CPU Compatibility Guide
Match your Ryzen CPU to the right motherboard chipset — and know when you need a BIOS update before it will boot.
✓ Supported · BIOS Supported after a BIOS update · Some Depends on the board — check its support list · ✗ Not supported
AM5 (current platform)
AM5 uses DDR5 only. Every AM5 board works with every AM5 Ryzen — the only catch is BIOS version.
| Chipset | Ryzen 7000 | Ryzen 8000G | Ryzen 9000 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A620 | ✓ | BIOS | BIOS | Budget. No CPU overclocking. Best with 65W chips. |
| B650 / B650E | ✓ | BIOS | BIOS | The value sweet spot. B650E adds PCIe 5.0 for the GPU. |
| X670 / X670E | ✓ | BIOS | BIOS | More lanes and ports. Overkill for most gaming builds. |
| B850 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Newer B650 with better features. Ryzen 9000 ready. |
| X870 / X870E | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | USB4 and PCIe 5.0 standard. High-end builds. |
AM4 (previous platform)
AM4 uses DDR4 only. Older CPUs like the Ryzen 5 5600 and Ryzen 7 5800X3D are still great for gaming on a budget.
| Chipset | Ryzen 1000 | Ryzen 2000 | Ryzen 3000 | Ryzen 5000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A320 / B350 / X370 | ✓ | BIOS | Some | Some |
| B450 / X470 | Some | ✓ | BIOS | BIOS |
| A520 / B550 | ✗ | ✗ | Some | ✓ |
| X570 | ✗ | Some | ✓ | BIOS |
BIOS updates explained
A board can only run a newer CPU once its BIOS knows about it. If the board shipped before that CPU launched, you need to update the BIOS first — and normally that needs an older, already-supported CPU installed.
- Look for the label. Boxes marked "Ryzen 9000 Ready" or "Ryzen 5000 Ready" have already been updated.
- BIOS Flashback. Some boards have a button that updates the BIOS from a USB stick with no CPU installed. Most budget boards don't, so check before you buy.
- Always check the support list. Every board maker publishes a CPU support list on the board's product page. That's the final word, not this table.
Skip the guesswork
Our builds come with the BIOS updated and everything matched.