How to Choose the Best PC Motherboard for Your Build in 2024

Whether you have years of experience and a wealth of knowledge about how to build PCs or you’re in the process of putting together your first custom gaming desktop, it’s all too easy to fall into “analysis paralysis”. There are hundreds of different parts across dozens of manufacturers, each with its own specifications, compatibility, pricing, and availability. Sure, you’ve got a budget in mind, but what kind of processor will you be building around? How powerful do you want your GPU to be? Will the case you have picked out have enough clearance for adequate cooling? In terms of where to start, it’s hard to argue against picking out your motherboard first and building from there. This year alone has provided several new options that are all great starting points, but knowing how to pick the best PC motherboard in 2024 is still a challenge.

There are multiple variables to consider when picking out a motherboard, and they all will eventually influence how the rest of your PC components fall in line. The motherboard will act as the foundation of your rig, determining the type of CPU you use, how many channels and what type of RAM you can slot in, and even what kind of options you have for your IO once it’s mounted in your case and good to go. If you’re anything like me, you’ve slowly but surely made the decision to switch to PC as your gaming platform of choice, and there are some excellent motherboards available for all levels of your budget, whether you’re planning to build an Intel or AMD system.

For the Uninitiated – What is a Motherboard?

The motherboard acts as the foundation of any PC, determining what type of components can be slotted in as well as what the PC will eventually be capable of. Each motherboard has specific compatibility with proprietary chipsets, with all readily available mass-market motherboards being compatible with either Intel or AMD processors. Intel is currently on its 14th generation of processors, with AMD currently in the 5th generation of its Zen architecture. Depending on which motherboard you choose as your starting point, your PC will only be compatible with one or the other, and even then it will only be compatible with specific generations of those companies’ chipsets.

But the motherboard is more than just the housing for your CPU. It’s quite literally the “home” of every component in your build, housing memory, storage, connecting to the power supply unit (PSU), cooling, and GPU. It’s also where you’ll get the various options for your IO (input/output), such as USB ports, WiFi connectivity, and other means by which your PC will interact with the outside world. Essentially, the motherboard (in combination with the processor/CPU) is the “brain” of your PC. As such, it’s a good idea to think about future-proofing your computer, buying a motherboard that can last you anywhere from 5-10 years as you modularly replace all the other components around it as necessary.

AMD vs Intel – What’s the Difference?

Unfortunately, when it comes to choosing the right chipset for a PC build, it’s not a simple matter of one option being better than another. As is the case with most competing technologies, there are things that AMD does better than Intel, and the opposite is also true. There’s no “one size fits all” approach to CPU functionality, and that’s ultimately a good thing. While it does force you to make a definitive choice between two very different processors, the competition between these two manufacturers means we continue to get new breakthroughs in their efficiency and performance with each new generation of chips. But with compatibility at the heart of choosing a motherboard, it’s important to know what it means to build an Intel system versus an AMD one or vice versa.

Intel

Intel has the benefit of being more widely recognizable by consumers as one of the definitive names in CPU technology. As such, they tend to be on the front lines of innovation where AMD is traditionally playing catch-up. However, the trade-off is that AMD chipsets tend to be more flexible and powerful later on in a particular generation, leaving Intel in the dust. Intel chips are, in general, more expensive on the higher-end but more affordable on the entry and mid-level tiers. This is another benefit of Intel being one of the most popular CPU choices for non-gaming PCs, whereas AMD chips are geared toward gaming PCs and users who need to juggle multiple applications at once while potentially overclocking the CPU.

In terms of performance and power, Intel chips are generally more powerful per core. However, only certain Intel chips are capable of being overclocked, meaning players won’t be able to squeeze additional performance out of the processor. While Intel chips are better for complex calculations necessary for processing games, they tend to run hotter and require more power.

AMD

The development of the Zen architecture has catapulted AMD to being the definitive choice of many PC enthusiasts, resulting in Intel having serious competition for the first time in decades. As a whole, AMD chips are slightly more expensive than Intel chips on the lower and middle-tier price points but are much more affordable on the higher-end. And while, technically, Intel chips might perform better on paper (looking at the number of potential calculations possible per core and other factors), AMD chips are far superior in terms of their temperatures and performance while juggling multiple functions. Better yet, players looking to overclock their CPU and get more performance out of it have a perfect option in AMD processors.

What Constitutes High-End vs Budget Motherboards?

Ultimately, a motherboard’s price comes down to a few key factors. Between its compatible CPU, number of slots, connectivity, form factor, and inclusion of other desirable features like multiple storage slots or on-board WiFi, motherboards vary wildly in price. Some motherboards can cost as little as $100 on the lower end, while the highest-tier motherboards will run you $1000 or more. Further, each chipset has its own levels or “tiers” of motherboards, each with naming conventions that let you know what you’re getting into as far as functionality, features, future-proofing, and cost. But cost is just part of the equation, as some of the best motherboards would be considered “mid-tier”, while higher-end motherboards might not necessarily be worth the exorbitant price tag.

Intel

In terms of Intel-compatible motherboards, there’s a choice between Z, B, and H series motherboards. For the most part, H Series Intel motherboards will only be found in budget PCs that are typically around $700 or less. Accordingly, the H Series motherboards lack several of the desirable features players will get with the B or Z Series.

The Z Series Intel motherboards will have just about every feature you could ever want. They’re likely to have, at minimum, 4 slots for RAM split across 2 channels, 2-3 NVMe SSD slots and space to mount additional SSD or HDD, on-board WiFi, and a hefty IO with plenty of USB ports and audio output for high-quality speakers.

As you might expect, the B Series is a comfortable middle ground that might have a mix of the Z Series‘ most important features but not all. One thing to consider with the middle-tier motherboards is that they occasionally won’t have PCIe 5 connectivity, meaning they exchange longevity for affordability and other factors. While PCIe 5 is compatible with PCIe 4 and 3 devices, a motherboard without PCIe 5 connections won’t be able to use any components that are up to the new standard.

AMD

Similarly, AMD has different tiers of compatible motherboards whose naming determines what you’re getting under the hood. However, where Intel has the budget H Series motherboards, AMD only has X and B Series motherboards. As a general rule of thumb, the same differences apply as with Intel motherboards, with a few notable exceptions.

X Series motherboards are the higher-end boards compatible with AMD series chips, but they vary pretty wildly in terms of price. This variance mostly comes down to which generation of AMD chips the board is compatible with as well as its available on-board features. As with Intel boards, more expensive X Series AMD motherboards typically have more features related to available slots, expansion, connectivity, and on-board Bluetooth and WiFi.

B Series motherboards are a more budget-conscious choice that each sacrifice certain features to be more affordable. Some will not include on-board WiFi while others might only have space for mountable drives and not feature NVMe M2 slots for an SSD. Another factor to consider is the board’s need to update the BIOS based on which chip it’s compatible with. While most newer X Series boards will likely have updated to the most recent BIOS, B Series boards will occasionally require flashing a BIOS update to the CPU depending on which generation chip you’re using. Just something to consider if you happen to be upgrading a motherboard and using an older chip.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Motherboard

Aside from which CPU manufacturer’s chips the board is compatible with, there are 6 basic factors you’ll want to consider when choosing the best motherboard for your PC. These are Form Factor, CPU Compatibility, Connectivity, Memory Type, Expansion Slots, and Longevity. Of course, ultimately, the more desirable each of these factors are per board, they will impact another important factor — Cost. We’ve touched on some of these already, but as a reminder, these are the things to look out for when choosing a motherboard:

Form Factor

There are essentially 4 different sizes or Form Factors for players to choose from when selecting a motherboard. These are, from smallest to largest, Mini-ITX, Micro-ATX, ATX, and EATX. We’ll talk more about form factor below, but for now, know that it’s an important feature that determines what other components you’ll need for your PC build. Smaller boards have fewer available connections and smaller IO ports, and larger motherboards aren’t compatible with smaller-footprint PC cases because they simply won’t fit.

CPU Compatibility

This is the most important factor to consider, as the CPU Compatibility of your motherboard determines how the rest of your system will be built. Beyond just being compatible with either Intel or AMD, motherboards will also only be compatible with specific generations of these chips. Intel is currently on its 14th generation, but there are still modern boards being made that are compatible with 12th and 13th-generation chips. Intel switches up its pin layouts every few years, so the last thing you’d want is to get a new motherboard that you couldn’t slot your CPU into.

AMD is, of course, similar, to the newest generation of chips belonging to the 9000 series. Some AMD-compatible motherboards will only work with 5000 or 7000 series chips, while others might be compatible with the whole run of AMD chips. Pay attention to the specs on whichever motherboard you’re choosing and make sure it matches up with what you’re looking for in a processor.

Connectivity

In terms of Connectivity, there are two types that you want to pay attention to with your motherboard: internal and external. In terms of internal connectivity, motherboards will likely be PCIe 3, 4, or 5. The latest generation of PCIe, 5.0, is how most components will be rated, so if you’re doing a build from scratch it’s important to make sure your motherboard has PCIe connections. Otherwise, none of your components will work. That said, older components that are PCIe 3 or 4 are compatible with PCIe 5 connections on a newer motherboard.

External connectivity is a different story, with the main factors being WiFi functionality and IO ports. Some of the smaller motherboards (Mini-ITX and Micro-ATX) might have their IO obscured by the smaller footprint cases they’re designed for, or they might not have enough USB ports for a particular use case. Similarly, some of the less expensive motherboards might not have WiFi (or have WiFi but no Ethernet port), requiring you to figure out other solutions for making your PC connect to the Internet

Memory Type

Another major factor to consider is how fast you want your motherboard to be able to boot up and run your system, which is where Memory Type comes into play. Most modern motherboards have 4 slots for RAM split across 2 channels, allowing you to house anywhere from 32GB to 128GB depending on the board. However, some boards will only be compatible with DDR4 RAM, while others will be compatible solely with DDR5. Most of us will want to choose a board compatible with DDR5 thanks to its faster read speeds, just make sure you purchase the right kind and amount of RAM (and socket it correctly) to actually boot up the board.

Expansion Slots

Choosing the best motherboard isn’t just reliant on what you’re looking for in a PC right now. The choice also needs to take the future into account, which is where a motherboard’s Expansion Slots come into play. Most builds will begin with choosing RAM, storage, GPU, power supply, and cooling at a minimum. Accordingly, most motherboards will have (at minimum) slots for all these components. That said, one of the best parts of building and owning a PC is the ability to modularly upgrade it throughout the years. A motherboard with expansion slots gives you the leeway to add more storage, slot in more RAM, add fans for more efficient cooling, or other modular changes without needing to replace the whole board.

Longevity

Ultimately, a good motherboard should fit within your budget while also having the features you need now and down the road. Since a motherboard is essentially the foundation for your PC, you want to make sure the one you build on is strong and made to last. To that end, choosing a motherboard with room for expansion or upgrading and the right kinds of connectivity is paramount. You might pay more for a motherboard with PCIe 5.0 connectivity, but that future-proofs your motherboard for any components you want to add or replace down the line.

Form Factor – Why it Matters

For most of us, the right motherboard comes down to selecting from the wide range of ATX options available, but this is hardly the only form factor that motherboards come in. As PC cases continue to cater to wider varieties of use cases, the motherboards they’re compatible with shift. This is why form factor is so important, as choosing the right motherboard also needs to consider what kind of case you want to build in. Some of the more attractive and feature-rich cases with a smaller footprint are only compatible with Micro-ATX or Mini-ITX boards, which ultimately impacts all the other components that you can select for your PC build.

On the opposite end of the spectrum are the larger EATX boards, which exchange plenty of features for a higher price and a larger footprint. Of course, these larger boards mean you’ll need a larger case for them to fit along with all the other necessary components, but you gain other advantages such as room for memory expansion, plenty of storage options, attractive mounting and cable management, and a beefy IO with all the connectivity you could ever want. In any case, selecting the right size motherboard is as important as the quality and features of the board itself, and this is where sites like pcpartpicker.com are a huge help.

Best High-End Options – Intel

There’s a wide price discrepancy when it comes to higher-end motherboards, with some of the more expensive Intel boards coming in over $1000. At roughly half that price, our choice for what’s one of the best high-end Intel PC motherboards in 2024 is the ASUS ROG Maximus Z790. The Z790 stands out thanks to its plethora of features at a fraction of some of the pricier boards. And, at the end of the day, ASUS is a known manufacturer who tends to make a quality product with plenty of consistency across the board (pun intended).

ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero

Best Mid-Range Options – Intel

In terms of mid-range Intel motherboards that offer a lot of bang for the buck, it’s hard to argue against MSI’s MAG Z790 Tomahawk. The Tomahawk’s greatest strength is that it packs in a ton of great features normally reserved for higher-end boards at a fraction of the price.

MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi

Best Budget Options – Intel

A more budget-friendly option that should run you just over $100 is the B760 Auros Elite AX from Gigabyte. Gigabyte’s boards are, in general, very solid products for the price, and the B760 packs in a lot of features while not dishing out a beating to your wallet. The biggest downside to the B760, though, is its lack of PCIe 5.0 connectivity, so make sure to double-check any components you select to pair with it.

GIGABYTE B760 Auros Elite AX

Best High-End Options – AMD

At a whopping $1400+, the MSI MEG X670 Godlike is a beast of a motherboard that almost justifies its price tag. In terms of features, functionality, and future-proofing, the Godlike is as high-end as a motherboard gets. That said, it has plenty of features that a lot of PC owners simply won’t need, meaning it’s best reserved for boutique builds capable of housing a large form factor EATX board.

MSI MEG X670 Godlike

Best Mid-Range Options – AMD

I might be a little biased since I initially agonized over my motherboard and ended up choosing the Gigabyte X670 Auros Elite AX, but it’s honestly one of the best mid-range motherboards out there for an AMD build. This board offers a lot of features normally reserved for higher-end boards at a very reasonable price and features plenty of PCIe 5.0 expansion slots that make it a sound choice for a long-term board.

GIGABYTE X670 Auros Elite AX

Best Budget Options – AMD

Just a few steps down from Gigabyte’s X670 is the B650 Eagle AX, a great budget-friendly board that barely misses out on features of the manufacturer’s more expensive options. While most budget-friendly boards might not feature PCIe 5.0 connectivity, this one does, and its memory capabilities are nothing to scoff at either.

GIGABYTE B650 Eagle AX

The image featured at the top of this post is ©ASUS ROG Strix motherboard.