Verdict and Conclusion
When AMD released the Ryzen 7 9800X3D processor in November 2024, it was a tremendous success and was well received among gamers and enthusiast users. This new processor came with 8 cores and 16 threads, and uses the Zen 5 architecture with 2nd generation 3D V-Cache technology, operating on a base clock speed of 4.70 GHz and a boost clock of 5.20 GHz. Its overall gaming performance was off the charts, easily beating both the Intel Core i9-14900K and Intel Core Ultra 9 285K. You get all of this, at an affordable price of only USD $479 (MSRP). What’s even more enticing, is that AMD have just released the X3D versions of their high-end 99xx series processors (March 2025) … the Ryzen 9 9900X3D and 9950X3D.
To take full advantage of this new processor from AMD, will need one of the newer motherboards with AMD’s X870E, X870 chipsets (enthusiast-grade) or B850 chipset (mainstream). As I mentioned before, the X870E chipset offers a total of 44 useable PCIE lanes (up to 24 lanes for PCIE 5.0), while the B850 gives you a maximum of 36 PCIE lanes. If you don’t need all those PCIE lanes, then the B850 is just fine, plus it’s cheaper and more affordable.
Now let’s back to the review … The Gigabyte B850 AORUS ELITE WiFi7 features a Digital Twin 14+2+2 phases VRM solution and premium capacitors, giving you decent power efficiency and stability. The motherboard also uses a 6-Layer, 2x copper PCB that’s cooled by their VRM Thermal Armor Advanced, as well as their M.2 Thermal Guard L and M.2 Thermal Guard Ext. for cooling your SSDs.
One of the unique features of the motherboard include Gigabyte’s X3D Turbo Mode, which allows you use non-X3D CPUs to achieve similar gaming performance levels as their X3D counterparts by simply activating it in the BIOS.
During our tests, we used a Ryzen 9 9950X (non-X3D) processor, along with 32GB of DDR5-7200 and a GeForce RTX 4080 Super. We managed to get some pretty decent scores in all of our benchmarks, including a Cinebench 2024 scores of 2,308 (multi core) and 133 (single core). For PCMark 10, we got a score of 10,190, and a score of 16,712 for PassMark 11.
For UL’s latest Procyon Video Editing Benchmark, we got a score of 11,990 and a score of 225 for the AI Computer Vision Benchmark. For 3DMark Nomad Steel and Speedway, we got very good scores of 6,653 and 7,564 respectively. And finally, for Port Royal and Timespy, we got amazing score of 18,771 and 26,027 respectively.
The motherboard comes with 4 x DDR5 DIMMs slots supporting memory speeds of up to DDR5-8200 OC. Although we only tested the mtherboard using DDR5-7200 memory, I’m more than certain it’s able to support high-speed memory. For a list of compatible memory kits, check out Gigabyte’s QVL page here.
Expansion slots include 1 x PCIe 5.0 x16 with UD Slot X with PCIe EZ-Latch Plus for easy installation and removal of GPUs. There’s also 2 x PCIe 3.0 x16 slots for add-on PCIE cards.
For storage, there’s a total of 4 SATA ports and 1 x PCIE Gen5 M.2 slots as well as 2 x PCIE Gen4 M.2 slots, which is more than enough for most users. These M.2 slots features Gigabyte’s Quick Release & Screwless Design with EZ-Latch Plus and EZ-Latch Click for easy installlation. The only thing I didn’t like, is the fact that once you install your GPU, it blocks access to your M.2 SSD. This means you have to first remove the GPU, and then remove the entire heat shield just to access the M.2 SSD.
The motherboard offers plenty of connectivity. On the back I/O panel, you’ll find 1 x DisplayPort, 1 x Q-Flash Plus button, 4 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports, 1 x USB Type-C port, with USB 3.2 Gen 2 support, 5 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, 1 x 2.5GB LAN port, 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports (red), 2 x antenna connectors (WiFi EZ-Plug), and 2 x audio jacks with 1 x optical S/PDIF Out connector.
The Gigabyte B850 AORUS ELITE WiFi7 can be yours for around USD $220 from Amazon – https://amzn.to/4c2OD40 at this price, it’s quite attractive and affordable, especially for all the features and performance you’ll be getting.
Final Words:
If you’re planning to build a gaming PC using AMD’s new Ryzen 9000-series X3D processors, then take a look at the Gigabyte B850 AORUS ELITE WiFi7 motherboard. It offers good performance and a decent amount of features, including EZ-Latch Plus and EZ-Latch click for easy DIY assembly. What’s more, with Gigabyte’s X3D Turbo Mode, you can use non-X3D CPUs to achieve similar gaming performance levels as their X3D counterparts. Just enable it in the BIOS.
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