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When building a gaming PC, the most crucial part of your build is the motherboard, as it's what you'll be slotting that high-end graphics card and powerful CPU into. While those other components will be doing the heavy lifting, you'll want to pick up a good motherboard that can keep up with the pace by being fully compatible with all your other pieces of hardware, from a stick of RAM to a brand new SSD drive.
We've compared the best motherboards for gaming, from great brands like ASUS, Gigabyte, and MSI, ranging from cheap and affordable options to more premium boards, comparing their price, reviews, pros and cons. Our top picks are suitable for running a wide variety of games, but you will need the recommended CPU and graphics card for each title you want to play.
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Motherboards have specific sockets for different CPU brands and models, so you'll want to make sure that your board is compatible with the CPU you're planning on using, as each motherboard is designed to fit with either an Intel CPU or an AMD CPU. These are not cross-compatible, and AMD will not fit in an Intel socket and vice versa.
It's also worth noting that many PC components will have different compatibilities depending on their age and generation, and this is true of CPUs. Just because a motherboard is compatible with an Intel chip does not mean it's compatible with all Intel chips, as an older CPU may not fit in a newly released motherboard.
When purchasing a motherboard, it's essential to check the socket type to make sure it fits both the chipset and generation. Intel sockets are indicated with LGA followed by a longer number (e.g. LGA 1700), while AMD has AM plus a single-digit denoting the generation (e.g. AM4).
Take a look at our picks for the best CPUs for gaming to pair with your new motherboard!
When tackling a new build, one of the most fun parts is choosing what sort of case you want all your parts housed in. Whether you're looking at brightly lit RGB LED monsters or something more understated, it's important to make sure your motherboard fits inside your case.
This isn't just a question of it physically fitting, but making sure that it can screw into the brackets holding it in place. Luckily, motherboard and case sizes are relatively universal, with most tower cases fitting ATX motherboards. If you're looking at options like Micro ATX and mini-ITX motherboards, however, you'll want a smaller case to match, but it's also worth noting that they will both often fit in the larger ATX case.
Looking to save money on your build? Consider opting for a budget PC case to cut back on costs.
RAM (Random Access Memory) is one of the most often misunderstood components in computing but is still crucial to how well your machine functions. As RAM gets better as technology advances, they become incompatible with older motherboards and, just like CPU sockets, a newly released stick of RAM probably won't fit in an older generation motherboard.
Types of RAM are denoted by DDR and then a single-digit number indicating its generation (DDR5, DDR4, etc.) and are not compatible with one another. A DDR5 stick of RAM will not fit in a motherboard that supports DDR4, so make sure everything matches up with one another, or you'll be wasting your money!
We recommend using PCPartPicker to ensure you're getting the most out of your RAM, as motherboards have a "top-speed" of RAM they can support. For example, a motherboard can support DDR4 RAM, but only up to DDR4-2666, so a stick of DDR4-4600's extra speed would be wasted even though it will still work.
When picking the right graphics card for your motherboard, you won't have to worry about it physically fitting like your CPU sockets or RAM, as all GPUs use the universal PCIe interface. Nearly all gaming motherboards will also have a number of these ports as they're also used for inbuild WiFi cards, sound cards, and other networking adapters.
It is worth noting whether your motherboard supports PCIe 5.0 or PCIe 4.0, which is similar to USB 2.0/3.0 in that older components will fit but won't be able to reach their peak potential. A new generation GPU will fit in a PCIe 3.0 slot, but a motherboard that supports PCIe 4.0/5.0 connections will have a better performance overall.
Act while you can and pick up a high-quality graphics card while prices are low!
There are several other ports and connections worth noting when buying a gaming motherboard, but the most common are SATA and USB. We're going to assume that most people are familiar with USB, and there are usually plenty of ports on offer, but you'll want at least one USB 3.0 or above and several of the 2.0.
You may be less familiar with SATA ports as they're hidden away inside your computer, but these are how HDDs and SSDs are connected to your motherboard. The current generation is SATA 3, and it is fully compatible with older generations of hardware but boasts much higher transfer speeds, which is noticeable when games are being downloaded, installed, or loading up. For best results, you want an SSD connected to a SATA 3 interface.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Price | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ASUS ROG Crosshair VIII Dark Hero | £419.98 High Mid | The Best AM4 Board on the Market that's Perfect With a Ryzen 9 | ||
2 | ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Hero | £469.98 High Mid | A 12th Generation and DDR5 Compatible Option for Those Keen to Get a Head Start on the Next Wave of Components | ||
3 | MSI B450M Mortar Max | £73.99 Low Mid | A Budget-Friendly Option for AMD Builds Created for Everyday Use | ||
4 | MSI MAG B660M Mortar WiFi DDR4 | £181.48 Mid | The Most Cost-Effective Board for 12th-Generation Intel Chips | ||
5 | Gigabyte Z590 Aorus Tachyon | £329.90 High Mid | The Best Option for Overclocking Slightly Older Intel Chips | ||
6 | Gigabyte A520M AORUS Elite | £90.85 Low Mid | Great Value for Those Looking at Mid-Range, Everyday Builds | ||
7 | ASUS TUF Gaming Z690-Plus WiFi | £239.99 Mid | A Reliable and Affordable Option for High End Gaming with Intel | ||
8 | ASUS ROG Strix B550-E Gaming | £183.22 Mid | A Solid AMD Board With Impressive Overclocking and Networking Capabilities | ||
9 | ASRock A520M ITX/ac | £97.72 Low Mid | A Great Option for Mini-ITX Builds That Would Be Perfect for Couch Gaming | ||
10 | ASRock B460M Steel Legend | £113.99 Low Mid | The Best Budget Option ATX Board Perfect for Older Intel Chips |
If you're looking to futureproof a build with the current series of AMD CPUs, then the Crosshair VIII Dark Hero is the AM4 motherboard you'll need. For those investing big on a Ryzen 9 CPU, this is the perfect motherboard to pair with it.
It's hard to gauge how long the current generation, AM4 compatible CPUs will be at the top of AMD's stable, but if you have the funds to invest big on this motherboard and a high-end CPU, it will see you through the best part of a decade.
The ROG Maximus Z690 Hero has been made with the next generation of hardware in mind. It works with 12th generation Intel CPUs and is the only option on our list compatible with DDR5 RAM, making this a board that's ready for the future.
It also features two PCIe 5.0 slots making this a motherboard at the vanguard of current technology. If you have your heart set on getting in early on the next generation of components, then this is the option for you.
While it's tempting to pick the highest specification board available if you're looking to build a high-end gaming rig or work with video editing or rendering software, but for everyday use, a budget motherboard is just as effective. This B450M Mortar Max was made exactly for this reason and represents excellent value for money.
Choosing a budget option won't mean you're locked out of gaming or editing, however, a good graphics card and CPU will do most of the heavy lifting. If you're trying to cut costs on your AMD build, this is a fantastic board for the price.
When planning an Intel build, costs can quickly add up when you start including the prices of a CPU, graphics card, and the motherboard. While you'll never be able to quite match AMD prices, the MSI MAG B660M represents the best value for money if you're going for a 12th Generation CPU.
The micro ATX size packs a lot into a small package, so if you're considering a smaller build that still has plenty of rear ports, this fits the bill. There aren't many better options out there for a small form build on a budget!
If you're upgrading your PC, or are looking at the previous generation of Intel chips to find some value, then the Z590 Aorus Tachyon shouldn't be overlooked. For an Intel-compatible board, the price tag is very reasonable for the types of performance you can achieve.
For those comfortable with overclocking and looking to squeeze the most out of your components, the board's architecture gives this option a high ceiling. This is a great high-end motherboard that still has a lot to offer if you're playing around with slightly older components.
While a lot of people build dedicated gaming PCs, some will want more of an every day, jack of all trades option, and we think this option from Gigabyte fits that bill. Having a motherboard that just plugs in and works without any fiddling can be a very compelling proposition!
The only thing it's really missing is a PCIe 4.0, which means it's not going to be the best option if you're going with a higher-end graphics card. There's little room for overclocking, but for mid-range builds, you really can't sniff at this price.
The next two options are for quality high-gaming motherboards for Intel and AMD, respectively. This Intel option is compatible with all 12th Generation chips and is a solid option if you're looking for something to tie that gaming rig together.
For an Intel board, this is excellent value for money at under the £250 mark. The inclusion of WiFi capabilities and the low overall cost means you can put more of your budget towards that Core i9 or RTX 3090, but you may have to pick up an extra USB adapter if you have a lot of peripherals.
If you couldn't guess from the name, the B550-E is designed with gaming in mind with two PCIe 4.0 slots, included networking capabilities, and some impressive overclocking credentials if you're planning on tinkering.
While an impressive board, it is a little pricy for an AMD option, but if you can find it for below £200, you'd definitely be getting your money's worth. It's also not the best for peripherals due to the limited USB ports.
Those looking to build the smallest gaming PC possible without worrying about the highest resolutions should consider this mini-ITX option from ASRock. This would make an excellent choice for a living room gaming PC as an alternative to a console.
If you're determined to go for a mini-ITX build, this is the best option out there, but for a gaming PC, it's best to have as much space for airflow as possible to keep everything cool. This is a great budget board, but we'd only recommend this for people who are comfortable building PCs rather than a first attempt!
If you're looking to build an Intel PC for the lowest amount of money possible, then your best choice is the B460M Steel Legend that's available at a steal. It's a solid ATX board that is stripped down to the essential features to save on costs.
Ultimately, opting for a stripped-down board for an older generation of Intel will save you money in the short term, you'll need to upgrade in the near future if you want to play new releases. For less-resource intensive games, however, this is perfect.
No. 1: ASUS|ROG Crosshair VIII Dark Hero
No. 2: ASUS |ROG Maximus Z690 Hero
No. 3: MSI|B450M Mortar Max
No. 4: MSI|MAG B660M Mortar WiFi DDR4
No. 5: Gigabyte|Z590 Aorus Tachyon
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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