9 Best Gaming Motherboards under $100: Dispel Budget Myths

Motherboards under $100 to create a budget computer setup without compromising on quality

It might be a laborious task to build a decent gaming PC while staying within a small budget, but I decided to prove that one can still create a powerful setup delivering a decent performance without going broke.

This review of the top options this year will come in handy for those who are looking for the best gaming motherboard under 100US dollars. Whether you need to improve your previous rig or build a new computer, these options allow you to create an advanced solution at a fraction of the cost you could have spent on more expensive options.

I tested the 3 motherboards for under 100 dollars and added my test results to the table. Read on to discover which board has more features and which one is more suitable for budget-conscious users.

If you want to find a decent motherboard under $100, pay attention to the following:

CPU Compatibility. A motherboard should be compatible with the processor you use (AMD or Intel).

Expansion slots. A board should have enough PCIe slots for your GPU and other peripherals.

Memory support. Consider the number of DIMM slots and the max RAM capacity.

Storage options. Decent options have M.2 slots for NVMe SSDs and enough SATA ports for other drives.

Connectivity. A board should have a choice of USB ports, audio jacks, and display outputs.

Build quality. Read user reviews to select a motherboard with a durable build and reliable performance.

BIOS. An easy-to-configure BIOS with an intuitive interface will make it easier for you to adjust its settings to your liking.

Processor: Ryzen 5000, 3rd/2nd/1st Gen AMD Ryzen | Form Factor: Micro ATX | Chipset Type: AMD B450 | Socket: AM4

After testing this budget motherboard, I can confirm that this model exceeds user expectations. This Micro ATX motherboard under 100 dollars has features that can be typically found in high-end models and delivers excellent performance. I like that it is compatible with a variety of CPUs, which allows me to select the most suitable option for my build depending on the task I want to achieve.

Its four DIMM slots support up to 128GB of DDR4 RAM, making is suited for gaming and solving multiple tasks at once. Thanks to its M.2 slot, I can connect it to high-speed NVMe SSDs to minimize load times and ensure that my OS functions without any delays. What makes it the best motherboard for gaming under 100 USD it has a choice of USB ports, including USB 3.2 Gen 2, which gives you plenty of wiggle room when you need to upgrade your setup with new peripherals and external storage.

Processor: 3rd Gen AMD Ryzen | Form Factor: Micro ATX | Chipset Type: AMD B550 | Socket: AM4

One of the key benefits of MSI B550M PRO-VDH WIFI is that it comes with integrated Wi-Fi 6, which ensures that you will be able to enjoy a high-speed wireless connection. This feature is a rare occurrence for the boards sold in this price bracket. The model is fitted with four DIMM slots, supporting up to 128GB of DDR4 RAM. It accounts for its improved memory capacity and versatility. This model can easily replace even the best AM3+ motherboard under 100 USD.

The build quality is quite decent, while its Core Boost technology and advanced power design guarantee stable performance even when you solve taxing tasks. I utilized this motherboard for game development, and it perfectly coped with all the tasks I threw at it. The BIOS interface is quite intuitive, which allows users with different levels of experience to configure it with ease.

Processor: 12th Gen Intel | Form Factor: Micro ATX | Chipset Type: Intel B660 | Socket: LGA 1700

The ASRock B660M Pro Intel B660 will become a great addition to any setup. It has a solid build and a streamlined design, making it easier to install. Another thing that I like about this Intel motherboard under 100 USD is that its BIOS has plenty of customization opportunities, making this model stand out among other LGA 1150 motherboards.

After comparing this option with motherboards for 3400g, I can conclude that it is perfectly compatible with the latest Intel CPUs, guaranteeing top-level performance.

It is suitable for gaming and multitasking. Due to its impressive connectivity options and modern design, this ATX motherboard under 100 USD has great value and will enhance the reliability of any rig.

Processor: 3rd Gen AMD Ryzen | Form Factor: Micro ATX | Chipset Type: AMD B550 | Socket: AM4

This model delivers powerful performance and has a well-thought-out cooling system, which allows it to be used with expensive processors. One of the key advantages of this option is that it supports PCIe 4.0. Due to this, it facilitates fast data transfer speeds, making it especially suitable for those who are going to use the latest NVMe SSDs.

Another strong point of this board is that it has dual M.2 slots, which allow me to use it together with high-speed drives to boot my computer without any delays and solve resource-intensive tasks. I was also impressed by the durable build of the GIGABYTE B550M DS3H. It has reliable components that can be found in more expensive boards.

Processor: AMD Ryzen 5000, 4000, 3000, 2000, 1000 | Form Factor: mATX | Chipset Type: AMD B450 | Socket: AM4

After testing this motherboard, I was glad to discover that it is perfectly suitable for any cheap gaming Ryzen setup. I decided to use it together with my Ryzen 5 3600 processor, and it worked smoothly right away, so I did not have to configure its settings.

Another thing that I like about this motherboard is that it remembers RAM settings even when you unplug it.

One of the key selling points of this B450 motherboard under 100 USD is that it supports the DDR4 Boost technology, which accounts for its improved memory performance. As it has two DIMM slots, each of which supports up to 64GB of RAM, it will handle any resource-intensive task you throw at it.

Even though this board has a limited choice of features in comparison with some motherboards with Thunderbolt support, it is still a great option to consider at this price.

Processor: 1st & 2nd Gen Ryzen | Form Factor: Micro ATX | Chipset Type: AMD B450 | Socket: AM4

At the price of under $100, this motherboard comes with a range of features making it stand out among other models in this price bracket. It’s best suited for users like me who prefer to use AMD processors.

Whether you want to build a solid mid-range rig or create a more powerful hardware configuration, this motherboard has everything you may need. After using this motherboard for Ryzen 5-2600, I can conclude that it delivers powerful performance, making it suitable for gamers and multitaskers.

What makes it the best gaming motherboard under 100 dollars is that it has dual M.2 slots. Due to this, you can use it together with high-speed NVMe SSDs, which reduce the boot and load times of your OS.

Processor: Ryzen 4000, 3000, 2000, 5000 | Form Factor: Micro ATX | Chipset Type: AMD B450 | Socket: AM4

If you are looking for the best motherboard under 100 dollars, consider this option as well. I am pleased with the design and performance of this model. In terms of size, it is similar to motherboards for 3D printers.

The VRM heatsinks cope with their task perfectly, and the board maintains a low temperature. You won’t have any issues with upgrading it either. However, I had some problems with RGB software, as it might be difficult to configure.

Processor: AMD Athlon 64, AMD Sempron | Form Factor: Micro ATX | Chipset Type: AMD A68H | Socket: AM2

As I was using an older setup, it was an arduous task to turn it on without unplugging it for half an hour or so. I would often find myself repeatedly pushing the power button with no result.

As I have already bought plenty of DDR3 RAM modules and a budget GPU, I wanted to find a board compatible with these components. This motherboard costs less than 200 dollars and supports streamlined installation, but it is hardly suitable for new processors.

Processor: Ryzen 4000, 3000, 2000, 5000 | Form Factor: Micro ATX | Chipset Type: AMD B450 | Socket: AM4

I was able to use the Ryzen 5000 right out of the box without tweaking any settings. It saved me a lot of time, as this Ryzen motherboard under 100 dollars does not allow users to change BIOS settings without a processor, unlike some high-end models.

The only shortcoming of this motherboard is that it might be difficult to install RAM. It took me some effort to push it down until it clicked. Keep in mind that if you are looking for the best Mini ITX motherboard under 100 dollars, you may need to find a suitable alternative.