Buying Guide

The Best Motherboards for the Ryzen 9 7950X

Six AM5 boards with strong power stages for a 16-core Ryzen 9 7950X, compared on VRM layout, M.2 slots and connectivity.

By The PC Journal editorial team

12 min read6 products evaluated

The Ryzen 9 7950X has 16 cores and draws heavily under all-core work such as rendering. Boards with more and stronger power stages hold its clocks with less heat.

We compared 6 boards for it. This is a research-based comparison built from maker specifications and retailer listings; we did not test these parts ourselves.

Quick Picks

Our 6 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.

  1. Most Headroom

    ASUS ROG Strix X870E-E Gaming WiFi

    An 18+2+2 layout, five M.2 slots and USB4.

    Best for: Heavy rendering and compile work.

    Our take Check price for ASUS ROG Strix X870E-E Gaming WiFi (opens in a new tab)

  2. Best Value X870E

    ASUS TUF Gaming X870E-PLUS WiFi 7

    A 16+2+1 layout of 80A stages on X870E.

    Best for: Most 7950X builds.

    Our take Check price for ASUS TUF Gaming X870E-PLUS WiFi 7 (opens in a new tab)

  3. Solid Alternative

    ASUS TUF Gaming X870-PLUS WiFi

    The TUF X870-PLUS offers four M.2 slots, USB4 and a 16+2+1 layout of 80A power stages.

    Best for: Buyers who want 4 m.2 slots for ssd expansion.

    Our take Check price for ASUS TUF Gaming X870-PLUS WiFi (opens in a new tab)

  4. Worth Considering

    ASUS ROG Strix B850-F Gaming WiFi

    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 4 m.2 slots for ssd expansion.

    Our take Check price for ASUS ROG Strix B850-F Gaming WiFi (opens in a new tab)

  5. Well-Rounded Choice

    ASUS ROG Strix X670E-E Gaming WiFi

    The Strix X670E-E offers an 18+2 layout and four M.2 slots with heatsinks.

    Best for: Buyers who want 4 m.2 slots for ssd expansion.

    Our take Check price for ASUS ROG Strix X670E-E Gaming WiFi (opens in a new tab)

  6. Best Budget

    ASUS TUF Gaming B650E-PLUS WiFi

    80A stages and BIOS Flashback on B650E.

    Best for: Keeping the board budget down.

    Our take Check price for ASUS TUF Gaming B650E-PLUS WiFi (opens in a new tab)

Our Picks

ASUS ROG Strix X870E-E Gaming WiFi

Most Headroom1 of 6

ASUS ROG Strix X870E-E Gaming WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

The Strix X870E-E offers five M.2 slots, an 18+2+2 layout and USB4.

Best for

Heavy rendering and compile work.

Skip if

The maker gives no wired network speed, so look elsewhere if that figure decides it for you.

Why we like it

It is ASUS's high-end AM5 board here. Nothing else here matches its 5 M.2 slot count; the TUF X870E-PLUS comes closest at 4. 18+2+2 power stages is unique to it among these picks, while the Strix X670E-E uses 18+2 power stages.

It also comes with a rear USB 20Gbps port alongside USB4. 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 X870E-PLUS and the Strix X670E-E, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed wired network speed should compare it with the TUF X870-PLUS, which offers 2.5Gbps.

Key dimensions & specs

  • M.2 slots: 5
  • Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 7
  • Power stages: 18+2+2
  • USB4: Yes
  • Form factor: ATX
  • Socket: AM5

Pros

  • 5 M.2 slots for SSD expansion
  • Wi-Fi 7 built in
  • 18+2+2 power stage layout
  • USB4 ports on the rear panel

Cons

  • No published wired network speed
  • Costs more than the TUF B650E-PLUS at the time of writing
ASUS TUF Gaming X870E-PLUS WiFi 7

Best Value X870E2 of 6

ASUS TUF Gaming X870E-PLUS WiFi 7 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

The TUF X870E-PLUS offers four M.2 slots and a 16+2+1 layout of 80A power stages on the X870E chipset.

Best for

Most 7950X builds.

Skip if

Pass if a published wired network speed matters; this one has none.

Why we like it

It matches the TUF X870-PLUS, the Strix B850-F and the Strix X670E-E on M.2 slot count (4). It also comes with a PCIe 5.0 graphics slot. 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 priced above the TUF X870-PLUS and below the Strix X870E-E at the time of writing. There is no published wired network speed figure, whereas the TUF X870-PLUS offers 2.5Gbps.

Key dimensions & specs

  • M.2 slots: 4
  • Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 7
  • Power stages: 16+2+1
  • Form factor: ATX
  • Socket: AM5

Pros

  • 4 M.2 slots for SSD expansion
  • Wi-Fi 7 built in
  • 16+2+1 power stage layout
  • 80A power stages

Cons

  • No published wired network speed
  • Costs more than the TUF B650E-PLUS at the time of writing
ASUS TUF Gaming X870-PLUS WiFi

Solid Alternative3 of 6

ASUS TUF Gaming X870-PLUS WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

The TUF X870-PLUS offers four M.2 slots, USB4 and a 16+2+1 layout of 80A power stages.

Best for

Buyers who want 4 m.2 slots for ssd expansion.

Skip if

If budget leads, the TUF B650E-PLUS was cheaper at our last price check.

Why we like it

It is the sturdiest X870 board here below $230. On M.2 slot count it ties with the TUF X870E-PLUS, the Strix B850-F and the Strix X670E-E at 4. No other pick in this guide offers an X870 chipset; compare the Strix X670E-E, which has an X670E chipset.

It also offers 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. On price it sat third of 6, between the cheaper Strix B850-F and the pricier TUF X870E-PLUS, at the time of writing.

Key dimensions & specs

  • M.2 slots: 4
  • Wired LAN: 2.5Gbps
  • Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 7
  • Power stages: 16+2+1
  • USB4: Yes
  • Form factor: ATX
  • Socket: AM5
  • Chipset: X870

Pros

  • 4 M.2 slots for SSD expansion
  • Wi-Fi 7 built in
  • 16+2+1 power stage layout
  • USB4 ports on the rear panel

Cons

  • Costs more than the TUF B650E-PLUS at the time of writing
ASUS ROG Strix B850-F Gaming WiFi

Worth Considering4 of 6

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 4 m.2 slots for ssd expansion.

Skip if

Skip it if you need to know its wired network speed before buying; the maker doesn't publish one.

Why we like it

It brings X870-class features to B850. It matches the TUF X870E-PLUS, the TUF X870-PLUS and the Strix X670E-E on M.2 slot count (4). It is the only pick here with 16+2+2 power stages; the TUF X870-PLUS has 16+2+1 power stages instead.

A B850 chipset is unique to it among these picks, while the TUF B650E-PLUS uses a B650E chipset. You also get 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.

When we checked, only the TUF B650E-PLUS cost less, and the TUF X870-PLUS cost more. If you want a confirmed wired network speed, look to the TUF X870-PLUS instead: it offers 2.5Gbps, while this one gives no figure.

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
ASUS ROG Strix X670E-E Gaming WiFi

Well-Rounded Choice5 of 6

ASUS ROG Strix X670E-E Gaming WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

The Strix X670E-E offers an 18+2 layout and four M.2 slots with heatsinks.

Best for

Buyers who want 4 m.2 slots for ssd expansion.

Skip if

Choose another pick if you can't accept this: wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi 7.

Why we like it

It is the stronger-powered of the Strix X670E boards here. On M.2 slot count it ties with the TUF X870E-PLUS, the TUF X870-PLUS and the Strix B850-F at 4. It shares a wi-Fi 6E with the TUF B650E-PLUS; the TUF X870E-PLUS goes with a wi-Fi 7.

You get 18+2 power stages here, which sets it apart from the TUF X870-PLUS and its 16+2+1 power stages. No other pick in this guide offers an X670E chipset; compare the Strix B850-F, which has a B850 chipset. You also get a rear USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 port and AI Cooling II fan tuning. It was the highest-priced of the 6 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the Strix X870E-E and the rest.

Key dimensions & specs

  • M.2 slots: 4
  • Wired LAN: 2.5Gbps
  • Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6E
  • Power stages: 18+2
  • Form factor: ATX
  • Socket: AM5
  • Chipset: X670E

Pros

  • 4 M.2 slots for SSD expansion
  • 18+2 power stage layout
  • Heatsinks on all four M.2 slots
  • Rear USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 port

Cons

  • Wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi 7
  • Costs more than the TUF B650E-PLUS at the time of writing
ASUS TUF Gaming B650E-PLUS WiFi

Best Budget6 of 6

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

Keeping the board budget down.

Skip if

Worth skipping when wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi is a problem.

Why we like it

It is a sturdy pick for a 12- or 16-core Ryzen on a budget. On M.2 slot count it trails the group at 3, while the Strix X870E-E offers 5. It shares a wi-Fi 6E with the Strix X670E-E; the Strix B850-F goes with a wi-Fi 7.

12+2+1 power stages is unique to it among these picks, while the Strix X870E-E uses 18+2+2 power stages. It is the only pick here with a B650E chipset; the Strix X670E-E has an X670E chipset instead. 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 cheapest of the group when we checked; the Strix B850-F was the next step up.

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 trails the Strix X870E-E (5)

How We Chose These Ryzen 9 7950X Motherboards

Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.

Storage
We counted listed M.2 slots and PCIe 5.0 support.
Power delivery
We noted power stage layouts where the maker lists them.
Connectivity
We compared Wi-Fi, wired LAN speed and USB4.
Platform
We checked socket, chipset and form factor from each listing.

What to Look for in a Ryzen 9 7950X Motherboard

Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.

  1. Power delivery for high-end CPUs

    Boards with more and stronger power stages run hot 16-core chips more comfortably. For eight-core gaming CPUs, most current boards are enough.

  2. Match the chipset to your plans

    On AM5, B850 covers most gaming builds with PCIe 5.0 for at least one slot. X870E adds more PCIe 5.0 lanes and USB4 for heavy expansion.

    Features, not frame rates, separate the chipsets.

  3. Check BIOS support and Flashback

    A board may need a BIOS update before it runs a newer CPU. BIOS Flashback lets you update without a working CPU installed.

  4. Count M.2 slots

    Most games now install to NVMe drives. Count how many M.2 slots you need now and later, and check which ones share lanes with other ports.

  5. Check the rear and front I/O

    Count USB ports you use every day and confirm a front USB-C header if your case has a USB-C port.

  6. Networking matters for daily use

    Wi-Fi 7 and 5Gbps Ethernet help only if your router supports them, but built-in Wi-Fi saves a PCIe card.

How to Choose a Ryzen 9 7950X Motherboard

By priority

PriorityConsiderWhy
Heavy rendering and compile workStrix X870E-EAn 18+2+2 layout, five M.2 slots and USB4
Most 7950X buildsTUF X870E-PLUSA 16+2+1 layout of 80A stages on X870E
Keeping the board budget downTUF B650E-PLUS80A stages and BIOS Flashback on B650E

Scroll sideways to see every column.

Key specs side by side

Figures as each maker states them.

BoardM.2 slotsWired LANWi-FiPower stages
Strix X870E-E5Not listedWi-Fi 718+2+2
TUF X870E-PLUS4Not listedWi-Fi 716+2+1
TUF X870-PLUS42.5GbpsWi-Fi 716+2+1
Strix B850-F4Not listedWi-Fi 716+2+2
Strix X670E-E42.5GbpsWi-Fi 6E18+2
TUF B650E-PLUS32.5GbpsWi-Fi 6E12+2+1

Scroll sideways to see every column.

By price at the time of writing

Prices change often; these tiers reflect Amazon prices when this guide was updated.

Price tierBoards
About $100 to $150TUF B650E-PLUS
About $150 to $250Strix B850-F, TUF X870-PLUS, TUF X870E-PLUS
About $250 to $500Strix X870E-E, Strix X670E-E

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need PCIe 5.0?

Current graphics cards barely benefit. PCIe 5.0 matters more for the fastest SSDs.

Should I fill all four memory slots?

Two sticks usually run faster and more reliably on DDR5. Buy a two-stick kit with the capacity you need.

Do I need X870E for gaming?

No. A B850 board runs the same CPUs at the same speed; X870E adds more PCIe 5.0 lanes, USB4 and expansion.

Is built-in Wi-Fi worth it?

Yes if you cannot run a cable. Otherwise wired Ethernet is more consistent.

What size motherboard should I buy?

ATX fits most mid-towers and has the most slots. Micro-ATX and Mini-ITX suit smaller cases with fewer expansion needs.

Will a new board work with my CPU out of the box?

Usually, but check the board's CPU support list. If your chip needs a newer BIOS, BIOS Flashback updates it from a USB drive.

Bottom Line

The Strix X870E-E has the most headroom. The TUF X870E-PLUS and TUF X870-PLUS offer 80A stages for less, and the TUF B650E-PLUS is the budget route.