I've been thinking about whether investing in a better motherboard actually impacts frame rates (FPS) in gaming. I hear that motherboards don't directly influence FPS, but they do help other components like the CPU and GPU perform better. For example, considering three motherboards for an AMD 9800X3D processor — the cheapest option, a mid-range one, and an overly expensive model — is there a noticeable difference in FPS? Would it be something minor, like a 5–10% performance gain, or is it more about stable power delivery?
5 Answers
For most users, unless you’re hardcore into overclocking or need a lot of features, a solid mid-range motherboard is more than enough. Just make sure it has decent VRMs and cooling.
The 9800X3D isn’t a power-hungry chip, so you won't see much difference between mid-range and high-end boards unless we're talking serious overclocking. A cheap motherboard can run it fine, but don't expect performance miracles from upgrading to a pricier one.
A better motherboard can definitely support better overclocking, which translates to better performance. So, in that sense, it matters!
As long as all the boards are compatible with the 9800X3D, I wouldn't expect a huge performance difference. The gains will mainly come from how well you can overclock and the additional features like built-in WiFi or extra M.2 slots.
In my experience, once you hit a price point of around $150, the differences in performance really drop off. It's mainly about the features and build quality after that.
Totally agree! Most games don’t demand an ultra-high-end board, and stability is key.