I set out on my quest to find the best LGA 1150 motherboard after realized that I was no longer satisfied with the performance of my PC. Since I couldn’t afford to buy an entirely new computer, I decided to just upgrade some parts and I was surprised that I received a completely different machine.
You can start improving your PC’s performance by replacing the motherboard, just like I did. If you need a model with 1150 sockets, check out my LGA 1150 motherboard list, which includes a variety of budget motherboards that will help you stay within an acceptable price range.
ASRock H370M-HDV – Best LGA Motherboard (5/5) ★★★★★
It offers the most convenient BIOS on the market. It’s supplied with an array of USB inputs, including USB 3.1 Gen1, as well as HDMI, DVI-D, and VGA ports. It also comes with built-in LAN connectivity, which allows you to enjoy stable, superfast network speeds.
Since I primarily use my PC for playing games, I prioritized models that are compatible with modern CPUs and GPUs while being offered for a reasonable price. Getting a cheaper motherboard allowed me to allocate more funds to the graphics card I’m saving up for.
Being an avid gamer, I had the pleasure of trying out some of the best LGA1150 motherboards with various PC configurations. The first aspects I paid attention to were the provided build quality, overclocking functionality, and the range of available connectivity options, which encompass USB inputs, SATA Express, and various expansion slots.
It was also important for me to ensure the motherboard is easy to install and set up, provides seamless connectivity with my PC, and ensures dependable power delivery even when I’m playing the most demanding games out there.
Terrific gamer-oriented performance
ASRock H370M-HDV is my go-to option among all LGA 1150 motherboards for game development. It offers a micro-ATX form factor, making it suitable for mid-sized towers, while the intuitive manual ensured I didn’t have any issues putting everything together. This model offers a great layout, allowing me to conveniently access any port I need.
When paired with an i7-8700K CPU and 16GB of DDR4 RAM, this model provided fantastic gaming performance. It allowed me to achieve faster clock speeds on my processor without destabilizing my system, all thanks to H370M-HDV’s highly optimized power delivery.
Most cost-efficient option
The Q87T/CSM is an ASUS slim mini-ITX model, representing the best 1150 motherboard of this form factor. Its thickness is less than 2.5 cm, making it the ideal choice for compact computer cases. With the help of a convenient BIOS interface, I could specify the preferred boot method: fast or normal. The specified method was applied to all subsequent OS bootings, which was very convenient.
The Intel Q87 Express chipset offers high stability, performance, and bandwidth. This gaming motherboard under $100 comes with six USB 3.0 ports and is compatible with graphics cores that are built into modern Intel processors.
Terrific overclocking results
Asus' engineers preserved the excellent overclocking and high performance of the previous version of this motherboard but improved usability through the introduction of KeyBot technology, software updates, and additional firmware enhancements. All this makes the ASUS Maximus VII Hero the best LGA 1150 motherboard for gaming enthusiasts like me.
When trying out this model, I used it with an Intel Core i7-4890K CPU, 16GB of DDR3 RAM, and a 970 NVIDIA graphics card. I played a variety of games like The Witcher 3, GTA V, and Battlefield 4 on high settings and the PC offered smooth performance for all of them.
Perfect for multitasking
The Supermicro ATX DDR3 1600 motherboard offers a robust build, which instantly won me over with its layout. While it doesn’t look as flashy as some of the premium models for gamers, the provided specifications and dependability more than make up for it. The technical parts like capacitors and heatsinks of this micro ATX 1150 are of pro-grade quality and ensure the motherboard can be used for years to come.
This motherboard for 3400g provided smooth performance without suffering from any distracting frame drops or stutters even when I was running multiple demanding applications like Photoshop simultaneously. I enjoyed a consistent framerate and the graphics card maintained stable temperature without experiencing throttling.
Efficient cooling components
The ASUS Prime B450M-A II is a multifunctional LGA 1150 motherboard under $200 that is suitable for both dedicated gamers and regular users interested in pro-level specifications and impressive performance. It’s compatible with DDR3 RAM, which is why I paired it with 16GB (2x8GB) of Corsair Vengeance. The DIMM slots are neatly arranged and can be conveniently accessed.
This model comes with several fan headers, enabling you to create an efficient cooling system. When I was testing this motherboard, I enjoyed low, stable temperatures and minimum background noise even when running demanding software or games.
Fantastic motherboard for your first gaming PC
This might be the best motherboard for LGA 1150 sockets if you’re interested in building a gaming rig with a stylish design and terrific performance. During my tests, I set all games to the highest settings and Full-HD resolution while enjoying a consistent framerate of about 60FPS. It’s also a great motherboard for sound quality, delivering an all-around satisfying gaming experience.
It has a Mini ITX form factor, which is ideal for compact PC towers if you’re limited in space but still want to enjoy top-tier performance. It also has a user-friendly BIOS UI, which allows you to easily configure your system and enable overclocking, which is one of the most widely used features in LGA 1150 motherboards.
Provides 2.5G Ethernet connectivity
This might be the best 1150 motherboard in terms of looks, as it sports a stylish black and silver design, configurable RGB lights, and a refined build. Its premium-grade PCB and extra-durable PCIe slot ensure this motherboard for Ryzen 5 2600 is perfectly suited for video game fans like me.
It also has a pleasantly intuitive BIOS that allows you to enable and configure overclocking, fan controls, and system monitoring. When playing a game on the highest settings and 1440p resolution, I enjoyed smooth performance at about 80FPS. The motherboard can effortlessly handle the latest video games on the market without overloading your PC.
Single-click overclocking
This LGA 1150 motherboard with Thunderbolt connectivity is supplied with a dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth module, a reliable component base, an enhanced power subsystem, an effective cooling system, the ability to install two video cards with support for AMD CrossFireX or NVIDIA SLI technologies, and good overclocking potential.
Despite offering a wide range of features, the Maximus VIII Hero is still very easy to navigate while delivering terrific performance for both games and resource-demanding software alike. Its intricate design is compatible with most premium hardware, which is a must for me as a gamer.
Compatibility. Your PC should support the chosen motherboard. Otherwise, your purchase will be a total disappointment.
Chipsets - Z97 or H97. The latest chipsets developed by Intel are the Z97 and the H97. When picking a motherboard for 3D printer and other hardware to upgrade your machine, check what chipsets it offers and make a decision depending on your needs. Older chipset models fail to provide top-tier performance.
RAM – minimum 16GB. When choosing a motherboard for your PC, remember that it will determine the type and size of your RAM. Thus, opt for motherboards that allow you to install at least 16 GB of RAM. Even if you don’t need as much right now, you can upgrade to it later. Prioritize looking for a motherboard with four slots or more. This way you will install two modules of RAM and have spare room for future upgrades.
PCI Slots. When using a slot or a connection on your motherboard, you can connect different expansion cards. As a rule, there is a standard type of expansion slot that everyone is used to. However, you should still make the chosen model has slots suitable for your PC. In other words, pick motherboards equipped with slots you plan to utilize regularly. For example, if you want to create a gaming machine, you need a full-speed PCI Express x 16 slot.
In case you want to connect multiple graphics cards, you need several such slots. There are also expansion slots for other purposes – for connecting sound cards, Wi-Fi adapters, etc.