For AMD's Zen 4-based Ryzen 9 7900 processor, you'll need a motherboard with an AM5 socket and a compatible chipset.
Motherboards for AMD processors are made with chipsets provided by AMD. Each chipset offers a unique set of capabilities. However, motherboards must explicitly support features and capabilities for you to use them. Verify that a motherboard supports the features and capabilities you desire.
Ryzen 7000-series CPUs, which includes the Ryzen 9 7900, are compatible with the 800-series and 600-series consumer chipsets. Supported 800-series chipsets include the X870E, X870, B850, and B840. Supported 600-series chipsets include the X670E, X670, B650E, and B650. The newer 800-series chipsets offer enhanced features, including mandatory USB4 support on X870E and X870 models.
The X870E is our recommended motherboard chipset for the Ryzen 9 7900 CPU, as it provides the most functionality, full support for PCIe 5.0, and mandatory USB4 support. The X670E is also an excellent choice if you prefer the previous generation. The Ryzen 9 7900 CPU also supports PCIe 5.0.
For a detailed comparison of these chipsets and PCIe speeds, check out our article Which Chipsets Work With AMD's Ryzen 9 7900 CPU?.
Check out our Recommended Motherboards for the Ryzen 9 7900 below.
When choosing a motherboard for the 7900, we've thought of a few other factors you may want to consider. This is in addition to selecting a compatible socket type and chipset. As we delved into our research and analyzed various options, we identified several considerations that played a significant role in determining the ideal chipset for our needs. Our considerations can help you narrow down which features are important to look for.
Video Output Port
All Ryzen 7000 CPUs have integrated graphics support. You will need to make sure that your motherboard also has a video output port (e.g., HDMI) if you want to use the integrated graphics.
The integraded graphics on the Ryzen 7000 CPUs have 2 cores, 2200 MHz graphics frequency, and a 400 MHz GPU base frequency. This is good for basic tasks, but not for most games or other GPU-intense programs.
Storage: M.2 Slots and SATA Ports
NVMe M.2 cards are the latest and fastest form of SSD storage. However, we suggest ensuring your motherboard includes enough slots.
NVMe Support: The X870E, X870, and B850 chipsets support up to one x4 NVMe at PCIe 5.0 speeds (via CPU). The B840 chipset supports one x4 NVMe at PCIe 4.0 speeds (via CPU). The X870E can also support up to one x4 NVMe at PCIe 5.0 speeds via the chipset.
SATA Support: The X870E chipset supports up to 8 SATA ports, while the X870, B850, and B840 chipsets support up to 4 SATA ports.
Learn more about storage types in my article Storage Type Comparison: M.2, U.2, NVMe, SATA, SSDs, HDDs.
Connectivity
USB
We found that it's wise to make sure the motherboard provides enough USB ports at your desired speeds.
The X870E chipset supports up to 12 superspeed (10Gbps) USB ports, 2 superspeed (20Gbps) USB ports, and mandatory USB4 support (2 ports). The X870 chipset supports up to 6 superspeed (10Gbps) USB ports, 1 superspeed (20Gbps) USB port, and mandatory USB4 support. The B850 chipset supports up to 6 superspeed (10Gbps) USB ports and 1 superspeed (20Gbps) USB port. The B840 chipset supports only up to 2 superspeed (10Gbps) USB ports with no 20Gbps USB support. Each motherboard is different, so the amount and speed of USB ports may vary.
In our experience, the devices that usually require high bandwidth rates are primarily limited to storage devices and high-resolution video devices. We have observed that these devices often rely heavily on fast data transfer speeds. In fact, we encountered situations where slower bandwidth rates significantly hindered such devices' performance.
We've tested various storage devices and found that the ones capable of handling large amounts of data transfer at high speeds yielded the best results. Similarly, when working with high-resolution video devices, we discovered that a reliable and fast connection was crucial for seamless playback and editing. Through our experience, we have come to appreciate the significance of high bandwidth rates for these specific types of devices.
Audio
We recommend making sure the motherboard has audio outputs. In my experience, it's crucial to check for rear and center speaker ports if you're using a surround sound system.
If you're like me and your audio equipment relies on optical input, it's worth looking for a motherboard that includes this specific port. On the other hand, we've found that you can also buy a separate PCIe or USB sound card. This way, you can expand your port options and even add features like optical or RCA connections based on your own preferences.
Form Factor
When it comes to motherboards, we've encountered three primary form factors. In our experience, ATX stands out as the most common for desktop PCs. We've also explored Mini-ITX and MicroATX for building mini-PCs, and found they typically offer fewer PCIe slots, RAM slots, and storage support.
We've observed that these smaller form factors are backward compatible with standard ATX cases, using a subset of their mounting holes. In fact, we've frequently used Mini-ITX motherboards in ATX cases.
One crucial consideration is ensuring your case matches your motherboard's form factor. We've learned from experience how important it is to choose a case that aligns with your motherboard's specific needs.
PCIe Expansion Slots
Based on our analysis, the X870E and X870 chipsets allow for multiple graphics cards in the dual x8 configuration at PCIe 5.0 speeds (mandatory). The B850 chipset runs at PCIe 4.0 speeds for graphics (though some boards may optionally support PCIe 5.0). The B840 chipset only supports a single x16 slot at PCIe 4.0 speeds with no bifurcation support.
Best Feature Motherboard: ASUS ROG Strix X670E-E Gaming
Our recommended feature-rich motherboard to pair with the Ryzen 9 7900 is the ASUS ROG Strix X670E-E Gaming:
- Check the latest price of the ASUS ROG Strix X670E-E Gaming Motherboard on Amazon
- Check the latest price of the ASUS ROG Strix X670E-E Gaming Motherboard on Amazon
ASUS ROG Strix X670E-E Gaming Max PCIe Version 5.0 Max RAM: 128 GB DDR5 NVMe slots: 4 Ethernet: 2.5 Gbps Through our analysis and research, we found that the ASUS ROG Strix X670E-E Gaming motherboard offers an impressive range of features designed to enhance your gaming experience. With PCIe 5.0 support, you can enjoy fast data transfer rates, giving you a competitive edge. The motherboard's support for up to 128 GB of DDR5 memory ensures smooth multitasking and responsive performance. This motherboard has the X670E chipset.
We found that the ASUS ROG Strix X670E-E Gaming motherboard offered superior connectivity as well. Its 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port enables speedy file transfers, surpassing typical home internet speeds. Wi-Fi 6E technology provides fast wireless connections, making online gaming and streaming seamless. Plus, Bluetooth 5.2
support allows convenient music streaming to Bluetooth headphones.
We also appreciated the plentiful storage options with the ASUS ROG Strix X670E-E Gaming. It features four x4 NVMe M.2 slots
and Four SATA 6 Gb/s ports, allowing for efficient storage and quick access to your games, applications, and media. Its USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 slots also offers 20 Gbps USB speeds and 12 USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports.
Overall, we concluded that the ASUS ROG Strix X670E-E Gaming motherboard strikes a balance between performance and functionality, offering an exceptional gaming experience. With its advanced features and versatile connectivity options, this motherboard is a reliable choice for gamers looking to elevate their gameplay.
Runner-Up Motherboard: GIGABYTE X670E AORUS Master
Our recommended runner-up motherboard to pair with the Ryzen 9 7900 is the GIGABYTE X670E AORUS Master:
- Check the latest price of the GIGABYTE X670E AORUS Master Motherboard on Amazon
- Check the latest price of the GIGABYTE X670E AORUS Master Motherboard on Amazon
GIGABYTE X670E AORUS Master Max PCIe Version 5.0 Max RAM: 128 GB DDR5 NVMe slots: 4 Ethernet: 2.5 Gbps Through our analysis and research, we found that the GIGABYTE X670E AORUS Master motherboard offers an impressive range of features designed to enhance your gaming experience. With PCIe 5.0 support, you can enjoy fast data transfer rates, giving you a competitive edge. The motherboard's support for up to 128 GB of DDR5 memory ensures smooth multitasking and responsive performance. This motherboard has the X670E chipset.
We found that the GIGABYTE X670E AORUS Master motherboard offered superior connectivity as well. Its 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port enables speedy file transfers, surpassing typical home internet speeds. Wi-Fi 6E technology provides fast wireless connections, making online gaming and streaming seamless. Plus, Bluetooth 5.3
support allows convenient music streaming to Bluetooth headphones.
We also appreciated the plentiful storage options with the GIGABYTE X670E AORUS Master. It features four x4 NVMe M.2 slots
and Six SATA 6 Gb/s ports, allowing for efficient storage and quick access to your games, applications, and media. Its USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 slots also offers 20 Gbps USB speeds.
Overall, we concluded that the GIGABYTE X670E AORUS Master motherboard strikes a balance between performance and functionality, offering an exceptional gaming experience. With its advanced features and versatile connectivity options, this motherboard is a reliable choice for gamers looking to elevate their gameplay.
Best Value Motherboard: GIGABYTE X670 AORUS Elite AX
Our recommended value motherboard to pair with the Ryzen 9 7900 is the GIGABYTE X670 AORUS Elite AX:
- Check the latest price of the GIGABYTE X670 AORUS Elite AX Motherboard on Amazon
- Check the latest price of the GIGABYTE X670 AORUS Elite AX Motherboard on Amazon
GIGABYTE X670 AORUS Elite AX Max PCIe Version 4.0 Max RAM: 128 GB DDR5 NVMe slots: 4 Ethernet: 2.5 Gbps Through our analysis and research, we found that the GIGABYTE X670 AORUS Elite AX motherboard offers an impressive range of features designed to enhance your gaming experience. With PCIe 4.0 support, you can enjoy fast data transfer rates, giving you a competitive edge. The motherboard's support for up to 128 GB of DDR5 memory ensures smooth multitasking and responsive performance. This motherboard has the X670 chipset.
We found that the GIGABYTE X670 AORUS Elite AX motherboard offered superior connectivity as well. Its 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port enables speedy file transfers, surpassing typical home internet speeds. Wi-Fi 6E technology provides fast wireless connections, making online gaming and streaming seamless. Plus, Bluetooth 5.2
support allows convenient music streaming to Bluetooth headphones.
We also appreciated the plentiful storage options with the GIGABYTE X670 AORUS Elite AX. It features four NVMe M.2 slots
(PCIe 5.0 speeds for one of the M.2 slots) and Four SATA 6 Gb/s ports, allowing for efficient storage and quick access to your games, applications, and media. Its USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 slots also offers 20 Gbps USB speeds.
Overall, we concluded that the GIGABYTE X670 AORUS Elite AX motherboard strikes a balance between performance and functionality, offering an exceptional gaming experience. With its advanced features and versatile connectivity options, this motherboard is a reliable choice for gamers looking to elevate their gameplay.
- Motherboard: Choosing the Best Motherboard for AMD's Ryzen 9 7900
- Chipset: Which Chipsets Work With AMD's Ryzen 9 7900 CPU?
- Cooler: Choosing the Best CPU Cooler for AMD's Ryzen 9 7900
- Power Supply: Choosing the Best Power Supply for AMD's Ryzen 9 7900 CPU
- RAM: Best RAM for the AMD Ryzen 9 7900 CPU
- TDP: What Is the TDP of the Ryzen 9 7900 CPU?
- Gaming: Is the Ryzen 9 7900 CPU Good for Gaming?