Last Updated on December 1, 2023 by Daniel Osakwe
List of the Best Motherboards
products | Features | Where to Buy |
Asus ROG Maximus XII HERO |
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Get it on Amazon |
MSI MEG Z490 Godlike |
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Get it on Amazon |
GIGABYTE Z490 Gaming X |
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Get it on Amazon |
MSI MPG Z390M Gaming Edge AC |
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Get it on Amazon |
Asus ROG Strix Z390-I Gaming |
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Get it on Amazon |
ASRock X570 Phantom Gaming X |
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Get it on Amazon |
Aorus X570 Master |
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Get it on Amazon |
Asus ROG Strix B550-E Gaming |
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Get it on Amazon |
Asus TUF Gaming B550M-PLUS |
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Get it on Amazon |
ASUS ROG Strix X470-I |
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Get it on Amazon |
Welcome to our review of the best motherboards. As we all know, the motherboard is the main printed circuit board in an all-purpose system or computer and other gadgets. They’re responsible for the commination between different components that makes up a computer unit. Most people who specialize in building their own PCs will benefit more as they’ll have the opportunity to choose what they need.
Because searching for the best motherboards can be a bit difficult, we’ve highlighted and reviewed the best motherboards for gaming, the best intel motherboards, and the best AMD motherboards money can buy.
Having said that, now let’s take a look at the best motherboards we’ve discovered for you below.
Table of Contents
Buyers Guide: What to Look for in Motherboards Before Buying
Form Factor: Initially you’ll have to choose a form factor. ATX motherboards are normal, as is micro ATX (in spite of the fact that these are more modest in an estimate and decrease the quantity of developments openings). At the point when you’re purchasing another motherboard and not certain what size will fit, you can generally gauge your old motherboard and contrast it and various sizes. The ATX board is well known, as it has the expansion of more extension spaces, which can be valuable.
Processor Socket: After picking a form factor you’ll have to pick a processor attachment. There have been various kinds of attachments utilized in the past anyway three are just pertinent today. These are LGA, PGA, and BGA. Intel utilizes LGA, while AMD uses PGA. BGA attachments aren’t as well known as the last in light of the fact that these are forever clung to the motherboard so they can’t be overhauled or updated. Depending on what sort of socket you have on your motherboard, it will figure out what processor you can purchase. So you will presumably have to consider what CPU you need first, at that point purchase your motherboard.
RAM (Random Access Memory): Next up, RAM, short for Random Access Memory. Essentially the motherboard you purchase will decide the sum and kind of RAM you can have. Subsequently, it merits being aware of this prior to settling on a choice purchasing a motherboard. Thusly, we would suggest picking a motherboard that can oblige in any event 16 GB, despite the fact that on the off chance that you don’t plan to purchase that much at first, you have the choice to utilize this memory later.
What’s more, search for a board that offers at least 4 memory openings. This implies you can introduce 2 RAM modules to start and you will have to save space for memory overhauls in the future.
PCI Slots: A PCI opening is an association or port that is situated on the motherboard. They have been the standard kind of extension opening for quite a long time and they permit expansion cards to be associated. Depending on how you intend to utilize your PC, you’ll need to consider if your motherboard has the spaces to suit your prerequisites.
In case you’re a gamer, you’ll need to have at any rate one max throttle PCI express x16 space and you’ll require different of those, in the event that you need to associate numerous cards. Motherboards additionally offer standard PCI spaces and more modest PCI express openings for different cards, similar to sound cards, Wi-Fi connectors, and other network developments.
Highlights: If you purchase a motherboard with highlights previously inherent, you don’t need to stress over purchasing extra expansion cards. A more normal element that is regularly remembered for most motherboards is ready to sound. Anyway, this is generally just reasonable for mid-range speakers. It is significant that better motherboards regularly pack Wi-Fi and Bluetooth features also, yet you’ll need to go through more money for these highlights. In any case, they will lessen the requirement for expansion cards.
SATA: When considering purchasing a motherboard you may require to consider the quantity of SATA ports you’ll require. Each SATA port permits you to associate an optical drive and capacity drives, similar to an SSD or HDD. So it’s essential to ensure your motherboard has all the SATA ports you require for the entirety of your drives. It is likewise important that you need to ensure your motherboard offers the SATA 6 gigabytes standard, which is otherwise called SATA 3.0. Besides, you may have to think about fringe associations, for instance, a USB 3.0.
Best Motherboards for Gaming
The GIGABYTE Z490 Gaming X might not have any garish new highlights to bring to the table, yet in case you’re an Intel fan who needs another motherboard in the spending circle, it’s surely an extraordinary decision.
This passage-level motherboard for gamers has a fair list of capabilities at its cost tag, including three PCIe 3.0 x4 M.2 openings, six SATA ports, and four memory spaces with help for DDR4-4600 and up to 128GB, to begin. In particular, it performs like the best of them without begging to be spent.
Pros | Cons |
Additional optional 4-pin connector | No USB Type-C connectivity |
Pre-installed I/O shield |
In case you’re hoping to get an edge on the opposition, yet you don’t have a great deal of additional room around your work area, you will require a Micro-ATX motherboard – all the more explicitly, the MSI MPG Z390M Gaming Edge AC. What you’re getting is a Micro-ATX motherboard with all the highlights a full-sized ATX one offers, yet at a small amount of the cost.
In spite of its more modest size, you actually get a double M.2 slot, SLI and Crossfire backing, and all the blazing exhibition that Intel Coffee Lake Refresh has to bring to the table. In case you’re searching for a more modest motherboard, you can’t bear to pass on the MSI MPG Z390M Gaming Edge MC.
Pros | Cons |
Stylish | Pricey |
Feature-packed |
In the event that you need the littlest conceivable motherboard accessible without settling on key highlights of your CPU, you should investigate the Asus ROG Strix Z390-I Gaming. With this motherboard, you don’t have to settle on highlights or power. You don’t have to make do with a measly 32GB of RAM.
Because of Asus’ double limit memory similarity – you can have up to 64GB of memory in the most minuscule motherboard you’ve ever observed. Shockingly, as most Z390 sheets, its sticker price isn’t for weak-willed, so set yourself up to dish out some genuine batter on the off chance that you need the littlest of the best motherboards.
Pros | Cons |
Tons of memory capacity | Expensive |
All the RGB |
On the off chance that you’re thinking about an AMD arrangement for that PC, you’re building, at that point, you can’t turn out badly with the ASRock X570 Phantom Gaming X. This is the best motherboard for AMD fans at the present time, with a first-class highlight set, incredible plan, and a profoundly successful cooling arrangement.
It’s unquestionably a top pick among overclockers out there, and with Wi-Fi 6 help for sure. In the event that you have an affinity for change and redesigning your internals, there may be a few restrictions with respect to what you can do actually. However, other than that, it’s an elusive issue on this board.
Pros | Cons |
Excellent cooling | Upgrading storage might be physically tricky |
Beautiful design |
Asus ROG Strix B550-E Gaming
In case you’re hoping to work without any preparation, the Asus ROG B550-E Gaming Motherboard is a smart and feature-rich motherboard to combine with that AMD third-gen Ryzen chip you just purchased.
Its I/O ports are protected, it accompanies a PCIe 4.0 slot (and a second PCIe 3.0 one), and it has pretty much all the ports and port headers you could want. With this motherboard, you’re getting brilliant force conveyance, an extraordinary list of capabilities, and an extraordinarily viable cooling arrangement, just as a cool stylish for sure.
Pros | Cons |
Easy setup | Limited CPU support |
Affordable |
Pros | Cons |
AI noise-canceling technology works great | No heatsink in upper NVMe slot |
PCIe 4.0 support |
Best Intel Motherboards
For the best motherboard for the most recent Intel chips, you need one that carries a lot of capacity to the table, just as smart cooling and backing for quicker memory. That is the reason the Asus ROG Maximus XII HERO gets our vote as the best Intel motherboard for 2021.
In case you’re considering moving up to a tenth-generation Intel Core processor, put resources into this motherboard too. With it, you’re likewise getting AI overclocking, AI organizing with Wi-Fi 6 help, and Asus’ Aura Sync enlightenment.
Pros | Cons |
Easy overclocking | Expensive |
Gorgeous design |
Very good quality motherboards may cost a fortune, yet in the event that you have something like the MSI MEG Z490 Godlike in the engine, you’re essentially ensured first-rate execution, particularly on the off chance that you have Intel segments.
However long you’re willing to follow through on the cost. Indeed, we’d venture to state that this is the best z490 load up out there at the present moment, with a magnificent warm arrangement, faltering overclocking execution, simple establishment and indicative answers for do-it-without anyone’s help, and a strong form.
Pros | Cons |
Superb build quality | Uses two 8-pin CPU power connectors |
Onboard thunderbolt video output | Pricey |
ASRock X299 Taichi
The X-arrangement processors are here, and they are fabulous. Yet, on the off chance that you need to exploit all they have to bring to the table, you need an X-series motherboard. This ASRock X299 is an inconceivable decision with help for overclocked memory accelerates to 4400MHz(!!!) and 8 unique spaces for memory modules.
It likewise bolsters up to 128GB of RAM. Include an X-series processor and a decent designs card or 3, and this thing will totally destroy anything you might toss at it. In case you’re looking for extraordinary compared to other motherboards cash can purchase, this is it.
Pros | Cons |
Slots for 8 RAM modules | Expensive |
Gigantic memory support |
The ASRock Z490 Taichi is an extraordinary motherboard in the $350-$400 value section for building a Z490 framework, contrasting well with likewise evaluated competition. It incorporates eight SATA ports (while others have six), just as a quick USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C port. It additionally has a superior appearance and runs cooler than contending sheets in the force conveyance division.
On the off chance that you need three M.2 openings and eight SATA ports, this is the mainboard around this value point with that capacity setup. In the event that your spending plan takes into account an upper mid-range board, ASRock’s Z490 Taichi should be at the first spot on the list.
Pros | Cons |
Solid 12-phase/50A VRM for Vcore | Tough to press PCIe slot latch for removal |
USB 3.2 Gen 2X2 Type-C port | Expensive compared to Z390 Taichi |
Gigabyte Z390 Designare
The Z390 Designare beats its nearest rival on highlights at the cost, has a similar overclocking capacity to its nearest equal yet beats it in overclocked DRAM execution, and has, in any event, enough additional incentive to legitimize its premium over less expensive loads up.
We need to consider whether the “workstation substitution” PC market will endure a load up with unremarkable CPU overclocking. In any case, given that there’s so little to pick up from overclocking the Core i9-9900K, we feel that usually, the appropriate response is yes.
Pros | Cons |
Full-Spec Thunderbolt 3 ports | Mediocre CPU Overclocking |
Two Gigabit Ethernet ports plus 1.73Gb/s Wi-Fi |
Completely prepared for the 48 paths of Intel’s tenth generation Core Extreme processors, the X299X Designare 10G comes stacked to the edge with Intel X550 double 10Gb/s Ethernet and a couple of Thunderbolt 3 headers with double DisplayPort passthrough on Intel’s 40Gb/s regulator.
A four-drive M.2 expander card and 2.4Gb/s Wi-Fi 6 complete a bundle of which the additional segment an incentive far exceeds the value contrast over its nearest rival.
Pros | Cons |
Dual 10GbE, plus 2.4Gbps Wi-Fi 6 | Expensive |
Thunderbolt 3 with dual Type-C outputs and dual DisplayPort inputs | 10.8-inch depth requires extra case considerations |
Best AMD Motherboards
Asus is out to demonstrate that large things can and do come in little bundles with the ROG Strix X470-I. Highlighting the best in class AMD chipset, everything in this minuscule board is planned in light of amazing execution.
That stretches out down to the BIOS where you can discover a pressure test for overclocks before you even boot into Windows. This board additionally lifts past the limitations of the Mini-ITX form factor by including an M.2 Audio Combo riser, so you can introduce your M.2 NVMe SSD without swarming out different parts.
Pros | Cons |
Dual-channel RAM support | RAM tops out at 32GB |
M.2 compatibility |
MSI Creator TRX40
At the point when you have an AMD Threadripper in the engine of your PC, you totally need a monster of a motherboard like the MSI Creator TRX40. This is planned and fabricated explicitly for makers with the most requesting figuring needs, this motherboard additionally brags a significant list of capabilities.
Among those highlights are the most recent PCIe gen4 spaces and M.2 connectors, USB3.2 Gen2x2, Wi-Fi 6 and 10G LAN, just as MSI’s Frozr Heatsink plan and Mystic Light RGB lighting. It’s somewhat expensive, particularly close to the opposition, yet of course, nothing in the imaginative circle isn’t nowadays. On the off chance that you need the best motherboard for your expert inventive undertakings, it doesn’t beat this.
Pros | Cons |
Has 10GbE, 1GbE, and 2.4Gbps Wi-Fi | Expensive |
Efficient cooling |
Gigabyte Aorus X570 Master
The Gigabyte Aorus X570 Master isn’t just a stylishly satisfying motherboard, with sprinkles of silver on a slate intended to supplement its RGB lighting. It is additionally equipped for being the highlight of an exceptionally ground-breaking PC. It can deal with up to 128GB of DDR4400 RAM, the most recent third-gen AMD processors, and different GPUs for anybody needing to future evidence their gaming needs.
The X570 Master is additionally shrewdly planned, with protecting on its I/O ports, WiFi 6, and various other situation decisions that make this a quality board. The best part is that its cost is altogether not exactly the top-of-the-line Intel motherboards.
Pros | Cons |
Pre-installed I/O Shield | Awkward USB3 header placement |
Well thought out design |
How We Picked
We relied on the opinion of experts and feedback of users based on three major factors: The best motherboards for gaming, best intel motherboards, and the best AMD motherboards.
More facts and data about these motherboards were gotten from deep research and online reviews. With the result and feedback we got (both positive and negative), we were able to rank each product according to the standard we set.
Looking at our review, each motherboard has been carefully categorized according to our research result. Also, take note that the motherboards that didn’t meet our standard were not included on this list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
If you’ve read this review, it implies you’re searching for the best motherboards to buy, and without a shadow of a doubt, we believe you must have found one or two products among our list that you’ll like to purchase. If that be the case, ensure you check all the necessary details of your preferred choice before purchasing.