Choosing the Best Motherboard for AMD's Ryzen 9 Pro 3900

Find out what factors you should consider when choosing a motherboard for AMD's Zen 2-based 3rd Gen Ryzen 9 Pro 3900, along with our recommended motherboards to pair with this CPU.

Choosing the Best Motherboard for AMD's Ryzen 9 Pro 3900 Brandon Jones / TechReviewer

Last Updated: March 24, 2025

Written by Brandon Jones

Best Feature Motherboard
MSI MAG X570 TOMAHAWK WIFI
Best Value Motherboard
ASUS AM4 TUF Gaming X570-Plus (Wi-Fi)
Check another CPU:

Motherboard Requirements for Ryzen 9 Pro 3900 Processors

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For AMD's Zen 2-based Ryzen 9 Pro 3900 processor, you'll need a motherboard with an AM4 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 3000-series CPUs without Radeon Graphics, which includes the Ryzen 9 Pro 3900, are compatible with all 400 and 500-series consumer chipsets. Supported chipsets include the X570, B550, A520, X470, and B450.

The older X370 and B350 300-series chipsets are generally not compatible, out of the box, with Ryzen 3000-series CPUs without Radeon Graphics. However, the 300-series chipsets may be supported by some motherboard manufacturers, when using a specific compatible BIOS. This CPU is not compatible with the A320 300-series chipset.

The X570 is our recommended chipset for the Ryzen 9 Pro 3900 CPU, as it provides the most functionality and full support for PCIe 4.0. The Ryzen 9 Pro 3900 CPU also supports PCIe 4.0.

Only the X570 chipset provides PCIe 4.0 lanes via the chipset.

When using motherboards with the B550 chipset, you still have PCIe 4.0 lanes from the CPU for PCI-Express slots; however, all PCIe or M.2 slots connected via these chipsets will run at PCIe 3.0 speeds.

For a detailed comparison of these chipsets and PCIe speeds, check out our article Which Chipsets Work With AMD's Ryzen 9 Pro 3900 CPU?.

Check out our Recommended Motherboards for the Ryzen 9 Pro 3900 below.

ASUS AM4 TUF Gaming X570-Plus (Wi-Fi)

Important considerations regarding this CPU:

AMD's Ryzen Pro CPUs are intended for the business market. They are generally found in pre-built systems and do not support overclocking.

The Ryzen 9 Pro 3900 CPU isn't available in a boxed version. However, you may be able to purchase it in a tray version or as part of a pre-built computer.

Tray versions are sold in bulk, without retail-box packaging. These CPUs are then sometimes sold again, individually.

Other Considerations When Choosing a Pro 3900 Motherboard

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When choosing a motherboard for the Pro 3900, 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 Pro 3900 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.

The X570 and B550 chipsets support the most PCIe lanes, which means that motherboards with these chipsets are likely to have the most x4 NVMe M.2 slots available. Keep in mind that the X570 is the only one of the two that supports PCIe 4.0 via the chipset.

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 X570 can support the most USB ports at USB 3.2 2x1 (10 Gbps) speeds. Motherboards with the X570 chipset can support up to 12 of these ports. The B550, in comparison, only supports up to 6 at these speeds.

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 X570 and B550 chipsets provide the most flexibility in the 500-series, allowing multiple graphics cards in the dual x8 configuration at PCIe 4.0 speeds.

The A520 chipset, on the other hand, is very limited, allowing for only a single graphics card via the slower PCIe 3.0 x16 slot.

PCI-Express 3.0 and 4.0 Speeds (Rounded)
PCIe 3.0 PCIe 4.0
x1 Bandwidth 1 GB/s 2 GB/s
x2 Bandwidth 2 GB/s 4 GB/s
x4 Bandwidth 4 GB/s 8 GB/s
x8 Bandwidth 8 GB/s 16 GB/s
x16 Bandwidth 16 GB/s 32 GB/s
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Best Value Motherboard: ASUS TUF Gaming X570-Plus Wi-Fi

  • Our recommended value motherboard to pair with the Ryzen 9 Pro 3900 is the ASUS TUF Gaming X570-Plus (Wi-Fi):

  • ASUS TUF Gaming X570-Plus Wi-Fi
    Max PCIe Version 4.0
    Max RAM: 128 GB DDR4
    NVMe slots: 2
    Ethernet: 1 Gbps

  • Through our analysis and research, we found that the ASUS TUF Gaming X570-Plus Wi-Fi 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 DDR4 memory ensures smooth multitasking and responsive performance at a lower price than DDR5. This motherboard has the X570 chipset.

  • We found that the ASUS TUF Gaming X570-Plus Wi-Fi motherboard offered superior connectivity as well. Its 1 Gbps Ethernet port enables speedy file transfers, surpassing typical home internet speeds. 802.11ac Wi-Fi 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 TUF Gaming X570-Plus Wi-Fi. It features two x4 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 2 slots also offers 10 Gbps USB speeds.

  • Overall, we concluded that the ASUS TUF Gaming X570-Plus Wi-Fi 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 AM4 TUF Gaming X570-Plus (Wi-Fi)

Best Feature Motherboard: MSI MAG X570 TOMAHAWK WIFI

  • Our recommended feature-rich motherboard to pair with the Ryzen 9 Pro 3900:

  • MSI MAG X570 TOMAHAWK WIFI
    Max PCIe Version 4.0
    Max RAM: 128 GB DDR4
    NVMe slots: 2
    Ethernet: 2.5 Gbps

  • Through our analysis and research, we found that the MSI MAG X570 TOMAHAWK WIFI 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 DDR4 memory ensures smooth multitasking and responsive performance at a lower price than DDR5. This motherboard has the X570 chipset.

  • We found that the MSI MAG X570 TOMAHAWK WIFI motherboard offered superior connectivity as well. Its 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port enables speedy file transfers, surpassing typical home internet speeds. Wi-Fi 6 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 MSI MAG X570 TOMAHAWK WIFI. It features two x4 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 2 slots also offers 10 Gbps USB speeds.

  • Overall, we concluded that the MSI MAG X570 TOMAHAWK WIFI 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. MSI MAG X570 TOMAHAWK WIFI

Learn More About the AMD Ryzen 9 Pro 3900

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