Do I need to spend extra money on my MOBO?

[Kyle2907]

Hi All,

I build my list as follows:

https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/list/BNjgFZ

I mainly use this PC for daily work (Video editing, Gaming (CS2, Planet Zoo, Planet Coaster)

Everything is fine....except the MOBO part...I don't know if it is a good idea to spend 300 CAD more on a MOBO.

In the list, I choose the 9800x3d bundle (option 1)

Option 1:

AMD R7 9800X3D CPU + MPG X870E CARBON WIFI Motherboard + CORSAIR RGB 32GB D5 6000MHz Black RAM $1498 CAD​

but I saw another 9800x3d bundle that is 300 CAD cheaper, the only difference is the MOBO (option 2).​

option 2:

AMD R7 9800X3D CPU + GIGABYTE X870 AORUS ELITE WIFI7 ICE Motherboard + CORSAIR RGB 32GB D5 6000MHz White RAM $1099 CAD​

My question is: is it a good idea to spend 300 more on MOBO?

​

 

[DaemonForce]

I see ZERO reason for it when I'm already not a fan of X870 and still can't be bothered to make the jump to AM5.
What kind of creator features are you looking for in the MPG X870E vs something like:

https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/product/TvVfrH/msi-pro-b840-p-wifi-atx-am5-motherboard-pro-b840-p-wifi

https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/product/sRG2FT/asus-tuf-gaming-b850-plus-wifi-atx-am5-motherboard-tuf-gaming-b850-plus-wifi

https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/product/H4xRsY/msi-meg-x670e-ace-eatx-am5-motherboard-meg-x670e-ace

 

[Dorek]

The x870E has some more pcie lanes and i guess maybe usb ports etc. but if you dont need them then could just go with the cheaper one.

 

[Kyle2907]

I see ZERO reason for it when I'm already not a fan of X870 and still can't be bothered to make the jump to AM5.
What kind of creator features are you looking for in the MPG X870E vs something like:

https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/product/TvVfrH/msi-pro-b840-p-wifi-atx-am5-motherboard-pro-b840-p-wifi

https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/product/sRG2FT/asus-tuf-gaming-b850-plus-wifi-atx-am5-motherboard-tuf-gaming-b850-plus-wifi

https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/product/H4xRsY/msi-meg-x670e-ace-eatx-am5-motherboard-meg-x670e-ace

Well...I don't know too much about Motherboard...the only reason I chose it is because it was in the bundle...

and then I realized I might just overpay for the MOBO...To my understanding, I think MOBO is the less important part compared to GPU and CPU.

The first two you posted...I will take a look at it later, I just feel unnecessary to spend 700 CAD on a MOBO.

The x870E has some more pcie lanes and i guess maybe usb ports etc. but if you dont need them then could just go with the cheaper one.

Yes...I don't think I need those features...maybe I will just jump into a cheaper one...

 

[nomdeplume]

Believe X870(E?) is practically identical to the previous chipset gen.

Bit of research and refining suggestions on pcpartspicker will probably result in a better use of funds than either of those high markup bundles. Which don't seem like so completely great of a deal you would consider purchasing it and selling off the unwanted pieces to someone for an equally good price.

Motherboard are a great example of the current trend to avoid placing a combination of features and the performance to use them into any single component. You can expect to encounter the $$$ more to get anywhere near a reasonable component to be unavoidable sadly. If possible shop sales and do your wallet as many favors as you can.

 

[xorbe]

I got frustrated with high mobo prices, and so my 9800X3D is using an AsRock B650 Steel Legend WiFi ($179 when purchased). Just using one gfx card, one nvme, one ssd.

 

[DaemonForce]

Well...I don't know too much about Motherboard...the only reason I chose it is because it was in the bundle...

And you're dropping this kind of money on one...Okay.

and then I realized I might just overpay for the MOBO...To my understanding, I think MOBO is the less important part compared to GPU and CPU.

It's central to connecting everything and makes or breaks a build (will all the components agree with each other?) but there are all different makes, features and sizes.
I'm not asking these questions to make you feel dumb. I'm trying to get some idea of what you (as a creator) need in a workstation without the workstation mobo prices.
As you can probably figure out, there is a LOT of $$$$ getting dumped into that lot. Lots of creators, streamers, pro gamers, etc jumping over to Threadripper for no reason.

 

[_roman_]

My question is: is it a good idea to spend 300 more on MOBO?

No

Please check before purchase the mainboard manual. That is usually found online.
the mainboard manual will give you a lot of information.
mainboard tests are the second, less important point of information.

But a certain amount of money.

The carbon is a luxury mainboard.

If you have choices, you may look also in B650, B650E, X670, X670E mainboards. Please check before purchase the mainboard manual.

One important question? Do you need USB 4? Do you accept less PCIE 5.0 lanes on the graphic card slot?

 

[dgianstefani]

Neither of those are luxury motherboards lol.

Prices are in CAD.

Get the board that has a good VRM and connectivity.

 

[oxrufiioxo]

The board is only important up to the point that the vrm is capable of handling any cpu that can go into its socket both the ones you have listed check that box.

Beyond that it just comes down to quality of life features like number of m.2 slots and USB ports, wifi etc and that really comes down to your own personal needs.

 

[GerKNG]

why would you spend a single dollar extra for a motherboard if it has everything you need?
does it have enough (speed and quantity) USB/M.2/PCIe Ports?
does it suit your needs when it comes to audio, Network and maybe a specific feature you want?
if yes, why would you buy anything beyond that? i still use the cheapest b650 board i could find.

 

[DaemonForce]

The first two you posted...I will take a look at it later, I just feel unnecessary to spend 700 CAD on a MOBO.

Good. This is the point I wanted to hammer home. When I first decided on a Ryzen build, it was right before the coof and that was a very different time.
I made that choice coming from a FX-8370 system which was already incredibly long in the tooth and my Surface tablet was no longer keeping up with project sync.
I went very entry level AM4 with a R5 3600 and an ASUS X570 board called TUF Gaming. It was $200 USD which is like...$285 CAD?
It had ALL the features needed to keep my VR stream kit going but oddly enough, it had all the features that everyone was chasing in smaller formfactor at the $400-600 mark.

Here are some things to consider when choosing a motherboard:
What is the chipset and what features does it have that I need in this build? (PCI-E lanes, NVMe controllers, SATA controllers, USB controllers...)
What is the PCI-E/M.2 slot arrangement of the board? Can I run all the NVMe/SATA drives I need on this configuration?
Are the PCI-E/M.2 slots strategically spaced apart enough to slot in a giant honkin chonkin GPU in the top slot without causing grievances for whatever other card?
Are there enough fan headers to run all the necessary cooling and are there fan curve features to keep this from sounding like a jet engine?
How is the rear I/O on the board? Does it have enough USB slots (super popular question)?
Are there enough fast USB slots? Enough PS/2 USB-C slots? If not can I fix this with adapters? Are there enough USB headers to add enough USB? USB3 header?
Are the network ports fast enough for my needs? Do I need Wi-Fi? Do I need 2.5 or 10GbE ethernet? Can I add a 10GbE SFP+ card?
Are there enough audio ports for basic line-in line-out? Will there be enough resources to run a separate audio interface?
What CPUs are compatible with the board and do any choices look exciting? (high clockspeed/core SKUs, X3D cache, a certain TDP, decent cooler...)
Are the VRMs good enough to run the kinds of high power CPUs I want with overclocking headroom? (In case you prefer overclocking)
Are there enough memory slots to prevent this computer from being a paperweight after a few years? Is the memory topology of the board suitable?
Do the available memory kits suck? Are there any kits with good overclocking headroom? Is this board capable of running the memory at those speeds?
Does this board have any kind of teething issues with firmware, USB or any stability or compatibility issues that could be a complete show stopper? (Google)
Does the board fit the chassis?

These are all the kinds of question that should be asked well in advance and they can usually be answered by reading the mobo manual. Bring the difficult questions here.

 

[Kyle2907]

Good. This is the point I wanted to hammer home. When I first decided on a Ryzen build, it was right before the coof and that was a very different time.
I made that choice coming from a FX-8370 system which was already incredibly long in the tooth and my Surface tablet was no longer keeping up with project sync.
I went very entry level AM4 with a R5 3600 and an ASUS X570 board called TUF Gaming. It was $200 USD which is like...$285 CAD?
It had ALL the features needed to keep my VR stream kit going but oddly enough, it had all the features that everyone was chasing in smaller formfactor at the $400-600 mark.

Here are some things to consider when choosing a motherboard:
What is the chipset and what features does it have that I need in this build? (PCI-E lanes, NVMe controllers, SATA controllers, USB controllers...)
What is the PCI-E/M.2 slot arrangement of the board? Can I run all the NVMe/SATA drives I need on this configuration?
Are the PCI-E/M.2 slots strategically spaced apart enough to slot in a giant honkin chonkin GPU in the top slot without causing grievances for whatever other card?
Are there enough fan headers to run all the necessary cooling and are there fan curve features to keep this from sounding like a jet engine?
How is the rear I/O on the board? Does it have enough USB slots (super popular question)?
Are there enough fast USB slots? Enough PS/2 USB-C slots? If not can I fix this with adapters? Are there enough USB headers to add enough USB? USB3 header?
Are the network ports fast enough for my needs? Do I need Wi-Fi? Do I need 2.5 or 10GbE ethernet? Can I add a 10GbE SFP+ card?
Are there enough audio ports for basic line-in line-out? Will there be enough resources to run a separate audio interface?
What CPUs are compatible with the board and do any choices look exciting? (high clockspeed/core SKUs, X3D cache, a certain TDP, decent cooler...)
Are the VRMs good enough to run the kinds of high power CPUs I want with overclocking headroom? (In case you prefer overclocking)
Are there enough memory slots to prevent this computer from being a paperweight after a few years? Is the memory topology of the board suitable?
Do the available memory kits suck? Are there any kits with good overclocking headroom? Is this board capable of running the memory at those speeds?
Does this board have any kind of teething issues with firmware, USB or any stability or compatibility issues that could be a complete show stopper? (Google)
Does the board fit the chassis?

These are all the kinds of question that should be asked well in advance and they can usually be answered by reading the mobo manual. Bring the difficult questions here.

Thanks for the detailed explanation...

Yes...I should do some research first...so it could give me some knowledge when choosing a MOBO.

I will take a look at each of the questions and reconsider my choice for sure....