I'm considering upgrading my setup and thinking about AM5 motherboards. Is it really worth putting down extra money for something like an X870 or X870E, or can I get by just fine with a B650 motherboard?
6 Answers
So I'm aiming for a build with a Ryzen 7 7800X3D, planning to pair it with something like an RTX 5070 or 5070Ti plus a solid power supply. RAM choices are overwhelming and pricey though; any suggestions?
If you're second-guessing whether to go for an X870 or not, chances are you might not need it at all. A B850 could be a great choice instead.
You really don't need the features of the 800 series chipset unless you're planning on utilizing them. A budget board will perform just as well as the pricier options for general use.
If it's mainly for gaming, B650 works great. Sure, if you can stretch a bit, the B650E or B850 are solid options too. But unless you're planning some heavy-duty stuff, like running a high-end CPU like the 9950X3D, the X870 just isn't necessary. I'm using a B650 with a 9700X and it's been flawless!
Just a heads up, if you're using a 7800X3D, the B650 is still a good pick, but consider B850 too. It'll keep things running smoothly!
Honestly, there isn't much gain with the 870 boards. The B650 is totally fine for most users. The other options offer just minor quality-of-life improvements, nothing that would drastically change performance.
Just a thought, you might run into issues with a Ryzen 9000 series CPU depending on which motherboard you choose.
The B650 is totally sufficient unless you really need features like Wi-Fi 7 or USB4. If those aren't high on your priority list, save the cash and stick with the B650!
Absolutely! I went for the 670E last year but realized I didn't need those extra features either, especially since I don't own Wi-Fi 7 gadgets.
It's a bit murky since AMD uses 'chipset' as a marketing term. Just so you know, all AM5 boards utilize the same core tech, but the 800 series might offer better overall build quality.