Motherboards

AMD and Intel Platforms from MSI, ASUS, and GIGABYTE in Every Form Factor

Motherboards determine socket compatibility, expansion options, memory support, and I/O connectivity for the life of every desktop build. Boards from MSI, ASUS, and GIGABYTE cover AMD AM5/AM4 and Intel LGA 1700/1851 platforms in ATX, Micro-ATX, and Mini-ITX form factors, with chipset tiers ranging from budget A620 and H610 to enthusiast X670E and Z790. Browse all component categories in the full PC Components collection.

Motherboards for Every Build

• Gaming desktops — MSI MAG/MPG, ASUS ROG Strix and TUF Gaming, and GIGABYTE AORUS boards with robust VRMs, low-latency memory tuning, and multiple M.2 NVMe slots for fast storage
• Professional workstations — boards with ECC memory support, IPMI remote management, and validated professional GPU driver compatibility for CAD, simulation, and 3D rendering
• Compact SFF builds — Mini-ITX boards with integrated WiFi 6E or WiFi 7, one PCIe x16 slot, and two DIMM slots for space-constrained living room PCs and portable LAN rigs
• Budget and office PCs — AMD A620 and Intel H610/B760 chipset boards that deliver essential connectivity and reliable performance at accessible price points
• Content creation and streaming rigs — mid-tier B650 and B760 boards with fast USB, multiple M.2 slots, and enough rear I/O for capture cards, audio interfaces, and peripherals

Choosing the Right Motherboard

Start with the CPU platform: AMD Ryzen 7000-series uses the AM5 socket with X670E, X670, B650, and A620 chipset options, while Intel 12th through 14th Gen Core processors use LGA 1700 with Z790, B760, and H610 tiers. Higher-tier chipsets provide more PCIe Gen 5 lanes, additional M.2 slots, more USB ports, better onboard audio, and unlocked overclocking support. Match the physical form factor to your case: ATX for mid-tower and full-tower builds with maximum expansion, Micro-ATX for compact mid-towers, and Mini-ITX for SFF builds where minimal footprint is the primary constraint.

Expansion, Storage, and Connectivity

Modern boards provide PCIe Gen 4 and Gen 5 lanes for graphics cards and NVMe SSDs with sequential reads exceeding 7,000 MB/s on Gen 5 drives. Full-size ATX boards typically offer two or three x16 physical slots, four DIMM slots supporting up to 128 GB, and three to four M.2 connectors with dedicated heatsinks. Rear I/O panels vary significantly: prioritize USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) and USB-C ports, 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet or faster wired networking, and WiFi 6E or WiFi 7 if wireless connectivity matters for your environment.

VRM and Power Delivery

The voltage regulator module converts 12V PSU input into the precise lower voltages your CPU requires. More power phases and larger heatsinks translate to cleaner, more stable power delivery under sustained all-core workloads and during overclocking. Enthusiast boards like MSI MEG, ASUS ROG Strix, and GIGABYTE AORUS Master feature 16+ phase VRM designs with oversized heatsinks that keep high-core-count Ryzen 9 and Core i9 processors running at full boost frequencies without throttling.

Complete Your Build

• Processors — AMD Ryzen and Intel Core CPUs matched to your board socket
• RAM & Memory — DDR4 and DDR5 modules compatible with your chipset and speed tier
• Graphics Cards — discrete GPUs for the primary PCIe x16 slot
• Power Supplies — ATX and SFX PSUs with the right power connectors
• Computer Cases — ATX, Micro-ATX, or Mini-ITX enclosures matched to your board