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In early 2019, a 16-core CPU seemed like a vision. AMD has worked very hard to make this vision a reality. They announced Ryzen 9 3950x later last year. Bridging the gap between mainstream and high-end desktop platforms, Ryzen 9 3950x is an extreme CPU on a mainstream platform. It is the fastest consumer CPU.
Having an awesome processor like that calls for the best motherboard to exhibit its true potential. Choosing a great unit to upgrade the stock motherboard is not an easy task. We have gone through a number of products and shortlisted some of them to ease you in your search for a possible candidate.
This article is the ultimate buyer’s guide for people who are looking for the best motherboard for their Ryzen 9 3950x.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Motherboard For Ryzen 9 3950x
- OUR TOP PICK: MSI MEG X570 GODLIKE
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: GIGABYTE X570 AORUS Elite
- Asus ROG X570 Crosshair VIII
Comparison of the Best Motherboards For Ryzen 9 3950x
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What is a Motherboard and What is it Used For?
Motherboard, as the name suggests, is the foundation of a computer. It is the biggest printed circuit board (PCB) inside the CPU. It is the link that connects all other crucial electronic parts of the system. Originally, such a board was named the mainboard. But the ability to extend itself by plugging other circuit boards into it has brought about the name change. Mainboards were not capable of such extensions.
A motherboard is the backbone of a system. It works as the central connectivity point, which connects all components and external peripherals. It allocates power and allows all the components such as CPU, graphics card, hard drive, and memory to receive power from the attached power supply.
GIGABYTE X570 AORUS Elite
Are All Motherboards The Same?
This is a question any newbie might wonder. We assure you that all motherboards are certainly not the same. Experienced users know that there are significant differences between various motherboards. Here are some aspects that make motherboards stand out from each other.
Form Factor
Motherboards come in a variety of sizes or form factors. Its dimensions dictate how many components it can support. The bigger the motherboard, the more components it supports and vice versa.
Chipset
The chipset is the brain of a motherboard. It is the software and hardware combination that is responsible for communication between various component parts. It acts like an administrator deciding what goes in and what comes out. Different motherboards contain different chipset, so they vary in performance, features, compatibility, and stability.
Processor Socket
Motherboards also differentiate in terms of their processor sockets. The processor socket is also known as a CPU socket. It is the connector that forms an electrical interface for contact with the CPU. It has a pin grid array which forms when pins on the underside connect to the holes of the socket. The number and arrangement of these pins and holes are a major source of difference between motherboards. Processor sockets determine how much current your motherboard is likely to pull.
Expansion
Motherboards are named so because of their ability to expand by connecting other circuits within themself. Different motherboards have different expansion limits. Some can support larger RAMs, while others are limited to smaller ones. Similarly, the number of PCIe slots also varies from motherboard to motherboard. The greater the expandability, the better the motherboard.
Overclocking
Overclocking means operating a processor above the frequency it is rated for. Some motherboards are designed to handle such strained working conditions; others are not.
Why Did These Motherboards Make Our List?
In this article, we have selected the best motherboards to review. Now that you know how they vary from each other, we will tell you why out of so many products, only these made it to our list.
Compatibility
The first and foremost thing we have considered in these motherboards is their compatibility. Since we were looking for the best motherboards for Ryzen 9 3950x, we chose the units that were the most compatible with the fastest CPU.
Quality
We all know that Ryzen 9 3950x is a costly product from AMD. When recommending a motherboard for it, there could be no compromise on quality. All the products we recommend are built with high-quality components that are sure to last longer.
MSI MEG X570 GODLIKE
Ease of Installation
Ease of installation was one of our priorities when reviewing these products. We made sure that the products we are recommending are easy to install, even for a beginner.
Overclocking
Overclocking can have adverse effects on the performance of any motherboard. The units we recommend are built to withstand overclocking. They have overclocking support on the firmware level.
Expansion
Our recommended motherboards present better support for expansion purposes. They have slots for expanding storage, GPU, and other components. This improves their maximum performance level.
Review of the Best Motherboards For Ryzen 9 3950X
There are many types of motherboards. But we have to select the best ones which are suitable for a Ryzen 9 3950x CPU. We have gone through a lot of products to select the absolute best that we are recommending for you. The products that have finally made it to our list are discussed below.
Best Overall:
MSI MEG X570 GODLIKE
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
People who recently bought this motherboard are very impressed with its performance. Not only that, but it has also managed to captivate attention with its awesome design. People tend to shy away because of its price tag, but those who did buy it report it to be worth every single penny.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This motherboard is an awesome product. It stands out on our list as the best overall. It has great overclocking potential. Along with that, it has high-quality components, outstanding aesthetics, and is very easy to use. It is everything you could ask from a motherboard for Ryzen 9 3950x. It’s a solid candidate for you to consider.
Who Will Use This Most
Extreme gaming enthusiasts are very likely to use this motherboard the most. People who build their own computers will also benefit from a fast processor like this one. Video editors will also benefit from installing this unit in their systems as it has an upgraded PCIe slot that supports greater GPUs.
Bottom Line
This is just the right product for your Ryzen 9 3950x. It is a premium product that comes at a high price, but the features and aesthetics are surely worth the high price tag. With its advanced cooling system, you can overclock it without any worry. It is built to last with its high-quality components. It serves to be the best for your best PC.
Best for the Money:
GIGABYTE X570 AORUS Elite
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers have reported it as a strong and heavy-duty unit. With its pocket-friendly price, it has managed to capture attention. People are convinced of its high quality build from its look, feel, and weight. Some buyers have also reported that its BIOS is not visible on all screen resolutions and that there is non-cooperation from the customer service.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This motherboard stands out as the best option for its cost, considering the great aesthetic and features that come with it. Its installation is not a tedious task. It is a durable product that can handle a little rough handling. It presents a sober appearance with a lack of too many flashy RGB lights. With great overclocking potential, this unit is an awesome motherboard available at a great price.
Who Will Use This Most
People who are looking for cheaper options for upgrading their system will find this product to be of great use. Some people don’t like flashy RGB lights; they will also benefit from installing this unit. People who tend to be clumsy and are not great at handling delicate products are also likely to use this the most.
Bottom Line
Gigabyte X570 Aorus Elite is the most cost-effective motherboard you can consider for your Ryzen 9 3950x. It is easy to install and operate with wonderful overclocking support. It’s a great product with good aesthetics and awesome features. You should go for it if you are looking for a pocket-friendly option.
3. ASUS ROG X570 Crosshair VIII
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers are generally satisfied by the performance of this midrange motherboard. The OLED panel is its main point of attraction, and people are happy with the way it interacts with them. Although it is on the expensive end of the mid-range, recent users report it as worthy of the price tag it entails.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This product stands out as the best motherboard on the medium price range. Boarded with the latest Wi-Fi 6, it takes gaming to a whole new level. With its unparalleled data transferring and unmatched cooling capacity, it is well-matched with a Ryzen 9 3950x. You could really benefit from installing this unit in your PC system.
Who Will Use This Most
People who are extremely fond of gaming will utilize this high-performance product to its full potential. Overclocking is still a major issue with some people. They will also find this product very useful for its tolerance with overclocking. People who like interacting with an OLED display panel will also find themselves saying yes to this unit.
Bottom Line
All in all, this mid-range motherboard is packed with awesome features that are bound to keep you interested. With the latest Wi-Fi support and faster data transfer speed, you are in for an experience of your life, if you do decide to buy this unit. It has a dual water and air cooling system to keep up with the demands of your usage. We highly recommend this one for you.
4. ASROCK X470 Taichi
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers have mixed reviews about this product. Some people are more than satisfied with its performance. Meanwhile, others found its outdated Bios and high power intake a huge turn-off. What people agree on is its breath-taking design, sturdy built, and great heat sink. It can handle major overclocking without making a fuss about it.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This product stands out to us because of its ultimate cooling capacity. It comes with a massive full coverage heat sink that effectively keeps it cools under major overclocking. It has a beautiful design with a good layout that also makes it stand out from the competition. A lot of storage options and addressable RGBs also make it a wonderful motherboard, which we highly recommend.
Who Will Use This Most
People who have fun playing with RGB lights will certainly find this a useful product. Those who build their own PCs will also make use of its eye-catching design. With its effective cooling mechanism, it is also a great product for people who have to keep their system running for a longer duration of time.
Bottom Line
Investing in this product will surely be for you as it is one of the most compatible units for Ryzen 9 3950x. A solid core with lots of storage and good performance define this motherboard. With interesting RGB lighting effects and a wonderful design, this will captivate your attention. All in all, it’s a great product from a well-known manufacturer.
5. ASUS ROG Strix X570-E
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers are very impressed with its smoothness. From installation to the BIOS setup, it has certainly impressed users with its simplicity. People are satisfied with its built, performance, and durability. RGB lights are also a feature that has gained public attention. All in all, people who recently used this motherboard are raving about it.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This product stands out as the runner-up on our list. It is a sleek and stylish unit with great RGB lighting effects. Be it installation or operation; it is simple in its true essence. It is specially designed to control Ryzen CPUs, so it is very suitable for your Ryzen 9 3950x. We highly recommend this product X570.
Who Will Use This Most
This unit is good at controlling Ryzen CPUs, so people who own them are most likely to use it. It is compatible with the virtualization/hypervisor server, so people who are looking for cheaper versions than professional ones will reap huge benefits from using it. It is capable of working under strained conditions so extreme gamers and habitual overclockers will also put it to great use.
Bottom Line
This unit is a good overall performer. It is simple and easy to install and even easier to use. The RGB lights and strips are awe-worthy. It has the fastest data transfer speeds, so transferring large bulky files is a piece of cake for it. Hands down, it is one of the best products you could get your hands on.
Advantages of Investing in a Quality Motherboard
Ryzen 9 3950x is a premium product. If you are considering to upgrade its stock motherboard, you cannot settle for anything less than the best. Pairing it with an average product is bound to lower its performance. To unleash its true potential, we recommend you buy a high-quality motherboard. Investing in a quality product is a bargain that will pay its price in the future. Above, we have listed some of the highest-rated products for you to consider. Here are some advantages that getting one poses for you.
Better Chipset
As said above, the chipset is the brain of a motherboard. It determines the features and performance of a motherboard. Quality motherboards contain better chipsets, which means better features and faster performance.
Faster RAM
Quality motherboards support new RAM modules. This exceptionally increases the overall speed. Opt for a quality motherboard to experience mind-blowing speeds.
Improved Graphics
If you are a gaming enthusiast or a video editor, you should consider a quality motherboard for your system. It lets you experience intense graphics. Gaming will also provide a better experience with greater speed and lesser lags.
Quicker Data Transfers
Investing in a quality motherboard is advantageous because it is capable of faster data transfer between different hardware. It supports the latest data hardware, so transferring a simple file or data is really quick.
Long Life
Quality motherboards are crafted using quality components. They have a better lifespan than an average product. This means better diagnostic display, better heat sinks, better cooling systems, dual-Bios, and so on. You can even overclock it without any worry.
How to Install a Motherboard
Once you have selected a quality motherboard for your Ryzen 9 3950x, you might worry about its installation. Worry not as installing a motherboard does not have to be a tedious task. Just take the necessary precautions and keep your tools within arm’s reach, and you will be done in no time. Here is a guide on how you can to replace and install a motherboard.
- First and foremost, cut off the power supply and remove the power cord from your system.
- Unscrew and removes both sides of the casing to access the motherboard better.
- Disconnect the GPU card and remove it from the PCI slot by pushing down on it.
- Now disengage the tabs on the RAM and remove it.
- Unscrew the CPU cooler from its mounting bracket to remove it. Also, remove the fans.
- Unplug and remove everything from your motherboard, including the power cord. Place everything aside so you can properly access the motherboard.
- Carefully unscrew and remove the motherboard from the casing.
- Now remove the IO shield of your old motherboard.
- Apply some rubbing alcohol on a clean paper towel and use it to clean your CPU.
- Carefully place your new motherboard on a smooth flat surface.
- Read the instruction manual to insert components like RAM sticks into their respective slots.
- Now install the CPU. Use the protector to protect the pins, align the notches with tabs, and gently rest it into the socket.
- Installing the CPU really depends upon the kind you have. You can install it now, or you can install it once your motherboard is inside the case.
- Using the output window as a guide, carefully screw the motherboard into place.
- If you have opted to install the CPU cooler after the motherboard is inside the casing, now is the time to do it.
- Carefully connect all the cables, drives, and power socket back into position.
- Now plug in all the fans and CPU cooler to the motherboard.
- Insert your GPU and plug in its cable.
- Double-check all the connections and screws to make sure you have not missed any.
- Plugin the power cable and output devices, and you are good to go.
Installing a motherboard requires proper attention. You have to be very gentle in handling. There is no need to tighten the screws. Snug fitting is good. Be sure not to apply any excessive force during the procedure; otherwise, you risk bending or damaging your motherboard.
For a more detailed account of the procedure given above, refer to the video below.
Conclusion
The motherboard is the boring part of your computer. But you can’t deny its importance. Replacing a motherboard is a decision you should take very carefully, especially when you own a premium system like Ryzen 9 3950x. Investing in a quality motherboard ensures that you have a fast, smooth, stable, and reliable operation of your system. We have listed the best options that are most compatible with your AMD chip. You can choose any one of these, and believe us; you will not be disappointed with the results.
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