4 Best Motherboards for Gaming and Streaming
So you’re building a PC. Maybe you're building your first PC, or maybe you’ve been a gamer or streamer for a while and want to upgrade your current machine. Whatever the case, it’s crucial to be up to date with the top motherboards on the market right now so you can make the right choice for your PC build.
Motherboards are the heart of your PC. They connect all the various parts, help them work together, and hold the critical infrastructure of your computer. Without one, you don’t have a PC at all. Because of how vital they are, your motherboard needs to help and not hinder you.
With that in mind, we’re giving a crash course on the latest and greatest motherboards available today. Once you’ve read up on your options, you’ll be able to select a motherboard perfect for your PC build with all your unique needs and specifications. Let’s get started.
What Is a Motherboard?
The motherboard of your PC is the main circuit board of the entire system. Your computer's workhorses are its individual parts. The CPU does most of the computing, the hard drive stores your data, the GPU renders graphics, the RAM accesses data quickly, and the monitor helps you interface with the computer.
The motherboard connects them all. It helps these important pieces work together. For example, it gives the CPU access to the data on the drive and allows the GPU to display images and video on your monitor. It’s an essential piece of equipment.
What To Consider When Choosing a Motherboard
There are many factors to consider when buying a motherboard. You need to have a plan for your PC and know what you want to get out of your machine.
Here are some things to think about before we share the best options on the market:
CPU and GPU Compatibility
First, ensure your motherboard is compatible with the CPU and graphics card you want. We recommend selecting your CPU and GPU first, then finding a motherboard with the right sockets and chipsets for that pairing.
Intel and AMD are the big players among high-end CPU processors. Make sure the ones you get are compatible with each other, as well. If you miss this step, your processing units won’t fit into the motherboard.
Hard Drive Form Factors
Next, you’ll want to make sure your motherboard has the form factors you need for your hard drive. For older motherboards and SSDs, you’ll need a SATA connection.
The best and newest drives utilize an NVMe connection type in the PCIe slot, which is far more efficient than SATA. Options range from x1 to x16 slots. However, there are also more compact NVMe drives that plug into M.2 connections, so make sure you have the right one for your connection points.
RAM Configuration
It’s a good idea to be familiar with RAM configurations and know how much RAM you want your PC to have. If you want 64 GB of RAM, do you want two 32 GB cards or four 16s? Plan ahead so you get what you’re looking for.
I/O Panel and Connections
Most motherboards will have an I/O panel accessible from the exterior of the PC case. Ensure your I/O panel has all the connection options you want, from HDMI to Thunderbolt and USB ports.
For the best PC gaming experience, make sure that all your accessories, like your stream deck, can connect to your computer and that you have the right inputs.
Size
Finally, you’ll want to consider the size of your board. Most importantly, make sure the board you get will fit inside your PC cabinet. There are several different form factors out there, the most common of which are ATX, Mini-ATX, and Micro ATX motherboards. But triple-check to ensure you buy the best PC cabinet.
What Are the Best Gaming Motherboards?
Now, let’s look at a few of the best motherboards on the market today. We’ll consider several different types so you can find a high-quality option that fits the specific needs of your build.
For this article, we’ve picked the best motherboards based on CPU compatibility and included the best budget options for each CPU type.
Best Intel LGA 1700 Motherboard | ASUS ROG Strix Z790-A Gaming Wi-Fi II
If you want to experience one of the best motherboards on the market, look no further than this ROG Strix Z790-A, especially if you already have an ATX-compatible case. It has all the newest features you need for an epic PC built around an Intel processor and then some.
It has up to 192 GB of DDR5 RAM, support for PCIe 5.0, five slots for PCIe 4.0 for M.2 support, and an incredibly user-friendly design that will help you easily put your PC together. If you get the right cooling rig, you can even allow moderate overclocking.
The I/O is also impressive, with HDMI ports, plenty of USB and USB-C, high-end audio, and that sweet, sweet WiFi 7 connectivity for the fastest speeds imaginable.
This motherboard is priced on the higher end at about $320, but there are far more expensive options that won’t boost gaming performance as much as this one. It’s a fantastic option with a ton of value.
Best AMD AM5 Motherboard | ASRock X670E Taichi
For the high-performance models among AMD motherboards, there’s the X670E Taichi from ASRock. It’s a giant E-ATX board, so you must ensure you have a big enough case for it. However, its size will make a difference in your gameplay.
This motherboard features dual PCIe 5.0 slots and four PCIe M.2 slots for ultrafast connections to your drives and accessories. Its new AM5 socket lets you utilize the next-gen Ryzen 7000 chips for maximum power delivery. It also boasts up to 192 GB of RAM and RGB lighting for an epic look.
It has all the inputs you’ll ever need on the I/O (all of them top-of-the-line connectors) and is equipped with WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3. This beast costs around $410, but it’s worth every penny if you’re trying to trick out your rig.
Best Budget LGA 1700 Motherboard | MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi
The MAG Z790 Tomahawk is an absolute monster of an ATX motherboard. It’s also an LGA 1700 board, meaning it’s compatible with modern Intel core processors. If you’re an Intel fan, this motherboard is for you. It’s a no-nonsense board that does its job incredibly well.
It comes in DDR4 or DDR5 RAM options, has seven SATA ports for bulk storage, supports a PCIe 4.0 drive, and has an impressive rear I/O. It also has two USB type C ports, USB-A, HDMI, Ethernet, and all the audio ports you’ll need. Not to mention, it’s WiFi-equipped, so you don’t have to buy a separate WiFi card.
However, a few factors keep this board from being high-end. For one, it doesn’t yet have PCIe 5.0, but the 4.0 will do just fine for years to come. It also forgoes any flashy RGB in place of clean-looking heatsinks and brushed metal.
These days, this board retails as low as $200. While it’s not the cheapest, you’ll struggle to find a board with this functionality at this price point. In terms of overall value, it’s just about impossible to beat.
Best Budget AMD AM5 Motherboard | ASUS TUF Gaming B650-Plus WiFi
This gaming motherboard is surprisingly powerful for a pretty affordable ATX option. It’s a touch more expensive than other B650s, but you get so much more for a few extra bucks that it’s worth it.
The AM5 socket lets this motherboard support the latest AMD Ryzen 7000 chips in all their power. It’s got four slots for DDR5 RAM, offering up to 128 gigabytes, one PCIe 5.0 expansion slot, and two PCIe 4.0 slots.
For storage, you’ll have three M.2 slots for the fastest SSDs or four slots for SATA if you want to go that route. It also offers Wi-Fi 6 or 2.5G LAN for high-speed internet connectivity. The I/O also leaves nothing to be desired, with plenty of USB-C, USB-A, HDMI, and audio connectors. It even has a BIOS Flashback button for easy updating to the motherboard.
You get all of this starting at $220, but this B-series board often has deals. It might be worth waiting for the price to drop.
The Best Motherboard for Your Gaming PC
This article is by no means a comprehensive guide to the vast world of motherboards. For instance, we didn’t even get to Gigabyte’s Aorus Elite AX model. Still, these fantastic options can work great for your PC build, no matter your budget. Add one to your shopping list and continue to build. An immaculate gaming PC lies in your future.
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