Buying Guide
The Best AM5 Motherboards for Ryzen Builds
Six AM5 boards across X870E, X870, B850 and B650 compared on M.2 slots, networking, power stages and size for Ryzen 7000 and 9000 builds.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read6 products evaluated
AM5 covers Ryzen 7000, 8000 and 9000 chips on four main chipsets. The chipset changes the number of fast lanes and USB ports, not gaming speed.
We picked six boards across X870E, X870, B850 and B650. This is a research-based comparison built from maker specifications and retailer listings; we did not test these parts ourselves.
Quick Picks
Our 6 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Best Value B850
MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk MAX WiFi
Four M.2 slots, 5Gbps LAN and Wi-Fi 7 on B850.
Best for: Most Ryzen gaming builds.
Our take Check price for MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk MAX WiFi (opens in a new tab)
Best X870E Pick
ASUS TUF Gaming X870E-PLUS WiFi 7
A 16+2+1 layout of 80A stages and four M.2 slots on X870E.
Best for: Ryzen 9 builds that want the top chipset.
Our take Check price for ASUS TUF Gaming X870E-PLUS WiFi 7 (opens in a new tab)
Solid Alternative
MSI MAG X870 Tomahawk WiFi
The X870 Tomahawk pairs 5Gbps Ethernet with Wi-Fi 7 and USB4, covering the connectivity most builders want for years.
Best for: Buyers who want 5gbps wired ethernet.
Our take Check price for MSI MAG X870 Tomahawk WiFi (opens in a new tab)
Worth Considering
MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk WiFi
The B650 Tomahawk is the steady middle of the B650 range: Wi-Fi 6E, 2.5Gbps Ethernet and display outputs on an ATX board.
Best for: Buyers who want lightning m.2 support.
Our take Check price for MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk WiFi (opens in a new tab)
Best Micro-ATX
ASRock B850M Steel Legend WiFi
Wi-Fi 7, three M.2 slots and a 12+2+1 layout on Micro-ATX.
Best for: Compact Ryzen builds.
Our take Check price for ASRock B850M Steel Legend WiFi (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price
ASRock B650M PG Lightning WiFi
The lowest snapshot price among these boards, with BIOS Flashback.
Best for: Budget Ryzen 5 builds.
Our take Check price for ASRock B650M PG Lightning WiFi (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Four M.2 slots, 5Gbps LAN and Wi-Fi 7 on B850. | Most Ryzen gaming builds. | Check price for MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk MAX WiFi (opens in a new tab) |
| A 16+2+1 layout of 80A stages and four M.2 slots on X870E. | Ryzen 9 builds that want the top chipset. | Check price for ASUS TUF Gaming X870E-PLUS WiFi 7 (opens in a new tab) |
| The X870 Tomahawk pairs 5Gbps Ethernet with Wi-Fi 7 and USB4, covering the connectivity most builders want for years. | Buyers who want 5gbps wired ethernet. | Check price for MSI MAG X870 Tomahawk WiFi (opens in a new tab) |
| The B650 Tomahawk is the steady middle of the B650 range: Wi-Fi 6E, 2.5Gbps Ethernet and display outputs on an ATX board. | Buyers who want lightning m.2 support. | Check price for MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk WiFi (opens in a new tab) |
| Wi-Fi 7, three M.2 slots and a 12+2+1 layout on Micro-ATX. | Compact Ryzen builds. | Check price for ASRock B850M Steel Legend WiFi (opens in a new tab) |
| The lowest snapshot price among these boards, with BIOS Flashback. | Budget Ryzen 5 builds. | Check price for ASRock B650M PG Lightning WiFi (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Best Value B8501 of 6
MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk MAX WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The B850 Tomahawk MAX covers what most Ryzen builds need: four M.2 slots, 5Gbps Ethernet and Wi-Fi 7.
Best for
- Most Ryzen gaming builds.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the B650M PG Lightning was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It matches the TUF X870E-PLUS on M.2 slot count (4). It matches the X870 Tomahawk on wired network speed (5Gbps). It also comes with a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot with Steel Armor and a rear USB 20Gbps Type-C port.
It uses AMD's AM5 socket, so it takes Ryzen 7000, 8000 and 9000 chips; a board built before a CPU's launch may need a BIOS update first, so check whether it supports BIOS Flashback. Check the manual for which M.2 slots share lanes with SATA ports or the second PCIe slot before filling them all. When we checked, only the B650 Tomahawk and cheaper picks cost less, and the X870 Tomahawk cost more.
Key dimensions & specs
- M.2 slots: 4
- Wired LAN: 5Gbps
- Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 7
- Form factor: ATX
- Socket: AM5
Pros
- 4 M.2 slots for SSD expansion
- 5Gbps wired Ethernet
- Wi-Fi 7 built in
- PCIe 5.0 x16 slot with Steel Armor
Cons
- Costs more than the B650M PG Lightning at the time of writing
Best X870E Pick2 of 6
ASUS TUF Gaming X870E-PLUS WiFi 7 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The TUF X870E-PLUS offers four M.2 slots and a 16+2+1 layout of 80A power stages on the X870E chipset.
Best for
- Ryzen 9 builds that want the top chipset.
Skip if
- Its wired network speed is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.
Why we like it
On M.2 slot count it ties with the B850 Tomahawk MAX at 4. You also get a PCIe 5.0 graphics slot. It uses AMD's AM5 socket, so it takes Ryzen 7000, 8000 and 9000 chips; a board built before a CPU's launch may need a BIOS update first, so check whether it supports BIOS Flashback.
Check the manual for which M.2 slots share lanes with SATA ports or the second PCIe slot before filling them all. It was the highest-priced of the 6 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the X870 Tomahawk and the rest. The maker doesn't give its wired network speed; if that figure matters, the B850 Tomahawk MAX offers 5Gbps.
Key dimensions & specs
- M.2 slots: 4
- Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 7
- Power stages: 16+2+1
- Form factor: ATX
- Socket: AM5
Pros
- 4 M.2 slots for SSD expansion
- Wi-Fi 7 built in
- 16+2+1 power stage layout
- 80A power stages
Cons
- No published wired network speed
- Costs more than the B650M PG Lightning at the time of writing
Solid Alternative3 of 6
MSI MAG X870 Tomahawk WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The X870 Tomahawk pairs 5Gbps Ethernet with Wi-Fi 7 and USB4, covering the connectivity most builders want for years.
Best for
- Buyers who want 5gbps wired ethernet.
Skip if
- Skip it if you need to know its M.2 slot count before buying; the maker doesn't publish one.
Why we like it
It has 5G LAN, an extended VRM heatsink and isolated Audio Boost 5. It matches the B850 Tomahawk MAX on wired network speed (5Gbps). An X870 chipset is unique to it among these picks, while the B650 Tomahawk uses a B650 chipset.
It also offers a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot and Bluetooth 5.4 alongside Wi-Fi 7. It uses AMD's AM5 socket, so it takes Ryzen 7000, 8000 and 9000 chips; a board built before a CPU's launch may need a BIOS update first, so check whether it supports BIOS Flashback. When we checked, only the B850 Tomahawk MAX and cheaper picks cost less, and the TUF X870E-PLUS cost more. If you want a confirmed M.2 slot count, look to the B850 Tomahawk MAX instead: it offers 4, while this one gives no figure.
Key dimensions & specs
- Wired LAN: 5Gbps
- Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 7
- USB4: Yes
- Form factor: ATX
- Socket: AM5
- Chipset: X870
Pros
- 5Gbps wired Ethernet
- Wi-Fi 7 built in
- USB4 ports on the rear panel
- PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot
Cons
- No published M.2 slot count
- Costs more than the B650M PG Lightning at the time of writing
Worth Considering4 of 6
MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The B650 Tomahawk is the steady middle of the B650 range: Wi-Fi 6E, 2.5Gbps Ethernet and display outputs on an ATX board.
Best for
- Buyers who want lightning m.2 support.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi 7.
Why we like it
It has no PCIe 5.0 graphics slot, which matters little for today's cards. It matches the B850M Steel Legend and the B650M PG Lightning on wired network speed (2.5Gbps). Like the B650M PG Lightning, it has a wi-Fi 6E, while the B850 Tomahawk MAX uses a wi-Fi 7.
It also comes with Lightning M.2 support, Bluetooth 5.3 alongside Wi-Fi 6E and HDMI and DisplayPort outputs for Ryzen chips with graphics. It uses AMD's AM5 socket, so it takes Ryzen 7000, 8000 and 9000 chips; a board built before a CPU's launch may need a BIOS update first, so check whether it supports BIOS Flashback. When we checked, only the B850M Steel Legend and cheaper picks cost less, and the B850 Tomahawk MAX cost more. If you want a confirmed M.2 slot count, look to the B850 Tomahawk MAX instead: it offers 4, while this one gives no figure.
Key dimensions & specs
- Wired LAN: 2.5Gbps
- Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6E
- Form factor: ATX
- Socket: AM5
- Chipset: B650
Pros
- Lightning M.2 support
- Bluetooth 5.3 alongside Wi-Fi 6E
- HDMI and DisplayPort outputs for Ryzen chips with graphics
Cons
- Wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi 7
- No published M.2 slot count
- Costs more than the B650M PG Lightning at the time of writing
Best Micro-ATX5 of 6
ASRock B850M Steel Legend WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The B850M Steel Legend fits a 12+2+1 layout, Wi-Fi 7 and three M.2 slots, one of them PCIe 5.0, onto a Micro-ATX board.
Best for
- Compact Ryzen builds.
Skip if
- Skip it if M.2 slot count matters most to you; the B850 Tomahawk MAX offers 4.
Why we like it
It is the Micro-ATX pick with the most features here. On M.2 slot count it trails the group at 3, while the B850 Tomahawk MAX offers 4. On wired network speed it ties with the B650 Tomahawk and the B650M PG Lightning at 2.5Gbps.
You get 12+2+1 power stages here, which sets it apart from the B650M PG Lightning and its 6+2+1 power stages. No other pick in this guide offers a B850 chipset; compare the X870 Tomahawk, which has an X870 chipset. It also offers BIOS Flashback and a white and silver finish.
It uses AMD's AM5 socket, so it takes Ryzen 7000, 8000 and 9000 chips; a board built before a CPU's launch may need a BIOS update first, so check whether it supports BIOS Flashback. On price it sat second of 6, between the cheaper B650M PG Lightning and the pricier B650 Tomahawk, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- M.2 slots: 3
- Wired LAN: 2.5Gbps
- Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 7
- Power stages: 12+2+1
- Form factor: Micro-ATX
- Socket: AM5
- Chipset: B850
Pros
- Wi-Fi 7 built in
- PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot
- BIOS Flashback
- White and silver finish
Cons
- M.2 slot count trails the B850 Tomahawk MAX (4)
- Costs more than the B650M PG Lightning at the time of writing
Lowest Price6 of 6
ASRock B650M PG Lightning WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The B650M PG Lightning is the cheapest route onto AM5 here, a Micro-ATX board with Wi-Fi 6E, 2.5Gbps LAN and BIOS Flashback.
Best for
- Budget Ryzen 5 builds.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi 7.
Why we like it
Its 6+2+1 layout is best kept to six- and eight-core chips. It matches the B650 Tomahawk and the B850M Steel Legend on wired network speed (2.5Gbps). Like the B650 Tomahawk, it has a wi-Fi 6E, while the X870 Tomahawk uses a wi-Fi 7.
No other pick in this guide offers 6+2+1 power stages; compare the TUF X870E-PLUS, which has 16+2+1 power stages. It also offers memory support up to DDR5-7200 (OC) and the lowest price among the AM5 boards here. It uses AMD's AM5 socket, so it takes Ryzen 7000, 8000 and 9000 chips; a board built before a CPU's launch may need a BIOS update first, so check whether it supports BIOS Flashback.
It cost the least of the 6 picks at the time of writing, with the B850M Steel Legend the next step up. There is no published M.2 slot count figure, whereas the B850 Tomahawk MAX offers 4.
Key dimensions & specs
- Wired LAN: 2.5Gbps
- Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6E
- Power stages: 6+2+1
- Form factor: Micro-ATX
- Socket: AM5
- Chipset: B650
Pros
- BIOS Flashback
- Memory support up to DDR5-7200 (OC)
- The lowest price among the AM5 boards here
- 6+2+1 power stages, the only one here
Cons
- Wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi 7
- No published M.2 slot count
- Wired network speed trails the B850 Tomahawk MAX (5Gbps)
How We Chose These AM5 Motherboards
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Storage
- We counted listed M.2 slots and PCIe 5.0 support.
- Connectivity
- We compared Wi-Fi, wired LAN speed and USB4.
- Power delivery
- We noted power stage layouts where the maker lists them.
- Platform
- We checked socket, chipset and form factor from each listing.
What to Look for in an AM5 Motherboard
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Match the chipset to your plans
On AM5, B850 covers most gaming builds with PCIe 5.0 for at least one slot. X870E adds more PCIe 5.0 lanes and USB4 for heavy expansion.
Features, not frame rates, separate the chipsets.
Count M.2 slots
Most games now install to NVMe drives. Count how many M.2 slots you need now and later, and check which ones share lanes with other ports.
Power delivery for high-end CPUs
Boards with more and stronger power stages run hot 16-core chips more comfortably. For eight-core gaming CPUs, most current boards are enough.
Check the rear and front I/O
Count USB ports you use every day and confirm a front USB-C header if your case has a USB-C port.
Check BIOS support and Flashback
A board may need a BIOS update before it runs a newer CPU. BIOS Flashback lets you update without a working CPU installed.
Networking matters for daily use
Wi-Fi 7 and 5Gbps Ethernet help only if your router supports them, but built-in Wi-Fi saves a PCIe card.
How to Choose an AM5 Motherboard
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Most Ryzen gaming builds | B850 Tomahawk MAX | Four M.2 slots, 5Gbps LAN and Wi-Fi 7 on B850 |
| Ryzen 9 builds that want the top chipset | TUF X870E-PLUS | A 16+2+1 layout of 80A stages and four M.2 slots on X870E |
| Compact Ryzen builds | B850M Steel Legend | Wi-Fi 7, three M.2 slots and a 12+2+1 layout on Micro-ATX |
| Budget Ryzen 5 builds | B650M PG Lightning | The lowest snapshot price among these boards, with BIOS Flashback |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states them.
| Board | M.2 slots | Wired LAN | Wi-Fi | Power stages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B850 Tomahawk MAX | 4 | 5Gbps | Wi-Fi 7 | Not listed |
| TUF X870E-PLUS | 4 | Not listed | Wi-Fi 7 | 16+2+1 |
| X870 Tomahawk | Not listed | 5Gbps | Wi-Fi 7 | Not listed |
| B650 Tomahawk | Not listed | 2.5Gbps | Wi-Fi 6E | Not listed |
| B850M Steel Legend | 3 | 2.5Gbps | Wi-Fi 7 | 12+2+1 |
| B650M PG Lightning | Not listed | 2.5Gbps | Wi-Fi 6E | 6+2+1 |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
Prices change often; these tiers reflect Amazon prices when this guide was updated.
| Price tier | Boards |
|---|---|
| About $100 to $150 | B650M PG Lightning, B850M Steel Legend |
| About $150 to $250 | B650 Tomahawk, B850 Tomahawk MAX, X870 Tomahawk, TUF X870E-PLUS |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is built-in Wi-Fi worth it?
Yes if you cannot run a cable. Otherwise wired Ethernet is more consistent.
Do I need PCIe 5.0?
Current graphics cards barely benefit. PCIe 5.0 matters more for the fastest SSDs.
What size motherboard should I buy?
ATX fits most mid-towers and has the most slots. Micro-ATX and Mini-ITX suit smaller cases with fewer expansion needs.
Will a new board work with my CPU out of the box?
Usually, but check the board's CPU support list. If your chip needs a newer BIOS, BIOS Flashback updates it from a USB drive.
Do I need X870E for gaming?
No. A B850 board runs the same CPUs at the same speed; X870E adds more PCIe 5.0 lanes, USB4 and expansion.
Should I fill all four memory slots?
Two sticks usually run faster and more reliably on DDR5. Buy a two-stick kit with the capacity you need.
Bottom Line
Start with the B850 Tomahawk MAX for most builds. Step up to the TUF X870E-PLUS for a Ryzen 9, or down to the B650M PG Lightning when every dollar counts.