I'm in the process of building a new PC and I'm debating which motherboard to pair with my CPU, the 9950X3D. My options are between the MSI MAG X870 Tomahawk WiFi and the GIGABYTE X870 AORUS Elite WiFi7. The Tomahawk seems to have better VRM and higher WiFi frequencies along with 5.0 Ethernet, while the AORUS has garnered strong recommendations from others as the go-to motherboard for the X870. Both options have shared lanes—one for USB-C and another for graphics—which I'm not too worried about. I may want to add another NVMe SSD in the future, but that could take a while due to pricing. So, which one would you recommend, or do you have another suggestion for an X870 motherboard? I've also read that upgrading to the X870E isn't really worth it. Here's the rest of my build for reference: [Link to build]. Thanks for your help!
4 Answers
If you're not planning to utilize all the lanes or go beyond stock performance, a B850 or a good B650E motherboard is likely more than enough. The X870 might be overkill unless you require extra features for things like capture cards.
Why is the X870 a must-have? The B850 might meet your needs just as well. If they're similar in specs, pick the one that grabs your attention more! If you think one will significantly enhance your experience, share why!
I'm mainly interested in the better VRM since I’m looking to overclock. I just want to find the best motherboard without breaking the bank—some of the prices I’ve seen for others are outrageous!
I have the X870E Tomahawk and it's been great for my needs, even with a bit of downclocking on the 9950X3D. My usual workloads keep it around 40-45°C with air cooling. Just a heads up, I dived deep into research, focusing on X870E—I've heard mixed reviews about Gigabyte's QC and issues with Asrock frying CPUs. ASUS is just too pricey! For an overview, check out an AM5 Google Sheets file for chipset comparisons, which could help.
Thank you! I’m in a similar situation but focused on the regular X870 since I can't find many X870E options that ship to me except some pricey ones like the MSI Carbon or the expensive ASUS boards. I'm also wary of the Asrock issues, so leaning towards Tomahawk X870 seems best for now.
Honestly, unless you really need something specific from the X870 chipset, a solid B850 motherboard could be a great choice too. I would recommend checking out the B850 Tomahawk WiFi Max; it generally offers good performance for most builds.
I plan to dabble with some overclocking, so I think I'd benefit from the higher VRM on the X870. Plus, I figured it might be more future-proof. I checked, and the prices of both chipsets are pretty similar, which is why I leaned towards the X870.
I do plan to gradually fill the SSD lanes over time, and since this will be my main PC for at least the next five years, I want to ensure it has future-proofing. I’m already set to fill a couple of lanes if prices weren’t so high! But for now, I'm sticking to the X870—just wanted to hear from those who’ve used these boards!