Buying Guide

The Best Motherboards for Photo Editing

From the X870 Steel Legend to the X870E AORUS Elite: five motherboards ranked on M.2 slot count and wired network speed, with who should skip each one.

By The PC Journal editorial team

12 min read5 products evaluated

Photographers move large RAW folders from cards and external drives, and USB4 makes that fast. Every pick has USB4, ordered from the lowest price.

This is a research roundup, not a lab test: M.2 slots, wired LAN and wi-Fi come from each maker's published specs; nothing here was tested in-house, and a missing M.2 slots is flagged, not filled in.

Quick Picks

Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.

  1. Also Consider

    ASRock X870 Steel Legend WiFi

    Memory support to DDR5-8000 (OC).

    Best for: Buyers who want memory support to DDR5-8000 (OC).

    Our take Check price for ASRock X870 Steel Legend WiFi (opens in a new tab)

  2. Strong Alternative

    ASRock X870 Pro-A WiFi

    Two rear USB4 Type-C ports.

    Best for: Buyers who want two rear USB4 Type-C ports.

    Our take Check price for ASRock X870 Pro-A WiFi (opens in a new tab)

  3. Fastest Wired Network Speed

    MSI PRO X870-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 X870-P WiFi (opens in a new tab)

  4. Worth a Look

    ASUS X870 MAX Gaming WIFI7 W

    An 8-layer white PCB.

    Best for: Buyers who want 8-layer white PCB.

    Our take Check price for ASUS X870 MAX Gaming WIFI7 W (opens in a new tab)

  5. Most M.2 Slots

    GIGABYTE X870E AORUS Elite WiFi 7

    The most M.2 slot count here (4).

    Best for: Buyers who put M.2 slot count first.

    Our take Check price for GIGABYTE X870E AORUS Elite WiFi 7 (opens in a new tab)

Our Picks

ASRock X870 Steel Legend WiFi

Also Consider1 of 5

ASRock X870 Steel Legend WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

The X870 Steel Legend brings USB4, Wi-Fi 7 and a 14+2+1 layout to one of the lowest X870 prices.

Best for

Buyers who want memory support to DDR5-8000 (OC).

Skip if

Skip it if you need to know its M.2 slot count before buying; the maker doesn't publish one.

Why we like it

The maker doesn't state its M.2 count, so check the manual. It is the only pick here with 14+2+1 power stages; the X870 Pro-A has 16+2+1 power stages instead. It also comes with memory support to DDR5-8000 (OC) and a white and silver finish.

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. If you want a confirmed M.2 slot count, look to the X870E AORUS Elite instead: it offers 4, while this one gives no figure.

Key dimensions & specs

  • Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 7
  • Power stages: 14+2+1
  • USB4: Yes
  • Form factor: ATX
  • Socket: AM5
  • Chipset: X870

Pros

  • Wi-Fi 7 built in
  • 14+2+1 power stage layout
  • USB4 ports on the rear panel
  • Memory support to DDR5-8000 (OC)

Cons

  • No published M.2 slot count
  • No published wired network speed
ASRock X870 Pro-A WiFi

Strong Alternative2 of 5

ASRock X870 Pro-A WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

The X870 Pro-A stands out for two rear USB4 Type-C ports, and it adds memory support to DDR5-8000 (OC).

Best for

Buyers who want two rear USB4 Type-C ports.

Skip if

Its M.2 slot count is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.

Why we like it

It also offers a 2.5Gbps wired network speed. It has a 16+2+1 phase VRM, one PCIe 5.0 x16 slot and a Gen5 M.2 slot. DDR5 is supported up to 8,000+ with overclocking.

On wired network speed it ties with the X870 MAX Gaming W and the X870E AORUS Elite at 2.5Gbps. You get 16+2+1 power stages here, which sets it apart from the X870E AORUS Elite and its 16+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. The maker doesn't give its M.2 slot count; if that figure matters, the X870E AORUS Elite offers 4.

Key dimensions & specs

  • Wired LAN: 2.5Gbps
  • Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 7
  • Power stages: 16+2+1
  • USB4: Yes
  • Form factor: ATX
  • Socket: AM5
  • Chipset: X870

Pros

  • Wi-Fi 7 built in
  • 16+2+1 power stage layout
  • USB4 ports on the rear panel
  • Two rear USB4 Type-C ports

Cons

  • No published M.2 slot count
MSI PRO X870-P WiFi

Fastest Wired Network Speed3 of 5

MSI PRO X870-P WiFi on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

The PRO X870-P keeps 5Gbps Ethernet, Wi-Fi 7 and USB4 on a plain board.

Best for

Buyers who put wired network speed first.

Skip if

Skip it if price comes first: the X870 Steel Legend cost less when we checked.

Why we like it

Three M.2 slots are one fewer than the pricier X870 boards. It matches the X870 MAX Gaming W on M.2 slot count (3). On wired network speed it leads this guide at 5Gbps, ahead of the X870 Pro-A (2.5Gbps).

It also comes with a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot and Bluetooth 5.4 alongside Wi-Fi 7. 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 X870 Pro-A and cheaper picks cost less, and the X870 MAX Gaming W cost more.

Key dimensions & specs

  • M.2 slots: 3
  • Wired LAN: 5Gbps
  • Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 7
  • USB4: Yes
  • Form factor: ATX
  • Socket: AM5
  • Chipset: X870

Pros

  • 5Gbps wired Ethernet
  • Wi-Fi 7 built in
  • USB4 ports on the rear panel
  • PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot

Cons

  • Costs more than the X870 Steel Legend at the time of writing
ASUS X870 MAX Gaming WIFI7 W

Worth a Look4 of 5

ASUS X870 MAX Gaming WIFI7 W on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

The X870 MAX Gaming WIFI7 W puts USB4, Wi-Fi 7 and BIOS Flashback on a white PCB.

Best for

Buyers who want 8-layer white PCB.

Skip if

Skip it if M.2 slot count matters most to you; the X870E AORUS Elite offers 4.

Why we like it

Three M.2 slots and a 12+2+1 layout keep it mid-range. On M.2 slot count it ties with the PRO X870-P at 3. On wired network speed it ties with the X870 Pro-A and the X870E AORUS Elite at 2.5Gbps.

You get 12+2+1 power stages here, which sets it apart from the X870 Pro-A and its 16+2+1 power stages. You also get Q-Release graphics card release. 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 fourth of 5, between the cheaper PRO X870-P and the pricier X870E AORUS Elite, at the time of writing. The trade-off is M.2 slot count; for more, the X870E AORUS Elite offers 4.

Key dimensions & specs

  • M.2 slots: 3
  • Wired LAN: 2.5Gbps
  • Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 7
  • Power stages: 12+2+1
  • USB4: Yes
  • Form factor: ATX
  • Socket: AM5
  • Chipset: X870

Pros

  • Wi-Fi 7 built in
  • USB4 ports on the rear panel
  • 8-layer white PCB
  • BIOS Flashback

Cons

  • M.2 slot count trails the X870E AORUS Elite (4)
  • Costs more than the X870 Steel Legend at the time of writing
GIGABYTE X870E AORUS Elite WiFi 7

Most M.2 Slots5 of 5

GIGABYTE X870E AORUS Elite WiFi 7 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

The X870E AORUS Elite keeps four M.2 slots, USB4 and a 16+2+2 layout at a lower price than the Master, with 2.5Gbps rather than 5Gbps Ethernet.

Best for

Buyers who put M.2 slot count first.

Skip if

Skip it if wired network speed matters most to you; the PRO X870-P offers 5Gbps.

Why we like it

It has dual USB4, four M.2 slots and PCIe 5.0, with VRM and M.2 thermal guards. Its 4 M.2 slot count is the most here; the PRO X870-P comes next at 3. On wired network speed it ties with the X870 Pro-A and the X870 MAX Gaming W at 2.5Gbps.

16+2+2 power stages is unique to it among these picks, while the X870 Steel Legend uses 14+2+1 power stages. It also comes with AMD EXPO memory profile support. 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 was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the X870 MAX Gaming W.

Key dimensions & specs

  • M.2 slots: 4
  • Wired LAN: 2.5Gbps
  • Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 7
  • Power stages: 16+2+2
  • USB4: Yes
  • Form factor: ATX
  • Socket: AM5

Pros

  • 4 M.2 slots for SSD expansion
  • Wi-Fi 7 built in
  • 16+2+2 power stage layout
  • USB4 ports on the rear panel

Cons

  • Wired network speed trails the PRO X870-P (5Gbps)
  • Costs more than the X870 Steel Legend at the time of writing

How We Chose These Motherboards for Photo Editing

Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.

Power delivery
We noted power stage layouts where the maker lists them.
Platform
We checked socket, chipset and form factor from each listing.
Connectivity
We compared Wi-Fi, wired LAN speed and USB4.
Storage
We counted listed M.2 slots and PCIe 5.0 support.

What to Look for in a Motherboard for Photo Editing

Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.

  1. Where these picks differ: wired network speed

    Among these picks, wired network speed runs from 2.5Gbps on the X870E AORUS Elite to 5Gbps on the PRO X870-P. Pick the lowest figure that covers your use; the extra usually costs more than it returns.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

How to Choose a Motherboard for Photo Editing

By priority

PriorityConsiderWhy
Buyers who want memory support to DDR5-8000 (OC)X870 Steel LegendMemory support to DDR5-8000 (OC)
Buyers who want two rear USB4 Type-C portsX870 Pro-ATwo rear USB4 Type-C ports
Buyers who put wired network speed firstPRO X870-PThe fastest wired network speed here (5Gbps)
Buyers who want 8-layer white PCBX870 MAX Gaming WAn 8-layer white PCB
Buyers who put M.2 slot count firstX870E AORUS EliteThe most M.2 slot count here (4)

Scroll sideways to see every column.

Key specs side by side

Figures as each maker states them.

BoardM.2 slotsWired LANWi-FiPower stages
X870 Steel LegendNot listedNot listedWi-Fi 714+2+1
X870 Pro-ANot listed2.5GbpsWi-Fi 716+2+1
PRO X870-P35GbpsWi-Fi 7Not listed
X870 MAX Gaming W32.5GbpsWi-Fi 712+2+1
X870E AORUS Elite42.5GbpsWi-Fi 716+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 tierBoards
About $150 to $250X870 Steel Legend, X870 Pro-A, PRO X870-P, X870 MAX Gaming W
About $250 to $500X870E AORUS Elite

Frequently Asked Questions

Which pick leads on M.2 slot count?

The X870E AORUS Elite leads at 4, ahead of the PRO X870-P at 3; the X870 MAX Gaming W sits at the other end with 3.

Which pick costs the least here?

The X870 Steel Legend cost the least when we checked, and the X870E AORUS Elite sat at the top of the range. Prices move often, so check the current listing before buying.

Is built-in Wi-Fi worth it?

Yes if you cannot run a cable. Otherwise wired Ethernet is more consistent.

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.

Will a new board work with my CPU out of the box?

Usually, but check the board's CPU support list. If your chip needs a newer BIOS, BIOS Flashback updates it from a USB drive.

Bottom Line

Our first pick is the X870 Steel Legend, chosen for memory support to DDR5-8000 (OC). Look at the X870 Pro-A for two rear USB4 Type-C ports, the PRO X870-P for the fastest wired network speed here (5Gbps) and the X870 MAX Gaming W for an 8-layer white PCB if those matter more to you.

Check that your card reader or drive supports the speed your port offers.