Question 1

How much better is this Ryzen 5 5600X combo than an older Ryzen 5 3600 system?

Accepted Answer

Choose the Ryzen 5 5600X combo when upgrading an existing Ryzen 5 3600 system for higher CPU-limited gaming performance, better frame-time consistency, and faster multithreaded workloads. Both processors use 6 cores and 12 threads, but the 5600X uses the newer Zen 3 architecture and has 32MB of L3 cache compared with the Ryzen 5 3600's Zen 2 design. The difference is most visible at 1080p with a powerful graphics card; at 1440p or 4K, the graphics card more often determines performance.

Question 2

Is the Ryzen 7 5700X3D a worthwhile upgrade over the Ryzen 5 5600X on this motherboard?

Accepted Answer

Choose the Ryzen 7 5700X3D for a CPU-limited gaming upgrade, especially with a high-end graphics card or a high-refresh-rate display. Reviews show the 5700X3D can deliver materially higher gaming frame rates than the 5600X because it combines 8 cores and 16 threads with 96MB of L3 cache. The ASUS CPU support list includes the Ryzen 7 5700X3D with BIOS version 3802 or later, so a BIOS update may be required. Keep the 5600X when the system is primarily GPU-limited, used at 1440p or 4K, or intended for general productivity where the upgrade cost is not justified.

Question 3

Should I buy this B450 combo or pair the Ryzen 5 5600X with a B550 motherboard?

Accepted Answer

Choose this B450 combo for a cost-conscious Micro ATX AM4 system with 2.5Gb Ethernet, BIOS FlashBack, two M.2 slots, and four memory slots. Choose a B550 motherboard instead when you need PCIe 4.0 for the graphics card or primary NVMe SSD, because the B450M-PRO S exposes PCIe 3.0 connectivity while B550 boards such as the ASUS TUF GAMING B550M-PLUS provide a PCIe 4.0 x16 slot and PCIe 4.0 M.2 support. CPU performance with the same Ryzen 5 5600X is otherwise broadly determined by the processor and cooling rather than the chipset.

Question 4

Is the ASUS B450M-PRO S with Ryzen 5 5600X better than a Ryzen 5 5500 build?

Accepted Answer

Choose the ASUS B450M-PRO S and Ryzen 5 5600X combo when gaming performance and faster storage or graphics expansion matter. Both CPUs have 6 cores and 12 threads, but the Ryzen 5 5600X has 32MB of L3 cache and PCIe 4.0 support, while the Ryzen 5 5500 has 16MB of L3 cache and PCIe 3.0 support. The B450 motherboard limits the combo to PCIe 3.0, but the 5600X still provides the stronger processor platform for CPU-limited games and general desktop workloads.

Question 5

What type and amount of RAM does this motherboard support?

Accepted Answer

It supports unbuffered DDR4 desktop memory in four DIMM slots, with dual-channel operation and up to 128GB total. Listed memory speeds range from DDR4-2133 through higher overclocked speeds, including DDR4-3200 and DDR4-4400, but actual support depends on the CPU, memory kit, BIOS settings, and ASUS memory QVL.

Question 6

Do I need a separate graphics card with this Ryzen 5 5600X combo?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Ryzen 5 5600X has no integrated graphics, so a separate graphics card is required for video output. The motherboard's HDMI and DisplayPort outputs work only with a compatible processor that includes integrated graphics.

Question 7

Who is this motherboard and CPU combo best suited for?

Accepted Answer

It is suited to a compact microATX gaming or general-purpose desktop built around a discrete graphics card. The Ryzen 5 5600X provides six cores and twelve threads, while the motherboard adds four DDR4 slots, two M.2 sockets, 2.5Gb Ethernet, USB-C, BIOS FlashBack, and Windows 11 support. It is less suitable for buyers who need built-in Wi-Fi or integrated graphics, because neither is listed for this configuration.

Question 8

How many M.2 SSDs can this motherboard use?

Accepted Answer

It has two M.2 sockets. The primary socket supports SATA or PCIe 3.0 x4 storage, while the secondary socket supports PCIe 2.0 x4 storage and shares bandwidth with the second PCIe x16 slot. Using the secondary M.2 socket disables that secondary PCIe x16 slot.

Question 9

Will the Ryzen 5 5600X work with this motherboard out of the box?

Accepted Answer

Yes. This combo is specified with the ASUS TUF GAMING B450M-PRO S motherboard and Ryzen 5 5600X processor. Because B450 boards can require a Ryzen 5000-compatible BIOS, check the installed BIOS version before assembly. The motherboard includes BIOS FlashBack for updating the BIOS without a supported CPU installed.

Question 10

Can both M.2 slots and both full-length PCIe slots be used at the same time?

Accepted Answer

No. The secondary M.2 slot shares bandwidth with the secondary PCIe x16-length slot. Using the M.2_2 slot disables PCIEX16_2, so buyers planning multiple expansion cards should account for this limitation.

Number of Memory Slots	4x288pin (DDR4)
Memory Standard	DDR4 4400(OC) / 3533(OC) / 3466(OC) / 3200(OC) / 3000(OC) / 2800(OC) / 2666 / 2400 / 2133 * * Refer to www.asus.com for the Memory QVL (Qualified Vendors Lists).
Maximum Memory Supported	128GB
Channel Supported	Dual Channel
ECC Supported	ECC Memory (ECC mode) support varies by CPU.
Buffer Supported	Un-buffered

PCI Express 3.0 x16	1 x PCI Express 3.0 x16* * Actual support may vary by CPU.
PCI Express 2.0 x16	1 x PCI Express 2.0 x16 * * PCIEX16_2 shares bandwidth with M.2_2. When PCIEX16_2 runs, M.2_2 will be disabled.
PCI Express x16	None
PCI Express x1	1 x PCI Express 2.0 x1

Serial ATA (SATA)	4 x SATA 6Gb/s
M.2	3rd/2nd/1st Gen AMD Ryzen / 2nd and 1st Gen AMD Ryzen with Radeon Vega Graphics: 1 x M.2 Socket 3, with M key, type 2242/2260/2280 storage devices support (SATA & PCIE 3.0 x4 mode) AMD Athlon with Radeon Vega Graphics Processors: 1 x M.2 Socket 3, with M key, type 2242/2260/2280 storage devices support (SATA mode) AMD B450 chipset: 1 x M.2_2 socket 3, with M key, type 2242/2260/2280/22110 storage devices support (PCIE 2.0 x4)* * M.2_2 shares bandwidth with PCIEX16_2. When M.2_2 runs, PCIEX16_2 will be disabled.
SATA RAID	0/1/10

Audio Chipset	Realtek ALC S1200A Surround Sound High Definition Audio CODEC
Audio Channels	7.1 Channels

LAN Chipset	Realtek RTL8125B
Max LAN Speed	2.5Gbps

Meet Your Seller

ASUS TUF GAMING B450M-PRO S AMD AM4 (3rd Gen Ryzen) Micro ATX Gaming Motherboard and AMD Ryzen 5 5600X - Ryzen 5 5000 Series Vermeer (Zen 3) 6-Core 3.7 GHz Socket AM4 65W,AMD Motherboard CPU Combo

Learn more about the ASUS TUF GAMING B450M-PRO S

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Back I/O Ports	1 x PS/2 keyboard/mouse combo port(s) 1 x DisplayPort 1 x HDMI 1 x LAN (2.5G) port(s) 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 (teal blue) (1 x Type-A+1 x USB Type-C) 4 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (blue) Type-A 2 x USB 2.0 1 x Optical S/PDIF out 5 x Audio jack(s) 1 x BIOS FlashBack Button(s)
HDMI	1 x HDMI
USB 3.0	3 x USB 3.0

Onboard USB	1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (up to 5Gbps) connector(s) support(s) additional 2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 port(s) 2 x USB 2.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 4 USB 2.0 port(s)
Other Connectors	1 x CPU Fan connector(s) 1 x CPU OPT Fan connector(s) 2 x Chassis Fan connector(s) 2 x Aura RGB Strip Headers 1 x SPI TPM header 1 x Front panel audio connector(s) (AAFP) 1 x Clear CMOS jumper(s) 1 x System panel connector 1 x COM port header 1 x Speaker connector

Form Factor	Micro ATX
LED Lighting	RGB
Dimensions (W x L)	9.6" x 9.6"
Power Pin	1 x 24-pin EATX Power connector(s) 1 x 8-pin EATX 12V Power connectors

Item#: 9SIC6E1M4K7862