Opt for a high-performance CPU to handle demanding games and smooth streaming sessions.
Opt for a high-performance CPU to handle demanding games and smooth streaming sessions.
Have you thought about opting for a B650 motherboard instead of the pricier B850? Just updating the BIOS could give you a better CPU and maybe even support the 7 or 9800x3D. The motherboard itself doesn’t really boost performance either way, so you don’t need the top-tier model. A solid B650 will still meet your needs. Some reliable entry-level boards for the B650 include the Gigabyte Eagle Ax, MSI B650-S Wi-Fi, ASRock PG Lightning, and Live-Mixer. If you’re set on the B850, the MSI B850 Gaming Plus Wi-Fi or ASRock B850 Pro would work well as an MATX option, along with the Gigabyte B850 Eagle Wi-Fi 6E.
I explored the B650 option but appreciated the dedicated BIOS flash and clear CMOS buttons, features absent on other B650 boards. It wasn't a strict requirement, but it was a nice addition. I think spending around €600-700 would cover CPU, motherboard, and DDR5 upgrades. The 9800x3d seems perfect with extra cores and 3D V-Cache, though locally prices are nearer to €600. It might be excessive for 1440p gaming with a 3080 at my location.
Sorry but it seems you're either being unreasonable or haven't bothered researching if B650 boards offer decent performance. Most of them do have solid BIOS features like flash/flashback, and clear CMOS is common. A flash BIOS isn't strictly necessary, though it can help with certain games. Streaming benefits from extra cores and stronger chips as well. Ultimately, results depend on your resolution and the games you play—so a B650 with 7800x3d or 9700x3d paired with a B580 is still capable of good performance. As @venomtail noted, it really depends on your needs.
I wasn’t trying to examine every B650 motherboard, but most of what I saw came with BIOS flash yet no visible CMOS setup. The only ones that had both were NZXT models—now pricier than a top-tier B850—or MSI’s “Project zero” series, which isn’t compatible with my system. Luckily I never faced issues during BIOS updates, but I did have to reset CMOS several times when overclocking, suggesting I might have given it too much importance.
Some sites such as Klarna offer the ability to look up motherboards with particular features if needed. On another point, clearing CMOS multiple times during overclocking suggests the voltage settings are unsafe or excessive, and this process only resets the board to its original state. To fine-tune the overclock for stability, you can adjust it within the BIOS. I get it if you're considering that, but as you mentioned, I prefer a reliable board rather than one packed with unnecessary options. Anyone who wants, I hope at least some of the recommended boards meet your requirements and deliver the performance you expect. My friend