Best Motherboard for Ryzen 5 2600: Complete Reviews With Comparisons
The AMD Ryzen 5 2600 processor remains one of the most popular mid-range CPUs for gaming and reliable processing.
For it to handle difficult tasks while still providing exceptional performance, you will need the best motherboards for Ryzen 5 2600.
Like in any good computer build, the processor will need all the boost it can get from a paired motherboard.
If you have the Ryzen 5 2600 or you’re out to get one for your next PC build, we’ll do you one better by narrowing down your motherboard choices.
Comparison Chart
Motherboard for Ryzen 5 2600 Reviews
1. Gigabyte Aorus GA-AX370 Gaming 5 Motherboard
The GA-AX370 Gaming 5 is just one of a handful of gaming motherboards from the Gigabyte Aorus line.
It uses the AMD X370 chipset to bring enthusiast-class features and control to any user.
If you need a robust platform for overclocking and tweaking, this is the motherboard that can bring the best out of your Ryzen 5 2600.
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Review
The GA-AX370 Gaming 5 includes four SATA cables (two straight and two angled), a G-connector, an RGB lighting cable extender, and an SLI connector.
It also packs in bonus items, including an installation guide, a CD, an instruction manual, tie straps, two external thermistors, and stickers.
- Expansion Slots
Enjoy PCIe connectivity with two x16 PCIe Gen 3.0 slots for two GPUs or higher bandwidth solutions and a third PCIe slot for x4 Gen 2.0 cards.
Aside from the x16 slots, you will also find three PCIe x1 Gen 2.0 slots.
However, using them will reduce the lanes required by the bottom x16 slot and convert it to x1 or x2 functionality.
- DIMM Slots
You can use up to four RAM modules with a total maximum capacity of 64GB.
The system supports Dual Channel ECC and Non-ECC Unbuffered DDR4.
- Data Transfer and Storage
For high-speed IO, choose between a traditional M.2 port or a U.2 connector, and enable RAID 0/1/10 using eight 6Gbps SATA connections.
Two of the SATA connections are SATA Express ports.
- Cooling Options
Keep the system cool using eight four-pin fan headers rated up to two amperes of current draw.
You can plug in radiator fans and cooling pumps without decreasing the board’s overall performance.
Using the SmartFan5 software, coupled with several internal and external thermal sensor data, you can divert cooling to where it is most needed.
- Audio Componentry
The Gigabyte Aorus GA-AX370 Gaming 5 motherboard offers a unique solution for audio flexibility.
Instead of routing audio through an amplifier in the front panel, it uses dual ALC1220 codecs to provide both the rear and front audio ports with dedicated audio sources.
The dual codec comes bundled with the Sound Blaster X-Fi MB5 software.
As such, you can use high-impedance headphones in the front panel while sound blasting through the rear port.
- Networking and Other Connectivity
Equipped with the Killer E2500 Gaming Network and Intel Gigabit LAN, you can expect to enjoy uninterrupted gaming with this beast.
For IO devices, the board has a PS/2, HMI 1.4, USB 3.1 Gen 2.0 Type-A and Type-C, USB 3.1 Gen 1.0, and S/PDIF.
Overall, the Gigabyte Aorus GA-AX370 Gaming-5 motherboard is an excellent option for an all-around PC build with the Ryzen 5 2600.
It is especially more so if you plan to enhance your PC build’s appearance or expand its drive count.
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2. MSI B450 Gaming Plus Max Motherboard
The MSI B450 Gaming Plus Max motherboard is another excellent pairing for the Ryzen 5 2600 processor.
It offers tons of convenient and smart features, including DIY-friendly SATA and USB locations and a pin header keep-out zone.
Review
With the MSI B450 Gaming Plus Max motherboard, you can expect to have effortless assembly and troubleshooting.
It comes with an array of system tuning features and tools to simplify setup and installation.
- Expansion Slots
The MSI B450 Gaming Plus Max motherboard has a single PCIe 3.0 x16 slot supporting 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Gen AMD Ryzen processors.
With a Ryzen processor such as the Ryzen 5 2600, you can enjoy Radeon Vega and Radeon Graphics with x8 support.
The system has five other PCIe 2.0 slots, one x16 and four x1. It can support two-way graphics using AMD CrossFire Technology.
- DIMM Slots
For memory, the MSI B450 Gaming Plus Max motherboard has four DDR4 slots using a dual-channel memory architecture to support up to 128GB RAM.
These let you have exceptional memory speeds with the option to use non-ECC UDIMM or ECC UDIMM memory modes.
- Data Transfer and Storage
With the Ryzen 5 2600, the MSI B450 Gaming Plus Max motherboard supports six SATA 6Gb/s ports.
It has a single M.2 slot that can support PCIe 3.0 x4 with the Ryzen 5 2600 or PCIe 3.0 x2 with an Athlon processor.
This board also supports RAID 0, RAID 1, and RAID 10 for SATA storage devices.
- Cooling Options
The MSI B450 Gaming Plus Max lets you cool your system using a four-pin water pump connector, four four-pin system fan headers, and a four-pin CPU fan connector.
You also have the option to use the water pump connector as a fifth fan header.
- Audio Componentry
The device included in the MSI B450 Gaming Plus Max uses Realtek ALC892/ALC897 codecs with 7.1-Channel high-definition audio.
Front panel connectors use an amplifier for this rear-end built-in device.
- Networking and Other Connectivity
The rear IO panel of the MSI B450 Gaming Plus Max includes a Realtek 8111H Gigabit LAN controller for Ethernet.
It supports up to six USB 2.0 ports and three USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports.
Other output connectors include a DVI-D port, an HDMI port, and several HD audio connectors.
Aside from the support for 128GB RAM, the MSI B450 Gaming Plus Max offers a more budget-friendly approach for the Ryzen 5 2600.
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3. Gigabyte B450M DS3H Motherboard
For any Gigabyte fan who doesn’t want to burn through their hard-earned cash and still get quality performance, the Gigabyte B450M DS3H motherboard is an excellent choice.
It falls under the same price range as the MSI B450 Gaming Plus Max, and it pairs well with the Ryzen5 2600.
Review
The Gigabyte B450M DS3H motherboard can go a long way in preparing you for future upgrades from the Ryzen 5 2600.
While it is backward compatible with Ryzen 1000 Series processors, it can work well with 3000, 4000, and 5000 Series.
- Expansion Slots
This motherboard has a total of three PCI Express slots.
One PCIe 3.0 x16 slot runs at x16 capacity, while the other x16 only runs using x4 lanes.
The third slot is a PCIe x1 conforming to the PCIe 2.0 standard like the x4 slot.
Like the MSI B450 Gaming Plus Max, the Gigabyte B450M DS3H also supports CrossFire multi-graphics technologies.
- DIMM Slots
Using dual-channel memory architecture, the Gigabyte B450M DS3H can support up to 128GB of system memory in its four DDR4 DIMM slots.
These memory slots can use Extreme Memory Profile (XMP) memory modules.
You can also use ECC UDIMMs, but they operate in non-ECC mode.
- Data Transfer and Storage
The Gigabyte B450M DS3H has four 6Gb/s SATA connectors that support RAID 0, RAID 1, and RAID 10.
It also incorporates an M.2 connector, but it only supports M.2 SATA SSDs with an Athlon processor.
- Cooling Options
Like the GA-AX370 Gaming 5, the B450M DS3H is compatible with the SmartFan5 application.
By redirecting your system fans to increase airflow wherever needed, you can keep your rig cool and maintain system performance.
The B450M DS3H has several temperature sensors that can tell you where cooling is much needed.
It also has two built-in hybrid fan connectors that allow system fans, CPU fans, closed-loop water coolers, water cooling pumps, and water flow sensors.
- Audio Componentry
The B450M DS3H can deliver high-quality sound resolution and expansion for the most realistic audio effects.
It uses high-end audio components with a Realtek Audio Codec. You can shift between 2, 4, 5.1, and 7.1 audio channels, supporting S/PDIF output.
- Networking and Other Connectivity
A Realtek GbE LAN chip allows variable networking connectivity in 10, 100, or 1000 Mbit speeds.
Back panel connectors include a PS/2 port, a DVI-D port, an HDMI port, four USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports, four USB 2.0 ports, one RJ-45 port, and three audio jacks.
Generally, the B450M DS3H takes the same spot on the spectrum as budget-friendly motherboards.
The best part? It can stay with you through your processor upgrade to the 5000 Series.
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4. ASRock B450M Steel Legend Motherboard
The ASRock B450M Steel Legend motherboard gives PC builders on a tight budget the option to build a solid Ryzen 5 2600 system.
It is a very economical Ryzen motherboard, yet it outshines other boards in the aesthetic department.
Review
The ASRock B450M Steel Legend motherboard is a Micro-ATX board with a solid capacitor design.
- Expansion Slots
For expansion, this board has two PCIe 3.0 x16 and a single PCIe 2.0 x1 slot.
It can support AMD Quad CrossFireX and CrossFireX.
- DIMM Slots
The board has four DDR4 DIMM slots capable of holding up to 128GB.
These slots do not support ECC modules, but they do support XMP modules.
- Data Transfer and Storage
Since the board has a smaller form factor, it only has four SATA3 6Gb/s connectors.
However, it has an Ultra M.2 socket in addition to the basic M.2 socket.
- Cooling Options
The ASRock B450M Steel Legend has a CPU fan connector, a water pump connector, and three system fan headers.
- Audio Componentry
For audio, it uses a 7.1-channel HD Realtek ALC892/897 audio codec.
- Networking and Other Connectivity
A Realtek Gigabit Ethernet adapter allows LAN connections.
Aside from that, two USB 3.1 Gen2 ports enable high-speed data transfers.
The board also has six USB 3.1 Gen1 ports, HDMI, DisplayPort 1.2, optical S/PDIF out, and several audio jacks.
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5. MSI B450M PRO-M2 Max Motherboard
If you are looking for a Micro ATX form factor motherboard, you can keep using your Ryzen 5 2600 processor with the MSI B450M PRO-M2 Max.
It can support up to Gen3 Ryzen 9, which means you still have the option to upgrade.
RELATED: Best Ryzen Motherboard (Guide)
Review
The MSI B450M PRO-M2 Max motherboard boasts simplicity and business elegance with its capability to handle extensive computing tasks.
It can support optimized traces and memory circuitry isolation using DDR4 boost.
While it can handle the business requirements of professionals, it also features the latest solutions for serious gamers.
- Expansion Slots
Since the MSI B450M PRO-M2 Max has a smaller form factor than other models on this list, it has fewer PCIe slots.
It only has space for one x16 PCIe 3.0 and two x1 PCIe 2.0.
- DIMM Slots
The smaller micro ATX form factor also reduces its RAM to two DIMM slots.
However, its dual memory channel architecture allows it to have up to 64GB memory, which is the maximum for the GA-AX370 Gaming-5.
With a DDR4 boost using BIOS, these memory module slots can deliver pure data signals for exceptional performance.
This motherboard also supports ECC UDIMMs, but it runs them on non-ECC mode.
- Data Transfer and Storage
Storage device connectors include four SATA3 ports and one M.2 slot.
Again, the smaller size of the MSI B450M PRO-M2 Max allows for fewer storage options.
On the flip side, the MSI B450M PRO-M2 Max supports RAID 0, RAID 1, and RAID 10.
- Cooling Options
For cooling, the small motherboard has a single system fan header in addition to the CPU fan connector.
Though fewer, its components won’t require the cooling present in other models because it has fewer components.
- Audio Componentry
Like most B450 MSI motherboards, the MSI B450M PRO-M2 Max uses a Realtek ALC887/ALC897 Codec to run a 7.1-channel HD audio.
You can expect to have exceptional audio for music, video, and internet calls.
- Networking and Other Connectivity
The MSI B450M PRO-M2 Max also has the Realtek 8111H Gigabit LAN controller for Ethernet.
It has connectors for up to six USB 2.0 ports and three USB 3.2 ports.
If you look at it closely, the MSI B450M PRO-M2 Max is at the lower end of the spectrum.
It works well with the Ryzen 5 2600, but you can maximize this processor with better models.
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Which Motherboard Is Best for Ryzen 5 2600?
If we are to choose, the top motherboard for Ryzen 5 2600 is the Gigabyte Aorus GA-AX370 Gaming 5 motherboard.
It can max out all the features of the Ryzen 5 2600, plus a bit more.
With this, you can experience games and graphics with no problems and upgrade to a 3000 Series Ryzen processor later on.
Then again, if you want better chances of future-proofing, you can benefit better from any of the B450 chipset motherboards.
