The AM4 might be the most popular socket for AMD processors nowadays since it’s designed to accommodate commercial Ryzen 3, Ryzen 5, and Ryzen 7 CPUs, but it isn’t capable of housing Threadripper CPUs because these processors are pinless.
To accommodate a Threadripper processor, it’s imperative that you invest in a motherboard that features the Socket TR4. In other words, you need an X399 motherboard.
In this article, we’re going to help you pick the perfect X399 board for your needs by highlighting our top picks for the best X399 motherboards on the market today, so stick around maybe you will find the great server motherboard or even the great workstation motherboard.
7 Best X399 Motherboards
At a Glance:
- Asus ROG Zenith Extreme Alpha
- MSI Gaming PRO Carbon AC
- ASRock X399 Taichi
- Gigabyte X399 Designare EX
- ASRock X399 Professional Gaming
- Asus ROG Strix X399-E Gaming
- MSI MEG X399 Creation
Feel free to check other great motherboard brands!
1. Asus ROG Zenith Extreme Alpha
Stealing the number-one spot on our list is the popular ROG Zenith Extreme Alpha from Asus, with its superior overclocking performance, versatile networking options, and host of premium features.
The ROG Zenith Extreme Alpha is considered by many as the great motherboard for 2nd-Gen Threadripper CPUs because of its comprehensive connectivity and numerous PCI lanes. The unit flaunts 3x M.2 NVMe SSDs, 8x DIMM slots that can support up to 128GB of RAM (3,600 MHz), and a single U.2 connector.
One of the strongest selling points of this motherboard is its remarkable networking options. It flaunts 802.11ad Wi-Fi with a maximum speed of up to 4.6 Gbps. Of course, you need to have the right set of equipment in order to achieve such high speeds. The unit also houses the ROG Areion 10G LAN card for wired connectivity.
Performance-wise, the Zenith Extreme Alpha is a total beast when it comes to overclocking. It also offers plenty of customization options. The bandwidth on this motherboard is excellent as well, which is a strong selling point considering Threadripper CPUs can support up to 64 PCIe lanes.
To be more specific, the board offers an over-the-top multi-threaded performance. As far as its single-threaded performance, it’s adequate but not the best we’ve seen. However, you can get excellent single-threaded performance from this board by overclocking all cores of a 4 GHz CPU, for example. Just make sure you have adequate cooling for such a feat.
Key Features:
- E-ATX form factor
- 128GB DDR4 support
- M.2 and U.2 connectivity
- 4-way SLI/Crossfire
- USB 3.1 Type-A and C
| Pros | Cons |
| Superior overclocking performance Comprehensive networking options Great RAM capacity of up to 128GB Optimal motherboard for M.2 RAIDs Extremely effective cooling system | Windows installation is cumbersome Features only two USB 2.0 headers |
2. MSI Gaming PRO Carbon AC
The MSI Gaming PRO Carbon AC is another excellent X399 motherboard that’s equipped with all the necessary features to ensure hitch-free performance. However, to cut costs, MSI had to design this board with a primary focus on the essentials, meaning that you won’t get over-the-top features and fancy connectivity options like some of the more costly motherboards on the list.
The MSI Gaming PRO Carbon AC is actually quite similar to the ASRock X399 Taichi when it comes to features, putting them in direct competition for the title of the best budget-friendly X399 motherboard. The two boards feature 3x M.2 slots, 4-way GPU configuration for both SLI and CrossFireX, USB 3.1 connectivity, and 8x SATA ports.
However, we feel like the Gaming PRO Carbon AC had the edge over its competitor because of the variety of accessories that it comes with. The package includes an SLI bridge, dual-antenna Wi-Fi card, fan mounting hardware, case badge, RGB splitter extension cable, and numerous nameplate covers.
This is one of the most user-friendly X399 motherboards you can get. It flaunts easily accessible buttons for CMOS and BIOS. There’s also a Game Boost knob that you can use to overclock on command, as well as a debug LED. The BIOS isn’t hard to figure out, but navigation via mouse can be a bit laggy.
The board utilizes a vertical cooling solution to ensure efficient heat dissipation. It flaunts a very effective 10+3-phase VRM. The Gaming PRO Carbon AC is a superior overclocker with the ability to achieve 3.9 GHz on all cores with absolute grace. However, such intensive use of the overclocking feature will use up a ton of power, so be sure to have the right cooling headroom.
Key Features:
- ATX form factor
- 128GB DDR4 support
- 4-way SLI/Crossfire
- Steel armor PCIe slots
- DDR4 Boost technology
| Pros | Cons |
| Sleek and very sturdy construction Highly adjustable heat sink covers VR and Audio Boost technologies Overclocks RAM via DDR4 Boost RBG Mystic LED lighting system | BIOS navigation is a little laggy CPU ratio can’t be set manually |
3. ASRock X399 Taichi
It only seems right that we talk about the ASRock X399 Taichi next after we draw a comparison between it and the Gaming PRO Carbon AC. Like many ASRock motherboards, this unit flaunts a rather simplistic design when it comes to aesthetics. It’s not as flashy as Asus, Gigabyte, or MSI motherboards. Also, it’s more discrete with its use of RGB lighting and colors, in general, being the great RGB motherboard.
However, don’t let the subtle aesthetics fool you, as this motherboard packs a serious punch in terms of performance. Upon closer inspection, you’ll notice that all the PCIe slots are reinforced with armor to ensure durability. Further, you have 3x M.2 connectors and a single U.2 connector. The board is able to accommodate up to 128GB of DDR4 RAM at speeds that reach 3200 MHz.
This brilliant piece of technology has an outstanding cooling system that consists of a MOSFET heatsink connected to a secondary heatsink with the aid of a heat pipe. There are also a lot of fan headers that you can use to boost the cooling system.
One of the things we like the most about this motherboard and all other ASRock motherboards is how simple it is to navigate the BIOS. It doesn’t lag, and it doesn’t take a professional to figure it out. Also, all settings are laid out perfectly, especially the ones that have to do with the board’s overclocking performance.
Speaking of overclocking, the board allows for convenient manual overclocking as well as auto overclocking. If you’re into manual overclocking, you have to keep in mind that a reliable water cooler is needed to ensure flawless performance, as the VRM tends to get too hot when manual overclocking takes place.
Another thing we really like about this board is that it doesn’t cram a whole lot of components. In other words, you have plenty of room to incorporate things such as VRM heatsinks with fins and adapter cards.
Key Features:
- ATX form factor
- M.2 and U.2 ports
- Bluetooth 4.2 support
- 11 power phase design
- USB 3.1 Type-A and C
| Pros | Cons |
| BIOS configuration is pretty simple Comprehensive connectivity suite User-friendly in all possible aspects Excellent 11-phase power design Arguably the best customer service | Top PCIe slots and CPU are too close Not the most affordable motherboard |
4. Gigabyte X399 Designare EX
When it comes to visual appeal, there’s no beating a Gigabyte motherboard, and the Designare EX is a great example. Visuals aside, the Designare EX is a top performer that offers everything you might want from an X399 motherboard.
Connectivity-wise, Gigabyte has efficiently utilized the space on the board to deliver a wide host of connectivity options, including 2x GbE NICs, wireless AC, and USB 3.1 connectivity, including Type-A and Type-C.
You also get a lot of RGB headers, buttons for CMOS, Power, and Reset, a lot of USB headers and fan connectors, a USB 3.1 Gen2 header, and many, many more. The Designare EX is just an excellent example of what a motherboard should offer when it comes to connectivity.
You can use whatever memory module you want with this motherboard, as it supports both ECC and non-ECC memory. This is a vital feature because, as we all know, Threadripper CPUs offer their best performance when backed by adequate memory.
While most of the motherboards on our list are geared towards gamers, the Designare EX is an ideal motherboard for professionals and content creators. It can also double as a great gaming motherboard but cannot be the great motherboard for VR.
The Designare EX excels when it comes to providing a high-quality audio experience. You’ll notice that all of the audio jacks are plated with gold so that your experience isn’t affected by any signal loss.
One thing that might deter some users from buying this board is its lack of a 10Gb LAN. In our opinion, this shouldn’t be a deterrent since 10Gb LAN ports aren’t a standard. Not yet, at least. Also, if you need such connectivity, you can simply integrate a 10Gb expansion card.
Another thing you must keep in mind is that this motherboard doesn’t have any additional power connectors, which can limit your ability to maximize and overclock your GPU setup. But like we already said, this motherboard is geared more towards professionals and not gamers, so this is just us nitpicking.
Key Features:
- E-ATX form factor
- Non-ECC/ECC support
- 4-way SLI/Crossfire
- USB 3.1 Type-C
- Ultra-fast M.2 ports
| Pros | Cons |
| Front and rear USB 3.1 connectors Durable gold-plated capacitors Comprehensive cooling system One of the best-looking X399 units NVMe SSD with thermal guard | Not the most budget-friendly option Overclocking can be improved a bit |
5. ASRock X399 Professional Gaming
The X399 Professional Gaming is ASRock’s second most popular X399 motherboard after the Taichi. The two boards actually have a lot in common, but this model has fewer gaming-oriented features than the Taichi.
If you thought the Taichi wasn’t flashy, wait until you see this board. Its use of RGB lighting is limited to the heatsink, and it’s even more discreet about flashiness than the Taichi. However, what’s so great about this board is that it has plenty of headers that you can use to add more RGB strips.
Just like the Taichi, the X399 Professional Gaming board offers a comprehensive connectivity suite as well as diverse networking options, including 2x Intel 211AT Gigabit NICs, wireless AC, Bluetooth module, and Aquantia 10Gb Ethernet.
The ASRock X399 Professional Gaming provides an excellent audio experience, as it houses the Realtek ALC1200 chip and offers support for the Creative Sound Blaster Cinema 3 codec. You’ll also notice that all the audio channels are well-covered so that they’re not affected by any electromagnetic interference.
The motherboard allows you to utilize a multi-GPU setup without any problems. It also flaunts plenty of customization options. The motherboard is equipped with a quality VRM that ensures efficient energy supply and provides optimal overclocking performance.
One of the things we like the most about this motherboard is that the headers are strategically placed to ensure easy access. There’s no cramming involved whatsoever. ASRock has used the available space very efficiently.
If you want to save money, we recommend opting for the ASRock X399 Taichi instead of this motherboard. However, if having a 10Gb NIC is of great value to you, then this motherboard is certainly the way to go. Just keep in mind that this board doesn’t feature an internal USB 3.1 Type-C header, whereas the Taichi does.
Key Features:
- ATX form factor
- 11 power phase design
- Bluetooth 4.2 support
- Ultra M.2 connectivity
- PCIe Gen3 and SATA3
| Pros | Cons |
| Incredible customer service as usual BIOS is extremely easy to figure out Excellent motherboard for Linux OS Effective 11-phase power design Comprehensive connectivity suite | M.2 drives can use protective shields No internal USB 3.1 Type-C connector |
6. Asus ROG Strix X399-E Gaming
Next on our list is a more affordable alternative from Asus than the Zenith Extreme Alpha. The ROG Strix X399-E is geared towards gamers, as you can probably tell from the ROG emblem. However, it’s not as flashy as some of the other options that are geared towards gaming, which some people find appealing.
Just because it’s more affordable than the Zenith Extreme Alpha doesn’t mean that it lacks in performance. The unit can easily accommodate the latest Threadripper and flaunts many of the same features found in some of the above-reviewed competitors.
The Strix X3990-E doesn’t utilize too many RGB lights, but it does offer enough headers that you can use to implement custom lighting. The unit flaunts an excellent heatsink design that covers the VRMs and the chipset to ensure efficient cooling. You also get a POST code indicator and a ton of connectivity options.
To cut costs, Asus had to do without the gold-plated jacks and the I/O shield that are found in pricier competitors. However, the board does offer a great deal of value for the price in the form of robust overclocking, intuitive BIOS navigation, and very stable performance.
Key Features:
- E-ATX form factor
- 128GB DDR4 support
- AURA Sync RGB lights
- 4-way SLI/Crossfire
- USB 3.1 Gen2 ports
| Pros | Cons |
| Aesthetically appealing design Features 3D printing mounts Very effective cooling system Excellent RGB lighting system Firmly anchored PCIe ports | Doesn’t feature onboard Bluetooth Not really a beginner’s motherboard |
7. MSI MEG X399 Creation
The final product on our list happens to be one of the most capable X399 motherboards on the market today, if not the most capable. The MSI MEG X399 Creation is the perfect throne for a 64-thread, 32-core AMD Threadripper 2990WX CPU.
The X399 Creation houses a robust 16-phase VRM design that ensures effective power delivery and incredible overclocking performance. Other impressive gizmos include the M.2 Xpander card, which you can use to incorporate more NVMe PCIe SSDs.
The MSI MEG X399 Creation is well-equipped to provide as much power as required by AMD’s Threadripper CPUs. There’s virtually no limit to how capable this motherboard is. The board is perfect for all types of users, including gamers, professionals, and enthusiasts.
It features RGB headers that you can use to incorporate additional RGB strips since this board isn’t very flashy. One thing you should keep in mind about the board is that it takes time to boot. However, it makes up for it by delivering an outstanding overclocking performance that can take on the most resource-hungry computing tasks with ease.
Key Features:
- E-ATX form factor
- 16+3 DrMos VRMs
- 3-way SLI/Crossfire
- Audio Boost 4
- M.2 Xpander Aero
| Pros | Cons |
| BIOS is extremely easy to work with Comprehensive connectivity suite Offers an excellent VR experience Mystic Light Sync lighting system Offers excellent value for the price | Not the best in terms of aesthetics Lacks an onboard 10Gb Ethernet |
Best X399 Motherboard (FAQ)
Why Are TR4 Motherboards Expensive?
Mainly because they’re low-volume motherboards. Not everyone who invests in Ryzen goes for a TR4 motherboard. Most people prefer X370/B350 motherboards so check the great B350 motherboard and also the great B450 motherboard.
What Is the X399 Chipset?
The X399 is a chipset that was designed to support 1st- and 2nd-generation Ryzen Threadripper CPUs. The chipset offers plenty of expansion options for NVMe arrays and multi-GPU setups. Look at the chipset at great X370 motherboard, great X470 motherboard as well as on the great X570 motherboard.
Are sTR4 and TR4 the Same?
The sTR4 socket is the TR4’s direct successor. Physically speaking, both sockets are the same. The main difference between the two has to do with their electrical compatibility. The sTR4 isn’t compatible with both TR4 and the server Socket SP3 from AMD.
Other type motherboards: