Best motherboard for Ryzen 7 9850X3D: our top picks for the AMD X3D CPU
Table of Contents
AMD has been keeping the releases coming and not just resting on its laurels when it comes to the Ryzen 9000 series, and so there’s plenty more of the best CPUs coming out in the X3D range of chips to enjoy. One of these additions is the release of the 9850X3D, a new processor giving a little boost to the tried and tested 9800X3D.
With that, though, you do need some great hardware alongside it to prop it up and provide the best platform for it to perform at its best. So we’ve picked out our best motherboard for the 9850X3D. With the AM5 mobos, there are plenty of options out there, including multiple chipsets to choose from.
We have a wide range of motherboard reviews and have tested a variety of them. From which we know what they are like to build, use, and how they perform. In which case, we’ve picked out our top selection to pair up with the 9850X3D.
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- AMD Ryzenâ„¢ 9 9900X 12-Core - was $499 now $337
- CORSAIR 4000D PC Case - was $124.99 now $75.99
- Hisense 65" Class E6SR - was $549 now $377.99
- Apple 2026 MacBook Air - was $1,999 now $1,799
- Skytech Gaming PC Desktop (9850X3d) - was $3,699 now $3,199
- Apple Magic Mouse - was $79 now $59
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra - was $2,099 now $1,699
- Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet - was $154 now $72
Prices correct as of October 6th, 2026.
Products at a glance
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Best motherboard for 9850X3D
MSI MAG X870E Tomahawk WiFi
- Socket: AM5 (LGA 1718)
- Chipset: X870E
- Form factor: ATX (243.8×304.8mm)
- PCIe version: Gen 5 PCIe and Gen 5 NVMe
- Memory speed: 8400 – 5600 (OC) MT/s / 5600 – 4800 (JEDEC) MT/s
- Memory capacity: 256GB DDR5
-
Second best motherboard for 9850X3D
MSI MAG B850 TOMAHAWK MAX WIFI
- Socket: AM5
- Chipset: B850
- Form Factor: ATX – 243.84×304.8mm
- PCIe Version: Gen 5 PCIe and Gen 5 NVMe
- Memory Speed: 8400 – 5600 (OC) MT/s
- Memory Capacity: 256GB DDR5
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Best premium motherboard for 9850X3D
MSI MEG X870E GODLIKE X EDITION
- Socket: AM5
- Chipset: X870E
- Form factor: E-ATX
- PCIe version: Gen 5 PCIe and Gen 5 NVMe
- Memory speed: 9000 – 5600 (OC) MT/s / 5600 – 4800 (JEDEC) MT/s
- Memory capacity: 256GB DDR5
-
Best budget motherboard for 9850X3D
ASRock X870 Steel Legend
- Socket: AM5 (LGA 1718)
- Chipset: X870
- Form factor: ATX, 305x244mm
- PCIe version: Gen 5 PCIe and Gen 5 NVMe
- Memory speed: Up to 8000+(OC)
- Memory capacity: 256GB DDR5
How we picked the best motherboard for the 9850X3D
We have years of experience in testing and reviewing the hardware. With a standard motherboard test methodology in our PC Guide testing lab, we put the hardware through the same tests and compare them to each other to provide the best recommendations.
Putting together our expertise of the market and technologies, alongside our testing, we’ve compiled the list of products for you to choose from. Ranging in capabilities, budgets, and features, it covers a wide range of options that should satisfy a broad range of needs.
Our recommendations
- Socket: AM5 (LGA 1718)
- Chipset: X870E
- Form factor: ATX (243.8×304.8mm)
- PCIe version: Gen 5 PCIe and Gen 5 NVMe
- Memory speed: 8400 – 5600 (OC) MT/s / 5600 – 4800 (JEDEC) MT/s
- Memory capacity: 256GB DDR5
- Excellent build quality and design
- Plenty of fast USB options
- Amazing connectivity in general with the latest ethernet and WiFi
- Great EZ DIY features for ease of building
- Top performance and great value
- Only one PCIe Gen 5 slot
- PCIe sharing between USB and NVMe can make usability complicated
- No handy onboard controls
The first of our recommendations is the MSI MAG X870E Tomahawk WiFi. The full-sized ATX board is a well-rounded option for use in your PC build. Utilizing the top spec of the X870E chipset, which means the fastest connectivity and the greatest amount of it.
In the case of the MSI Tomahawk, you do get just one X16 PCIe Gen 5 with the rest of the board filled with an X1 and X4 slot. But you do get two Gen 5 M.2 slots, with an additional two x4 slots, alongside four SATA connectors, giving plenty of storage options to utilize.
It’s not exactly designed for powerful overclocking with a simpler power setup of 14+2+1 DRPS power design and an 80A Smart Power Stage, but it will still be capable of doing so if you need to, just not to some world records.
Where the MSI Tomahawk does shine in our review is the simple design and EZ DIY features it implements. The quick-release M.2 heatsinks and attaching it inside without the need for a screw. It does lack any onboard controls, though, but at least it does have a segment display for troubleshooting.
On the back IO, you do have the CMOS and BIOS buttons, but plenty of connectivity too. With nine Type A USBs of varying speeds, 5G LAN, WiFi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, Audio, HDMI, and three USB Type-C. A load of utility, even in the back of it, to connect to.
In our tests using the 9800X3D inside, it does provide the full power to the processor when required and stays cool while doing so. Such as in Blender, when the rendering draws 115W, the motherboard’s average temp got to 32°C and maxed out at 36°C. While in gaming, it averages 87 and 69W with the average temperatures rising to 38-39°C and maxing at 41°C.
MSI MAG X870E Tomahawk WiFi Blender temps, Image by PC Guide
MSI MAG X870E Tomahawk WiFi Blender PPT, Image by PC Guide
MSI MAG X870E Tomahawk WiFi Cyberpunk 2077 FPS, Image by PC Guide
MSI MAG X870E Tomahawk WiFi Cyberpunk 2077 PPT, Image by PC Guide
MSI MAG X870E Tomahawk WiFi Synthetics multi core score, Image by PC Guide
MSI MAG X870E Tomahawk WiFi Blender benchmark score, Image by PC Guide
MSI MAG X870E Tomahawk WiFi Counter-Strike 2 FPS, Image by PC Guide
MSI MAG X870E Tomahawk WiFi Cyberpunk 2077 temps, Image by PC Guide
MSI MAG X870E Tomahawk WiFi Counter-Strike 2 power, Image by PC Guide
MSI MAG X870E Tomahawk WiFi Counter-Strike 2 temps, Image by PC Guide
MSI MAG X870E Tomahawk WiFi Synthetics single core scores, Image by PC Guide
- Socket: AM5
- Chipset: B850
- Form Factor: ATX – 243.84×304.8mm
- PCIe Version: Gen 5 PCIe and Gen 5 NVMe
- Memory Speed: 8400 – 5600 (OC) MT/s
- Memory Capacity: 256GB DDR5
- Excellent ease of use and installation process
- Incredible connectivity speeds in PCIe and networking
- Great VRMs and cooling on them
- Strong price point
- Lacks USB 4 Thunderbolt
- No segment display or onboard power buttons
The next recommendation from us is a B850 motherboard, a slightly less decked out chipset in terms of connectivity and speed, particularly when it comes to the PCIe 5 requirements and need for USB 4. In our case, we would pick the MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi.
It still provides a PCIe Gen 5 x16 slot and, similarly to the X870E model, cuts back the rest of the lanes in speed and size. It still also comes with two PCIe Gen 5 M.2 and two PCIe 4 slots for a similar amount of storage without cutting back on speed, even though it doesn’t have to provide it on a B850 chipset.
What it does drop is the USB 4 and some other USBs from the IO. Instead, you have a clear CMOS, seven USB Type-A, three Type-C, 5G LAN, WiFi and Bluetooth, audio, and HDMI. It does utilize the same power setup with VRMs made up of 14+2+1 80A SPS.
MSI continues on the EZ DIY features with the separate button for unlocking the x16 slot, and easily removable and installable M.2 heatsink. Instead, it drops the segment display, instead resorting to LEDs for the status, which can get the job done but not as effectively or with as much insight.
In our tests, we used it with a 7800X3D, so a bit lower powered option compared to the next generation processor. Instead, it drew 75W in our benchmarks, and the motherboard reached just 32°C.
MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi Synthetics multi core scores, Image by PC Guide
MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi Synthetics single core scores, Image by PC Guide
MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi Cyberpunk 2077 temps, Image by PC Guide
MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi Cyberpunk 2077 power, Image by PC Guide
MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi CS2 FPS, Image by PC Guide
MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi Blender package power, Image by PC Guide
MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi CS2 Temps, Image by PC Guide
MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi Cyberpunk 2077 FPS, Image by PC Guide
MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi Blender scores, Image by PC Guide
MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi Blender temps, Image by PC Guide
MAG B850 Tomahawk Max WiFi CS2 power, Image by PC Guide
- Socket: AM5
- Chipset: X870E
- Form factor: E-ATX
- PCIe version: Gen 5 PCIe and Gen 5 NVMe
- Memory speed: 9000 – 5600 (OC) MT/s / 5600 – 4800 (JEDEC) MT/s
- Memory capacity: 256GB DDR5
- Excellent build quality and well-built design
- All the connectivity you might need
- Plenty of EZ DIY features to make building easier
- Great power and performance setup
- Impressive accessories and nice-to-have features on it
- Ludicrously expensive
- Overkill for most PC builders
- Doesn’t come with a manual
- Some of the metal plates pop off easily
Now, if you want the ultimate motherboard out there, MSI also provides one of those, too, with the MSI MEG X870E Godlike X Edition. Combining the X870E chipset with premium quality and features, it is certainly an impressive motherboard with everything you might ever need on it.
Of course, costing more than most of your hardware, it’s a bit of a hard recommendation, but certainly one that, if you can afford it, you’ll probably want alongside the best CPU for the job. It does, in fact, even come in an extended size, so even then, you don’t have to worry about support from various cases.
Providing the fastest speeds on board, it does have a PCIe Gen 5 x16 slot for your GPU, but a secondary one running x8 too. The third slot is an x54 slot at Gen 5 speeds for an extra bit of hardware on it. It also doesn’t skimp out on the storage either, with 5 M.2 slots in total, two of which are PCIe Gen 5, four SATA connectors, and an included M.2 expander that uses an X16 slot for adding another two NVMes onboard.
With the premium design of the motherboard, it does, in fact, continue that with all it has to offer on the back IO. With a total of eight USB Type-A, seven Type-C, 10 and 5Gbps LAN, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth connectors, 3.5mm audio connectors, optical audio, and three buttons (clear CMOS, flash BIOS, and smart).
We also tested it with a 9800X3D to see how it did across various tasks. There, we saw the CPU take a range of power of 68-100W. There are the motherboard temperatures ranged from 27.5 to 34.5°C, the MOS capacitors ranged from 42.5 to 52.5°C, and the chipset ran 43.9-51°C.
MSI MEG X870E Godlike X Edition synthetic multi core scores, Image by PC Guide
MSI MEG X870E Godlike X Edition Blender average package power, Image by PC Guide
MSI MEG X870E Godlike X Edition Cyberpunk 2077 power, Image by PC Guide
MSI MEG X870E Godlike X Edition synthetics ssingel core scores, Image by PC Guide
MSI MEG X870E Godlike X Edition synthetic temperatures, Image by PC Guide
MSI MEG X870E Godlike X Edition CS2 fps, Image by PC Guide
MSI MEG X870E Godlike X Edition Blender scores, Image by PC Guide
MSI MEG X870E Godlike X Edition Cyberpunk 2077 temps, Image by PC Guide
MSI MEG X870E Godlike X Edition Blender temperatures, Image by PC Guide
MSI MEG X870E Godlike X Edition CS2 temps, Image by PC Guide
MSI MEG X870E Godlike X Edition Cyberpunk 2077 fps, Image by PC Guide
MSI MEG X870E Godlike X Edition CS2 power, Image by PC Guide
- Socket: AM5 (LGA 1718)
- Chipset: X870
- Form factor: ATX, 305x244mm
- PCIe version: Gen 5 PCIe and Gen 5 NVMe
- Memory speed: Up to 8000+(OC)
- Memory capacity: 256GB DDR5
- A more reasonable X870 offering
- Lots of USB ports, including fast USB 4
- Latest spec PCIe and wireless generation spec
- Clean and simple white design
- Lacks a debug code display
- No EZ PCIe latch
- LEDs are not diffused on the bottom so quite harsh when viewed at an angle
On the other end of the spectrum and more affordable options, the ASRock X870 Steel Legend is the go-to choice. Even if it’s a more middle-ground chipset, ASRock has made it a more value pick with the price it charges for them. That does mean it cuts back on some creature comforts of a motherboard, though.
Although it utilizes a quick-release M.2 heatsink for the top slot only. But the same does not extend to the x16 slot, which uses the classic latch on the end. It is also a more subtle design choice without a lot going on; the white motherboard cuts back on the heatsinks and additions to a more bare PCB.
It also cuts back on the connectivity, with only two x16 slots, the top a Gen 5 x16, the second PCIe 4 that supports x4 mode. For the storage, it has one Gen 5 M.2, with the additional two M.2 at PCIe Gen 4 speeds, along with four SATA connectors. For the power setup of the board, it has got 14+2+1 power phases and 80A Dr.MOS VRMs.
On the back IO, there’s still plenty of connectivity to take advantage of. With a total of nine USB Type-A, two Type-C, an ethernet port, audio out and in, BIOS button, HDMI, and antenna ports.
In tests with the 7800X3D, it drew 58-75W of power across a variety of gaming and performance tests. With the temperatures ranging from 29.1 to 40.2°C.Supplying plenty of power to the processor while staying relatively cool in our setup.
MSI X870E MEG Godlike and ASRock X870 Steel Legend CS2 FPS, Image by PC Guide
MSI X870E MEG Godlike and ASRock X870 Steel Legend CS2 power, Image by PC Guide
MSI X870E MEG Godlike and ASRock X870 Steel Legend CS2 temps, Image by PC Guide
MSI X870E MEG Godlike and ASRock X870 Steel Legend Blenmder package power, Image by PC Guide
MSI X870E MEG Godlike and ASRock X870 Steel Legend Cyberpunk 2077 power, Image by PC Guide
MSI X870E MEG Godlike and ASRock X870 Steel Legend Cyberpunk 2077 FPS, Image by PC Guide
MSI X870E MEG Godlike and ASRock X870 Steel Legend synthetic single core performance, Image by PC Guide
MSI X870E MEG Godlike and ASRock X870 Steel Legend blender temperatures, Image by PC Guide
MSI X870E MEG Godlike and ASRock X870 Steel Legend synthetics multi core results, Image by PC Guide
MSI X870E MEG Godlike and ASRock X870 Steel Legend Blender scores, Image by PC Guide
MSI X870E MEG Godlike and ASRock X870 Steel Legend Cyberpunk 2077 temperatures, Image by PC Guide
How to choose the best motherboard for the 9850X3D
There is plenty of variation between motherboards, and each will suit a different setup. So if you’re wondering what to look out for when deciding, we’ve put together a list of things to look out for.
Compatibility
Of course, when looking for a motherboard for the 9850X3D, you do want to have one that will work with it. In the case of this CPU, any AM5 motherboard can do the job. Since they will use the LGA 1718 socket, the processor will fit fine inside and be able to run correctly.
So, unfortunately, that means having to use DDR5 and everything the platform requires. Since it will not work on AM4, you don’t want to look back at those. Instead, any recent AM5 chipsets are the ones to go for.
Budget
You do want to have a good idea of how much you want to pay for your motherboard. AM5 boards have certainly increased the price of how much it costs to do so, even with the lower-end chipsets. But that should still be a possible choice to consider, as the lower-end AM5 boards will still be plenty fast.
The various budgets will change per chipset and what each has to offer. You do want to ensure it has everything you need on it, be it the number and generation of slots, the connectivity available, ease of build, and so on.
Size
Motherboard sizes do vary between models. Some cut down on size to fit into smaller builds, such as an ITX size, or some extend well past the usual with Extended boards. In which case, you want to make sure it fits your case and doesn’t do away with some features you would like to make use of.
Since smaller ones can cut back on the number of storage spaces, connection options, and much more, it’s good to check what they have on there.
Which chipset for Ryzen 7 9850X3D?
Any of the AM5 chipsets will work with the 9850X3D. You probably want some of the higher-end ones to get more features and speed from it, but any should do the job. So that means the X870E, X870, B850, B840, X670E, X670, B650E, B650, and A1620 can get the job done.
Do I need a BIOS update for Ryzen 7 9850X3D?
No, you probably don’t immediately need a BIOS update for the 9850X3D to work. But it will still be a good idea to get the latest updates and proficiencies from the motherboard. Updating your BIOS updates your security as well, so not only might you get improvements to your performance, but also stability, and the rest that will keep your PC running and at its best.
What socket does the 9850X3D use?
The 9850X3D is on the AM5 or LGA 1718 socket. That is the newest platform of AMD’s, and with plenty of speed and such to get the most out of the CPU. That is with its move from the PGA, where the pins are on the CPU, to now being on the motherboard instead.
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