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Looking for the best motherboard for the Ryzen 9 9900X?
The 9900X is a great choice if you’re looking to build a workstation PC that is also great for gaming.
Of course, you still need a good motherboard to bring out its full potentials.
After extensive research and testing I picked the 3 best motherboards to pair with the 9900X and ranked them based on VRM design, features, value and aesthetics.
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
- Gigabyte B850 Eagle (affiliate link)- Best Budget Motherboard for the Ryzen 9 9900X
- ASRock X870E Taichi (affiliate link)- Best Premium Motherboard for the Ryzen 9 9900X
- MSI X870 Tomhawk Wi-Fi (affiliate link) – Our Top Pick
Why Should You Trust Us?
Konstantinos Chiotis brings over two decades of hands-on PC building experience and a deep-rooted passion for technology. Having built and optimized PC since age 14 and spent more than ten years professionally evaluating components such as motherboards, GPUs, CPU coolers, and processors, Konstantinos provides detailed, trustworthy advice. His extensive expertise ensures readers receive reliable recommendations tailored specifically for performance-driven builds, particularly regarding intricate hardware decisions like selecting motherboards suited for high-end CPUs.
How We Chose the Best Motherboards for Ryzen 9 9900X
Choosing the best motherboard for a powerful processor like the Ryzen 9 9900X requires careful evaluation of various essential factors. To help ensure each recommendation effectively meets the needs of gamers, content creators, and enthusiasts alike, the following criteria were considered:
VRM Quality and Power Delivery
The Ryzen 9 9900X is a power-hungry CPU capable of significant performance boosts through overclocking. Therefore, motherboards were evaluated based on:
- VRM Configuration: Boards with robust voltage regulator modules (VRMs), typically ranging from 12 to 24 phases, were prioritized.
- Cooling Efficiency: Large, effective VRM heatsinks and optimized thermal designs to prevent overheating during prolonged, high-performance tasks.
- Overclocking Capabilities: Motherboards providing stable and reliable performance under moderate to extreme overclocking scenarios were favored.
Chipset and Features
The motherboard chipset greatly impacts performance and feature availability. Key aspects considered included:
- PCIe 5.0 Support: Given the Ryzen 9 9900X’s support for PCIe Gen 5, boards equipped with PCIe 5.0 lanes for GPUs and M.2 storage were given preference.
- Connectivity: Availability of advanced connectivity features such as USB 4, USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, and multiple high-speed M.2 slots.
- Future-proofing: Features like DDR5 support up to high frequencies (8200 MT/s and above) and compatibility with upcoming hardware to ensure longevity and sustained high performance.
Build Quality and Design
Motherboard aesthetics and build quality significantly influence user experience, particularly for enthusiasts who value a clean and visually appealing build. The following factors were taken into account:
- Design and Aesthetics: Boards with versatile designs suitable for various build themes, including clean, stealthy looks and tasteful RGB integration.
- Build Durability: Quality materials such as reinforced PCIe and memory slots, sturdy PCB designs, and protective covers to enhance board lifespan.
- User-Friendly Features: Practical inclusions like quick-release mechanisms for M.2 and PCIe slots, onboard power/reset buttons, and clear troubleshooting tools (EZ Debug LEDs, error code displays).
Connectivity and Networking
Networking capabilities can heavily impact productivity, gaming performance, and overall convenience:
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth: Motherboards offering the latest connectivity standards such as Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 or reliable options like Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.
- Ethernet Speed: Higher Ethernet speeds such as 5Gb or above were preferred, providing faster and more reliable wired networking suitable for heavy data transfers and online gaming.
Value for Money
Finally, price-to-performance ratio played a significant role. Motherboards that offered excellent performance, stability, and practical features without excessive cost were prioritized. This ensures recommendations suit a range of budgets without compromising essential functionalities.
By thoroughly evaluating these critical criteria, the final recommendations confidently provide users with motherboards that effectively harness the full capabilities of the Ryzen 9 9900X, ensuring optimal performance, reliability, and longevity.
Best Motherboards For Ryzen 9 9900X Reviews
Gigabyte B850 Eagle – Best Budget Motherboard for the Ryzen 9 9900X
If you want to save on some cash, getting a motherboard with a B850 chipset is a good idea. X870 boards net you features like Wi-Fi 7, USB 4, and better support for PCIe Gen 5 storage, but B850 boards are catered more towards people who care about performance at a low cost without the fancy features. The Gigabyte B850 Eagle is a prime example of that.
Compared to its predecessor, the B650 Eagle, the newer version has better capacitors for the VRMs, it’s fine-tuned for stable memory overclocking, and a slightly cleaner design. Apart from that, it’s mostly the same. I still recommend the newer version as it will work with Ryzen 9000 series chips out of the box without a BIOS update.
Design-wise, this board has a very industrial-looking appearance. The PCB has a dual black and gray color scheme, which is in line with the heatsinks and the rest of the board. You get a large rear panel cover with the Eagle branding on it, and significantly large VRM heatsinks. There’s also a heatsink for the top M.2 slot, and the chipset heatsink features more Gigabyte branding.
While some might call this a boring-looking motherboard, the industrial look allows it to fit into almost any build theme with ease. I also appreciate the tool-less M.2 installation featured on flagship boards. The quick-release mechanism eliminates the need for screws when installing an M.2 drive, simplifying the build process. However, this convenience is only available on the top PCIe 5.0 slot—the two lower slots still require traditional screw mounting.
The board also comes with 4 PCIe x16 slots for graphics cards, though only the top one supports PCIe 5.0 if you’re using a Ryzen 9000 series CPU like the 9900X. You also get four DDR5 slots that support up to 256GB of memory at 8200MT/s (OC). For storage, you get three M.2 slots, one of which is PCIe 5.0. , 4 SATA connectors are also available if you want to use traditional drives.
The power design consists of an 8+2+2 VRM configuration, which is more than enough for CPUs like the Ryzen 9 9900X. It can handle moderate overclocking relatively well, though I don’t recommend pushing it too far like you would with an X870 board.
While this board does have a Type-C port on the back panel, there’s no support for USB 4, only 3.2 Gen 1. This won’t matter much to most people unless you want high-speed file transfers all the time. In that case, you should be looking at an X870 or X870E board. There are traditional USB-A ports on the back too, two of which are USB 3.2 Gen 2. For connectivity, you get Wi-Fi 6E. Bluetooth 5.3, and Gigabit Ethernet.
The MSI B850 Gaming Plus Wi-Fi is a close competitor to the Eagle. Truth be told, you can’t go wrong with either one. Both are similar in terms of features, VRM stability, and performance. It comes down to which one you prefer in terms of looks. However, the Eagle is cheaper, so that tends to be my go-to recommendation.
All in all, this is not a motherboard that will blow you away with enthusiast features or the latest Wi-Fi 7 and USB 4 ports. Instead, it’s a board that focuses on reliable performance at a low price. If that’s all you’re looking for, it’s a great buy.
To sum up, what I like is….
Competitive price
Robust VRM configuration
Toolless M.2 installation
PCIe 5 support for cheap
On the downside…
Lacks USB 4 support
ASRock X870E Taichi – Best Premium Motherboard for the Ryzen 9 9900X
Most of the time, when it comes to premium motherboards, ASUS or MSI tend to be the manufacturers people go for. However, if you’re looking for the best X870E motherboard, I recommend the ASRock X870E Taichi. ASUS had its fair share of problems with the X870E chipset like overvolting CPUs or limited GPU bandwidth, and ASRock is the exact opposite of this generation.
The X870E Taichi is the successor to the X670E Taichi, an already impressive motherboard. This newer motherboard features more PCIe 5.0 lanes, better VRMs and upgraded heatsinks, and it ditches the copper accents. It’s an improvement in every way and the only X870E board you should be eyeing if you care about performance and enthusiast features.
In terms of design, the Taichi has all the makings of a premium motherboard: a gigantic rear panel cover with plenty of RGB, massive heatsinks all around, metal armor around the M.2 slots and chipset heatsinks, and a robust VRM configuration. The color scheme is mostly black, with some copper accents and RGB to flair things up.
One of the best things about this board is its enthusiast features. You get the power and reset buttons on the top right, and just above those is an error code display to help with troubleshooting. Best of all, it features quick-release latches for the M.2 and PCIe slots, making the building process easier and eliminating the need for screws.
Now, let’s start with the impressive numbers. You get two PCIe 5.0 x16 slots, four M.2 slots (one of which is PCIe 5), two USB 4 Type-C ports on the rear panel, plenty of USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, Wi-Fi 7, and Bluetooth 5.4.
It’s no slouch in terms of performance either. You get a mighty impressive 24 + 2 +2 VRM configuration, which is more than enough for even the most extreme overclocks. It can easily handle a Ryzen 9 9900X and other similarly classed CPUs with ease. Memory support is 256GB of DDR5 at 8200 MT/s (with OC).
All your troubleshooting and setup woes are also gone with the inclusion of features such as BIOS Flashback, CMOS Clear, a Reset switch, and the error code display which we talked about earlier.
At this sky-high price though, there are some competitors. Most of you will be looking at the ROG Strix X870E-E. The ASUS board features a couple of gimmicks, such as dynamic overclocking powered by AI. However, as of late, some ASUS X870E boards have been overvolting the Ryzen 9000 series CPUs. With that in mind, I can’t recommend them. The Taichi has a stronger VRM configuration anyway,
So, the one real drawback of this motherboard is the price. Costing as much as a GPU like the RTX 5070, it certainly isn’t for everyone. However, if you value enthusiast features, extreme overclocking abilities, and want to stay on the AM5 platform for a while, this is an excellent investment in the long run.
To sum up, what I like is…
Monstrous VRM setup
Plenty of enthusiast-grade features
Fantastic design with tasteful RGB
Full bandwidth for PCIe 5 slots
On the downside…
Sky-high price
MSI X870 Tomhawk Wi-Fi – Our Top Pick
X870 motherboards can get quite expensive, but they’re generally the best choice for high-end Ryzen 9000 CPUs. While they lack the extra PCIe 5 bandwidth of X870E boards, that’s not a problem for most users. If you need a well-rounded X870 board that enables high performance without the cost of an X870E board, the MSI MAG X870 Tomahawk is an excellent choice.
Compared to its predecessor, the X670 Tomahawk, this newer board refines the formula with USB 4 support, an upgraded VRM configuration, and a better UEFI/BIOS experience. It also introduces more PCIe 5.0 lanes, allowing for better future-proofing in both GPU and storage expansion.
Design-wise, the X870 Tomahawk sticks to MSI’s signature rugged aesthetic. It features a sleek black PCB with lime-green (almost yellow) accents. One thing that might throw you off is the complete lack of RGB, but that’s par for the course for Tomahawk motherboards. It helps maintain a stealthy and industrial look that fits well in most builds.
The board offers three PCIe x16 slots, with the top slot supporting PCIe 5.0 for maximum GPU bandwidth. Four M.2 slots are available, two of which are PCIe 5.0, allowing for rapid speeds. MSI also includes a quick-latch system for the top M.2 and PCIe x16 slot, making installations and upgrades much easier without the need for screws.
Wireless connectivity is a strong point here, with Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 providing next-gen wireless speeds and stability. You also get 5Gb LAN, which is a step up from the standard 2.5Gb Ethernet found on most motherboards in this range. For those of you who need high-speed networking when dealing with NAS, this is a great inclusion.
The VRM setup consists of a 14+2+1 configuration, which is more than enough for a CPU like the Ryzen 9 9900X, even with moderate overclocking. While it won’t compete with the extreme VRM setups of X870E flagship boards, it provides solid power delivery, keeping temperatures under control with large heatsinks and an optimized thermal design.
In terms of memory support, you get four DDR5 slots that can house 256GB at 8400MT/s (with overclocking). Memory overclocking is solid with this board, as the EXPO profiles can be reached and tweaked quickly in the BIOS.
Speaking of which, I highly appreciate the refined BIOS and UEFI interface, which makes navigation smoother and allows you to quickly tweak settings without frustration. Features like the EZ Debug LED, BIOS Flashback, and a Clear CMOS button also enable quick troubleshooting.
A major improvement over the previous generation is USB 4 support, with two Type-C ports on the rear I/O. Additionally, there are plenty of USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports on the rear.
The main competitor to this motherboard is the Asus ROG STRIX X870-F. Both motherboards are similar in terms of reliability, performance, and features. However, the Tomahawk has 5Gb Ethernet and a lower price. You can justify getting the Strix if you’re a fan of the design, but for nearly $100 less, the MSI board is the better value.
While it doesn’t have the absolute top-tier features of high-end X870E boards, the MSI MAG X870 Tomahawk WiFi Gaming nails the value proposition by focusing on reliable performance, essential enthusiast features, and a future-proof platform.
To sum up, what I like is….
Strong VRM configuration
Stealthy and clean design
Toolless M.2 installation
On the downside…
Complete lack of RGB
A bit expensive for most users
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What makes a motherboard’s VRM important for the Ryzen 9 9900X?
A motherboard’s VRM (Voltage Regulator Module) ensures stable power delivery to the Ryzen 9 9900X, especially under heavy loads. High-quality VRMs with configurations like 8+2+2 or higher, paired with large heatsinks, prevent overheating and support consistent performance during gaming or workstation tasks. - Are X870E motherboards worth the extra cost for the Ryzen 9 9900X?
X870E motherboards offer more PCIe 5.0 lanes, stronger VRMs (e.g., 24+2+2), and features like USB 4, making them ideal for enthusiasts or extreme overclockers. For most users, X870 or B850 boards provide sufficient performance at a lower price. - How many PCIe x16 slots should a Ryzen 9 9900X motherboard have?
A Ryzen 9 9900X motherboard should have at least one PCIe x16 slot with PCIe 5.0 support for GPUs. Premium boards may offer two or three slots, but only the top slot typically runs at full PCIe 5.0 speed with the 9900X. - Can a Ryzen 9 9900X motherboard support multiple GPUs?
Yes, many Ryzen 9 9900X motherboards support multiple GPUs with two or more PCIe x16 slots. However, only X870E boards provide enough PCIe 5.0 lanes for multiple high-bandwidth GPUs, while B850 boards are better for single-GPU setups. - What is the benefit of USB 4 on a Ryzen 9 9900X motherboard?
USB 4 on a Ryzen 9 9900X motherboard offers faster data transfer speeds (up to 40Gbps) and better compatibility with modern devices. It’s commonly found on X870 and X870E boards, unlike B850 boards, which typically max out at USB 3.2 Gen 1. - How does a motherboard’s BIOS affect the Ryzen 9 9900X?
A motherboard’s BIOS controls settings like memory overclocking and CPU performance for the Ryzen 9 9900X. Modern B850, X870, and X870E boards feature user-friendly UEFI interfaces with EXPO support for easy tweaks and stable operation. - Are quick-release latches necessary for a Ryzen 9 9900X motherboard?
Quick-release latches for M.2 and PCIe slots make installing SSDs or GPUs easier without screws, a feature on many X870 and X870E boards. They’re convenient but not essential, as traditional screw mounts on B850 boards work fine. - What Ethernet speed is best for a Ryzen 9 9900X motherboard?
The best Ethernet speed for a Ryzen 9 9900X motherboard is 2.5Gb or higher, with some X870 boards offering 5Gb for faster NAS or network transfers. B850 boards typically provide 1Gb Ethernet, sufficient for most users.
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