Whether you’re a gaming enthusiast or building a PC purely for work, the Ryzen 3000 series processors will get the job done, and even futureproof your build. These 8-core, 16-thread, processors can handle current-generation (and soon-to-arrive next generation) games with ease, all while having enough octa-core speeds to handle multi-layer rendering applications, and so much more.
Making the choice to build your PC around the Ryzen 3000 series is an easy one to make, but choosing the proper motherboard to house the processor may prove to be a bit trickier. Currently there are three series of motherboards that can handle the Ryzen 7 3700X, and Ryzen 7 3800x, just fine: the B450, X470, and X570 chipset motherboards.
Depending on your budget, and of course the intended use of the device, each of these motherboard chipsets will have viable options. For gaming, all three options can work just fine, so it will ultimately depend on your budget, and whether or not you want to futureproof your PC for the next generation of games. Workstations would be better suited for the X570, as it has compatibility with PCIe 4.0, giving you the ability to use the blazingly-fast 4.0 M.2 SSDs. In terms of ITX cases, both the B450 and X570 motherboards have viable options, again, the budget being the deciding factor.
Other than the price, there are several other aspects that one would have to take into account when shopping for a motherboard; the slightest of details making all the difference. Are you looking to overclock your CPU consistently? Then VRMs are most important. Are you looking to use your computer mainly for gaming? Then 16 GB of RAM will suffice, whereas a workstation would need upwards of 32 GB of RAM support. Also, for workstations, the more the ROM (M.2 and SATA) slots, the better.
Related: Best RAM & Memory Timings for Ryzen 3000 Processors
To help you choose the best motherboard for your Ryzen 7 3700X or 3800X build in 2020, we’ve listed the best money-for-value options for each chipset, including the best motherboard optimized for ITX, SFF builds.
Best Motherboards for Ryzen 7 3700X & 3800X Builds – My Recommendations
Best Budget B450 Motherboard for Ryzen 7 3700X & 3800X
If you’re looking for a B450 motherboard, then you most likely want a motherboard on a budget; one that can handle desktop use and current generation games, including competitive online multiplayers. If that’s the case, and you’re looking to build with the Ryzen 7 3700X / 3800X, then the ASRock B450 Fatal1ty Gaming K4 is the B450 motherboard for you.
At under $100, this motherboard has great value. Firstly, despite the price, it is a full-sized ATX board with a respectable VRM solution. It has a virtual 9-phase (6 true) VRM, using SM4337 and SM4336 55A/65A MOSFETs. The heatsink on these VRMs isn’t the greatest, so don’t expect to overclock your processors too much and too often – not that you’ll need to, though, for most tasks.
In terms of RAM, it can hold up to 64 GBs of DDR4 RAM, with up to 3200 MHz OC speeds; more than enough for its intended use. In terms of storage, it has two M.2 PCIe slots: one with up to 2280 support, the other with up to 22110 support. Unfortunately, neither of the two M.2 slots have covers, and using the M.2 slots will disable certain parts of the motherboard. One slot will disable the PCIe x4, while the other will disable two SATA slots. Fortunately, it does come with six SATA 6 GB/s SSD ports (four of which are in 90-degree angles) so you’ll have more than enough slots for storage. It also does have USB 3.1 Gen1 and USB Gen2 Type-A and Type-C ports, so worry not about limited connectivity.
In terms of audio, it comes equipped with a Realtek ALC892 chipset, for 7.1 Channel HD audio; an overall great audio solution for the price.
In fact, its best feature is its price, as this motherboard will only cost you $85; an amazing price for a motherboard that can run Ryzen 3000 series CPUs straight out of the box. A great deal if you’re looking for a motherboard on a budget for the 3700X and 3800X.
Best Value X470 Motherboard for Ryzen 7 3700X & 3800X
The ASUS Crosshair Hero VII is perfect for any overall mid-end Ryzen 7 3700X/3800X setups, be it gaming, workstation or otherwise. It has a 12-phase VRM via an IR35201 PWM controller, using 7 IR3555, 60-amp PowlRstage MOSFETs, and an IR3599 doubler for the 5 CPU VCCs. Overall, this motherboard is great for overclocking either the Ryzen 7 3700X or the Ryzen 7 3800X, as it supplies sufficient voltage and has a respectable heatsink to keep the VRMs from overheating.
It can hold up to 64 GB of DDR4 memory in four slots, with speeds of up to 3600 MHz – sufficient enough for the vast majority of setups, as speeds over 3200 MHz will have diminishing returns, and 64 GB of RAM is more than enough for even most workstation builds – let alone gaming. The ASUS ROG Crosshair VII Hero also has three PCIe slots, two of which are 3.0, and one of which is 2.0. Note that the PCIe x8 will downgrade to x4 if the second M.2 socket is used. Speaking of which, this motherboard can carry up to two M.2 drives (though only one has a heatsink cover) and six SATA SSDs, all being situated in 90-degree angles.
For audio, it comes equipped with the SupremeFX S1220 Codec, with 133dB signal-to-noise ratio on the line-in connection., and includes an ESS Sabre Hi-Fi ES9023P converter and a TI RC4580 op amp for high gain with low distortion. It also includes the Sonic Studio III software interface for audio customization.
In terms of software, the Hero VII includes Gamefirst IV, software built for optimizing network traffic in order to enhance gaming internet bandwidth, RAMCache II, which automatically caches your storage devices in order to minimize in-game load times, and of course, Aura Sync, for customizable RGB lighting displays with all ASUS-branded PC gear.
You can currently find the Crosshair VII Hero for $199, which is a great deal for its overall value, be it more than capable of tapping into the Ryzen 7’s 3700X and 3800X power, for high speed gaming setups, and more.
Best Overall X570 Motherboard for Ryzen 7 3700X & 3800X
ASUS took it a step further, and once again released a motherboard worthy of its title of “best overall-value” for its chipset. The ASUS Crosshair Hero VIII, has a 14+2 International Rectifier 3555 PowlRstages, each handling 60 amps of current, accompanied by high-permeability alloy chokes designed to handle up to 45 amps. These VRMs are situated onto a heatsink, which itself connects to an IO via an embedded heatpipe, for overall better heat dispersion. It is clearly designed for giving you all the freedom you need to overclock your CPU as you see fit.
Upping the ante from the AMD Hero VII, this motherboard holds up to 128 GB of DDR4 RAM, and can run speeds of up 4600 MHz. Of course, this upgrade means little for gamers, as 16-32 GBs of RAM, and speeds of 3000-3200 MHz, will more than suffice. Like its predecessor, it comes with two M.2 NVMe slots, though this motherboard supports PCIe 4.0. Also, both M.2s are equipped with aluminum heatsinks this time around. Furthermore, it has eight SATA 6 GB/s SSDs – up two from the Hero VII.
Though having upgraded in terms of VRMs, memory, and storage, the two motherboards have the exact same audio configuration. Same goes for the RGB displays on the faceplate, which are very similar, and, of course, both come equipped with the same software options.
Though the upgrades from the Hero VII to the Hero VIII are quite significant, they do come at a price: an increase of $179.99 to be exact; the Crosshair Hero VIII being priced at $379.99. If you’re looking to build a high-end gaming setup, then it is well worth the investment, otherwise the Hero VII should work just fine. If you’re looking to build a workstation and want a X570 for the PCIe 4.0 support, check our article here where we analyze the MSI Meg X570 Unify.
Best Budget ITX Motherboard for Ryzen 7 3700X & 3800X
If you’re going for an ITX build, two are our suggestions: one is the above mentioned MSI B450I Gaming Plus AC, the other being Gigabyte’s X570I AORUS Pro WIFI. The latter has similar VRMs, but much better cooling, connectivity, and audio – though it does come at a $55 price increase. If you’re looking for taking full advantage of your CPU, the Gigabyte option would be the way to go. You can read a detailed breakdown of this motherboard in our Ryzen 9 3950X article here.
For its price, the MSI B450I Gaming Plus is the best mITX option for situating a Ryzen 7 3700X or 3800X processor. It uses an Infineon IR35201 PWM controller with a configuration of eight (6 + 2), all-true-phase, Infineon IR3555 60-amp MOSFETs. While this is a powerful VRM solution, the heatsink and general thermal design is not that great, so you will need to have good airflow to prevent overheating, especially if you are looking to overclock the CPU regularly. Same goes for the M.2 slot, which does not have a heatsink/cover.
The MSI B450I Gaming Plus comes with one PCIe 3.0 x16 slot, and one M.2 NVMe SSD. It can also hold four SATA III SSDs, though note that none of these SSD slots are at 90-degree angles. In regards to RAM it holds up to 64 GB, separated into two slots, of speeds of up to 3466 MHz.
For audio it uses a Realtek ALC887 Codec for 7.1 channel HD audio, with separate PCB layers for left and right audio channels. The audio operates via a dedicated soundcard, being isolated from surrounding circuitry to avoid signal interference.
In regards to software, it comes with MSI’s X-Boost (storage device speed tuning), Command Center (system management), and Live Update which automatically downloads and installs the latest drivers and BIOS updates.
Despite its minor drawbacks, the MSI B450I Gaming Plus AC is the best mITX in the B450 and X470 range, and you can currently find for $165; a great deal if you’re looking for an ITX motherboard on a budget.