Ryzen is the codename of AMDs next gen processors, which were released in the first quarter of 2017. AMD have released motherboard socket AM4 for the Ryzen CPUs, and AM4 motherboards were released at the same time as the processors.
Summit Ridge is the codename of the first Ryzen based high-end CPUs. The first Ryzen 7 chips to be released are the 1800X, 1700X and 1700, all of which feature 8 cores. AMD also announced that cheaper Ryzen 5 processors will be released in the future: the 6 core 1600X and the 4 core 1500X.
Read on as we review and compare some of the best socket AM4 motherboards for Ryzen 7 processors, this list will be updated as more motherboards are released.
Before you read the reviews, here is a quick comparison of the best AM4 motherboards on the market today.
| Image/Name | Learn More | Max Memory | Expansion Slots | Rear Ports |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Asus ROG Crosshair VI Hero | Up to 64 GB Dual Channel DDR4 3200 OC | 2 PCIe 3.0 x16 slots 1 PCIe 2.0 x16 slot 3 PCIe 2.0 x1 slot 8 SATA 6Gb/s ports 1 M.2 socket | 1 LAN / RJ45 port 2 USB 3.1 8 USB 3.0 4 USB 2.0 1 Optical S/PDIF out 5 Gold-plated Audio jacks 1 Clear CMOS button 1 M.2 Wi-Fi slot 1 USB BIOS flashback button | |
 MSI X370 Gaming Pro Carbon | Up to 64 GB Dual Channel DDR4 3200 OC | 2 PCIe 3.0 x16 slots 1 PCIe 2.0 x16 slot 3 PCIe 2.0 x1 slot 6 SATA 6Gb/s ports 2 M.2 socket | 1 PS/2 port 1 LAN / RJ45 port 2 USB 3.1 4 USB 3.0 2 USB 2.0 1 Optical S/PDIF out 5 Audio jacks 1 DVI-D port 1 HDMI port | |
 Asus Prime X370-Pro | Up to 64 GB Dual Channel DDR4 3200 OC | 2 PCIe 3.0 x16 slots 1 PCIe 2.0 x16 slot 3 PCIe 2.0 x1 slot 8 SATA 6Gb/s ports 1 M.2 socket | 1 PS/2 port 1 LAN / RJ45 port 2 USB 3.1 6 USB 3.0 1 Optical S/PDIF out 5 Audio jacks 1 DisplayPort 1 HDMI port |
Asus ROG Crosshair VI Hero
| Motherboard | Asus ROG Crosshair VI Hero |
|---|---|
| Socket Type | AMD AM4 |
| Chipset | X370 |
| Form Factor | ATX |
| Year Released | 2017 |
| CPU Support | Ryzen |
|---|---|
| Expansion Slots | 2 PCIe 3.0 x16, 1 PCIe 2.0 x16, 3 PCIe 2.0 x1, 8 SATA 6Gb/s, 1 M.2 socket |
| RAM Slots | 4 x DDR4 |
| Maximum RAM | 64GB |
Review of the Asus ROG Crosshair VI Hero coming soon!
MSI X370 Gaming Pro Carbon
| Motherboard | MSI X370 Gaming Pro Carbon |
|---|---|
| Socket Type | AMD AM4 |
| Chipset | X370 |
| Form Factor | ATX |
| Year Released | 2017 |
| CPU Support | Ryzen |
|---|---|
| Expansion Slots | 2 PCIe 3.0 x16, 1 PCIe 2.0 x16, 3 PCIe 2.0 x1, 6 SATA 6Gb/s, 2 M.2 socket |
| RAM Slots | 4 x DDR4 |
| Maximum RAM | 64GB |
Review of the MSI X370 Gaming Pro Carbon coming soon!
Asus Prime X370-Pro
| Motherboard | Asus Prime X370-Pro |
|---|---|
| Socket Type | AMD AM4 |
| Chipset | X370 |
| Form Factor | ATX |
| Year Released | 2017 |
| CPU Support | Ryzen |
|---|---|
| Expansion Slots | 2 PCIe 3.0 x16, 1 PCIe 2.0 x16, 3 PCIe 2.0 x1, 8 SATA 6Gb/s, 1 M.2 socket |
| RAM Slots | 4 x DDR4 |
| Maximum RAM | 64GB |
Review of the Asus Prime X370-Pro coming soon!
Support For The Latest Technologies
AM4 motherboards bring AMD back into the present, never mind the future, with features that Intel socket motherboards have supported for a few years now. They are the first AMD motherboards to support dual channel DDR4 memory, with a total of 4 DDR4 memory modules and speeds up to 3200 MHz. There is also native support for PCIe 3.0 and USB 3.0 & 3.1.
AM4 is the first socket from AMD that provides compatibility between high end CPUs and lower end APUs, replacing previous AM and FM sockets and merging them into a single socket.
Socket AM4 ships with 4 chipsets, the enthusiast X370, the mainstream B350, and the entry-level A320. The other chipset includes X/B/A300 configurations for small form factors.
AM4 is a PGA socket with ZIF that measures 40X40mm, which is the same area as socket AM3+. It has 1331 pins, which is a major increase over AM3+ and its 942 pins, and significantly more than Intel socket LGA 1151. The only downside to the increased number of pins is that the mounting holes have been housed differently, which means coolers that were compatible with AM2, AM2+, AM3 and AM3+ sockets will no longer fit on the socket AM4 motherboards. However some manufacturers, including Noctua, have announced they will be offering a free upgrade to its customers so they can continue using their existing coolers on AM4 motherboards.
