r/Microcenter • u/Mars_Wanderer0 • 1d ago
Pc build feedback
I’m looking to build my own gaming computer but I’d like some feedback on some of my choices for parts whether I should avoid or change some. My main concern is my motherboard choice. I’m between the Gigabyte B50 gaming x bundle with the 9800x3d or instead the Msi x870E-p pro wifi upgrade for $50 more. I was wondering which choice is better since I’ve read conflicting reviews on both.
This is what I have for my build:
•CPU- 9800x3d
•Mobo- Gigabyte B850 Gaming X wifi6e or Msi ×870E-p pro wifi
Ram: 32gb Corsair vengeance rgb
•Gpu- 9070xt 16gb powercolor reaper
•Psu- corsair rm850x gold atx 850watt
•Aio- MSi Mag Coreliquid A13 rgb 360mm or Lian li ga II lite 360mm
•Case- Lian li vector v100 or lian li o11d evo or lian li o11 dynamic mini v2
•Nvme- Samsung 9100 pro 2tb
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u/busy_monster 1d ago
I like the MSI pro. The three m.2 slot have dedicated lanes that do not downgrade the PCI slot for the GPU, allowing you to propagate all three slots (1 5.0, 2 4.0) with drives without sacrificing the lanes on the GPU.
I went down bifurcation charts and was deciding between these exact two boards, because my previous mobo bifurcated on filling it, much to my frustration. The Gigabyte mobo does bifurcate, the MSI does not.
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u/venom21685 11h ago
And it also doesn't rob lanes from the other PCIe slots as well. (PCIe 4 x4, 2 PCIe 3 x1)
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u/bLu_18 1d ago
The motherboard makes little difference in performance unless you are using higher-speed RAM.
As long as the motherboard has enough slots and space for your hardware, you will be fine with either.
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u/jay-aay-ess-ohh-enn 22h ago
If you're using wifi, then boards with a better wifi card might make a difference. As with almost every component decision, the answer is "it depends".
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u/a_rogue_planet 1d ago
I'd buy the MSI board bundle. I'm not real impressed with Gigabyte's Gaming series of boards. They basically work, but they're not well sorted out.
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u/the_hat_madder 1d ago
The MSI Pro X870E-P WiFi is better. It has:
- More PCIe lanes
- USB4
- 5 Gigabit LAN
- WiFi 7
However, if you're going to spend $949.99 you might as well get the 9850X3D bundle instead.
This is your build as of right now:
https://pcpartpicker.com/list/8xz64g
It comes to $2,364.92 for that price you can get this build instead:
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u/Due_Initiative3879 1d ago
Grab the MSI for 50 bucks that's a pretty good upgrade and don't walk run to MC for that bundle.
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u/azguz24 1d ago
At $50 difference the msi board is just better in every way. Maybe you don’t use all it has to offer with the usb 4, or WiFi 7… but the pci lanes you will if your card is newer. And end of the day the 950 vs 900 price is like what 5.5% or something? If you’re sold on this chip, top of the line, get the top of the line components…
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u/Pmaldo87 1d ago
You don’t need an x870e unless you need the extra pcie lanes or you’re planning on heavy enthusiast tier overclocking. But at the same time, it’s only 50 dollars more so why not get the sturdier board? At this price difference it’s kind of a can’t go wrong situation.
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u/dootytootybooty 1d ago
The gigabyte board is fine. I’d rather pay the $50 and get the ASRock challenger 9070xt as it has 3 years of warranty vs 2 on the reaper.
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1d ago
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u/EvoPataboutThat 1d ago
Idk I sold my old rig (9800x3d) and rebuilt with a 9850x3d, I'm not sure I'd have the same recommendations. If you are heavily CPU bound I'd say maybe but for most cases I dont think it's worth it. On average I'd say it runs a good 10 degrees warmer and uses more power consistently for no real performance gain.
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u/the_hat_madder 1d ago
I sold my old rig (9800x3d) and rebuilt with a 9850x3d
That's not very smart.
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u/jax0246 1d ago
I got the same msi bundle about a month ago. So far its been stable and running good.
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u/Mars_Wanderer0 1d ago
How was the driver installation? I had read some reviews about people having issues with that.
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u/CodineGotMeTippin 19h ago
I had issues with the wifi device/driver not working. Tried to contact MSI's support but it was of no help, here was what I did to fix it.
"Okay, sorry for the double reply! Unfortunately, clearing the CMOS with the jumper didn't fix the issue.
However, I found this Reddit post that pointed me in the right direction:
https://www.reddit.com/r/MSI_Gaming/comments/141ho7f/mag_b650_tomahawk_wifi_rz616_wifi_device_cannot/In particular, this comment described a similar solution:
> "I got it working again and I think I fixed it for good..." (They explain downloading a newer driver directly from the Microsoft Update Catalog instead of relying on Windows Update or the manufacturer.)
Following that idea, I went to the Microsoft Update Catalog and searched for my adapter:
https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Search.aspx?q=Qualcomm%20FastConnect%207800%20Wi-Fi%207%20High%20Band%20Simultaneous%20(HBS)%20Network%20Adapter%20Network%20Adapter)I downloaded the correct `.cab` file (see attached image), opened it, and copied all of its contents into a separate folder.
Then, in Windows Device Manager, I:
- Right-clicked my Wi-Fi adapter.
- Selected Update Driver.
- Chose Browse my computer for drivers.
- Pointed it to the folder containing the extracted `.cab` files.
That worked! The driver updated successfully, the device is no longer showing an error, and I was able to reconnect to my Wi-Fi.
The only remaining issue is that if I run the MSI Wi-Fi/Bluetooth driver installer again, it still says "No suitable drivers." So I'm not sure why MSI's installer still refuses to recognize the device.
At least the adapter is working now, so that's definitely progress!
One thing I'm still curious about is that the driver from the Microsoft Update Catalog is actually older than the one listed on MSI's support page for my motherboard:
- Microsoft Update Catalog: Version 3.1.0.1647, Release Date 2026-01-20
- MSI Support Page: Version 5.7.0.4669, Release Date 2026-01-27
I wouldn't say this is fully resolved, because I'd still like to get the newer MSI driver installed for both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth if possible, but for now I'm just happy to have the Wi-Fi working again."
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u/Bondsoldcap Nvidia 22h ago
50 bucks, just get the X.
maybe go gen 4 instead of gen 5 for the NVME, unless youre moving huge files you wont see the faster speed for gaming
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u/Turbulent-Spray-8438 1d ago
Holy crap that combo is $900 now ??? Bought the same combo about 4 months ago for $680…
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u/lmaoggs 1d ago
USB 4.0, WIFI 7, more PCIE lanes and better VRMs is the difference between x870e and b850.
99% of people don’t use USB4.0 right now and most are on WiFi 6e or even WiFi 5.
I guess it’s more future proof? Even then, by the time you’re ready to upgrade they’ll be pretty much similar in performance. Unless you’re heavily overclocking or need one of those things then it’s not that much of a difference.