The motherboard is the central communication center for your computer. It’s where all of your components plug into and are able to communicate with each other. The motherboard you choose for your gaming computer will have a huge impact on the quality of your build. If you choose a low-end cheap motherboard, you will be limited to what kind of hardware you can get.
However, if you choose a feature-rich and powerful motherboard, you will not only experience the benefits now, but you will also set yourself up with plenty of room to upgrade in the future.
While a motherboard isn’t going to have a direct impact on your gaming experience, it does play a huge role in your computer. Therefore, you need to consider allotting a decent portion of your budget towards your motherboard.
In this post, I will take a look at the best motherboards for gaming in 2018. I’ve broken down the categories into four different motherboard socket/chipset categories: the best AM4 motherboards (AMD), the best LGA 1151 motherboards (Intel), and the best LGA 2066 motherboards (Intel Extreme).
I’ve taken a look at multiple motherboards within each socket and looked at the best options in different price ranges as well. So, whether you’re looking for an affordable gaming motherboard or a high-end overclocking motherboard, there will be a motherboard option for you on this list.
*NOTE: If you’re looking to build a smaller form-factor gaming PC check out our guide on the Best Mini-ITX Motherboards to find options that will work for your mini system.
Our Picks for the Best Gaming Motherboards
The table below showcases our top picks for the best Z370 motherboard, the best X470 motherboard, the best X299 motherboard, the best H370 motherboard, and the best B450 motherboard. These aren’t all of the motherboards on this list, though, and so if you want to check out more options that will meet your budget and needs, keep scrolling down to see more choices.
| NAME | SPECS | RATING | |||
Z370 |  | MSI Gaming PRO |
| /10 | |
X470 |  | ASUS ROG Strix X470-F |
| /10 | |
X299 |  | GIGABYTE X299 |
| /10 | |
H370 |  | GIGABYTE H370 HD3 |
| /10 | |
B450 |  | MSI B450 Tomahawk |
| /10 |
*For more information on the motherboards listed above, just click the “Read Review »” link to jump down to read our overview on that motherboard. You can also keep scrolling to see more case options based on your budget.
Best LGA 1151 Motherboards
Intel finally stepped up and delivered more cores to its fanbase. Where quad-core processors were the norm for their mainstream CPUs before, Intel’s new Coffee Lake chips (other than their Core i3 CPUs) are all six-core processors.
Even their Core i3 processors got a boost, going from dual-core CPUs to quad-core CPUs, making them more viable than they have ever been before for building a budget gaming PC with.
And, now that Intel has finally released their budget-line of 300-series chipset boards, their Coffee Lake chips are perfect options for gamers who are working with a tight budget.
Below, we have listed a few of the best Z370 motherboards currently available, as well as provided a solid H370 motherboard and H310 motherboard, too.
LGA 1151 Motherboard Comparison Chart
 | MSI Gaming PRO |
| /10 |
Recommendation
The MSI Gaming PRO Carbon AC is a high-end Z370 motherboard that will work well for overclocking and/or for running a dual graphics card setup. If you’re looking to build a high-end system with an unlocked 8th generation Intel processor, this board should be at the top of your list of options to consider.
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TECH SPECS
| CHIPSET | Z370 |
| SOCKET | LGA 1151 |
| DDR | DDR4 |
| FORM | Standard ATX |
| OC? | Yes |
MSI Gaming PRO Overview
If you’re looking for a top-of-the-line Z370 motherboard, look no further than MSI’s Gaming PRO Carbon AC. The Gaming PRO Carbon AC is a Z370 motherboard that excels at overclocking, looks really sharp, and has all of the other features you could ever want out of a motherboard.
It can support 2-way SLI and 3-way Crossfire, up to 64GB of DDR4 memory (with support for speeds up to 4000+MHz through overclocking), and 8th generation Intel processors. You also get dual M.2 slots that are Intel Optane ready and one of which has an M.2 shield heatsink.
From an aesthetics standpoint, the board stands out with its black PCB, its steel armor PCI-E slots, and RGB lights. And, it comes with plenty of MSI-specific features like Game Boost, GAMING Hotkey, X-Boost, and WTFast.
Ultimately, if you’re looking for a high-end overclocking-friendly motherboard for your unlocked 8th generation Intel Core processor, then the MSI Gaming PRO Carbon AC is worth considering.
|  |  |  |
 | Gigabyte AORUS Gaming 5 |
| /10 |
Recommendation
Gigabyte’s AORUS Gaming 5 LGA 1151 motherboard is another high-quality option if you are looking to build a Coffee Lake-based gaming PC. It essentially has all of the same core features that the ASUS ROG Maximus X Hero does, except that it will cost nearly $70 less. However, the motherboards below will also perform similarly and, so, if you are looking to save more money, you might want to check them out as well.
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TECH SPECS
| CHIPSET | Z370 |
| SOCKET | LGA 1151 |
| DDR | DDR4 |
| FORM | Standard ATX |
| OC? | Yes |
Gigabyte AORUS Gaming 5 Overview
If you don’t want to spend top dollar for one of the premium Z370 motherboards, that doesn’t mean you can’t get a high-quality, nice-looking option.
Gigabyte’s AORUS Gaming 5 motherboard is a high-quality option that has RGB Fusion support, three M.2 ports, support for front panel USB 3.1, and support for a dual-GPU setup.
And, it comes in at just under $200, making quite a bit cheaper than ASUS’ ROG Maximus X Hero, despite offering a lot of the same features.
Of course, there are less expensive Z370 motherboards that will serve most users well, too, so if you want to save a little bit of money, you might want to check out some of the options below.
Ultimately, Gigabyte’s AORUS Gaming 5 motherboard is a solid option for anyone who is looking to get a quality motherboard to put inside of a high-end gaming PC build.
|  |  |  |
 | MSI Z370-A Pro |
| /10 |
Recommendation
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly Coffee Lake motherboard for overclocking, the MSI Z370-A Pro is one of the more affordable options you have. It’s not the most feature-rich motherboard out there, but if you’re looking to build a mid-range system with an unlocked 8th gen. Intel processor, it will allow you to achieve mild overclocks.
Learn More
TECH SPECS
| CHIPSET | Z370 |
| SOCKET | LGA 1151 |
| DDR | DDR4 |
| FORM | Standard ATX |
| OC? | Yes |
MSI Z370-A Pro Overview
At the moment, MSI’s Z370-A Pro is one of the least expensive Z370 chipset motherboards currently available. And, it’s not hard to see why this motherboard is one of the cheaper Z370 motherboards out there. It’s stripped down quite a bit, it doesn’t support RGB lighting, and it doesn’t look quite as flashy as the other options out there.
It does support up to 64GB of DDR4 RAM with the potential to hit memory clock rates as high 4000+MHz through overclocking. It also comes with an M.2 port as well, so you can pair an NVME SSD with this motherboard.
Ultimately, if you are looking to build a budget-friendly overclocking-friendly Coffee Lake build and you don’t care about RGB lighting or the aesthetics of your motherboard, the Z370-A Pro should get the job done for you.
|  |  |  |
 | GIGABYTE H370 HD3 |
| /10 |
Recommendation
Gigabyte’s H370 HD3 is the perfect budget-friendly motherboard to pair with a locked version Coffee Lake processor. It’s got a lot of features for the price it comes in at and, as such, makes it one of the best LGA 1151 motherboards under $100.
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TECH SPECS
| CHIPSET | H370 |
| SOCKET | LGA 1151 |
| DDR | DDR4 |
| FORM | Extended ATX |
| OC? | Yes |
GIGABYTE H370 HD3 Overview
Gigabyte’s H370 HD3 features the non-overclockable H370 chipset. So, if you are looking to get an Intel processor that you can overclock with, you’ll want to look elsewhere.
However, if you don’t need to overclock and you’re looking at a locked Intel Core processor, the Gigabyte H370 HD3 would be an option worth considering. It has the ability to support up to 64GB of RAM, can hold dual graphics card setups, and features both USB 3.1 and USB 3.1 Gen 2.
It also has two M.2 connectors, so if you want to use an NVME M.2 SSD with this motherboard you can do so.
Overall, for just under $100, the Gigabyte H370 HD3 is an excellent option for anyone who isn’t planning on overclocking their processor.
|  |  |  |
 | GIGABYTE H310M A |
| /10 |
Recommendation
The Gigabyte H310M-A isn’t a high-end option by any means, but it is very affordable and will pair well with a locked 8th generation Intel processor (like an i3-8100 or i5-8400). So, if you’re looking to build a budget gaming PC and you don’t need an expensive motherboard, the Gigabyte H310M-A will work well for you without costing you a ton of money.
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TECH SPECS
| CHIPSET | H310 |
| SOCKET | LGA 1151 |
| DDR | DDR4 |
| FORM | Micro-ATX |
| OC? | No |
GIGABYTE H310M A Overview
If you’re planning on building a cheap gaming PC and you want to use a locked 8th generation Intel processor, the Gigabyte H310M-A will be worth considering.
At just a bit over $50, the Gigabyte H310M-A is a solid budget motherboard to pair with an Intel Core i5-8400 or Intel Core i3-8100. While it only comes with two DIMM slots, the fact that you can get single 16GB sticks of DDR4 RAM now, you can still add up to 32GB of RAM total on this motherboard, which should be more than enough for the vast majority of users.
The Gigabyte H310M-A also comes with an M.2 port, so it can accommodate an NVME SSD.
In the end, the Gigabyte H310M-A isn’t the best motherboard available. However, if you don’t have a huge budget and are looking to build a budget-friendly gaming computer with a locked Intel Core i3 or i5 8th Generation processor, then this motherboard will be an option that won’t kill your performance and will save you some money, too.
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Best AMD AM4 Ryzen Motherboards
AMD released their new X470 chipset AM4 motherboards to go along with their 2nd Generation Ryzen CPUs at the beginning of the year. However, it was only recently that the more budget-friendly B450 chipset motherboards got released and, as a result, they still aren’t as affordable as the cheaper LGA 1151 options.
Still, though, if you’re looking to build a high-end AM4-based gaming computer with a newer Ryzen CPU and an X470 motherboard, you won’t have any problems. Or, if you want to build a budget-friendly or mid-range Ryzen gaming PC, you can definitely do so… but just note that the B450 chipset boards still haven’t come down to the same prices that the older B350 chipsets reached,
Below, we’ve listed a couple of the best X470 motherboards available, as well as a couple of solid B450 options, too.
AM4 Motherboard Comparison Chart
 | ASUS ROG Strix X470-F |
| /10 |
Recommendation
At just over $200, the ASUS ROG Strix X470-F is one of the more feature-oriented X470 motherboards on the market. It can accommodate dual graphics card setups, can hold up to 64GB of RAM, has two NVME M.2 ports, and has a ton of RGB functionality. Overall, it’s a great option to pair with a high-end 2nd Generation Ryzen CPU.
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TECH SPECS
| CHIPSET | X470 |
| SOCKET | AM4 |
| DDR | DDR4 |
| FORM | Standard ATX |
| OC? | Yes |
ASUS ROG Strix X470-F Overview
The ASUS ROG Strix X470-F is one of the best X470 motherboards available. First off, it’s a great option for any gamer who is looking to overclock their new Ryzen CPU.
It also comes with the option to run dual video cards, two NVME M.2 ports (so, you can use an NVME SSD on it), a USB 3.1 Gen 2 header, and comes with ASUS’ Aura Sync RGB lighting.
The X470-F also has built-in 8-channel HD audio, onboard LED lights, and 5-Way Optimization with Auto-Tuning and Fan Xpert 4.
Perhaps one of the coolest features of the ROG Strix X470-F is the fact that the IO shield comes pre-installed on the motherboard. If you’d built a computer before, you know how much of a pain it can be to get the motherboard correctly lined-up to the shield. It’s a small feature, but it is a nice addition from ASUS—and one that hopefully all motherboard manufacturers adopt in the future.
Ultimately, the ASUS ROG Strix X470-F is geared towards AMD enthusiasts who are looking to build a high-end overclocking-friendly gaming computer with a new 2nd Generation Ryzen CPU.
|  |  |  |
 | GIGABYTE X470 AORUS |
| /10 |
Recommendation
At a little under $150, the Gigabyte X470 AORUS ULTRA GAMING motherboard is the perfect option for gamers who want to be able to overclock their new Ryzen processor, but don’t want to pay a premium to get one of the more expensive X470 motherboards.
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TECH SPECS
| CHIPSET | X470 |
| SOCKET | AM4 |
| DDR | DDR4 |
| FORM | Standard ATX |
| OC? | Yes |
GIGABYTE X470 AORUS Overview
If you’re looking for a bit more of a budget-friendly X470 motherboard, the Gigabyte X470 AORUS is a solid option. Like the ROG Strix board listed above, the X470 AORUS ULTRA GAMING motherboard can accommodate dual GPU configurations, as well as up to 64GB of RAM.
It also has an M.2 slot (and so you can use an NVME SSD on this motherboard) and plenty of RGB options/ports to help you light up your build.
The AORUS X470’s 8+3 phase PWM design will also help you hit higher overclocks with your 2nd Generation Ryzen CPU.
Overall, the AORUS X470 is a great option if you want to be able to overclock your new Ryzen-based system, but you don’t want to spend a ton to get one of the more expensive X470 motherboards.
|  |  |  |
 | MSI B450 Tomahawk |
| /10 |
Recommendation
If you’re looking to build a mid-range or higher AM4 gaming PC and you’re not trying to achieve extreme overclocks, the MSI B450 Tomahawk will be an option you’ll want to consider. It comes in under $100 and will allow for mild overclocking, as well as giving you support for 2-way AMD Crossfire configurations and everything else you’ll need to build a solid system.
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TECH SPECS
| CHIPSET | B450 |
| SOCKET | AM4 |
| DDR | DDR4 |
| FORM | Standard ATX |
| OC? | Yes |
MSI B450 Tomahawk Overview
If you don’t want to hit serious overclocks with your processor, but you do want some higher-end features on your motherboard, the MSI B450 Tomahawk might be the option for you. Still, though, the B450 chipset will allow you to achieve mild overclocks and so even if you’re not interested in overclocking right now, going with a B450 board will at least give you the option to overclock later down the road.
The MSI B450 Tomahawk can support up to 64GB of DDR4 RAM with memory clock speeds of up to 3466MHz possible through overclocking and it will work for 2-way Crossfire for running dual AMD graphics cards. For aesthetics, the board comes with one steel PCI-e lane, a black PCB, and some RGB lighting.
And, while this is the newer B450 chipset built for 2nd generation Ryzen processors, it also comes ready out-of-the-box for 1st generation Ryzen processors as well.
In the end, if you don’t want to pay over $100 for an AM4 motherboard and you’re not looking to do any kind of serious overclocking (but you’d like to hit mild overclocks), the MSI B450 Tomahawk will be a viable option for you.
|  |  |  |
 | ASUS B450M-A |
| /10 |
Recommendation
The ASUS Prime B450M-A/CSM is a budget-friendly AM4 motherboard that will allow you to build a powerful single-GPU gaming PC without costing you a ton of money. So, if you’re in the market for a cheap AM4 motherboard to pair with your Ryzen CPU, this would be one option you’ll want to consider.
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TECH SPECS
| CHIPSET | B450 |
| SOCKET | AM4 |
| DDR | DDR4 |
| FORM | micro-ATX |
| OC? | Yes |
ASUS B450M-A Overview
I’ve got some pretty good news for those of you who want a new Ryzen CPU, but don’t want to break the bank getting one. You can pair your Ryzen processor with a sub-$70 motherboard and be completely fine.
That is, of course, if you don’t want to run dual video card setups now or in the future. For users who just want to build a single-GPU Ryzen gaming PC, though, the budget-friendly ASUS B450M-A should bring enough to the table to be worth considering.
Just note, though, that the ASUS Prime B450M-A/CSM is a micro-ATX motherboard. So, if you’re looking for a standard ATX motherboard option check out the MSI B450 Tomahawk listed above.
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Best Intel LGA 2066 Motherboards
If you’re looking for a cheap LGA 2066 motherboard, you can forget about it.
The LGA 2066 socket is not for the casual PC builders who are just looking to build a typical gaming computer.
Rather, LGA 2066 is designed to handle Intel’s extreme edition processors and therefore is only recommended if you want to go all out on your next PC build.
Prices for LGA 2066 motherboards start in the $200s and go well into the $300s and $400s.
And, as such, I really wouldn’t recommend going with the LGA 2066 socket unless you’re planning on spending at least $1,500 total on your system.
With that being said, if you still want to build an Intel-Extreme-based PC, here is a list of the best Intel motherboards for the LGA 2066 socket…
LGA 2066 Motherboard Comparison Chart
 | GIGABYTE X299 Gaming 7 |
| /10 |
Recommendation
The X299 Gaming 7 PRO from Gigabyte is a motherboard that supports Skylake-X and Kaby Lake X CPU’s. If you’re looking to build an LGA 2066 PC with an Intel Extreme processor, this is one of the better motherboard options for your needs
Learn More
TECH SPECS
| CHIPSET | X299 |
| SOCKET | LGA 2066 |
| DDR | DDR4 |
| FORM | Standard ATX |
| OC? | Yes |
GIGABYTE X299 Gaming 7 PRO Overview
The X299 series Gaming 7 motherboard from Gigabyte combines the latest in gaming technology’s bells and whistles to help you build a streamlined and completely custom system. It supports Skylake-X, and Kaby Lake-X CPU’s and has an 8x DIMM XMP-ready memory support and with 8-phase IR2556-50A power design.
The motherboard has a max capacity of 128 GB and up to 4400MHz and operates on the Intel GbE LAN network.
Where this model really stands out is in its connectivity options. It includes five USB 3.1 Gen 2 ports located on the rear I/O as well as one along the front panel. This connectivity option boasts twice the bandwidth of the previous generation and has backward capability with USB 2.0 and 3.0. In addition, the USB 3.1 protocol is available over both the new USB Type-C and traditional USB Type-A connector allowing you to connect with a wider range of devices than ever before.
From a speed standpoint, the motherboard has many built-in features to make it easy to maximize its performance. There is overclock performance tuning that allows you to tweak your MHz from anywhere between 90 to 500, without limiting you to the traditional 5% ranges in most straps. Through the DDR4XMP support you reach up to 4333MHz, and the X299 series is compatible with over 1000+ different modern and previous generation memory modules, making it a versatile choice.
A final notable feature is RGG Fusion. Through the technology, you can control the digital LED’s in each zone of the motherboard independently from each other, and as the series now supports RGBW & UV lights, you have access to vibrant colors across the spectrum for your configuration.
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 | MSI X299 TOMAHAWK |
| /10 |
Recommendation
The MSI X299 Tomahawk is compatible with the Intel Core X-Series processors and the LGA 2066 socket. It supports 128GB of memory and uses quad-channel memory support DDR4. It has two USB 3.1 Gen 2 ports, and a host of other connectivity options to accommodate devices, an advanced GPU, and other gaming-essential components.
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TECH SPECS
| CHIPSET | X299 |
| SOCKET | LGA 2066 |
| DDR | DDR4 |
| FORM | Standard ATX |
| OC? | Yes |
MSI X299 TOMAHAWK Overview
The X299 Tomahawk is MSI’s design that supports the latest in Intel Core X-Series processor capabilities and is compatible with the LGA 2066 Socket.
The motherboard supports DDR4-4266+ (OC) memory and is marketed as a VR ready system. Gamers can capitalize on the virtual reality experience without having issues with latency, and the system offers additional features to help reduce motion sickness among players.
This motherboard designed with gaming in mind is LAN powered by Intel and has extra bells and whistles that enhance the performance. Features like Turbo Socket, Game Boost, and Digital Power Design give you an edge against the competition technologically. In-game weapons like Game Boost, Gaming Hotkey X-Boost and more provide you with time-saving advantages during gameplay.
To boost the speed of gaming, MSI combines twin turbo M.2 with USB 3.1 Gen 2 connectivity and gaming LAN to give you the lowest latency and best bandwidth management available. The motherboard also houses seven USB 2.0 ports and numerous both front and rear USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type A ports.
The multi-GPU with steel armor PCI-e slots support 3-way NVIDIA SLI and 3-Way AMD Crossfire, which gives you configuration options. The sound is provided through Audio Boost 4 with NAHIMIC2+ which gives you a studio-grade experience that is not only realistic but also immersive.
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 | ASUS TUF MARK 2 |
| /10 |
Recommendation
The ASUS TUF X299 MARK 2 supports the Intel LGA 2066 socket and the X299 chipset. It has two USB 3.1 Type-C ports and operates at 3600MHz max capacity.
The memory slot includes 8x DIMM 128 GB DDR4 capabilities, and the Thermal Radar 3 technology keeps the system cool and stabilized.
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TECH SPECS
| CHIPSET | X299 |
| SOCKET | LGA 2066 |
| DDR | DDR4 |
| FORM | Standard ATX |
| OC? | Yes |
ASUS TUF X299 MARK 2 Overview
The ASUS TUF X299 MARK 2 is designed to support the 7th generation LGA 2066 socket in the Intel Core X-series processors. This set-up has several features that maximize connectivity and speed like the dual M.2, two rear-panel USB 3.1 Type-C connections, and Intel Optane Memory capability.
With a 3600MHz max capacity and an 8x DIMM 128GB DDR4 memory slot, the X299 Tomahawk gives you the juice you need to power your gameplay.
One perk of the system is the connection speed and flexibility. The backward-compatible USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-A gives you data transfer speeds of up to 10 Gbps, and the x4 PCI Express 3.0/2.0 bandwidth, M.2 supports up to 32 Gbps of data transfer rates.
To keep the system both cool and stable, ASUS uses its Thermal Radar 3 technology. This allows you to both customize your cooling during regular operations, and when overclocking. If you’re planning to add a heavyweight GPU, the dual SafeSlot mounts that use a patented injection molding process to integrate the metal framing better to create a firmly anchored PCIe slot are a nice feature.
If you like a little visual enhancement, the AURA Sync RGB lighting technology allows you to configure your motherboard with an endless spectrum of colors and synchronize your effects.
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Which Motherboard is Right for You?
While your motherboard isn’t going to have any kind of direct impact on your in-game experience, it will play a large role in determining what components you can put into your build. The cheaper the motherboard you choose, the more limited you will be.
However, if you are working with a tight budget, you can definitely choose a less-expensive motherboard. And, if all you are planning on doing is building a single video card setup then you don’t necessarily have to spend hundreds of dollars on a quality motherboard.
Ultimately, though, your motherboard is an important part of your computer and you should definitely take the time to choose one that will serve your needs and even will give you upgrade options in the future.
Cameron Nelson says
Im looking into gaming and want to build a pc. what is the best starter but will preform at competitive levels and be able to build with add ons to make faster and better.
KRISHNESH ROY says
I want to watch 4k uhd movies on YouTube.
What is my budget processor, motherboard and ram
Brent Hale says
Hi Krishnesh ROY. You could go with an i3-8100, an H310 motherboard, and 8GB of RAM. Or, if you want to spend even less, a Ryzen 3 2200G, an A320 motherboard (needs to have the BIOS update, though), and 8GB of RAM.
daniel says
Need help! Which one from these gaming motherboards should I choose?