Choosing the best motherboards for gaming is critical, whether you’re a first-time builder or a seasoned PC enthusiast. Think of the motherboard as the foundation and nervous system of your computer – it dictates what your gaming PC can and cannot do. And with today’s ever-expanding array of chipsets, sockets, and features, finding the right fit can feel like navigating a maze. But once you know what to look for, certain boards will start standing out – not just on spec sheets, but in how well they bring your entire build together.
| Motherboard (Platform) | Key Features | Price Tier |
| ASRock X870E Taichi (AMD AM5) |
| High-End 💰💰💰 |
| Gigabyte X670 Aorus Elite AX (AMD AM5) |
| Mid 💰💰 |
| ASUS TUF Gaming B650-Plus WiFi (AMD AM5) |
| Budget – Mid💰 |
| ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero (Intel LGA1700) |
| High-End 💰💰💰💰 |
| MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi (Intel LGA1700) |
| Mid 💰💰 |
| ASUS ROG Strix B760-F Gaming WiFi (Intel LGA1700) |
| Mid 💰💰 |
| Gigabyte B760 Aorus Elite AX (Intel LGA1700) |
| Budget – Mid💰 |
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If you’re looking for the best AM5 motherboards for gaming, the ASRock X870E Taichi is a top contender. This board is built for AMD’s newest Ryzen chips (7000 series and beyond) and delivers near-flagship features at a price lower than many competing high-end boards.
In our research, we found the X870E Taichi comes loaded with ultra-fast connectivity – including USB4 Type-C ports (40Gbps), updated networking like Wi-Fi 7 and 5 GbE Ethernet, and robust power delivery to fuel high-core-count CPUs. In fact, ASRock’s Taichi line has impressed reviewers in recent years by offering premium specs at a more affordable price than rivals. The latest X870E Taichi continues that trend, making it easy to recommend for building a high-end Ryzen 7000/8000/9000 gaming rig.
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Not interested in those flagship prices? Gigabyte’s X670 Aorus Elite AX is a top-rated motherboard that hits the sweet spot for AMD’s AM5 platform. It’s often cited as the best AMD X670 gaming motherboard because it offers just about everything you could need for a high-performance build, without the exorbitant cost.
This board is loaded with features: four M.2 slots for plenty of NVMe SSD storage, a whopping 13 USB ports on the rear I/O, plus AMD’s RZ616 Wi-Fi 6E module and 2.5 GbE LAN for speedy networking. Despite this richness, the Aorus Elite AX is priced around $450, making it more value-for-money than other pricier X670E boards.
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If you’re on a tighter budget, the TUF B650-Plus WiFi is highly recommended as a motherboard for gaming with AMD’s Ryzen 7000 CPUs. Priced around $350, the TUF B650-Plus focuses on essentials and reliability. It features a robust 12+2 DrMOS power stage design with chunky heatsinks, meaning it can handle even a high-end Ryzen 9 7950X without breaking a sweat.
Early AM5 adopters might recall some BIOS teething issues at launch, but boards like this TUF series have since matured into stable and hassle-free performers on the new platform. And while you may not get extravagant extras, what you do get is rock-solid performance and durability (true to the TUF name), plus modern must-haves like DDR5 support, Wi-Fi 6, and plenty of USB ports.
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4. ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero: Premium Z790 powerhouse
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Stepping into Intel territory, the ROG Maximus Z790 Hero is an enthusiast-grade motherboard that pulls out all the stops. Part of ASUS’s flagship ROG lineup, the Z790 Hero is built to satisfy overclockers and hardcore gamers who want the best of the best. This board boasts a 20+1 phase VRM with high-amperage stages, meaning it can overclock Intel 12th/13th Gen processors (and the upcoming 14th Gen refresh) with ease. The Maximus Hero even has some ROG signature touches like a pre-mounted I/O shield, Q-Code debug display, BIOS flashback, and onboard buttons for making the PC building and tuning process a joy.
All this luxury does come at a steep price. And interestingly, some competing ultra-premium boards throw in extras like 10 GbE networking, which the Hero lacks. But unless you truly need such niche features, the Z790 Hero covers practically everything an enthusiast could desire.
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MSI’s MAG Tomahawk series has long been beloved for delivering high-end features at mid-range prices, and the Z790 Tomahawk WiFi is no exception. It’s often hailed as the best gaming motherboard for Intel LGA1700 in terms of value, offering a huge number of ports and features for the cash.
This ATX board is a true all-rounder. It supports both 12th and 13th Gen Intel Core processors out of the box (and is 14th Gen-ready with a BIOS update). You get four M.2 slots for ample NVMe SSD storage, plenty of SATA ports for additional drives, and a healthy assortment of USB ports. The Tomahawk’s 16+1+1 VRM design and large heatsinks provide stable power even for an i7 or i9, though it’s more geared toward running stock or mildly boosted clocks. Still, features like Wi-Fi 6E networking and 2.5 GbE LAN are built in, so you’re covered for fast internet out of the box.
Another plus is the support for both DDR5 and DDR4 variants, giving budget builders flexibility. Overall, the MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk hits a sweet spot: it’s robust, feature-rich, and reasonably priced. It’s no wonder this board comes highly recommended by experienced builders as a go-to choice for a gaming PC in 2025.
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If you don’t need the extreme overclocking capability of a Z790 board, a B760 chipset board like the ROG Strix B760-F Gaming WiFi can save you some cash while still delivering a premium gaming experience.
This Strix B760-F is a well-equipped mainstream Intel motherboard that brings many ROG luxuries into the mid-range segment. It features 16+1 teamed power stages, which is plenty to comfortably run and turbo-boost any 13th Gen Core i5 or i7. We also love that ASUS didn’t skimp on things like the audio – it uses a premium ROG SupremeFX (ALC4080) sound codec for high-quality onboard audio.
Convenience features like Q-Latch (tool-less M.2 and PCIe slot latches) make building with this board a breeze. And while there may be cheaper B760 boards with just as many features, you’re paying for the ROG polish and extras here. Pair it with a locked 13600K/14600K or similar, and you’ll have a rock-solid, stylish gaming PC that’s ready to rock out of the box.
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Rounding out our list is a true budget hero from Gigabyte: the B760 Aorus Elite AX that brings a lot to the table. In terms of core features, it covers all the essentials a gaming build needs. You get a 12+1+1 phase VRM design, solid for running stock Intel chips up to Core i7, three M.2 SSD slots and four SATA ports for additional drives.
Networking is current-gen with built-in Wi-Fi 6E wireless and a 2.5 GbE Ethernet port. The board also provides a good assortment of USB ports. Essentially, the Aorus Elite AX gives you peace of mind that none of the basics are missing.
One noteworthy omission at this level is overclocking support, which is expected of typical B760 boards, but that’s why Intel offers cheaper chipsets. Also, USB4/Thunderbolt ports don’t make an appearance here. However, given what it does include for the money, the Gigabyte B760 Aorus Elite AX stands out as one of the best budget motherboards for gaming builds in 2025.
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Building or upgrading a gaming PC can be intimidating, but picking the right motherboard ensures the rest of your components can truly shine. Remember, the “best” board for you is one that fits your CPU choice, supports your desired features, and stays within budget. And if you’re planning a full build, don’t miss our other guides – check out the best CPU coolers for keeping your processor chilled, our step-by-step tutorial on how to build a PC, or our roundup of the best graphics cards to pair with your new motherboard!
You'd be past The Point Of No Return after this.
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