I recently ordered the ROG STRIX B850-F Gaming WiFi to pair with my new 9800X3D. I've got an RTX 5080, 32GB DDR5 CL28 RAM, and a Corsair RMX 1000W PSU. I was drawn to its premium features and the bundle with RE: Requiem, but now I'm worried after reading a negative review on PC Gamer. They criticized it for having 'weak VRM, chipset, and SSD cooling.' I'm new to motherboards, so I'm not sure if I made the right choice compared to my current B650-E, which only supports PCIe Gen 4.0 for the GPU. I'm afraid it might be too late to return it since it's bundled with a game code. What are your thoughts? Is this a solid mid-range option or did I jump the gun?
1 Answer
It seems like the review is more about the VRM cooling being weak compared to other boards in the same price range. But if you have good airflow around it, you should be fine for the power draw of a 9800X3D. If you were running something like a 9950X, you might have more issues, but decent airflow can make a big difference.
I've got a simple fan setup too, with a Lian Li Cool 216 case that has three front fans and one back exhaust fan. My thermal performance is solid with a 7800X3D, and my GPU never goes above 60C while gaming. I just hope I won't need extra fans when I switch.