Source
r/buildapc•
DangerouslyDisturbed

Help finding the right motherboard? Ryzen 5 3600.

Build Help

I'm working on building a mid/high end PC as an upgrade from my 6-7 year old system. I'm going with a Ryzen 5 3600 and using PCpartpicker I'm getting the error/warning that says on every motherboard I've seen that: "motherboard may need a BIOS update prior to using Matisse CPUs. Upgrading the BIOS may require a different CPU that is supported by older BIOS revisions. " My old computer is built on the AM3 chipset so I'm looking for a motherboard that will work with with the new chip without having to flash BIOS with an older chip.

Suggestions would be very much appreciated.

Posted Oct 8, 2019, 11:34 AM UTC

27
theotherdanlynch•

If you buy a B450 motherboard that was manufactured after the new BIOS was released, the motherboard will already be compatible. The various manufacturers released the new BIOS versions months ago, so you're fine unless you get a motherboard that's been sitting on a warehouse shelf for months. The easy solution is to buy the motherboard from a major retailer like Amazon, Newegg, B&H, etc. Their entire business model is based on nothing sitting on a shelf for more than a month.

Beyond that, you also have the option of buying a motherboard like the MSI B450 Tomahawk or MSI B450 Gaming Pro Carbon AC. Both of those motherboards, and several others, are able to update the BIOS even with no CPU installed. You just put the BIOS file on a thumbdrive, plug the drive into the back of the motherboard, connect the PSU, push the 'Flash BIOS' button, and wait for the LED to stop blinking. It's no big deal.

2
jodobrowo•

If you're looking to save some cash, you can get the MSI B450-a Pro. It has USB flashback which means you can flash the bios to support the 3600 without needing to slot in an older CPU. I actually did exactly this last weekend. Extremely easy to do and it only takes like 5 minutes. If you want to do this, feel free to message me with any questions.

2
ynhtn•

Get the b450 tomahawk max. It is ryzen 3000 ready out of the box.

Edit: if you're planning on OC the CPU, get x570 motherboard for better VRM.

1
insakna•

X570 is a bit overkill for a 3600, no reason not to get an X470 if you really want to overclock

3
ynhtn•

Yes if he wants to save some money, he can get an x470. I only said x570 for a little "future-proofing" if ever he wants to upgrade his other parts.

edit: I assumed he doesn't want to deal with the BIOS update.

2
DangerouslyDisturbedOP•

I'm not averse to doing some minor overclocking, but I'm probably not going to be going for absolute bleeding edge tweaking. The boards I had been considering were either the B-450 Tomahawk or the Asus X470. I appreciate the advice but I don't know if future proofing with an X 570 is worth it right now seeing as the support for the AM4 chipset is only expected through 2020. That and I am working on a bit of a tight budget.

1
eqqee•

b450 max is good choice, i paired it with 3600 and everything is super good

2