Buying Guide
The Best Motherboards for a Gaming PC
Five motherboards ranked on M.2 slot count and wired network speed; the B760M-AYW D4 is the cheapest route in.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
A gaming PC needs a solid mid-range board, not a flagship. Every pick is an ATX board on a mid-range chipset, ordered from the lowest price.
Rankings weigh M.2 slots, wired LAN and wi-Fi as the makers state them; if a maker skips M.2 slots, the guide says so rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Lowest Price Here
ASUS B760M-AYW WiFi D4 IIThe cheapest way into this group, below the PRO B760M-P DDR4.
Best for: Spending as little as possible, with the PRO B760M-P DDR4 the next step up.
Check price for ASUS B760M-AYW WiFi D4 II on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
MSI PRO B760M-P DDR4HDMI and DisplayPort outputs.
Best for: Buyers who want HDMI and DisplayPort outputs.
Check price for MSI PRO B760M-P DDR4 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
ASRock B850 Pro-ABIOS Flashback.
Best for: Buyers who want BIOS Flashback.
Check price for ASRock B850 Pro-A on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
ASUS TUF Gaming B650E-PLUS WiFi80A DrMOS power stages.
Best for: Buyers who want 80A DrMOS power stages.
Check price for ASUS TUF Gaming B650E-PLUS WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
GIGABYTE B760 AORUS Elite AXThe highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with Q-Flash Plus BIOS updating without a CPU.
Best for: Buyers who want Q-Flash Plus BIOS updating without a CPU and can spend more than the TUF B650E-PLUS costs.
Check price for GIGABYTE B760 AORUS Elite AX on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The cheapest way into this group, below the PRO B760M-P DDR4. | Spending as little as possible, with the PRO B760M-P DDR4 the next step up. | Check price for ASUS B760M-AYW WiFi D4 II on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| HDMI and DisplayPort outputs. | Buyers who want HDMI and DisplayPort outputs. | Check price for MSI PRO B760M-P DDR4 on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| BIOS Flashback. | Buyers who want BIOS Flashback. | Check price for ASRock B850 Pro-A on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| 80A DrMOS power stages. | Buyers who want 80A DrMOS power stages. | Check price for ASUS TUF Gaming B650E-PLUS WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with Q-Flash Plus BIOS updating without a CPU. | Buyers who want Q-Flash Plus BIOS updating without a CPU and can spend more than the TUF B650E-PLUS costs. | Check price for GIGABYTE B760 AORUS Elite AX on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
ASUS B760M-AYW WiFi D4 II
The B760M-AYW WiFi D4 II is a Micro-ATX DDR4 board with two M.2 slots, Wi-Fi 6 and 2.5Gbps LAN at a low price.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible, with the PRO B760M-P DDR4 the next step up.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: only 2 M.2 slots.
Why we like it
Its 2 M.2 slot count is the fewest in this group; the TUF B650E-PLUS leads at 3. No other pick in this guide offers a wi-Fi 6; compare the TUF B650E-PLUS, which has a wi-Fi 6E. Like the PRO B760M-P DDR4 and B760 AORUS Elite AX, it has an LGA1700 socket, while the B850 Pro-A uses an AM5 socket.
It also offers a PCIe 5.0 x16 graphics slot and a front USB 5Gbps port. It uses Intel's LGA1700 socket for 12th, 13th and 14th Gen Core processors; check the CPU support list for the BIOS version your chip needs, since early boards shipped before 14th Gen launched. It takes DDR4 memory only, so reuse or buy a DDR4 kit; DDR5 sticks do not fit its slots. It cost the least of the 5 picks at the time of writing, with the PRO B760M-P DDR4 the next step up.
Key specs
- M.2 slots
- 2
- Wired LAN
- 2.5Gbps
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 6
- Form factor
- Micro-ATX
- Socket
- LGA1700
- Memory type
- DDR4
- Chipset
- B760
Pros
- PCIe 5.0 x16 graphics slot
- Front USB 5Gbps port
- Wi-Fi 6, the only one here
- The cheapest way into this group, below the PRO B760M-P DDR4
Cons
- Only 2 M.2 slots
- Takes DDR4 only, not DDR5 kits
- M.2 slot count trails the TUF B650E-PLUS (3)
The catch
It gives ground on M.2 slot count, where the TUF B650E-PLUS offers 3.
Also Consider2 of 5
MSI PRO B760M-P DDR4
The PRO B760M-P DDR4 is the plainest board here, a Micro-ATX DDR4 board with no Wi-Fi.
Best for
- Buyers who want HDMI and DisplayPort outputs.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when takes DDR4 only, not DDR5 kits is a problem.
Why we like it
It is the cheapest way to pair a Core i5 with existing DDR4. Like the B760M-AYW D4 and B760 AORUS Elite AX, it has an LGA1700 socket, while the B850 Pro-A uses an AM5 socket. It shares a B760 chipset with the B760M-AYW D4 and B760 AORUS Elite AX; the TUF B650E-PLUS goes with a B650E chipset.
It also comes with HDMI and DisplayPort outputs and a low price for a board that reuses DDR4. It uses Intel's LGA1700 socket for 12th, 13th and 14th Gen Core processors; check the CPU support list for the BIOS version your chip needs, since early boards shipped before 14th Gen launched. It takes DDR4 memory only, so reuse or buy a DDR4 kit; DDR5 sticks do not fit its slots. It was priced above the B760M-AYW D4 and below the B850 Pro-A at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Form factor
- Micro-ATX
- Socket
- LGA1700
- Memory type
- DDR4
- Chipset
- B760
Pros
- HDMI and DisplayPort outputs
- Low price for a board that reuses DDR4
- Micro-ATX form factor
- LGA1700 socket
Cons
- Takes DDR4 only, not DDR5 kits
- No published M.2 slot count
- No published wired network speed
The catch
There is no published M.2 slot count figure, whereas the TUF B650E-PLUS offers 3.
Strong Alternative3 of 5
ASRock B850 Pro-A
The B850 Pro-A drops Wi-Fi to keep its price low, but keeps a 14+2+1 layout, 2.5Gbps LAN and BIOS Flashback.
Best for
- Buyers who want BIOS Flashback.
Skip if
- Its M.2 slot count is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.
Why we like it
It suits desks with a network cable. You get 14+2+1 power stages here, which sets it apart from the B760 AORUS Elite AX and its 12+1+1 power stages. It shares an AM5 socket with the TUF B650E-PLUS; the B760M-AYW D4 goes with an LGA1700 socket.
No other pick in this guide offers a B850 chipset; compare the TUF B650E-PLUS, which has a B650E chipset. It also offers memory support to DDR5-8000 (OC) and no Wi-Fi, which keeps the price down for wired setups. 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. On price it sat third of 5, between the cheaper PRO B760M-P DDR4 and the pricier TUF B650E-PLUS, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Wired LAN
- 2.5Gbps
- Power stages
- 14+2+1
- Form factor
- ATX
- Socket
- AM5
- Chipset
- B850
Pros
- 14+2+1 power stage layout
- BIOS Flashback
- Memory support to DDR5-8000 (OC)
- No Wi-Fi, which keeps the price down for wired setups
Cons
- No published M.2 slot count
- Costs more than the B760M-AYW D4 at the time of writing
The catch
The maker doesn't give its M.2 slot count; if that figure matters, the TUF B650E-PLUS offers 3.
Worth a Look4 of 5
ASUS TUF Gaming B650E-PLUS WiFi
The TUF B650E-PLUS uses the B650E chipset, which adds PCIe 5.0 lanes, alongside 80A power stages and BIOS Flashback.
Best for
- Buyers who want 80A DrMOS power stages.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi 7.
Why we like it
It is a sturdy pick for a 12- or 16-core Ryzen on a budget. On M.2 slot count it ties with the B760 AORUS Elite AX at 3. It shares a wi-Fi 6E with the B760 AORUS Elite AX; the B760M-AYW D4 goes with a wi-Fi 6.
12+2+1 power stages is unique to it among these picks, while the B760 AORUS Elite AX uses 12+1+1 power stages. It shares an AM5 socket with the B850 Pro-A; the B760 AORUS Elite AX goes with an LGA1700 socket. 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 B850 Pro-A and the B760 AORUS Elite AX, based on our last check.
Key specs
- M.2 slots
- 3
- Wired LAN
- 2.5Gbps
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 6E
- Power stages
- 12+2+1
- Form factor
- ATX
- Socket
- AM5
- Chipset
- B650E
Pros
- 80A DrMOS power stages
- BIOS Flashback
- PCIe 5.0 support from the B650E chipset
- M.2 slot count of 3, ahead of the B760M-AYW D4
Cons
- Wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi 7
- Costs more than the B760M-AYW D4 at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
GIGABYTE B760 AORUS Elite AX
The B760 AORUS Elite AX offers a 12+1+1 layout, three M.2 slots and Q-Flash Plus, which updates the BIOS without a CPU installed.
Best for
- Buyers who want Q-Flash Plus BIOS updating without a CPU and can spend more than the TUF B650E-PLUS costs.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi 7.
Why we like it
It is the strongest B760 board here. It matches the TUF B650E-PLUS on M.2 slot count (3). Like the TUF B650E-PLUS, it has a wi-Fi 6E, while the B760M-AYW D4 uses a wi-Fi 6.
It is the only pick here with 12+1+1 power stages; the B850 Pro-A has 14+2+1 power stages instead. Like the B760M-AYW D4 and PRO B760M-P DDR4, it has an LGA1700 socket, while the B850 Pro-A uses an AM5 socket. It also comes with EZ-Latch for tool-free card removal and Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5Gbps Ethernet.
It uses Intel's LGA1700 socket for 12th, 13th and 14th Gen Core processors; check the CPU support list for the BIOS version your chip needs, since early boards shipped before 14th Gen launched. Check the manual for which M.2 slots share lanes with SATA ports or the second PCIe slot before filling them all. At our last price check it topped the group, with the TUF B650E-PLUS the nearest cheaper option.
Key specs
- M.2 slots
- 3
- Wired LAN
- 2.5Gbps
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 6E
- Power stages
- 12+1+1
- Form factor
- ATX
- Socket
- LGA1700
- Memory type
- DDR5
- Chipset
- B760
Pros
- Q-Flash Plus BIOS updating without a CPU
- EZ-Latch for tool-free card removal
- Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5Gbps Ethernet
- M.2 slot count of 3, ahead of the B760M-AYW D4
Cons
- Wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi 7
- Costs more than the B760M-AYW D4 at the time of writing
The catch
Wired network speed is its weakest area, and the B760M-AYW D4 covers it better at 2.5Gbps.
How We Chose These Motherboards for a Gaming PC
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.
- What we compared
- We set side by side five boards on M.2 slot count, wired network speed, wi-Fi and power stages, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house, and M.2 slot count and wired network speed are missing for at least one pick.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the B760M-AYW D4 to the B760 AORUS Elite AX, state form factor, socket and chipset.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The PRO B760M-P DDR4 and the B850 Pro-A give no M.2 slot count; the PRO B760M-P DDR4 gives no wired network speed.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the B760M-AYW D4 ($50 to $100) to the B760 AORUS Elite AX ($100 to $150).
What to Look for in a Motherboard for a Gaming PC
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much M.2 slot count you need
The TUF B650E-PLUS tops M.2 slot count at 3 and the B760M-AYW D4 sits lowest at 2; 2 picks share the top figure. The TUF B650E-PLUS is the pick for M.2 slot count. The PRO B760M-P DDR4 and the B850 Pro-A give no M.2 slot count figure, so 3 of 5 picks are compared here.
Power stages
The B850 Pro-A lists 14+2+1; the TUF B650E-PLUS lists 12+2+1; the B760 AORUS Elite AX lists 12+1+1. Sort out power stages before price: it splits 3 stated picks into groups of 1, 1 and 1.
Socket
The B760M-AYW D4, the PRO B760M-P DDR4 and the B760 AORUS Elite AX list LGA1700; the B850 Pro-A and the TUF B650E-PLUS list AM5. Settling socket first narrows 5 picks to 3 or 2.
Extras that separate them
The B850 Pro-A: memory support to DDR5-8000 (OC). The TUF B650E-PLUS: BIOS Flashback. The B760 AORUS Elite AX: EZ-Latch for tool-free card removal.
Budget
$50 to $100 buys the B760M-AYW D4; $100 to $150 buys the PRO B760M-P DDR4, the B850 Pro-A, the TUF B650E-PLUS and the B760 AORUS Elite AX at our last check.
How to Choose a Motherboard for a Gaming PC
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spending as little as possible, with the PRO B760M-P DDR4 the next step up | B760M-AYW D4 | The cheapest way into this group, below the PRO B760M-P DDR4 |
| Buyers who want HDMI and DisplayPort outputs | PRO B760M-P DDR4 | HDMI and DisplayPort outputs |
| Buyers who want BIOS Flashback | B850 Pro-A | BIOS Flashback |
| Buyers who want 80A DrMOS power stages | TUF B650E-PLUS | 80A DrMOS power stages |
| Buyers who want Q-Flash Plus BIOS updating without a CPU and can spend more than the TUF B650E-PLUS costs | B760 AORUS Elite AX | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with Q-Flash Plus BIOS updating without a CPU |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The TUF B650E-PLUS leads on M.2 slot count at 3, ahead of the B760 AORUS Elite AX at 3. "Not listed" marks M.2 slot count where the PRO B760M-P DDR4 and the B850 Pro-A leave the figure out.
| Board | M.2 slots | Wired LAN | Wi-Fi | Power stages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B760M-AYW D4 | 2 | 2.5Gbps | Wi-Fi 6 | Not listed |
| PRO B760M-P DDR4 | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed |
| B850 Pro-A | Not listed | 2.5Gbps | Not listed | 14+2+1 |
| TUF B650E-PLUS | 3 | 2.5Gbps | Wi-Fi 6E | 12+2+1 |
| B760 AORUS Elite AX | 3 | 2.5Gbps | Wi-Fi 6E | 12+1+1 |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The B760M-AYW D4 was the lowest-priced pick ($50 to $100) and the B760 AORUS Elite AX the highest ($100 to $150) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Boards |
|---|---|
| About $50 to $100 | B760M-AYW D4 |
| About $100 to $150 | PRO B760M-P DDR4, B850 Pro-A, TUF B650E-PLUS, B760 AORUS Elite AX |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the B760 AORUS Elite AX add over the B760M-AYW D4?
On paper it adds M.2 slot count (3 against 2). On our last price check the B760M-AYW D4 was in the $50 to $100 tier and the B760 AORUS Elite AX in the $100 to $150 tier, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if M.2 slot count decides your purchase.
Why is the B760M-AYW D4 our Lowest Price Here pick?
It earns the label for the cheapest way into this group, below the PRO B760M-P DDR4. It is aimed at spending as little as possible, with the PRO B760M-P DDR4 the next step up.
Do the B760M-AYW D4 and the TUF B650E-PLUS differ on wi-Fi?
The B760M-AYW D4 uses Wi-Fi 6; the TUF B650E-PLUS and the B760 AORUS Elite AX use Wi-Fi 6E. The PRO B760M-P DDR4 and the B850 Pro-A have no wi-Fi listed, so 3 of 5 picks are covered here.
What extras do the B760M-AYW D4 and the PRO B760M-P DDR4 include?
The B760M-AYW D4: a PCIe 5.0 x16 graphics slot. The PRO B760M-P DDR4: HDMI and DisplayPort outputs. The B850 Pro-A: BIOS Flashback.
Should I pick the B760M-AYW D4 or the B760 AORUS Elite AX?
The B760M-AYW D4 suits spending as little as possible, with the PRO B760M-P DDR4 the next step up; the B760 AORUS Elite AX suits buyers who want Q-Flash Plus BIOS updating without a CPU and can spend more than the TUF B650E-PLUS costs.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the B760M-AYW D4, chosen for the cheapest way into this group, below the PRO B760M-P DDR4. Look at the PRO B760M-P DDR4 for HDMI and DisplayPort outputs, the B850 Pro-A for BIOS Flashback and the TUF B650E-PLUS for 80A DrMOS power stages if those matter more to you.
Spend the savings on the GPU.
Related Guides
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About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
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