The Best Motherboards for Gaming

It matches the Strix B850-A on M.2 slot count (4). No other pick in this guide offers 18+2+2 power stages; compare the B650 AORUS Elite AX, which has 14+2+1 power stages. It also offers X3D branding aimed at Ryzen X3D builds.

It uses AMD's AM5 socket, so it takes Ryzen 7000, 8000 and 9000 chips; a board built before a CPU's launch may need a BIOS update first, so check whether it supports BIOS Flashback. Check the manual for which M.2 slots share lanes with SATA ports or the second PCIe slot before filling them all. Only the Strix Z890-A came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 6 picks. There is no published wired network speed figure, whereas the PRO B850-P offers 5Gbps.

Its white finish suits light-themed builds. Its 14+2+2 VRM is rated at 80A per stage, and heatsinks bridge to the VRMs with thermal pads. ASUS AI Advisor simplifies setup.

On M.2 slot count it ties with the X870E AORUS PRO X3D at 4. On wired network speed it ties with the Strix Z890-A and the B650 AORUS Elite AX at 2.5Gbps. 14+2+2 power stages is unique to it among these picks, while the Strix Z890-A uses 16+2+1+2 power stages.

It also offers a rear USB 20Gbps port. It uses AMD's AM5 socket, so it takes Ryzen 7000, 8000 and 9000 chips; a board built before a CPU's launch may need a BIOS update first, so check whether it supports BIOS Flashback. Check the manual for which M.2 slots share lanes with SATA ports or the second PCIe slot before filling them all. Its price falls between the Z790 Gaming WIFI7 and the Strix Z890-A, based on our last check.

It suits storage-heavy Core Ultra builds. Nothing else here matches its 5 M.2 slot count; the X870E AORUS PRO X3D comes closest at 4. On wired network speed it ties with the Strix B850-A and the B650 AORUS Elite AX at 2.5Gbps.

16+2+1+2 power stages is unique to it among these picks, while the Strix B850-A uses 14+2+2 power stages. You get an LGA1851 socket here, which sets it apart from the B650 AORUS Elite AX and its an AM5 socket. It is the only pick here with a Z890 chipset; the B650 AORUS Elite AX has a B650 chipset instead.

It also comes with AI overclocking tools. It uses Intel's LGA1851 socket for Core Ultra 200S processors, not older 12th to 14th Gen chips. Its price falls between the Strix B850-A and the X870E AORUS PRO X3D, based on our last check.

Three M.2 slots are enough for most gaming builds. On M.2 slot count it ties with the Z790 Gaming WIFI7 at 3. Its 5Gbps wired network speed is the fastest here; the Strix B850-A comes next at 2.5Gbps.

It also offers a PCIe 5.0 graphics slot. It uses AMD's AM5 socket, so it takes Ryzen 7000, 8000 and 9000 chips; a board built before a CPU's launch may need a BIOS update first, so check whether it supports BIOS Flashback. Check the manual for which M.2 slots share lanes with SATA ports or the second PCIe slot before filling them all.

It undercut the B650 AORUS Elite AX and every other pick on price at the time of writing. The main gap: M.2 slot count of 3, behind the Strix Z890-A (5). If that matters, the Strix Z890-A offers 5.

It is the most complete B650 board for its price here. On wired network speed it ties with the Strix B850-A and the Strix Z890-A at 2.5Gbps. A wi-Fi 6E is unique to it among these picks, while the Strix Z890-A uses a wi-Fi 7.

You get 14+2+1 power stages here, which sets it apart from the Z790 Gaming WIFI7 and its 14+1 power stages. No other pick in this guide offers a B650 chipset; compare the Strix Z890-A, which has a Z890 chipset. It also comes with Q-Flash BIOS updating.

On price it sat second of 6, between the cheaper PRO B850-P and the pricier Z790 Gaming WIFI7, at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its M.2 slot count; if that figure matters, the Strix Z890-A offers 5.

It suits wireless desks. On M.2 slot count it ties with the PRO B850-P at 3. On wired network speed it trails the group at 1Gbps, while the PRO B850-P offers 5Gbps.

You get 14+1 power stages here, which sets it apart from the B650 AORUS Elite AX and its 14+2+1 power stages. An LGA1700 socket is unique to it among these picks, while the Strix Z890-A uses an LGA1851 socket. No other pick in this guide offers a Z790 chipset; compare the Strix Z890-A, which has a Z890 chipset.

You also get a rear USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C port and a front USB-C header. On price it sat third of 6, between the cheaper B650 AORUS Elite AX and the pricier Strix B850-A, at the time of writing. The trade-off is M.2 slot count; for more, the Strix Z890-A offers 5.