Best Motherboards (Sep. 2026) - Rated by CherryPicks' Experts

A Complete Guide to Buying Motherboards

It's tough to find the best motherboard for the price. Even once you find one, there is an overwhelming number of choices. Do you have time to research, compare and buy every motherboard on the market? Of course not! This is why it's so important to have a trusted guide or list that can help you quickly find the right motherboard.

How to Choose Motherboards

Motherboards are the seats for the different parts of the computer. These parts interact with the motherboard and are known as 'chipsets'. The motherboard has several centers, including a CPU socket, and the mayor of the board changes depending on the segment majority. Depending on the type of storage you'll be using, you should choose a motherboard that supports that type of storage.

Motherboards: size

There are several factors to consider when choosing the right motherboard for your PC, and the size of your computer is no exception. For desktop PCs, you'll most likely be looking at standard ATX boards. For overclocking, there are motherboards that support the latest Intel and AMD Ryzen processors. However, a motherboard that supports a particular processor may not be compatible with the next one in the same generation.

Full-size motherboards usually have ATX form factors, which are 12" x 9.6". These typically come with seven expansion slots and four DIMM slots. Extended ATX is a slightly larger version of ATX, with thirteen expansion slots, and is aimed at professional and enthusiast users. The smallest form factor, micro ATX, is 9.6" x 9.6", and only supports two full-size (x16) expansion slots. Both these sizes are compatible with larger ATX cases.

Motherboards: Socket Type

There are several factors to consider when selecting a new motherboard, but one of the most important is the CPU socket. For example, a mid-tier CPU is a good choice for business purposes. But, gamers will want higher clock speeds and extensive RAM support. A content creator might want to use 4K video support. The socket type of the CPU will determine the performance of the entire system. Socket type is critical when choosing a motherboard because it dictates which CPUs will work with your motherboard.

Sockets affect a system's functionality. Specifically, the pin type and count of each socket affect the functionality of the system. Each pin communicates with a part of the system, and older pin types aren't designed to handle new features. Socket types also differ between generations, so it's important to understand which one will fit your needs.

Motherboards: Input/Output Ports

Here's a list of common ports, and what we think about each:

USB 3/USB 3.1 Gen1: You can never have too many of these as they work with most peripherals.

USB 2: Slower than USB 3 / 3.1, but good enough for keyboards, mice, and many other devices.

USB 3.1/3.2 Gen2: Not many peripherals to take advantage of this standard, but it offers 10 Gbps of bandwidth, double that of USB 3.1 Gen 1 / USB 3.0. USB 3.2 Gen2 2x2 doubles the bandwidth again with two 10-Gbps lanes. You'll usually only find one of these ports on mid-to-high-end boards.

USB Type-C: These ports can be USB 3.1 Gen1 or USB 3.1 Gen2 compatible and are designed for newer devices such as mobile phones. A few are also just USB 2.0, often labeled as audio USB-C ports, designed to connect USB-C headphones.

HDMI/DisplayPort video outputs: These are only required if you plan to use integrated graphics. Discrete cards have their own ports.

Audio port: This is important if you plan to connect analog speakers or headphones.

PS/2 Port: Allows you to be compatible with really old keyboards and mice.

Thunderbolt: It's hard to find in motherboards, but some motherboards support it via dedicated add-in cards. Provides the fastest connection, up to 40 Gbps.

While you probably don't need many USB 3.1 Gen 2 or Type-C ports today, they're a great way to future-proof your PC.

Motherboards: Memory Technology

Most mainstream motherboards these days have four RAM slots, although compact Mini-ITX models typically have only two, and high-end HEDT motherboards typically offer eight. The number of slots will of course limit the amount of RAM you can install.

But for mainstream tasks and games, 16GB is more than enough, and 32GB is enough. Even with just two slots, you can install up to 64GB of RAM. Note, however, that you'll typically pay extra for the denser 64 and 32GB kits that use two sticks, rather than the ones spread over four sticks.

Motherboards: expansion slots

Motherboards with expansion slots are vital for computer peripherals. Graphics cards, sound cards, and network interface cards require expansion slots to function. Many modern motherboards have more than two PCI slots, while fewer motherboards are equipped with more. PCI slots enable you to maximize the performance of your system. In addition, you can plug in peripheral devices like external hard drives or a DVD player. Check out the number of expansion slots on a motherboard before making a purchase.

Motherboards: do you need overclock

Overclocking is available in most motherboards, but there are some exceptions. If you're unsure about whether you need an overclocker, check the specifications of your motherboard before buying it. If you're planning to overclock your PC, make sure that you know which chipset your board uses. There are two general types of motherboard chipsets: Intel and AMD. These motherboard chipsets are very different. Overclocking is not recommended for motherboards that feature Intel's B-series chipset.

While the benefits of overclocking your processor are well-publicized, you should be careful. Overclocking your CPU increases its overall speed, but not every game will benefit from it. While you can overclock your processor without risking overheating, remember that it increases the risk of damage to your PC. Nonetheless, it's possible to get a significant boost from your CPU by overclocking.

Motherboards: What about audio

When choosing a motherboard, you must take into account the quality of the built-in sound card and all of the components that your computer requires to function at its peak. Motherboards are usually equipped with on-board audio, which is a convenient option for mid-range speakers. However, some motherboards offer more advanced features like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. These options come at an extra cost, but they reduce the need for expensive expansion cards.

Motherboards: Featured Brands

Listed below are some features that make choosing a motherboard easy. You can choose between a name brand or a lesser-known brand. The name brand offers good support, but you can save money by shopping around for a motherboard from a lesser-known brand. Also, consider whether you'll be using your motherboard as a gaming or server. While a $200 motherboard won't offer much in terms of upgrades, it should meet your basic needs.

What is the difference between ATX and micro ATX motherboards?

ATX motherboards are designed to be the most common type of motherboard. They are a standard size and can be used in any PC case with ATX mounting holes. Micro ATX motherboards are a smaller version of ATX motherboards that were designed to fit into smaller cases.

The size difference is the key difference between the two types of motherboards. Micro ATX motherboards can only fit into cases with micro ATX mounting holes, while ATX motherboards can fit into any case with an ATX mounting hole.

How do I choose a motherboard upgrade?

A motherboard is the main circuit board in a computer. It is usually rectangular and has holes for inserting other components such as the processor, memory, and expansion cards.

A new motherboard can help you upgrade your system to keep up with the latest technology. However, there are many different types of motherboards available on the market today, so it can be difficult to know which one will work best for you.

In order to choose a motherboard upgrade you need to make sure that it is compatible with your CPU socket type and that it fits in your case or chassis.

The next step would be to find out whether it has all of the features that you need such as USB ports or audio ports.

Finally, make sure that it has enough slots for your RAM or graphics card.   

Sockets and Chipsets that you need to know

Is Intel or AMD better for gaming?

Intel is a more expensive option for gamers. It is more powerful and has better performance. AMD is a cheaper option and it does perform well with games.

Intel processors are better for gaming as they have better performance, but they are also more expensive than AMD processors. AMD processors have a lower price point but can still provide good performance for gamers.

How much SSD do I need for gaming?

The amount of storage space on an SSD will vary from one manufacturer to another. A larger SSD will be able to store more games and game data than a smaller one, but it might cost more as well. If you are looking for an SSD for gaming, then you should choose one with at least 250 GB of storage space. One factor to keep in mind is that the Windows operating system and games have a tendency to eat storage space up very quickly.

Is DDR5 better than DDR4?

The DDR5 standard is the next generation of memory that will be used in computers, laptops, and other devices. It has a higher bandwidth and it is expected to offer improved performance over DDR4.

DDR5 is a type of synchronous dynamic random-access memory (SDRAM). It was designed to replace the previous DDR4 standard. The main difference between the two standards is that DDR5 offers higher bandwidth and lower power consumption than its predecessor.

Top 10 Motherboards Sellers: CPR Seller Rank List

CPR sellers rank is based on CherryPicks-AI bestselling ranking system that helps us analyze each seller's sales trends. The List of top seller ranks is our in-house data, essential for our product ranking to help you make the right shopping choice.