIe 3.0 speeds.
3 A-Series CPUs: One x8 + One x2 at PCIe 3.0 speeds.
- Find Zen 3 X570 Motherboards on Amazon (affiliate link).
- Find Zen 3 B550 Motherboards on Amazon (affiliate link).
- Find Zen 3 A520 Motherboards on Amazon (affiliate link).
400-Series Chipsets
When using motherboards with a 400-series chipset, you will be limited to PCIe 3.0 lanes from the CPU for PCI-Express slots. All PCIe or M.2 slots connected via the 400-series chipsets will run at PCIe 2.0 speeds.
| X470 | B450 | |
|---|---|---|
| Release Date | March 2018 | March 2018 |
| CPU Overclocking | Yes | Yes |
|
PCIe Slots via Processor See Exceptions: MAX, 4.0 |
One x16 + One x4 or Two x8 + One x4 at PCIe 3.0 speeds |
One x16 + One x4 at PCIe 3.0 speeds |
|
PCIe Lanes via Chipset See Exceptions: MAX | Up to 8 lanes at PCIe 2.0 speeds | Up to 6 lanes at PCIe 2.0 speeds |
| USB 3.2 Gen 2x1 (10 Gbps) | Up to 2 | Up to 2 |
| Total USB | Up to 18 | Up to 14 |
| SATA 3.0 Ports | Up to 10 | Up to 6 |
| RAID | 0, 1, 10 | 0, 1, 10 |
MAX The maximum supported PCI-Express version for the Ryzen 9 5950X CPU is PCIe 4.0.
4.0 PCIe 4.0 speeds may be supported for CPU lanes on some motherboards, with a BIOS update and CPU that supports PCIe 4.0.
- Find Zen 3 X470 Motherboards on Amazon (affiliate link).
- Find Zen 3 B450 Motherboards on Amazon (affiliate link).
Recommended Motherboards for the Ryzen 9 5950X
Best Value Motherboard: ASUS TUF Gaming X570-Plus Wi-Fi
Our recommended value motherboard to pair with the Ryzen 9 5950X is the ASUS TUF Gaming X570-Plus (Wi-Fi):
- Check the latest price of the ASUS TUF Gaming X570-Plus (Wi-Fi) Motherboard on Amazon (affiliate link).
-
Through our analysis and research, we found that the ASUS TUF Gaming X570-Plus Wi-Fi motherboard offers an impressive range of features designed to enhance your gaming experience. With PCIe 4.0 support, you can enjoy fast data transfer rates, giving you a competitive edge. The motherboard's support for up to 128 GB of DDR4 memory ensures smooth multitasking and responsive performance at a lower price than DDR5. This motherboard has the X570 chipset.
We found that the ASUS TUF Gaming X570-Plus Wi-Fi motherboard offered superior connectivity as well. Its 1 Gbps Ethernet port enables speedy file transfers, surpassing typical home internet speeds. 802.11ac Wi-Fi provides fast wireless connections, making online gaming and streaming seamless. Plus, Bluetooth 5.2
support allows convenient music streaming to Bluetooth headphones.We also appreciated the plentiful storage options with the ASUS TUF Gaming X570-Plus Wi-Fi. It features two x4 NVMe M.2 slots
(PCIe 5.0 speeds for one of the M.2 slots) and Four SATA 6 Gb/s ports, allowing for efficient storage and quick access to your games, applications, and media. Its USB 3.2 Gen 2 slots also offers 10 Gbps USB speeds.Overall, we concluded that the ASUS TUF Gaming X570-Plus Wi-Fi motherboard strikes a balance between performance and functionality, offering an exceptional gaming experience. With its advanced features and versatile connectivity options, this motherboard is a reliable choice for gamers looking to elevate their gameplay.
ASUS AM4 TUF Gaming X570-Plus (Wi-Fi) Check Price on Amazon Amazon Affiliate Link
Best Feature Motherboard: MSI MAG X570 TOMAHAWK WIFI
Our recommended feature-rich motherboard to pair with the Ryzen 9 5950X:
- Check the latest price of the MSI MAG X570 TOMAHAWK WIFI Motherboard on Amazon (affiliate link).
-
Through our analysis and research, we found that the MSI MAG X570 TOMAHAWK WIFI motherboard offers an impressive range of features designed to enhance your gaming experience. With PCIe 4.0 support, you can enjoy fast data transfer rates, giving you a competitive edge. The motherboard's support for up to 128 GB of DDR4 memory ensures smooth multitasking and responsive performance at a lower price than DDR5. This motherboard has the X570 chipset.
We found that the MSI MAG X570 TOMAHAWK WIFI motherboard offered superior connectivity as well. Its 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port enables speedy file transfers, surpassing typical home internet speeds. Wi-Fi 6 provides fast wireless connections, making online gaming and streaming seamless. Plus, Bluetooth 5.2
support allows convenient music streaming to Bluetooth headphones.We also appreciated the plentiful storage options with the MSI MAG X570 TOMAHAWK WIFI. It features two x4 NVMe M.2 slots
(PCIe 5.0 speeds for one of the M.2 slots) and Four SATA 6 Gb/s ports, allowing for efficient storage and quick access to your games, applications, and media. Its USB 3.2 Gen 2 slots also offers 10 Gbps USB speeds.Overall, we concluded that the MSI MAG X570 TOMAHAWK WIFI motherboard strikes a balance between performance and functionality, offering an exceptional gaming experience. With its advanced features and versatile connectivity options, this motherboard is a reliable choice for gamers looking to elevate their gameplay.
MSI MAG X570 TOMAHAWK WIFI Check Price on Amazon Amazon Affiliate Link
AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
Check Price on Amazon
Amazon Affiliate Link
Learn More About the AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
- Motherboard: Choosing the Best Motherboard for AMD's Ryzen 9 5950X
- Chipset: Which Chipsets Work With AMD's Ryzen 9 5950X CPU?
- Cooler: Choosing the Best CPU Cooler for AMD's Ryzen 9 5950X
- Power Supply: Choosing the Best Power Supply for AMD's Ryzen 9 5950X CPU
- RAM: Best RAM for the AMD Ryzen 9 5950X CPU
- TDP: What Is the TDP of the Ryzen 9 5950X CPU?
- Gaming: Is the Ryzen 9 5950X CPU Good for Gaming?
Other Considerations When Building a PC
Want to brush up on other new technologies to consider when building a computer? Check out these articles:
- Cases:
- CPUs:
- The Best CPUs for Gaming
- Which Intel and AMD CPUs Support PCIe 5.0?
- Which Intel and AMD CPUs Support PCIe 4.0?
- LGA 1700 CPU List
- LGA 1200 CPU List
- Look up an Intel or AMD CPU on TechReviewer for related recommendations:
- The Best CPUs for Gaming
- CPU Coolers:
- Storage:
- Memory:
- PCI-Express:
- Motherboards:
- Graphics Cards:
- Power Supplies:
- Keyboards:
- Monitors:
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