ASUS has become the first motherboard manufacturer to officially confirm support for AMD’s upcoming Zen 6 “Ryzen” desktop processors. The announcement applies specifically to the company’s newly released B850M AYW OC motherboard, part of the AM5 lineup designed for users looking for both affordability and strong overclocking features.
The ASUS B850M AYW OC is priced at 1,349 RMB, which converts to around $190 USD, making it one of the least expensive options among B850M OC motherboards. Despite the moderate price, the board includes features typically found in higher-end models, such as an external BCLK generator for enhanced frequency control and support for DDR5 memory speeds exceeding 10,000 MT/s. This gives users additional flexibility when tuning their systems for gaming or productivity workloads.
What makes this announcement significant is ASUS’s clear confirmation of Zen 6 compatibility. While most motherboard makers have so far used general phrases like “future CPU support,” ASUS has explicitly listed Zen 6 compatibility for the B850M AYW OC model. The motherboard also features a 64 MB BIOS, allowing it to store larger firmware updates, which ensures long-term support for future Ryzen processors.
This confirmation aligns with AMD’s long-term strategy for the AM5 platform, which aims to support multiple CPU generations. Previous reports suggest that most AM5 motherboards, including those from earlier 600- and 800-series chipsets, will be compatible with the next generation of Ryzen CPUs. The B850M AYW OC will thus support three generations of AMD processors once Zen 6 becomes available.
Other manufacturers are also moving in the same direction. MSI has confirmed that its AM5 800-series motherboards will support upcoming Ryzen CPUs, while ASRock has made similar statements regarding its B850 lineup. This indicates that AMD has likely eased communication restrictions with its partners and shared early Zen 6 samples to help motherboard makers test and validate the new processors before launch.
AMD’s Zen 6 Ryzen processors are expected to debut in 2025, with an unveiling projected around Computex or mid-year, followed by a commercial release later in the year. The new lineup is rumored to feature up to 24 cores for mainstream desktop platforms, continuing AMD’s focus on efficiency and multithreaded performance.
In parallel, Intel is preparing its next-generation desktop CPUs, codenamed “Nova Lake,” which could feature configurations with up to 52 cores. With both companies expected to refresh their desktop offerings next year, the competitive landscape for high-performance CPUs is set to intensify.
ASUS’s early confirmation gives consumers a clearer idea of upgrade paths within the AM5 ecosystem. For users planning future Ryzen builds, the B850M AYW OC now represents one of the first confirmed options that will be ready for AMD’s Zen 6 processors when they arrive in 2025.
Sources: Ruby_Rapids, Uniko’s Hardware, Wccftech
