I'm new to PC building and recently received a system with a Ryzen 7 8700F and an ASUS PRIME A620A-PLUS WIFI motherboard. I upgraded the rest of the system, including the power supply, and managed to buy an RTX 5080 16GB for $980. The system also has 32GB of DDR5-6000 CL30 memory. Since I'm concerned about the Ryzen 7 8700F limiting the RTX 5080, I'm considering upgrading to either a Ryzen 7 7800X3D or Ryzen 7 9800X3D. The 9800X3D appears to be roughly 10% faster but costs about $100–$140 more. My motherboard BIOS was updated in March 2026. Will the current A620 board safely and properly support either processor, or should I replace the motherboard first?
3 Answers
For a gaming-focused build with an RTX 5080, I’d lean toward the 7800X3D if you want to control costs. The 9800X3D makes more sense only if you’re chasing the highest possible CPU frame rates, using a very high-refresh display, or want the newer chip for longevity. Before changing the motherboard, confirm CPU compatibility, BIOS support, cooler compatibility, and whether the board’s VRM temperatures are acceptable under sustained loads.
The 7800X3D is probably the better value here. The 9800X3D is faster, but the real-world improvement may not justify paying another $100–$140, especially if you would also need a motherboard upgrade. The A620 board may support the CPUs with the right BIOS, but it’s a very basic platform and isn’t an ideal pairing for a high-end X3D processor. Check ASUS’s CPU support list and BIOS requirements before buying.
The board may technically run either chip if ASUS lists it as supported and the BIOS is current, but I wouldn’t choose an entry-level A620 motherboard for this kind of upgrade. A better AM5 board with stronger power delivery and VRM cooling would be a more comfortable long-term choice. Look at reasonably priced B850 models, including options from MSI’s Tomahawk range or Gigabyte’s Aorus lineup.
That makes sense. I inherited the motherboard with the rest of the system, so I may replace it if the power delivery or cooling becomes a concern.