Best Motherboard For RTX 3090 – Do I need to upgrade my motherboard?

The best motherboards for the RTX 3090

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While the RTX 4090 has all but replaced the need to buy a new 3090, the latter is still an impressive graphics card for both gaming and productivity. The 3090 delivers excellent 4K gaming performance and performs well when used with professional applications. If you have this GPU in your hands, you might be asking yourself this: What is the best motherboard for RTX 3090?

Now Read: The best Gaming CPU of 2022

So, maybe you were able to find a good deal on a used or even new RTX 3090. Well in that case, it’s likely that you’re entire rig needs an update. For example, you’ll likely need a new power supply since this thing can draw around 300-350W from the wall.

Similarly, you’ll need a strong motherboard and CPU combination to take full advantage of the 3090. So, we’ve rounded up some of the best motherboards for RTX 3090. Let’s take a look at what you’re in for.

What Is The Best Motherboard For RTX 3090?

Here are our top three picks for the best motherboard for the RTX 3090.

What Motherboard Is Compatible With The RTX 3090?

Technically, most newer motherboards on the market will be compatible with the RTX 3090. However, just because it is compatible, that does not mean it will translate into a good experience. If you’re looking for a good motherboard for the RTX 3090, you should be looking for something relatively high-end.

For example, if you want to go with the newer Intel processors, pick up either a B660 or Z690/Z790 motherboard. As for AMD, you’ll want to go with either B650 or X670/X670E motherboards for the newer processors.

Processors like the i5 11400F, Ryzen 5 5600X, or preferably, the Ryzen 5 5600X3D will also fare well with the 3090. So, X570, B560, and B550 motherboards also happen to be great choices for the RTX 3090. 

Which Processor Is Best For RTX 3090?

The Intel Core i9 13900K is hands down the best processor for the RTX 3090. It will give you the best overall performance for both gaming and productivity-related workloads. You get a high core count, great clock speeds, and superb support for overclocking. The 3090 paired with a 12900K is an outstanding combination.

You could also go with AMD’s Ryzen 7000 series processors like the 7950X or the 7900X. Unfortunately, Intel has AMD beat for now in terms of pricing and performance. It’s likely they will show up at Intel soon with 3D V-cache versions of the 7000 series.

We can’t forget about the Ryzen 5 5800X3D either. It’s one of the best processors when it comes to price to performance. 

Motherboard and CPU combo

Bear in mind, that you have to get a compatible CPU for the motherboard you choose. Selecting a CPU is a whole other kettle of fish, but all you need to know is that ONLY Intel 12th and 13th-generation CPUs are compatible with the 600 and 700-series motherboards. Whereas, AMD Ryzen 7000 series are the only CPUs compatible with the AM5 socket motherboards.

Ensure you select the right CPU for your motherboard and one that does not bottleneck the RTX 4090. If you need some help we have a “Best CPU for RTX 4090” Article for you to browse.

Best Motherboard For RTX 3090 – Overview

Now, let’s take a look at our top three picks for the best motherboards for RTX 3090. We decided to stick with just three options to give you a general idea of what to expect. Of course, there are more options to pick from, but these are the best of the best.

ASUS ROG Strix Z790-F Gaming

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Best Intel Motherboard For RTX 3090

ASUS ROG Strix Z790-F Gaming

ASUS ROG Strix Z790-F Gaming WiFi

Form factor

ATX

Power stages

16+1 phase power delivery system

Connectivity

2.5 GbE LAN, audio, DisplayPort, WiFi 6E, USB 3,2, thunderbolt 4, and more.

PCIe Gen 5

GPU X16 slot and M.2 slot

DDR5

Yes

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Pros

• 16+1 phase power delivery system
• Great overclocking support
• WiFi 6E

Cons

• large price tag

Form Factor: ATX | Power Stages: 18+1 | Connectivity: 2x USB 3.2 headers, 11x USB 3.2 ports (Gen 1 + Gen 2), 3x PCIe x16 slots, and 5x M.2 slots | PCIe Gen 5: Yes | DDR5 Support: Yes

There are a lot of options to pick from in the Z790 series of motherboards. However, it’s hard to argue that it gets any better than the ROG Strix Z790-E Gaming. Due to the number of features and overall performance here, this is by far the best motherboard for RTX 3090.

Since it uses the Z790 chipset, this motherboard features a lot of PCIe 5.0 lanes, making it incredibly futureproof. On top of that, you get a highly robust 18+1 phase design for the VRM configuration. 

You get USB 3.2 Gen 2 headers and a total of eleven USB ports on the rear. Apart from that, you’re getting Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, and DDR5 support at up to 7800MT/s (OC). So, you won’t be complaining in terms of features or overall performance. You’re even getting five M.2 slots for a lot of expandable storage.

Last but not least, this is an ASUS Rog Strix board, meaning you’re getting the best in class in terms of design and aesthetics. Flashy RGB, aggressive looks, and a sleek black appearance. This will fit into any high-end build perfectly.

It’s the ultimate motherboard for the RTX 3090, and one that truly makes sense when paired with a Core i7 13700K or Core i9 13900K.

Gigabyte X570 Aorus Elite

Best AMD Motherboard For RTX 3080

Gigabyte X570 Aorus Elite

Gigabyte X570 AORUS Elite Wi-Fi

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Pros

Cons

Form Factor: ATX | Power Stages: 12+2 | Connectivity: 3x USB 3.2 headers, 6x USB 3.2 ports (Gen 1 + Gen 2), 2x PCIe x16 slots, and 2x M.2 slots | PCIe Gen 5: No | DDR5 Support: No

You might be wondering why we’re not recommending X670 motherboards for the Ryzen 7000 series processors. Well, it all comes down to pricing, if you need a newer Ryzem processor then you’re more than welcome to explore the later generations. But for now, we extend the 5000 series on the X570 chipset.

As such, we recommend the Gigabyte X570 Aorus Elite, one of the best AMD motherboards for the RTX 3080. The Aorus delete is very focused on value as opposed to being feature rich. it does, however, bring in a hefty value for money.

For example, it has a robust 12+2 phase power delivery configuration. This work well with higher-end processors such as the 5800X3D or even the mighty 5950X. Apart from that, it features plenty of USB 3.2 Gen 1 and Gen 2 headers, with a good number of ports around the back.

Other than that, you get excellent memory overclocking for almost any DDR4 RAM kit out there. While there is no PCIe Gen 5 or DDR5 support, this board will please 90% of buyers who are looking for something high-end.

Finally, you’re also getting wireless networking and support for a good number of Ryzen processors.

MSI MAG B660M Mortar Wi-Fi

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Best Mid-Range Motherboard For RTX 3080

MSI MAG B660 Tomahawk Wi-Fi

MSI MAG B660 Tomahawk WiFi

Form Factor:

ATX

Power Stages:

12+2

Connectivity:

3x USB 3.2 headers, 6x USB 3.2 ports (Gen 1 + Gen 2), 2x PCIe x16 slots, and 2x M.2 slots

PCIe Gen 5:

No

DDR5 Support:

No

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Pros

• Excellent value
• Wireless connectivity
• Three M.2 slots

Cons

• No DDR5 support
• BIOS could be better

Form Factor: micro-ATX | Power Stages: 12+4 | Connectivity: 4x USB 3.2 headers (Gen 1 + Gen 2) 4x USB 3.2 ports (Gen 1 + Gen 2), 2x PCIe x16 slots, and 2x M.2 slots | PCIe Gen 5: No | DDR5 Support: No

The MSI MAG B660M Mortar Wi-Fi is the best budget motherboard for the RTX 3090. While it’s not exactly the “cheapest” motherboard on the market, the features and overall performance make it an excellent choice for budget and mid-range builds.

This board features a 12+2 phase VRM configuration, meaning it can easily handle higher-end processors. However, considering this is a DDR4 motherboard rather than DDR5, it’s better when paired with something like a Core i5 13600K or even the budget champion, the Core i5 12400F.

You’re getting a good amount of USB 3.2 headers, and plenty of USB ports. It’s good to see wireless connectivity here, a feature often missing in mid-range boards. Other than that, you’re getting decent support for overclocking, and two M.2 slots.

If you only care about gaming performance, then this is the board to get in order to save some money.

Final Word

Any motherboard on this list will suit the RTX 3090 extremely well. Whether you’re overflowing with spare cash, or strapped for it. You’ll find all the features you need to support the RTZ 3090 on every one of these motherboards. The only real factor to consider is the CPU you want to have, as this has a direct effect on the motherboard you are able to use. So choose a motherboard to suit your CPU, and a CPU to suit your use-case.