INTRODUCTION:
Among the most amazing third-generation Ryzen processors is a powerful octa-core processor, the AMD Ryzen 7 3700X. The efficiency of AMD Ryzen 7 3700X is much higher than that of Intel Core i9-9900K, Intel’s bestselling mainstream processor. The processor contains eight cores and 16 threads, making it perfect for all sorts of applications, including gaming apps or intensive ones like Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects, or even technical tasks.
The AMD Ryzen 7 3700X is a great processor, but it can only achieve its maximum capacity with the best motherboards. The motherboard is the foundation of your computer. It binds various devices and modules so that the PC can operate smoothly and effectively. If you only want a budget board that is compliant with the processor or a beastly overclocking board, we have got you covered with our high-quality top seven picks.
Here are our top six picks, but before that, we would like to draw your attention to the basics we think any user should know about.
What To Look for When Choosing a Motherboard
The motherboard is one of those components without which your system does not work, and you need to worry about buying it. Here are just some of the features you must look for when you are buying a motherboard.
Socket
Like every other socket, the CPU port connects the CPU to its power supply, in this case, the motherboard. Each processor has a different form of the socket, and the motherboards are made with that in consideration. Some motherboards are specifically built for a particular processor, and they only operate for that. Various sockets include the Pin Grid Array, the Zero Insertion Power, the Land Grid Array, and the Ball and Grid Array. The Ryzen 7 3700X requires the motherboard to have an AM4 socket.
BIOS
The BIOS is what activates the hardware and performs the functions of the operating system. It also provides you a user interface to manage a variety of hardware functions. Additionally, it is a conduit between the physical processor and the operating system. It can also offer you other features, such as fan speed control and overclocking. A successful BIOS would keep the machine running at optimum performance and, in the long run, provide you a convenient-to-navigate interface.
RAM
Random Access Memory is where all CPU commands are saved while operating. It enables the processor to gain quicker access to items. Eight GB is more than enough for average users, but higher amounts of RAM are necessary for gamers and other heavy users, with 16 GB being quite common. Users engaging in very intensive tasks using up a lot of resources may opt for 32 GB. Most motherboards have more than one slot, with two and four being the norm in most cases.
GPUs
The PCI-e slot on the motherboard is where you connect your GPU. Like the RAM slots, you could get a motherboard with more than one slot for the GPU. The new version is the PCI-e x16 that transfers 16 bits per loop, bringing you powerful speed. Until purchasing, you can review your GPU configuration for compatibility with the motherboard slots available.
Top 6 Best Motherboards for Ryzen 7 3700X
6. MSI B450M Mortar
Our first and top recommendation for the Ryzen 7 3700X is the new MSI B450M Mortar. Considering an array of choices and robust functionality, it is ideal for running Ryzen 7 3700X without any troubles. Launched in November 2019, the B450M Mortar MSI is a superb option for Micro ATX motherboards with good versatility and the best value for money.
Offering the AM4 socket necessary for our targeted processors, the MSI B450M Mortar with its brand-new advanced heatsinks, steel armor efficiency, Turbo M.2, memory, and core boost, along with a great model and many other outstanding features, is definite evidence of its value.
Pros
- Maximum storage capacity at a fast-processing speed
- Powerful overclocker for boards in the non-gamer market
- The internal I/O connector has a couple of USBs 3.1 and four USB 2.0 connectors, offering a full range of connectivity
Cons
- Just three audio ports
Advanced Heat Sink Design
With conceptually built layers of overhangs, the heatsinks do a fantastic job with the enhanced heatsink structure. They perform their tasks effectively; backed by improved PWM and circuit design, the overall thermal efficiency is satisfactory and reliable, even for high-end CPUs and overclocks.
Fast Speed
Turbo M.2 offers a lightning-fast speed of 32Gb/s per Gen3 x4 unit, which is considered five times greater than the standard SATA III link. This enables your machine to experience lightning-fast boot-up and intensely fast loading of applications and files. Core boost technology contributes more to a total performance by providing quicker and unobstructed power to the processor at precise accuracy, making it even easier for multi-core CPUs and optimizing overclocking.
Memory
The B450M Mortar provides four dual-channel slots that can accommodate up to 128GB of DDR4 standard at max 3466Mhz+OC with the latest DD4 memory upgrade—making it ideally steady and seamless for ultra-fast memory speed.
Incredible Sound Quality: On-board audio includes a 7.1 channel with Realtek® ALC892 HD audio processor, specialized amplifier, and high-resolution audio capacitor for an outstanding improvement in sound quality. Within, there is a single PCI Express 3.0 x16 and a PCI Express 2.0 x16 along with a PCI Express x1 pair, giving ideal ground for Crossfire and SLI.
5. ASRock X570M Pro4
This micro ATX motherboard may not be as high-end as some full-sized ATX motherboards, but it supports more devices than a mini ATX one and has better power delivery. Many people would prefer its small size over the full-sized motherboards. ASRock is known for trying unconventional things with their boards and succeeding at it. They are among the first manufacturers who made motherboards with micro ATX form factor.
The width of this board is 9.6 inches. It has a silver and black theme. The PCB has a layer of two ounces of copper, and the VRM and the first M.2 slot have aluminum heatsinks, while a 40mm fan cools the chipset. It uses ten-phase power delivery. The board’s surface area doesn’t look quite big enough to help it dissipate the heat produced by its ten-phase power design.
It has a single 8-pin ATX12V CPU power connector. The fan is tiny, thin, and restricted by a grill, but it manages the chipset temperature very well. When you boot the system, it makes a noise, but you can adjust it in the custom fan profile. This board has three M.2 slots and a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A and C ports. There are also eight SATA 3 ports and RGB and ARGB headers to control your RGB accessories.
Pros
- Good performance
- Eight SATA 3 ports allow lots of flexibility
- Affordable
Cons
- The rear IO backplate of this board is not attached
UEFI
The UEFI interface of this board is very intuitive and easy to use. The main screen gives you all the relevant information without having to dig deeper. Furthermore, the advanced menu page gives you access to all the complicated settings, including advanced overclocking options. You will not have any trouble navigating it.
AMD Smart Access Memory: Unlike conventional PC systems, this board lets you access the full potential of GPU memory. This feature of the board enables you to expand the data channel. It increases the performance of the board by removing the bottleneck.
4. Gigabyte B550M Aorus Pro
This motherboard is a very good option for Ryzen 3700X. It has amazing overclocking abilities and performance. This board features a 10+3 phase design. Thanks to this design, the power delivery to your PC will be more than adequate. Your CPU will be able to handle overclocking quite well.
This motherboard features two M.2 slots. The one that is powered by the CPU will be run on PCIe 4, while the other M.2 slot powered by the chipset will be run on PCIe 3. So, users who plan on running two PCIe 4 Nvme SSDs should look somewhere else.
This board has one PCIe 4X16 slot for your graphic card and one PCIe slot for expansion cards. Additionally, this motherboard doesn’t support dual BIOS, but it has a feature called Q-flash plus. It is a small button that allows you to flash your BIOS. You can find this button on the back of the I/O. You just need to plug in your USB drive and push the button, and your BIOS will automatically update. Moreover, you can do this even if your CPU is not installed with the board.
This board is plain looking. It doesn’t have bright and flashy colors; rather, it is neutral with limited RGB lighting. This board is capable of some great performance. Together with Ryzen, it can run some CPU intensive games without a problem. This powerful micro ATX board is also reasonably priced. If the connectivity options are not an issue, then it will make you happy.
Pros
- Affordable
- Performs very well
- Can overclock nicely
- Sturdy construction
- Very high audio quality
- Backed by a 3-year warranty
Cons
- No onboard option for Wi-Fi
AMD StoreMI Technology
This feature makes your PC fast, smooth, and reduces boot times. It optimizes the responsiveness of your computer. It allows you to experience an SSD with HDD capacity at little price. Additionally, it also allows you to quickly access the files by learning your computing behavior.
Audio: This board gives audiophiles a great sound solution. Every gamer who uses this board will be pleased with the sound quality. All that you need to do is buy a good pair of headsets, and you are good to go. The high-quality capacitator and codec ALC1220 let you enjoy high-fidelity and high-resolution sound. This board also has an audio guard. It reduces the chances of noise pollution.
3. MSI B450M Pro M2 Max
Like all good micro ATX boards out there, this one too packs a punch when it comes to power and features. It is a great budget option for those who don’t want to spend a lot. What we liked best about this board is the absolute ease with which you can build it. Even if you have never built a system before, this board will make it easy for you.
It has a unique pin header keep-out zone and accessible USB and SATA port locations. You’ll be able to attach your components to it in a jiffy. You can rest assured that you will be getting a high-quality board. Its construction is solid. It features a powerful VRM, which will let you run the system smoothly.
This board features four SATA ports; some may complain about it, but it shouldn’t be a problem for most. Keeping the price in consideration, we are happy with what is on offer. There is one M.2 slot for storage. The DIMM slots are also only two. Gamers that require more storage options will be disappointed with it. But this board offers 4133MHz memory speed, which is great.
This board is all black and grey, which silver hints here and there. The RGB lighting is not abundant, but for a budget board, it’s fine. The PCIe slots of this board are steel-plated. This will protect your graphic cards against bending and warping.
Pros
- Very easy to build
- Budget-friendly
- Solid construction
- Adjustable cooling system
- Three-year warranty
Cons
- Poor connectivity options
Cooling
This board has a good power design and a powerful heatsink. There are plenty of fan headers that you can control so that you can cool your system the way you want. You can control the temperature and fan speed of your system from the BIOS.
Memory Performance: The layout design of this board is optimized, and the memory circuitry is isolated. This means that the performance of your board will be flawless. You won’t have to worry about your system crashing on you while you play games.
2. ASRock B450M Steel Legend
This is another great budget option for PC builders to make an aesthetically pleasing Ryzen system. This motherboard is recommended for those who want to build a PC that looks good and also performs like a champion.
This board has all modern connectivity options. It offers an M.2, SATA M.2, and four SATA 3 slots. You will also find two USB 3.1 Gen2 ports, Type A and C, on the rear I/O plate. There are also six USB 3.1 Gen1 ports. A Realtek ALC892 chip powers the 7.1 channel audio. It is not as hi-fi as some audio chips on other expensive boards, but it fairs well.
This board is built with durability in mind. You will be able to see the steel alloy approach in the steel-plated PCIe slots. This will prevent your GPU from damage and other components from unexpected jolts. There is a two-ounce inner copper layer. The alloy heatsink is extra-large, while the rear I/O panel is protected against electrostatic discharge. All ports have protection against power spikes.
There is Realtek RTL8111H in place for the implementation of Gigabit Ethernet. The outlets for display include HDMI and DisplayPort. The aesthetics of this board are attractive, and the colors are neutral. The board is white, black, and grey with a camouflage pattern. The heatsinks have a stainless tell finish.
Pros
- Great looks
- Decent VRM performance
- Not expensive
- Addressable RGB LEDs
- Displayport lets you use FreeSync
Cons
- Limited connectivity options
RGB LEDs
The RGB LEDs around the board look nice. They are more elaborate than you would expect them to be. You can set the RGB LEDs according to your liking. The light colors of the board reflect them, which looks pretty.
DisplayPort: Users who play certain games like Minecraft Tribute will be quite happy with it. It allows you to use FreeSync if your system supports it. FreeSync lets you optimize the refresh rate on the monitor and reduces frame rate dips. Your graphics will be much better with it.
1. Colorful X570M Gaming PRO V14
This brand is new among its peers, but it isn’t behind when it comes to dropping amazing motherboards. This motherboard supports Ryzen 2000, 3000, and even the 4000 series processors. It has onboard Realtek Gigabit NIC. It also features two PCIe M.2 slots and two USB 3.1 Gen2 ports.
The aesthetics of this board are neat, and it has black and white colors. You will see red spots on the chipset heatsink fan. The board’s PCB is signified by fighter jet graphics.
There are four memory slots and three PCIe 4 slots. They support both GPU systems (Nvidia SLI and AMD Crossfire). There are six SATA ports. You’ll find eight USB ports on the rear panel. You also have HDMI and DisplayPort as video outlets. Moreover, you will be able to use the integrated Vega graphics cores of Ryzen.
Pros
- Supports both GPU systems
- Works with advanced Ryzen models
- Pleasing aesthetics
- Effective cooling system
- Abundant connectivity options
Cons
- A bit expensive
Audio
The audio system of this board keeps out all the distractions and delivers a clean and pure sound. The hi-fi golden line lets the board effectively keep the high-frequency noise to the minimum. It also features a high-quality Nichicon capacitator.
Energy Core: The cooling system of this board features a red annular metal energy core. It draws attention to the CNV aestheticism of the board. Moreover, it provides more area to the board for dissipation of the heat. Hence, it keeps the system cool even under intense use.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the perfect motherboard for Ryzen 7 3700X?
The query is a little difficult since there are several criteria to judge or measure the efficiency of the product. But to us, the MSI B450M Mortar is the perfect one because it offers almost every feature you want from your advanced motherboard. It has been the first and topmost choice of most gamers for the Ryzen 7 3700X CPU.
2. How much should I spend on the Ryzen 7 3700X motherboard?
You may have to spend $250 to $1000 on a powerful motherboard to operate your processor with its complete capability.
3. How long can the Ryzen 7 3700X last?
It is going to last 3 to 5 years. Mostly, it depends on what type of work you are doing or if using your PC for games or other heavy tasks. If you use it for intensive game sessions, its lifespan may be somewhat shorter, but it will function for a long time if you use it for ordinary activities.
4. How much RAM do I require for Ryzen 7 3700X?
You will have to install 3000MHz or faster modules for this processor. There are great options out there, but you should first think about your budget and requirements. However, we recommend Corsair’s Vengeance LPX and G. Skill Trident kits. 8 GB RAM will suffice for many people. However, users partaking in intensive tasks would need 16 or even 32 GB.
Conclusion
Today, many games demand six or more cores for maximum performance. Hence, this is why people consider the Ryzen 7 3700X to be one of the greatest gaming processors these days.
In this comprehensive guide, we have highlighted the best motherboard for Ryzen 7 3700X. If we were to recommend the most economical and well-performing of these, then it would be appropriate to select the MSI B450M Mortar, which offers excellent value-for-price functionality. It misses a few additional features that are on offer in the other motherboards, but they are not too significant if you need a budget-friendly motherboard.
