Unlock the Power of AMD Ryzen AM5 Motherboard Chipsets: A Complete Guide
Unlock the Power of Your Ryzen CPU: A Guide to Choosing the Right Motherboard
When selecting a motherboard for your newly purchased Ryzen CPU, you’ll encounter a variety of options: X870, X670, B650, A620, and the latest additions, B850 and B840. But what do these names mean? How do X870E, X670E, and B650E boards differ from their non-E counterparts? Which one should you choose for your system? This guide will provide all the answers and more.
Understanding the Chipset
The biggest difference between motherboard types is the chipset – the chip (or two chips) that connects the CPU to other components in the system. In the past, the chipset consisted of a northbridge chip, which connected the CPU to the RAM and graphics card, and a southbridge chip, which connected the northbridge to the rest of the components. Nowadays, however, the functionality formerly attributed to the northbridge is integrated into the CPU, which connects directly to many components.
Motherboard Comparison Table
Here’s a comparison table to help you make an informed decision:
| Chipset | Processor PCIe Lanes | Graphics Card | NVMe SSD & Additional GPP Lanes | Total PCIe Lanes | Max Usable PCIe 5 Lanes | USB 5 Gbps | USB 10 Gbps | USB 20 Gbps | USB4 | Max PCIe 3.0 or SATA Ports |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X870E | PCIe 5.0 (1×16 slot or 2×8 slots) | PCIe 5.0 | 1 x4 PCIe 5.0, 4x PCIe GPP | 44 | 24 | 2 | 12 | 2 | Yes | 8 |
| X870 | PCIe 5.0 (1×16 slot or 2×8 slots) | PCIe 5.0 | 1 x4 PCIe 5.0, 4x PCIe GPP | 36 | 24 | 1 | 6 | 1 | Yes | 4 |
| B850 | PCIe 4.0 (1×16 slot or 2×8 slots) | PCIe 4.0 | 1 x4 PCIe 5.0 | 36 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 1 | Opt | 4 |
| B840 | PCIe 4.0 (1×16 slot) | PCIe 4.0 | 1 x4 PCIe 4.0 | 34 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | Opt | 4 |
| X670E | PCIe 5.0 (1×16 slot or 2×8 slots) | PCIe 5.0 | 1 x4 PCIe 5.0, 4x PCIe GPP | 44 | 24 | 2 | 12 | 2 | Opt | 8 |
| X670 | PCIe 4.0 (1×16 slot or 2×8 slots) | PCIe 4.0 | 1 x4 PCIe 5.0, 4x PCIe GPP | 44 | 8 | 2 | 12 | 2 | Opt | 8 |
| B650E | PCIe 5.0 (1×16 slot or 2×8 slots) | PCIe 5.0 | 1 x4 PCIe 5.0, 4x PCIe GPP | 36 | 24 | 1 | 6 | 1 | Opt | 4 |
| B650 | PCIe 4.0 (1×16 slot or 2×8 slots) | PCIe 4.0 | 1 x4 PCIe 4.0, [PCIe 5.0 opt] | 36 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 1 | Opt | 4 |
| A620/A620A | PCIe 4.0 (1×16 slot) | PCIe 4.0 | 1 x4 PCIe 4.0 | 32 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | Opt | 4 |
Ryzen 7000 and 9000 Processors
Ryzen 7000 and 9000 processors connect to high-bandwidth components through 28 PCIe lanes and support PCIe 5.0 speeds. Of these lanes, 16 are reserved for a graphics card (or two, with each utilizing eight lanes), and four are designated for an M.2 drive. Another four lanes are used to connect to the chipset. The remaining four lanes can be employed for elements such as another M.2 slot or a USB4 adapter that also connects to the CPU’s integrated graphics to enable DisplayPort tunneling.
Ryzen 8000G Processors
Ryzen 8000G processors only have eight PCIe lanes for a graphics card (20 in total), and support PCIe 4.0 speeds. Additionally, Ryzen CPUs support four USB 3.1 (or "3.2 Gen 2") ports and a single USB 2.0 connector.
Choosing the Right Motherboard
We recommend B650, B850, B650E, and X870 motherboards for gamers and others who want to get everything that AM5 motherboards have to offer, but don’t need to connect many drives to their PC simultaneously. Another advantage of these boards is their ability to fit all connectors into a compact micro-ATX form factor, which is useful if you’re seeking a compact case to place on your desk.
More is More: X870E vs. X670E vs. X670
X670, X670E, and X870E motherboards feature a Promontory 21 chip connected to another one through four PCIe 4.0 lanes, providing the second chip with the same bandwidth as the one connected to the CPU. Combined, the chipset adds twelve PCIe 4.0 lanes, allowing each M.2 drive to saturate the chipset’s bandwidth individually, and eight PCIe 3.0 lanes for up to eight SATA ports. With SATA now becoming a legacy connector, it’s common for some of those lanes to be allocated to network cards, freeing up all PCIe 4.0 lanes for faster interfaces.
Conclusion
In conclusion, choosing the right motherboard for your Ryzen CPU depends on your specific needs and preferences. By understanding the chipset and the features of each motherboard, you can make an informed decision that meets your requirements. Whether you’re a gamer, content creator, or enthusiast, there’s a motherboard out there that’s perfect for you.
