I'm looking to upgrade my current setup, which features a NVIDIA RTX 4090 and an Intel i7-11700KF with 32GB of DDR4 3200MHz RAM. I want to move to the AMD 9800X3D, meaning I'll need a new motherboard and CPU combo. I've found a few bundles on Microcenter's website, and I'm wondering which one would be the best option. Here are the three bundles I'm considering:
1. AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D with Asus B650E-E TUF Gaming WiFi AM5 and G.Skill Flare X5 Series 32GB DDR5 6000 Kit.
2. AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D with MSI X870E P Pro WiFi and G.Skill Flare X5 Series 32GB DDR5 6000 Kit.
3. AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D with Asus X870E ROG Strix Gaming R2 USB-C WiFi AM5 and G.Skill Flare X5 Series 32GB DDR5 6000 Kit.
Are these bundles worth it? Do you think the difference in performance will be substantial enough to justify this upgrade, or should I stick with my i7-11700KF?
6 Answers
If you’re not looking for anything super specific that the B650E doesn’t offer, I’d recommend going for one of the first two options. I went with the B650E combo a while back and it's been perfect for my needs.
Just a heads up, your first two links are actually duplicates! If there’s no specific need for the pricier Asus 870, I'd suggest saving some money and going for the MSI 870 instead.
For a powerful GPU like the 4090, I’d stick to the X870 series. It offers better power delivery, more M.2 slots, and generally improved overclocking capabilities. If you catch a good sale, it can be just a bit more than the B650/B850 options.
Definitely go for the MSI X870E bundle! I own that motherboard and it has a lot of features I love. It’s worth the extra investment if you can swing it.
#3 is the best choice here in terms of performance and features. You won't regret going with the X870!
I have the Asus X870E-E board and it's solid, but it's on the pricier side. Just a heads-up, Asus customer service can be a bit of a hassle if anything goes wrong. If you need great performance, it’s worth considering, but be ready for potential RMA issues if needed.
I recently RMA'd that same board without any hassle! They replaced it right away. It might be hit or miss depending on where you are, but having their Canadian RMA center nearby helped me.

Just out of curiosity, how much did you pay for that setup?