What to Look for in a Motherboard for the RTX 5090?

Even though you're okay with the price, remember that a $150 motherboard with PCIe 5.0 is just as effective as a $1500 one when it comes to the RTX 5090. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that expensive means better performance or future-proofing. It's all about the specs that really matter!

I've got an MSI MAG Tomahawk 650, and even without PCIe 5.0, my RTX 5090 runs perfectly! Sometimes you don't need the latest tech to get great performance, so don't feel too pressured to go all out on features.

When selecting a motherboard, definitely look for one that has a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot—this is essential for your GPU. Other specs are less important when it comes to graphics performance.

I have the GIGABYTE RTX 5090 and the X870E AORUS Elite, and everything’s working just as it should. Just ensure you check the ports and features you need—like USB4 and the number of M.2 SSDs—since USB4 can limit some lanes. On most X870E boards, you may only fit two M.2 SSDs without sharing lanes with the GPU.

I’m using an ASRock X870 Pro RS with my 7800x3d, and it works like a charm for me. However, I wouldn’t suggest it if you’re going for the 9800x3d due to compatibility issues. Just make sure the board fits your overall needs!

The GIGABYTE X870E AORUS PRO is likely one of the best motherboards out there for your build. If you're going with an RTX 5090 ROG Astral, it's a great choice. There's also the AORUS Master, but it doubles the price with only marginal performance gains, so I'd stick with the PRO unless you really need extra features.