Are you ready to dive into the world of high-performance computing? Today, we're going to explore the realm of AMD processors and X870 motherboards. In this comprehensive review, we'll analyze the compatibility of the AMD 9900X processor and the X870 motherboard with both air coolers and all-in-one liquid coolers. If you're considering an upgrade to your system with 192GB of RAM, stick around to find out if it's truly worth it.
AMD 9900X: Power Unleashed
The AMD 9900X processor is a beast of a chip, designed to deliver unrivaled power for demanding tasks. With its impressive core count and high clock speeds, the 9900X is a powerhouse that can handle anything you throw at it. Whether you're a gamer, content creator, or professional in need of top-tier performance, the 9900X has got you covered.
X870 Motherboard: The Backbone of Your System
Pairing the 9900X with the right motherboard is crucial for maximizing its potential. The X870 motherboard offers a robust platform with a plethora of features tailored for high-end users. From multiple PCIe slots for expansion to advanced connectivity options, the X870 is a motherboard that can keep up with your demanding workload.
Air Cooler vs. AIO: Keeping Cool Under Pressure
When it comes to cooling your system, you have two main options: air coolers and all-in-one liquid coolers. Air coolers are reliable, cost-effective solutions that offer decent thermal performance. On the other hand, AIO liquid coolers provide better cooling efficiency and are ideal for overclocking your system to extract every bit of performance from your hardware.
I recently found out that nearly all instructions from Air cooler vendors for installing AM4 and AM5 brackets are incorrect. As a result, the cooling surfaces fail to adequately cover the chips IHS jacket, which they are supposed to cover 100%.
I replaced my BeQuiet Dark Pro 4 with the Noctua NH-U9S, which allowed me to see the CPU after installation. It was evident that only two-thirds of the IHS was covered, so I opted for the alternate mounting for the AM3 chips for my 5000 series fare, which resolved the cooling issue.
I tested this same cooling system on a 7900X and 9900X and found similar issues and you need a special kit for the AM4/5 chips which they will send you free of charge.
I was astounded how well this Noctua cooler cooled the later CPU series as a result.
For Nutanix virtualization host purposes, these CPUs won't be pushed to the extent that games like Baldur's Gate would, so you can effectively use these Noctua air coolers on these chips with satisfactory results.
With this cooler fully aligned to cover the IHS jacket, my 5900X now operates at 29 degrees C (previously 73), the 7900X at 54 degrees C, and the 9900X at 66 degrees C.
Is It Worth the Upgrade to 192GB RAM?
Now, the big question: is upgrading to 192GB of RAM worth it? Well, it depends on your specific needs. If you're running memory-intensive applications like video editing software, 3D rendering programs, or virtualization tools, having more RAM can significantly boost your system's performance. However, for the average user, 192GB of RAM may be overkill and unnecessary.
However, for those of you dabbling with Proxmox or Nutanix CE 2.1 this newer memory limit is a major game changer for your own home lab shenanigans.
The main issue is that Air cooling may not be practical for a 9900X CPU, so you will have to consider the impact of an AIO water cooling loop and live with the dBm increase consequences if you cannot get the temps down like I did with Noctua Air coolers.
The technical documentation mentioned 256GB RAM is now supported; however, after consulting with all the motherboard vendors, I found that they all limited it to 192GB RAM and I could not ascertain why exactly.
This is where I discovered that a company named ASRock, to which I recently and inadvertently switched one of my systems too, indeed supports ECC RAM on their motherboards!
I chatted with some motherboard junkies who informed me the memory management and simplicity of the ASRock BIOS sets it wide apart from the other vendors and finding out it has superior memory management capabilities sealed the deal for me there.
ASRock motherboards train themselves to best work with the memory it is armed with. You may have a few resets and blue screens in the first week of operation while it adjusts but after that stability is the name of the game and it is a game changer for Virtual machine hosting IMHO!
Choosing the Best Motherboard for 192GB RAM
When opting to upgrade to 192GB of RAM, it is essential to carefully choose the motherboard from reputable brands like ASUS, Gigabyte Aorus, MSI, or ASRock. The X870 motherboard is particularly recommended for its ability to support high RAM capacities beyond the previous 128GB limit. Featuring a sturdy build, generous expansion slots, and overclocking support, the X870 is well-equipped to meet the needs of power users and enthusiasts.
There is more PCI bandwidth and PCI-e v5 on some slots is available.
If you want the whole gamut of PCI-e 5.0 you will need to opt for one of the X870E motherboards but honestly, for a single node Nutanix CE 2.1 rig one of the cheaper boards looks like it will do just fine with PCI-e bandwidth all considered into the equation.
For memory stability purposes and this workload use case I strongly recommend ASRock as the only serious solution here.
I see 9900X CPU are listed at $399 at the moment - this is also a 12 Core CPU which I can attest to by the way, it rocks for HCI use cases!
The 9900X3D chips will be available soon, and I've been testing them at the AMD lab in Santa Clara using Nutanix CE 2.1, where I've observed impressive VM benchmarks on these chips.
You might have observed that the 8 Core version is consistently sold out, as are the ASRock X870 motherboards. However, by August 2025, these initial supply problems will ease somewhat. I highly recommend waiting for these new X3D chips if you desire exceptional performance.
Final Verdict: The Ultimate Showdown
In conclusion, the combination of the AMD 9900X processor, X870 motherboard variant, and a high-performance cooling solution creates a formidable setup that's sure to impress even the most discerning users. Whether you opt for an air cooler or an AIO liquid cooler, the performance gains from upgrading to this powerhouse duo are undeniable. And if you're considering 192GB of RAM, rest assured that the X870 motherboard is more than capable of meeting your requirements.
What are your thoughts on this ultimate showdown of AMD hardware? Are you ready to take your system to the next level with the 9900X and X870 motherboard? Share your insights and experiences in the comments below!
The above link is a Google sheets read only doc that shows all the motherboard details you could shake a stick at! It is very useful indeed!
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