What motherboard to use for gaming

There are also some additional USB 3. Though ASRock Z Pro RS may not be the best motherboard you can get, it still has all the needed bells and whistles for a solid gaming setup at a super budget-friendly price. This board also has you covered for high-speed add-ins. Your storage can cruise as well with two PCIe 4. This E-ATX motherboard takes full advantage of the extended room and is ready to house your most powerful systems.

That CPU overclocking potential can pair nicely with the memory overclocking. It features four full-length PCIe 4. MSI is likely expecting you'll want to use one or two of these for expanded storage and networking capabilities, as this premium package includes a 10Gb networking card and an M. Combine that Xpander-Z with the three M.

You also get plenty of system storage potential with dual PCIe 4. The board has plenty in the way of connectivity options.

Throw in a splash of RGB lighting on the IO shroud and chipset cooler as well as support for RGB peripherals, and you've got a stylish and capable board at this mid-range price.

A big part of the promise of the B chipset when paired with a Ryzen Series processor is the upgrade to PCIe 4. This motherboard is no exception, as you can enjoy a full PCIe 4. That pairing can get you gaming with the best of them, especially where games start to take advantage of the direct link between graphics cards and storage.

Although it might seem like these motherboards have the same socket AMD has used since introducing its first Zen-based HEDT chips, this new platform utilizes a new sTRX4 socket that makes buying a new motherboard essential to any Threadripper 3rd Generation system. While this will be an inconvenience to those hoping to continue using their X motherboards into the next generation, you at least get PCI-Express 4.

The audio caps are separate from the rest of the motherboard to reduce electromagnetic interference, which ultimately improves the sound quality. ASUS has collaborated with reputable computer constituents selling brands to ensure compatibility with CPU coolers, memory kits, power supplies, and hardware components like the mouse and keyboards.

The motherboard supports a Bluetooth range of 5. A gaming enthusiast requires a set that they can quickly assemble without difficulties. As such, the TUF gaming motherboard requires a stress-free setup. One software portal supports all the required configurations hence no confusion or connection headaches. The motherboard packs exceptional hardware and software, allowing you to start and load level games faster.

The premium audio components allow you to have immersive sound experiences when gaming. It allows you to crush your opponents on the battlefield without lag, which is impeccable. Additionally, the mystic light sync enables you to personalize your system with 29 effects and You get a glowing gaming vibe to your setup that comes in handy during the night.

The fully isolated memory circuit and an optimized layout design ensure perfect performance and stability. Fast SSDs can slow you down when trying to outperform your enemies after getting too hot.

For this reason, the motherboard features M. It prevents thermal throttling, ensuring a maximum drive gaming performance. With a PCI-E steel armor, the motherboard gives you a shutter-free gaming experience while preventing graphic card sagging. The motherboard combines bold aesthetics with incredible audio and premium performance that promise to take your gaming experience to the next level. You don't need to be a specialist to max out the gaming performance on your motherboard.

With a 5-way optimization, you can quickly sort out complicated settings such as highly-controllable gaming performance boosts with a click. The optimization ensures your system is good for gaming through saving energy, CPU performance, cooling fans, and ultra-stable digital power.

The audio gaming technology in this motherboard is top-notch. It features decibels signal to noise ratio on its line-in connection for excellent recording quality plus decibels on line-out for clear sounds.

Simply put, you will be fully immersed in your gaming sounds like never before. The RAMCache II effectively caches your entire storage device, enabling your favorite modern games to launch at rapid speeds.

The USB 3. With a 3D-printing design, the motherboard makes it easy for you to improve your PC's performance and customize your preferred gaming appearance with various printable parts. You can as well attach separate RGB strips with the included four-pin headers to enjoy stunning gaming light synchronization. Packed to the brim with top-notch features and built around a phase power delivery solution, this motherboard promises to take your gaming experience to the next level.

The PCle 4. What's more, the PCle 4. With smart fan 5, this motherboard ensures your gaming PC maintains its versatile performance. It also features hybrid fan headers to support both voltage mode fans and pulse width modulation, making your motherboard more liquid-friendly. The direct phase with 50a power stage delivers unprecedented power for power-hungry games and overlocking. The printed circuit board PCB is built from 2x copper to enhance power delivery and remove pesky heat when gaming.

You will have an immersive listening experience when gaming with or without headphones. The onboard Intel Wi-Fi 6 It ensures you get high and smooth performance when gaming online. The Asus Prime Z is a powerful gaming motherboard that will meet your gaming needs.

The motherboard is a perfect addition to your gaming setup since it supports most modern PC parts, including processors, video cards, RAM sticks, and graphic cards. The motherboard is designed to maximize speed and connectivity thanks to its support for Intel's 8th and 9th generation processors.

The two processor variants are some of the best options you can get today for heavy processing and gaming. Using modern processors will allow you to maximize the power of the motherboard as opposed to settling for an old CPU. If you plan to overclock your processor, you need a motherboard that will support the extra power demands. The motherboard allows for 5-Way Optimization, which relies on thermal telemetry and smart prediction for tweaked processors.

Hardware security is a critical consideration at Asus. These features will give your motherboard reliability, longevity, and keep it as future proof as possible. The board has support for advanced fan control. It comes with Fan Xpert 4, which delivers dynamic system cooling. You will not be dealing with extra configurations to manage heat on your gaming rig. If you play esports competitively, you can rest assured that the games will remain highly responsive hours after you start playing.

The MPG X features enough compatibility to get the most out of your hardware now and in the future, provided you're willing to pay a premium for it. While it's certainly an excellent mobo, if you aren't already committed to a shopping list of top-of-the-line components now or shortly, you may want to consider a slightly less expensive board for your needs. Despite the X chipset showing its age, Gigabyte's XS Aorus Master feels like an old dog that's learned some new tricks.

The fact that it comes with four M. Really the cooling all around gets a thumbs up from us. The finned VRM heatsinks add a ton of surface area. Our only real knock against the Aorus Master only offers single 2. That being said it's still one of the better AMD motherboards out there. You also get Wi-Fi 6 wireless networking as well as Intel 2. If you're looking at building a Zen 3 system, then the necessary BIOS updates should drop in January for this motherboard.

Performance is typically good for a high-end Asus board, matching X motherboards for gaming performance without issue. That said, of the B boards we've tested, it's the far more affordable MSI board that actually comes out top in our straight performance testing. But the Asus can overclock far better, even if it does chew up more raw power from the plug on the whole. Though that still feels like a tough recommendation when X boards are the same price….

The gaming frame rates of the MSI B Mortar put it above the rest of the B crew we've tested so far, and indeed its straight CPU performance puts it up there with some of the best Xs. That bodes well if you're looking for an affordable home for your AMD Zen 3 CPU of the future BIOS updates to support Ryzen chips are due to start rolling out in January ; this B has a great chance to ensure it performs to its fullest stock-clocked potential without breaking the bank.

But you will be missing out on extra PCIe 4. You can also opt to ditch wireless networking, depending on whether you pick the straight Mortar or the more expensive Mortar Wi-Fi version.

But, as an affordable gaming board without OC pretensions, it's a great shout. AMD's budget Ryzen motherboard chipset, the A, has largely slipped under the radar. While B and B motherboards were mostly regarded as entry-level, A was strictly seen as the resolutely low end. Enter A It benefits from the strengths of the Ryzen platform and adds some future-proofing into the mix. About the only thing it really lacks is Wi-Fi, but then do you really expect to have Wi-Fi at this price?

Gigabyte deserves credit for including audio built around the ALC codec. Usually, this is reserved for use with more expensive motherboards. It leaves Intel's budget B boards looking weak in comparison, plus you get the benefit of next-generation Ryzen compatibility.

Is it for everyone? No, but the Gigabyte A Aorus Elite, unlike almost all preceding A boards, definitely does not mean cheap and nasty. Read the full Gigabyte A Aorus Elite review. You need to know which processor you want to be building your new rig around. Are you firmly tying yourself to the mast of the good ship Intel as it plows on through the roughest waters it's known?

Or are you going to fly the flag of AMD proudly? Other than knowing which processor you're going to be fitting, size matters when picking up a motherboard.

That doesn't necessarily mean sacrificing performance or key features anymore. The scale will impact pricing, however. We've picked our top two favorite gaming motherboards for each of the main Intel and AMD chipsets to give you the best options around. There are absolutely restrictions in place to stop that, especially on the Intel side. It has opened up memory overclocking across its series chipsets, but still, the Z is your only chance of overclocking the latest Rocket Lake K-series CPUs.

But don't worry, they don't overclock very well. Basically, if you make sure not to go for the cheapest Ryzen board, one with an 'A' at the front of its nomenclature, then you're good to tweak. Though again, there really are limited returns. A connector on the motherboard that allows you to run a cable to the case to add additional USB ports, typically on the front panel though some cases provide top or rear panel slots as well.

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What are you looking for? Preferences Community Newsletters Log Out. Written by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes , Contributor. Adrian Kingsley-Hughes Contributor Adrian Kingsley-Hughes is an internationally published technology author who has devoted over two decades to helping users get the most from technology -- whether that be by learning to program, building a PC from a pile of parts, or helping them get the most from their new MP3 player or digital camera.

Full Bio. Posted in Hardware 2. High-end motherboard at a decent price. A price tag to make you wince.