Buying Guide
The Best Motherboards for Game Development
We weighed five motherboards on M.2 slot count and wired network speed; the Z790 Tomahawk MAX has the most M.2 slot count, and the B850 Pro RS costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Game projects grow quickly, so M.2 slots for separate engine, project and cache drives help. Every pick has four or more M.2 slots, ordered from the lowest price.
Rankings weigh M.2 slots, wired LAN and wi-Fi as the makers state them; we did not test these motherboards ourselves, and if a maker skips memory type, the guide says so.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Also Consider
ASRock B850 Pro RS WiFi
A PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot.
Best for: Buyers who want PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot.
Our take Check price for ASRock B850 Pro RS WiFi (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
ASRock Z790 Pro RS WiFi
Memory support to DDR5-7200 (OC).
Best for: Buyers who want memory support to DDR5-7200 (OC).
Our take Check price for ASRock Z790 Pro RS WiFi (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
ASRock B850 Steel Legend WiFi
A PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot.
Best for: Buyers who want PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot.
Our take Check price for ASRock B850 Steel Legend WiFi (opens in a new tab)
Most M.2 Slots
MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk MAX WiFi
The most M.2 slot count here (5).
Best for: Buyers who put M.2 slot count first.
Our take Check price for MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk MAX WiFi (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
ASUS ROG Strix B850-A Gaming WiFi
The top of this price range, adding a rear USB 20Gbps port.
Best for: Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Our take Check price for ASUS ROG Strix B850-A Gaming WiFi (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| A PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot. | Buyers who want PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot. | Check price for ASRock B850 Pro RS WiFi (opens in a new tab) |
| Memory support to DDR5-7200 (OC). | Buyers who want memory support to DDR5-7200 (OC). | Check price for ASRock Z790 Pro RS WiFi (opens in a new tab) |
| A PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot. | Buyers who want PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot. | Check price for ASRock B850 Steel Legend WiFi (opens in a new tab) |
| The most M.2 slot count here (5). | Buyers who put M.2 slot count first. | Check price for MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk MAX WiFi (opens in a new tab) |
| The top of this price range, adding a rear USB 20Gbps port. | Spending more for the fullest feature set. | Check price for ASUS ROG Strix B850-A Gaming WiFi (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Also Consider1 of 5
ASRock B850 Pro RS WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The B850 Pro RS keeps four M.2 slots and a 14+2+1 layout on a budget board, with Wi-Fi 6E.
Best for
- Buyers who want PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi is a problem.
Why we like it
It leaves more money for the graphics card. On M.2 slot count it ties with the Z790 Pro RS, the B850 Steel Legend and the Strix B850-A at 4. It shares a wi-Fi 6E with the Z790 Pro RS; the B850 Steel Legend goes with a wi-Fi 7.
It shares 14+2+1 power stages with the B850 Steel Legend; the Z790 Tomahawk MAX goes with 16+1+1 power stages. It also offers a PCIe 5.0 M.2 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. The main gap: M.2 slot count of 4, behind the Z790 Tomahawk MAX (5). If that matters, the Z790 Tomahawk MAX offers 5.
Key dimensions & specs
- M.2 slots: 4
- Wired LAN: 2.5Gbps
- Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6E
- Power stages: 14+2+1
- Form factor: ATX
- Socket: AM5
Pros
- 4 M.2 slots for SSD expansion
- 14+2+1 power stage layout
- PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot
Cons
- Wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi 7
- M.2 slot count of 4, behind the Z790 Tomahawk MAX (5)
Strong Alternative2 of 5
ASRock Z790 Pro RS WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Z790 Pro RS WiFi is one of the cheapest Z790 boards here, yet offers four M.2 slots, a 14+1+1 layout, Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5Gbps LAN.
Best for
- Buyers who want memory support to DDR5-7200 (OC).
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi 7.
Why we like it
On M.2 slot count it ties with the B850 Pro RS, the B850 Steel Legend and the Strix B850-A at 4. It shares a wi-Fi 6E with the B850 Pro RS; the B850 Steel Legend goes with a wi-Fi 7. You get 14+1+1 power stages here, which sets it apart from the Strix B850-A and its 14+2+2 power stages.
It shares an LGA1700 socket with the Z790 Tomahawk MAX; the B850 Steel Legend goes with an AM5 socket. You also get memory support to DDR5-7200 (OC). 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. The main gap: M.2 slot count of 4, behind the Z790 Tomahawk MAX (5). If that matters, the Z790 Tomahawk MAX offers 5.
Key dimensions & specs
- M.2 slots: 4
- Wired LAN: 2.5Gbps
- Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6E
- Power stages: 14+1+1
- Form factor: ATX
- Socket: LGA1700
- Memory type: DDR5
- Chipset: Z790
Pros
- 4 M.2 slots for SSD expansion
- 14+1+1 power stage layout
- Memory support to DDR5-7200 (OC)
- One of the lowest Z790 prices here
Cons
- Wi-Fi 6E rather than Wi-Fi 7
- M.2 slot count of 4, behind the Z790 Tomahawk MAX (5)
Worth a Look3 of 5
ASRock B850 Steel Legend WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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 PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the B850 Pro RS cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It fits light-themed builds that still need plenty of storage. On M.2 slot count it ties with the B850 Pro RS, the Z790 Pro RS and the Strix B850-A at 4. It shares a wi-Fi 7 with the Z790 Tomahawk MAX and Strix B850-A; the Z790 Pro RS goes with a wi-Fi 6E.
It shares 14+2+1 power stages with the B850 Pro RS; the Strix B850-A goes with 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. On price it sat third of 5, between the cheaper Z790 Pro RS and the pricier Z790 Tomahawk MAX, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & 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 B850 Pro RS at the time of writing
Most M.2 Slots4 of 5
MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk MAX WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Z790 Tomahawk MAX offers five M.2 slots, Wi-Fi 7 and a 16+1+1 layout.
Best for
- Buyers who put M.2 slot count first.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the B850 Pro RS was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It is the most complete Z790 board for its price here. On M.2 slot count it leads this guide at 5, ahead of the B850 Pro RS (4). It shares a wi-Fi 7 with the B850 Steel Legend and Strix B850-A; the Z790 Pro RS goes with a wi-Fi 6E.
16+1+1 power stages is unique to it among these picks, while the Z790 Pro RS uses 14+1+1 power stages. It shares an LGA1700 socket with the Z790 Pro RS; the B850 Steel Legend goes with an AM5 socket. It also comes with Bluetooth 5.4 alongside Wi-Fi 7 and a PCIe 5.0 graphics slot.
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. Its price falls between the B850 Steel Legend and the Strix B850-A, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- M.2 slots: 5
- Wired LAN: 2.5Gbps
- Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 7
- Power stages: 16+1+1
- Form factor: ATX
- Socket: LGA1700
- Memory type: DDR5
- Chipset: Z790
Pros
- 5 M.2 slots for SSD expansion
- Wi-Fi 7 built in
- 16+1+1 power stage layout
- Bluetooth 5.4 alongside Wi-Fi 7
Cons
- Costs more than the B850 Pro RS at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
ASUS ROG Strix B850-A Gaming WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Strix B850-A gives a 9800X3D everything it needs: a 14+2+2 power layout, four M.2 slots and Wi-Fi 7, without X870E pricing.
Best for
- Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Skip if
- Skip it if M.2 slot count matters most to you; the Z790 Tomahawk MAX offers 5.
Why we like it
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 B850 Pro RS, the Z790 Pro RS and the B850 Steel Legend at 4. It shares a wi-Fi 7 with the B850 Steel Legend and Z790 Tomahawk MAX; the Z790 Pro RS goes with a wi-Fi 6E. You get 14+2+2 power stages here, which sets it apart from the Z790 Tomahawk MAX and its 16+1+1 power stages.
It also comes with a rear USB 20Gbps port. 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 Z790 Tomahawk MAX and the rest. The trade-off is M.2 slot count; for more, the Z790 Tomahawk MAX offers 5.
Key dimensions & specs
- M.2 slots: 4
- Wired LAN: 2.5Gbps
- Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 7
- Power stages: 14+2+2
- Form factor: ATX
- Socket: AM5
Pros
- 4 M.2 slots for SSD expansion
- Wi-Fi 7 built in
- 14+2+2 power stage layout
- Rear USB 20Gbps port
Cons
- M.2 slot count trails the Z790 Tomahawk MAX (5)
- Costs more than the B850 Pro RS at the time of writing
How We Chose These Motherboards for Game Development
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Storage
- We counted listed M.2 slots and PCIe 5.0 support.
- Platform
- We checked socket, chipset and form factor from each listing.
- Connectivity
- We compared Wi-Fi, wired LAN speed and USB4.
- Power delivery
- We noted power stage layouts where the maker lists them.
What to Look for in a Motherboard for Game Development
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Count M.2 slots
Most games now install to NVMe drives. Count how many M.2 slots you need now and later, and check which ones share lanes with other ports.
Networking matters for daily use
Wi-Fi 7 and 5Gbps Ethernet help only if your router supports them, but built-in Wi-Fi saves a PCIe card.
Check the rear and front I/O
Count USB ports you use every day and confirm a front USB-C header if your case has a USB-C port.
Check BIOS support and Flashback
A board may need a BIOS update before it runs a newer CPU. BIOS Flashback lets you update without a working CPU installed.
Match the chipset to your plans
On AM5, B850 covers most gaming builds with PCIe 5.0 for at least one slot. X870E adds more PCIe 5.0 lanes and USB4 for heavy expansion.
Features, not frame rates, separate the chipsets.
Power delivery for high-end CPUs
Boards with more and stronger power stages run hot 16-core chips more comfortably. For eight-core gaming CPUs, most current boards are enough.
How to Choose a Motherboard for Game Development
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who want PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot | B850 Pro RS | A PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot |
| Buyers who want memory support to DDR5-7200 (OC) | Z790 Pro RS | Memory support to DDR5-7200 (OC) |
| Buyers who want PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot | B850 Steel Legend | A PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot |
| Buyers who put M.2 slot count first | Z790 Tomahawk MAX | The most M.2 slot count here (5) |
| Spending more for the fullest feature set | Strix B850-A | The top of this price range, adding a rear USB 20Gbps port |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states them.
| Board | M.2 slots | Wired LAN | Wi-Fi | Power stages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B850 Pro RS | 4 | 2.5Gbps | Wi-Fi 6E | 14+2+1 |
| Z790 Pro RS | 4 | 2.5Gbps | Wi-Fi 6E | 14+1+1 |
| B850 Steel Legend | 4 | 2.5Gbps | Wi-Fi 7 | 14+2+1 |
| Z790 Tomahawk MAX | 5 | 2.5Gbps | Wi-Fi 7 | 16+1+1 |
| Strix B850-A | 4 | 2.5Gbps | Wi-Fi 7 | 14+2+2 |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
Prices change often; these tiers reflect Amazon prices when this guide was updated.
| Price tier | Boards |
|---|---|
| About $100 to $150 | B850 Pro RS, Z790 Pro RS |
| About $150 to $250 | B850 Steel Legend, Z790 Tomahawk MAX, Strix B850-A |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which pick leads on M.2 slot count?
The Z790 Tomahawk MAX, at 5. The B850 Pro RS follows at 4, while the Strix B850-A has 4.
Which pick costs the least here?
The B850 Pro RS cost the least when we checked, and the Strix B850-A sat at the top of the range. Prices move often, so check the current listing before buying.
What size motherboard should I buy?
ATX fits most mid-towers and has the most slots. Micro-ATX and Mini-ITX suit smaller cases with fewer expansion needs.
Is built-in Wi-Fi worth it?
Yes if you cannot run a cable. Otherwise wired Ethernet is more consistent.
Do I need X870E for gaming?
No. A B850 board runs the same CPUs at the same speed; X870E adds more PCIe 5.0 lanes, USB4 and expansion.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the B850 Pro RS, chosen for a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot. Look at the Z790 Pro RS for memory support to DDR5-7200 (OC), the B850 Steel Legend for a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot and the Z790 Tomahawk MAX for the most M.2 slot count here (5) if those matter more to you.
Check which M.2 slots share lanes with the SATA ports or the second PCIe slot.