10 best AM5 motherboards in 2026 (290+ compared)

The best AM5 motherboard brands are as follows.

1. MSI Overall score: 9.2 points
2. ASUS Overall score: 9.2 points
3. GIGABYTE Overall score: 9.1 points

The chart below ranks AM5 motherboard brands by average overall score.

AM5 motherboards cost from about £130 for entry-level models to over £550 for high-end versions. The wide price range comes from differences in chipset type, build quality, and extra features that target either mainstream users or enthusiasts.

B650 motherboards usually start at the lower end of the scale and focus on balanced performance at a lower cost, while B650E versions sit higher with more advanced connectivity. X670 and X670E motherboards take the top range, often exceeding £430 because they support more PCIe lanes, better VRM systems, and stronger overclocking capability.

The following chart shows the price distribution of AM5 motherboards.

An AM4 motherboard is a computer motherboard that uses AMD's AM4 socket to connect AMD Ryzen, Athlon, and A-series processors.

The AM4 socket features 1331 pins in a Pin Grid Array (PGA) configuration, which means the processor pins insert directly into the motherboard socket. This socket design supports DDR4 memory and PCIe 3.0 lanes, with newer chipsets also supporting PCIe 4.0 connectivity.

AM4 motherboards come with different chipsets that determine their features and capabilities. The chipsets range from basic A320 boards for budget builds to high-end X570 and B550 boards that support advanced features like PCIe 4.0, multiple GPU configurations, and extensive overclocking options.

These motherboards typically include multiple RAM slots (usually 2 or 4 DIMM slots), various expansion slots (PCIe x16, x8, x4, and x1), USB ports, SATA connectors for storage devices, and integrated audio and networking capabilities.

The AM4 platform launched in 2016 and AMD maintained socket compatibility across multiple processor generations, which means users can upgrade their CPU without changing the motherboard in many cases.

Which processors are compatible with AM4 motherboards?

AM4 motherboards are compatible with AMD's Ryzen processors from the first through fourth generations, along with several APU series.

The socket supports Ryzen 1000 series (Summit Ridge), Ryzen 2000 series (Pinnacle Ridge), Ryzen 3000 series (Matisse), and Ryzen 4000 series (Vermeer) desktop processors. Additionally, AM4 motherboards work with Ryzen G-series APUs including the 2000G, 3000G, 4000G, and 5000G series that feature integrated Radeon graphics.

The AM4 platform also supports AMD's A-series APUs such as the A6, A8, A10, and A12 models, which use the Bristol Ridge and Stoney Ridge architectures. Athlon processors built on the AM4 socket include both standard Athlon models and Athlon PRO variants designed for business applications.

Some AM4 motherboards require BIOS updates to support newer processor generations, particularly when using newer Ryzen chips on older motherboard chipsets like B350 or X370.

What chipsets are available for AM4 motherboards?

AM4 motherboards support several chipsets from AMD, which include the A320, B350, B450, B550, X370, X470, and X570 models.

The A320 represents the entry-level option with basic functionality and no overclocking support, while the B350 and B450 chipsets target mainstream users with moderate overclocking capabilities and standard connectivity options. The B550 chipset introduces PCIe 4.0 support for the primary PCIe x16 slot and M.2 connector, which delivers faster data transfer speeds for compatible graphics cards and NVMe storage devices.

The enthusiast-grade X370, X470, and X570 chipsets deliver advanced features and extensive connectivity options for high-performance builds.

Does an AM4 motherboard support DDR5 RAM?

AM4 motherboards do not support DDR5 RAM.

The AM4 socket, which houses AMD Ryzen processors from the 1000 series through 5000 series, exclusively supports DDR4 memory modules due to the physical pin configuration and electrical specifications built into the platform.

DDR5 memory requires different voltage levels (1.1V versus DDR4's 1.2V) and uses a completely different pin layout with 288 pins compared to DDR4's 260 pins.

What form factors are available for AM4 motherboards?

AM4 motherboards are available in several form factors. The main types are ATX, Micro-ATX, and Mini-ITX. ATX boards are the largest and include the most expansion slots and connectors. Micro-ATX boards are smaller, but they still support multiple PCIe slots and memory slots. Mini-ITX boards are the most compact, designed for small systems with limited space.

Some manufacturers also produced Extended ATX (E-ATX) boards for AM4. These boards are wider than standard ATX and include additional features such as more power phases, more USB ports, or more storage connectors.

AM4 motherboards cost between £45 and £340 depending on the chipset, features, and brand.

Budget A320 motherboards start around £45-£60, while mid-range B450 and B550 boards typically cost £70-£130. High-end X570 and X470 motherboards with advanced features like multiple PCIe 4.0 slots, Wi-Fi 6, and robust VRM designs can cost £170-£340.

The price varies significantly based on form factor, with mini-ITX boards often commanding a premium over standard ATX models due to their compact design requirements.