AMD released their Ryzen 5 3600 in July 2019 and it is still one of the most prominent CPUs for gaming in 2020. Released as a successor to the notorious AMD Ryzen 5 2600, the AMD Ryzen 5 3600 is a 6-core, 12-thread CPU with a base-clock of 3.6 GHz and a boost-clock of 4.2 GHz. It is based on AMD’s 7nm FinFET architecture and provides frictionless gaming performance at an inexpensive cost.
While the AMD Ryzen 5 3600 is compatible with an AM4 motherboard, not all motherboards would be appropriate for this stalwart CPU. Yes, the motherboard you choose does influence your computer’s performance. In addition to this, it can also become a hindrance in future-pacing your computer for up-to-date hardware. In this article, we will mention our picks for the best motherboards that you can purchase for your AMD Ryzen 5 3600 CPU under $500. Our picks are based on reviews, specifications, professional opinions and personal perspectives.
Our Picks For The Best Motherboards For The AMD Ryzen 5 3600 CPU Under $500:
ASUS PRIME A320M-K:
CHEAPEST
For those that don’t want to purchase a motherboard above $60 but want it to support up to AMD Ryzen 3rd Generation, the ASUS PRIME A320M-K does just that. As a micro-ATX motherboard, this one does not have much to provide. However, that does not mean that it’s a waste of money! It supports up to 3200 MHz of DDR4 RAM and both PCI-E and SATA M.2 drives. Other features include USB 3.0 and ASUS’ 5X Protection III, which guarantees longevity and endurance.
While there are some constraints, such as only 2 DIMM slots, there’s no denying that the ASUS PRIME A320M-K isn’t a decent investment if you require a cheap motherboard. However, we would not recommend this motherboard if you are going to overclock your CPU.
PRICE: $61
GIGABYTE B450M DS3H UD:
BUDGET
If you’re under a budget and looking for something durable, the GIGABYTE B450M DS3H UD is a micro-ATX motherboard that supports up to 3rd Generation AMD Ryzen CPUs. It features 4 DDR4 DIMM slots and Gen-3 x4 M.2 slot with PCI-E NVMe and SATA support. In addition to this, it comes with Smart Fan 5 temperature sensors and supports GIGABYTE RGB Fusion.
However, there are some drawbacks! While the GIGABYTE B450M DS3H UD is cheap, it wasn’t manufactured with overclocking in mind. Compared to other motherboards, the VRMs on the GIGABYTE B450M DS3H UD are not sufficient for overclocking. Moreover, the GIGABYTE B450M DS3H UD only has two fan headers, which will become a restraint for airflow in your computer. If you prefer aesthetics and RGB, this is certainly not for you, as it has no built-in RGB lights and the design is rather minimalistic.
PRICE: $72.99
MSI B450 TOMAHAWK:
MID-RANGE
Released in 2018, the MSI B450 TOMAHAWK is by far the most reliable motherboard that you can purchase at an inexpensive cost. While MSI isn’t the first choice of consumers when it comes to GPUs due to the heating issues, the B450 TOMAHAWK is a phenomenon. Supporting up to AMD Ryzen 9 and the upcoming Zen 3-based CPUs, the MSI B450 Tomahawk features 4 DDR4 DIMM slots and two PCI-E slots.
It also features USB 3.1 Gen-2 Type-A and Type-C ports, and Gigabit Ethernet. In addition to this, the MSI B450 TOMAHAWK also supports TURBO M.2 with speeds up to 32 Gb/s as a result of Gen-3 x4. For the RGB fanatics, it is also compatible with MSI Mystic Light, allowing users to configure all their supported RGB hardware from one software. While all these specifications are remarkable, the MSI B450 TOMAHAWK is reverenced for it’s overclocking potential due to its premium-quality VRMs.
PRICE: $150-$200
ASUS ROG Strix X570-E Gaming:
PREMIUM
ASUS has been on the frontiers when it comes to manufacturing premium-quality hardware with the aesthetics, and the ASUS ROG Strix X570-E Gaming is no exception. Released alongside the AMD Ryzen 3rd Generation CPUs in July 2019, the ASUS ROG Strix X570-E Gaming supports up to 3rd Generation and the upcoming Zen 3-based AMD Ryzen CPUs. The motherboard features two PCI-E 4.0 x16 slots and one PCI-E 4.0 x8 slot.
It also features up-to-date connectivity options, such as two USB 3.2 Gen-1 ports and eight SATA 6 Gb/s ports. It also showcases 4 DDR4 DIMM slots and two PCI-E 4.0 M.2 NVMe slots. Not to mention, it is also compatible with ASUS Aura RGB and exhibits a captivating aesthetic as well. However, the ASUS ROG Strix X570-E Gaming is more on the expensive side. So, if your budget isn’t confined to under $400, this will be a prominent investment.
PRICE: $499
Best Motherboards For The AMD Ryzen 5 3600 CPU — Conclusion:
With the upcoming Zen 3-based CPUs being just around the corner, we could certainly recommend you to purchase something that is future-paced. Even though the ASUS ROG Strix X570-E Gaming is expensive, it has better support for Zen 3-based CPUs in contrast to the MSI B450 TOMAHAWK. However, if you require something for the Zen 2-based CPUs at the moment, the MSI B450 TOMAHAWK will suffice.
While there are other motherboards out there, these are the ones that we’d recommend you to purchase. It also important to remember that cosmetics and brands aren’t everything. You should always purchase a motherboard that meets your requirements. If you’re going to be overclocking your CPU, you should purchase a motherboard that has premium-quality VRMs.
We hope that this article assisted you in opting for the appropriate motherboard. If you have any suggestions or recommendations, feel free to comment below and aid others as well. While this article should be where your search ends, we would also suggest you to do some research yourself.
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