I'm trying to decide between two motherboards for my 9800X3D, and there's a $25 difference between them. One is the GIGABYTE B850M AORUS ELITE WIFI6E, and the other is the GIGABYTE B850 AORUS ELITE WIFI7, which has better VRM and Wi-Fi capabilities, plus one more NVMe slot. Since I have no plans to overclock, is the 14+2+2 configuration worth it over the 12+2+2?
5 Answers
You might be overthinking this one! Look for other features in the motherboard that matter to you more than just the VRM count.
You might want to check out the VRM roundups from Hardware Unboxed to get a clear picture. Generally, for a 9800X3D, even a basic board should do just fine as long as it’s decent quality. Don't sweat the numbers too much!
Honestly, at this point, it doesn’t matter a lot. Go for any decent board, and you should be set for your 9800X3D.
The number of phases alone doesn’t tell the whole story. VRM quality and cooling are way more important. If you're not overclocking, any mid-range B850 motherboard should suit your needs perfectly.
If overclocking isn’t on your agenda, focus on getting a solid cooler instead and check out other mobo features like USB ports and expansion slots. That's where you'll find more value.
Totally agree! Just make sure you avoid any boards from Asrock and you should be good.