I'm planning a full upgrade from my AM4 system and already have 64 GB of RAM, so I'm currently choosing a new CPU and motherboard. I'm leaning toward the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, but reports of stability problems—particularly involving some ASRock boards—have made me cautious. Would an MSI X870 or X870E board, such as the Tomahawk, be a sensible pairing, or would Intel be a safer choice for a reliable system? I mainly play Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 and regularly run five-hour-plus flights, so stability is important. I also use several flight-sim peripherals, including a sidestick, throttle controls, rudder pedals, and sometimes additional Boeing or Honeycomb equipment. As a result, I need plenty of rear USB connectivity. I'm open to a less expensive B850 board if it can provide enough USB ports, since I'll be buying components individually and need to keep the budget under control.
5 Answers
The ASUS ROG Crosshair X870E Hero has excellent connectivity, but it may be excessive for this build. Its price is very high, and the number of USB-A ports may still not match what you want despite the premium features. A less expensive MSI board with the right rear-I/O layout would probably be better value.
The Ryzen 7 9800X3D is a strong choice for Microsoft Flight Simulator, and there’s no general reason to avoid AMD. The important thing is choosing a motherboard with the connectivity and firmware support you need. The MSI MAG X870 Tomahawk has worked well for another flight-sim user running a 9800X3D, with enough USB ports for a wheel, pedals, and HOTAS equipment.
Don’t assume X870 or X870E will improve gaming performance over B850. The chipset choice is mainly about features and connectivity. If a B850 board has enough rear USB ports—or you’re comfortable adding a powered USB expansion card—it should perform just as well with the 9800X3D. Compare the actual rear-I/O layout instead of choosing solely by chipset name.
The main reason I was looking at X870 is the USB count. I usually have four or five different flight controllers connected, so some B850 models may be too limited for my setup.
The MSI PRO X870E-P WiFi is worth checking if you want lots of connectivity without paying for an enthusiast-tier board or decorative features. It offers multiple USB 2.0 and USB 3.x ports, plus USB-C connections, along with fast Ethernet and Wi-Fi 7. It’s a practical match for a low-RGB or no-RGB build, though pricing varies by retailer.
That kind of practical board suits the beige case I’m planning to use. I’m not interested in paying extra for RGB or an expensive flagship board.
An MSI X870E board paired with the 9800X3D has also proven stable in long-term use. One builder reported running an X870E Carbon WiFi with 64 GB of memory for roughly 18 months without problems. The ASRock-related reports don’t necessarily mean every AM5 board is unreliable, but checking BIOS versions and user experiences for the exact model is still worthwhile.
That sounds promising. My setup can include a sidestick, Airbus throttle, rudder pedals, and occasionally separate Boeing or Honeycomb controls, so USB capacity is a major factor.