What is the best motherboard? Consisting of many parts and acting as the backbone of any configuration, the motherboard is arguably one of the trickiest components to choose.

The graphics card and CPU often occupy a large part of our attention (and our budget) when trying to build a computer; and for good reason, these two elements have a considerable influence on the performance of the machine.

However, the motherboard is undoubtedly the crucial element of this hardware puzzle, it is the foundation of your configuration on which each element rests. It thus determines many criteria such as the format of your tower, the number and nature of connectors and functionalities, the type of processor used, and so on.

What is a motherboard?

First of all, it is perhaps best to set the record straight and define what a motherboard actually is. It is important to understand the role of this component, the pillar of your configuration. It is part, just like the PC power supply, of the elements that often go into the background and on which it is ultimately not uncommon to make mistakes when choosing.

As stated in the introduction, the motherboard - motherboard or mobo for short, does ensure the performance of your machine, and allows all of your components to express their potential and capacity.

Without going into detail by dissecting now the anatomy of a motherboard, we can define it simply: it is the main printed circuit of a computer; its role is to distribute the energy coming from the power supply to all the components of the PC as well as to ensure their interconnection through its various circuits and elements.

Among them we can notably cite the socket, designed to house the processor; PCIe slots that accommodate expansion cards such as graphics card and sound card; storage connectors (IDE, SATA, M.2); or the slots dedicated to RAM.

Finally, we distinguish the internal connectors from the external connectors which allow, via the input / output panel (I/O Panel) to connect a wide variety of peripherals via well-known interfaces such as USB, HDMI, DisplayPort , or the various audio connectors.

What are the best Motherboards to look for in 2022

Gigabyte X570 UD

Main Benefits:

• PCI-Express 4.0 support

• Excellent temperature management

• One of the lowest prices in this category / quality of components

This motherboard from Gigabyte is the ideal base for the vast majority of gaming PCs. Welcoming the latest generation AMD processors and technologies such as PCIe 4.0 thanks to its chipset, it is ready to survive the years by offering everything necessary for a scalable and efficient machine.

The icing on the cake: the software developments implemented here by the manufacturer with in particular Smart Fan 5, a new interface for the BIOS, or even the Q-Flash Plus which allows the BIOS to be updated from a USB key without CPU, RAM or GPUs.

MSI B450 GAMING PLUS MAX

Main Benefits:

• Ryzen 3000 compatible

• DDR4 up to 4133 MHz (OC)

• Reinforced PCIe port

What can we say about this motherboard except that it brings together the essentials to build a high-performance gaming PC, all at a very reasonable price.

The MSI B450 GAMING PLUS MAX is ultimately a model that proves that there are very good entry-level references, which combine versatility and compatibility to fully exploit your hardware.

MSI TRX40 PRO WIFI

Main Benefits:

• One of the lowest prices for TRX40

• Cooling and overclocking capabilities

• Wireless connectivity (Bluetooth 5.0 / Wi-Fi 6)

In a price range that remains reasonable, but high, this motherboard seems ideal for fully exploiting AMD's powerful Threadripper 3000 processors. With its enormous capacities in terms of RAM, connectivity, overclocking and cooling, or multi-GPU support via PCIe 4.0, this card promises performance at the top.

ASUS TUF Z390-PRO GAMING

Main Benefits:

• Electrical performance

• Very low sound level

• 100% modular and high efficiency

Despite the few logical concessions that allow ASUS to offer this motherboard at an affordable price, the TUF Z390-PRO GAMING is a solid, durable and scalable foundation in which the most demanding gamers can trust.

With one of the best BIOS on the market, simple and efficient overclocking tools and relevant technologies, this card is perfect for taking advantage of the latest generations of Intel processors.

Gigabyte Z390 GAMING X

Main Benefits:

• Excellent built quality

• Overclocking possibilities

• Core i9-9900K compatible

The Z390 GAMING X from Gigabyte is a competitive motherboard that is intended above all for limited budgets; it is also a good base if you want to overclock your processor.

Gigabyte Aorus X570 Master

The Gigabyte Aorus X570 Master isn't just an aesthetically pleasing motherboard, with splashes of silver on a black board meant to complement its RGB lighting.

It is also capable of being the centerpiece of a very powerful computer. It can handle up to 128GB of DDR4400 RAM, the latest 3rd Gen AMD processors, and multiple GPUs for anyone who wants to anticipate their gaming needs.

The X570 Master is also very well designed, with shielding on its I/O ports, WiFi 6 and a number of other placement choices that make it a quality board. And most importantly, its price is significantly lower than that of high-end Intel motherboards.

Asus ROG Strix B550-E Gaming

If you're looking to build from the ground up, the Asus ROG B550-E Gaming motherboard is a cost-effective, feature-rich motherboard to pair with the 3rd Gen AMD Ryzen chip you just purchased. Its I/O ports are shielded, it has one PCIe 4.0 slot (and a second PCIe 3.0), and it has just about every port and connector you could want. With this motherboard, you get great power, a great feature set, an incredibly efficient cooling solution, and pleasing aesthetics.

Asus TUF Gaming B550M-PLUS

As an upgrade from the previous model, the B450, the Asus TUF Gaming B550M-PLUS not only boasts a much better power solution and an excellent cooling solution, but also gaming-friendly features and components. military grade.

Some of these features include AI Noise-Canceling Microphone software, which supports 3.5mm, USB or Bluetooth headsets, and full RGB lighting control. All of this, of course, while continuing to tout the TUF Gaming Alliance's promise of easy compatibility and buildability, as well as aesthetics that complement its trusted partners.

NZXT N7 B550

If you're upgrading your AMD Ryzen CPU, it might be worth looking for an AMD B550 motherboard, and the NZXT N7 B550 is a great mid-range option.

This gaming motherboard is not only designed around the B550 chipset, but it also comes with built-in Wi-Fi 6E connectivity, something you'll be hard pressed to find in competing boards. It also has more USB ports on the back, making it more versatile. And, of course, you'll also enjoy RGB and fan adjustments via the CAM.

ASRock X299 Creator

Main Benefits:

• Component quality and efficiency

• Rich connectivity (Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth, USB 3.2, Thunderbolt 3)

• Fair price compared to the competition

If you're looking for a motherboard worthy of Intel's most monstrous processors, the ASRock X299 Creator is the perfect candidate. In addition to its great qualities and its rich and modern connectors, it is also positioned at a quite correct price if we look a little closer at the competing references boxing in the same category.

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How to choose a motherboard ?

Whether you buy a computer already assembled or whether you decide to choose each of your components to assemble your configuration yourself, or via a professional, it is important to carefully analyze the characteristics of the motherboard. It must indeed meet your needs at the moment, but you must also take into consideration the possible and future upgrades .

The motherboard is the base on which your machine is built, its choice therefore determines the use you can make of your computer and proves to be, as often with computer equipment, a delicate balance between needs and budget.

It remains to know how to choose the right motherboard for your computer! If you don't have the time or the intention to consult all of our advice on the subject, we will summarize below what is important to remember before proceeding to checkout.

Check compatibility with your processor

The big names in hardware are developing products that are based on distinct CPU platforms, from Intel on the one hand and AMD on the other. The choice of a motherboard is therefore primarily conditioned by the processor you want to install on it.

To complicate matters, both AMD and Intel have designed different sockets and chipsets, which means that their processors are not compatible with all motherboards on the market. You will find more details on this a little further down this page. The table below summarizes the use and compatibility of the main AMD and Intel sockets.

Find the price range adapted to your needs

The most expensive motherboards are of course an exception and often constitute a technological showcase for the manufacturer.

The cases requiring to invest a significant sum are however numerous, in particular according to your processor; but also if you want a large number of connectors, state-of-the-art technologies (Thunderbolt 3, USB 3.1, DAC, etc.), additional features (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth), multi-GPU support (SLI/Crossfire), or if you are considering overclocking.

Choose a motherboard adapted to the size of your case

There are many forms of motherboards, but the three main ones are ATX, Micro-ATX and Mini-ITX. The choice of format depends on the size of your case, but also on the desired functionalities.

Micro-ATX and Mini-ITX formats are preferred to reduce bulk, for example for living room PCs, office and multimedia configurations (HTPC), or even compact gaming PCs. These two formats are necessarily less provided in features and often not very scalable.

The ATX (and E-ATX) format is preferable to have a maximum number of slots (PCIe, RAM, etc.) for gaming use, for heavy applications and HEDT-type PCs ( High-End Desktop) and SHED (Super High-End Desktop). This format also allows much greater flexibility regarding the possible upgrades of your configuration.

Motherboars basics you should know

As discussed above, the choice of a motherboard is above all a story of socket and chipset, which implies having to first select your CPU between the different ranges offered by Intel and AMD.

Back to motherboards. Once you have opted for a CPU based on its possible uses, its performance and your specific needs, it is a question of finding a motherboard that is fully compatible. All families of processors do not use the same socket and also have different chipsets, things that we have tried to summarize via the table below.

The socket - The CPU Home

The soket is the support that houses your CPU, it plays the role of interface between motherboard and processor by ensuring their mechanical and electrical connections, without any soldering. It thus allows the CPU to communicate with other internal elements (RAM, GPU, etc.), as well as external ones (USB peripherals, networks, etc.). Note, however, that some motherboards do not have a socket, as is the case with barebones like the Intel NUC. Here, the CPU is soldered directly to the motherboard.

The socket varies between generations of processors; currently there are LGA 1151/1151 v2 sockets for processors intended for gaming, office and multimedia PCs, as well as the LGA 2066 which is more focused on HEDT and workstations.

At AMD, we distinguish the AM4 sockets intended for Ryzen processors for gaming and office computers, as well as the TR4 and sTRX4 platforms for Threadripper processors intended for HEDT.

The chipset - The manager of a PC’s internal components

it is a set of electronic components whose role is to manage the flow of data between the CPU and all the internal peripherals and other expansion cards. Today the chipset generally comes down to a single chip and more and more features are now managed by the processor.

We identify the different motherboards according to the chipset they carry; a card based on Intel's Z390 platform will therefore automatically bear this designation in its name, which makes it much easier to choose a model compatible with your processor.

Each chipset is linked to a family of processors and largely determines the performance, features and different technologies that you will be able to enjoy. We are talking here about the number of PCIe slots, the number and type of USB ports, M.2 slots, or even the type of RAM.

Inevitably, there are many advantages to opting for a high-end and latest generation chipset such as the X299 or Z390 from Intel or the X570 from AMD, but also limitations specific to each series. For example, the Z390 brings some advantages over the Z370 such as support for USB 3.1 Gen.2, or Wi-Fi connectivity, but both support overclocking and multi-GPU configurations.

Anatomy of a motherboard

As the main printed circuit of a computer, the motherboard brings together a multitude of elements that are not always easily identifiable for the neophyte. Fortunately, all you have to do is open the manual supplied with your equipment to know exactly its anatomy, its ports and connectors and its various components.

Nevertheless, to illustrate the rest of our remarks, we found it relevant to make a small reminder with the following illustration.

We find the main elements to know about our motherboard, here an Asus ROG STRIX B250G. All the elements are not listed there exhaustively, in particular the I/O panel which has many ports, the BIOS battery which supplies power to the CMOS memory, or even the many connectors located at the bottom of the card and perform various roles such as connecting USB ports, front panel, powering additional fans and so on.

Now that we know a little more about the anatomy and operation of a motherboard, having covered the topics of compatibility, different platforms and card formats, it's time for our tips for choosing the right motherboard.

How to choose the best motherboard?

The motherboard is by far the most unique component of your computer; the one that opens up the most customization possibilities and allows a wide range of features.

As such, the choice is all the more delicate as there are motherboards for everything, for everyone and on fairly wide price ranges. From gaming and streaming to heavy applications, including office automation or mini PCs, many extras must be added that come into play, as many elements as we detail below.

Which external connectors to choose?

The number and type of external connectors vary greatly from one model to another and it will be necessary to check that your card offers the connections you need.

USB ports

all motherboards have a number of USB 2.0 ports with a speed of 480 Mb/s, sufficient to connect a large number of peripherals such as keyboards and mice. The USB 3 / 3.1 Gen1 and 3.1 Gen 2 ports are capable of achieving much higher speeds with a maximum of 20 Gb/s for the latter standard. USB-C is also often included, but this is not always the case.

Thunderbolt connectors

There are few motherboards offering this type of connection. The Thunderbolt 3 displays a bandwidth of 40 Gb/s and allows the simultaneous connection of up to twelve devices. USB4, planned for 2021, should democratize Thunderbolt technology since it will be based on the latter.

HDMI, DVI, DisplayPort ports

these connectors are important as long as you don't plan to install a dedicated graphics card, which has its own ports.

Audio outputs

Generally identifiable by a simple color code, they are managed by the audio chipset of the motherboard. Unless you are looking for superior sound quality, in an audiophile context or for computer music, they should suffice for a large majority of users. It is mainly the audio codec of the chip that defines the quality of the digital processing, some are much better than others and it is worth being well informed about this if it matters to you. The alternative is to equip yourself with a dedicated sound card, or even an external DAC to connect via the S/PDIF output (optical or coaxial) or via USB.

PS/2 ports

Obsolete since the generalization of USB, PS/2 ports allow you to connect keyboard and mouse. However, manufacturers have not really abandoned this connector yet and it is still found on many motherboard models.

Finally, there is obviously the RJ45 port that accommodates your Ethernet cable. Most cards today are equipped with a Gigabit port. Some models have two or even four Ethernet ports for specific and advanced uses.

How many expansion slots?

The PCI Express expansion bus is the current standard that allows us to add many peripherals to our motherboards: graphics cards, network cards, sound cards, streaming cards, RAID controllers and so on.

There are four types of PCIe slots which are distinguished according to their number of lanes (1x; 4x; 8x; 16x), which also influences the size of the connector itself, but also on its performance and especially its transfer rate.

Modern motherboards generally only have two types of slots, the PCIe 16x slot (usually occupied by a graphics card) and the PCIe 1x. The number of slots determines the expansion cards you can connect, but it is also best to pay attention to the space between each slot depending on the different elements you want to install there.

Indeed, in some cases the installation of a graphics card in its x16 slot can prevent access to one or more 1x slots, this scenario is also encountered quite regularly on multi-GPU configurations. Finally, you should know that the PCIe 16x slots can accommodate 1x or 4x cards.

Another important fact to keep in mind is that the number of PCIe lanes you can use is limited. It is therefore common to see the deactivation of one or more SATA ports when we use an additional M.2 port. This is therefore a disadvantage to take into account if you plan to install many cards, SSDs, or others. The fact is that motherboards often accumulate a number of PCIe slots whose lanes exceed what the chipset and processor can handle, hence the deactivation of certain ports or slots.

With each new version of PCIe, the bandwidth is doubled compared to the previous generation. The fastest on the market is now PCIe 5.0 with a bandwidth that can theoretically reach 64 GB/s, compared to 32 GB/s for the PCIe 4.0 standard. Nevertheless, the difference in performance between these two standards is not relevant for the majority of users today and only serves, for the moment, the fastest PCIe SSDs that use an NVMe interface (M.2 formats , U.2 and AIC).

What about RAM?

Depending on their format and targeted uses, motherboards have between 2 and 8 slots for RAM modules. As a general rule, ATX cards intended for the general public have 4 slots.

Your RAM needs obviously depend on your activities. Nowdays it is necessary to have a minimum of 8 to 16 GB of RAM for office automation and multimedia, between 16 and 32 GB for gaming PCs and more for professional applications, servers and others.

RAM should be chosen carefully to avoid compatibility issues. It is therefore necessary to clearly identify the type of memory supported by the motherboard, the maximum frequency it supports, without forgetting the total maximum capacity and total memory maximum capacity per slot!

Final words and conclusions

As you can see choosing the best motherboard for your PC can be a hassle, but if you give it the right amount of time and do your research you will find what motherboard best suits your needs.

We hope we made some things clearer with this article and now you can do a better investigation about what is the best motherboard for your next PC-build, and of course, as always, the final choice is yours.