Buying Guide
The Best Motherboards for Gaming PCs
Six ATX motherboards for AM5 and Intel LGA1851 compared on M.2 slots, networking, power delivery and value for a new gaming build.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read6 products evaluated
A motherboard does not change frame rates, but it decides what you can connect: how many SSDs, how fast the network runs and how well it powers a high-end CPU.
We compared six ATX boards on M.2 slots, networking, power delivery and warranty. This is a research-based comparison built from maker specifications; we did not test these parts ourselves.
Quick Picks
Which of the 6 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Best AM5 Board
MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk MAX WiFiFour M.2 slots, 5Gbps LAN and Wi-Fi 7 on B850.
Best for: Most Ryzen gaming builds.
Check price for MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk MAX WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Well-Rounded Choice
ASUS TUF Gaming B850-PLUS WiFiThe TUF B850-PLUS offers a 14+2+1 layout of 80A power stages and a front USB-C header for 10Gbps ports.
Best for: Buyers who want wi-fi 7 built in.
Check price for ASUS TUF Gaming B850-PLUS WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Solid Alternative
ASRock B850 Steel Legend WiFiThe B850 Steel Legend pairs four M.2 slots with a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot and a white finish.
Best for: Buyers who want 4 m.2 slots for ssd expansion.
Check price for ASRock B850 Steel Legend WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Longest Warranty
GIGABYTE B850 AORUS Elite WIFI7A five-year warranty on a B850 board.
Best for: Builders who plan to keep a board for years.
Check price for GIGABYTE B850 AORUS Elite WIFI7 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Budget AM5
MSI PRO B850-P WiFi5Gbps LAN and Wi-Fi 7 on an entry-level B850 board.
Best for: Budget Ryzen builds.
Check price for MSI PRO B850-P WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Intel Board
MSI MAG Z890 Tomahawk WiFiFour M.2 slots and 5Gbps LAN on LGA1851.
Best for: Core Ultra 200S builds.
Check price for MSI MAG Z890 Tomahawk WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Best AM5 Board1 of 6
MSI MAG B850 Tomahawk MAX WiFi
The B850 Tomahawk MAX covers what most Ryzen builds need: four M.2 slots, 5Gbps Ethernet and Wi-Fi 7 on a reinforced PCIe 5.0 graphics slot.
Best for
- Most Ryzen gaming builds.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the PRO B850-P cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It is the board to start from unless you need something specific. It matches the B850 Steel Legend and the Z890 Tomahawk on M.2 slot count (4). It matches the PRO B850-P and the Z890 Tomahawk on wired network speed (5Gbps).
You also get a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot with Steel Armor and a rear USB 20Gbps Type-C 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. When we checked, only the Z890 Tomahawk and cheaper picks cost less, and the TUF B850-PLUS cost more.
Key specs
- M.2 slots
- 4
- Wired LAN
- 5Gbps
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 7
- Form factor
- ATX
- Socket
- AM5
Pros
- 4 M.2 slots for SSD expansion
- 5Gbps wired Ethernet
- Wi-Fi 7 built in
- PCIe 5.0 x16 slot with Steel Armor
Cons
- Costs more than the PRO B850-P at the time of writing
Well-Rounded Choice2 of 6
ASUS TUF Gaming B850-PLUS WiFi
The TUF B850-PLUS offers a 14+2+1 layout of 80A power stages and a front USB-C header for 10Gbps ports.
Best for
- Buyers who want wi-fi 7 built in.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the PRO B850-P, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It suits builders who want sturdy power delivery for a 12- or 16-core Ryzen. On M.2 slot count it ties with the B850 AORUS Elite and the PRO B850-P at 3. On wired network speed it ties with the B850 Steel Legend and the B850 AORUS Elite at 2.5Gbps.
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 Tomahawk MAX and the B850 AORUS Elite, based on our last check.
Key specs
- M.2 slots
- 3
- Wired LAN
- 2.5Gbps
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 7
- Power stages
- 14+2+1
- Form factor
- ATX
- Socket
- AM5
Pros
- Wi-Fi 7 built in
- 14+2+1 power stage layout
- 80A power stages
- Front USB 10Gbps Type-C header
Cons
- Costs more than the PRO B850-P at the time of writing
Solid Alternative3 of 6
ASRock B850 Steel Legend WiFi
The B850 Steel Legend pairs four M.2 slots with a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot and a white finish.
Best for
- Buyers who want 4 m.2 slots for ssd expansion.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the PRO B850-P cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It fits light-themed builds that still need plenty of storage. It matches the B850 Tomahawk MAX and the Z890 Tomahawk on M.2 slot count (4). It matches the TUF B850-PLUS and the B850 AORUS Elite on wired network speed (2.5Gbps).
Like the TUF B850-PLUS, it has 14+2+1 power stages, while the B850 AORUS Elite uses 14+2+2 power stages. 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. When we checked, only the PRO B850-P cost less, and the Z890 Tomahawk cost more.
Key specs
- M.2 slots
- 4
- Wired LAN
- 2.5Gbps
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 7
- Power stages
- 14+2+1
- Form factor
- ATX
- Socket
- AM5
Pros
- 4 M.2 slots for SSD expansion
- Wi-Fi 7 built in
- 14+2+1 power stage layout
- PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot
Cons
- Costs more than the PRO B850-P at the time of writing
Longest Warranty4 of 6
GIGABYTE B850 AORUS Elite WIFI7
The B850 AORUS Elite WIFI7 stands out for Gigabyte's five-year warranty and a 14+2+2 power layout.
Best for
- Builders who plan to keep a board for years.
Skip if
- Skip it if wired network speed matters most to you; the B850 Tomahawk MAX offers 5Gbps.
Why we like it
It trades one M.2 slot against the Tomahawk for that longer cover. It matches the TUF B850-PLUS and the PRO B850-P on M.2 slot count (3). It matches the TUF B850-PLUS and the B850 Steel Legend on wired network speed (2.5Gbps).
No other pick in this guide offers 14+2+2 power stages; compare the TUF B850-PLUS, which has 14+2+1 power stages. It also comes with 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. Only the TUF B850-PLUS came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 6 picks.
Key specs
- M.2 slots
- 3
- Wired LAN
- 2.5Gbps
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 7
- Power stages
- 14+2+2
- Form factor
- ATX
- Warranty
- 5-year
- Socket
- AM5
Pros
- Wi-Fi 7 built in
- 14+2+2 power stage layout
- 5-year warranty
- PCIe 5.0 graphics slot
Cons
- Wired network speed trails the B850 Tomahawk MAX (5Gbps)
- Costs more than the PRO B850-P at the time of writing
The catch
It gives ground on wired network speed, where the B850 Tomahawk MAX offers 5Gbps.
Best Budget AM55 of 6
MSI PRO B850-P WiFi
The PRO B850-P keeps Wi-Fi 7 and 5Gbps LAN on a budget board, with tool-free M.2 clips.
Best for
- Budget Ryzen builds.
Skip if
- Skip it if M.2 slot count matters most to you; the B850 Tomahawk MAX offers 4.
Why we like it
Three M.2 slots are enough for most gaming builds. It matches the TUF B850-PLUS and the B850 AORUS Elite on M.2 slot count (3). It matches the B850 Tomahawk MAX and the Z890 Tomahawk on wired network speed (5Gbps).
It also comes with 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 cost the least of the 6 picks at the time of writing, with the B850 Steel Legend the next step up.
Key specs
- M.2 slots
- 3
- Wired LAN
- 5Gbps
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 7
- Form factor
- ATX
- Socket
- AM5
Pros
- 5Gbps wired Ethernet
- Wi-Fi 7 built in
- PCIe 5.0 graphics slot
- Tool-free EZ M.2 clips
Cons
- M.2 slot count trails the B850 Tomahawk MAX (4)
The catch
It gives ground on M.2 slot count, where the B850 Tomahawk MAX offers 4.
Best Intel Board6 of 6
MSI MAG Z890 Tomahawk WiFi
The Z890 Tomahawk is the Intel pick, with four M.2 slots, 5Gbps LAN and Wi-Fi 7 for Core Ultra 200S chips.
Best for
- Core Ultra 200S builds.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the PRO B850-P, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It runs only LGA1851 processors, not older 12th to 14th Gen chips. On M.2 slot count it ties with the B850 Tomahawk MAX and the B850 Steel Legend at 4. On wired network speed it ties with the B850 Tomahawk MAX and the PRO B850-P at 5Gbps.
An LGA1851 socket is unique to it among these picks, while the B850 Tomahawk MAX uses an AM5 socket. You also get a PCIe 5.0 graphics slot and M.2 heatsinks on every slot. Check the manual for which M.2 slots share lanes with SATA ports or the second PCIe slot before filling them all. On price it sat third of 6, between the cheaper B850 Steel Legend and the pricier B850 Tomahawk MAX, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- M.2 slots
- 4
- Wired LAN
- 5Gbps
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 7
- Form factor
- ATX
- Socket
- LGA1851
Pros
- 4 M.2 slots for SSD expansion
- 5Gbps wired Ethernet
- Wi-Fi 7 built in
- PCIe 5.0 graphics slot
Cons
- Costs more than the PRO B850-P at the time of writing
How We Chose These Motherboards
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 compared six boards on M.2 slot count, wired network speed, wi-Fi and power stages as the makers state them. Nothing was tested in-house; 5 of the 6 fields compared are stated for every pick, while power stages has gaps.
- The shared baseline
- All 6, from the B850 Tomahawk MAX to the Z890 Tomahawk, state M.2 slot count, wired network speed and wi-Fi and share Wi-Fi 7 wi-Fi.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The B850 Tomahawk MAX, the PRO B850-P and the Z890 Tomahawk give no power stages.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the PRO B850-P ($100 to $150) to the B850 AORUS Elite ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in a Motherboard
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much M.2 slot count you need
The B850 Tomahawk MAX tops M.2 slot count at 4 and the PRO B850-P sits lowest at 3; 3 picks share the top figure. For less, the B850 Steel Legend is the runner-up at 4.
Wired network speed across these picks
Across these 6 picks wired network speed spans 2.5Gbps (the B850 AORUS Elite) to 5Gbps (the B850 Tomahawk MAX). The PRO B850-P comes second at 5Gbps, in the $100 to $150 tier against $150 to $250 for the B850 Tomahawk MAX.
Socket
The B850 Tomahawk MAX, the TUF B850-PLUS, the B850 Steel Legend, the B850 AORUS Elite and the PRO B850-P list AM5; the Z890 Tomahawk lists LGA1851. Sort out socket before price: it splits 6 stated picks into groups of 5 and 1.
Features beyond the spec table
The B850 AORUS Elite: a PCIe 5.0 graphics slot. The PRO B850-P: tool-free EZ M.2 clips. The Z890 Tomahawk: M.2 heatsinks on every slot.
Where your budget lands
$100 to $150 buys the PRO B850-P; $150 to $250 buys the B850 Steel Legend, the Z890 Tomahawk, the B850 Tomahawk MAX, the TUF B850-PLUS and the B850 AORUS Elite at our last check.
How to Choose a Motherboard
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Most Ryzen gaming builds | B850 Tomahawk MAX | Four M.2 slots, 5Gbps LAN and Wi-Fi 7 on B850 |
| Builders who plan to keep a board for years | B850 AORUS Elite | A five-year warranty on a B850 board |
| Budget Ryzen builds | PRO B850-P | 5Gbps LAN and Wi-Fi 7 on an entry-level B850 board |
| Core Ultra 200S builds | Z890 Tomahawk | Four M.2 slots and 5Gbps LAN on LGA1851 |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The B850 Tomahawk MAX leads on M.2 slot count at 4, ahead of the B850 Steel Legend at 4. "Not listed" marks power stages where the B850 Tomahawk MAX, the PRO B850-P and the Z890 Tomahawk leave the figure out.
| Board | M.2 slots | Wired LAN | Wi-Fi | Power stages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B850 Tomahawk MAX | 4 | 5Gbps | Wi-Fi 7 | Not listed |
| TUF B850-PLUS | 3 | 2.5Gbps | Wi-Fi 7 | 14+2+1 |
| B850 Steel Legend | 4 | 2.5Gbps | Wi-Fi 7 | 14+2+1 |
| B850 AORUS Elite | 3 | 2.5Gbps | Wi-Fi 7 | 14+2+2 |
| PRO B850-P | 3 | 5Gbps | Wi-Fi 7 | Not listed |
| Z890 Tomahawk | 4 | 5Gbps | Wi-Fi 7 | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the PRO B850-P, sat in the $100 to $150 tier, 2 tiers in all up to the B850 AORUS Elite at $150 to $250; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Boards |
|---|---|
| About $100 to $150 | PRO B850-P |
| About $150 to $250 | B850 Steel Legend, Z890 Tomahawk, B850 Tomahawk MAX, TUF B850-PLUS, B850 AORUS Elite |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the B850 AORUS Elite worth paying more than the PRO B850-P?
The B850 AORUS Elite matches or trails the PRO B850-P on M.2 slot count and wired network speed, so pay more only for a feature the spec sheet doesn't cover. The PRO B850-P leads on wired network speed (5Gbps). The PRO B850-P sat in the $100 to $150 tier and the B850 AORUS Elite in the $150 to $250 tier when we checked, with 4 other picks between them.
What makes the PRO B850-P the Best Budget AM5?
It earns the label for 5Gbps LAN and Wi-Fi 7 on an entry-level B850 board. It suits budget Ryzen builds.
Do the TUF B850-PLUS and the B850 AORUS Elite differ on power stages?
The TUF B850-PLUS and the B850 Steel Legend use 14+2+1; the B850 AORUS Elite uses 14+2+2. The makers of the B850 Tomahawk MAX, the PRO B850-P and the Z890 Tomahawk don't state power stages, so 3 of 6 picks are covered here.
Beyond the specs, what sets the B850 Tomahawk MAX and the TUF B850-PLUS apart?
The B850 Tomahawk MAX: a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot with Steel Armor. The TUF B850-PLUS: 80A power stages. The B850 Steel Legend: a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot.
Who should choose the B850 Tomahawk MAX?
The B850 Tomahawk MAX carries our Best AM5 Board label for four M.2 slots, 5Gbps LAN and Wi-Fi 7 on B850. It ranks first of 6 here and sat in the $150 to $250 tier at our last price check; it suits most Ryzen gaming builds.
Bottom Line
The MSI B850 Tomahawk MAX WiFi is the pick for most Ryzen builds, and the MSI PRO B850-P WiFi is the budget option with the same fast networking. The MSI Z890 Tomahawk WiFi is the Intel choice.
The ASUS TUF B850-PLUS favours power delivery, the ASRock B850 Steel Legend suits white builds, and the Gigabyte B850 AORUS Elite carries the longest warranty.
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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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