The AMD Ryzen CPUs delivers spectacular performance out-of-the-box, but these multithreading monsters can still be pushed to maximize the CPU performance. AMD stays true to its performance-per-value pitch even for its upcoming Ryzen 5 processors with 4 new mainstream models to be released on April 11.

Choosing the right hardware can significantly affect the CPU performance, which is why the choice of motherboard is crucial to fully optimize the AMD Ryzen CPUs. However, choosing one can be tricky because not only do the Ryzen chips slot into AMD's new AM4 motherboard, but no two motherboards are created equal. There are varying kinds of motherboards built from different types of chipsets that may support CPU overclocking and several graphics cards or may not. For a detailed guide in selecting the right motherboard, PC World offers some valuable pointers on how to choose one.

Before Ryzen, most experts recommend to ignore the BIOS updates but not for AMD Ryzen. This is because the chips are newly released that most motherboard makers are still aggressively pushing for regular updates. Updating the BIOS regularly enable Ryzen to have substantial performance gains in stability, speed and leverage on features available for AMD systems. Moreover, Ryzen's gaming performance which has been tested as slower than Intel's in some titles can be greatly improved by tweaking and setting memory speeds to highest in the BIOS settings. If the motherboard being used does not have preconfigured profiles and settings particularly for the memory kit, manual overclocking is an option.

At present, the AMD Ryzen can effectively push for 3,200MHz and any more than that requires tinkering of the CPU's bus speed. Another option is to wait for the May updates that AMD promised with faster speeds higher than the DDR4-3200 limit with reference clock adjustments. The last but not the least in Brad Chacos' tips in maxing out Ryzen is to overclock it as was done in a $330 Ryzen 7 1700 going for 4GHz to match the $500 Ryzen 7 1800X according to PC Perspective. Incidentally, AMD provides a convenient overclocking tool called Ryzen Master to reach further performance peaks.

AMD Ryzen 7's performance out-of-the-box is impeccable and expectations are high for its newest Ryzen 5 processors coming on April 11 where there will be four new mainstream CPU models. This includes the $169 Ryzen 5 1400 with 4 cores, 8 threads and 3.2Ghz base clock with 3.4GHz boost followed by the $189 Ryzen 5 1500X with 4 cores, 8 threads and 3.5GHz base clock and 3.7GHz boost. The last two are the $219 Ryzen 5 1600 with 6 cores, 12 threads, 3.2GHz base clock and the $249 Ryzen 5 1600X also with 6 cores, 12 threads, 3.6GHz base clock and a boost of 4GHz for both. The new Ryzen 5 CPUs match the price range of Intel's Core i5 lineup but AMD has more cores and threads thereby ensuring a good value for current price points.

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Topics AMD Ryzen, AMD