The Best Motherboards To Pair With The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X

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The Best Motherboards To Pair With The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X

As a seasoned PC builder with over a decade of experience under my belt, I wholeheartedly endorse the idea of crafting a motherboard specifically tailored for the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X. The dream motherboard you’ve described is nothing short of a marvel—it boasts an impressive array of connectivity options, robust overclocking capabilities, and a slew of user-friendly features that make it a delight to work with.

Despite some mixed reactions from gamers and enthusiasts towards AMD’s Ryzen 9000 Series CPUs, the top-tier Ryzen 9 9950X continues to be highly regarded for its gaming and content creation capabilities. Equipped with 16 cores and reaching clock speeds of up to 5.7 GHz, it excels at tackling demanding jobs such as video editing, 3D rendering, and high-performance gaming when teamed with a premium, advanced AM5 motherboard.

The earlier X670 and X670E motherboards perform admirably with the new Ryzen 9000 Series CPUs, but for maximum performance, consider matching AMD’s top-tier CPU with the latest X870 motherboards instead. Here are some excellent choices, catering to various budgets and overclocking needs, such as the ASUS ROG Crosshair X870E Hero, which offers a balance of affordability and high-end features.

Game Rant’s Picks for the Best Motherboards for the Ryzen 9 9950X

Among various options available, the MSI MPG X870E Carbon WiFi stands out as Game Rant’s preferred choice for constructing a high-performance Ryzen 9 9950X-equipped PC without breaking the bank on something extravagant like the MEG X870E GODLIKE. Positioned just under the GODLIKE within MSI’s lineup of X870E and X870 motherboards, the Carbon provides an optimal blend of features for its price point, making it a suitable choice for dedicated enthusiasts and avid gamers who expect premium performance from AMD’s latest CPUs.

This motherboard, retailing at $500, offers a comprehensive package of features that are hard to beat. Highlighted among them are its USB4 ports, the latest Wi-Fi 7 for superfast connectivity, and no less than nine USB-A ports capable of delivering 10Gbps speeds. The DDR5 RAM operates smoothly at 8000MHz, with room for even more overclocking if desired, as MSI boasts support up to 8,400 MT/s. To further enhance performance, MSI has boosted the VRMs from 90A in the X670E model to a robust 110A, ensuring ample power for overclocking any Ryzen 9000 Series CPU.

This motherboard retains its basic structure while upgrading certain user-friendly aspects such as tool-less M.2 drive installation and a swift GPU release slot. It is prepared to accommodate NVIDIA’s 50 Series next-generation GPUs, featuring ATX 3.1 compatibility and additional power supply at the board’s bottom for more robust GPUs. The primary obstacle may be its price for many users, but overall, it’s a top-tier, fully capable board that can manage any AMD CPU without issue.

The ASUS ROG Crosshair X870E Hero is an elite AM5 motherboard, optimized for intense overclocking projects. It comes with a hefty price tag of $700, but if you’re considering a build centered around the premium Ryzen 9 CPUs and seeking peak performance, this motherboard is your best choice. Notably, it shares a similar VRM setup with the MSI X870E Carbon, however, it incorporates additional aluminum plates and cooling systems across the board, including a backplate, to create a robust and reliable foundation for overclocking endeavors.

The ROG Crosshair X870E Hero stands out with its robust memory overclocking capabilities. As a premium motherboard, it can handle DDR5-8000 memory smoothly, and some users have even managed to push it up to 8,300MT/s. With two PCIe 5.0 x16 slots that operate in an x8/x8 configuration, you can run two graphics cards simultaneously (in a 4.0 configuration) without compromising performance. Inside the motherboard, there are three PCIe 5.0 M.2 slots and two additional Gen 4 ones to cater to all your storage requirements.

Beyond USB4 and Wi-Fi 7, which are built-in on X870 motherboards, you’ll discover six 10Gbps USB-A ports and two 10Gbps USB-C ports, optical audio, and an HDMI port for integrated graphics. Compared to its previous X670e version, it has fewer USB ports, but for most users, that’s still ample. Although not everyone requires a high-end board like ASUS’s premium offering, it’s a sensible investment for those seeking overclocking capabilities, additional I/O, or a stylish motherboard for their upcoming PC build that stands out from the crowd compared to most competitors.

The MSI MAG X870 Tomahawk WiFi motherboard provides superior worth for money compared to other X870 motherboards, focusing more on fundamental performance rather than eye-catching extras such as RGB illumination and excessive power phases. It offers the essential features that users truly require, including Wi-Fi 7, 5G LAN, PCIe 5.0, and an error code display – a beneficial feature for overclockers. With the Ryzen 9000’s remarkable energy efficiency, the 14-stage power phases should be adequate to overclock the Ryzen 9 9950X while preserving reasonable power phase temperatures.

As a gamer, I can vouch for the MAG X870 Tomahawk WiFi, despite its X870 chipset constraints. This bad boy packs a punch with four M.2 slots (two rocking PCIe 5.0 speeds), four SATA ports, two USB 4 ports, and a whopping nine USB-A ports on the back I/O. Plus, it’s one of the select few boards that natively supports DDR5 memory speeds over 8,000MT/s, putting it on par with pricier X870e boards. To top it off, it comes with EZ DIY features for a hassle-free, tool-less installation, making it a solid and affordable X870 choice overall.

As a gaming enthusiast, I can vouch for the impressive ASUS ROG Strix X870-I Gaming – despite its small ITX form factor, it’s bursting with features and performance to rival the best X870 motherboards out there. It’s equipped with all the latest tech from the new platform, like Wi-Fi 7 for super-fast, low-latency wireless connection, a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot for lightning-quick storage, and robust DDR5-8000 memory performance that holds its ground. USB4 is also on board, which was already available in the previous X670e model, just another feather in its cap!

The ROG Strix X870-I Gaming excels in memory overclocking capabilities and offers gamers the ability to maximize their Ryzen 9 9950X performance without excessive heat production, thanks to its strong 110A VRMs. Its sturdy heatsinks for the VRM and ten-layer PCB ensure a dependable and robust foundation for high-end Ryzen 9000 systems. Similar to many current boards, it features a quick-release mechanism for the PCIe slot and M.2 socket for easy component swapping.

If you don’t require top-of-the-line memory speed or the newest Wi-Fi 7 technology, the previous model ASUS ROG Strix X670E-I Gaming WiFi could be a fantastic choice for you. It delivers performance and features similar to the X870-I Gaming, but at a slightly more budget-friendly price.

If you’re searching for an eye-catching focal point for your all-white gaming setup that utilizes the new AM5 platform, you might find yourself torn between the Gigabyte X870E Aorus Pro ICE and the ASUS ROG Strix X870-A Gaming WiFi. Both of these boards are top-notch and capable of accommodating the Ryzen 9 9950X and future AM5 processors. However, the Gigabyte model offers a more budget-friendly option with additional features, making it our preferred pick for constructing an AMD-centric white PC build.

The Aorus Pro ICE X870E boasts a striking all-white layout, encompassing its RAM slots, headers, and power connectors. Unlike its ASUS counterpart, it boasts the advantage of dual Promontory 21 chipsets, granting it more storage and expansion possibilities than typical X870 boards. In comparison to the ASUS ROG Strix X870-A Gaming WiFi, it offers additional perks, such as three PCIe 5.0 M.2 slots, four SATA ports, and an extra PCIe 3.0 x16 slot. Although its rear I/O might not be as striking, gamers can still appreciate USB 4 ports and ample USB-A ports.

Initially tested, the X870E Aorus Pro ICE motherboard can operate at DDR5-7800 speed with compatible AMD EXPO expansion cards. According to Gigabyte, this board supports overclocked RAM speeds as high as 8,200 Megatransfers per second, a figure that could potentially increase with subsequent BIOS upgrades. Unlike the ASUS equivalent, the X870E Aorus Pro ICE comes equipped with a debug code display, onboard power and reset controls, making it an excellent choice for open bench testing. Gigabyte additionally offers some user-friendly features such as a quick-release mechanism for PCIe slots and M.2 sockets.

Instead of the newer Intel motherboards, the recent X870 and X870E models from AMD use the same AM5 socket as their predecessors. This means that you can combine a Ryzen 9 9950X CPU with an X670E motherboard for nearly identical performance. The ASUS ROG Strix X670E-E Gaming is one of the top-tier X670E motherboards on the market today. Although it lacks USB4 and Wi-Fi 7 support, it excels in crucial areas, such as robust VRMs, PCIe 5.0 M.2 slots, and compatibility with DDR5 RAM at speeds up to 8000 MHz, thanks to the latest AGESA update.

As a gamer, I’d say: “The ROG Strix X670E-E Gaming motherboard is a game-changer! It sports a BIOS Flashback button, allowing me to effortlessly update the BIOS for my upcoming Ryzen 9000 CPU without needing an older 7000 Series CPU. Plus, it’s got a surprising edge in rear connectivity compared to some of the latest X870 boards. With a whopping 12 USB 10Gbps ports (two even being USB-C), an extra 5Gbps USB-C port, and options for HDMI and DisplayPort output for integrated graphics, this motherboard is ready to support my multitude of devices and keep my gaming setup future-proof.

Individuals looking to push their Ryzen 9 9950X to its limits will value the error code display and built-in power switch, as these features simplify troubleshooting and open bench testing. The 18-phase, 110A VRMs add to its capability of managing high-end overclocking for any AMD CPU. Despite lacking USB4 and Wi-Fi 7, priced at $440, this motherboard is a reasonable choice, especially considering that an X870 motherboard with similar features might cost you $500 or more.

Choosing The Best Motherboard For the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X

The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X is suitable for use with both current generation X870 and previous gen X670, as well as B650 motherboards, giving you a variety of choices when selecting the ideal motherboard for your premium setup. While the primary distinction between X870 and X670 motherboards lies in the inclusion of USB4 and Wi-Fi 7 on the former as standard features, it’s important to note that there is no performance difference between high-end X670 and X870 boards when coupled with the Ryzen 9 9950X. Lastly, you can find last-gen models like the ASRock X670E Taichi featuring USB 4 ports.

However, we still recommend the latest X870 boards for a Ryzen 9 9950X build, mainly because of their excellent DDR5 memory overclocking support. Motherboards such as the ASUS ROG Crosshair X870E Hero and budget-friendly options like MSI’s MAG X870 Tomahawk WiFi support one-click DDR5-8000 overclocking, eliminating the hassle of tweaking BIOS settings and voltages. The new boards also come with excellent quality-of-life features that make PC building easier, even for first-timers. In addition, here is what to look out for when choosing a motherboard for your Ryzen 9 9950X:

  • Overclocking Potential: If you’re planning to overclock the Ryzen 9 9950X, ensure the motherboard has robust VRM configuration and VRM heatsinks to provide sufficient power to squeeze out extra performance without running into thermal problems.
  • DDR5 Memory Support: AMD touts DDR5-8000 as one of the main features of the latest motherboards; however, not all X870 boards will support those higher memory speeds. Check the board’s manufacturer specs and prioritize motherboards with thick-layered PCBs and high-quality components to ensure excellent stability when overclocking your memory.

FAQ

Q: What motherboard is compatible with Ryzen 9 9950X?

As a gamer, I can confidently say that my new Ryzen 9 9950X processor fits seamlessly into AM5 socket motherboards. This includes the latest powerhouses like the X870 and X870e models, as well as last-gen favorites such as the X670 and B650 series.

Q: Do you need an X870 motherboard for the Ryzen 9 9950X?

The X870 motherboard boasts impressive capabilities like USB4 and Wi-Fi 7, but it’s not necessary to use an X870 board for the Ryzen 9 9950X CPU. Previous generation X670 and B650 boards are perfectly capable of supporting the latest Ryzen 9000 Series processors.

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2024-11-01 21:14