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I have tested and reviewed the Ryzen 7 9700X, and it is a good option with solid single-core performance. The Ryzen 7 9700X emerges from the stack as a mid-to-high range option, rated at just 65W. While virtually any AM5 motherboard will have enough juice to support it, that doesn’t mean you should just close your eyes and pick any. Many factors need to be considered; don’t worry, we did just that to bring you our best selections for the 9700X.
Comparison Of My Picks
Here are our selections and how they compare to each other.
Latest Update:
- April 7th, 2025: Now that our team has finished testing a variety of X870E, X870, and B850 motherboards, we have updated our recommendations for the Ryzen 7 9700X with the latest, better, choices.
We have also covered the round-up of the the best coolers and the best RAM for Ryzen 7 9700X, make sure you go through them as well if you’re considering this processor.
Best Motherboards For Ryzen 7 9700X
Take a look at our selections:
- Best Overall: MSI MAG X870 Tomahawk WiFi
- Best Value: MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi
- Best Overclocking: ASRock Phantom Gaming X870E Nova WiFi
- Best White: ASRock B850 Steel Legend WiFi
MSI MAG X870 Tomahawk WiFi
Best Overall Motherboard For Ryzen 7 9700X
Chipset: AMD X870 | Memory: DDR5-8400 (OC) | VRM: 14+2+1 | Video Outputs: 1x HDMI 2.1 port, 2x Type-C DisplayPort | RGB Lighting: No | Network: 1x Realtek 5G LAN, WiFi 7, Bluetooth 5.4 | Storage: 4x M.2, 4x SATA | USB Ports: 12x Rear, 9x Front
Pros
- You get decent VRMs
- EZ DIY makes building easier
- Good performance
- Boasts 21 USB ports
- 2x USB4 ports
- RAM can run at 8400 MT/s
- Effective VRM cooling
Cons
- A bit plain in looks
Read Our MSI MAG X870 Tomahawk WiFi Motherboard Review
I’m starting up the listing with MSI MAG X870 Tomahawk WiFi, as this board has what it takes to be an all-rounder. Firstly, what I particularly like about the board is its stealthy design with a subtle touch of green on the VRM and chipset heatsinks. Secondly, the available VRM configuration, which is of 14+2+1 phases, gets the job done even with powerful CPUs like the R7 9700X. Why do I say this because when I tested the motherboard, it gave me satisfactory results in the Cinebench 2024 benchmark. It scored 2304 points, the same as the X870E counterpart. Similarly, the cooling solution for the power delivery is quite robust too, it didn’t let the VRMs go over 59 °C.
It is pretty much the same as the X870E counterpart with a few minor differences like both of the X870E’s Gen4 slots run at x4. However, the two included USB4 ports and the M2_2 slot sharing bandwidth is another commonality here. The number of M.2 slots is the same with two PCIe Gen5 and two Gen4 speeds. The wealth of EZ DIY features, such as the EZ PCIe release for both the graphics card and M.2 storage drives, makes swapping easier. On top of all this, the included WiFi7 and BT 5.4 also make it a more worthy motherboard if you don’t mind the bandwidth limitation problem.
After the thorough testing of the board, here’s what we think about it:
The MSI MAG X870 Tomahawk WiFi is a motherboard costing $299, making it one of the pricier boards so far. For that, it offers reasonably capable VRMs, a minimalist black theme without RGB, a ton of EZ-DIY features to make life easier, and good overall performance. The EZ-DIY features are the highlight for us, but we feel the price tag is still a bit too high, especially given the board’s shared connectivity complications.
What Makes It The Best Overall Motherboard For Ryzen 7 9700X?
The MSI MAG X870 Tomahawk WiFi has proven to be a worthy contender in our review. This is because the motherboard offers good performance without losing out on anything, not even at the cost of high VRM temps. Moreover, its 21 USB ports make sure that even those who rely on a lot of USB connections for their work can find this board useful. All in all, it is hard to outperform the MAG X870 Tomahawk WiFi when it comes to being the best overall motherboard for the Ryzen 7 9700X.
| Performance: 8.5/10 | Value: 9/10 |
| Features: 8.5/10 | Design: 8.5/10 |
MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi
Best Value Motherboard For Ryzen 7 9700X
Chipset: AMD B850 | Memory: DDR5-8400 (OC) | VRM: 14+2+1 | Video Outputs: 1x HDMI 2.1 port | RGB Lighting: No | Network: 1x Realtek 8126VB 5G LAN, AMD WiFi 7, Bluetooth 5.4 | Storage: 4x M.2, 4x SATA | USB Ports: 10x Rear, 9x Front
Pros
- Excellent VRMs for a B850
- Robust VRM cooling
- Solid value option
- WiFi7 & 5G LAN
- 8400 MT/s RAM supported
- EZ DIY features are present
Cons
- M2_1 lacks double-sided thermal pads
Read Our MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi Motherboard Review
After the all-rounder, let me tell you about the best value motherboard. For that, I can only recommend the MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi. The motherboard has a lot to love, which is why it’s also one of my favorites. First off, it shows excellent performance with the 14+2+1 phase power delivery system. The motherboard again surprised me in the VRM cooling department as the installed heatsinks maintained 58 °C temperature for the VRMs under heavy load.
Other than the VRM and performance stuff, let’s take a peek at the features it offers. The MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi sports a stealthy design, much like its X870 chipset counterparts. Moreover, you get four M.2 storage slots, half of which are PCIe 5.0, similar to the graphics card slot. Another thing worth mentioning is that you also get WiFi7, 5G LAN, and 19 USB ports, despite it being a sub-$250 motherboard. This further improves the value factor of the motherboard because of the stuff that is already baked into it, making it a worthy Ryzen 7 9700X partner.
You can read the review summary that we came up with here:
The MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi is an excellent mid-ranger and a great option for stepping onto the latest platform with your Ryzen 9000 CPU. It has a decent 14+2+1 DRPS design with 14x 80A SPS for the CPU, enough for even the AM5 big dogs. 5G LAN, WiFi 7, dual Gen 5 M.2 slots, PCIe 5.0 x16, and EZ-DIY are the highlights on the board. The lack of RGB and dual-sided thermal pads for the Gen 5 M.2 slot are disappointments.
What Makes It The Best Value Motherboard For Ryzen 7 9700X?
The MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi is nothing but a value package. The board sports a great stealthy design with excellent-performing VRMs on top of its PCB. It also doesn’t disappoint when it’s about having plenty of USB ports or ample storage slots. The whole package of these features and performance, at a relatively competitive price, makes it the best value motherboard for Ryzen 7 9700X.
| Performance: 8.5/10 | Value: 9.5/10 |
| Features: 8/10 | Design: 9/10 |
ASRock Phantom Gaming X870E Nova WiFi
Best Overclocking Motherboard For Ryzen 7 9700X
Chipset: AMD X870E | Memory: DDR5-8200 (OC) | VRM: 20+2+1 | Video Outputs: 1x HDMI 2.1 port, 2x USB4 ports | RGB: Yes | Network: 1x Realtek 5G LAN, WiFi 7, Bluetooth 5.4 | Storage: 5x M.2, 4x SATA | USB Ports: 12x Rear, 9x Front
Pros
- Good number of USB ports
- Five NVMe slots
- Two USB4
- Sleek design choice
- Priced fairly
- Ample OC headroom
- Great VRMs
Cons
- Would have liked more DIY features
Read Our ASRock PG X870E Nova WiFi Motherboard Review
While the previous boards are good, they’re not overclocking-level good. For that, I prefer the ASRock PG X870E Nova WiFi. The main reason is its top-notch VRM configuration, which is 20+2+1 phases. I like how, because of this, the motherboard generated some exceptional performance results. If being transparent, the board scored 2305 points when I ran the Cinebench 2024 benchmark during my review session. Just like that, the motherboard is also a great performer on the VRM temperature side, it maintained the temps well under 53 °C.
The motherboard also features five NVMe slots, unlike many that offer only four. However, the 5th one is limited to just PCIe Gen3 speeds compared to the Gen4 and Gen5 of the first four slots. Nevertheless, the 5th slot is still a welcome addition as it only increases the board’s overall value factor. Similarly, the board also comes with ample USB ports, two of which are USB4, so you’re not missing out on the latest standard by any chance. Moreover, the ASRock PG X870E Nova WiFi sports a sleek design with RGB integration that gives out a pleasant final look once powered on.
This is what my team and I were left to say about the motherboard after review:
The ASRock Phantom Gaming X870E Nova WiFi is a remarkable motherboard for all Ryzen 7000, 8000, and 9000 series CPUs. It has an impressive 20+2+1-phase VRM design with 110A Dr.MOS SPS. The motherboard has a total of five M.2 slots, with the top one being Gen5. There is also an exceptionally extensive selection of USB ports, including USB4 and much more. As expected, the X870E Nova WiFi packs a solid punch when it comes to both synthetic and gaming benchmarks, and also has very optimal VRM thermals, making it a good choice for overclocking.
What Makes It The Best Overclocking Motherboard For Ryzen 7 9700X?
The ASRock PG X870E Nova WiFi boasts many valuable features, such as plenty of USB ports, WiFi7, 5G LAN, and up to five NVMe drive slots. The main highlight of this motherboard is its remarkable OC capabilities and stock performance, thanks to the excellent VRM configuration.
| Performance: 9.5/10 | Value: 8.5/10 |
| Features: 9.5/10 | Design: 9/10 |
ASRock B850 Steel Legend WiFi
Best White Motherboard For Ryzen 7 9700X
Chipset: AMD B850 | Memory: DDR5-8000 (OC) | VRM: 14+2+1 | Video Outputs: 1x HDMI 2.1 port | RGB Lighting: No | Network: 1x 2.5G LAN, WiFi 7, Bluetooth 5.4 | Storage: 4x M.2, 4x SATA | USB Ports: 11x Rear, 9x Front
Pros
- Capable VRMs
- Has nice aesthetics
- You get PCIe 5.0 NVMe slots
- You get a thermistor cable
- 8000 MT/s RAM support
- Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
- USB port with up to 20 Gbps speed
Cons
- No 5G LAN is a bummer
Read Our ASRock B850 Steel Legend WiFi Motherboard Review
The last recommendation from me is for those who are looking for a white motherboard. In that category, the ASRock B850 Steel Legend WiFi is the ideal choice that makes sense. What I like about this board is that it isn’t just limited to looks, and is actually great on the performance side too. With its 14+2+1 phase VRM design, the board should have absolutely no hiccups in running the Ryzen 7 9700X, even after overclocking. ASRock has also gone with relatively decent VRM cooling, as the temps did not cross 62°C in our review.
Furthermore, the ASRock B850 Steel Legend WiFi is also an unexpected delight when you look at the rest of the stuff it possesses. For instance, the board, while being a $209 one, still features four NVMe drive slots to fulfill your on-board storage needs. Although you only get one PCIe 5.0 slot instead of two, that’s understandable at this price point. Moreover, the rest three PCIe 4.0-powered slots are quite sufficient too. Besides the NVMe slots, the board has a plethora of USB ports, one of which has a speed of up to 20 Gbps.
Here’s what we said regarding the motherboard when we completed its review:
The ASRock B850 Steel Legend WiFi is a $209.99 motherboard that comes in an all-white color scheme that looks excellent. Moreover, the powerful VRMs with strong black capacitors give it enough juice to produce impressive performance on screen. The number of features is also quite impressive and makes it one of the best options in the sub-$250 motherboard category.
What Makes It The Best White Motherboard For Ryzen 7 9700X?
Simply put, if you’re building a white-themed gaming PC with the Ryzen 7 9700X at its center and don’t want to compromise performance, going with the ASRock B850 Steel Legend WiFi is a no-brainer choice. That’s because it not only looks good, but it has more than enough performance and features to make it a good contender for the processor.
| Performance: 8/10 | Value: 8.5/10 |
| Features: 8.5/10 | Design: 9.5/10 |
The Honourable Mentions
Competition is high! Here are some picks that almost made it to the list:
- MSI B650 Gaming Plus WiFi: A budget motherboard with decent-enough features and VRMs, but the lack of a heatsink for the second M.2 slot was a bummer.
- ASRock X670E Taichi: One of my personal favorites, but I didn’t find it ideal for the list since its E-ATX size limits case compatibility.
Key Motherboard Terms That You Should Know
- VRM: VRMs manage the flow of voltage to specific components like CPU and RAM, ensuring they get the power they need.
- Chipset: The chipset is a group of circuits on the motherboard that manage data flow between the CPU, RAM, and other components.
- Socket: The socket is the slot on the motherboard where the CPU is installed, connecting it to the rest of the system.
- PCIe Slots: These slots are used to add expansion cards like graphics cards, sound cards, and network cards to your motherboard.
- M.2 Slot: This slot on the motherboard is specifically for installing an M.2 NVMe drive.
- BIOS: The BIOS is the firmware on the motherboard that initializes hardware during the boot process and provides runtime services for operating systems and programs.
- Form Factor: The size and shape of your motherboard, known as its form factor, determine how it fits in your case. Common form factors include E-ATX, ATX, mITX, and ITX.
My Strategy For Testing Motherboards
I have tested countless different motherboards over the years, and whenever someone asks me for a motherboard recommendation, I always suggest the options based on these aspects.
- VRM: I go over the VRM configuration on each motherboard. A robust VRM setup is essential for a stable voltage supply to the processor and influences the motherboard’s overclocking capabilities.
- Features: I evaluated the integrated features of each motherboard, which can greatly impact user decisions. Depending on individual needs, I included motherboards with the best feature sets in my recommendations.
- Design: I also paid attention to the design and aesthetics. While these don’t affect performance, they are important for those looking to achieve a specific theme in their build.
- Value: Finally, I assessed each motherboard’s overall value. I ensured that the performance, feature set, storage options, and durability justified the price, providing the best recommendations for various budgets.
FAQs
If you’re currently using a B650 motherboard, you can upgrade to the Ryzen 7 9700X through a BIOS update.
Our testing with various boards showed that 6400 MT/s is the ideal speed for the Ryzen 9000 CPUs.
As AMD promises an average 16% IPC uplift for the Ryzen 9000 series over Ryzen 7000 series, we can expect the 9700X to represent this difference over the 7700X.
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[Reviews Specialist]
Usman Saleem brings 8+ years of comprehensive PC hardware expertise to the table. His journey in the tech world has involved in-depth tech analysis and insightful PC hardware reviews, perfecting over 6+ years of dedicated work. Usman’s commitment to staying authentic and relevant in the field is underscored by many professional certifications, including a recent one in Google IT Support Specialization.
8+ years of specialized PC hardware coverage
6+ years of in-depth PC hardware analysis and reviews
Lead PC hardware expert across multiple tech journalism platforms
Certified in Google IT Support Specialization
Get In Touch: usman@tech4gamers.com
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