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B850M-X [WiFi] quick review.
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terribleperson View Drop Down
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Points: 105 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote terribleperson Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Mar 2025 at 11:59am
I have to concur on the audio situation. I recently put together a new build with the B650M-HDV/M.2 (which is an extremely similar board that also uses ALC897) and a 9800x3d. I'm very happy with the board, but the audio quality difference is stark. The audio chipset wasn't something I was really thinking about, but once I got back into Windows and started testing things out I immediately noticed how much worse the audio was compared to my previous build (on an old X99 motherboard with ALC1150). That's with earbuds.

Despite that, though, I'm satisfied with my B650M-HDV/M2 and will be recommending the B850M-X to people.
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eccential View Drop Down
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Points: 6365 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote eccential Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Mar 2025 at 9:10pm
About the audio situation.

Back when I was using B450/X470 Gaming-ITX/ac with ALC1220 -- I have four B450 version and two X470 version, so I forget which one was used where --, I used to use FiiO D3 DAC (optical), but switched to using ALC1220 output directly because the sound quality was close enough. I didn't want to bother with an extra equipment.

With B850M-X, I immediately noticed reduced sound quality. I understand there is more to sound quality than audio chip used, so it's possible to design a motherboard using ALC1220 with bad sound quality.

Regardless, it was noticeable enough, I switched to a cheap audio interface I had sitting around: NEOHIPO H1 (CMedia CM6533 based device), and it was noticeably better. Mind you, this thing isn't anything special, and I got it a while ago for just over $30.

Then, I said, if I can afford a 9800X3D with 64GB of ECC memory, I can afford another DAC, so I bought a Topping D10s. I know, it's kind of old at this point, and there are many other options out there, but I have some experience with ESS DACs (Oppo BDP-83SE) as well as with Topping brand, whereas I have zero experience with AKM DACs, so I went with the safer route.

Is D10s better sounding than the cheap CMedia CM6533? I'd say so, but I don't have good enough speakers connected to the computer to matter. If anything, that cheap CMedia CM6533 device is pretty darn good for what it is.

Regardless, I'm now done messing with it.

It's kind of sad that the motherboard audio out couldn't be "good enough" for even my basic needs, making me jump through hoops to get to my fairly low standards. Oh well, I guess they were targeting the very low cost market with this model. As I wrote already, I would have paid more for it, but what I want rarely coincides with what the general market wants.
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eccential View Drop Down
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Points: 6365 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote eccential Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Feb 2025 at 10:55pm
My new system is replacing a B450 Gaming-ITX/ac (or X470 version of the same) system, which had ACL1220. I gave up on "audiophile" ages ago, although I still have some hardware from those days, like Audio Research preamp and Bryston amps.

Anyway, I noticed reduced sound quality when I swapped in the new build.
Considering I wasn't even thinking about that, I'd say there's definitely some difference. Note I can also hear the difference between some cheap(ish) DACs, like between FiiO D3 an Topping D20.

As for 10Gbps USB (3.2 Gen.2), you're right. This board has none.
It's NOT the CPU/chipset limitation, as something a bit higher end like the B850 Steel Legend has them.

You can see the difference when you look at the Block Diagrams of these boards in the user manuals. USB 3.2 Gen.2 (10Gbps) requires re-drivers at each connection. That's additional cost!

I don't have any USB device that can even hit 5Gbps, so it's a non-issue for me. Just less components to fail on me (LOL).
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ATF View Drop Down
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No edit option?

Does this board have no 10 gbit USB ports? Thought these came 'for free' from the CPU and chipset?
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ATF View Drop Down
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Points: 190 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ATF Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Feb 2025 at 7:29pm
Originally posted by eccential eccential wrote:

* What's up with the cheap Realtek ALC897? Give me ALC1220 or ALC1200 and charge $10 more. Heck, I'd have paid $20 more for it.

How much better is the ALC1220 actually?
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ATF View Drop Down
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Points: 190 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ATF Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Feb 2025 at 7:27pm
Originally posted by eccential eccential wrote:

AsRock lists every AM5 CPU in its supported list, including 170W 9950X.


In the past they did that even when the board was configured with some kind of VRM limit..
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Peter425 View Drop Down
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Points: 60 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Peter425 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Feb 2025 at 1:17am
That?™s an impressive AM5 setup! AsRock is definitely a solid choice for ECC memory support, and your component selection is well thought out. The B850M-X WiFi is an interesting motherboard, especially with both NVMe slots connected directly to the CPU?”great for performance.

Your choice of the Ryzen 7 9800X3D with a Noctua NH-D12L makes for an efficient, cool-running system, especially with ECO mode enabled. Running it at 65W TDP / 88W PPT is a unique approach, but it?™s great for stability and longevity. It?™s fascinating how much of a leap the 9800X3D's base clock is compared to the 5800X3D's boost clock?”definitely a huge generational jump.

As for your complaints, I totally get the ALC897 frustration. It?™s surprising they didn?™t go with ALC1220 or ALC1200, considering the cost difference is minimal. The MediaTek MT7922 (AMD RZ616) is decent, but I agree?”having an option to choose WiFi modules would be ideal. Your AX210NGW swap makes perfect sense for better compatibility and performance.

Overall, this is a well-balanced, forward-thinking build, especially with ECC memory, dual NVMe, fanless PSU, and BD-RW drives. It?™s rare to see someone optimize an AM5 system this way, but it?™s refreshing to see a focus on stability, efficiency, and longevity rather than just raw power. Nice work.
PTR425
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eccential View Drop Down
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Points: 6365 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote eccential Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Feb 2025 at 11:14pm
AsRock lists every AM5 CPU in its supported list, including 170W 9950X.
Even boards like AsRockRack B650D4U have relatively simple VRM setup.
I think the "gamer" motherboard market is a bit overboard.

You're asking the wrong person for the VRM temp question, because I'm running my CPU in 65W ECO mode (laugh). Basically, it's non-issue to me. I might run it at 105W ECO mode if I needed more perf, but I wouldn't bother going further.

As for B850M Pro-A comparison, I prefer the 2-DIMM slots on B850M-X, and I can always add the 3rd NVMe by using an x4 PCIe slot. B850M-X has an extra PCIe slot over Pro-A, after all.
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etre View Drop Down
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Points: 30 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote etre Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Feb 2025 at 9:35pm
B850M-X has 6-2-1 vrm phases. Isn't that too little for a 9800x3D ?

For this reason alone I went with a ASRock B850M Pro-A which has 8+2+1 phases. Recommended for OC would have been B850M Steel Legend WiFi but wasn't available where I am.

For me Pro-A and Pro RS models are the best entry level MBs for 9800x3D. All the basic requirements, like supporting 3 m.2, 2.5Gb network, decent VRMs with 8+4 pins connectors. I don't care so much about sound since I'm using an external DAC.

How hot are the VRMs on that B850-X running with a 9800x3D at full load ?
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Xaltar View Drop Down
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Points: 26058 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Xaltar Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Feb 2025 at 12:22am
Thanks for your review eccential, let us know how it holds up for you long term
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