Buying Guide
The Best Motherboards for Esports
Five motherboards ranked on M.2 slot count and wired network speed, where the PRO B850-P has the fastest wired network speed; the B760M-AYW D4 is the cheapest route in.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
An esports build needs a stable board with fast networking rather than extra expansion. Every pick has built-in Wi-Fi and cost $190 or less, 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
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
ASUS B760M-AYW WiFi D4 II
The cheapest way into this group, below the B650M PG Lightning.
Best for: Spending as little as possible.
Our take Check price for ASUS B760M-AYW WiFi D4 II (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
ASRock B650M PG Lightning WiFi
BIOS Flashback.
Best for: Buyers who want BIOS Flashback.
Our take Check price for ASRock B650M PG Lightning WiFi (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
MSI B760 Gaming Plus WiFi V1
Bluetooth 5.3 alongside Wi-Fi 6E.
Best for: Buyers who want Bluetooth 5.3 alongside Wi-Fi 6E.
Our take Check price for MSI B760 Gaming Plus WiFi V1 (opens in a new tab)
Fastest Wired Network Speed
MSI PRO B850-P WiFi
The fastest wired network speed here (5Gbps).
Best for: Buyers who put wired network speed first.
Our take Check price for MSI PRO B850-P WiFi (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
ASUS TUF Gaming B650E-PLUS WiFi
80A DrMOS power stages at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor.
Our take Check price for ASUS TUF Gaming B650E-PLUS WiFi (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The cheapest way into this group, below the B650M PG Lightning. | Spending as little as possible. | Check price for ASUS B760M-AYW WiFi D4 II (opens in a new tab) |
| BIOS Flashback. | Buyers who want BIOS Flashback. | Check price for ASRock B650M PG Lightning WiFi (opens in a new tab) |
| Bluetooth 5.3 alongside Wi-Fi 6E. | Buyers who want Bluetooth 5.3 alongside Wi-Fi 6E. | Check price for MSI B760 Gaming Plus WiFi V1 (opens in a new tab) |
| The fastest wired network speed here (5Gbps). | Buyers who put wired network speed first. | Check price for MSI PRO B850-P WiFi (opens in a new tab) |
| 80A DrMOS power stages at the highest price in the group. | Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor. | Check price for ASUS TUF Gaming B650E-PLUS WiFi (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
ASUS B760M-AYW WiFi D4 II on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: only 2 M.2 slots.
Why we like it
It matches the B760 Gaming Plus on M.2 slot count (2). It matches the B650M PG Lightning, the B760 Gaming Plus and the TUF B650E-PLUS on wired network speed (2.5Gbps). It is the only pick here with a wi-Fi 6; the B650M PG Lightning has a wi-Fi 6E instead.
Like the B760 Gaming Plus, it has an LGA1700 socket, while the PRO B850-P 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.
No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the B650M PG Lightning was closest. What it gives up: M.2 slot count of 2, behind the PRO B850-P (3); by contrast, the PRO B850-P offers 3.
Key dimensions & 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 B650M PG Lightning
Cons
- Only 2 M.2 slots
- Takes DDR4 only, not DDR5 kits
- M.2 slot count of 2, behind the PRO B850-P (3)
Also Consider2 of 5
ASRock B650M PG Lightning WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The B650M PG Lightning is the cheapest route onto AM5 here, a Micro-ATX board with Wi-Fi 6E, 2.5Gbps LAN and BIOS Flashback.
Best for
- Buyers who want BIOS Flashback.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi 7.
Why we like it
Its 6+2+1 layout is best kept to six- and eight-core chips. On wired network speed it ties with the B760M-AYW D4, the B760 Gaming Plus and the TUF B650E-PLUS at 2.5Gbps. It shares a wi-Fi 6E with the B760 Gaming Plus and TUF B650E-PLUS; the PRO B850-P goes with a wi-Fi 7.
It also comes with memory support up to DDR5-7200 (OC) and the lowest price among the AM5 boards here. 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. Its price falls between the B760M-AYW D4 and the B760 Gaming Plus, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed M.2 slot count should compare it with the PRO B850-P, which offers 3.
Key dimensions & specs
- Wired LAN: 2.5Gbps
- Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6E
- Power stages: 6+2+1
- Form factor: Micro-ATX
- Socket: AM5
- Chipset: B650
Pros
- BIOS Flashback
- Memory support up to DDR5-7200 (OC)
- The lowest price among the AM5 boards here
- B650 chipset, the only one here
Cons
- Wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi 7
- No published M.2 slot count
- Costs more than the B760M-AYW D4 at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
MSI B760 Gaming Plus WiFi V1 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The B760 Gaming Plus WiFi is a low-cost DDR5 ATX board with Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5Gbps LAN.
Best for
- Buyers who want Bluetooth 5.3 alongside Wi-Fi 6E.
Skip if
- Pass on it if only 2 M.2 slot rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
Two M.2 slots limit storage. On M.2 slot count it ties with the B760M-AYW D4 at 2. On wired network speed it ties with the B760M-AYW D4, the B650M PG Lightning and the TUF B650E-PLUS at 2.5Gbps.
It shares a wi-Fi 6E with the B650M PG Lightning and TUF B650E-PLUS; the PRO B850-P goes with a wi-Fi 7. It shares an LGA1700 socket with the B760M-AYW D4; the TUF B650E-PLUS goes with an AM5 socket. It also offers Bluetooth 5.3 alongside Wi-Fi 6E and HDMI and DisplayPort outputs.
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. The trade-off is M.2 slot count; for more, the PRO B850-P offers 3.
Key dimensions & specs
- M.2 slots: 2
- Wired LAN: 2.5Gbps
- Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6E
- Form factor: ATX
- Socket: LGA1700
- Memory type: DDR5
- Chipset: B760
Pros
- Bluetooth 5.3 alongside Wi-Fi 6E
- HDMI and DisplayPort outputs
- 2.5Gbps Ethernet
Cons
- Only 2 M.2 slots
- Wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi 7
- M.2 slot count trails the PRO B850-P (3)
Fastest Wired Network Speed4 of 5
MSI PRO B850-P WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The PRO B850-P keeps Wi-Fi 7 and 5Gbps LAN on a budget board, with tool-free M.2 clips.
Best for
- Buyers who put wired network speed first.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the B760M-AYW D4 cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Three M.2 slots are enough for most gaming builds. On M.2 slot count it ties with the TUF B650E-PLUS at 3. On wired network speed it leads this guide at 5Gbps, ahead of the B760M-AYW D4 (2.5Gbps).
You get a wi-Fi 7 here, which sets it apart from the TUF B650E-PLUS and its a wi-Fi 6E. It shares an AM5 socket with the B650M PG Lightning and TUF B650E-PLUS; the B760 Gaming Plus goes with an LGA1700 socket. 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. Its price falls between the B760 Gaming Plus and the TUF B650E-PLUS, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & 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
- Costs more than the B760M-AYW D4 at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
ASUS TUF Gaming B650E-PLUS WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The TUF B650E-PLUS uses the B650E chipset, which adds PCIe 5.0 lanes, alongside 80A power stages and BIOS Flashback.
Best for
- Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi is a problem.
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 PRO B850-P at 3. On wired network speed it ties with the B760M-AYW D4, the B650M PG Lightning and the B760 Gaming Plus at 2.5Gbps.
It shares a wi-Fi 6E with the B650M PG Lightning and B760 Gaming Plus; the PRO B850-P goes with a wi-Fi 7. No other pick in this guide offers a B650E chipset; compare the B760 Gaming Plus, which has a B760 chipset. It was the highest-priced of the 5 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the PRO B850-P and the rest. The trade-off is wired network speed; for more, the PRO B850-P offers 5Gbps.
Key dimensions & 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
- Wired network speed trails the PRO B850-P (5Gbps)
- Costs more than the B760M-AYW D4 at the time of writing
How We Chose These Motherboards for Esports
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- We lined up 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.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the B760M-AYW D4 to the TUF B650E-PLUS, state wired network speed, wi-Fi and form factor.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The B650M PG Lightning gives no M.2 slot count; the B760M-AYW D4, the B760 Gaming Plus and the PRO B850-P give no power stages.
- Price range
- From the B760M-AYW D4 to the TUF B650E-PLUS, all sat in the $100 to $150 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a Motherboard for Esports
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Wired network speed across these picks
Here wired network speed runs from 2.5Gbps on the TUF B650E-PLUS to 5Gbps on the PRO B850-P. Start with the PRO B850-P if wired network speed decides it.
How much M.2 slot count you need
Here M.2 slot count runs from 2 on the B760 Gaming Plus to 3 on the PRO B850-P. The PRO B850-P is the pick for M.2 slot count. No figure for the B650M PG Lightning.
Power stages
The B650M PG Lightning lists 6+2+1; the TUF B650E-PLUS lists 12+2+1.
Socket
The B760M-AYW D4 and the B760 Gaming Plus list LGA1700; the B650M PG Lightning, the PRO B850-P and the TUF B650E-PLUS list AM5.
Extras that separate them
The B760 Gaming Plus: HDMI and DisplayPort outputs. The PRO B850-P: tool-free EZ M.2 clips. The TUF B650E-PLUS: BIOS Flashback.
How to Choose a Motherboard for Esports
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spending as little as possible | B760M-AYW D4 | The cheapest way into this group, below the B650M PG Lightning |
| Buyers who want BIOS Flashback | B650M PG Lightning | BIOS Flashback |
| Buyers who want Bluetooth 5.3 alongside Wi-Fi 6E | B760 Gaming Plus | Bluetooth 5.3 alongside Wi-Fi 6E |
| Buyers who put wired network speed first | PRO B850-P | The fastest wired network speed here (5Gbps) |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor | TUF B650E-PLUS | 80A DrMOS power stages at the highest price in the group |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The PRO B850-P leads on wired network speed at 5Gbps, ahead of the B760M-AYW D4 at 2.5Gbps. "Not listed" means the maker leaves that figure out.
| Board | M.2 slots | Wired LAN | Wi-Fi | Power stages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B760M-AYW D4 | 2 | 2.5Gbps | Wi-Fi 6 | Not listed |
| B650M PG Lightning | Not listed | 2.5Gbps | Wi-Fi 6E | 6+2+1 |
| B760 Gaming Plus | 2 | 2.5Gbps | Wi-Fi 6E | Not listed |
| PRO B850-P | 3 | 5Gbps | Wi-Fi 7 | Not listed |
| TUF B650E-PLUS | 3 | 2.5Gbps | Wi-Fi 6E | 12+2+1 |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the PRO B850-P ahead of the B760M-AYW D4 on wired network speed?
The PRO B850-P leads at 5Gbps, with the B760M-AYW D4 at 2.5Gbps.
What does the TUF B650E-PLUS add over the B760M-AYW D4?
On paper it adds M.2 slot count (3 against 2). The B760M-AYW D4 was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if those gains matter to you.
Why is the PRO B850-P our Fastest Wired Network Speed pick?
It earns the label for the fastest wired network speed here (5Gbps). It suits anyone who put wired network speed first.
Do the B760M-AYW D4 and the B650M PG Lightning differ on wi-Fi?
The B760M-AYW D4 uses Wi-Fi 6; the B650M PG Lightning, the B760 Gaming Plus and the TUF B650E-PLUS use Wi-Fi 6E; the PRO B850-P uses Wi-Fi 7.
What extras do the B760M-AYW D4 and the B650M PG Lightning include?
The B760M-AYW D4: a PCIe 5.0 x16 graphics slot. The B650M PG Lightning: BIOS Flashback. The B760 Gaming Plus: Bluetooth 5.3 alongside Wi-Fi 6E.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the B760M-AYW D4, chosen for the cheapest way into this group, below the B650M PG Lightning. Look at the B650M PG Lightning for BIOS Flashback, the B760 Gaming Plus for Bluetooth 5.3 alongside Wi-Fi 6E and the PRO B850-P for the fastest wired network speed here (5Gbps) if those matter more to you.
Use the wired LAN port for matches; keep Wi-Fi for backup.