Minisforum BD790i X3D Motherboard Review with AMD 7945HX3D and PCIe Gen 5
Minisforum sent over another very powerful motherboard they have just come out with, the Minisforum BD790i X3D. This board is really geared towards graphics performance and has the specs to help prove that it is well suited for this use case. It comes with a pre-soldered Ryzen 9 7945HX3D processor, DDR5 support, PCIe 5.0, and other I/O. Let’s dive into the Minisforum BD790i X3D Motherboard Review and see what it has to offer for PC builders and home labs alike.
Table of contents
AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX3D
As we dive into this Minisforum BD790i X3D motherboard review, one of the standout features of the BD790i X3D is the integrated AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX3D processor. I have become really familiar with the similar processor, the AMD Ryzen 7945HX, and what it can do in my past two builds with the BD795M and the BD795i SE motherboards. They both have this same processor and it is a powerhouse. It is pre-installed directly on the BD790i X3D, like the other two boards I mentioned.
Note the specs below:
- 16 cores and 32 threads
- Boost clock speeds up to 5.4 GHz
- Zen 4 architecture
- 128 MB of 3D V-Cache for gaming and high-performance workloads
If you would like a comparison table of this board compared to the other two, note the following:
Here’s a quick comparison:
| Feature | BD790i X3D | BD795M / BD795i SE |
|---|---|---|
| CPU Model | Ryzen 9 7945HX3D | Ryzen 9 7945HX |
| L3 Cache | 128 MB (3D V-Cache) | 64 MB (standard L3 cache) |
| Best For | Gaming, cache-sensitive tasks | Productivity |
| Thermal Design | Heatsink + 120mm fan (has lower critical temp 89 degrees C) | Smaller cooling footprint (has higher critical temp 100 degrees C) |
| Price Tier | Higher | Slightly lower |
So the key difference is the 3D V-Cache and it makes BD790i X3D better suited for:
- Gamers to max out FPS in CPU-heavy titles
- Users doing AI inference or simulations that rely on cache
- Compact builds using a “desktop-class” with high CPU cache
Due to the lower critical temp for this processor, I like that Minisforum simplifies the build process with this board and eliminates concerns about CPU socket compatibility or cooling, since the heat sink is built into the motherboard.
Memory and Storage Support
Minisforum didn’t cut corners when it came to memory and storage support. The BD790i X3D features:
- Two DDR5 SO-DIMM slots supporting up to 96 GB (officially) and 128 GB (unofficially, with my testing) at 5200 MHz
- Two M.2 2280 NVMe SSD slots (PCIe 5.0 x4), each supporting up to 2 TB
The standout difference here with this board is the PCIe 5.0 support for the M.2 slots. Also, the DDR5 SO-DIMMs are good for up to 128 GB in my testing.
The PCIe Gen 5 makes sure you will have lightning-fast SSD performance for boot drives, workloads, gaming, or even as a home lab build.
Enthusiasts will appreciate the reduced bottlenecks when working with 4K/8K video timelines, rendering pipelines, or virtual machine images.
PCIe 5.0 x16 Slot for GPUs
It has a built-in Radeon 610M integrated GPU which is a good start for basic graphics functionality. However, the BD790i X3D shines when you install a discrete GPU. With the PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, it is compatible with the latest high-end GPUs.
So if you are building a compact ITX gaming PC or a portable workstation this will provide a great base for that type of build.
Connectivity Options
A board this small doesn’t usually come packed with I/O. But the BD790i X3D has at least what you hope for and I was pleasantly surprised with what it does include.
- 1 x HDMI 2.1
- 1 x DisplayPort 1.4
- 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A
- 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C (DP Alt Mode)
- 2 x USB 2.0 Type-A
- 1 x 2.5G Ethernet port
- Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3
You also get audio jacks powered by the Realtek ALC256 codec and an internal header for front-panel USB and audio.
The USB-C with DisplayPort Alternate Mode enables easy docking or dual monitor setups using a single cable. It also has Wi-Fi 6E which gives you Wi-Fi connectivity with these boards.
Thermal and Cooling Design
The processor is a 16-core chip and has PCIe Gen 5 components that are packed into a Mini-ITX layout. So thermal management is a key thought on this board. Minisforum includes a massive heatsink that is preinstalled and it basically covers 80% of the motherboard’s surface. ensuring direct contact with high-temperature components.
There is also a point to note about this CPU as you saw in the table above, one of the things about this CPU is that it has a lower critical temp compared to the 7945HX (non X3D) processor.
With that in mind, note the following:
- A large 120 mm fan is mounted over the heatsink
- Dedicated M.2 SSD cooling zones will help with stable M.2 and NVMe performance
Minisforum has thought of quite a few things here and it is designed for efficient cooling in mind.
Use Cases: Gaming, Streaming, and Homelab
There are definite strong points with this board as far as use cases that it makes sense with. Note the following sections.
Gaming
This is really where this board shines. It has the 3D V-Cache on the Ryzen 9 7945HX3D. With this, the BD790i X3D has excellent performance in games with CPU intensive requirements. By adding a discrete GPU, frame rates will be basically as good as full-sized desktop systems.
Content Creation
Video editors and streamers will appreciate the power of this board as well. The 32 threads, PCIe 5.0 storage, and DDR5 memory will definitely help with timeline scrubbing in software like DaVinci Resolve or Adobe Premiere. Encoding tasks will also perform well due to the high thread count.
The multiple USB ports for capture devices and fast 2.5GbE LAN connection for file transfers, dual display outputs make this well suited for content creation.
Homelab and Virtualization
While I think the The BD790i X3D is a better value for gaming and content creation, it also makes sense for homelab enthusiasts. With 16 cores/32 threads and 96/128 GB memory support, you can definitely run things like Proxmox, VMware ESXi, and Kubernetes clusters. With the low power laptop variety processor this will be a good choice like the 7945HX for always-on labs as well.
Also, if you combine it with a NAS and a GPU for AI workloads, this thing will be a very interesting platform for those types of builds around AI and inference.
BIOS and System Configuration
Minisforum ships the BD790i X3D with a modern BIOS interface with a good UI that you may be used to with other platforms like the Minisforum MS-01. Users can tweak:
- Boot options
- Memory timings and frequency
- Fan curves
- Secure boot and TPM settings
- Power-saving profiles
While BIOS settings at the defaults for most will probably be fine for beginners, it is nice to know there are options for those who want to tweak and tinker.
Power Efficiency and Noise Profile
One of the strengths with this board is that it includes a “laptop” processor that has been retrofitted to a desktop motherboard. The 7945HX3D a much more power-conscious CPU than its desktop variant. Under load, it draws quite a bit less power than the desktop Ryzen 9 7950X. In idle states, the board can run around 10–25W (depending on what its doing, load, operating system, etc). This makes it great for low-power builds.
With the large fan, cooling is very effective on this CPU without a whole lot of excessive noise. Even under load, the fan is relatively quiet.
Pricing
The BD790i X3D is priced around $599 USD at launch. On face value, this may be a little steep for a Mini-ITX board. However, as part of this, you are getting the CPU installed as well as the heatsink already installed.
- 16-core Ryzen 9 CPU
- PCIe Gen 5 support
- DDR5 and Wi-Fi 6E onboard
- Good thermal design with active cooling preinstalled
You can buy it here (Amazon affiliate link that I earn a small commission on):
In a DIY build with a 7945HX3D (not available separately), compatible board, and cooler would likely be more than this cost. Minisforum has basically created a high-end NUC alternative for enthusiasts looking for a gaming build or home lab machine.
Unboxing
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Preinstalled 16-core Ryzen 9 7945HX3D
- DDR5 and PCIe Gen 5 support
- Good thermal design
- Good I/O for Mini-ITX
- Good performance-per-watt ratio
Cons:
- A little pricey
- SO-DIMM memory limits options but 128 GB kit available
- No upgrade path for CPU (soldered)
Wrapping up
In this Minisforum BD790i X3D review we find a motherboard that is a great all around performer for many different use cases. It isn’t just a motherboard that is only for gaming. While it excels at that, it can also do a great job as a board for content creators and even home labbing. I think it would work great with GPU passthrough and serve a dual purpose for a home lab and a workstation to take advantage of the horsepower of the CPU and other features. Let me know fi you are considering this board as a possibility for your next build, either as a daily driver gaming rig, or as a home lab.
