AMD’s Threadripper CPU series consists of some of the most powerful processors bringing new technology and a new level of performance with every upgrade. These are the fastest high-end CPUs that are built for content creators, 3D artists, filmmakers, and software developers. That makes sense when you consider the price that is insanely high.
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One such example is the AMD Threadripper 3960X, a 24-Core CPU that delivers excellent performance for every dollar you pay. This insanely expensive processor also needs an excellent TRX40 motherboard to support the chip. They are equally costly but pair well with this beast.
To help you pick the right product, I’ve listed the 5 best motherboards for AMD Threadripper 3960X that ensure you are utilizing the full capacity of your processor without leaving anything behind.
Let’s get started.
Best Motherboards For AMD Threadripper 3960X
| Best Motherboards For AMD Threadripper 3960x | Form Factor | Chipset | Warranty | Buy Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASUS ROG Strix TRX40-E Gaming | ATX | TRX40 | 3-Year | |
| ASUS ROG Zenith II Extreme Alpha | EATX | TRX40 | 3-Year | |
| MSI Creator TRX40 | EATX | TRX40 | 3-Year | |
| Gigabyte TRX40 Aorus Master | EATX | TRX40 | 3-Year | |
| ASRock TRX40 Taichi | ATX | TRX40 | 3-Year |
| Best Motherboards For AMD Threadripper 3960x | Form Factor | Chipset | Warranty | Buy Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASUS ROG Strix TRX40-E Gaming | ATX | TRX40 | 3-Year | |
| ASUS ROG Zenith II Extreme Alpha | EATX | TRX40 | 3-Year | |
| MSI Creator TRX40 | EATX | TRX40 | 3-Year | |
| Gigabyte TRX40 Aorus Master | EATX | TRX40 | 3-Year | |
| ASRock TRX40 Taichi | ATX | TRX40 | 3-Year |
Judging by the price and performance of the AMD Threadripper 3960X, it’s easy to guess that this CPU isn’t built for casual tasks and even gaming.
It is for professional creators or artists, whose work involves the use of heavy software. But you’ll also need to have the right motherboard that meets your needs. You would never want to spend extra time completing a task due to your motherboard’s limitations.
That said, I have categorized each of these motherboards into – Top Pick, Extreme, Feature Rich, Value for Money, and Budget.
Top Pick: ASUS ROG Strix TRX40-E Gaming
The ASUS ROG Strix TRX40-E Gaming is the best motherboard for the 3rd Generation AMD Threadripper series. With an attractive look and excellent design, this motherboard can easily overclock your 3960X CPU.
This motherboard comes with eight DIMM slots that can hold up to 256GB of memory; easily overclockable at 4666MHz. It supports AMD 2-Way CrossFireX technology and NVIDIA 2-Way SLI technology. This means you can install three graphics cards on this motherboard.
Other features include triple M.2 slots, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth v5.0, three PCIe 4.0 x16 slots, and one PCIe 4.0 x4 slot.
Summing up, the ASUS ROG Strix TRX40-E Gaming can easily handle Threadripper 3960X CPU and provides excellent performance.
Pros
- Can hold up to 256GB of memory
- Triple M.2 slots for storage
- Equipped with Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth v5.0
- Attractive look
- Easy overclocking
Cons
- The RAM DIMM slots are too close to the CPU socket due to the board size, which may make it difficult to add large CPU Air coolers.
- The CMOS battery is hidden, which can prove to be a great pain down the time.
Extreme: ASUS ROG Zenith II Extreme Alpha
If you are looking for some of the extreme motherboards that can truly push the limits of your Threadripper, look no further than the ASUS ROG Zenith II Extreme Alpha. It is the most expensive motherboard on our list and I only recommend it for extreme overclockers.
The ASUS ROG Zenith II Extreme Alpha has eight DIMM slots that can hold up to 256GB of memory; overclockable at 4733MHz. It supports AMD 3-Way CrossFireX technology and NVIDIA 3-Way SLI technology. It comes with an excellent thermal design that includes a VRM heatsink with active cooling, PCIe-zone M.2 aluminum heatsink, backplate, Fan Extension Card II, and water-cooling zone.
Other options include Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth v5.0, triple M.2 slots, and four PCIe 4.0 x16 slots.
Overall, the ASUS ROG Zenith II Extreme Alpha is an extreme motherboard for extreme enthusiasts. If you can shell out $1,500 on a motherboard, this motherboard could be your best choice.
Pros
- Can hold up to 256GB of memory
- Triple M.2 slots for storage
- Comes with Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth v5.0
- Excellent thermal design
- Extreme overclocking
Cons
- Single 10GB/s Ethernet port
- PCIe slot down to x4 mode
Feature Rich: MSI Creator TRX40
The MSI Creator TRX40 is the second most expensive motherboard on our list, after the ASUS ROG Zenith II Extreme Alpha. If you compare these two motherboards, you’ll find most of the onboard features are similar.
The MSI Creator TRX40 supports 3rd Gen AMD Threadripper series processors, like the 3960X, 3970X, and 3990X. It offers eight DIMM slots that can hold up to 256GB of memory. The max memory speed you can get on this motherboard is 4666MHz. It also supports AMD 3-Way CrossFireX technology and NVIDIA 3-Way SLI technology.
It comes with triple M.2 slots, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth v5.1, six SATA III ports, and four 4 PCIe 4.0 x16 slots.
That said, the MSI Creator TRX40, as dubbed ‘For The Creators’ delivers excellent performance and overclocking capabilities. Though it was designed with the 3990X in mind, it is still one of the best options you can consider for the 3960X.
Pros
- Can hold up to 256GB of memory
- Triple M.2 slots for storage
- Comes with Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth v5.1
- Excellent thermal design
- Good overclocking
- Comes with quad M.2 adapter card
Cons
- The M.2 adapter card’s application is limited by its double-slot cooling.
- Memory support issues
Value for Money: Gigabyte TRX40 Aorus Master
If you are looking for a motherboard that fits your budget but equally has a lot to offer, you should take a look at the Gigabyte TRX40 Aorus Master.
This motherboard is equipped with eight DIMM slots that can take up to 256GB of memory. The max memory speed you can get on this motherboard is 4400MHz. It also supports AMD 3-Way/2-Way CrossFireX technology and NVIDIA 3-Way/2-Way SLI technology. It comes with triple M.2 slots, four PCIe 4.0 x16 slots, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth v5.0.
Summing up, the Gigabyte TRX40 Aorus Master is truly a value-for-money motherboard. It has a more advanced VRM system, as well as some other small improvements for a more powerful workstation.
Pros
- Can hold up to 256GB of memory
- Triple M.2 slots for storage
- Equipped with Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth v5.0
- Provides better efficiency
- Excellent DRAM overclocking
Cons
- CPU overclocking is average
- The circuit board is an inch deeper than the ATX standard
Budget: ASRock TRX40 Taichi
For those who are low on budget and can’t spend more than $500, the ASRock TRX40 Taichi is the best option in this price range. It offers a huge CPU voltage regulator and excellent overclocking capabilities at a reasonable price.
The ASRock TRX40 Taichi comes with eight DIMM slots that can take up to 256GB of memory; overclockable at 4666MHz. It supports AMD 3-Way CrossFireX technology and NVIDIA 3-Way SLI technology. It is equipped with dual M.2 slots, three PCIe 4.0 x16 slots, one PCIe 4.0 x1 slot, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth v5.0.
If you are looking for an entry-level motherboard for the 3960X Threadripper, the ASRock TRX40 Taichi has a lot to offer and fits perfectly for Threadripper newcomers.
Pros
- Can hold up to 256GB of memory
- Dual M.2 slots for storage
- Excellent overclocking
- Equipped with Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth v5.0
- High-capacity voltage regulator
Cons
- Few USB on rear I/O
- The spacing problem occurs when using two three-slot GPUs
- Sparse PCIe
The Takeaway
This ends the list of our 5 best motherboards for AMD Threadripper 3960X. No doubt these motherboards have excellent overclocking capabilities and impressive features, but they are expensive too. So if you want a motherboard that doesn’t cost too much but offers decent performance, the ASRock TRX40 Taichi is one I would recommend.
But if you want the best out of the best performance, look no further than the ASUS ROG Strix TRX40-E Gaming. It has a sturdy build, great design, and easy overclocking. Last but not least, for extreme overclockers, the ASUS ROG Zenith II Extreme Alpha can be your best option if you are ready to spend $1,500 on a motherboard.
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