Buying Guide
The Best Motherboards for Ryzen 7 9700X
Five motherboards compared, from the TUF B650E-PLUS to the Strix B850-F NEO, with the trade-offs of each named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
The Ryzen 7 9700X pairs well with a B850 or B650E board that has room for several drives. Every pick is an AM5 board with B850 or B650E and at least three M.2 slots, ordered by M.2 slot count.
This is a research roundup, not a lab test: M.2 slots, wired LAN and wi-Fi come from each maker's published specs; a missing wired LAN is flagged, not filled in, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Also Consider
ASUS ROG Strix B850-F Gaming WiFi
19 USB ports in total.
Best for: Buyers who want 19 USB ports in total.
Our take Check price for ASUS ROG Strix B850-F Gaming WiFi (opens in a new tab)
Fastest Wired Network Speed
ASUS ROG Strix B850-F Gaming WIFI7 NEO
The fastest wired network speed here (5Gbps).
Best for: Buyers who put wired network speed first.
Our take Check price for ASUS ROG Strix B850-F Gaming WIFI7 NEO (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
ASUS TUF Gaming B650E-PLUS WiFi
The lowest price of the group at our last check.
Best for: Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the B850M Pro RS.
Our take Check price for ASUS TUF Gaming B650E-PLUS WiFi (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
ASRock B850M Pro RS WiFi
A PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot.
Best for: Buyers who want PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot.
Our take Check price for ASRock B850M Pro RS WiFi (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
ASUS TUF Gaming B650E-E WiFi
A rear USB 20Gbps Type-C port.
Best for: Buyers who want rear USB 20Gbps Type-C port.
Our take Check price for ASUS TUF Gaming B650E-E WiFi (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Also Consider1 of 5
ASUS ROG Strix B850-F Gaming WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Strix B850-F offers a 16+2+2 layout, four M.2 slots, Wi-Fi 7 and 19 USB ports.
Best for
- Buyers who want 19 USB ports in total.
Skip if
- The maker gives no wired network speed, so skip it if that figure decides your choice.
Why we like it
It brings X870-class features to B850. On M.2 slot count it ties with the Strix B850-F NEO at 4. It shares a wi-Fi 7 with the Strix B850-F NEO; the TUF B650E-E goes with a wi-Fi 6E.
It shares 16+2+2 power stages with the Strix B850-F NEO; the TUF B650E-PLUS goes with 12+2+1 power stages. It also comes with a rear USB 20Gbps Type-C port. It uses AMD's AM5 socket, so it takes Ryzen 7000, 8000 and 9000 chips; a board built before a CPU's launch may need a BIOS update first, so check whether it supports BIOS Flashback.
Check the manual for which M.2 slots share lanes with SATA ports or the second PCIe slot before filling them all. Its price falls between the TUF B650E-E and the Strix B850-F NEO, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed wired network speed should compare it with the Strix B850-F NEO, which offers 5Gbps.
Key dimensions & specs
- M.2 slots: 4
- Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 7
- Power stages: 16+2+2
- Form factor: ATX
- Socket: AM5
- Chipset: B850
Pros
- 4 M.2 slots for SSD expansion
- Wi-Fi 7 built in
- 16+2+2 power stage layout
- 19 USB ports in total
Cons
- No published wired network speed
- Costs more than the TUF B650E-PLUS at the time of writing
Fastest Wired Network Speed2 of 5
ASUS ROG Strix B850-F Gaming WIFI7 NEO on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Strix B850-F NEO stands out for ASUS DIMM Fit memory tuning, and it adds a rear USB 20Gbps Type-C port.
Best for
- Buyers who put wired network speed first.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the TUF B650E-PLUS was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It also offers a 4 M.2 slot count and offers a 5Gbps wired network speed. On M.2 slot count it ties with the Strix B850-F at 4. Nothing else here matches its 5Gbps wired network speed; the TUF B650E-PLUS comes closest at 2.5Gbps.
It shares a wi-Fi 7 with the Strix B850-F; the B850M Pro RS goes with a wi-Fi 6E. It shares 16+2+2 power stages with the Strix B850-F; the TUF B650E-PLUS goes with 12+2+1 power stages. It uses AMD's AM5 socket, so it takes Ryzen 7000, 8000 and 9000 chips; a board built before a CPU's launch may need a BIOS update first, so check whether it supports BIOS Flashback.
Check the manual for which M.2 slots share lanes with SATA ports or the second PCIe slot before filling them all. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the Strix B850-F.
Key dimensions & specs
- M.2 slots: 4
- Wired LAN: 5Gbps
- Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 7
- Power stages: 16+2+2
- Form factor: ATX
- Socket: AM5
- Chipset: B850
Pros
- 4 M.2 slots for SSD expansion
- 5Gbps wired Ethernet
- Wi-Fi 7 built in
- 16+2+2 power stage layout
Cons
- Costs more than the TUF B650E-PLUS at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here3 of 5
ASUS TUF Gaming B650E-PLUS WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The TUF B650E-PLUS uses the B650E chipset, which adds PCIe 5.0 lanes, alongside 80A power stages and BIOS Flashback.
Best for
- Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the B850M Pro RS.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi 7.
Why we like it
It is a sturdy pick for a 12- or 16-core Ryzen on a budget. It matches the B850M Pro RS and the TUF B650E-E on M.2 slot count (3). It matches the B850M Pro RS and the TUF B650E-E on wired network speed (2.5Gbps).
Like the B850M Pro RS and TUF B650E-E, it has a wi-Fi 6E, while the Strix B850-F uses a wi-Fi 7. It is the only pick here with 12+2+1 power stages; the Strix B850-F has 16+2+2 power stages instead. It shares a B650E chipset with the TUF B650E-E; the Strix B850-F NEO goes with a B850 chipset.
No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the B850M Pro RS was closest. What it gives up: M.2 slot count of 3, behind the Strix B850-F (4); by contrast, the Strix B850-F offers 4.
Key dimensions & specs
- M.2 slots: 3
- Wired LAN: 2.5Gbps
- Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6E
- Power stages: 12+2+1
- Form factor: ATX
- Socket: AM5
- Chipset: B650E
Pros
- 80A DrMOS power stages
- BIOS Flashback
- PCIe 5.0 support from the B650E chipset
- 12+2+1 power stages, the only one here
Cons
- Wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi 7
- M.2 slot count of 3, behind the Strix B850-F (4)
Strong Alternative4 of 5
ASRock B850M Pro RS WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The B850M Pro RS WiFi is a Micro-ATX board with three M.2 slots, one of them PCIe 5.0, and BIOS Flashback.
Best for
- Buyers who want PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi 7.
Why we like it
Its 8+2+1 layout suits six- and eight-core chips. On M.2 slot count it ties with the TUF B650E-PLUS and the TUF B650E-E at 3. On wired network speed it ties with the TUF B650E-PLUS and the TUF B650E-E at 2.5Gbps.
It shares a wi-Fi 6E with the TUF B650E-PLUS and TUF B650E-E; the Strix B850-F NEO goes with a wi-Fi 7. It shares 8+2+1 power stages with the TUF B650E-E; the Strix B850-F goes with 16+2+2 power stages. It uses AMD's AM5 socket, so it takes Ryzen 7000, 8000 and 9000 chips; a board built before a CPU's launch may need a BIOS update first, so check whether it supports BIOS Flashback.
As a Micro-ATX board it fits smaller cases but has fewer expansion slots than ATX; check the gap between the GPU and the lower slots. Its price falls between the TUF B650E-PLUS and the TUF B650E-E, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- M.2 slots: 3
- Wired LAN: 2.5Gbps
- Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6E
- Power stages: 8+2+1
- Form factor: Micro-ATX
- Socket: AM5
- Chipset: B850
Pros
- PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot
- BIOS Flashback
- Three M.2 slots in a Micro-ATX size
Cons
- Wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi 7
- Costs more than the TUF B650E-PLUS at the time of writing
Worth a Look5 of 5
ASUS TUF Gaming B650E-E WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The TUF B650E-E pairs a USB 20Gbps Type-C port and BIOS Flashback with three M.2 slots on B650E.
Best for
- Buyers who want rear USB 20Gbps Type-C port.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi 7 is a problem.
Why we like it
Its 8+2+1 layout suits mid-range Ryzen chips. On M.2 slot count it ties with the TUF B650E-PLUS and the B850M Pro RS at 3. On wired network speed it ties with the TUF B650E-PLUS and the B850M Pro RS at 2.5Gbps.
It shares a wi-Fi 6E with the TUF B650E-PLUS and B850M Pro RS; the Strix B850-F NEO goes with a wi-Fi 7. It shares 8+2+1 power stages with the B850M Pro RS; the Strix B850-F NEO goes with 16+2+2 power stages. You also get 80A DrMOS power stages.
It uses AMD's AM5 socket, so it takes Ryzen 7000, 8000 and 9000 chips; a board built before a CPU's launch may need a BIOS update first, so check whether it supports BIOS Flashback. Its price falls between the B850M Pro RS and the Strix B850-F, based on our last check. If M.2 slot count is your priority, the Strix B850-F (4) is the stronger choice.
Key dimensions & specs
- M.2 slots: 3
- Wired LAN: 2.5Gbps
- Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6E
- Power stages: 8+2+1
- Form factor: ATX
- Socket: AM5
- Chipset: B650E
Pros
- Rear USB 20Gbps Type-C port
- BIOS Flashback
- 80A DrMOS power stages
Cons
- Wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi 7
- M.2 slot count trails the Strix B850-F (4)
- Wired network speed trails the Strix B850-F NEO (5Gbps)
How We Chose These Motherboards for Ryzen 7 9700X
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- We compared five boards on M.2 slot count, wired network speed, wi-Fi and power stages as the makers state them. Nothing was tested in-house; 6 of the 7 fields compared are stated for every pick, while wired network speed has gaps.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the Strix B850-F to the TUF B650E-E, state M.2 slot count, wi-Fi and power stages and share AM5 socket.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Strix B850-F gives no wired network speed.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the TUF B650E-PLUS ($100 to $150) to the Strix B850-F NEO ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in a Motherboard for Ryzen 7 9700X
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much M.2 slot count you need
The Strix B850-F tops M.2 slot count at 4 and the TUF B650E-E sits lowest at 3; 2 picks share the top figure. If M.2 slot count is your first filter, the Strix B850-F sets the ceiling at 4.
Wired network speed across these picks
Across these 4 picks wired network speed spans 2.5Gbps (the TUF B650E-E) to 5Gbps (the Strix B850-F NEO). Start with the Strix B850-F NEO if wired network speed decides it. The Strix B850-F gives no wired network speed figure, so 4 of 5 picks are compared here.
Power stages
The Strix B850-F and the Strix B850-F NEO list 16+2+2; the TUF B650E-PLUS lists 12+2+1; the B850M Pro RS and the TUF B650E-E list 8+2+1. Sort out power stages before price: it splits 5 stated picks into groups of 2, 2 and 1.
Features beyond the spec table
The Strix B850-F: a rear USB 20Gbps Type-C port. The TUF B650E-PLUS: BIOS Flashback.
Where your budget lands
$100 to $150 buys the TUF B650E-PLUS, the B850M Pro RS and the TUF B650E-E; $150 to $250 buys the Strix B850-F; $250 to $500 buys the Strix B850-F NEO at our last check.
How to Choose a Motherboard for Ryzen 7 9700X
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who want 19 USB ports in total | Strix B850-F | 19 USB ports in total |
| Buyers who put wired network speed first | Strix B850-F NEO | The fastest wired network speed here (5Gbps) |
| Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the B850M Pro RS | TUF B650E-PLUS | The lowest price of the group at our last check |
| Buyers who want PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot | B850M Pro RS | A PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot |
| Buyers who want rear USB 20Gbps Type-C port | TUF B650E-E | A rear USB 20Gbps Type-C port |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Strix B850-F leads on M.2 slot count at 4, ahead of the Strix B850-F NEO at 4. "Not listed" marks wired network speed where the Strix B850-F leaves the figure out.
| Board | M.2 slots | Wired LAN | Wi-Fi | Power stages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strix B850-F | 4 | Not listed | Wi-Fi 7 | 16+2+2 |
| Strix B850-F NEO | 4 | 5Gbps | Wi-Fi 7 | 16+2+2 |
| TUF B650E-PLUS | 3 | 2.5Gbps | Wi-Fi 6E | 12+2+1 |
| B850M Pro RS | 3 | 2.5Gbps | Wi-Fi 6E | 8+2+1 |
| TUF B650E-E | 3 | 2.5Gbps | Wi-Fi 6E | 8+2+1 |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the TUF B650E-PLUS, sat in the $100 to $150 tier, 3 tiers in all up to the Strix B850-F NEO at $250 to $500; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Boards |
|---|---|
| About $100 to $150 | TUF B650E-PLUS, B850M Pro RS, TUF B650E-E |
| About $150 to $250 | Strix B850-F |
| About $250 to $500 | Strix B850-F NEO |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the TUF B650E-PLUS compare with the Strix B850-F NEO on wired network speed?
The Strix B850-F NEO leads at 5Gbps, with the TUF B650E-PLUS at 2.5Gbps. No wired network speed figure is published for the Strix B850-F, which leaves 4 of 5 picks ranked here.
Is the Strix B850-F NEO worth paying more than the TUF B650E-PLUS?
What it brings is M.2 slot count (4 against 3) and wired network speed (5Gbps against 2.5Gbps). The TUF B650E-PLUS sat in the $100 to $150 tier and the Strix B850-F NEO in the $250 to $500 tier when we checked, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if M.2 slot count and wired network speed decide your purchase.
What makes the Strix B850-F NEO the Fastest Wired Network Speed?
The label rests on the fastest wired network speed here (5Gbps). The TUF B650E-PLUS is next on wired network speed at 2.5Gbps, so this pick's 5Gbps is 100% further out. The TUF B650E-PLUS, the cheapest pick, sat in the $100 to $150 tier against $250 to $500 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It is aimed at anyone who puts wired network speed first.
Do the Strix B850-F and the TUF B650E-PLUS differ on wi-Fi?
The Strix B850-F and the Strix B850-F NEO use Wi-Fi 7; the TUF B650E-PLUS, the B850M Pro RS and the TUF B650E-E use Wi-Fi 6E.
Beyond the specs, what sets the Strix B850-F and the Strix B850-F NEO apart?
The Strix B850-F: 19 USB ports in total. The Strix B850-F NEO: ASUS DIMM Fit memory tuning. The TUF B650E-PLUS: 80A DrMOS power stages.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Strix B850-F, chosen for 19 USB ports in total. Look at the Strix B850-F NEO for the fastest wired network speed here (5Gbps), the TUF B650E-PLUS for the lowest price of the group at our last check and the B850M Pro RS for a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot if those matter more to you.
Confirm Ryzen 9000 support in the board's CPU list.