By Robin Owens 21 days ago, Hardware
When building a new PC several months ago, I spent a lot of time reading Reddit and was surprised to see that many people do not pay enough attention to the motherboard and prefer to focus on the CPU or GPU instead.
However, that can be a drastic mistake since the motherboard plays an equally important role, combining all components and securing stable and smooth performance.
Selecting the best budget motherboard may be challenging, as a gaming board isn’t the same thing as a standard one. The former typically comes with bonus features like overclocking support, extra USB inputs, space for spare fans and lights, as well as expanded GPU slots.
Best data transfer speeds
Processor: AMD Ryzen 7000 | Chipset Type: AMD B650 | Socket: AM5
If you want to find an affordable AM5 motherboard with powerful performance, Gigabyte’s B650 Aorus Elite AX is exactly what you need. It supports a variety of connectivity options. For instance, thanks to Wi-Fi 6 support, you can enjoy high connection speed.
This motherboard under $200 is quite durable and has a well-thought-out design. Its heatsinks ensure that temperatures will remain low, which is important for those who work on resource-intensive tasks. If you enjoy playing games and often need to solve many tasks at once, this is the best budget PC motherboard for your needs. Thanks to PCIe 5.0 support, you won’t need to upgrade your setup often. Due to this, you can add the latest GPU and NVMe SSDs to your setup with ease.
Versatile I/O panel
Processor: AMD Ryzen 7000 | Chipset Type: AMD X670 | Socket: AM5
I decided to test out this board because it is compatible with the most recent Ryzen 7000 series CPUs, providing top-level performance. It is suitable for gaming and multitasking.
Unlike gaming motherboards under $100, it has multiple USB ports supporting high data transfer speed. It makes it stand out among other options in this price bracket.
I did not have any problems with on-board audio and Ethernet LAN. Another thing that pleasantly surprised me about this model is its durable design with a stunning thermal management system, including well-designed heatsinks.
Best gaming connectivity
Processor: AMD Ryzen 3000 and 5000 | Chipset Type: AMD B550 | Socket: AM4
Asus ROG Strix B550-F is perfectly compatible with AMD Ryzen 5000 and 3000 series CPUs, making it especially suitable for gamers and professionals who need to solve a variety of tasks at once. I like the fact that this budget gaming motherboard supports the edgy PCIe 4.0 technology, making it compatible with powerful GPUs and storage drives. Moreover, it supports a high-speed Wi-Fi connection, which enhances my gaming and streaming experience.
This motherboard for game development comes with multiple USB ports and supports HDMI and DisplayPort, which allows me to connect my devices with ease. Another advantage of this board is that it has a well-thought-out cooling system, making its performance stable and more powerful.
Robust power delivery system
Processor: AMD Ryzen 7000 | Chipset Type: AMD X670 | Socket: AM5
It was the first ASRock board I had ever purchased. This budget AM5 motherboard seamlessly integrates with my setup and has a variety of useful features. I did not have any issues with BIOS and was able to update it to the latest version with ease. I like the streamlined BIOS layout, as it allows me to configure settings quickly.
I highly value this motherboard for sound quality. This model has multiple connectivity options and a well-thought-out layout. I was able to manage cables with ease. However, I do not like RGB controls, as the ASRock Polychrome loads slowly and takes some time to configure.
Enhanced hardware safeguards
Processor: AMD 3rd Generation Ryzen | Chipset Type: AMD B550 | Socket: AM4
What makes the ASUS Prime B550M-A WiFi II the best budget AM4 motherboard is that it has advanced technical capabilities and easily integrates into different hardware configurations. You will quickly integrate it into your setup as it is easy to install and use. It has an intuitive UI, which facilitates configuring its settings. Due to this, you will adjust its settings to your needs even if you do not know a lot about motherboards.
When it comes to connectivity, the board is fitted with HDMI 2.1 and D-Sub outputs allowing me to watch 4K videos at 60Hz and enjoy the highest quality. Due to the Addressable Gen 2 RGB Header and Aura Sync, the board has a stylish design. I configured lighting to my liking and synchronized it so that it matches my setup.
Advanced thermal solution
Processor: 12th-14th Generation Intel Core | Chipset Type: Intel Z790 | Socket: LGA 1700
This motherboard is fully compatible with the latest Intel processors, which makes it an excellent choice for those who want to avoid future upgrades. It delivers impressive performance. I noticed that it stands out among other motherboards for 3400g, as it comes with PCIe 5.0 slots supporting high data transfer. Another advantage of this model is that it’s fully compatible with the most recent GPUs and SSDs.
In addition, this budget gaming PC motherboard has a direct 16+1+2 power design, which allows it to deliver a stable and powerful performance even during overclocking. Thanks to its Smart Fan 6 system equipped with temperature sensors and hybrid fan headers, you can configure cooling settings with high precision.
High-quality VRM design
Processor: 12th Gen Intel Core | Chipset Type: Intel Z690 | Socket: LGA 1700
What makes it the best motherboard for gaming on a budget is that it has a well-thought-out design. It is quite reliable and durable. Thanks to multiple USB ports, integrated M.2 slots, and SATA connectors, I can easily connect it to any components and devices I want to use.
The GIGABYTE Z690 AORUS Elite AX DDR4 delivers decent performance, has a pleasant design, and comes at a budget price. If you want to build a gaming setup or create a suitable hardware configuration for content creation, and other daily tasks, this option is what you need. However, keep in mind that it has limited overclocking capabilities.
User-friendly BIOS
Processor: 12th-14th Gen Intel Core | Chipset Type: Intel Z790 | Socket: LGA 1700
I was pleasantly surprised by the fact that this budget motherboard for gaming copes with every task I throw at it, from resource-intensive gaming to editing 4K videos. It is quite reliable and comes with efficient heatsinks and high-end components adding to its durability. The design looks quite stylish and streamlined. You can customize its RGB lighting to your liking and enhance its look without going overboard.
It allows you to utilize Wi-Fi 6E and enjoy ultra-fast wireless connection speed. Besides, its 2.5Gb Ethernet port adds to its reliability. This model comes with multiple M.2 slots supporting PCIe 4.0 and PCIe 5.0, which makes it best suited for those who utilize a lot of storage space. ASRock stands out for its powerful cooling system, preventing overheating. It allows it to maintain impressive performance even during heavy loads.
Compatible with the internal monitor
Processor: 12th-13th Gen Intel Core | Chipset Type: Intel B760 | Socket: LGA 1700
If you want to find a budget Micro ATX-size motherboard and aren’t interested in overclocking, consider using a model with a B760 chipset. In terms of size, the B760M Steel Legend is similar to motherboards for 3D printers. I was pleasantly surprised by the number of features it has, including its three M.2 sockets.
Besides, its design looks quite modern, which gives it a competitive edge. Thanks to RGB lighting, your case will look stylish. Besides, you can utilize its eDP port to add ASRock’s 13.3-inch Side Panel Kit to further enhance its look.
Even though its power delivery is claimed to be average, the board functions smoothly with the Intel i9-13900K, even when I solve heavy tasks. Unless you tweak its settings, the B760M Steel Legend will deliver a similar performance to other similar models that follow Intel’s specs. Unlike unlocked models, it may slow down a bit when I rely on its multi-threading capabilities too much.
Enhanced audio quality
Processor: 12th-14th Gen Intel Core | Chipset Type: Intel Z790 | Socket: LGA 1700
If you are looking for the best motherboard on a budget, consider this option. Thanks to its full compatibility with Intel’s most recent processors, PCIe 5.0 slots, dual LAN ports, and a well-thought-out cooling system, this model is perfect for building a powerful setup.
The board supports high-speed data transfer and supports high-end GPUs and storage options. Thanks to multiple integrated fan headers and pro-level thermal management options, it does not overheat under heavy load.
I compared the 3 best motherboards for AMD processors and can conclude that all of them demonstrate good results.Quick Shopping Tips
| GIGABYTE B650 AORUS | GIGABYTE X670 AORUS | Asus ROG Strix B550-F | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
VRM Performance |
Highly efficient for mid-range CPUs, stable under load |
Powerful with good cooling, supports overclocking |
Best suited for Ryzen CPUs, reliable performance under load |
|
Overclocking |
Superb performance with Intel CPUs |
Superb performance with Intel CPUs |
Good choice for Ryzen processors, moderate overclocking |
|
Benchmark Performance |
Competitive in its price bracket |
Excellent performance in PCIe 5.0 applications |
Reliable performance in gaming and multitasking |
GIGABYTE B650 AORUS Elite AX is best suited for AMD Ryzen 7000 CPUs. It delivers impressive performance and comes with a decent set of features. Besides, it does not cost an arm and a leg to purchase it. It is perfect for gamers and other users who prioritize consistent performance and are looking for a mid-priced solution.
GIGABYTE X670 AORUS Elite AX is a high-end motherboard with PCIe 5.0 support and a durable VRM design. It is suitable for regular users and those who need to overclock their AMD Ryzen 7000 CPUs to achieve more powerful performance.
Asus ROG Strix B550-F is perfectly compatible with AMD Ryzen 3000 and 5000 CPUs. It stands out among its competitors due to its impressive speed. Besides, it supports overclocking and comes with a wide set of features. Another selling point is the fact that it supports PCIe 4.0.
The choice of the best budget motherboard for your specific computer depends primarily on what CPU you plan to get. Intel CPUs demand a motherboard with Intel ports and chipsets, while AMD models can only work with motherboards supplied with AMD sockets, like the motherboard for Ryzen 5-2600.
Once you’ve picked between the two brands, you have to look at the price of each model and its main features.
Select the right socket for your processor. Regardless of the CPU you decide to use, check whether a motherboard has the right socket for it. The most recent AMD chips are fitted with AM5 CPU sockets, whereas Intel's 12th Gen (Alder Lake) and 13th Gen (Raptor Lake) processors utilize the LGA 1700 socket. I also tried using the LGA 1150 motherboards, however, they are more suitable for old computers.
AM4 or AM5? AMD's last-gen AM4 and some of Intel's boards fitted with Z790 and Z690 chipsets support budget DDR4 RAM. If you decide to buy an AM4 budget motherboard, you can save a lot of money, especially if you need to upgrade your setup. If you decide to buy older DDR4 RAM, it will deliver a similar performance to DDR5 when you use it to play games. However, DDR5 is now sold at a lower price, so you won’t need to spend a lot of money on an upgrade.
Smaller boards have a limited choice of slots and features. You can choose from boards of three sizes. For instance, there are ATX, Micro ATX, and Mini-ITX boards, with ATX models being the largest. If you have a small motherboard, you can use a smaller case. However, it will likely have a limited choice of card expansion slots, RAM slots, and other features.
Pay for integrated Wi-Fi and pro-level ports only if you need them. There is no need to overpay if you prefer to utilize Ethernet. You can build a powerful setup and save money on future upgrades if you get a high-speed USB 3.2 Gen 2 and/or a motherboard with Thunderbolt support. However, it might be challenging to find a model supporting Thunderbolt if you prefer to utilize an AMD motherboard.
Think about a CPU you want to use for your new setup. For instance, you may opt for any Intel model and choose between Alder Lake and Raptor Lake processors. Some users prefer such solutions as AMD Zen 4 or 5. After selecting a chip suitable for your needs, consider its features and your budget. Some of them support overclocking, which makes them suitable for resource-intensive tasks.
Forget about overclocking if you have bought an Intel chip. The manufacturer established some restrictions to prevent this. You will have to buy a Z690 or Z790 board if you need to overclock 13th and 14th Gen K-series processors. However, their overclocking capabilities are quite limited as well. AMD is more suitable for this task, as it is compatible with all processors and most chipsets. Unless you opt for low-priced Ryzen boards (you can recognize them by an ‘A’ letter), you will be able to configure the settings of your model. However, keep in mind that you won’t achieve impressive results if you use Intel chips.
Intel's 14th-generation processors utilize the same LGA 1700 bracket that the 12th and 13th-generation processors. Due to this, most Intel-based 6XX and 7XX series models should be compatible with the recently released CPUs. If you face any issues, try updating BIOS, as it will allow your board to recognize the new processor.
For users of AMD platforms
I recommend GIGABYTE B650 AORUS Elite AX. Being one of the best budget motherboards, it will allow you to enjoy speedy data transfers and impressive bandwidth guaranteeing seamless performance even when you solve resource-intensive tasks. Whether I want to play recent titles, stream media content, or perform multiple tasks at once, the B650 AORUS Elite AX handles all the tasks and commands with ease.
For users of Intel platforms
I recommend GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Elite AX. This board is best suited for those who want to create a powerful hardware configuration. Even though it does not have as many USB ports at the back as other products that come at a similar price, it can effortlessly handle all the devices that I need to connect to it.
