AMD's all-new X870 and X870E motherboards launch: Where to buy the best match for Ryzen 9000 CPUs

ASRock motherboard with AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
(Image credit: ASRock | Windows Central)

What you need to know

  • New motherboards supporting AMD's X870 and X870E chipset are now available, launching first on Newegg.
  • All boards support the new AMD Ryzen 9000 Series desktop processors with the AM5 socket.
  • The new chipsets introduce USB 4.0 ports as standard, alongside DDR5-8000 memory and PCIe 5.0 for expansion cards and storage.

Building a cutting-edge PC around AMD's Ryzen 9000 Series can finally be an all-out affair as motherboards featuring the cutting-edge X870 and X870E chipsets hit the market today. Full-size ATX boards did, anyway, so anyone looking to build a compact micro-ATX or mini-ITX PC without compromising on the latest USB 4.0 standard will have to wait. Nevertheless, enthusiasts can pick up various models from brands like ASRock, ASUS, Gigabyte, and MSI as the first batch appears on Newegg.

800 Series motherboards aren't mandatory for new AMD processors like the ultra-powerful AMD Ryzen 9 9900X and 9950X since they are fully compatible with last-gen options featuring the 600 Series chipset and AM5 socket. Still, the new range supports the latest DDR5-8000 memory with AMD EXPO RAM profiles and can unlock over 60% CPU power for the Ryzen 9000 chips with their stock AGESA PI 1.2.0.2 BIOS software.

Which X870 and X870E boards are the cheapest?

AM5 sockets on 600 Series chipsets aren't necessarily the best option if 800 Series prices are right. (Image credit: Ben Wilson | Windows Central)
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At least 25 motherboards supporting the X870 and X870E chipset are available on Newegg today, but some reach lofty (and hilarious) prices of around $699.99. If you're willing to spend that much cash, then I doubt you need any convincing. However, for the rest of us looking to build a new rig on a budget, here are the cheapest boards in both variants available right now.

ASRock X870 PRO RS | $189.99 after $10.00 rebate at Newegg

ASRock X870 PRO RS | $189.99 after $10.00 rebate at Newegg

Ever the budget-conscious brand, ASRock delivers two USB-C 4.0 ports, 2.5GB Ethernet, and PCIe 5.0 for GPUs and M.2 SSDs.

GIGABYTE X870 GAMING WIFI6 | $209.99 after $10.00 rebate at Newegg

GIGABYTE X870 GAMING WIFI6 | $209.99 after $10.00 rebate at Newegg

Gigabyte also offers dual USB-C 4.0 ports and PCIe 5.0 for expansion and storage, alongside Wi-Fi 6 for built-in wireless networking.

MSI PRO X870-P WIFI | $229.99 after $10.00 rebate at Newegg

MSI PRO X870-P WIFI | $229.99 after $10.00 rebate at Newegg

MSI bumps up to the latest Wi-Fi 7 tech and 5Gb Ethernet(!), but you'll only get one USB-C 4.0 port alongside the PCIe 5.0 support.

ASUS PRIME X870-P WiFi | $249.99 at Newegg

ASUS PRIME X870-P WiFi | $249.99 at Newegg

ASUS delivers Wi-Fi 7 but sticks with 2.5Gb Ethernet, though you get two USB-C 4.0 ports and PCIe 5.0 with extra-large heatsinks.

GIGABYTE X870E AORUS ELITE | $319.99 at Newegg

GIGABYTE X870E AORUS ELITE | $319.99 at Newegg

Gigabyte has the cheapest X870E option with dual USB-C 4.0 ports, Wi-Fi 7, and an overall sleek design with huge heatsinks and built-in RGB.

What's new in X870 and X870E?

AMD breaks down the specifications of X870/E chipsets versus its lower-end boards. (Image credit: AMD)

It might not seem like a massive list of changes from 600 Series motherboards to the new 800 Series chipsets, and that's because it really isn't. However, the advancement to including USB 4 ports as a standard feature rather than an optional, expensive addition comes alongside support for that blisteringly fast DDR5-8000 RAM. It's a generational leap for storage and expansion, though adoption usually takes a while before it becomes mainstream.

Nevertheless, becoming an early adopter isn't as painfully expensive as I might have expected. While there aren't any confirmations, it's not impossible to believe that NVIDIA's high-end RTX 5000 graphics cards could move to PCI 5.0, though it might leave too many users behind unless reserved only for a fabled RTX 5090. On the other hand, storage offers some of the fastest SSDs with PCIe 5.0 M.2 socket support, so an X870 motherboard could at least deliver some of the best transfer speeds and boot times in Windows 11.

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Ben Wilson
Channel Editor

Ben is the channel editor for all things tech-related at Windows Central. That includes PCs, the components inside, and any accessory you can connect to a Windows desktop or Xbox console. Not restricted to one platform, he also has a keen interest in Valve's Steam Deck handheld and the Linux-based operating system inside. Fueling this career with coffee since 2021, you can usually find him behind one screen or another. Find him on Mastodon @trzomb@mastodon.online to ask questions or share opinions.

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