I'm putting together a new PC and have bought almost everything except the motherboard and storage. The planned parts are a Ryzen 7 9800X3D with an Elite 240mm AIO, an RX 9070 XT, a Lian Li 1000W power supply, DDR5-6000 memory, and a Lancool 207 case. My motherboard budget is up to $225.
From what I've read, B850 boards may be functionally similar to B650 models, with the main advantages being newer platform support, additional storage options, and less concern about needing a BIOS update for this CPU. Storage expansion is not a major priority for me, but I'm still unsure whether buying a B850 is worthwhile for longer-term CPU upgrade support.
This is only my second build, and I'm also trying to understand BIOS flashback. Since some boards can update the BIOS without the CPU or other components installed, should that affect my choice, or is a B650 board still the better value? Would you recommend a specific B650 or B850 model for this build?
3 Answers
The MSI B850 Tomahawk is within your budget and looks like a strong match for this hardware. MSI’s Tomahawk boards have generally been well regarded, but it’s still worth checking reviews for the exact B850 model, especially for VRM temperatures, BIOS usability, and rear I/O.
A B850 board is worth considering if it’s genuinely close in price to a comparable B650 model. It’s newer and may give you a little more flexibility for future AM5 CPU upgrades. Something like the Gigabyte B850 Gaming X WiFi6E could fit the build, but compare its features and reviews before buying.
The B650 boards I’m finding are mostly around $100–$150, while the B850 options I’ve seen are closer to $200. At that difference, I’m not sure the newer chipset offers enough to justify the premium.
I’d lean toward B850 if you can find a well-reviewed model below $225 without sacrificing features you actually need. The newer platform could receive support for longer and leaves more room for a future CPU upgrade. However, a good B650 board is still perfectly capable of running the 9800X3D, so there’s no need to upgrade solely for performance.
The B850 Tomahawk Max is already on my shortlist, so I’ll compare its reviews and features more closely.