Best motherboard for AMD Ryzen 7 9700X

Best motherboard for AMD Ryzen 7 9700X

As a seasoned tech analyst with over two decades of experience under my belt, I’ve seen my fair share of processor launches, and AMD’s latest Zen 5 Ryzen 7 9700X is no exception. This chip promises to be a game-changer, especially for gaming enthusiasts who are eagerly waiting for a worthy adversary to the Intel Core i7-14700K.


In June 2024, AMD revealed its upcoming Zen 5 desktop processors, part of the Ryzen 9000 series. A minor labeling problem temporarily postponed their release, but they’re now anticipated to hit the market in mid-August. One of these processors is the AMD Ryzen 7 9700X, which boasts 8 cores, 16 threads, a maximum boost clock speed of 5.5GHz, and a thermal design power (TDP) of 65W.

Regardless if you’re looking forward to the imminent release or planning future improvements for your PC, finding the ideal motherboard compatible with the Ryzen 7 9700X is crucial for the success of your build. Although next-generation 800-series motherboards won’t be available until later in the year, current X670 and B650 boards using the AM5 socket are excellent choices when it comes to utilizing the latest Ryzen hardware.

Here, you’ll find a variety of highly-rated motherboards compatible with the Ryzen 7 9700X, which we’ve assessed, as well as boards that AMD used in their testing for the latest processors. I’ve made an effort to include options catering to diverse user needs and budgets.

Choosing the best motherboard for your new Ryzen 7 9700X CPU

Among my suggested motherboards for the Ryzen 7 9700X, you’ll find two models that AMD utilized during their new processor testing. These X670E boards from ASUS and ASRock have demonstrated exceptional performance with Ryzen 7000 desktop processors. Notably, they are compatible with BIOS flash (more details below) and feature the AM5 socket, which makes them effortlessly adaptable to Ryzen 9000 CPUs.

The ASUS ROG Crosshair X670E Hero, at about $630, is reserved for enthusiasts and power users who plan on steep overclocking and heavy performance. The MSI MEG X670E Ace might even be better for those purposes, though at about $725, it’s an even tougher sell for many average users. That puts the high-performance ASRock X670E Taichi in a great spot, with its price around $410.

If you’re looking to save a bit, I often opt for the ASUS TUF Gaming line for various hardware pieces. This brand is known for its decent reliability and affordable pricing. In our ASUS TUF Gaming X670E-Plus WiFi review, Rich Edmonds, a former Senior Editor at Windows Central, stated, “This is an excellent mid-range AM5 motherboard from ASUS, perfect for the average consumer.” Typically, it’s available for around $280.

Does my motherboard need a BIOS update for Ryzen 9000?

Best motherboard for AMD Ryzen 7 9700XBest motherboard for AMD Ryzen 7 9700X

Refreshing your computer or constructing a brand-new setup with recently manufactured processors might involve additional procedures. Typically, the most challenging aspect is upgrading the motherboard’s firmware (BIOS) to accommodate the new processors.

As a researcher, I often find myself in a situation where I’m eager to get my hands on the latest motherboard for Ryzen 9000 chips. However, it’s crucial to remember that just because a board manufacturer is keen on shipping hardware with the latest BIOS updates, it doesn’t guarantee that the board you purchase hasn’t been sitting in a warehouse for an extended period. If a motherboard has been gathering dust for months, there’s a high chance that it won’t have the appropriate BIOS version compatible with Ryzen 9000 chips. Always ensure to check the BIOS version before making a purchase to avoid any potential issues.

In recent times, updating the BIOS used to necessitate an older processor installed on the motherboard. However, with the widespread use of BIOS flashback technology, which enables updating without a processor in its socket, the process has become significantly simpler. All the motherboards I’ve suggested for the Ryzen 7 9700X incorporate some form of BIOS flashback feature.

Rather than inserting a CPU directly into the socket, updating the BIOS is done using a separate USB drive. You’ll download the latest BIOS from the manufacturer’s website, insert the drive into your motherboard, press the flash button on the board, and let it update automatically. This way, you’ll ensure that the BIOS is compatible with Ryzen 9000 chips, making CPU installation hassle-free.

Is AMD’s Ryzen 7 9700X good for gaming?

Regarding the Ryzen 7 5800X, which is still a great choice for gaming even though it’s a few generations old, the upcoming Ryzen 7 9700X is likely to be highly sought-after when paired with a high-performance graphics card from AMD or NVIDIA.

Despite boasting fewer cores (8) and threads (16), the Ryzen 7 9700X is anticipated to go head-to-head with the Intel Core i7-14700K, a 20-core processor, in terms of raw power for gaming and various tasks. This means that, contrary to its lower core count, it’s expected to perform just as well as the more powerful Intel chip.

Looking at how the Core i7 processor operates at a Thermal Design Power (TDP) of 125 watts, it’s quite impressive that the Ryzen 7 9700X manages to approach its lower TDP of 65 watts. We are in the process of testing AMD’s upcoming Ryzen 9000 series desktop CPUs and will provide more details after the review embargo lifts.

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2024-08-06 18:41