Selecting the very best motherboard for gaming (or greatest board for one more kind of PC job) is a key step in your system construct, though issues like CPUs and graphics playing cards get extra consideration. Each a part of your PC plugs in to to your motherboard. Its type issue (ATX, E-ATS, ITX, and so forth.) will dictate the scale of your PC case. And a board’s socket and chipset will restrict which processors you’ll be able to set up.
If you happen to’re undecided which motherboard chipset you’re after when selecting the very best gaming motherboard, or you could have different questions that are not addressed right here, you’ll be able to go to our motherboard fundamentals web page and our motherboard shopping for information options to assist slim down your procuring choices.
The picks beneath begin with latest Intel motherboards (with AMD motherboards additional down), together with the very best gaming motherboards designed for Intel’s newest twelfth gen “Alder Lake,” eleventh Gen “Rocket Lake” and older “Comet Lake” processors. You may discover our suggestions for the very best motherboards for Z690, B660, H610 and Z590 right here, in addition to Intel’s getting old high-end desktop (HEDT) LGA-2066 socket and X299 chipset, supporting the X-Collection and Excessive line of processors.
The most effective gaming motherboards for AMD CPUs (together with Ryzen 5000 and Threadripper) comply with our Intel picks beneath. For extra on that entrance, you can even head to our devoted pages for the greatest X570 motherboards and greatest B550 motherboards for extra particular examined suggestions and picks. However for those who’re contemplating an AMD-based construct right here in mid-2022, it’s possible you’ll need to wait a bit for the corporate’s upcoming Ryzen 7000 processors, which is able to use the brand new AM5 socket and trio of chipsets, A670E, X670 and B650. These boards and chips aren’t fairly obtainable but, however with product specs and board particulars getting introduced with rising regularity, it should not be lengthy earlier than AMD’s brand-new platform is absolutely obtainable.Â
Final-gen Ryzen 5000 processors and AM4 motherboards are nonetheless succesful performers, and enticingly reasonably priced. However simply know that for those who go for an AM4 motherboard now you might be shopping for right into a dying last-gen platform. New AMD processors will probably be launched on AM5, solely with DDR5 help.
When selecting a motherboard, take into account the next:
- Get the precise socket on your CPU. You will discover nice CPUs from both Intel or AMD. However no matter processor you select, make it possible for your board has the right socket to help it. The newest mainstream AMD chips use AM4 CPU sockets whereas  Intel’s tenth Gen and eleventh Gen Core CPUs require LGA 1200 sockets, whereas twelfth Gen (Alder Lake) makes use of LGA 1700.
- Smaller boards = fewer slots and options. Motherboards are available three predominant sizes–for extra data see our diagram and clarification of motherboard components. From largest to smallest, there’s ATX, Micro-ATX and Mini-ITX. (Sure, Mini is smaller than Micro). You should use a smaller chassis with the micro or mini boards, however you may must accept fewer card enlargement slots, typically fewer RAM slots, and different connectors.
- Pay for built-in Wi-Fi and high-end ports provided that you want them. Do not spend further for wi-fi if you’re utilizing Ethernet. You may future-proof your PC by getting USB 3.2 Gen 2 and/or Thunderbolt help. However Thunderbolt could be very uncommon on AMD motherboards.
The Greatest Intel Gaming Motherboards: Z690, Z590, Z490 X299
At round $330, the Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Professional is a mid-range Alder Lake motherboard that covers all of the bases very properly, with minimal sacrifices. There are ample storage choices, together with 4 M.2 sockets, up to date audio, and a brand new look. In our in depth testing, efficiency, thermals and overclocking had been additionally properly throughout the vary of different Z690 boards we have examined.Â
Between its 13 USB ports on the rear IO, 4 M.2 sockets and succesful energy supply, all at a value that is properly beneath flagship choices, there’s so much to lovea bout the Z690 Aorus Professional. As long as you don’t require built-in RGB lighting or Wi-Fi 6E out of the field (you continue to get Wi-Fi 6), the Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Professional is a superb Alder Lake motherboard to construct your Z690 system round.
Learn: Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Professional assessment
MSI’s MEG Z690I Unify comes loaded with options together with three M.2 sockets, 4 SATA ports, the latest-generation flagship audio, Thunderbolt 4 (40 Gbps Sort-C) ports and built-in Wi-Fi 6E on this diminutive package deal. Its solely actual draw back is that you will discover simply six USB-A ports on the again. You get all the above for $399.99, or about $30 greater than the previous-gen model. The compact black motherboard packs a punch each with the {hardware} that comes with it. And in our testing, efficiency simply matched bigger ATX boards total.
There’s a lot of competitors within the Z690 Mini-ITX house, from all the most important motherboard makers. However for its value the MSI MEG Z690I Unify has essentially the most options and connectivity customers are prone to search for in a small form-factor board, making it the most suitable choice for these seeking to construct a small however highly effective twelfth Gen Intel Alder Lake rig.
Learn: MSI MEG Z690I Unify assessment
The Z690 Aorus Tachyon comes with sturdy energy supply that helps sub-ambient overclocking of any suitable Alder Lake CPU. The 105A SPS MOSFETs, massive heatsink, and overclocking instruments make sure the board doesn’t get in the way in which of high achievable clock speeds. And in our testing, it carried out above common total, with a number of the quickest leads to our new Blender benchmark, Cinebench R23 and Procyon Workplace, with our sport assessments additionally exhibiting outcomes barely increased than common for the Z690 boards we have examined.Â
The E-ATX Aorus Tachyon has a number of options that make overclocking simpler too, together with buttons to boost/decrease the CPU ratio, cooldown performance, limp modes, a number of BIOS functionality, Tantalum capacitors across the socket space (higher and simpler for insulating for sub-zero runs), and extra.Â
Though this board is made for overclocking, it nonetheless does most all the things else properly too. From the 4 M.2 sockets and 6 SATA ports to the last-gen flagship Realtek audio answer, it comes full of options which can be helpful for many any kind of person. Nonetheless, those that want greater than 64GB of RAM (professionals, content material creators, and so forth), should look elsewhere.
Learn: Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Tachyon Assessment
As long as you don’t plan on overclocking your CPU or need to use PCIe 5.0 units earlier than your subsequent improve, the MSI MAG B660M Mortar WIFI DDR4 and its B660 chipset makes for a fantastic choice for these seeking to get into Alder Lake with out placing a heavy burden in your construct price range.
It lacks the flamboyant seems to be or RGB lighting of pricier boards, however does include all the things it’s essential get essentially the most out of a stock-clocked Alder Lake CPU. The Mortar consists of two PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 sockets, six SATA ports, a premium last-generation audio answer and VRMs that simply handle the flagship Core i9 CPU.
In our testing, efficiency on our B660M Mortar was much like these of the Z690-based DDR4 boards we examined beforehand. In different phrases, this sub-$200 motherboard was in a position to make the most of our i9-12900K processor to its fullest whereas costing a 3rd lower than most Z690 choices.
Learn: MSI MAG B660M Mortar WIFI DDR4 assessment
After our benchmark testing and a detailed have a look at its ample characteristic set, the Asus ROG Strix B660-I Gaming WIFI has proved to be a worthy compact motherboard within the budget-friendly B660 house. The tiny board comes outfitted with a PCIe 5.0 slot, two M.2 sockets, built-in Wi-Fi 6, and a last-gen premium audio answer. The one actual concern hardware-wise is with the new VRM temperatures, however do observe this was throughout a stress check and isn’t a typical loading situation.Â
Outdoors of that, the efficiency throughout all of our testing was good, simply competing with the opposite DDR5-based boards. For $219.99, it’s fairly priced, feature-rich and performer. You may’t ask for way more out of this class of board. The Asus ROG Strix B660-I Gaming WIFI is the ITX board of selection for those who’re wanting to avoid wasting cash and don’t plan to overclock your Alder Lake processor. If you happen to do, there are Z690 choices (we reviewed two already, the ASRock Z690 PG ITX-TB4 and MSI MEG Z690I Unify) although most of those are properly over $300.
Learn: Asus ROG Strix B660-I Gaming WIFI assessment
Of the sub-$120 Intel H610-chipset motherboards we have examined, Asus Prime H610M-A D4 is the one one which helps two M.2 sockets for storage, and a key-E M.2 socket helps you to simply add CNVi-based NICs for fast and dependable Wi-Fi.
If you happen to’re seeking to get into Alder Lake on a budget and won’t overclock, the H610 chipset is the least costly approach in, but it surely’s not with out drawbacks. There are fewer USB ports and what’s obtainable is slower  (no 20 Gbps USB or Sort-C ports, for instance).
Whereas all the Alder Lake processor stack is technically supported, you’re restricted in what processors you’ll be able to make the most of with this chipset, contemplating the slower efficiency we noticed in heavy multi-threaded masses with our Core i9 on all examined H610 motherboards. And do not count on a great deal of exterior enlargement. There are simply six USB ports right here, none of them sooner than the pair of teal 10 Gbps ports. However for those who’re not making an attempt to run the very best Alder Lake has to supply, this sup-$110 board is an efficient option to get the most recent and best Intel has to supply with out placing big a gap in your checking account.
Learn: H610 Motherboard Roundup: i9-12900K Meets Sub-$120 Micro ATX
The Asus ROG Maximus XIII Hero has the premium components and engaging seems to be to face out, regardless of its pretty excessive value. From its clear, high-end look to the sturdy energy supply, 4 M.2 sockets and a premium audio answer, the Hero is a well-rounded, feature-laden answer within the upper-midrange of the Z590 motherboard house. With more-than-capable 90A energy phases and twin Thunderbolt 4 ports, plus the 4 PCIe 4.0 M.2 sockets and premium audio bits, the board justifies its $499 value.
Examined efficiency in comparison with the opposite Z590 fashions we’ve examined so far was spot on, and sometimes negligibly sooner in a lot of our assessments. Reminiscence testing went with out a hitch, with DDR4 3600 supported at 1:1, and it simply dealt with the DDR4 4000 equipment. And overclocking testing proceeded with none problem.
Learn: Asus ROG Maximus XIII Hero Z590 assessmentÂ
The Asus ROG Maximus XIII Excessive Glacial is a full-featured Z590 motherboard that embrace sturdy energy supply, premium audio with a DAC, 5 M.2 sockets, 10 GbE and built-in Wi-Fi 6E and features a customized waterblock. Whereas pricing is hard to take, the Excessive Glacial ($1499) represents what flagship-class motherboards must be.
And as you’ll count on with a high-end board, our testing did not reveal any points by way of the Maximus XIII Excessive Glacial’s efficiency. The board delivered common or above common leads to the 3DMark assessments and precise sport assessments.
Learn: Asus ROG Maximus XIII Excessive Glacial assessment
Totally outfitted for the 48 lanes of Intel’s tenth era Core Excessive processors, the X299X Designare 10G comes loaded to the brink with Intel X550 twin 10Gb/s Ethernet and a pair of Thunderbolt 3 headers with twin DisplayPort passthrough on Intel’s 40Gb/s controller. A four-drive M.2 expander card and a pair of.4Gb/s Wi-Fi 6 end a package deal of which the added part worth far outweighs the value distinction over its closest competitor.
Learn: Gigabyte X299X Designare 10G assessment
The Greatest AMD Gaming Motherboards: X570(S), B550, TRX40, X470 and B450
AMD’s present flagship X570/X570S chipset brings with it full help for PCIe 4.0, together with units linked to each its CPU-integrated and chipset-based PCIe controllers, and the switch charge between the CPU and chipset is likewise doubled. We have examined a number of X570 boards, together with many fashions refreshed for AMD’s Ryzen 5000 CPUs, in addition to a couple of with the up to date X570S chipset that does away with the fan. The worth premium for X570 fashions continues to be a severe consideration, as its X470 predecessors don’t help the PCIe 4.0 built-in into the brand new CPUs.
If you wish to avoid wasting cash, take into account a B550 motherboard, which has PCIe 4.0 help, however usually solely sufficient lanes for one quick SSD and graphics card. Word, although, that many higher-end B550 boards method or exceed the value of X570 options. So store rigorously primarily based on the options you want or are possible to make use of sooner or later.
If you happen to’re undecided which chipset you’re after or have extra fundamental questions, you’ll be able to go to our motherboard fundamentals and motherboard shopping for information tales to assist slim down your board shopping for choices.
The Asus ROG Crosshair VIII Excessive is the primary AMD Excessive board for the reason that X370 days, and it would not disappoint. Along with its premium look, the board comes with probably the most succesful VRMs we’ve seen. So its overclocking capacity is simply restricted to your cooling functionality and the constraints of your silicon. Different options are additionally top-notch, together with the most recent Realtek/Supreme FX audio codec, 10 GbE and Wi-Fi 6E.
The Thunderbolt 4 ports and front-panel USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Sort-C ports provide you with loads of quick connectivity as properly. And for those who want loads of quick storage, you’re properly taken care of with as much as 5 M.2 modules that may work concurrently. If you happen to’ve received $800 to spend on an X570 motherboard, the ROG Crosshair VIII Excessive must be on the high of your listing.
Learn: Asus ROG Crosshair VIII Excessive assessmentÂ
Filled with 12 USB ports (eight of that are USB 3.2 Gen 2 speeds), a 2.5G LAN port, eight SATA ports, and built-in Wi-Fi 6, he Asus ROG Crosshair VIII Hero Wi-Fi is an efficient base for a high-end construct.
Learn: Asus X570 ROG Crosshair VIII Hero Wi-Fi Assessment
The Gigabyte X570 Aorus Extremely focuses on doing basic items very properly, equivalent to its twelve 40A core voltage MOSFETs and triple PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 storage slots. With nothing greater than a 2.4Gb/s Wi-Fi 6 module so as to add to its fundamental Gigabit Ethernet, the paucity of premium add-in options helps Gigabyte to keep up a sub $300 value regardless of the price of PCIe 4.0 compliance.
Learn: Gigabyte X570 Aorus Extremely assessment
Asus’ ROG Strix B550-F Gaming Wi-Fi delivers premium options together with SupremeFX Audio, Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX200, stable energy supply and extra. It’s choice across the $200 mark, although there are equally specced boards that price much less. If you happen to don’t want Wi-Fi functionality, the non-Wi-Fi model of the identical board prices $30 much less with the identical specs, making it simple to advocate for those who plan on utilizing Ethernet or have your personal wi-fi card.
Learn: Asus ROG Strix B550-F Gaming Wi-Fi assessment
NZXT’s first foray into AMD motherboards is successful. Coming in late to the sport allowed the corporate to implement suggestions from its Intel boards, including extra USB ports to the rear IO. The extra time additionally allowed NZXT to implement cutting-edge Wi-Fi 6E as properly, alongside 2.5GbE. Outdoors of that, the looks modified considerably from the corporate’s earlier boards, with shrouds dominating the floor and an absence of on-board RGBs.
With an MSRP of $229, the NZXT N7 B550 prices about $15 greater than our major decide, however delivers a more moderen Wi-Fi chip, extra and sooner USB ports, and stable efficiency in a package deal that is visually distinct from all different B550 competitors. If you happen to can spend this a lot and do not want the additional PCI 4.0 bandwidth that comes with equally priced older X570 motherboards, the NZXT N7 B550 is properly value contemplating.
Learn: NZXT N7 B550 assessmentÂ
Financial savings on the Greatest Motherboards
Whether or not you are shopping for among the finest motherboards or a distinct mannequin, it’s possible you’ll discover some financial savings by checking our listing of coupon codes, particularly our listing of Newegg promo codes and Micro Heart coupons.
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