[ELI5] The difference between an AM4 and AM5 motherboard?

Question

I’m trying to put together a build for my first gaming desktop and I don’t quite understand the intricacies of a motherboard. AM4 is the current standard but AM5 is either out or coming out and I can’t figure out what would be better for me.

In: 3

Answer 1

AM4 and AM5 are socket types for the CPU. As in, the physical plug the CPU goes on on the motherboard. So you buy whatever board matches the CPU you’re buying.

Also, AM5 is not “the current standard”. It’s only for AMD CPUs. Buy an Intel CPU and you’ll find it doesn’t fit at all.