Choosing the Best Motherboard for AMD's Ryzen 9 9700X

Find out what factors you should consider when choosing a motherboard for AMD's Zen 5-based 5th Gen Ryzen 9 9700X, along with our recommended motherboards to pair with this CPU.

Choosing the Best Motherboard for AMD's Ryzen 9 9700X Brandon Jones / TechReviewer

Last Updated: March 24, 2025

Written by Brandon Jones

Best Feature Motherboard
ASUS ROG Strix X670E-E Gaming
Runner-Up Motherboard
GIGABYTE X670E AORUS Master Motherboard
Check another CPU:

Motherboard Requirements for Ryzen 9 9700X Processors

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For AMD's Zen 5-based Ryzen 9 9700X 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 9000-series CPUs, which includes the Ryzen 9 9700X, are compatible with the 600-series consumer chipsets. Supported chipsets include the X670E, X670, B650E, and B650.

The X670E is our recommended motherboard chipset for the Ryzen 9 9700X CPU, as it provides the most functionality and full support for PCIe 5.0. The Ryzen 9 9700X CPU also supports PCIe 5.0.

ASUS ROG Strix X670E-E Gaming

For a detailed comparison of these chipsets and PCIe speeds, check out our article Which Chipsets Work With AMD's Ryzen 9 9700X CPU?.

Check out our Recommended Motherboards for the Ryzen 9 9700X below.

Best Zen 5 Motherboard
MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk WiFi Gaming Motherboard
Runner-Up Motherboard
ASUS ROG Strix X870E-E Gaming WiFi

Other Considerations When Choosing a 9700X Motherboard

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When choosing a motherboard for the 9700X, 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

The lack of a "G" in the 9700X model name indicates that the CPU does not have integrated graphics support and requires a separate graphics card. Because it doesn't have integrated graphics support, you won't need a motherboard with a video output port (e.g., HDMI).

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 X670E, X670, and B650E chipsets support up to one x4 NVMe at PCIe 5.0 speeds (via CPU) and up to one x4 NVMe at PCIe 5.0 speeds (via chipset). The B650 chipset supports one x4 NVMe at PCIe 4.0 speeds (via CPU).

SATA Support: The X670E and X670 chipsets support up to 8 SATA ports, while the B650E and B650 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 X670E and X670 chipsets support up to 12 superspeed (10Gbps) USB ports and 2 superspeed (20Gbps) USB ports. The B650E and B650 chipsets, in comparison, only support up to 6 superspeed (10Gbps) USB ports and 1 superspeed (20Gbps) USB port. 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 X670E and B650E chipsets allow for multiple graphics cards in the dual x8 configuration at PCIe 5.0 speeds, while the X670 and B650 only run at PCIe 4.0 speeds for both a single x16 slot or dual x8 slots.

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Best Feature Motherboard: ASUS ROG Strix X670E-E Gaming

  • Our recommended feature-rich motherboard to pair with the Ryzen 9 9700X is the ASUS ROG Strix X670E-E Gaming:

  • 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. ASUS ROG Strix X670E-E Gaming

Runner-Up Motherboard: GIGABYTE X670E AORUS Master

  • Our recommended runner-up motherboard to pair with the Ryzen 9 9700X is the GIGABYTE X670E AORUS Master:

  • 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. GIGABYTE X670E AORUS Master Motherboard

Best Value Motherboard: GIGABYTE X670 AORUS Elite AX

  • Our recommended value motherboard to pair with the Ryzen 9 9700X is the GIGABYTE X670 AORUS Elite AX:

  • 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. GIGABYTE X670 AORUS Elite AX Motherboard

Learn More About the AMD Ryzen 9 9700X

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