The motherboard is the backbone of your computer. It’s one of the most important pieces of hardware in your system, and it’s worth investing in a good one. In this article, we’ll discuss how much you should spend on a motherboard and give you some tips for choosing the right one for your needs. We’ll also review some popular models to help you make an informed decision.
So, whether you’re building a new computer or just upgrading an old one, read on for information about motherboards and how much you should spend on them!
How much should you spend on a motherboard?
When deciding how much to spend on a motherboard, it’s important to consider what you need from it.
If you’re just looking for basic functionality, you can probably get away with spending less than $100.
However, if you want features like overclocking or SLI/CrossFire support, you’ll need to spend more. Generally speaking, you should aim to spend at least 20% of your total build budget on the motherboard. So, if you’re planning to spend $1000 on your computer, you should budget at least $200 for the motherboard.
Choosing the right motherboard
There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a motherboard.:
- First, consider what type of CPU socket it has. You’ll need to make sure that your CPU is compatible with the socket type before you buy anything!
- Second, take a look at the number of RAM slots and expansion slots (e.g., PCI-E) it has. These will determine how much expandability you have in the future.
- Finally, think about which features are important to you. USB ports, SATA ports, and onboard audio are just a few of the things you might want from your motherboard.
Once you’ve considered all of these factors, you should have a good idea of how much you need to spend on a motherboard. If you’re still not sure, we’ve put together a list of our top picks for motherboards under $200, $300, and $500.
Top Motherboards
Top Motherboards Under $200
ASUS ROG Strix B450-F Gaming Motherboard: This ATX motherboard has everything you need for a basic gaming PC. It comes with an AMD B450 chipset and supports up to 64GB of DDR4000 memory. You also get two PCIe x16 slots, four SATA III ports, and eight USB ports.
Gigabyte GA-AB350M-D3H Motherboard: This microATX motherboard is a great option if you’re on a budget. It has an AMD B350 chipset and support for up to 32GB of DDR2400 memory. You’ll also find two PCIe x16 slots, four SATA III ports, and six USB ports.
MSI B450 Tomahawk Max Motherboard: Another great option for a budget gaming PC, this ATX motherboard has an AMD B450 chipset and supports up to 64GB of DDR4000 memory. You get two PCIe x16 slots, four SATA III ports, and eight USB ports.
Top Motherboards Under $300
ASUS ROG Strix X299-E Gaming II Motherboard: This ATX motherboard is a great option for a high-end gaming PC. It has an Intel X299 chipset and supports up to 128GB of DDR4000 memory. You also get four PCIe x16 slots, eight SATA III ports, and ten USB ports.
AORUS GA-AX370-Gaming KIT Motherboard: This ATX motherboard is perfect for a top-of-the-line gaming PC. It has an AMD X370 chipset and supports up to 64GB of DDR3600 memory. You’ll also find four PCIe x16 slots, eight SATA III ports, and twelve USB ports.
MSI MEG Z390 Godlike Motherboard: This E-ATX motherboard is the ultimate option for a high-end gaming PC. It has an Intel Z390 chipset and supports up to 128GB of DDR4000 memory. You also get six PCIe x16 slots, ten SATA III ports, and fourteen USB ports.
Top Motherboards Under $500
ASUS ROG Maximus XI Hero (Wi-Fi) Motherboard: This ATX motherboard is perfect for a top-of-the-line gaming PC. It has an Intel Z390 chipset and supports up to 64GB of DDR4000 memory. You also get four PCIe x16 slots, eight SATA III ports, two M.two slots, and Wi-Fi connectivity.
AORUS X299 Gaming Motherboard: This ($700+) ATX motherboard is a great option for a high-end gaming PC. It has an Intel X299 chipset and supports up to 128GB of DDR4000 memory. You also get four PCIe x16 slots, eight SATA III ports, and two M.two slots.
MSI Creator TRX40 Motherboard: This E-ATX motherboard is the perfect choice for a top-of-the-line gaming or workstation PC. It has a TRX40 chipset and support for up to 128GB of DDR4000 memory. You also get eight PCIe x16 slots, ten SATA III ports, four M.two slots, Wi-Fi connectivity, and Thunderbolt™
Why the motherboard is important?
Now that you know how much to spend on a motherboard, let’s talk about why the motherboard is important. The motherboard is the heart of your PC, and it determines what kind of components you can use. If you have a high-end GPU but a low-end CPU, your gaming performance will suffer.
Likewise, if you have a top-of-the-line CPU but a budget motherboard, you won’t be able to take full advantage of its capabilities. That’s why it’s important to choose the right motherboard for your needs.
What is a motherboard?
A motherboard is the main printed circuit board (PCB) in a computer. It houses the CPU, RAM, and other important components, and it provides expansion slots for add-on cards. A good motherboard will offer features like USB ports, SATA ports, and support for high-speed memory modules. It’s also important to choose a motherboard that supports your specific CPU socket type.
Final words
We hope this article has been helpful in answering the question, “How much should I spend on a motherboard?” If you have any further questions, feel free to ask us in the comments section below. And be sure to check out our other articles on all things PC gaming.
Happy gaming! 😉
