Unleash Your PC’s Potential: The Ultimate Gaming Motherboard Guide for 2025

MSI MPG X870E Carbon WiFi: The Ultimate AMD Ryzen AM5 Motherboard

This ATX motherboard is designed for AMD AM5 sockets, supporting Ryzen 7000, 8000, and 9000 series CPUs. It boasts four DIMM slots for up to 256GB of DDR5 RAM. For expansion, you’ll find two PCIe 5.0 16x slots and one PCIe 4.0 16x slot. Connectivity is abundant with nine USB-A 3.2 Gen 2, two USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, and two USB-C 4.0 ports. Storage includes two M.2 PCIe 5.0 4x slots and two M.2 PCIe 4.0 4x slots, all equipped with heatsinks. For networking, it features both Realtek 2.5Gbps and 5Gbps LAN, alongside Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4.

Pros: This board truly stands out with its gorgeous aesthetics and offers superb, tool-free access for both GPUs and SSDs. It comes loaded with a premium set of features. Cons: However, it is on the pricier side, and its Windows software is only average. Plus, some cheaper alternatives can match its raw speed.

This premium motherboard is the perfect companion for powerful AMD Ryzen 9000 series CPUs. It boasts a stunning aesthetic, featuring a dynamic RGB dragon on the I/O panel shield and integrated lighting on one of its M.2 SSD heatsinks.

Feature-rich, it offers two USB-C 4.0 ports, two USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 ports, and an impressive nine USB-A ports. MSI has also focused on user-friendliness with extensive toolless access. We particularly appreciate the push-button control for easily releasing your graphics card from its PCIe slot, eliminating the need to wrestle with a standard latch. Similarly, installing an SSD and heatsink no longer requires a screwdriver.

During testing, we found that this board simplifies AMD overclocking, allowing you to boost a Ryzen 9000 series CPU to 5.4GHz in games with just a few setting adjustments in the EFI. Utilizing AMD’s latest X870E chipset, it ensures PCIe 5.0 SSDs won’t impact your graphics card’s performance, providing two PCIe 5.0 SSD M.2 ports, complete with heatsinks. While not budget-friendly, it serves as an excellent foundation for a high-end AMD gaming PC.

Gigabyte Aorus Elite X870 WiFi7 Ice: The Best White AMD AM5 Motherboard

This ATX motherboard for AMD AM5 sockets supports Ryzen 7000, 8000, and 9000 series CPUs with an AMD X870 chipset. It features four DIMM slots, accommodating up to 256GB of DDR5 RAM. Expansion options include one PCIe 5.0 16x, one PCIe 4.0 16x, and one PCIe 3.0 16x slot. For peripherals, it offers four USB-A 2.0, four USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, two USB-A 3.2 Gen 2, and two USB-C 4 ports. Storage is robust with three M.2 PCIe 5.0 4x slots and one M.2 PCIe 4.0 4x slot, all with heatsinks. Connectivity is handled by a Realtek 2.5Gb/sec LAN, Wi-Fi 7, and Bluetooth 5.4.

Pros: Its beautiful all-white design is a major highlight, alongside full PCIe 5.0 support and an abundance of USB ports. Cons: Be aware that some M.2 ports might share PCIe lanes with your GPU, and cheaper B650 boards can offer comparable speed. Also, some fan header placements are less than ideal.

For those dreaming of an all-white PC build, the Gigabyte Aorus Elite X870 WiFi7 Ice is a flawless choice. Gigabyte’s meticulous attention to its white finish is impressive, extending beyond the PCB to include the rear I/O panel, sockets, and heatsinks. Even the POST code display radiates a crisp white.

More than just its stunning looks, this motherboard, built on AMD’s latest X870 chipset, is a perfect match for AMD’s new Zen 5 CPUs, such as the Ryzen 7 9800X3D. It comes with a surprisingly rich feature set for its price, including ten USB-A ports and two USB-C 4.0 ports on the rear.

You’ll also find three PCIe 5.0 M.2 ports for high-speed SSDs, though it’s wise to consult the manual as some may share lanes with your graphics card. The toolless design is excellent, removing the need for screwdrivers for M.2 SSD installations. Gigabyte’s EZ-Latch Plus button makes releasing your graphics card effortless, saving your hands from cramped fumbling with traditional latches.

Remarkably, this attractive motherboard also offers great value. While B650 chipset boards might offer similar raw CPU performance, the Aorus Elite X870 WiFi7 Ice, at around $289, delivers a compelling blend of features and aesthetics.

Asus ROG Crosshair X870E Hero: The Best Premium AMD AM5 Motherboard

This premium ATX motherboard supports AMD AM5 sockets, compatible with Ryzen 7000, 8000, and 9000 series CPUs, leveraging the AMD X870E chipset. It offers four DIMM slots for up to 192GB of DDR5 RAM. Expansion is robust with two PCIe 5.0 16x slots. Connectivity includes six USB-A 3.2 Gen 2, two USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, and two USB-C 4.0 ports. Storage is abundant with three M.2 PCIe 5.0 4x slots and two M.2 PCIe 4.0 4x slots, all featuring heatsinks. Networking capabilities boast both Realtek 2.5Gb/sec and 5Gb/sec LAN, plus Wi-Fi 7.

Pros: Enjoy Asus’ fantastic BIOS design, a gorgeous RGB I/O shield, and an incredible feature set. Cons: It surprisingly has fewer USB ports than some rivals, comes with a high price tag, and, like other premium boards, doesn’t offer a speed advantage over cheaper alternatives.

For those building a top-tier AMD Ryzen 9000 system where budget isn’t a concern, this feature-packed motherboard is an outstanding choice. Asus has spared no effort with the ROG Crosshair X870E Hero, whose main attraction is a dazzling RGB light show integrated into the I/O shield.

Beyond aesthetics, it offers a wealth of practical features, including two USB-C 4.0 ports on the rear and a front panel USB-C header capable of delivering up to 60W, perfect for rapidly charging devices like your Steam Deck or laptop. Its tool-free innovations are particularly impressive, featuring an ingenious method for securing and removing your graphics card—no fumbling with latches or buttons, just a simple upward pull.

Asus’s latest EFI design is equally superb, presenting a visual map of your motherboard where you can click on any component to access its settings. While it’s certainly not inexpensive, especially in some regions, and won’t offer a speed advantage over more affordable X870 alternatives, this is a truly premium and feature-rich motherboard built for enthusiasts.

Asus TUF Gaming Z890-Plus WiFi: The Best Intel Core Ultra Motherboard

This ATX motherboard is built for the new Intel LGA1851 socket, supporting Intel Core Ultra 200 series CPUs with the Intel Z890 chipset. It provides four DIMM slots for up to 192GB of DDR5 RAM. Expansion is handled by one PCIe 5.0 16x, one PCIe 4.0 16x, one PCIe 4.0 4x, and two PCIe 4.0 1x slots. For external devices, it includes one USB-C 4.0, one USB-C 3.2 Gen2x2, three USB-A Gen 2, and three USB-A 3.0 ports. Storage options are generous, featuring one M.2 PCIe 5.0 4x slot with a heatsink and three M.2 PCIe 4.0 4x slots. Networking is robust with an Intel 2.5Gb/sec LAN, Wi-Fi 7, and Bluetooth 5.4.

Pros: Enjoy excellent tool-free access, a generous number of USB ports, and full PCIe 5.0 support for both GPUs and SSDs. Cons: Keep in mind that Intel Core Ultra 200 series isn’t optimized for top-tier gaming, and RGB lighting is minimal.

While Intel’s new Arrow Lake lineup may not be a game-changer for raw gaming performance, their new Core Ultra 200 CPUs offer compelling advantages for other tasks. If your primary focus is achieving the fastest multi-threaded performance for demanding workloads like video encoding or 3D rendering, Intel’s latest processors are an excellent choice, and they do so with remarkable power efficiency.

For an Intel Arrow Lake system, a motherboard utilizing the new Intel LGA1851 socket is essential, as previous LGA1700 boards are incompatible. Our top recommendation is the Asus TUF Gaming Z890-Plus WiFi, which proved its mettle during our Core Ultra 265K review.

This motherboard delivers a robust feature set at a reasonable price, including effortless tool-free access for M.2 SSDs. Its substantial PCIe 5.0 SSD heatsink features an easy-release button for quick drive installation, and a clever hinged latch on the far right of the board simplifies graphics card removal. You’ll find ample expansion slots and numerous USB ports on the rear, including six USB-A ports and two USB-C ports (one with Thunderbolt 4 support). While RGB lighting is subtle, limited to a slight underglow in the top right corner, we appreciate the board’s sleek, all-black aesthetic. Importantly, this motherboard offers great value, priced just under $300.

Note: We strongly advise updating this motherboard’s BIOS to the latest version to prevent potential Windows compatibility issues. Consult our guide on how to flash your BIOS for detailed instructions.

Asus ROG Maximus Z790 Dark Hero: The Best Motherboard for Intel 14th-Gen CPUs

This ATX motherboard, designed for the Intel LGA1700 socket, supports Intel Core 12th, 13th, and 14th-gen CPUs with its Intel Z790 chipset. It offers four DIMM slots for up to 192GB of DDR5 RAM. Expansion capabilities include two PCIe 5.0 x16 slots and one PCIe 4.0 x4 slot. Video outputs comprise one HDMI and two Intel Thunderbolt 4 ports. USB connectivity is extensive, featuring two Thunderbolt 4 (USB Type-C) ports, five USB-A 10Gbps, one USB-C 10Gbps, and four USB-A 5Gbps ports. For storage, it provides five M.2 slots and four SATA 6Gb/s ports. Networking includes 2.5Gb Ethernet and Intel Wi-Fi 7.

Pros: Features a stunning I/O cover with integrated lighting, an abundance of M.2 slots for storage, and convenient tool-free features for GPU and SSD installation. Cons: This board is very expensive, and you won’t see a speed advantage over more affordable options.

Asus truly excelled with this outstanding Intel LGA1700 motherboard, a model we extensively utilized in our Intel 14th-gen CPU reviews. This premium board is not only brimming with features but also visually striking.

Its most prominent eye-catcher is the luminous ROG panel atop the I/O shield. Beyond the aesthetics, the board offers a wealth of advanced features, making it an ideal foundation for a Core i9 14900K. The 16x PCIe 5.0 slot is ready for the latest generation of PCIe 5.0 GPUs, ensuring compatibility with upcoming powerhouse cards. A dedicated PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot enables blazing-fast SSD storage, complemented by an additional four PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots, providing ample space for all your storage needs. It also supports the cutting-edge Wi-Fi 7 standard, and the integrated ESS9218 DAC delivers superb audio quality.

Convenience is key with tool-free M.2 ports, eliminating the frustration of tiny screws during installation. The Q-Release system for the primary graphics slot is equally impressive; a simple button press releases your graphics card, saving you from wrestling with a bulky GPU cooler. The board is also rich in USB connectivity, including two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports, and a front-panel USB-C connector that can deliver up to 60W for rapid device charging. While undoubtedly a significant investment, the ROG Maximus Z790 Dark Hero is the perfect centerpiece for a high-end Intel 14th-gen gaming rig, combining performance with a stunning design.

MSI MPG Z790I Edge WiFi: The Best Mini-ITX Motherboard for Intel 14th-Gen CPUs

This mini-ITX motherboard is built for Intel LGA1700 sockets, supporting Intel Core 12th, 13th, and 14th-gen CPUs with its Intel Z790 chipset. It features two DIMM slots, accommodating up to 128GB of DDR5 RAM. Expansion is limited to one PCIe 5.0 16x slot, typical for its form factor. USB connectivity includes one USB-C 3.2 Gen2x2, two USB-A 3.2 Gen 2, and four USB-A 3.0 ports. Remarkably for its size, it offers two M.2 PCIe 4.0 and one M.2 PCIe 3.0 slot for storage. Networking includes Intel 2.5Gb/sec LAN, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3.

Pros: Enjoy the rare benefit of three M.2 SSD ports on a mini-ITX board, alongside great audio quality and a superb BIOS. Cons: It’s quite expensive for its class, lacks PCIe 5.0 SSD support, and offers a limited number of USB ports.

Crafting a high-performance mini gaming PC no longer requires compromise, as brilliantly showcased by this top-tier mini-ITX motherboard from MSI. Utilizing Intel’s Z790 chipset, it provides an excellent home for an Intel 14th-gen CPU and even features a 16x PCIe 5.0 slot, ensuring compatibility with the newest generation of graphics cards.

Remarkably for its compact size, this board allows for the installation of three M.2 SSDs, including two that support PCIe 4.0, all complemented by a robust SSD heatsink on the front. We were particularly impressed by its EFI system, which is intuitively organized and easy to navigate, offering stellar fan control settings.

During our tests, we successfully overclocked a Core i5 13600K to an impressive 5.7GHz across all cores, a testament to its robust VRM cooling. While this board isn’t inexpensive, especially given its lack of RGB lighting, and could benefit from more USB ports, it remains an outstanding choice for anyone aiming to build a powerful, high-end mini gaming PC.

Gigabyte B860M Eagle Plus WiFi 6E: The Best Budget Motherboard for Intel

This micro-ATX (mATX) motherboard supports Intel Core Ultra 200 series CPUs and newer, with four DIMM slots for up to 256GB of DDR5 RAM. It offers robust expansion with one PCIe 5.0 x16 slot and two PCIe 4.0 x16 slots. Video outputs include two DisplayPort 1.4 and one HDMI 2.1. For USB, it features one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, five USB 3.2 Gen 1, and three USB 2.0/1.1 ports. Storage options consist of one M.2 PCIe 5.0 x4, one M.2 PCIe 4.0 x4, and four SATA 6GB/s slots. Network connectivity is provided by a 2.5GB Ethernet port.

Pros: This board supports the latest Intel processors and DDR5 RAM, comes in a compact micro-ATX form factor, and includes two M.2 expansion slots. Importantly, it features integrated Wi-Fi. Cons: The rear I/O could benefit from more ports, and it’s a bit pricier than some other budget options.

The Gigabyte Eagle Plus WiFi6E strikes an excellent balance within the budget B860 motherboard segment. A key advantage over even more affordable boards is its integrated Wi-Fi, though a non-Wi-Fi version is also available if you’re looking to cut costs further.

Despite its modest price, this board supports up to 256GB of DDR5 memory and the latest Intel Core Ultra processors, allowing you to build a surprisingly potent system. It also offers a respectable number of USB ports and flexible storage expansion options. Crucially, a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot ensures your graphics card will operate without bottlenecks.

While premium extras are limited, you do benefit from EZ-Latch mechanisms on the PCIe slots, making tool-free expansion card removal straightforward. For a budget-friendly option, this motherboard also boasts a reasonably sleek and smart appearance.

ASRock B650M-HDV/M.2: The Best Budget Motherboard for AMD

This micro-ATX (mATX) motherboard offers entry to AMD AM5 sockets, supporting Ryzen 7000, 8000, and 9000 series CPUs. It includes four DIMM slots for up to 128GB of DDR5 RAM, overclockable to 6,400MHz. Expansion slots feature two PCIe 4.0 x16 and one PCIe 4.0 x1. Video outputs include one DisplayPort and one HDMI. USB connectivity provides one front USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C and seven USB 3.2 Gen1 ports. Storage is capable with one M.2 PCIe Gen5x4, one M.2 PCIe Gen4x4, and four SATA 3 slots. Networking features 2.5Gb LAN and supports an M.2 Wi-Fi card (not included).

Pros: A standout feature is its PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot for incredibly fast storage. The robust 8+2+1 power phase VRM ensures it can effortlessly handle powerful CPUs like the Ryzen 9 7950X, delivering excellent thermal performance even under heavy load. Cons: It lacks built-in Wi-Fi, features only basic audio, and provides just two M.2 storage slots.

This affordable micro-ATX motherboard serves as an excellent gateway to AMD’s AM5 platform. At a modest price point, it offers surprising capability, comfortably handling even flagship Ryzen 9000 series processors.

Two key features distinguish it: the inclusion of a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot for cutting-edge fast storage, and an impressive 8+2+1 power phase design that ensures even power-hungry CPUs like the Ryzen 9 7950X operate smoothly and with excellent thermal performance under load.

Additional convenient touches include a pre-installed I/O shield, preventing that common assembly mishap. The 2.5Gb Ethernet provides ample bandwidth for modern network connections, and BIOS flashback simplifies future updates. Naturally, there are some trade-offs. It lacks built-in Wi-Fi (though an M.2 slot is available for adding your own card), and the audio codec is quite basic. However, for budget-conscious builders eager to experience AMD’s latest processors, the B650M-HDV/M.2 delivers exceptional value.