Tbh, looking at what everyone’s said so far, it seems like a toss-up between focusing on raw VRM quality and just picking a reliable brand like ASRock or MSI. I’ve been researching this a ton since I’m still pretty new to the AM5 platform, and one thing I’ve noticed for long-term ownership is that BIOS support is actually huge. You don't want a board that basically gets abandoned after a year, right? If you’re trying to stay under that two hundred dollar mark, I’d honestly just say go with any of the mid-range B650 boards from MSI. They seem to have their act together with the newer Ryzen chips, and their software is usually pretty easy to navigate even if you aren't a pro. Just make sure whatever you get has a BIOS flashback button because I’ve heard horror stories about compatibility out of the box with the 9600X. Do you think you'll be upgrading the CPU again in three or four years or keeping this setup for a while?

Been there! For a 9600X under $200, grab the ASUS ROG Strix B450-F Gaming. Ran flawlessly in my '17 project car build; zero regrets.

Check VRM quality closely; many sub-$200 boards compromise. MSI Tomahawk might work, but verify 9600X compatibility.

Forget the bling! For pure value with a 9600X, check out the MSI B450M Mortar MAX. Amazing bang for buck. Plenty of features for overclocking on a budget. You might find one used for around $75! Solid VRMs, handles the 9600X like a champ. Get some decent RAM and you're golden!

Honestly, I'd look at ASRock. My experience with Gigabyte hasn't been great lately. They *look* good, but reliability? Questionable. ASRock's usually cheaper too. Worth researching their $150 range.

Before mobo shopping, consider a surge protector! Fried electronics are no fun. Lost a 98' Eclipse ECU once; learned my lesson. Seasonic PSUs offer decent protection.