Gamers everywhere want to know: What is the best gaming motherboard? There are so many and options an variables that it can be difficult to get a feel for what is right for your personal rig. No worries, though: We’re here to help.
We’ve compiled a comprehensive guide on gaming motherboards, information about what is the best am3+ CPU, the best am3+ motherboard, and even the best am3 processor to go with your new hardware.
Before getting into the thick of things, check out our buyer’s guide, where we listed some of our favorite tips for finding the perfect motherboard for you. Remember, with gaming, you need to find the perfect balance between efficiency and performance. If one area is lack, your rig will suffer! Keep reading for more information on this subject.
Buyer’s Guide:
So, what should a discerning gamer be on the lookout for when buying a motherboard? A great many things, as it turns out. The motherboard is the head that houses your motherboard, you PCs brain. If your motherboard is lacking, then your motherboard won’t be able to function as efficiently as it could be. Look at it this way: If you get set up with an awesome processor, but your lackluster motherboard is holding it back, then you may as well have just gone with a lesser processor in the first place. This scenario is called “bottlenecking”, and it occurs when the rest of your PC’s components are holding back the more powerful ones. It’s a real pain, and you should try to avoid it. Here are some tips on how to do just that with your new motherboard.
Make sure the motherboard is compatible with modern technologies. Gaming is evolving every day, and developers are releasing fancy new ways to enjoy your games on a daily basis. Some popular examples are Free-Sync, SLI compatibility, in-game photography, and streaming integration. When gaming in the modern day, you’re going to want a motherboard that can handle all of these activities.
Next up is connectivity options. While not as sexy as features, connectivity options are absolutely crucial when playing PC games. If your motherboard isn’t able to handle all of your PCs other components, like GPUs, fans, and storage space, then your gaming experience may suffer. Avoid this scenario, and make sure your motherboard is stacked with a bevy of connectivity features.
Where can you find a motherboard with these kinds of features? Below! These are our ten favorite motherboards, and each of them has all of these features and much more. Read each entry carefully to ensure that the option that catches your eye is compatible with the rest of your rig. Enjoy!
ASRock 970A-G
Our first entry, the ASRock is fantastic motherboard by every measure. Stacked with features and sporting a wonderful aesthetic, the motherboard excels in virtually every area. But where are its most promising features? Its first standout can be seen in its excellent clocking speeds. If you plan on pushing your processor to the next level, this motherboard will be a great accessory to meeting that end. Designed with overclocking in mind, neither your processor nor your graphics card will be limited in terms of power when hooked up to this beast of a board. Give it a go if you’re looking to experiment with taking default hardware to new levels of power. It will get you there, and then some.
ASUS M5
The ASUS M5 is the newest hardware outing from the longtime fan-favorite manufacturer. ASUS has been making gaming hardware for a long, long time, and as such, they have a good idea of how to deliver features that gamers will enjoy. This board, for example, features some fantastic aesthetic options that will impress even the most discerning gamer. RGB lights all around, as well as a striking matte-black finish, word to make this board a real looker. When creating a gaming rig, its important that your right looks as cool as it feels, and ASUS has delivered a motherboard that will meet that goal and then some. The board isn’t a slouch in its power, either, as it has excellent clocking speeds and seamless connectivity rates. In short, the ASUS M5 is nothing if not a winner. Give it a go if you want a first-rate gaming motherboard.
ASUS M5A78L-M Plus/USB3 DDR3 HDMI DVI USB 3.0 760G MicroATX Motherboard
MSI AMD FM2+
Another old-guard in the gaming hardware manufacturing space, MSI has delivered a really fantastic board. If you want an all-purpose solution for your PC, this is a great option. An all-purpose board is what you’re going to want if you’re into more than just gaming. A board like this one from MSI will allow you to enjoy all sorts of media, like 4K video content and music creation software, effortlessly. That isn’t to say that other boards and those focused on gaming can’t do that as well, but a dedicated all-around board like this one is more effective at distributing power and taking loads off of crucial materials. All that to say, a board like this one from MSI will be great for just about anything. It won’t reach the same blazing speeds as dedicated gaming boards, but not everyone wants JUST that out of their rig. Give this a go if your interests go outside of the game as well.
MSI AMD FM2+ A68H DDR3 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 HDMI Micro ATX Motherboard (A68HM-E33 V2)
AMD FD8
This option from AMD is terrific option for those with a more modest rig, as it works well with the developer’s signature custom software. If you have a monitor with Free-Sync technology, this motherboard will be an excellent fit. Free-Sync is a type of visual technology that keeps your game’s framerate matched with your monitor’s, creating a smoothness and immersive effect that simply can’t be beaten. As such, if you’re working with older or less common hardware, but still want a jaw-dropping gaming experience, this will be a tailor-made fit for your rig. Overall, the board doesn’t have as many connectivity options as some other options on this list, but odds are it will serve your rig fine regardless. It comes highly recommended, especially for Free-Sync devotees.
GIGABYTE x470
Next up is the Gigabyte x470. There are going to be a lot of options from Gigabyte from here on, and for a very good reason: The manufacturer has created some truly first-rate motherboards. Gigabyte is renowned for its wonderful customer service, speedy performance, and excellent power consumption. A Gigabyte board is likely a good fit in just about any right, making it yet another wonderful choice for those searching for a great all-arounder. If you want a dedicated gaming powerhouse, then just keep reading: Gigabyte will have you covered later on in the list. For now, however, the x470 impresses with a variety of great quality-of-life features, like its ability to automatically monitor the temperature inside of your gaming PC. A feature like this really takes the stress off, so keep it in mind if you want a stress-free gaming experience with minimal hassle.
GIGABYTE AMD FM2+
The Gigabyte AMD FM2+ is a great option for those who like indie games and MOBAs. Two of the most popular types of games in the entire industry, this motherboard is specialized specifically for these types of gaming experiences. As such, the board has a lot of really fantastic in-game options when enjoying these styles of games. If these features sound appealing to you, this motherboard may be the best option for you. That said, this board can also handle a lot of more modern video games as well. While its specialized for the previous two genres, it can absolutely handle more demanding experiences as well. For games, this another excellent option.
Gigabyte AMD FM2+ A68H SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 mATX ATX DDR3 2133 NA Motherboards GA-F2A68HM-H
ASUS AM3
Another option from ASUS, the AM3 is a wonderful choice for gamers. With plenty of connectivity options, the motherboard can keep you gaming all night long with little to no hassle. Additionally, the board has static-resistant materials built in, which means you can tinker, modify, and examine your rig to your heart’s content without worry of power surges and electrical damage. For those invested in the hardware aspect of their gaming PC, this option will be seriously appealing in the long run. in terms of performance, the board is no slouch either. The ASUS AM3 will keep your processor running smooth, and your games will in kind. If you’re a gaming enthusiast who wants a board with a lot of consistency, the ASUS AM3 will be a tailor-made fit for you.
GIGABYTE GA-B
Struggling with performance? Look no further. The GIGABYTE GA-B is by far the most powerful board on this list, and it can take your PC to whole new levels of performance. Designed to be paired with other premium pieces of hardware, if you’re assembling a rig and have already gathered other extremely powerful pieces of hardware, this motherboard will be the glue that keeps it all held together. You won’t have any trouble overclocking or playing for long periods of time with this motherboard. Additionally, this option will allow you to see in-game framerate and temperature reads, two factors that are extremely important in keeping your games running smoothly. If you want the absolute best in visual fidelity, overall performance, and consistency, then this is the board for you. Gaming enthusiasts, you’ve just stumbled upon your holy grail.
ASUS ATX CROSSBLADE
The ASUS ATX Crossblade is yet another stellar option for gamers. Designed from the ground up for efficiency, the Crossblade will impress you at every corner. Keeping with the companies history of delivering stellar aesthetics, this board looks absolutely stunning. Even better, it features RGB lights that can sync to a number of eye-catching lighting patterns. If you want your rig to be as much a fashion statement as it is a tool, keep this ASUS ATX Crossblade in mind. Trust us, it won’t disappoint. If it sounds appealing, don’t hesitate to jump on it!
ASUS ATX DDR3 2600 FM2 Motherboard CROSSBLADE Ranger
ASRock Micro ATX
Our final entry, the ASRock Micro is a wonderful choice for anyone looking to construct a portable rig. An increasingly popular choice when it comes to rig layout, portable rigs can really useful if you consider yourself a social gamer. This board is small and takes up very little real-estate. But it wouldn’t be on this list if it didn’t bring some serious performance as well! This smaller board won’t disappoint in its power output, we promise.
ASRock MicroATX Motherboard (B450M PRO4)
We hope these options guide you towards building your perfect gaming rig. Thanks for reading, and happy gaming!
