The motherboard is the backbone of a gaming PC, dictating which CPU you can use, how much RAM and storage you can add, and what features like WiFi and fast M.2 slots you get. The right choice starts with your CPU’s socket (AMD AM4/AM5 or Intel LGA 1700) and your budget. This guide compares the best gaming motherboards across platforms so you can match one to your build.
We compared the gaming motherboards builders rate most highly, weighing features, VRM quality, and value. Here are seven picks and the build each one suits.
Prime MSI B550M PRO-VDH WiFi ProSeries Motherboard (AMD Ryzen 5000, AM4, DDR4, PCIe 4.0, SATA 6Gb/s, M.2, USB 3.2 Gen 1, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, D-SUB/HDMI/DP, Micro-ATX)
Asus ROG Strix B550-F Gaming WiFi II AMD AM4 (3rd Gen Ryzen) ATX Gaming Motherboard (PCIe 4.0,WiFi 6E, 2.5Gb LAN, BIOS Flashback, HDMI 2.1, Addressable Gen 2 RGB Header and Aura Sync)
Prime ASUS TUF Gaming Z790-Plus WiFi LGA 1700(Intel 14th,12th &13th Gen) ATX Gaming Motherboard(PCIe 5.0,DDR5,4xM.2 Slots,16+1 DrMOS,WiFi 6,2.5Gb LAN,Front USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C,Thunderbolt 4(USB4),Aura RGB)
ASUS TUF Gaming B550-PLUS WiFi II AMD AM4 (3rd Gen Ryzen™) ATX Gaming Motherboard (PCIe 4.0, WiFi 6, 2.5Gb LAN, BIOS Flashback, USB 3.2 Gen 2, Addressable Gen 2 RGB Header and Aura Sync)
ASUS ROG Strix X870-A Gaming WiFi AMD AM5 X870 ATX Motherboard 16+2+2 Power Stages, Dynamic OC Switcher, Core Flex, DDR5 AEMP, WiFi 7, 4X M.2, PCIe® 5.0, Q-Release Slim, USB4®, AI OCing & Networking
MSI MAG X870 Tomahawk WiFi Gaming Motherboard (AMD Ryzen 9000/8000/7000 Series Processors, AM5, DDR5, PCIe 5.0, M.2 Gen5, SATA 6Gb/s, USB 40Gbps, HDMI/DP, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, 5Gbps LAN, ATX)
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Quick Comparison
| Motherboard | Rating | Reviews | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSI B550M PRO-VDH WiFi | 4.5/5 | 4,670+ | Budget AM4 micro-ATX |
| ASUS ROG Strix B550-F Gaming WiFi II | 4.6/5 | 3,020+ | AM4 feature-rich |
| ASUS TUF B550-PLUS WiFi II | 4.5/5 | 1,320+ | Durable AM4 value |
| GIGABYTE B550 Eagle WiFi6 | 4.5/5 | 638+ | Budget AM4 ATX |
| ASUS ROG Strix B650-A Gaming WiFi | 4.6/5 | 1,175+ | AM5 Ryzen 7000-9000 |
| MSI MAG X870 Tomahawk WiFi | 4.3/5 | 604+ | High-end AM5 |
| ASUS TUF Z790-Plus WiFi | 4.6/5 | 1,371+ | Intel 12th-14th Gen |
Top Picks Reviewed
MSI B550M PRO-VDH WiFi
A budget micro-ATX board for AMD Ryzen 5000 on AM4, the B550M PRO-VDH covers the essentials with WiFi and solid reliability. It is the value pick for compact AM4 builds.
Pros:
- Affordable AM4 micro-ATX
- Built-in WiFi
- Reliable
Cons:
- Older AM4 platform
Best for: budget compact AM4 builds.
ASUS ROG Strix B550-F Gaming WiFi II
A feature-rich AM4 board, the B550-F offers strong VRMs, dual M.2 slots, and ROG quality for Ryzen 5000 builds. It is the well-rounded AM4 pick.
Pros:
- Strong VRM and features
- Dual M.2, WiFi
- ROG build quality
Cons:
- AM4, not the latest socket
Best for: feature-rich AM4 builds.
ASUS TUF B550-PLUS WiFi II
The TUF B550-PLUS pairs military-grade durability with solid features for Ryzen 5000 at a fair price. It is the durable AM4 value pick.
Pros:
- Durable TUF components
- Good value
- WiFi included
Cons:
- AM4 platform
Best for: durable AM4 value builds.
GIGABYTE B550 Eagle WiFi6
A budget ATX AM4 board with WiFi 6, the B550 Eagle supports Ryzen 5000/4000 affordably. It is the budget full-size AM4 pick.
Pros:
- Affordable ATX AM4
- WiFi 6
- Solid feature set
Cons:
- Basic VRM cooling
Best for: budget full-size AM4 builds.
ASUS ROG Strix B650-A Gaming WiFi
Stepping to the current AM5 socket, the B650-A supports Ryzen 7000, 8000, and 9000 CPUs with DDR5 and PCIe 5.0. It is the pick for a modern AMD build.
Pros:
- Current AM5 socket
- DDR5 and PCIe 5.0
- Future-ready
Cons:
- Requires DDR5 and AM5 CPU
Best for: modern AMD Ryzen 7000-9000 builds.
MSI MAG X870 Tomahawk WiFi
A high-end AM5 board, the X870 Tomahawk brings strong power delivery and the latest features for top Ryzen 9000 CPUs. It is the high-end AMD pick.
Pros:
- High-end AM5 features
- Strong VRM for top CPUs
- Latest connectivity
Cons:
- Premium price
Best for: high-end Ryzen 9000 builds.
ASUS TUF Z790-Plus WiFi
For Intel builders, the TUF Z790-Plus supports 12th, 13th, and 14th Gen CPUs with DDR and durable TUF components. It is the Intel platform pick.
Pros:
- Intel 12th-14th Gen support
- Durable TUF build
- WiFi and good VRM
Cons:
- Intel platform only
Best for: Intel 12th-14th Gen builds.
How to Choose
- Socket first: match the board to your CPU (AMD AM4/AM5 or Intel LGA 1700).
- Chipset: B-series boards offer great value; X/Z-series add features and overclocking headroom.
- Form factor: ATX has the most slots; micro-ATX suits compact builds.
- Features: look for WiFi, enough M.2 slots, and a strong VRM for higher-end CPUs.
- Future-proofing: AM5 and DDR5 boards have a longer upgrade path than AM4/DDR4.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I pick a motherboard?
Start with your CPU’s socket, then choose a chipset and form factor that fit your features and budget. The board must match the CPU platform exactly.
AM4 or AM5?
AM4 (B550) is cheaper and mature for Ryzen 5000; AM5 (B650/X870) is the current platform with DDR5 and PCIe 5.0 and a longer upgrade path.
Do I need WiFi on the motherboard?
If you cannot run an Ethernet cable, a WiFi board saves buying a separate card. All the picks here include WiFi.
What chipset is best for gaming?
B-series chipsets (B550, B650) offer the best value for gaming, while X and Z series add overclocking and more connectivity for high-end builds.
Our Verdict
Top Pick: the ASUS ROG Strix B650-A, the modern AM5 board with DDR5 and a long upgrade path. Best Value: the MSI B550M PRO-VDH for budget AM4 builds. Premium Pick: the MSI MAG X870 Tomahawk for high-end Ryzen 9000.
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Top picks from this guide
Asus ROG Strix B550-F Gaming WiFi II AMD AM4 (3rd…$140 \xc2\xb7 98/100ASUS TUF Gaming B550-PLUS WiFi II AMD AM4 (3rd Gen…$120 \xc2\xb7 97/100ASUS ROG Strix X870-A Gaming WiFi AMD AM5 X870 ATX…$250 \xc2\xb7 80/100MSI MAG X870 Tomahawk WiFi Gaming Motherboard (AMD Ryzen 9000/8000/7000…$223 \xc2\xb7 80/100
