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Searching for the best motherboard Ryzen 9 7950X3D?
Choosing the right motherboard for your AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D PC build can make a significant difference. This powerhouse of a CPU deserves a motherboard that can keep up with its demands.
Today, we’ll dive into the top three motherboards perfectly matched for the Ryzen 9 7950X3D, each offering a unique blend of features, performance, and value.
In this article, we’re showcasing the top three choices that cater to different needs and budgets, each ready to harness the full power of this impressive CPU.
Before moving on make sure you check the following detailed tutorial on how to choose the best motherboard for you: How To Choose The Right Motherboard For Your Needs: A Comprehensive Guide
Our Top Picks
- 1. ASRock X670E Taichi Carrara – Our Top Choice
- 2. MSI MEG X670E ACE – Best Premium Motherboard For Ryzen 9 7950x3D
- 3. ASRock X670E Steel Legend – Best Budget Motherboard For Ryzen 9 7950x3D
Why Should You Trust Us?
When it comes to building your dream PC, expertise and experience matter. Talha Zuberi, our seasoned PC builder and software engineer, brings over a decade of hands-on experience in the tech industry.
Since 2009, Talha has been at the forefront of the evolving tech landscape, building high-performance custom PCs and guiding individuals to make informed choices about their computer components. His approach is tailored; he understands that each person’s needs are unique, and his recommendations are crafted to fit those specific requirements perfectly.
Talha’s dedication to staying ahead of the curve in technology ensures that the advice you get is not only based on extensive personal experience but also enriched with the latest industry insights.
From the progression of processors to the latest in motherboard technology, his expertise is a blend of practical know-how and up-to-date technological trends. With Talha’s guidance, you’re not just choosing any motherboard; you’re choosing one that’s been scrutinized, tested, and approved by a trusted expert in the field.
How We Choose The Best Motherboards For Ryzen 9 7950x3D
The AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D is a complete package of a CPU. It is almost the same as the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X but the 7950X3D takes the gaming performance even further thanks to the 3D V-Cache, making it perhaps the best gaming and productivity CPU in the world right now.
Taking into account both gaming and productivity, I considered the following factors when choosing the best motherboards for this CPU:
- Power delivery: The power delivery on any motherboard we choose needs to be exceptional. A high-quality board needs to have at least 10 phases with 60A of power to be considered for the 7950X3D. If it has 12 phases then at least 50A of power. We cannot skimp on this and I didn’t consider any board with subpar VRM configurations no matter the cost and features. We are dealing with a high-end CPU so the motherboard needs to be ready for any type of load.
- Overclocking Capabilities: A good board is not going to just be there to run a high-end CPU, like the 7950X3D, at stock speeds. However, since the 7950X3D has a large 3D V-cache, that cache is sensitive to temperatures and clock speeds, so don’t expect to overclock this CPU too much and have a stable system.
That being said, a high-quality VRM, that operates at low temperatures when the 7950X3D is under full stress at 5 GHz for a significant period, is the key factor in determining a board’s quality. - RAM Support: The AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D only supports DDR5 RAM. Keeping that in mind, the memory controller needs to be stable especially while overclocking. We want to ensure that our memory kits can operate at a stable clock of more than 6000 MT/s.
- Storage and Expansion Features: Anyone who is building a high-end system with the 16-core 7950X3D is not just going to use it for gaming. A good motherboard must be well-equipped with storage and expandability options like plenty of high-speed PCIe slots, USB 3.2 support, and more. All boards selected have PCIe x16 Gen 5 slots and plenty of M.2 slots, and every M.2 slot is Gen 4 with some being Gen 5.
- Networking Features: For productivity, we need our boards to have excellent network controllers and support for gigabit ethernet at the very least. All motherboards selected here have excellent networking and all of these boards have built-in WiFi 6E modules.
- Other I/O Features: The boards should have a good set of I/O, especially for power users who need to run multiple devices connected to the PC at once. Some of our boards here even support Thunderbolt 4 making them exceptionally robust.
- X670E over X670: All the motherboards we have selected run on the X670E chipset instead of the X670 chipset. Both chipsets are identical except for one key difference – The X670 chipset has only 4 PCIe Gen 5 lanes while the X670E chipset has 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes. This means that at most, you will only be able to plug 1 M.2 NVMe SSD in any X670 board at Gen 5 speeds. When I was picking these motherboards, the X670E motherboards did not have any significant price disparity to X670 boards so naturally it makes sense to get X670E.
- Price and Value: The price of the motherboard holds immense significance in our decision-making process. We seek a balance between reasonable cost and essential features, ensuring we get the best value for our investment. Recognizing the 7950X3D as a high-range CPU, I understand that opting for top-tier options might come with a premium price tag. Nonetheless, I always prioritize the overall best choices to unleash the full potential of this powerful chip.
- User Feedback and Brand Reputation: When I pick any motherboard, I always consider real-world user experiences and the manufacturers’ reputations. If the reviews are glowing and the after-sale support is top-notch, you can bet the product quality is on point and customers are happy.
3 Best Motherboards For Ryzen 9 7950x3D Reviews
1. ASRock X670E Taichi Carrara – Our Top Choice
Form Factor: ATX | Chipset: X670E | VRM: 24+2+1 Phase | Memory: 4x DIMM, 128GB, DDR5-6600+ | Video Outputs: 1x HDMI, 2x USB4 Type-C | USB Ports: 10x rear IO, 7x internal | Network: 1x 2.5 GbE LAN, 1x WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 | Storage: 4x M.2, 8x SATA
ASRock has consistently improved its motherboards, and with the latest release, they have truly knocked it out of the park. For those looking to build a high-end system, I understand that there is simply no room for compromise and the ASRock X670E Taichi Carrara delivers.
The standout feature of the X670E Taichi is its ridiculously overpowered VRM, especially given its price point. A 24+2+1 phase 105A VRM configuration is undoubtedly going to be plenty for anything that you throw at this board. Since the Ryzen 9 7950X3D, has a TDP rated at 120 Watts, a board of this caliber is designed to effortlessly support such a demanding CPU. Only the MSI MEG X670E Godlike offers a VRM of such caliber, and that board is more than 2.5 times more expensive than this.
When it comes to memory, the motherboard handles it exceptionally well, officially supporting speeds up to 6600 MT/s.
Moving on, it doesn’t just excel in power delivery; it also boasts an impressive set of features. Equipped with WiFi 6E and Killer 2.5Gb ethernet, the board ensures fast and reliable wireless and wired connectivity. It has 2 full-sized PCIe Gen 5 x16 slots, a Gen 5 x4 M.2 slot, and 3 Gen 4 x4 M.2 slots. I was delighted to see that there are 2 USB 4.0 ports that support Thunderbolt 4.
ASRock continues to impress with the design. The Carrara’s clever ceramic white finish allows it to blend seamlessly into both black and white PC cases.
For a similar price, the Gigabyte X670E Aorus Master or the Asus ROG Strix X670E-E Gaming stand out as excellent options. However, compared to the Taichi, they either don’t have as good of a VRM or they lack features that the Taichi offers like USB 4.0.
At the end of the day the ASRock X670E Taichi Carrara stands out as an exceptional offering from ASRock. The robust 24+2+1 phase 105A VRM configuration ensures efficient power delivery and future compatibility with upcoming AMD CPUs. Its feature-rich design, including Thunderbolt 4 support and WiFi 6E, caters to the needs of power users and enthusiasts.
With its elegant design and strong performance, the ASRock Taichi Carrara is a worthy contender for those seeking a high end motherboard to pair their 7950x3d processor for their high-end PC build.
Pros:
- The best VRM power delivery
- Excellent storage features
- Thunderbolt 4 support
- Stable and fast RAM support
Cons:
- CPU-Managed USB 4 and Thunderbolt
RATINGS:
- VRM Design: 10/10
- Features: 9/10
- Aesthetics: 8.5/10
- Value for Money: 8.5/10
- Overall Rating: 9/10
2. MSI MEG X670E ACE – Best Premium Motherboard For Ryzen 9 7950x3D
Form Factor: ATX | Chipset: X670E | VRM: 22+2+1 Phase | Memory: 4x DIMM, 192GB, DDR5-8000+ | Video Outputs: 1x HDMI, 2x USB4 Type-C | USB Ports: 11x rear IO, 10x internal | Network: 1x 10 GbE LAN, 1x WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 | Storage: 4x M.2, 6x SATA
If you have no budget concerns and want the very best motherboard for the 7950x3D the MSI MEG X670E ACE is the ideal choice even for the most demanding users.
MSI has created a motherboard that can only be described with one word – overkill. And that’s true even for the very best cpu of AMD currently, the Ryzen 9 7950X3D.
Starting with the VRMs, the MEG X670E ACE has a 22+2+1-phase configuration that can handle anything you pair it with without breaking a sweat. The VRMs are completely covered up with large heatsinks that simply do not allow the VRMs to heat up.
In fact, this goes all the way around the back side of the motherboard as well. There is almost no area on the motherboard that isn’t covered with a heatsink and this not only makes the motherboard look premium, it protects everything underneath from heat and accidents.
MSI claims that the MEG X670E ACE can support DDR5 RAM with speeds of 8000 MT/s or more and I wouldn’t be surprised if this is actually true. So in the future, as faster DDR5 RAM kits become cheaper and at the same time have low latency, this board will be ready before any other.
One area where this motherboard shines like no other is expandability. There are three PCIe 5.0 slots for any add-in card. The top slot is x16, followed by an x8 and an x4 after that. There is an M.2 expansion card included in the box of the motherboard that can be used to add 2 PCIe 4.0 M.2 SSDs on top of the 1 PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot and 3 PCIe 4.0 SSD slots on the motherboard. And if there weren’t enough M.2 slots, there are 6 SATA III ports for even more storage.
This trend of abundance continues with the rear I/O thanks to MSI including support for a total of 21 USB ports! On the back, there are 8 USB type-A and 3 USB type-C ports. All of the type-A and 1 type-C ports are running at USB 3.2 Gen 2 speeds of 10 gigabits/s. This USB type-C port also supports video over DisplayPort 1.4 while the other 2 type-C ports are rated at USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 speeds of 20 gigabits/s. The front has 4 USB 2.0 type-A, 4 USB 3.2 Gen 1 type-A, and 1 USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 type-C ports.
The rest of the rear I/O is still jampacked with 3 buttons – one for flashing the BIOS, one for clearing the CMOS, and a third smart button that can be configured through the BIOS for any custom function. The rear also has a 10 gig ethernet port, antennas for Wifi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 as well as a complete audio jack array connected to the Realtek ALC4082 Codec + ESS ES9280AQ Combo DAC.
It is worth mentioning that this board can achieve all of this thanks to using the highest quality components on a thick 8-layered PCB. This is the only way that ensures that there will be no signal interference resulting in high clock speeds on the memory, excessive I/O, and clean audio. This is where I can see justifying the $700-800 asking price because if MSI wants to achieve a no-compromises motherboard, it is going to cost a lot.
The one point that disappointed me more than anything else is that this board does not have a USB 4 port or Thunderbolt support. It already has everything you could ask for, so skimping on Thunderbolt seems a bit odd.
I guess only ASUS and ASRock are going out of their way to try to add Thunderbolt support to their AMD motherboards since it is technically Intel’s technology. Still, if they can do it, MSI could’ve at least added a Thunderbolt add-in card support, especially considering that this is a top-of-the-line motherboard in literally every other regard at a high asking price.
With all that said, there is no other motherboard like the MSI MEG X670E ACE. It is a very slightly cut-down version of the MSI X670E Godlike, but let’s be honest, very few would spend $1300 on a motherboard.
All in all, those looking to invest in a no-compromises AM5 PC for a very long time will be far more equipped and ready for the future thanks to the MSI MEG X670E ACE’s abundant PCIe 5.0, ultra-fast DDR5 support, and many more CPUs to come.
PROS
- The best VRM power delivery
- Excellent storage features
- Stable RAM operations with support for much faster RAM in the future
CONS
- Missing Thunderbolt support
RATINGS:
- VRM Design: 10/10
- Features: 9.5/10
- Aesthetics: 9.5/10
- Value for Money: 6.5/10
- Overall Rating: 9/10
3. ASRock X670E Steel Legend – Best Budget Motherboard For Ryzen 9 7950x3D
Form Factor: ATX | Chipset: X670E | VRM: 16+2+1 Phase | Memory: 4x DIMM, 128GB, DDR5-6600+ | Video Outputs: 1x HDMI, 1x DisplayPort | USB Ports: 12x rear IO, 5x internal | Network: 1x 2.5 GbE LAN, 1x 1GbE LAN, 1x WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2 | Storage: 4x M.2, 4x SATA
I’d say that ASRock is pretty bold to call this motherboard a legend, but I don’t think they are quite off on that and that’s why the ASRock X670E Steel Legend is My pick for the best budget motherboard for the 7950X3D.
What makes this one of the best budget motherboards available in the market is that this board is complete with all the necessities. It has an excellent VRM design (16+2+1 Phase at 60A) so running even the 7950X3D at high clocks won’t be an issue.
A rather rare feature of the Steel Legend is its 2 ethernet ports, one being 1Gb and the other 2Gb. This board also comes with an insane number of USB ports – I counted a total of 12 in the back with support for 5 more in the front. Perhaps my favorite feature of this motherboard is the inclusion of a graphics card holder. This included holder is perfect for giant GPUs like the RX 7900 XTX or the RTX 4090 so that they don’t sag. I wish more vendors included this nowadays.
This is truly the best value-seekers board. Reliable power delivery, sturdy board design, overloaded with features, and an excellent price to match – what more can one want?
For around the price of the ASRock X670E Steel Legend, the other boards I considered that offer a similar experience are the Gigabyte X670 Gaming X AX and the MSI Pro X670-P WiFi. I also saw a handful of boards from Asus and ASRock themselves.
In the end, I went with the ASRock X670E Steel Legend over the other affordable X670 boards. All of these boards can comfortably supply power to the 7950X3D to run at higher clocks, but it came down to features. Unlike the Steel Legend, most boards in this price range don’t offer Gen 5 support on the x16 slot.
All in all, I needed a board that would yield the most value. Being a budget board does not mean that it just needs to be cheap and cut corners and that’s why the X670E Steel Legent is my pick for the best budget motherboard for the 7950X3D.
Pros:
- Top-of-the-line VRM power delivery
- Dual Ethernet ports
- Included GPU holder
- Abundant USB ports
Cons:
- The design is not very attractive
- Odd PCIe layout choice
RATINGS:
- VRM Design: 8.5/10
- Features: 9/10
- Aesthetics: 8/10
- Value for Money: 9.5/10
- Overall Rating: 9/10
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What chipset should I look for in a motherboard for Ryzen 9 7950x3d? Opt for motherboards with the X670E chipset. They offer enhanced PCIe Gen 5 support, which is crucial for future-proofing and maximizing the performance of the Ryzen 9 7950x3d.
- Does the Ryzen 9 7950x3d require motherboards with specific VRM configurations? Yes, choose a motherboard with a robust VRM configuration, ideally with at least 12 phases and 50A of power or 10 phases with 60A, to ensure stable and efficient power delivery to the CPU.
- Are there any specific BIOS features I should look for in a motherboard for the Ryzen 9 7950x3d? Look for motherboards with BIOS features that support easy overclocking and RAM tuning, as these can help you get the most out of the Ryzen 9 7950x3d’s capabilities.
- How important is DDR5 support for a motherboard with Ryzen 9 7950x3d? DDR5 support is crucial as the Ryzen 9 7950x3d is compatible with DDR5 RAM only. Ensure the motherboard supports high-speed DDR5 RAM for optimal performance.
- What kind of cooling options should I consider in a motherboard for the Ryzen 9 7950x3d? Ensure the motherboard has adequate fan headers and supports advanced cooling solutions like AIO (All-In-One) liquid coolers, as the Ryzen 9 7950x3d can generate significant heat under load.
- Is PCIe Gen 5 support necessary for motherboards compatible with the Ryzen 9 7950x3d? While not strictly necessary, PCIe Gen 5 support is highly recommended for future-proofing, especially for high-speed storage and the latest GPUs.
- Can I use a motherboard with an older chipset for the Ryzen 9 7950x3d? No only the newer AM5 socket motherboards support Ryzen 9 7950x3d like the b650, x670 and x670e chipsets. For optimal performance, a motherboard with an X670E chipset is recommended.
- What kind of network features should I look for in a motherboard for gaming with Ryzen 9 7950x3d? Prioritize motherboards with at least 2.5 GbE LAN and built-in WiFi 6E, which offer fast and reliable network connections for online gaming and streaming.
- Should I consider the number of M.2 slots in a motherboard for Ryzen 9 7950x3d? Yes, multiple M.2 slots, especially those supporting PCIe Gen 4 and Gen 5, are beneficial for adding high-speed storage, enhancing game load times and overall system performance.
- Are there specific I/O ports I should look for in a motherboard for this CPU? Yes, ensure the motherboard has a variety of USB ports, including USB 3.2 Gen 2 for high-speed data transfer, and consider Thunderbolt 4 support if you need ultra-fast peripheral connectivity.
- Do I need to update the BIOS for this CPU? It depends on the motherboard. Some newer motherboards might come with a compatible BIOS, but it’s always wise to check for the latest BIOS updates to ensure compatibility and optimal performance.
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