The Best Motherboards for Gaming in 2018: 17 Intel & AMD Options Reviewed

ASUS ROG Maximus X Hero Overview

For almost half the price of the MSI Z370 GODLIKE, the ASUS ROG Maximus X Hero is another high-end option.

It’s a well-build motherboard that supports ASUS’ Aura Sync RGB lighting, has multiple M.2 SSD ports (including one with a heatsink), and will accommodate dual-GPU setups.

On the other hand, if you’re looking to build a quad-GPU setup, this motherboard will not support that and you will need to look at the MSI GODLIKE for that kind of support.

In the end, though, if you want a high-end motherboard for your Coffee Lake build, the ASUS ROG Maximus X Hero is a solid option that won’t cost you nearly as much the extreme motherboard from MSI that is listed above.

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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.

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MSI Z370-A Pro Overview

While Intel’s Coffee Lake chips offer incredible performance, the unfortunate part about their release is that there is still no budget motherboard’s available for the platform.

Intel typically releases a few different types of chipsets with each new processor architecture or refresh they come out with.

However, for Coffee Lake, the only boards that were released were their more expensive and overclocking-friendly Z-series motherboards. There has been no release yet of the more budget-friendly H-series or B-series motherboards.

This is unfortunate, because if you want to build a mid-range gaming PC with an i5-8400 or i3-8100, you will have to overpay for a motherboard designed for overclocking, when both of those processors can’t be overclocked.

So, at the moment, MSI’s Z370-A Pro is one of the only Coffee Lake motherboards that could even be considered a “budget-friendly” board. And, that’s because it is the only Coffee Lake board to come close to the $100 price point.

And, it’s not hard to see why this motherboard is the cheapest of the 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.

However, if you are looking to build a budget-friendly Coffee Lake build and you don’t care about RGB lighting or the aeshetics of your motherboard, the Z370-A Pro should get the job done for you. Although, if you can hold out, the word around the industry is that there should be some H-series or B-series Coffee Lake boards available at the beginning of next year.

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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.

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ASUS PRIME H310M-A Overview

If you’re looking for an ultra budget-friendly LGA 1151 motherboard, the ASUS PRIME H310M-A might just be the option for you.

At just a little over $60, the PRIME H310M-A is the perfect combination for an Intel Core i5-8400 or Intel Core i3-8100.

It only has two DIMM slots, but seeing as how there are now single 16GB sticks of RAM, this motherboard can hold up to 32GB of RAM—which should be more than enough for most gamers.

The motherboard also comes with an M.2 port, so it can accommodate an NVME SSD.

In the end, the ASUS PRIME H310M-A isn’t the greatest motherboard on the market. However, if you are strapped for cash 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 work for you.

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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, oboard 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.

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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.

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MSI X370 GAMING PRO Overview

For an even more affordable option than the ASUS ROG Crosshair VI Hero, you can look at the MSI X370 Gaming Pro AM4 motherboard.

It doesn’t have quite as heavy duty of a design as the X370 POWER or the X370 ASUS ROG board, but it will definitely be enough if you want to run a multi-GPU setup and do some overclocking as well.

Like the other two boards, it can support up to 64GB of DDR4 memory and has a standard ATX form factor.

Ultimately, if you’re not looking to spend over $200 on your motherboard, but you still want to be able to hit high overclocks, this board will get the job done.

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ASUS Prime B350M-A/CSM 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-$100 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.

The B350 chipset is similar to the X370 chipset in that pretty much everything is the same (supports up to 64GB of DDR4 RAM, can be overclocked, has plenty of USB 3.1 ports, etc.), except that with the B350 chipset you can’t run multiple video cards.

And, for 99% of gamers, multi-GPU setups aren’t necessary, especially if you go with a high-end GPU like a GTX 1080 or 1070.

So, if you don’t want to run multi-GPUs, you can save a considerable amount of money by going with an option like the ASUS Prime B350M-A/CSM.

The ASUS Prime B350M-A/CSM is a micro-ATX option, but there are also standard ATX options available in the B350 chipset.

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GIGABYTE X299 Gaming 7 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 backwards 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 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 game play.

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 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 game play.

One perk of the system is the connection speed and flexibility. The backwards-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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ASUS ROG Maximus IX Hero Overview

Are you staying true to Intel? And, do you have a large budget that you want to use to build a ridiculously feature-packed and high-powered gaming computer?

Then you should probably look at the best ASUS motherboard available for the LGA 1151 socket: the ROG Maximus IX Hero.

ASUS Republic of Gamers line of products is a huge hit in the gaming community and their motherboards are no exception. ASUS is easily one of the best motherboard brands around.

With more features than most people will ever use, the Maximus IX Hero is definitely one of the best Intel motherboards for gaming on the market. And, with Z270 currently being the best Intel chipset available for enthusiasts and overclockers, you can use this board in anything from a moderate-to-extreme setup.

So, if you’re sticking with Intel and you want to build a PC a cut above the norm, then you might want to consider this board.

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ASUS PRIME Z270-A Overview

There are quite a few options for LGA 1151 motherboards in the $150-$200 price range.

However, the ASUS PRIME Z270-A currently looks like one of the best options in that price range, as it is cheaper than similarly-specced options and it has all of the features most people will ever use.

With support for up to 64GB of DDR4 RAM (max O.C. at 3866MHz) and the ability to run dual video cards, the PRIME Z270-A is a solid all-around board.

Ultimately, if you’re looking for a high-end Z270 motherboard without getting into the “extreme” territory, this ASUS gaming motherboard is worth a look. It has a nice balance of features (and perhaps even more than you will ever use) to go with it’s competitive price point.

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GIGABYTE GA-Z270-HD3P Overview

The GA-Z270-HD3P motherboard from GIGABYTE offers a lot of bang for less than a $140 buck. It can support both 6th and 7th generation Intel Core Processor technology with a Z270 chip. It has an LGA 1151socket and supports DIMM RAM technology.

The dual-channel non-ECC unbuffered DDR4 coupled with the 4 DIMMs mean fast processing speeds. The motherboard also supports USB 3.1 Gen 2 with USB Type-C and Type-A ports.

To maximize your AV gaming experience, this Gigabyte model includes high-quality audio capacitors and audio noise guard technology. It’s also equipped with LED Trace Path Lighting to customize the look of your PC. The motherboard has triple display interfaces and supports high definition multimedia interface allowing you to run titles with advanced graphics and HD needs.

The GA-Z270-HD3P incorporated the 2-way CrossFire technology from AMD to give you lots of graphics options with your system. CrossFire allows you to run two or more graphics cards through your system simultaneously, giving you options to grow your graphics capabilities as your needs evolve as a gamer.

The Intel GbE LAN with cFosSpeed Internet Accelerator software will ensure you always have a fast internet connection helping your data packets transfer without issue for streamlined gaming.

To ensure that your motherboard can keep up with the performance needs of your system, it’s equipped with five multiple temperature sensors and hybrid fan headers to keep it cool.

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MSI H270M BAZOOKA Overview

Let’s face it, overclocking isn’t what it used to be. Once upon a time, games were much more CPU dependent than they are now and so the ability to overclock your CPU was really important.

Now, however, most games rely far more heavily on their GPU and, as such, don’t see much of a benefit when running on a machine with an overclocked CPU.

What this means is that if you want to save some money and choose a locked Intel CPU (like the i5-7600 or i7-7700), you can definitely do so.

And, along with the locked versions of the CPUs being a little less expensive, so are the motherboards that don’t accommodate overclocking. The MSI H270M BAZOOKA is one such board.

Ultimately, the MSI H270M BAZOOKA is one of the best micro-ATX motherboards in the H270 chipset and it is a really good motherboard for gaming or other purposes. Ultimately, if you aren’t planning on overclocking and you want a decent motherboard that won’t break the bank, this might be one of the best motherboards for you.

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ASRock H110M-HDS Overview

If you’re working with a tight budget and you need a decent motherboard to pair with an Intel Pentium processor—or even if you want a cheap motherboard to pair with a locked Intel Core i5 or i7 CPU—you can choose an affordable H110 chipset motherboard.

Obviously, at under $50 you shouldn’t be expecting the best-built motherboard on the market.

However, even the ASRock H110M-HDS can support up to 32GB of DDR3 memory (which can accommodate memory kits with clock rates of up to 2133MHz) and will allow you to build a pretty awesome single-GPU setup.

So, if you’re working with limited funds and you want to maximize every cent for optimal in-game performance, you can definitely save some money and choose an H110 chipset motherboard like the ASRock H110M-HDS, as it is one of the best budget motherboards for an Intel-based build.

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