Best gaming motherboard 2022

When building your PC, do you want to choose the best gaming motherboard 2022 (or the best motherboard for another kind of desktop) even though CPUs and graphics cards are getting more focus? Your motherboard is the heart of your PC. You can decide what type of CPU you can install based on its form factor and chipset.

To narrow down your shopping options, you can consider our motherboard buying guide features to understand better which chipset is right for you when selecting the best gaming motherboard.

In this section, we pick the best gaming motherboards. The following are our mainstream picks for recent and current-generation boards.

Quick Shopping Tips For Choosing Best Budget Gaming Motherboard 2022

Consider the following aspects when purchasing a gaming motherboard:

Choosing the right CPU socket is critical: Intel and AMD offer great CPUs. However, whatever processor you choose, ensure that your board supports it. For example, AMD’s most recent chips utilize AM4 CPU sockets, while Intel’s 10th Generation and 11th Generation Core CPUs use LGA 1200 sockets, as well as the 12th Generation (Alder Lake) using LGA 1700 sockets.

Fewer slots and features on smaller boards. There are three main sizes of motherboards–see our diagram and explanation of motherboard parts for more information. There are three types of ATX cases: ATX, Micro-ATX, and Mini-ITX. The latter has a smaller form factor than the former. When mounting the micro or mini boards in a smaller chassis, you will have fewer expansion slots, fewer RAM slots, and fewer connectors.

If you need built-in WiFi and high-end ports, you should pay for them. If you are using Ethernet, don’t spend extra on wireless. Getting Thunderbolt and USB 3.2 Gen 2 support on your PC will help it remain future-proof. AMD does not support Thunderbolt on their motherboards.

GIGABYTE Z690 AORUS PRO (LGA 1700/ Intel Z690/ ATX/ DDR5/ Quad M.2/ PCIe 5.0/ USB 3.2 Gen2X2 Type-C/WiFi 6/2.5GbE LAN/Gaming Motherboard)

Gigabyte’s Alder Lake Z690 Aorus pro is a well-rounded midrange motherboard with minimal sacrifices for $330. A new design updated audio, and four M.2 sockets provide ample storage options. In terms of performance, thermals, and overclocking, this board performed well compared to other Z690 boards we’ve tested. 

With 13 USB ports at the rear, four M.2 slots, and capable power delivery, the Z690 Aorus pro offers a lot at a price that’s well below flagship models. The Gigabyte Z690 Aorus pro is an excellent Alder Lake motherboard, as long as you do not require integrated RGB lighting, WiFi 6E, or USB 3.0 (you still get WiFi 6 standard).

ASUS ROG Maximus XIII Hero – Intel Z590 ATX Gaming Motherboard with 14+2 Power Stages, PCIe 4.0, Onboard WiFi 6E with Heatsinks,

The Asus ROG Maximus XIII Hero is a relatively high-end gaming laptop with premium components and an attractive design. This motherboard is a well-rounded, feature-laden solution in the upper-midrange of Z590 motherboard space, with features such as its clean, high-end appearance and robust power delivery. As well as dual Thunderbolt 4 ports and four PCIe 4.0 M.2 sockets, the board offers premium audio features that warrant its price tag of $499.

We found that the performance was on par with other Z590 models we’ve tested to date, and sometimes even slightly faster. Testing of memory went smoothly, with DDR4 3600 being supported at 1:1 and the DDR4 4000 kit efficiently handled. Overclocking tests were also carried out without a problem.

ASUS ROG Strix X570-E Gaming WiFi II AMD AM4 X570S ATX Gaming Motherboard (PCIe 4.0, Passive PCH Heatsink

Even though this isn’t AMD’s best motherboard, you probably won’t need all the additional features that come with spending a lot on a premium model. Since Ryzen launched in 2017, AMD has been using the AM4 platform, and the X570 is AMD’s latest high-end chipset. In addition to Ryzen 3000 processors, this platform will also support the new 5000 Series.

RAM can be installed up to 128GB in the four DIMM slots, though it’s unlikely you’ll need more than 32GB since only very intensive workstations (video editors, for instance) need that much RAM.

High-quality components are used throughout the ROG Strix X570-E Gaming WiFi II. A good power delivery setup and a solid motherboard are critical components. There should be a premium batch of capacitors and performance components for enhanced reliability and better overclocking support.

High-quality components, some serious heatsinks for the VRMs, and the best chipset from AMD make the ASUS ROG Strix X570-E Gaming WiFi II one of the best motherboards available for AMD PCs in terms of value. Admittedly, it doesn’t deliver all the features you’d find in enthusiast-grade boards, but this is about as nice as you can get for a desktop motherboard.

ASRock Z690 Taichi

There is no comparable product to this and the ASRock Z690 Taichi. The design is both distinctive and appealing. Its strong early memory support and Thunderbolt 4 ports are vital features that make it stand out. The Aorus Master and the Asus Maximus Hero cost about the same price-it’s not unheard of for this platform.

The Taichi is a severe competitor in its price range thanks to its great looks, solid performance, and solid feature set. More M.2 slots would have been nice, but three should be sufficient for most. Otherwise, there is much to like here. The only downside is the price.

MSI MAG B660M Mortar WIFI DDR4

MSI’s Mag B660M motherboard is designed for gaming enthusiasts who want to get their hands on the newest Intel® Core™ X series processors without breaking the bank. With a massive 16GB of DDR4 memory and multiple PCIe 3.0/Gen3 x16 and x8 slots, you can build a system with all your desired components at once and save some cash by making it yourself.

The Mag B660M comes with dual BIOSes: One for the user and one for the auto mode. The user BIOS gives you access to many different settings, allowing you to customize your system to your exact needs. For example, you can set overclocking options, change the fan speed, adjust the CPU and memory voltages, and enable/disable features like the CPU power-saving feature, the PCIe Gen3 x4 port, or the SATA port multiplier.

MSI MAG B660 Tomahawk WIFI DDR4

When it comes to the design of this motherboard, MSI has taken some of their latest technology and combined them into a new form factor.

MSI MAG B660 TOMAHAWK WiFi is designed for gaming enthusiasts. You can enjoy the best performance and the best features for your PC. It delivers outstanding reliability and a wide range of premium gaming features that help you get the most out of every game.

The motherboard will be equipped with various features such as Intel Optane Memory, M.2 SSD, USB 3.1, WiFi 6, PCIe 4.0 x16, and more.

Asus TUF Gaming Z590-Plus WIFI

Asus has done it again with the newest release of their TUF Gaming series of motherboards. This is an extremely powerful gaming motherboard with plenty of features and upgrades over any other TUF board. It has an upgraded power delivery system and several overclocking capabilities to give you the best performance. The unique quality of this motherboard is its Aura RGB lighting.

It includes all the bells and whistles that you would want from an entry-level gaming motherboard, including the ability to support six USB ports and two HDMI ports, and plenty of expansion slots.

ASUS is known for its strong performance and reliability, and this motherboard lives up to those expectations.

Gigabyte Z590 Aorus Tachyon

We reviewed Gigabyte’s flagship motherboard, the Z390 AORUS. This all-rounder board includes tons of features like the USB 3.2 Gen2 ports, a triple M.2 slot, and two DDR4 memory slots with support for up to 64 GB of RAM.

We tested it with several different games, and it came out on top in most cases, except when we had to play online. In that scenario, the board was unable to handle the load. The included WiFi adapter also turned out to be incompatible. Other than that, the Z390 AORUS is an exceptionally well-thought-out board. It has excellent power delivery and a fantastic feature set.

We were very impressed with the Gigabyte Z390 AORUS. It’s an excellent choice for anyone who wants to upgrade their PC. The only issue is that the onboard WiFi adapter was not compatible with the motherboard. 

Gigabyte X570S Aorus Master

The original X570 chipset is getting old, but there’s a subtle difference with this motherboard, as shown by its trailing S. This motherboard is silent, unlike many first-generation X570 boards, and does not require active cooling to function well. 

This is a fantastic motherboard for your gaming rig. With 18 PCI-E lanes and 12 USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, there will be no issue getting the power you need.

 It also has 6 SATA 6Gb/s ports, a standard M.2 slot, and full-size legacy slots, which will help you upgrade your system if necessary. The onboard audio is fully-enabled, so you can connect up to 7.1 surround sound using it. This motherboard is designed for serious gamers who demand maximum performance.

Asus ROG Strix B550-E Gaming

This motherboard is equipped with the latest features in demand in today’s gaming and professional applications. It is an advanced chipset with 8 PCIe slots and dual M.2 slots for maximum connectivity. The onboard WiFi 6 is also supported on this motherboard which can boost its wireless performance up to 5 Gbps.

A robust power phase design and four 14-phase power phases ensure the stable operation of all your components. This motherboard supports the latest CPU and GPU technologies, such as the 7th Gen Intel Core Processors, the 7th Gen AMD Ryzen Processors, and the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti.

Best gaming motherboard: Buying guide

A motherboard is arguably the essential part of a PC. Without it, nothing else works, and you can’t upgrade anything else afterward. Consider these things before you buy.

Form Factor

Choosing a form factor is the first step. In addition to ATX and micro ATX motherboards (smaller and have fewer expansion slots), micro ATX motherboards are also standard. The easiest way to know which size will fit your new motherboard is to measure your old one and compare it with different sizes. More expansion slots on the ATX board, making it very popular.

Socket for processor

Once you’ve selected a form factor, you’ll need to choose a processor socket. Different types of sockets were used in the past, but today only three are still relevant. An LGA socket, a PGA socket, and a BGA socket. PGA is used by AMD, while Intel uses LGA. The former is less popular because they are permanently attached to the motherboard and cannot be upgraded or serviced. It will determine what type of processor you can purchase based on the type of socket you have on your motherboard. In this case, you’ll probably want to choose your CPU before buying a motherboard.

RAM (Random Access Memory)

RAM, also known as random memory access, is the next item on the list. The motherboard determines how much and what kind of RAM you can have. Considering this before purchasing a motherboard is, therefore, a wise move. So, we recommend selecting a motherboard that supports at least 16 GB; even if you are not planning on buying that much memory right now, you can add it later if you need to. Additionally, look for a board that has four or more memory slots. In other words, you will be able to install two RAM modules to begin and upgrade your memory later.

PCI Slots

On a motherboard, a PCI slot is used for connecting devices. In addition to allowing expansion cards to be connected, they are the standard type of expansion slot. Your motherboard might not have the slots you need depending on how you plan to use your computer. For gamers, you will want at least one full-speed PCI Express x16 slot, and you will need more if you plan to connect more than one card. In addition to PCI slots, motherboards have PCI express slots for other cards, such as sound cards, WiFi adapters, and other connectivity expansions.

Features

You don’t have to purchase additional expansion cards if you buy a motherboard with built-in features. In most motherboards, you will find onboard audio as a standard feature. Mid-range speakers are usually the only ones suitable for onboard audio. In addition to WiFi and Bluetooth features, better motherboards often cost more for these features. Even so, you won’t need any expansion cards with them.

SATA

Consider how many SATA ports you will need when buying a motherboard. SATA ports are used for connecting optical drives and storage devices, such as SSDs and HDDs. To ensure all your drives are connected to your motherboard, you need all the SATA ports. You should also ensure that your motherboard supports SATA 6 gigabytes, also known as SATA 3.0. In addition, you may need peripheral connections, such as a USB 3.0 port.

Final Word

These are the best gaming motherboard 2022. Do you have a favorite? The X570 and 690Godlike are the best in AMD and Intel chipsets. With the top four boards on this list, you can take any build to the next level and overclock to the max.

If you have any other motherboards or topics you would like us to cover that we haven’t already covered, please leave a comment below.

Frequently asked questions