Best motherboards

The main component of a computer is the motherboard. It is a rectangular product with various parts, connectors, provides data exchange between the processor and memory, transfer of control signals. Its characteristics determine the performance of the PC. The replacement of the element is carried out only in case of a serious breakdown, a radical upgrade. Based on comparative tests, user reviews, a rating was compiled, which included the best motherboards.

Which motherboard is better to choose

The choice of devices by brand is small, they are produced by companies that have been recognized as leaders in this direction. In this case, the motherboards of each company have a number of properties, which allows you to determine the correct option for a specific situation. The review presents models of the following Taiwanese manufacturers:

• Asus - the company specializes in the production of computer electronics. The secret of her success is considered a desire for innovation. It offers a line of products for a comfortable digital life. Its products receive various awards every year. All elements of the brand have good characteristics.
• ASRock - the main production of the company is aimed at producing motherboards with good overclocking. Works under the motto: "Creativity, thoughtfulness, balance of price and opportunities." Due to the good combination of price / quality, its products quickly gained popularity in the market. Developers are constantly improving the principles of cooling and shielding board components. All products have good energy efficiency.
• Gigabyte Technology - the company produces goods for the IT-technology market. All models undergo strict quality control at every stage of production. Works under the motto: "Renew your life." The range includes elements for all situations that combine innovation and practicality. They are appreciated for their long service life, good cooling system.
• Micro-Star International - produces gaming models at an affordable price. They are appreciated for their simplicity, good performance, and build quality. Working with eSports teams to create the best motherboards that meet the demands of the professional.

Motherboard rating

The quality of interaction of the rest of the computer components depends on the parameters of the element. Therefore, when choosing, take into account its compatibility with all parts. If you neglect this rule, then you can choose a model, the power of which will not be enough for the normal operation of the device. When compiling the rating, a comparative analysis of the following characteristics of motherboards was carried out:

• The size;
• Socket type;
• Supported processors;
• Chipset parameters;
• Memory size;
• Number of slots;
• Available interfaces;
• Cooling efficiency;
• Sound quality;
• Equipment.

Considering overclocking is recommended for those who intend to improve processor performance. This nuance is usually indicated in the item specification. At the same time, the procedure may require an improvement in the cooling system, so ordinary users rarely pay attention to this feature. All nominees are divided into 5 categories, taking into account the specifics of their use. Each section provides a description, pros and cons of the best models.

Best external hard drives

Best gaming motherboards

This type of device is distinguished by a large set of connectors for RAM, which determines the speed of loading the game. Any hitch can lead to a loss, so esports players try to choose powerful motherboards. They support video cards with a graphics accelerator, because the realism of the picture allows you to completely immerse yourself in the virtual world. The number of PCI slots should not be less than 3 pieces. The test results allowed us to select the 3 best models for gamers from the 10 nominees.

Asus Rog Strix Z390-I Gaming

The ITX-mini size element is designed for low power processors. An innovative heatsink cooling system supports the high-performance 8th Gen Intel Core processors. The socket is equipped with a 300 series chipset, which has powerful technical characteristics. The maximum memory capacity is 64 GB. The kit includes 4 SATA cables and 1 Led expansion cables, detachable Wi-Fi antennas.

Advantages

• Sound quality;
• Low heating;
• Modern interfaces;
• ProCool connectors;
• Good overclocking;
• No delays in data transmission.

disadvantages

• High price;
• Inconvenient arrangement of LEDs.

An Asus motherboard is recommended by 100% of respondents. They note good performance, the presence of the necessary connectors, the absence of brakes when connecting all interfaces. The disadvantages include problems with the choice of a cooler, the weakness of the built-in bluetooth.

ASRock Z390 Taichi

The ATX form factor indicates that the board can only be installed in a desktop computer. By the type of processors and chipset supported, the board is identical to the previous nominee, except for the possibility of using two or more video cards. The maximum memory capacity is also 64 GB, but the number of slots has been increased to 4. This allows you to further increase the RAM by connecting additional modules. Reliable design provides good overclocking potential, low temperatures in games, high stability of systems with any resource-intensive calculations.

Advantages

• Ability to connect compatible LED equipment;
• Dual band Wi-Fi;
• Additional base frequency generator;
• High data transfer rate;
• There is no interference of video card signals;
• Protection against electrical short circuits;
• Efficient heat removal from the chipset, transistors.

disadvantages

• High price.

A number of users have noted problems with sound, which are associated with the presence of interference, background noise. According to experts, the reason lies in an engineering error. Buy a motherboard for a gaming computer is recommended by 88% of users.

Gigabyte H370 Aorus Gaming 3 Wifi (Rev. 1.0)

The ATX device is based on the Intel H370 chipset. It is chosen for processors Intel Core 8, 9 generation, Pentium, Celeron. The ability to use 2 - 4 video cards allows you to build a three-dimensional image. The parameters of the volume, the number of memory slots are identical to the previous nominee. The presence of wireless interfaces eliminates the need to purchase external adapters. The 6-core processors are powered by 8 + 2 phases to generate enough power for power-hungry components.

Advantages

• Low heating;
• 7-level audio;
• High-speed performance;
• Forced cooling of drives;
• Good responsiveness when the local network is loaded;
• Intel Optane support.

disadvantages

• Raw BIOS.

Users value the brand's models for their durability. At the same time, they recommend immediately updating the BIOS, since with factory settings it is not always possible to start the system. There are no complaints about the performance or quality of the cooling system. All declared characteristics are true.

MSI X299 SLI PLUS

The LGA 2066 socket model is compatible with the Intel Core X-series processor family. The introduction of Hybrid SLI technology has increased system performance by combining the power of the graphics core and an external video card. Disabling the latter in undemanding applications helps to save energy.Supports 8 DDR4 memory slots for expansion up to 128GB. The operating frequency is increased to 4500 MHz, which provides good overclocking capabilities.

Advantages

• Supports 4 strips of RAM;
• 8 SATA connectors;
• Minimal traffic delays;
• Good degree of cooling;
• Protection of drives from overheating;
• High data transfer rate;
• Studio quality sound
• The debug indicator helps you quickly identify the problem.

disadvantages

• Not found.

A good gaming motherboard is geared towards building a powerful PC. It is appreciated for its serious performance, thoughtful design, original lighting system with mirrored surfaces. The model is suitable for overclocking lovers, as it can handle any parameters. Users believe that the characteristics of the nominee correspond to the declared values.

The best motherboards for AMD Ryzen

Processors of this brand require high frequencies of RAM, so the models must ensure their overclocking to the maximum. The popularity of Ryzen motherboards is due to their low price compared to Intel devices. Taking into account user reviews, out of 5 announced nominees, the 3 best motherboards got to the top.

Gigabyte B450 Aorus Elite

The model is suitable for a high-performance gaming system with a 1st generation AMD processor. The chipset supports the technology of simultaneous use of 2 - 4 video cards. The memory capacity is 64 GB. The original design of the rear panel eliminates the need for a blank cover. The ATX form factor determines the dimensions of the device, which are 305x235 mm.

Advantages

• Multi-color illumination;
• 7-channel audio;
• Effective cooling system;
• Average price;
• Good overclocking;
• Performance level;
• Design.

disadvantages

• There are no Wi-Fi modules, bluetooth;
• Installation problems.

Users note a good price / quality ratio. The motherboard for AMD Ryzen attracts with a stylish look, ease of memory overclocking, and a low degree of heating. At the same time, plastic decorations complicate its fastening in the case, there is a high probability of the PCB deflection.

ASRock AB350 Pro4

The board is compatible with 8.9 Gen Ryzen series processors and A-Series APUs. The chipset supports CrossFireX technology, which allows you to receive high quality images. Reliable components, fast operating speed ensure user immersion in virtual reality. The new version of the USB cable makes it possible to insert the wire in any position. The design of the board provides for its protection against electrical short-circuits, which are provoked by moisture. The presence of additional layers of copper contributes to a decrease in temperature, energy consumption during an upgrade.

Advantages

• Stable work;
• Long service life;
• Possibility of simultaneous use of 3 video interfaces;
• Sound quality;
• Low price;
• Suitable for overclocking.

disadvantages

• BIOS version;
• Inconvenient power supply system.

The model is recommended to buy only 74% of users, as in terms of performance, cooling efficiency, it is inferior to the previous nominees. Also note the lack of backlighting, the fragility of the PCB, the absence of screws for M.2 included.

Asus Prime X370-Pro

The model supports 4 memory slots, its maximum capacity is 64 GB. When running simple applications, the fans run at normal speed to reduce noise. In games, they are transferred to a powerful mode of functioning. Provides protection of connectors from overheating, overcurrent. The bridge that connects 2 video cards into a single graphics system provides a comfortable gaming experience.

Advantages

• Overclocking capability;
• No delays;
• Surround sound;
• Energy efficiency;
• High data transfer rate;
• Backlight sync.

disadvantages

• Raw bios;
• Inconvenient location of SATA ports.

Users have no complaints about system performance, but the cooling quality leaves much to be desired. The chipset heats up to 60 - 70 degrees. The disadvantages include the discrepancy between the declared memory frequency. It only operates at 2400 MHz instead of the specified 3200 MHz.

Best motherboards for LGA 1151 v2

The models are based on 300 series chipsets. All presented boards are assembled in ATX format, therefore they have a large number of connectors. Gaming PC options outperform simpler devices. The analysis of comparative tests allowed us to single out the 5 best boards out of 9 nominees.

Gigabyte H370m Ds3H (Rev. 1.0)

Designed for Intel 8th generation processors. The board provides network traffic control, which eliminates network delays, provides better responsiveness under high load. The installed resistors are protected from sulfur oxides, which are present in the air, and lead to a short circuit. Special microcircuits eliminate overvoltage during power outages. The presence of thermal sensors, the Smart Fan 5 function are designed to control the operation of the fans.

Advantages

• Microcode protection from viruses;
• High frame rate;
• Good gaming performance;
• Power, realism of sound;
• Double-lock shoe;
• Good amount of memory.

disadvantages

• There may be problems with the drivers of the built-in network card;
• Doesn't support CrossFire.

Inexpensive PC motherboard. Users are attracted by the compact size and the degree of overclocking. But they note high heating at full load, inconvenient BIOS, 1 connector for a system fan.

Best AMD processors

MSI H310m Pro-Vdh Plus

The model also supports compatibility with 8th generation processors. In terms of memory parameters, it is inferior to the previous nominee. Its maximum volume does not exceed 32 GB, the number of slots is 2 pcs. At the same time, the board has a sufficient number of connectors for connecting fans, which ensures effective cooling of the computer. The board conforms to the micro-ATX form factor, which allows it to be installed in a compact case. The kit includes 2 SATA cables, a plug.

Advantages

• The ability to output images to analog projectors;
• Sound quality;
• Fast data transfer rate;
• High performance;
• Simple interface;
• Low price.

disadvantages

• Does not support CrossFire technology.

The build quality of the nominee is rated low by users, since most of them note the presence of a marriage. The disadvantages include the delay in displaying the image for 3-10 seconds.

ASRock H370 Pro4

The ATX model with the Intel H370 chipset provides the technology for the simultaneous use of 2 - 4 video cards. It is compatible with Core 8, 9th generation processors. The DDR4 memory runs at 2666 MHz and is 64 GB in size. Optane technology provides high performance, responsive system. Intel Lan network module helps to reduce CPU utilization and increase bandwidth. The presence of a special connector allows you to connect a separate Wi-Fi module.

Advantages

• Convenient BIOS;
• Good functionality;
• 13 USB ports;
• Effective cooling;
• Durability.

disadvantages

• Poor overclocking capability.

The users rated the characteristics of the nominee highly. In comparison with analogs, the board has similar properties, but its price is lower. The connectors are located on a separate layer, which reduces electromagnetic interference and ensures their stable operation.

Best motherboards for LGA 1151

The socket view determines the dimensions of the model. It is designed for desktop computers, so the motherboards are designed in the ATX form factor. There are 2 versions of LGA 1151. The first is suitable for Skylake and Kaby Lake processors, the second is for Coffee Lake. Which board option to choose is determined by the chipset series. According to the testing data, out of 5 nominees, the 2 best models of the first type were selected.

Asus H110i-Plus

The technology, which includes built-in fuses and a voltage stabilizer, provides protection against overload, static electricity. The back of Asus Lga 1151 motherboard is made of stainless steel, which prevents corrosion damage and increases system lifespan. The graphical interface offers the user to work in 2 modes - for professionals and beginners. Self-control technology S.M.A.R.T. makes it easier to check the health of the hard disk.Using the Q-Fan function, device owners can set the fan operation mode.

Advantages

• Effective cooling;
• Stability, durability;
• High performance;
• Ease of placement;
• Unified software shell;
• Good throughput;
• Low price;
• 10 USB ports.

disadvantages

• No M.2 slots;
• The need to update the BIOS.

The nominee's purchase is recommended by 95% of users. They have no particular complaints, with the exception of the lack of a Wi-Fi module, to the operation and functionality of the device. The mini-ITX form factor allows the model to be used for building compact cases.

ASRock H110 Pro BTC

Like the previous nominee, the board works with the 100 series chipset, so it is only compatible with 6th and 7th generation processors. The manufacturer positions the model as a device for crypto mining. A large number of power connectors and PCLе help to speed up the process and ensure the stability of the system. Copper plating guarantees low heating rate, low energy consumption. The number of USB connectors is identical to the Asus H110i-Plus, but the developer has provided for the presence of an M.2 slot in this design.

Advantages

• High throughput;
• Protection against electrical short-circuits caused by moisture;
• Stable work;
• Faster system setup.

disadvantages

• Memory capacity - 32 GB;
• The proximity of PCI-Ex to each other.

Most users claim that cards fail quickly. For this reason, the price of the model is considered overpriced.

Best motherboards for LGA 2066

This socket is intended for high-performance desktop systems. The motherboards are designed for X299 series chipsets that support DDR4 memory. The main disadvantage of the models is the high price. Based on the analysis of user reviews, the 3 best models out of 10 nominees were included in the rating.

Asus Prime X299-Deluxe II

The model is designed for Intel Core X-Series processors. Supports DDR4 memory, which can be expanded up to 128GB. To facilitate the procedure, the board has 8 slots. The stable operation of powerful components is ensured by radiators with a large heat dissipation area. The processor is powered via 8-pin connectors with the innovative ProCool design. They are capable of withstanding high amperage. Fan Xpert 4 utility allows you to monitor the temperature of video cards, control the operation of fans.

Advantages

• High performance;
• Ease of overclocking;
• Effective cooling;
• Five-way optimization functions;
• Energy efficiency;
• Convenient interface;
• Good overclocking potential;
• CrossFire technology support.

disadvantages

• High price.

Users find no flaws. All characteristics of the nominee are at a high level. In addition to the backlight, there is a built-in display for displaying system information. The rear panel shield protects the interface connectors from accidental damage. The innovative codec delivers powerful, clear and immersive audio.

Gigabyte X299 Ud4 Pro (Rev. 1.0)

The model attracts users with a large amount of memory. The presence of 8 slots allows you to expand it up to 512 GB. The automatic overclocking technology of the processor ensures high performance of the device. It provides access to various LED lighting profiles, a mode of lighting synchronization to the beat of the selected music, color changes to display the processor temperature. Optane technology improves the performance of storage devices, accelerates OS boot.

Advantages

• Convenient interface;
• High performance audio system;
• Ease of fan maintenance;
• 6 temperature sensors;
• 7-level studio quality sound;
• Resistor short circuit protection.

disadvantages

• High price.

Users see no disadvantages in this model. The quality of its assembly, performance, functionality is rated at 5. The proprietary utility allows you to adjust settings without overloading the PC, DualBIOS technology protects the microcode from viruses, failures in case of overclocking errors.

Which motherboard is better to buy

The model is chosen after the purchase of all computer components. In this case, the type of socket is taken into account, since the parameter determines the compatibility with a specific type of processor.The types of chipsets affect the performance of the PC, the ability to use the board for the gaming system. The budget variants have good features, but they rarely include the CrossFire function. The standard ATX size is bought only for full-sized machines, for laptops the micro, mini form factor is suitable. Upgrade is possible with 4 - 8 memory slots. M.2 connectors will provide good data transfer speed. The following guidelines will help you determine which motherboard is better:

• Asus H110i-Plus is considered an inexpensive but high-quality option;
• Best Feature - Gigabyte X299 Ud4 Pro (Rev. 1.0);
• The most durable model is called Gigabyte H370 Aorus Gaming 3 Wifi (Rev. 1.0);
• For overclocking lovers, we recommend choosing the MSI X299 SLI PLUS;
• Best Graphics - ASRock AB350 Pro4
• Most Efficient Cooling System - Asus Prime X299-Deluxe II
• Best value for money - Gigabyte B450 AORUS ELITE;
• For the assembly of compact cases, we recommend choosing the Asus H110i-Plus.

It is not easy even for a professional to buy a good motherboard. Models are often similar in characteristics, so the choice is based on the type of computer system, the purpose of its use. Noticing the disadvantages of the device will not work right away. The rating will point out the main shortcomings of the nominees, help to understand which option is suitable for a particular situation.