AM5 is AMD's current desktop socket. It launched in 2022 with the Ryzen 7000 series, also takes Ryzen 8000G and Ryzen 9000 processors, and uses DDR5 memory only. For a new AMD build in 2026 it is the socket to buy into, and every board we track for it is on the AM5 motherboard deals page.
Cheapest AM5 boards right now
All 396 AM5 motherboards, with price drops and price history
Amazon Warehouse offers on AM5 boards
What AM5 is
AM5 is a land grid array (LGA) socket with 1,718 contacts, which is why it is also written LGA1718. The pins sit in the socket on the motherboard and the processor has flat pads. That is the reverse of AM4, where the pins were on the processor.
The change matters when you buy. The processor is now hard to damage, but the socket is delicate, and bent socket pins are a common reason an open-box board was sent back in the first place. A new board ships with a plastic cover over the socket. Keep it: most makers ask for it to be fitted if the board ever goes back under warranty.
| Item | AM5 |
|---|---|
| Socket type | LGA, 1,718 contacts (LGA1718) |
| Launched | 2022 |
| Processors | Ryzen 7000, Ryzen 8000G, Ryzen 9000 |
| Memory | DDR5 only, dual channel |
| PCIe | Up to PCIe 5.0 from the processor; what reaches each slot depends on the chipset and the board |
| Chipsets | A620, B650, B650E, X670, X670E, B840, B850, X870, X870E |
| Support | AMD has said through 2027 and beyond |
Compatible processors and memory
All three processor families work on every AM5 chipset, but not always out of the box. A 600-series board (A620, B650, B650E, X670, X670E) that was made before Ryzen 9000 arrived in 2024 needs a BIOS update before it will start one of those chips. Many boards can update from a USB stick with no processor fitted; our guide to BIOS updates and CPU compatibility explains how to tell.
Ryzen 8000G processors are the exception to watch. They are PCIe 4.0 parts with fewer lanes than Ryzen 7000 and 9000, so on some boards an M.2 slot is switched off or the graphics slot runs at reduced width when one is fitted. The board's manual lists what changes.
Ryzen 7000 and 9000 chips include basic integrated graphics, apart from models with an F suffix, so the HDMI or DisplayPort sockets on the board work without a graphics card. That is handy for testing a board the day it arrives.
Memory is DDR5 only. DDR4 modules are keyed differently and will not go into the slots. AMD's memory profiles are called EXPO, and two modules are generally easier to run at their rated speed than four. The first start with new memory can show a blank screen for a minute or more while the board trains the memory. That is normal on AM5, not a fault.
Chipsets that pair with AM5
The chipset decides features, not which processors fit. In brief:
- X870E and X870: USB4 is required, along with PCIe 5.0 for the graphics slot and an M.2 slot.
- B850: the mainstream choice. It differs from X870 mainly in that USB4 and PCIe 5.0 graphics are left to the board maker.
- B840: no CPU overclocking, and PCIe 3.0 from the chipset.
- X670E and B650E: PCIe 5.0 guaranteed for both graphics and an M.2 slot.
- X670 and B650: PCIe 5.0 at most for an M.2 slot, and only on some boards.
- A620: the budget option, with no CPU overclocking.
For the detail, read B850 vs B650 and X870E vs X870 vs B850. The number of M.2 slots, WiFi and the strength of the power delivery all vary by board, not by chipset, so check the listing.
Cooler compatibility
AM5 keeps the AM4 mounting hole positions and the same cooler height, so most AM4 coolers fit. The exception is a cooler that replaces the motherboard's backplate with its own. On AM5 the backplate is part of what holds the socket together and cannot be removed, so those coolers need an AM5 kit from the maker. Coolers that screw into the standard backplate or clip on to the plastic brackets fit as they are.
Platform lifespan and upgrade path
AMD has said AM5 will be supported through 2027 and beyond. AM4 before it took new processors for years after launch, and that record is the main argument for AM5 over Intel's shorter-lived sockets: a board bought now should take a faster processor later with only a BIOS update. AM5 vs AM4 and AMD vs Intel motherboards weigh that against cost.
Buying into AM5 in 2026
For a new build, yes. The platform is current, DDR5 is the only memory you would want to buy new, and the upgrade path is open. AM4 only makes more sense if you already own DDR4 and an AM4 processor and want the cheapest possible repair or upgrade.
An open-box AM5 board can be a sound saving because older 600-series boards do everything most builds need. Inspect the socket under a bright light before fitting anything; Are Amazon Warehouse motherboards worth it? covers the risks and the returns position.
What to look for
- A BIOS update button if you are pairing an older board with a Ryzen 9000 chip.
- Power delivery that suits the processor. A budget A620 board is fine for a 65 W chip and a poor match for a 16-core one. See motherboard VRM explained.
- M.2 slots: how many, and at which PCIe generation.
- Size: the same chipset is sold as ATX, Micro-ATX and Mini-ITX.
When you know what you need, compare the live AM5 motherboard deals, or check price drops and Warehouse offers across every socket.
Questions people ask
Will my AM4 cooler fit an AM5 motherboard?
Usually, yes. AM5 uses the same mounting hole positions and cooler height as AM4. The exception is a cooler that fits its own backplate: the AM5 backplate cannot be removed, so that kind of cooler needs an AM5 mounting kit from its maker.
Does AM5 support DDR4 memory?
No. Every AM5 board is DDR5 only, and DDR4 modules will not physically fit the slots. If you want to reuse DDR4, look at AM4 boards instead, or read DDR4 vs DDR5 motherboards.
Do Ryzen 9000 processors work in B650 and X670 boards?
Yes, after a BIOS update. A board made before Ryzen 9000 launched in 2024 may not start the chip until it is updated. Many boards can update from a USB stick without a processor fitted; check the listing for that feature before you order.
How long will AMD support the AM5 socket?
AMD has said AM5 will be supported through 2027 and beyond. It has not given an end date, so treat later processors as likely rather than promised for any particular board, and expect to need a BIOS update for them.