Best Motherboards for FX 8350 in 2024

The AMD FX-8350 is getting up there in years at this point, but it still holds its own against modern lower-end Ryzen chips when overclocked. For its time, way back in 2011, being AMD’s first true 8-core CPU was pretty groundbreaking. Choosing the right motherboard is key to unleashing its full potential, though. It needs one with robust power phases, current connectivity standards, and other premium features. Of course, the socket and chipset have to match the CPU too. But spending $300–400 on a board for a $100 chip would be silly.

So we compiled a list of best motherboards for the FX-8350 that won’t break the bank. Even though it’s an older chip, these boards will unlock plenty more performance without busting your budget. Take a peek, and you’ll find options with everything needed to get the most out of that FX CPU while staying sensible cost-wise. With the right partner, it can still hang with lower-midrange builds today!

One key thing to remember is that the FX-8350 has no built-in graphics, so a dedicated GPU is mandatory here. The boards I’ve included all pair perfectly without any issues. Some older models had on-board graphics, but they’re too outdated for this CPU. Where these boards really shine is overclocking. With their robust power delivery, you can push the FX-8350 to clock speeds rivaling Intel’s Ivy Bridge i7 chips from the same era. So without further ado, let’s check out some top motherboard options for unlocking FX’s true potential through speed, features, and value. I’ve compared them across:

• Overclocking capabilities
• Ports and expansion
• Aesthetics
• Cooling support
• Onboard audio, networking
• Price to performance

Take a look, and you’ll find some serious contenders for maximizing your FX-8350’s multi-core grunt without breaking the ol’ piggy bank. Properly paired, it can still hang with entry-level builds today with the right mobo partner.

Quick Shopping Tips:

• The first thing to check is CPU socket compatibility. FX 8350 uses AM3+, so confirm the board has the same socket. Intel uses LGA; AMD uses PGA usually.
• Form factor matters too based on your case space—small mITX, mid-sized mATX, or full ATX? Measure first before choosing.
• USB connectivity is important; look for the faster USB 3.0/3.1 Gen 2 ports, which have double the speed of the older 3.1 Gen 1. Type-C is a nice bonus for new devices.
• A higher cache on the board helps the CPU access data and instructions quicker. 8MB is good; less than 4MB isn’t great.
• Also consider modern connectivity: M.2 for ultra-fast SSDs, HDMI for displays, and Gigabit LAN ports. Bonus features like WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5 bring it up-to-date wirelessly too.
• Make sure to factor all these elements in to get the most future-proof board that unleashes your FX chip’s full overclocking potential!

Best Motherboard for FX 8350 List

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MSI 760GMA-P34

Best Budget Motherboard for FX 8350

Brand: MSI | Chipset: AMD 760G | Socket: AM3+ | Form Factor: Micro ATX | Memory: 16 GB DDR3 | Memory Speed: 1866 MHz

REASONS TO BUY

✓Most affordable motherboard

✓Fits best for AMD Fx 8350

✓Gives great overclocking power to Fx-series CPUs

✓Plenty of interface ports

REASONS TO AVOID

✗With dual-slot GPU, you can’t use PCIe x1 slot

✗The color scheme is not good, in my opinion

✗Only 16GB maximum memory

✗No heatsink for VRM

MSI makes solid, affordable boards, and the 760GMA-P34 lives up to that for pairing with our FX-8350. Spending a ton doesn’t make sense. As an entry-level mATX board, it excels at maximizing overclocking potential through plenty of BIOS modes. The coffee/blue color scheme looks sharp too. Don’t expect premium extras, but it covers all the basics well for a great price: up to 16GB of RAM at 1333MHz stock or 1866MHz OC’d, a PCIe x16 GPU slot, and extra expansion ports.

Just know you’re limited to one graphics card and 16GB of RAM. And that VRM area could use some active cooling for serious overclocking. Where it fits best is in smaller mid-tower cases since mATX. Just budget for an aftermarket VRM heatsink if you plan to push clocks hard. Overall, this MSI board is a killer value for a first build or budget overhaul around our FX CPU. Don’t sleep on it if money is tight!

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GIGABYTE GA-990FXA-UD3

Best High-End Motherboard for FX 8350

Brand: Gigabyte | Chipset: AMD 990FX/SB950 | Socket: AM3+ | Form Factor: ATX | Memory: 32 GB DDR3 | Memory Speed: 2000 MHz

REASONS TO BUY

✓4x PCI Express x16 slots (2x running at x16 + 2x running at x4)

✓Support for AMD CrossFire and Nvidia SLI

✓2x eSATA and FireWire ports

✓Cheaper

REASONS TO AVOID

✗The software could be better

✗No RGB Illumination

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MSI 970 Gaming

Best Enthusiast Motherboard for FX 8350

Brand: MSI | Chipset: AMD® 970+SB950 | Socket: AM3+ | Form Factor: ATX | Memory: 32 GB DDR3 | Memory Speed: 2133 MHz

REASONS TO BUY

✓Excellent overclocking capabilities

✓MSI high-quality components

✓High-speed audio and ethernet controller

✓SLI and Crossfire support

REASONS TO AVOID

✗Minimalist feature set

✗Lacks support for new interfaces

✗No hardware buttons

✗Only two USB 3.0 ports on the I/O panel

MSI motherboards are so popular because they combine great looks with solid quality and longevity. The 970 Gaming fits that mold perfectly with its iconic red-accented black PCB. That chipset heatsink badge is just a chef’s kiss. While not brand new, it still packs plenty of current connectivity—SATA 6GBPS, USB 3.0 ports galore. Great legacy AMD CPU support too, from Phenoms on up. Speaking of up, this baby can push overclocks to the max on our FX thanks to robust power delivery. The stock heatsink kept my 8350 chugging at its max turbo, no prob.

You get all the expansion you need between the various PCIe and graphics card slots too. Dual graphics setups are fully enabled via SLI/Crossfire support. The BIOS is super easy to tweak clocks and settings in as well. The audio quality is pro-level clean. And best of all, you won’t break the bank! Sure, it’s missing the newfangled USB-C and Type-A. But for the money, this board’s performance can’t be beat. Such a killer value for hungry overclockers.

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ASUS 970 PRO GAMING

Best Gaming Motherboard for FX 8350

Brand: ASUS | Chipset: AMD 970/SB950 | Socket: AM3+ | Form Factor: ATX | Memory: 32 GB DDR3 | Memory Speed: 2133 MHz

REASONS TO BUY

✓Highly durable components

✓Digi+ VRM voltage-regulator module is one of the finest in the industry

✓4 LEDs indicate problems with the CPU, memory, graphics card, or boot device

✓RGB LED Illumination

REASONS TO AVOID

✗Expensive

The ASUS 970 Pro Gaming still has some great features despite its age. Things like USB 3.1 and an M.2 slot for SSDs keep it relevant. But the aesthetics are where it really stands out—that Aura RGB lighting can sync to your music or CPU temperature. How cool is that?! Power deliver isn’t an issue either, thanks to its 8-phase design. ASUS uses premium chokes and caps to keep things cooler under load too.

BIOS tweaking is easy with options like LLC. And the Game First and LANGuard software enhance online gaming performance and connectivity. Audio quality is top-notch as well, thanks to the SupremeFX chip. Clear, balanced sound powered by high-end capacitors and amps. Storage speed gets a boost from USB 3.1 and M.2 support, too. Two rear Type-A ports push out fast 10Gbps transfers. While not the new kid, this board shows age ain’t nothing but a number. It delivers premium features on par with the pricey Z170s for serious overclockers!

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ASUS M5A99FX PRO

Best AM3+ Motherboard for FX 8350

Brand: ASUS | Chipset: AMD 990FX | Socket: AM3 | Form Factor: ATX | Memory: 32 GB DDR3 | Memory Speed: 1866 MHz

REASONS TO BUY

✓Excellent performance

✓High base clock memory support

✓Plenty of connectivity options

✓Extended heatsink over the VRM

REASONS TO AVOID

✗Wrong placement of PCIex16 slots and can’t utilize all slots

✗There are some other best options available for a low price

✗The color scheme is not so good, but that’s minor in front of its performance

The ASUS M5A99FX Pro offers solid features to build an affordable AMD-based rig for casual use. Since FX chips lack integrated graphics, they have all the ports needed to connect to and power a dedicated GPU. Designed with AMD’s FX series in mind, this board fits perfectly in builds under $1000. Dual-channel RAM support goes up to a generous 32GB, and the 2133MHz speeds are a nice improvement. If you want to save even more cash, the Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3 is super affordable too. You still get ports out of the wazoo, like its 7 SATA ports and 1Gbps Ethernet LAN.

Just be aware that neither has onboard WiFi nor Bluetooth. But wired isn’t a dealbreaker, and that Realtek chip keeps wired speeds zippy. Effective power delivery is handled by its 6+2 digital design. Bonus heatsinks keep temperatures in check during use or mild overclocking sessions, too. Overall, this ASUS board delivers everything needed for a reliable, compatibility-focused AMD build on a modest budget. It’s a solid pick!

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ASUS M5A99X EVO

Best Performance Motherboard for FX 8350

Brand: ASUS | Chipset: AMD 990X/SB950 | Socket: AM3 | Form Factor: ATX | Memory: 32 GB DDR3 | Memory Speed: 2133 MHz

REASONS TO BUY

✓Support for AMD Bulldozer CPUs

✓Easy to overclock

✓ASUS UEFI BIOS

✓3-year manufacturer’s warranty

REASONS TO AVOID

✗Price and almost similar to other ASUS models

✗With multiple GPUs, PCI slots are limited to x8 mode

✗It lacks some accessories for the front panel

The ASUS M5A99X EVO is a fantastic alternative to its Pro sibling. The layout and features are quite similar, though it has one fewer PCIe x16 slot. Like all FX motherboards, integrated graphics aren’t an option here. So you’ll need a dedicated GPU, no matter what. Overclocking is a breeze thanks to the UEFI BIOS and Bulldozer CPU support. ASUS motherboards make tweaking a snap, usually. For the money, you get all the connectivity you could need: dual-channel DDR3 up to 32GB, multiple graphics card setups via SLI/CF, USB 3.1, and SATA 6Gbps galore. Dual graphics are enabled but run at x8 speeds each. Limited slightly, but performance will still be top-notch for most.

It may cost a touch more than competitors nowadays, but ASUS quality and features more than justify the price bump, IMO. A three-year warranty is awesome peace of mind too. If you want set-and-forget reliability, this board is a rock-solid pick for years to come.

Conclusion

For seven-year-old hardware like the FX-8350, expensive motherboards just don’t make sense. This CPU’s meant for affordable builds now. And since it lacks onboard graphics, all these motherboards require a separate GPU too. Some options here are pricier than needed. In my opinion, the best value is the MSI 760GMA-P34. It keeps costs low while still unlocking the FX’s full performance potential. Sure, aesthetics take a backseat to function. But for a budget build focused on performance over looks, it’s perfect.

Meanwhile, the MSI 970 Gaming trades some value for style points. But you pay a premium that’s hard to justify for an older chip. The ASUS M5A99FX PRO and M5A99X EVO offer reliable mid-range options too. The latter is basically an improved revision of the former. But either way, my pick for price and performance remains the MSI 760GMA-P34. It won’t wow you, but it gets the job done affordably.