Best motherboard 2018: the top Intel and AMD motherboards we've seen

INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
While not as exciting as the best processors or graphics cards, the best motherboards arguably carry more weight than any other component in
your system
Not only do they serve as the backbone of your PC, but the best motherboards also feature the latest technologies behind all of the best PCs
These features will help your computer reach its full potential by fully utilizing your hardware
They can even give your CPU more overclocking headroom, further expanding your potential performance.However, because of the vital
importance the best motherboards carry, it's absolutely necessary to ensure you get one that will last
literal nightmare of having to replace it
the best graphics card
much cheaper H370, H310, Q370 and B360 chipsets
you find the best motherboard for your needs in 2018
Every single motherboard here has been tested by the TechRadar editorial staff and has earned our seal of approval
Not only will the motherboards on this list do everything you need them to do and more, they are built to last
motherboard: Z370 Aorus Gaming 7Find the top of your gameForm Factor: ATX | Socket: LGA-1151 (8th-gen only) | Chipset: Intel Z370 | Memory
support: 4 x DIMM sockets (up to 64GB) | Multi-GPU support: Nvidia 2- and 4-way GPU SLI, AMD 2-, 3- and 4-way CrossFire | Features: 3 x PCIe
shines
an ATX tower case
You can reasonably expect upwards of 5GHz consistently with this motherboard
Micro ATX | Socket: LGA-1151 (7th-gen and earlier) | Chipset: Intel B250 | Memory Support: Dual-Channel 2 x DDR4 2400MHz (up to 32GB) |
Multi-GPU support: No | Features: 1 x PCIe M.2 (32-110mm), Intel Optane Memory ReadyMicro ATX form factorInexpensiveNot much room for
expansionOnly 2 RAM slotsYou don't need to break the bank to get your computer off on the right footing
This board from MSI is a great, inexpensive solution
It's limited in options for future expansions, so it's ideal for a one-and-done build
Since it's a gaming motherboard it has support for things like "Mystic Light Sync," which lets you synchronize all your RGB lighting with a
single click
LGA-1151 (7th-gen and earlier) | Chipset: Intel B250 | Memory Support: Dual-Channel 4 x DDR4 2400MHz (up to 64GB) | Multi-GPU support: 2-Way
SLI, AMD Quad CrossFire X | Features: 1 x U.2, 1 x M.2 (Key M), Intel Optane Memory ReadyOn-board video supportSupports 7.1 channel
You lose out on the possibility of extra PCIe slots, but there are 4 memory slots to upgrade to a maximum 64GB DDR4 RAM
It also has support for on-board graphics, so if you're building a computer piecemeal, you can still use it before buying a dedicated
graphics card.Best Intel Mini-ITX motherboard: Asus ROG Strix Z370-I GamingThis small form factor motherboard is litForm factor: Mini-ITX |
Socket: LGA-1151 (8th-gen only) | Chipset: Intel Z370 | Memory Support: Dual-Channel 2 x DDR4 4,333MHz | Multi-GPU support: No | Features:
Aura Sync RGB lighting, onboard M.2 heatsink, 5-way optimization, USB 3.1 Gen 2, Gigabit Ethernet with LANGuard, GameFirst, 2x2 802.11ac
Wi-Fi and MU-MIMO supportFlashy looksWi-Fi antennas includedLacks SLI/Crossfire supportThe best Intel Mini-ITX motherboard on this list
kicks things off by being one of the best Z370 motherboards you can buy today
the Core i7-8700K all the way down to the Core i3-8100
Gigabyte X470 Aorus Gaming 7 Wi-FiForm Factor: ATX | Socket: AM4 | Chipset: AMD X470 | Memory Support: Dual-Channel 4 x DDR4 3,600MHz (up to
64GB) | Multi-GPU support: Quad-GPU SLI, CrossFire | Features: 2 x M.2 (Key M), Q-Flash, Multi Zone RGB lightingAmazing looking
motherboardGreat expandabilityExpensiveWith the X470 Aorus Gaming 7 Wi-Fi, Gigabyte further illustrates its mastery of motherboard design
Rocking the new AMD X470 chipset, allowing full support of the new AMD Ryzen 2nd Generation processors, this is the best motherboard if
changing
Marketed exclusively to gamers, the MSI X470 Gaming Plus is loaded front to back with features like 2 PCIe M.2 slots and quick performance
Socket: AMD AM4 | Chipset: AMD Promontory B350 | Memory Support: Dual-Channel 4 x DDR4 3,200MHz (up to 64GB) | Multi-GPU support: 2-Way SLI,
get where you need to go, and you don't care about things like fancy RGB lighting or eye-catching, futuristic-looking heat dissipators, the
AB350M Pro4 is the motherboard for you
In spite of its plain-Jane looks and no-frills aesthetic, this is a solid motherboard with plenty of room to expand and grow with your
computer needs.Best AMD Mini-ITX motherboard: ASUS ROG Strix X470-ISmall size, huge performanceForm Factor: Mini-ITX | Socket: AMD AM4 |
Chipset: AMD X470 | Memory Support: Dual-Channel 2 x DDR4 3,466MHz (up to 32GB) | Multi-GPU support: No | Features: 1 x PCIe M.2 (Key
ROG Strix X470-I
Supporting the latest AMD chipset, everything in this tiny board is designed with performance in mind
Even down to the BIOS, where you can find a stress-test for overclocks before you boot into Windows
This board even elevates beyond the constraints of the Mini-ITX form factor by including a M.2 Audio Combo riser, so that you can install
up to 11, but more accurately, 4400MHz memoryForm Factor: ATX | Socket: LGA-2066 | Chipset: Intel X299 | Memory Support: Quad-Channel 8 x
DDR4 4,400MHz (up to 128GB) | Multi-GPU support: Nvidia 3-Way SLI, AMD 3-Way CrossFireX | Features: 3 x PCIe M.2 (Key M)Gigantic memory
supportSlots for 8 RAM modulesHigh priceThe X-series processors are here and they're spectacular, so if you want to take advantage of all
they have to offer, you need an X-series motherboard
This ASRock X299 is an excellent choice, with support for overclocked memory speeds up to 4400MHz(!!!) and 8 different slots for memory
modules
anything you throw at it.Best AMD Ryzen Threadripper motherboard: ASRock X399 Professional Gaming sTR4This is the motherboard AMD dreams are
made ofForm Factor: ATX | Socket: sTR4 | Chipset: AMD X399 | Memory Support: Dual -Channel 4 x DDR4 3,200MHz (up to 128GB) | Multi-GPU
Threadripper board is certainly for you
It supports 4-way SLI or Crossfire configurations, so you can just empty your bank account in the name of PC glory
All that graphical horsepower can be supported by as much as 128GB DDR4 memory, and it even features some flashy RGB lighting to let
like to include a bit of a primer for anyone who might not know what to look for
Motherboards are available in a range of different form factors, most commonly ATX and micro ATX
However there are plenty of more esoteric form factors including the recent mini ITX
motherboards, we detailed the socket type that each mobo adheres to
For those not in the know, the socket is the part on the motherboard that the CPU locks into
Typically, newer Intel processors use either LGA 1151 or 2066 while the latest AMD Ryzen architecture is designed for the AM4
chipset.HAKqTKChcmhFEAvpN7qeGh.jpg#