electronics
The Best Motherboard 2021
Sep 28th, 2021
The Best Motherboard 2021
The best motherboards as a platform for your top components.
The best motherboards may not get the same attention as graphics cards or processors - and that’s a bit of a shame. A proper motherboard is arguably the most important component of your entire computer. It’s like a backbone that binds all the other pieces together. With a high-quality motherboard, you can get the most out of your high-quality components and also make your overclocked processor more efficient.
Because motherboards are so essential to your stacked PC , we recommend that you consider only high-quality options. Your motherboard may suddenly feel like a good place to save money, but if your motherboard fails, you’ll have to reassemble your entire machine again. So buy a decent motherboard at once to save money in the long run and not have to stress about the reliability of your machine.
There are a huge number of different motherboards available, and their cryptic names do not make it easy to choose the right model. That’s why we’ve tested numerous different models for you and put together the best options into an easy list. Only the highest quality and longest lasting motherboards can enter our list.
The Best Motherboard 2021 in a nutshell:
1. Intel motherboard: Asus ROG Maximus XIII HERO
2. Top Intel Motherboard: MSI MEG Z490 Godlike
3. Affordable Intel motherboard: Gigabyte Z490 Gaming X
4. Intel ATX motherboard: MSI MEG Z590 Ace
5. Intel Micro-ATX motherboard: MSI MPG Z390M Gaming Edge AC
6. Intel Mini-ITX motherboard: Asus ROG Strix Z590-I
7. AMD motherboard: ASRock X570 Phantom Gaming X
8. Top AMD motherboard: Gigabyte Aorus X570 Master
9. Affordable AMD motherboard: Asus ROG Strix B550-E Gaming
10. AMD Micro ATX motherboard: Asus TUF Gaming B550M-PLUS
1. Asus ROG Maximus XIII Hero
The Rog Maximus XIII Hero isn’t an affordable option, but it’s worth the price. Its features include WiFi 6, PCIe 4.0, numerous interfaces (including two thunderbolts) and four M.2 SSD slots. These are sure to be enough to satisfy all the PC stackers that build on the Z590. It's not just a high-performance motherboard, it's also a very easy to overclock. And like other ASUS motherboards, it has RGB lighting.
SPECIFICATIONS
- • Motherboard size: ATX
- • Processor base: LGA1200
- • Chipset: Intel Z590
- • Memory locations: Dual Channel DDR4
- • Multi-GPU support: NVIDIA 2-Way SLI Technology
- • Features: ASUS software and firmware, extended VRM heatsink, built-in WiFi 6E, ROG SupremeFX ALC4082 gaming sound
2. MSI MEG Z490 Godlike
When buying a high-end motherboard, a small asset is not always enough, but a searcher for quality taken to extremes gets the most out of the MSI MEG Z490 Godlik. It is currently the best Z490 motherboard on the market, with its state-of-the-art thermal solutions, clocking capabilities, ease of installation and diagnostic information. Unfortunately, this is reflected in the price.
SPECIFICATIONS
- • Motherboard size: E-ATX
- • Processor base: LGA1200
- • Chipset: Intel Z490
- • Memory slots: 4 x DIMM (up to 128 GB)
- • Multi-GPU support: Nvidia 2-way GPU SLI, AMD 3-way CrossFire
- • Features: M.2 Xpander-Z Gen4 S, 10G Super LAN + 2.5G LAN, Frozn Heatsink, Double Side M.2 Shield Frozn
3. Gigabyte Z490 Gaming X
The Gigabyte Z490 Gaming X may not stand a comparison to the more expensive top models, but for those looking for a cheaper motherboard suitable for an Intel processor, it’s a great option. The features are especially comprehensive for gamers in particular: there are three PCIe 3.0 x4 M.2 slots, six SATA buses and slots for four DDR4-4600 memory combinations up to 128 GB. And all this without a complete depletion of the savings account.
SPECIFICATIONS
- • Motherboard size: ATX
- • Processor base: LGA1200
- • Chipset: Intel Z490
- • Memory slots: 4 x DIMM sockets (up to 128 GB)
- • Multi-GPU support: AMD 2- and 4-way CrossFire
- • Features: APP Center support, Q-Flash and Q-Flash Plus support, Xpress Install support
4. MSI MEG Z590 Ace
If you’re looking for a staple of 10th or 11th generation Intel flagship chips, then MSI’s proprietary MEG Z590 Ace offers performance, four M.2 slots, two Thunderbolt USB-C ports and WiFi 6E support. In addition, it has an excellent sound system, thanks to the high-quality ALC4082 sound process. This model is admirable enough, even if the price is pricey.
SPECIFICATIONS
- • Motherboard size: ATX
- • Processor base: LGA1200
- • Chipset: Intel Z590
- • Memory locations: Dual Channel DDR4
- • Multi-GPU support: 2-Way Nvidia SLI and 2-Way AMD Crossfire technology
- • Features: 2.5 Gb / s LAN, Wi-Fi 6E, two Thunderbolt 4 connections, VRM Heat-pipe, 7 W / mK heating pads
5. MSI MPG Z390M Gaming Edge AC
If you want to stand out from the crowd and don’t have a huge amount of space on your machine, of course you need a Micro-ATX motherboard. We especially recommend MSI's MPG Z390M Gaming Edge AC. Despite its compact size, it has all the features of a full-size ATX disc at a much lower price. The disc has two M.2 connectors, SLI and Crossfire support. The small appearance is not to be confused, as the motherboard is able to take full advantage of the performance of the Coffee Lake Refresh. If you are looking for a compact motherboard, the MSI MPG Z390M Gaming Edge MC is the button of choice for your configuration.
SPECIFICATIONS
- • Motherboard size: Micro-ATX
- • Processor base: LGA-1151 (8th and 9th generation only)
- • Chipset: Intel Z390
- • Memory slots: 2 x DIMM (up to 32 GB)
- • Multi-GPU support: SLI / CrossFire
- • Features: 2 x PCIe M.2 (Key M), DDR4 boost, PCI-E Steel Armor, Audio Boost with 4 amplifiers
6. ASRock X570 Phantom Gaming X
If you want to build your machine on an AMD processor, the ASRock X570 Phantom Gaming X is a surefire choice. State-of-the-art features, a sleek design and an efficient cooling system simply make it the best motherboard for AMD use. Other areas include clocking capabilities and Wi-Fi 6 support. The only real stumbling blocks are related to the physical size of the device, which is why subsequent twitching and changes may be behind the work and pain. However, even at their worst, these are the troubles of Hama’s future, so in all respects it is in every way the number one option on the market.
SPECIFICATIONS
- • Motherboard size: ATX
- • Processor base: AM4
- • Chipset: AMD X570
- • Memory slots: 4 x DIMM (up to 128 GB)
- • Multi-GPU support: NVIDIA NVLink, Quad SLI, AMD 3-Way CrossFireX
- • Features: ASRock Polychrome SYNC, ASRock Super Alloy, ASRock Phantom Gaming 2.5G LAN
7. Gigabyte Aorus X570 Master
Gigabyte Aorus X570 Master is not just eye candy, although it is difficult to look away from it. The look is crowned by silver embellishments on a black background that simply shine brilliantly in RGB lighting. In addition to style, there are keys to building a real power mill. The motherboard supports 128GB of DDR4400 memory, third-generation AMD processors, and multiple simultaneous graphics cards. The X570 Master even excels in its features, which include specially protected power ports and Wi-Fi 6 support. And when all of this is available at a lower price than the best motherboards in the world of Intel, one can talk about the real pole ten.
SPECIFICATIONS
- • Motherboard size: ATX
- • Processor base: AM4
- • Chipset: AMD X570
- • Memory slots: 4 x DIMM sockets (up to 128GB)
- • Multi-GPU support: NVIDIA 2- and 4-Way SLI, AMD 2- and 4-way CrossFire
- • Features: Support for APP Center, Q-Flash and Q-Flash Plus support, Xpress Install compatibility
8. Asus ROG Strix B550-E Gaming
If you plan to build your machine from scratch, the Asus ROG B550-E Gaming is an affordable and versatile motherboard for the third generation AMD Ryzen processor. The device connections are primarily to the PCIe 4.0 and secondarily to the PCIe 3.0 interface, in addition to which there are different ports for each output. Although the printed price has required compromises, the unit is simply functional thanks to its features and efficient cooling.
SPECIFICATIONS
- • Motherboard size: ATX
- • Processor base: AMD AM4
- • Chipset: AMD B550
- • Memory slots: 4 x DIMM (up to 128 GB)Multi-GPU support: Nvidia 2-way GPU SLI, AMD 3-way CrossFire
- • Features: Aura Sync, ASUS Thermal Solution with M.2 heatsink, ASUS EZ DIY, Rear audio USB Type-C connector
9. Asus TUF Gaming B550M-PLUS
Compact PCs are more popular than ever, thanks to motherboards like the ASRock B450M-HDV. Now it has been replaced by the newer Asus TUF Gaming B550M-PLUS, which puts better in terms of power, cooling and gaming features. Other specialties include the intelligent anti-noise application for the microphone, which applies to 3.5 mm, USB and bluetooth headsets. In addition, the B550M is a surprisingly compatible and comfortable piece to the rest of the system, which forgives a large part of the slightly expensive price.
SPECIFICATIONS
- • Motherboard size: Micro ITX
- • Processor base: AMD AM4
- • Chipset: AMD B550
- • Memory slots: 4 x DIMM (up to 128 GB)
- • Multi-GPU support: AMD 2-Way CrossFireX Technology
- • Features: ASUS TUF Protection, ASUS Thermal solution with aluminum M.2 heatsink, ASUS EZ DIY, AURA Sync
10. ASUS ROG Strix X470-I
Asus seems to be trying to convince that size doesn’t matter. Its ROG Strix X470-I features AMD’s latest chipset, and the entire motherboard is designed for good performance. Its BIOS even has its own stress tests for overclocking even before installing Windows. The motherboard even breaks the limits of the Mini-ITX size class by lifting the M.2 connector off the motherboard. So you can install your M.2 NVMe SSD without taking up space on your other components.
SPECIFICATIONS
- • Motherboard size: Mini-ITX
- • Processor base: AMD AM4
- • Chipset: AMD X470
- • Memory locations: Dual-Channel 2 x DDR4 3,466 MHz (up to 32GB)
- • Multi-GPU support: No.
- • Features: 1 x PCIe M.2 (Key M)
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