Affordable and high-quality gaming motherboards under $100
Since the CPU and the GPU are located on the motherboard, you need to accurately choose this computer component to get an incredible gaming experience. Nowadays the market is filled with hundreds of motherboard models that differ not only in price and compatibility with processors but also in performance as a whole. This review of the top options in 2021 will come in handy for those who are looking for the best gaming motherboard under 100 US dollars. Below, there are options suitable for building the best gaming PC under 300 bucks and those capable of becoming the centerpiece of a gaming monster for $2000+.
Compatibility with your processor is one of the main factors to consider when buying a motherboard for your gaming needs. You should remember the size too. Almost any motherboard is suitable for an ATX gaming computer. However, if you are building something smaller (e.g., Micro ATX), take care of the appropriate board size.
CPU support: Intel B365 | Form Factor: Micro ATX | Socket: LGA 1151 | Memory support: Dual Channel DDR4
If you are looking to buy a motherboard, the GIGABYTE B365M DS3H is a great choice. This is one of the best budget gaming motherboards on the market today. It offers all the features and benefits of other high end motherboards without the price tag that goes along with them.
The dual BIOS feature allows you to change the speeds of your processor at any time with no negative impact on performance. No more down times when updating your applications and playing your games. This motherboard also has a gigabyte processor socket which allows you to upgrade your existing dual core processor.
CPU support: AMD B550 | Form Factor: Micro ATX | Socket: AM4 | Memory support: Dual Channel DDR4
GIGABYTE B550M DS3H is one of the latest motherboards to come from Gigabyte. These motherboards are powerful and can easily meet the needs of gamers around the world. The B550M DS3H is also loaded with cooling fans and heatsink jacks.
This motherboard is very effective when it comes to cooling and will help to keep your system nice and cool during game play. The dual copper PCB helps to cool all of the components simultaneously which will prevent your system from overheating while you are playing your favorite games or exercising at the office.
CPU support: AMD B450 | Form Factor: Micro ATX | Socket: AM4 | Memory support: Dual Channel DDR4
If you want a desktop with extreme performance and unmatched quality, then the best choice for you would be the ASUS TUF B450M-Plus Gaming motherboard. It is a very powerful and advanced motherboard that meets the needs of hardcore gaming.
With the TUF B450M-Plus, you will get a motherboard that is not only great for your gaming needs but also for your cooling needs. The special features of this motherboard include its overclocking support and extreme reliability, thanks to the four-layer heatsink that protects your processor and the rigidity it has to offer.
CPU support: AMD B450 | Form Factor: ATX | Socket: AM4 | Memory support: Dual Channel DDR4
If you are planning to purchase the best budget motherboard for gaming, the MSI B450-A Pro Max would be an ideal choice. This motherboard is built with superb features to cater for the needs of hardcore gamers. It comes with four USB ports, one FireWire port and two Ethernet ports for connecting.
This motherboard has a very rich feature set which can be further classified into eleven different devices. It also has an optimized circuit design which enables it to work fast even under extreme heat condition. The integrated cooling fan gives you the freedom to use your computer while it is working hard without worrying about overheating.
CPU support: AMD B450 | Form Factor: Micro ATX | Socket: AM4 | Memory support: Dual Channel DDR4
With the release of the GIGABYTE B450 AORUS M motherboard, Gigabyt is looking to penetrate into the high-end desktop gaming market by utilizing the powerful capabilities of the B450 chipset. The Aorus series is built upon the same high-performance core found in other current high-end gaming motherboards.
With such aggressive specifications and a strong support from a renowned manufacturer, it is to be expected that the B450 AORUS M will be a solid contender in the tight motherboard markets. For those that want a strong gaming foundation at a low price, but don't want to pay the price tag, look out for this model.
CPU support: AMD B450 | Form Factor: Micro ATX | Socket: AM4 | Memory support: Dual Channel DDR4
The ASRock B450M STEEL LEGEND is a motherboard series that uses the powerful new heat sink technology from AMD. This new technology provides a much cooler and efficient cooling solution than the regular rectangular shaped CPU coolers.
The motherboard supports up to eight AMD AMPs - giving you the ability to install up to four separate processors on the board. Besides, it has two PCI Express slots for PCI expansion cards and one PCI bus slot for AGP cards. Lastly, the motherboard also has two USB ports and one Firewire port for connecting all the peripherals to your PC.
CPU support: AMD B550 | Form Factor: Micro ATX | Socket: AM4 | Memory support: Dual Channel DDR4
If you want to have the most stable and reliable overclockable computer without having to worry about damaging your device with the help of voltage tweaking and if you want to speed up the loading time of your CPU, the MSI B550M PRO-VDH WiFi motherboard is the one that you want.
With support for all the latest releases of the CPU like: AMD Athlon II, Phenom II X2 and the Mobile version of the same, you will be able to get the most out of this motherboard. It has the highest available voltage, which is supported by the latest voltage tweaking utility that makes sure that you do not face any problems while upgrading or installing the system.
CPU support: AMD B450 | Form Factor: Micro ATX | Socket: AM4 | Memory support: Dual Channel DDR4
Asus TUF B450M-Pro Gaming is not only a reliable gaming motherboard, it also has many features that other models do not have, which makes it so popular with gamers around the world. There is an array of features available on this motherboard that allows you to get more from your gaming experience.
It provides complete stability under all circumstances, while providing a rich interface for all of your multi-media software, which means that you can transfer files at blazing fast speeds. The sturdy build of the motherboard will ensure that there are no compatibility issues between your other devices.
CPU support: AMD B550 | Form Factor: Micro ATX | Socket: AM4 | Memory support: Dual Channel DDR4
If you are looking for a new and modernized style of motherboard for your personal computer, then the MSI MAG B550M Mortar WiFi motherboard is one of the best choices. Another plus of this motherboard is that it comes with a centralized cooling fan that is capable of reducing system temperatures for a quieter and smoother computing experience.
With the optimized and powerful processors on this motherboard, you can expect to play games and work faster than ever before. In addition to its efficient and advanced technology, the bundled multimedia converter allows you to connect your gadgets like digital cameras, microphones, and speakers directly to your PC.
| IMAGE | NAME | FEATURES | |
|---|---|---|---|
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GIGABYTE B365M DS3H
Our Choice
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CHECK PRICE → | |
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GIGABYTE B550M DS3H
Versatile
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CHECK PRICE → | |
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ASUS TUF B450M-Plus Gaming
Elegant
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CHECK PRICE → |
Random Access Memory is one of the key things to consider when shopping for a motherboard. Most gamers recommend choosing models with support from 16GB of RAM and more. Think further than the present moment. 16GB may seem a bit too much for you now, but over time you will need some upgrades. This means that you need more operative memory. Also, when shopping for the best gaming motherboard under 100 bucks, you should pay attention to the number of slots available for expanding the RAM capabilities down the road.
The availability of connectivity options is also an important factor to think about when choosing the right motherboard for your gaming PC. Remember that you need to connect various computer components including input and output devices. This means that checking the ports of a motherboard is a must. Most models feature USB 10 Gbps ports, Wi-Fi connectivity, USB type C, RAM slots, and other ports. We recommend choosing a motherboard with multiple ports for more flexibility.
Since you may want to expand the capabilities of your PC in the future, you should make sure that a motherboard has all the necessary slots for this.
When buying an inexpensive motherboard, you should find out if you can add hard drives, graphics cards, solid-state drives, sound cards, a Wi-Fi module. Remember that you need special slots for some components, such as a graphics card. Generally, a motherboard with more expansion options has a higher price tag. Consider this factor if you are on a tight budget.
The service life of a budget gaming motherboard can vary depending on several factors, including the quality of components, usage patterns, and maintenance. On average, a well-maintained budget gaming motherboard can last anywhere from 3 to 5 years, but it's important to note that this can vary and some motherboards may last longer or shorter periods of time.
ASUS, a Taiwanese company, is often credited as being one of the first companies to produce affordable motherboards. Their introduction of cost-effective motherboards in the late 1980s helped make personal computers more accessible to a wider audience.
Yes, it is possible to upgrade a cheap motherboard for gaming to some extent. However, the upgrade options may be limited compared to higher-end motherboards, as cheap motherboards may have fewer expansion slots, limited overclocking capabilities, and less robust power delivery systems.
Gaming motherboards under $100 commonly feature PCIe x16 slots for graphics cards, PCIe x1 slots for additional expansion cards such as sound or network cards, and M.2 slots for high-speed SSDs. The availability and number of these slots may vary depending on the specific motherboard model.
The lifespan of a budget gaming motherboard can vary depending on various factors such as usage, build quality, and maintenance. Generally, with proper care and regular updates, a budget gaming motherboard can last anywhere from 3 to 5 years or even longer, as long as it meets the user's requirements and remains compatible with newer components and technologies.
Such mobos usually have limited overclocking capabilities, lower-quality components that may affect stability and longevity, and fewer expansion slots and connectivity options compared to higher-end models.
Besides, the overall build quality and durability may not be as robust as more expensive options, and customer support from manufacturers can be limited.
