Motherboard Recommendations for Ryzen 9 7900X + RTX 4080?

[SparrowHawk575]

Budget (including currency): $2,000 USD, stretch (painfully) up to $2,400

Country: USA (not near a Microcenter)

Games, programs or workloads that it will be used for: 

• Casual gaming @ 1440 resolution/144-165 Hz + ray tracing.
  • Games like Horizon Zero Dawn, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, Baldur's Gate 3, maybe Starfield.
• 3D modeling and rendering using Rhino3D and Fusion 360 
  • Rendering in Rhino3D using Cycles render engine/Blender
  • Note: NVIDIA CUDA cores are needed over AMD GPU.
• Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Lightroom, PremierPro.

Hi all! Thanks again to @Why_Me for your help so far.

 

I would love some input on motherboard recommendations for this build.

 

Initially, the MSI PRO B650-P WIFI was recommended, but the lowest price has crept up to $190 at Amazon (need to click through the link to see actual price): https://pcpartpicker.com/product/CFzhP6/msi-pro-b650-p-wifi-atx-am5-motherboard-pro-b650-p-wifi

 

That's pretty much the same price as the MSI PRO X670-P WiFi: https://pcpartpicker.com/product/jJhFf7/msi-pro-x670-p-wifi-atx-am5-motherboard-pro-x670-p-wifi 

 

Also considering the MSI PRO B650M-A WIFI Micro ATX: https://pcpartpicker.com/product/cRQcCJ/msi-pro-b650m-a-wifi-micro-atx-am5-motherboard-pro-b650m-a-wifi 

 

Generally, I would prefer a motherboard that gives room to grow/"future-proof" for a while, under $200. Am I crazy? Any other considerations I'm missing?

 

Thanks in advance!

-SparrowHawk

 

See current build list below (I snatched a 4080 on sale at Best Buy before they sold out, whew!):

 

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 7900X 4.7 GHz 12-Core Processor  ($395.87 @ Amazon) 
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE ARGB 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler  ($35.99 @ Amazon) 
Motherboard: *MSI PRO B650-P WIFI ATX AM5 Motherboard  ($183.00 @ Amazon) 
Memory: TEAMGROUP T-Create Expert 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory  ($89.99 @ Amazon) 
Storage: Crucial P5 Plus 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive  ($69.98 @ Amazon) 
Video Card: Gigabyte EAGLE GeForce RTX 4080 16 GB Video Card  (Purchased For $1059.00) 
Case: Fractal Design North ATX Mid Tower Case  ($139.99 @ B&H) 
Power Supply: *MSI A1000G PCIE5 1000 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply  ($169.99 @ B&H) 
Case Fan: Thermalright TL-C12C-S 66.17 CFM 120 mm Fans 3-Pack  ($13.90 @ Amazon) 
Monitor: MSI G272QPF 27.0" 2560 x 1440 170 Hz Monitor  ($239.99 @ Amazon) 
Total: $2397.70
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
*Lowest price parts chosen from parametric criteria
Generated by PCPartPicker 2023-11-16 15:04 EST-0500

 

[Dedayog]

I prefer the Gigabyte B650 AORUS line.  Elite or Pro.

[Brooksie359]

I would look at third party reviews on motherboards. I know multiple reviewers have done an AM5 motherboard roundup that gives good recommendations and compares them. I mean I only have experience with my motherboard so it's not like I would have better information than a reviewer who has hands on with a lot of different motherboards.

[PDifolco]

10 minutes ago, Dedayog said:

I prefer the Gigabyte B650 AORUS line.  Elite or Pro.

That, or even the Gaming cheaper model, that don't have much less features

[Milesqqw2]

I am just going to say, those are some quite demanding games, and they are relatively big. I know you didn’t ask for hardware recommendations, other than the mono, but I would recommend getting a bit more storage.

[Dedayog]

Just now, Milesqqw2 said:

I am just going to say, those are some quite demanding games, and they are relatively big. I know you didn’t ask for hardware recommendations, other than the mono, but I would recommend getting a bit more storage.

Agreed, especially in a build that pricey.  

 

1 minute ago, PDifolco said:

That, or even the Gaming cheaper model, that don't have much less features

Very true.  Their B650 lineup is really very good.

[SparrowHawk575]

30 minutes ago, Dedayog said:

I prefer the Gigabyte B650 AORUS line.  Elite or Pro.

Yeah, I was also looking at Gigabyte's B650 Aorus Elite, seems like a good option!

23 minutes ago, Brooksie359 said:

I would look at third party reviews on motherboards. I know multiple reviewers have done an AM5 motherboard roundup that gives good recommendations and compares them. I mean I only have experience with my motherboard so it's not like I would have better information than a reviewer who has hands on with a lot of different motherboards.

Definitely, I've been scouring the internet for reviews. This Motherboard Roundup has been helpful: https://www.techspot.com/review/2699-amd-b650-motherboards/#

19 minutes ago, PDifolco said:

That, or even the Gaming cheaper model, that don't have much less features

Indeed, Gaming and Elite models look almost identical. Elite has Gen 5 M.2, and a few more USB ports. Same price for both right now. Hmmm.

19 minutes ago, Milesqqw2 said:

I am just going to say, those are some quite demanding games, and they are relatively big. I know you didn’t ask for hardware recommendations, other than the mono, but I would recommend getting a bit more storage.

True! I appreciate the feedback, I'll definitely consider a 2TB M.2. Any specific recommendations? And is it better to get more storage right away, or is it ok to wait and add M.2 storage later?

17 minutes ago, Dedayog said:

Agreed, especially in a build that pricey.  

 

Very true.  Their B650 lineup is really very good.

Awesome, thanks for the feedback!

 

Ok, I'm leaning towards the Gigabyte B650 AORUS ELITE AX ATX, seems like a good deal right now at $190: https://pcpartpicker.com/product/WBwypg/gigabyte-b650-aorus-elite-ax-atx-am5-motherboard-b650-aorus-elite-ax

[Dedayog]

6 minutes ago, SparrowHawk575 said:

Yeah, I was also looking at Gigabyte's B650 Aorus Elite, seems like a good option!

Definitely, I've been scouring the internet for reviews. This Motherboard Roundup has been helpful: https://www.techspot.com/review/2699-amd-b650-motherboards/#

Indeed, Gaming and Elite models look almost identical. Elite has Gen 5 M.2, and a few more USB ports. Same price for both right now. Hmmm.

True! I appreciate the feedback, I'll definitely consider a 2TB M.2. Any specific recommendations? And is it better to get more storage right away, or is it ok to wait and add M.2 storage later?

Awesome, thanks for the feedback!

 

Ok, I'm leaning towards the Gigabyte B650 AORUS ELITE AX ATX, seems like a good deal right now at $190: https://pcpartpicker.com/product/WBwypg/gigabyte-b650-aorus-elite-ax-atx-am5-motherboard-b650-aorus-elite-ax

Honestly, if you add later just be careful.  I have 3TB, in 3 M.2 slots and now I'd have to remove one to upgrade.  Not ideal. 

 

I'd get a 2TB Crucial P5 probably.

 

Shit, Gaming is the same price as Elite?  Bah, it was supposed to be the cheaper model

 

[SparrowHawk575]

1 minute ago, Dedayog said:

Honestly, if you add later just be careful.  I have 3TB, in 3 M.2 slots and now I'd have to remove one to upgrade.  Not ideal. 

 

I'd get a 2TB Crucial P5 probably.

 

Shit, Gaming is the same price as Elite?  Bah, it was supposed to be the cheaper model

 

Oh yeah good point, it could be a pain to have to clone those SSDs and then remove to upgrade. Thanks for the advice!

 

Nice, the Crucial P5 2TB looks like a good option.

 

Lol I know, right? Arg, the price drops are crazy to keep up with