Buying Guide
The Best Motherboards for the Ryzen 5 7600X
Six budget-to-mid AM5 boards for the six-core Ryzen 5 7600X compared on M.2 slots, networking and price.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read6 products evaluated
The Ryzen 5 7600X is a six-core chip that runs well on budget boards. The board budget is better spent on a graphics card.
We compared 6 boards for it. This is a research-based comparison built from maker specifications and retailer listings; we did not test these parts ourselves.
Quick Picks
Which of the 6 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Best Value
MSI PRO B850-P WiFiWi-Fi 7 and 5Gbps LAN on an entry B850 board.
Best for: Most 7600X builds.
Check price for MSI PRO B850-P WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Solid Alternative
GIGABYTE B650 AORUS Elite AXThe B650 AORUS Elite AX pairs a 14+2+1 power layout with a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot and tool-free EZ-Latch card removal.
Best for: Buyers who want 14+2+1 power stage layout.
Check price for GIGABYTE B650 AORUS Elite AX on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Worth Considering
MSI B650 Gaming Plus WiFiThe B650 Gaming Plus WiFi is a plain, low-cost ATX board with a 12+2+1 layout, Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5Gbps LAN.
Best for: Buyers who want bluetooth 5.3 alongside wi-fi 6e.
Check price for MSI B650 Gaming Plus WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best for Wired Desks
ASRock B850 Pro-AA 14+2+1 layout and 2.5Gbps LAN without Wi-Fi.
Best for: Desks with a network cable.
Check price for ASRock B850 Pro-A on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Well-Rounded Choice
ASRock B850M Pro RS WiFiThe B850M Pro RS WiFi is a Micro-ATX board with three M.2 slots, one of them PCIe 5.0, and BIOS Flashback.
Best for: Buyers who want pcie 5.0 m.2 slot.
Check price for ASRock B850M Pro RS WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best White
GIGABYTE B850 Eagle WIFI7 ICEA white finish with Wi-Fi 7 and three M.2 slots.
Best for: White builds.
Check price for GIGABYTE B850 Eagle WIFI7 ICE on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi 7 and 5Gbps LAN on an entry B850 board. | Most 7600X builds. | Check price for MSI PRO B850-P WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The B650 AORUS Elite AX pairs a 14+2+1 power layout with a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot and tool-free EZ-Latch card removal. | Buyers who want 14+2+1 power stage layout. | Check price for GIGABYTE B650 AORUS Elite AX on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The B650 Gaming Plus WiFi is a plain, low-cost ATX board with a 12+2+1 layout, Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5Gbps LAN. | Buyers who want bluetooth 5.3 alongside wi-fi 6e. | Check price for MSI B650 Gaming Plus WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| A 14+2+1 layout and 2.5Gbps LAN without Wi-Fi. | Desks with a network cable. | Check price for ASRock B850 Pro-A on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The B850M Pro RS WiFi is a Micro-ATX board with three M.2 slots, one of them PCIe 5.0, and BIOS Flashback. | Buyers who want pcie 5.0 m.2 slot. | Check price for ASRock B850M Pro RS WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| A white finish with Wi-Fi 7 and three M.2 slots. | White builds. | Check price for GIGABYTE B850 Eagle WIFI7 ICE on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Best Value1 of 6
MSI PRO B850-P WiFi
The PRO B850-P keeps Wi-Fi 7 and 5Gbps LAN on a budget B850 board with tool-free M.2 clips.
Best for
- Most 7600X builds.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the B850 Pro-A cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Its 5Gbps wired network speed is the fastest here; the B650 AORUS Elite AX comes next at 2.5Gbps. It shares a wi-Fi 7 with the B850 Eagle ICE; the B850M Pro RS goes with a wi-Fi 6E. 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. On price it sat second of 6, between the cheaper B850 Pro-A and the pricier B650 Gaming Plus, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- M.2 slots
- 3
- Wired LAN
- 5Gbps
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 7
- Form factor
- ATX
- Socket
- AM5
Pros
- 5Gbps wired Ethernet
- Wi-Fi 7 built in
- PCIe 5.0 graphics slot
- Tool-free EZ M.2 clips
Cons
- Costs more than the B850 Pro-A at the time of writing
Solid Alternative2 of 6
GIGABYTE B650 AORUS Elite AX
The B650 AORUS Elite AX pairs a 14+2+1 power layout with a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot and tool-free EZ-Latch card removal.
Best for
- Buyers who want 14+2+1 power stage layout.
Skip if
- Pass on it if wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi 7 rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It is the most complete B650 board for its price here. On wired network speed it ties with the B650 Gaming Plus, the B850 Pro-A, the B850M Pro RS and the B850 Eagle ICE at 2.5Gbps. It shares 14+2+1 power stages with the B850 Pro-A; the B650 Gaming Plus goes with 12+2+1 power stages.
It also comes with Q-Flash BIOS updating. 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 fifth of 6, between the cheaper B850M Pro RS and the pricier B850 Eagle ICE, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Wired LAN
- 2.5Gbps
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 6E
- Power stages
- 14+2+1
- Form factor
- ATX
- Socket
- AM5
- Chipset
- B650
Pros
- 14+2+1 power stage layout
- PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot
- EZ-Latch for tool-free graphics card removal
- Q-Flash BIOS updating
Cons
- Wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi 7
- No published M.2 slot count
- Costs more than the B850 Pro-A at the time of writing
The catch
The maker doesn't give its M.2 slot count; if that figure matters, the PRO B850-P offers 3.
Worth Considering3 of 6
MSI B650 Gaming Plus WiFi
The B650 Gaming Plus WiFi is a plain, low-cost ATX board with a 12+2+1 layout, Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5Gbps LAN.
Best for
- Buyers who want bluetooth 5.3 alongside wi-fi 6e.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi 7.
Why we like it
It covers a six- or eight-core Ryzen without extras. It matches the B650 AORUS Elite AX, the B850 Pro-A, the B850M Pro RS and the B850 Eagle ICE on wired network speed (2.5Gbps). It is the only pick here with 12+2+1 power stages; the B650 AORUS Elite AX has 14+2+1 power stages instead.
You also get Bluetooth 5.3 alongside Wi-Fi 6E, HDMI and DisplayPort outputs and one of the lowest prices here for an ATX AM5 board. 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 PRO B850-P and cheaper picks cost less, and the B850M Pro RS cost more.
Key specs
- Wired LAN
- 2.5Gbps
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 6E
- Power stages
- 12+2+1
- Form factor
- ATX
- Socket
- AM5
- Chipset
- B650
Pros
- Bluetooth 5.3 alongside Wi-Fi 6E
- HDMI and DisplayPort outputs
- One of the lowest prices here for an ATX AM5 board
- 12+2+1 power stages, the only one here
Cons
- Wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi 7
- No published M.2 slot count
- Costs more than the B850 Pro-A at the time of writing
The catch
If you want a confirmed M.2 slot count, look to the PRO B850-P instead: it offers 3, while this one gives no figure.
Best for Wired Desks4 of 6
ASRock B850 Pro-A
The B850 Pro-A drops Wi-Fi to keep its price low, but keeps a 14+2+1 layout, 2.5Gbps LAN and BIOS Flashback.
Best for
- Desks with a network cable.
Skip if
- Its M.2 slot count is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.
Why we like it
It suits desks with a network cable. On wired network speed it ties with the B650 AORUS Elite AX, the B650 Gaming Plus, the B850M Pro RS and the B850 Eagle ICE at 2.5Gbps. It shares 14+2+1 power stages with the B650 AORUS Elite AX; the B650 Gaming Plus goes with 12+2+1 power stages.
It also offers memory support to DDR5-8000 (OC) and no Wi-Fi, which keeps the price down for wired setups. 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 undercut the PRO B850-P and every other pick on price at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Wired LAN
- 2.5Gbps
- Power stages
- 14+2+1
- Form factor
- ATX
- Socket
- AM5
- Chipset
- B850
Pros
- 14+2+1 power stage layout
- BIOS Flashback
- Memory support to DDR5-8000 (OC)
- No Wi-Fi, which keeps the price down for wired setups
Cons
- No published M.2 slot count
The catch
The maker doesn't give its M.2 slot count; if that figure matters, the PRO B850-P offers 3.
Well-Rounded Choice5 of 6
ASRock B850M Pro RS WiFi
The B850M Pro RS WiFi is a Micro-ATX board with three M.2 slots, one of them PCIe 5.0, and BIOS Flashback.
Best for
- Buyers who want pcie 5.0 m.2 slot.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi 7 is a problem.
Why we like it
Its 8+2+1 layout suits six- and eight-core chips. It matches the B650 AORUS Elite AX, the B650 Gaming Plus, the B850 Pro-A and the B850 Eagle ICE on wired network speed (2.5Gbps). It is the only pick here with 8+2+1 power stages; the B650 AORUS Elite AX has 14+2+1 power stages instead.
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. As a Micro-ATX board it fits smaller cases but has fewer expansion slots than ATX; check the gap between the GPU and the lower slots. Check the manual for which M.2 slots share lanes with SATA ports or the second PCIe slot before filling them all.
Key specs
- M.2 slots
- 3
- Wired LAN
- 2.5Gbps
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 6E
- Power stages
- 8+2+1
- Form factor
- Micro-ATX
- Socket
- AM5
- Chipset
- B850
Pros
- PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot
- BIOS Flashback
- Three M.2 slots in a Micro-ATX size
- 8+2+1 power stages, the only one here
Cons
- Wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi 7
- Costs more than the B850 Pro-A at the time of writing
Best White6 of 6
GIGABYTE B850 Eagle WIFI7 ICE
The B850 Eagle WIFI7 ICE is a white B850 board with Wi-Fi 7, 2.5Gbps LAN and three M.2 slots.
Best for
- White builds.
Skip if
- Skip it if wired network speed matters most to you; the PRO B850-P offers 5Gbps.
Why we like it
Its 8+2+2 layout suits six- to eight-core chips. On wired network speed it ties with the B650 AORUS Elite AX, the B650 Gaming Plus, the B850 Pro-A and the B850M Pro RS at 2.5Gbps. It shares a wi-Fi 7 with the PRO B850-P; the B650 AORUS Elite AX goes with a wi-Fi 6E.
8+2+2 power stages is unique to it among these picks, while the B650 Gaming Plus uses 12+2+1 power stages. It also comes with EZ-Latch for tool-free card removal. 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 most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the B650 AORUS Elite AX.
Key specs
- M.2 slots
- 3
- Wired LAN
- 2.5Gbps
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 7
- Power stages
- 8+2+2
- Form factor
- ATX
- Warranty
- 3-year
- Socket
- AM5
- Chipset
- B850
Pros
- Wi-Fi 7 built in
- White ICE finish
- EZ-Latch for tool-free card removal
- 8+2+2 power stages, the only one here
Cons
- Wired network speed trails the PRO B850-P (5Gbps)
- Costs more than the B850 Pro-A at the time of writing
The catch
If M.2 slot count is your priority, the PRO B850-P (3) is the stronger choice.
How We Chose These Ryzen 5 7600X Motherboards
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.
- How these picks were ranked
- We lined up six boards on M.2 slot count, wired network speed, wi-Fi and power stages as the makers state them. These are research figures, not bench results: 3 of 6 picks leave out M.2 slot count.
- What every pick has in common
- All 6, from the PRO B850-P to the B850 Eagle ICE, state wired network speed, form factor and socket and share AM5 socket.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The B650 AORUS Elite AX, the B650 Gaming Plus and the B850 Pro-A give no M.2 slot count; the B850 Pro-A gives no wi-Fi.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the B850 Pro-A ($100 to $150) to the B850 Eagle ICE ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in a Ryzen 5 7600X Motherboard
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Wired network speed
Here wired network speed runs from 2.5Gbps on the B850 Eagle ICE to 5Gbps on the PRO B850-P, a 100% spread. Start with the PRO B850-P if wired network speed decides it.
Power stages
The B650 AORUS Elite AX and the B850 Pro-A list 14+2+1; the B650 Gaming Plus lists 12+2+1; the B850M Pro RS lists 8+2+1; the B850 Eagle ICE lists 8+2+2.
Extras that separate them
The B850 Pro-A: memory support to DDR5-8000 (OC). The B850M Pro RS: BIOS Flashback. The B850 Eagle ICE: EZ-Latch for tool-free card removal.
Where your budget lands
$100 to $150 buys the B850 Pro-A, the PRO B850-P, the B650 Gaming Plus, the B850M Pro RS and the B650 AORUS Elite AX; $150 to $250 buys the B850 Eagle ICE at our last check.
Start from what matters most
Most 7600X builds: the PRO B850-P. Desks with a network cable: the B850 Pro-A. White builds: the B850 Eagle ICE.
How to Choose a Ryzen 5 7600X Motherboard
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Most 7600X builds | PRO B850-P | Wi-Fi 7 and 5Gbps LAN on an entry B850 board |
| Desks with a network cable | B850 Pro-A | A 14+2+1 layout and 2.5Gbps LAN without Wi-Fi |
| White builds | B850 Eagle ICE | A white finish with Wi-Fi 7 and three M.2 slots |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The PRO B850-P leads on wired network speed at 5Gbps, ahead of the B650 AORUS Elite AX at 2.5Gbps. "Not listed" marks M.2 slot count where the B650 AORUS Elite AX, the B650 Gaming Plus and the B850 Pro-A leave the figure out.
| Board | M.2 slots | Wired LAN | Wi-Fi | Power stages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PRO B850-P | 3 | 5Gbps | Wi-Fi 7 | Not listed |
| B650 AORUS Elite AX | Not listed | 2.5Gbps | Wi-Fi 6E | 14+2+1 |
| B650 Gaming Plus | Not listed | 2.5Gbps | Wi-Fi 6E | 12+2+1 |
| B850 Pro-A | Not listed | 2.5Gbps | Not listed | 14+2+1 |
| B850M Pro RS | 3 | 2.5Gbps | Wi-Fi 6E | 8+2+1 |
| B850 Eagle ICE | 3 | 2.5Gbps | Wi-Fi 7 | 8+2+2 |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The B850 Pro-A was the lowest-priced pick ($100 to $150) and the B850 Eagle ICE the highest ($150 to $250) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Boards |
|---|---|
| About $100 to $150 | B850 Pro-A, PRO B850-P, B650 Gaming Plus, B850M Pro RS, B650 AORUS Elite AX |
| About $150 to $250 | B850 Eagle ICE |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the B650 AORUS Elite AX compare with the PRO B850-P on wired network speed?
Between the top two, it is 5Gbps on the PRO B850-P against 2.5Gbps on the B650 AORUS Elite AX, a 100% difference.
Why is the PRO B850-P our Best Value pick?
It carries the badge for wi-Fi 7 and 5Gbps LAN on an entry B850 board. It suits most 7600X builds.
Do the PRO B850-P and the B650 AORUS Elite AX differ on wi-Fi?
The PRO B850-P and the B850 Eagle ICE use Wi-Fi 7; the B650 AORUS Elite AX, the B650 Gaming Plus and the B850M Pro RS use Wi-Fi 6E. The B850 Pro-A has no wi-Fi listed, so 5 of 6 picks are covered here.
What extras do the PRO B850-P and the B650 AORUS Elite AX include?
The PRO B850-P: a PCIe 5.0 graphics slot. The B650 AORUS Elite AX: a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot. The B650 Gaming Plus: Bluetooth 5.3 alongside Wi-Fi 6E.
Who should choose the B850 Pro-A?
The B850 Pro-A carries our Best for Wired Desks label for a 14+2+1 layout and 2.5Gbps LAN without Wi-Fi. It ranks fourth of 6 here and sat in the $100 to $150 tier at our last price check; it suits desks with a network cable.
Bottom Line
The PRO B850-P keeps Wi-Fi 7 and 5Gbps LAN cheaply. The B650 AORUS Elite AX is the stronger B650 board, and the B850 Pro-A suits wired desks.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best Motherboards for Gaming PCs
- Related guideThe Best AM5 Motherboards for Ryzen Builds
- Related guideThe Best DDR5 RAM for Gaming
- Lower budgetThe Best Motherboards Under $120
- Similar guideThe Best Motherboards for the Ryzen 5 7600
- ExplainerATX vs Micro-ATX vs Mini-ITX
- ExplainerMotherboard Chipsets Explained
- Check compatibility: processorsWhat Is a CPU Bottleneck and How Can You Identify One?
- Similar guideThe Best Motherboards for Ryzen 5 9600X
- Topic hubAll motherboards guides
About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
View all articles