The high-end Ryzen 9000X3D chips are out in the form of the Ryzen 9 9900X3D and 9950X3D chips. Now, if you haven’t caught up, these chips offer identical gaming performance to the 9800X3D while providing much better multi-core performance. Focusing on the 9900X3D, it is a 120W chip (same as the 9800X3D) and requires a decent amount of VRM power and cooling.
Now, we’ve reviewed several dozen 800-series chipset motherboards in the past few months. Following the release of the 9900X3D, we’ve carefully tested and evaluated the best motherboard pairings for the chip.
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Here’s a look at our selections at a glance:
Motherboard
ASRock Phantom Gaming X870E Nova WiFi
MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi
ASRock X870 Steel Legend WiFi 7
ASUS ROG Crosshair X870E Hero
ASRock Phantom Gaming B850i Lightning WiFi
Award
Best Overall Motherboard For Ryzen 9 9900X3D
Best High-End Motherboard For Ryzen 9 9900X3D
Best Value Motherboard For Ryzen 7 9800X3D
Best White Motherboard For Ryzen 7 9800X3D
Best Overclocking Motherboard For Ryzen 7 9800X3D
Best Mini-ITX Motherboard for Ryzen 9 9900X3D
What We Liked
Price, Design, VRMs and VRM cooling, 5x M.2 slots, Metallic backplate, A-RGB cable included
VRMs and VRM cooling, Design, Dual PCIe 5.0 slots, Storage options, Audio setup
Price, VRM cooling, Memory support, Dual 8-pin EPS connectors, Dual Gen 5 M.2 slots, EZ-DIY features, 5G LAN, Extra power connector
Design, VRMs, Dual PCIe slots, Three M.2 slots
Design, VRMs, VRM cooling, Five M.2 slots, 20 USB ports, 60W charging, Audio setup, EZ PC DIY features
Price, VRMs, Thermistor connector
What We Disliked
No RGB, Bandwidth sharing between PCIe_3 and M2_5
No dual-sided thermal pads for Gen 5 M.2 slots, No USB4
Value, Lack of Clear CMOS button
No USB4, VRM temperatures
Motherboard
ASRock Phantom Gaming X870E Nova WiFi
Award
Best Overall Motherboard For Ryzen 9 9900X3D
What We Liked
Price, Design, VRMs and VRM cooling, 5x M.2 slots, Metallic backplate, A-RGB cable included
What We Disliked
No RGB, Bandwidth sharing between PCIe_3 and M2_5
Award
Best High-End Motherboard For Ryzen 9 9900X3D
What We Liked
VRMs and VRM cooling, Design, Dual PCIe 5.0 slots, Storage options, Audio setup
Motherboard
MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi
Award
Best Value Motherboard For Ryzen 7 9800X3D
What We Liked
Price, VRM cooling, Memory support, Dual 8-pin EPS connectors, Dual Gen 5 M.2 slots, EZ-DIY features, 5G LAN, Extra power connector
What We Disliked
No dual-sided thermal pads for Gen 5 M.2 slots, No USB4
Motherboard
ASRock X870 Steel Legend WiFi 7
Award
Best White Motherboard For Ryzen 7 9800X3D
What We Liked
Design, VRMs, Dual PCIe slots, Three M.2 slots
What We Disliked
Value, Lack of Clear CMOS button
Motherboard
ASUS ROG Crosshair X870E Hero
Award
Best Overclocking Motherboard For Ryzen 7 9800X3D
What We Liked
Design, VRMs, VRM cooling, Five M.2 slots, 20 USB ports, 60W charging, Audio setup, EZ PC DIY features
Motherboard
ASRock Phantom Gaming B850i Lightning WiFi
Award
Best Mini-ITX Motherboard for Ryzen 9 9900X3D
What We Liked
Price, VRMs, Thermistor connector
What We Disliked
No USB4, VRM temperatures
For optimal performance, I highly recommend pairing the 9900X3D with an equally impressive DDR5 kit as well, and for that, our round-ups of the best RAM for the 9900X3D and the best coolers for the 9900X3D can help you.
Best Motherboards for Ryzen 9 9900X3D
We divided our selections into six major categories:
- Best Overall: ASRock Phantom Gaming X870E Nova WiFi
- Best High-End: ASRock X870E Taichi Lite
- Best Value: MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi
- Best White: ASRock X870 Steel Legend WiFi
- Best for Overclocking: ASUS ROG Crosshair X870E Hero
- Best Mini-ITX: ASRock Phantom Gaming B850I Lightning WiFi
ASRock Phantom Gaming X870E Nova WiFi
Best Overall Motherboard for Ryzen 9 9900X3D
ASRock Phantom Gaming X870E Nova WiFi Pictures From Our Review
Chipset: AMD X870E | Memory: DDR5-8200 (OC) | VRM: 20+2+1 | Video Outputs: 1x HDMI 2.1 port | RGB Lighting: Yes | Network: 1x Realtek RTL8126 5G LAN, AMD WiFi 7, Bluetooth 5.4 | Storage: 5x M.2, 4x SATA | USB Ports: 12x Rear, 9x Front | MSRP: $350
- Fair price
- Unique “gaming” design with RGB
- Excellent VRMs and VRM cooling
- 5x M.2 slots
- USB4 and WiFi 7
- EZ PCIe release and toolless M.2 heatsink
- Metallic backplate enhances durability
- Includes A-RGB splitter cable
- Bandwidth sharing between PCIe_3 and M2_5
Read Our ASRock Phantom Gaming X870E Nova WiFi Motherboard Review
The ASRock Phantom Gaming X870E Nova WiFi is designed to give you the best of both worlds: excellent performance and a moderate price tag. It has a 20+2+1 phase power delivery system, including 20x 110A SPS for the CPU. This is enough to overclock the 9900X3D to your heart’s desire, and running the CPU at boost frequencies certainly won’t be a problem. Its large VRM heatsinks do the rest, keeping the entire setup just under 54°C during our testing.
The motherboard also has a very “gaming-inspired” design with blue-purple accents on the heatsinks and various patterns printed on, along with RGB. It also rocks an excellent set of features, including three PCIe slots, five M.2 slots, dual USB 4, 5G LAN, and WiFi 7. Other features include toolless (primary) M.2 heatsink removal, EZ release for PCIe slot, and ASRock’s Nahimic audio drivers paired with the ALC4082 audio chip.
Our hardware reviewer Nauman Siddique was all-praise for the motherboard during his review:
The ASRock Phantom Gaming X870E Nova WiFi is a remarkable motherboard for all Ryzen 7000, 8000, and 9000 series CPUs.
✅Buy It If
You have overclocking needs: This board has a hefty VRM setup and excellent cooling for your overclocking needs.
You have plenty of storage to install: The motherboard has 5x M.2 slots and 4x SATA 6G ports to fulfill your storage needs.
On-board RGB is a priority: The PG X870E Nova WiFi has two dedicated RGB zones.
❌Don't Buy It If
You plan to occupy all M.2 and PCIe slots: Since the PCIe_3 and M2_5 slots share bandwidth, you can only use one at a time.
What Makes It The Best Overall Motherboard For Ryzen 9 9900X3D?
The ASRock Phantom Gaming X870E Nova WiFi is a powerhouse for $349 and ticks virtually all the boxes. It has high-end VRMs, shows great performance, and has a gaming-focused design with enough I/O for pretty much any user. ASRock-exclusive features like the dedicated “gaming USB ports” and Nahimic audio drivers add to its value.
| Performance: 9/10 |
Value: 9/10 |
| Features: 8.5/10 |
Design: 9/10 |
ASRock X870E Taichi Lite
Best High-End Motherboard for Ryzen 9 9900X3D
ASRock X870E Taichi Lite Pictures From Our Review
Chipset: AMD X870E | Memory: DDR5-8200 (OC) | VRM: 20+2+1 | Video Outputs: 1x HDMI 2.1 port | RGB Lighting: Yes | Network: 1x Realtek RTL8126 5G LAN, AMD WiFi 7, Bluetooth 5.4 | Storage: 5x M.2, 4x SATA | USB Ports: 12x Rear, 9x Front | MSRP: $400
- Flagship VRM design
- Great VRM cooling
- Pleasing design
- Dual PCIe 5.0 slots
- Four M.2 slots, six SATA ports
- Audio setup includes DAC and WIMA audio capacitors
Read Our ASRock X870E Taichi Lite Motherboard Review
If you want to shoot further than the Nova WiFi for the best performance for your Ryzen 9 9900X3D chip, the Taichi Lite will more than do the job. It has a 24+2+1 VRM setup with 24x 110A Dr. MOS phases for the CPU, a configuration only equaled by the $1099 X870E Godlike! Its performance across our benchmarks was consistently one of the best, and the VRMs maxed out at 54°C under full load. Overclocking on this beast is a smooth experience as any.
The motherboard is very performance-focused, and its design is an ode to that. With heatsinks painted in gunmetal grey and cogs printed on them, you know this board packs performance. It supports up to DDR5-8200+ and has dual PCIe 5.0 slots, four M.2 slots, and six SATA ports. Network connectivity is powered by 5G LAN and WiFi 7, while USB connectivity includes 21 ports with dual USB 40Gbps. Its audio setup, with an ESS SABRE9219 DAC and WIMA audio capacitors, is worth mentioning too.
Top performance for under half a grand? Here’s how I complimented this board during my review:
The ASRock X870E Taichi Lite is a $399 powerhouse with a VRM setup (24+2+1, 110A SPS for VCore and SoC) that can compete with enthusiast-class boards.
✅Buy It If
You’re an enthusiast overclocker: The motherboard’s top-notch VRM setup allows you to push the Ryzen 9 9900X3D to its limits.
You want a high-end audio setup: ASRock has taken one step ahead of most boards by employing a quad DAC and WIMA audio capacitors in its audio setup.
You want to install dual graphics cards: With dual PCIe 5.0 slots, each capable of operating at PCIe 5.0 x8 speeds, you can power two high-end GPUs without a worry.
You need lots of storage space: The motherboard has 6x SATA 6G ports and 4x M.2 slots, so there is plenty of room for all your storage needs.
❌Don't Buy It If
You’re seeking “EZ” PCIe release: There’s no EZ PCIe release button for either PCIe slots, though this feature was present in the slightly cheaper PG X870E Nova WiFi.
What Makes It The Best High-End Motherboard For Ryzen 9 9900X3D?
If you want to go all-out, the ASRock X870 Taichi Lite will provide everything you need and more. For $400, it provides a classy design, a flagship VRM setup, dual PCIe 5.0 slots, four M.2 slots, and six 6G ports. It also has a great audio setup for creators and producers. The only component we found lacking is the EZ PCIe release button, but the board is still an incredible offering.
| Performance: 9.5/10 |
Value: 9/10 |
| Features: 8.5/10 |
Design: 9/10 |
MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi
Best Value Motherboard for Ryzen 9 9900X3D
MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi Pictures From Our Review
Chipset: AMD X870E | Memory: DDR5-8200 (OC) | VRM: 20+2+1 | Video Outputs: 1x HDMI 2.1 port | RGB Lighting: Yes | Network: 1x Realtek RTL8126 5G LAN, AMD WiFi 7, Bluetooth 5.4 | Storage: 5x M.2, 4x SATA | USB Ports: 12x Rear, 9x Front | MSRP: $240
- Fair price
- Good VRM cooling
- Memory support up to DDR5-8400+ (OC)
- Dual EPS connectors (providing up to 300W)
- Dual Gen 5 M.2 slots
- EZ-DIY features (incl. EZ PCIe release)
- 5G LAN and WiFi 7
- Extra power connector supplies up to 252W
- Lacks dual-sided thermal pads for Gen 5 M.2 slots
- No USB4
Read Our MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi Motherboard Review
If affordability and value are what you’re after, we present the MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi. In its ATX form factor, it packs a 14+2+1 duet rail (teamed) power system with 14x 80A SPS for the CPU. With up to 1,120A available for the CPU, this motherboard has enough to run the Ryzen 9 9900X3D comfortably. The heatsinks cooling these VRMs feature stacked fins and 7 W/mK MOSFET thermal pads, thanks to which the maximum temperature recorded during our testing was 59°C.
The board has a laid-back, all-black, free-of-RGB design consistent with this generation’s Tomahawk motherboards. Its I/O really stands out at its price point, though, as it has 4x M.2 slots (including dual Gen 5), three PCIe slots, and 5G LAN with WiFi 7. The extra 8-pin power connector means you can have as many fans or USB devices as you want if your PSU has enough power. However, what we love the most about this board is MSI’s EZ-DIY feature set.
Hardware reviewer Ali Tauseef, while speaking of its features and downsides, said this:
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.
✅Buy It If
You want excellent I/O for less: With excellent memory support, 4x M.2 slots, 5G LAN, and 19x USB ports, the board offers great I/O at an affordable price point.
Convenience is important: The board is a breeze to work with, thanks to features like EZ PCIe release and the EZ memory detection LED.
❌Don't Buy It If
You want better Gen 5 M.2 cooling: The lack of double-sided thermal pads on the M.2 slots may prove problematic for your NVMe drives.
What Makes It The Best Value Motherboard for Ryzen 9 9900X3D?
The MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi offers great features and satisfactory performance for $240. With 5G LAN, WiFi 7, the mid-range ALC4080 audio chip, and multiple M.2 slots, it offers enough I/O and connectivity for most users. MSI’s countless EZ-DIY features and the extra power connector (which increases total board power to 420W) are great plus points, too.
Editor`s Note
Among budget-oriented offerings, the MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi makes an excellent pairing with the Ryzen 9 9900X3D. The motherboard really is just another feather in MSI’s cap as the Tomahawk series continues to impress.
– Ali
| Performance: 8/10 |
Value: 9/10 |
| Features: 9/10 |
Design: 8.5/10 |
ASRock X870 Steel Legend WiFi
Best White Motherboard for Ryzen 9 9900X3D
ASRock X870 Steel Legend WiFi Pictures From Our Review
Chipset: AMD X870E | Memory: DDR5-8200 (OC) | VRM: 20+2+1 | Video Outputs: 1x HDMI 2.1 port | RGB Lighting: Yes | Network: 1x Realtek RTL8126 5G LAN, AMD WiFi 7, Bluetooth 5.4 | Storage: 5x M.2, 4x SATA | USB Ports: 12x Rear, 9x Front | MSRP: $260
- Gorgeous design
- Adequate VRMs
- USB4 and WiFi 7
- Dual PCIe slots, three M.2 slots
- B850 boards generally offer better value
- No clear CMOS button
Read Our ASRock X870 Steel Legend WiFi Motherboard Review
Here’s another ASRock motherboard on the list, thanks to its beautiful aesthetics and good performance. Starting with the VRMs, the Steel Legend WiFi dedicates 14x 80A Dr. MOS stages for the CPU. It also supports DDR5 speeds of up to 8000 MT/s, and its performance across our synthetic and gaming benchmarks was as expected. Regarding VRM cooling, we recorded a maximum temperature of 64°C during our testing. This is higher than most boards but still well within the acceptable range.
The board is a pleasing sight—one of my favorite recent designs! It has an all-black PCB, while the heatsinks are mostly white with bits of silver. There’s an RGB strip under the bottom M.2 heatsink. For I/O, the board has full-length PCIe 5.0 and PCIe 4.0 slots and three M.2 slots (one being Gen 5). While the LAN is limited to a 2.5G port, we do get dual USB 4 ports and the mid-range ALC4082 codec.
This is how I summed up the motherboard during my review:
The ASRock X870 Steel Legend looks great, is priced fairly, and has enough connectivity for most users. It features a 14+2+1 VRM setup (80A SPS for VCore + SOC), which means you can comfortably run even the most demanding Ryzen CPUs on it.
✅Buy It If
USB4 and WiFi 7 are your particular requirements: The board offers USB4 and WiFi 7, two of the latest I/O and connectivity standards.
❌Don't Buy It If
You need a Clear CMOS button: The clear CMOS button, which we find in most boards today, is absent on this motherboard.
What Makes It The Best White Motherboard for Ryzen 9 9900X3D?
The ASRock X870 Steel Legend WiFi is ASRock’s mid-range offering for the chipset. It offers a beautiful white design and capable VRMs, along with WiFi 7 and USB4. It also has the popular Realtek ALC4082 audio chip coupled with Nahimic audio drivers in collaboration with Steelseries. Our only complaint with the board is the lack of a clear CMOS button.
| Performance: 8/10 |
Value: 8/10 |
| Features: 8.5/10 |
Design: 9/10 |
ASUS ROG Crosshair X870E Hero
Best Overclocking Motherboard for Ryzen 9 9900X3D
ASUS ROG Crosshair X870E Hero Pictures From Our Review
Chipset: AMD X870E | Memory: DDR5-8200 (OC) | VRM: 20+2+1 | Video Outputs: 1x HDMI 2.1 port | RGB Lighting: Yes | Network: 1x Realtek RTL8126 5G LAN, AMD WiFi 7, Bluetooth 5.4 | Storage: 5x M.2, 4x SATA | USB Ports: 12x Rear, 9x Front | MSRP: $700
- Great design
- Excellent VRM setup (incl. 18x 110A teamed power stages for VCore)
- Satisfactory VRM cooling
- Five M.2 slots
- 20 USB ports
- 60W charging support
- Audio setup includes DAC
- Multiple EZ PC DIY features
Read Our ASUS ROG Crosshair X870E Hero Motherboard Review
According to ASUS, the ASUS ROG Crosshair X870 Hero is “For Those Who Dare,” and that’s a fair statement since it costs $700. It features an 18+2+2 phase VRM design with 18x 110A teamed power stages providing 1980A for the CPU. As such, you can overclock even the 170W 9950X3D if you know what you’re doing. Its cooling setup consists of two large heatsinks joined by a heat pipe, and in our testing, the maximum VRM temperature recorded was 55C.
The motherboard definitely has one of the flashier designs we’ve seen recently. It features an RGB display on top of the rear I/O panel, and the large ASUS ROG logo on one of the heatsinks adds an aggressive look. Features on the board include dual PCIe 5.0 slots, 5x M.2 slots (including three Gen 5), and 20 USB ports, including dual USB 40Gbps. It has dual LAN ports and a quad DAC in its audio setup and is packed with “EZ PC DIY” features.
What we said about the board during our review 👇
The ASUS ROG Crosshair X870E Hero is one of the most premium ($700) offerings for AMD’s most premium chipset.
✅Buy It If
You appreciate the design language: With its Polymo Lighting II array display and the shiny ROG logo on one of the M.2 heatsinks, its design is a stand-out one.
You need plenty of storage space: With 5x M.2 slots and 4x SATA ports, you can have virtually endless storage space.
Ease of setup is important: The motherboard’s suite of EZ PC DIY features, including Q-PCIe release and M.2 Q-Release, makes it one of the easiest motherboards to work with and set up.
You need 60W charging support: An extra 8-pin PCIe connector on the board enables 60W charging through one of the Type-C ports up front.
❌Don't Buy It If
You’re on a limited budget: There are cheaper boards you can consider for overclocking.
You need 10G LAN: Instead of a 10G LAN port, the motherboard employs dual ports (2.5G and 5G), which disappointed us.
WARNING: To utilize 60W charging, first ensure that
your power supply has a spare 8-pin connector and has enough extra wattage to accommodate the extra 60W.
What Makes It The Best Overclocking Motherboard for Ryzen 9 9900X3D?
With an aggressive design, great VRMs, a ton of “EZ” features, and various dedicated overclocking features (like the ReTry button), the board is one of the top options for overclocking. Its I/O and connectivity are excellent: 5x M.2 slots, dual PCIe 5.0 slots, audio setup with DAC, and WiFi 7. It also has various AI-powered features like auto overclocking, but the lack of a 10G RJ45 connector let us down.
| Performance: 9.5/10 |
Value: 8/10 |
| Features: 9.5/10 |
Design: 9/10 |
ASRock Phantom Gaming B850i Lightning WiFi
Best Mini-ITX Motherboard for Ryzen 9 9900X3D
ASRock Phantom Gaming B850i Lightning WiFi Pictures From Our Review
Chipset: AMD X870E | Memory: DDR5-8200 (OC) | VRM: 20+2+1 | Video Outputs: 1x HDMI 2.1 port | RGB Lighting: Yes | Network: 1x Realtek RTL8126 5G LAN, AMD WiFi 7, Bluetooth 5.4 | Storage: 5x M.2, 4x SATA | USB Ports: 12x Rear, 9x Front | MSRP: $210
- Fairly priced
- Good VRMs for this form factor/price
- Includes thermistor connector
- No USB4 when paired with Ryzen 9 9900X3D
- Higher VRM temperatures
Read Our ASRock Phantom Gaming B850I Lightning WiFi Motherboard Review
The Phantom Gaming B850I Lightning WiFi is our mini-ITX pick for the 9900X3D. Starting with its VRMs, the motherboard has a 10+1+1 VRM setup, and we were quite impressed to see 10x 110A SPS being used for the VCore. The total power available for the CPU is 1100A, which is plenty for our CPU in focus. Its performance in all the benchmarks was excellent, and the VRMs maxed out at 68C during a 30-minute Cinebench 2024 multicore test.
The motherboard has a similar aesthetic to the other Phantom Gaming motherboards on this list. It’s mostly black with a large area in blue and purple dedicated to the Phantom Gaming logo, but there’s no RGB (understandably so). Build quality is also good, thanks to an 8-layer PCB. It has one Gen 5 PCIe and M.2 slots each (plus one Gen 4 at the back), 13 USB ports (incl. one 20 Gbps), 2.5G LAN, WiFi 6E, and Realtek’s ALC1220 audio codec.
Here’s what we liked most about the board:
The neat aesthetics, compact size, and high-speed memory support have impressed us equally.
✅Buy It If
You’re looking for good power delivery in a small form factor: The motherboard’s 10+1+1 with 110A SPS for the CPU VCore is as impressive as it gets for this form factor.
You’re fine missing out on higher-end I/O: The board is limited to WiFi 6E, 2.5G LAN, and USB 10Gbps (USB 4 speed can be achieved through the rear USB 3.2 Gen 2 port only with Ryzen 8000 series CPUs), so you have to cut down a bit on connectivity. However, we think the board still offers enough for most users.
❌Don't Buy It If
WiFi 7 and USB4 are necessary: Without these features, the board may not fit the needs of some users.
What Makes It The Best Mini-ITX Motherboard for Ryzen 9 9900X3D
At first glance, the B850I Lightning WiFi impresses with its plain, refined aesthetic and a VRM setup that can even handle 170W Ryzen 9000 counterparts. It has Gen 5 PCIe and M.2 connectivity and two SATA 6G ports, paired with 2.5G LAN and WiFi 6E. Unfortunately, you won’t get USB4 speed with any Ryzen 9000 series CPU, and that’s about the only complaint we have about it. Still, considering the price and form factor, it’s an excellent board.
| Performance: 8/10 |
Value: 9/10 |
| Features: 8/10 |
Design: 8.5/10 |
Benchmarks Of The Best Motherboards for Ryzen 9 9900X3D
Take a look at some of our benchmarks of the selected motherboards for the Ryzen 9 9900X3D. These were all recorded during our reviews of the respective motherboards. You’ll get the best idea of their performance since they were performed with the flagship Ryzen 9 9950X.
Benchmarks Of The Best Motherboards for Ryzen 9 9900X3D
Specifications Comparison
Here are the key specification numbers you may want to look out for!
| Motherboard Model | Total Power Phases | Max Memory Speed (MT/s) | No. of M.2 slots | No. of SATA III ports | No. of USB ports (Front) | No. of USB ports (Rear) |
| ASRock Phantom Gaming X870E Nova WiFi | 23
| 8200 | 5 | 4 | 9 | 12 |
| ASRock X870E Taichi Lite | 24 | 8200 | 4 | 6 | 9 | 10 |
| MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi | 17 | 8400 | 4 | 4 | 9 | 10 |
| ASRock X870 Steel Legend WiFi | 17 | 8000 | 3 | 4 | 9 | 9 |
| ASUS ROG Crosshair X870E Hero | 22 | 8200 | 5 | 4 | 10 | 10 |
| ASRock Phantom Gaming B850i Lightning WiFi | 12 | 8200 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 8 |
Motherboards That Just Missed Out
Since we tested a wide range of motherboards while considering various factors, picking some motherboards over others was based on minor differences in some cases. Here are the motherboards that almost made it:
- Gigabyte B850 Aorus Elite WiFi 7: This board is a good-looking, solid competitor to our selected MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi, but we aren’t big fans of the budget ALC897 codec used by this board.
- MSI MPG X870E Carbon WiFi: This motherboard was an excellent contender for the “high-end” category, but the X870E Taichi Lite beat it in VRMs and price.
Motherboard-Related Terms To Be Familiar With
Here are the terms that are often thrown around when discussing motherboard specifications and what they mean:
- VRMs: Voltage Regulator Modules regulate the amount of power available to the CPU. These are crucial for overclocking; generally, more phases (and more current) mean better performance.
- SPS: Smart Power Stages combine the High-Side and Low-Side MOSFETS, a driver, and current and temperature sensors in one package. They are found in higher-end motherboards and can accurately provide high amounts of current to the CPU.
- I/O: Motherboard Input/Output generally refers to the ports at the back of the motherboard, which include video output ports, USB ports, and LAN port(s).
- DAC: In simple terms, a Digital-to-Analog Converter converts your computer’s digital 1s and 0s into audio. Thanks to better signal-to-noise ratios, a dedicated DAC on a motherboard can often provide better sound quality than those that come bundled with headsets.
How We Selected These Motherboards
As we just mentioned, choosing our motherboard requires consideration of various factors and subsequent balancing of these factors for final selection. Here are some of the key ones:
- Performance: Firstly, all the motherboards must deliver par numbers in various synthetic and real-world benchmarks that test CPU, RAM, and storage performance.
- VRMs and Overclocking Capabilities: Better VRMs mean better overclocking capabilities. We not only look at the VRM numbers but also test them for their overclocking capabilities and how well the heatsinks can cool them under 100% CPU load.
- I/O and Connectivity: Better and higher-end I/O and connectivity features take precedence over lower-end or dated counterparts. For example, 10G LAN, WiFi 7, and USB4 are some of today’s latest premium options. We also consider the amount of storage space on the boards.
- Features: Physical features (like the presence of “easy” PCIe release mechanisms or debug code LED Panels) and software-related features (like “one-click overclocking”) are also considered.
- Design: We understand that looks are subjective, so the design of a motherboard is our last consideration. Motherboards don’t need to have the flashiest designs to be considered; rather, they should fit the price segment they’re being sold for.
FAQs
Is it worth upgrading from the Ryzen 9 7900X3D to the Ryzen 9 9900X3D?
The Ryzen 9 9900X3D vastly improves gaming performance over the Ryzen 9 9900X3D while also providing better productivity performance. As long as you can score the 9900X3D for a fair price, it’s a good upgrade.
Can I run the Ryzen 9 9900X3D on my 600-series chipset motherboard?
If you’re rocking a B650(E)/X670(E) motherboard, you can run the Ryzen 9 9900X3D without any issues and don’t need to upgrade to the latest-gen motherboards. The only key advantages of the latest-gen boards are USB4, PCIe 5.0 x16 lane for GPU (not present in standard B650/X870), and WiFi 7. If you don’t need these features, then there’s no need to upgrade.
Can I use DDR4 RAM with my Ryzen 9 9900X3D?
No. The Ryzen 9 9900X3D only supports DDR5 memory.
