Choosing the right motherboard for your build is a big part of the process. Motherboards are the base of all your other components, so it is important to get one that has all the features you want at a good price point.
Models vary by manufacturer, so check out reviews from other builders to see what brands are recommendable. Also, check for compatibility with any additional parts you want to use, such as water cooling or Overclocking software.
At GearHungry, we love building and designing systems, and we love sharing our tips and recommendations with other builders. We have compiled a list of the best motherboards available for each major chipset on the market right now. So scroll down and find your next motherboard!
Note: This article is updated periodically with new motherboards as they become available that meet our standards of quality and reliability. These listings are updated according to popularity and reader requests.
What are the specs?
This motherboard has the specifications of a mid-range motherboard. It has one Gigabyte GA-970A-DS3P AMD 970 chipset, 2 memory slots that support up to 32 GB of DDR3 RAM, 6 GB/s SATA ports, and USB 3.0 ports.
The best part about this motherboard is the price! You can find this at around $50-$60 depending on where you shop. For the quality and features it offers, this is a great price. It is also very durable since it is made from solid material such as aluminum and iron.
This motherboard would be great for someone just starting out building their own computer or wanting to do some casual gaming.
What are the pros?
This motherboard is very sturdy and reliable. You can trust it to not fail you when you need it. It is made by a well-known brand in the electronics industry, giving you confidence in the lasting quality.
It is very affordable, making it a good investment. You will not pay a high price for quality hardware that fails you. The pricing is very fair for the quality of product you receive.
It has many features such as six USB ports, three of which are USB 3.0, making transferring files fast. It also has several ports for SATA hard drives allowing enough space for all your devices.
The only con is that this motherboard does not have built-in WiFi or Bluetooth so you will have to purchase those separately if you need them.
What are the cons?
Although this is a very good motherboard, there are some minor issues with it. One of them is the fact that the BIOS is not the latest version.
This does not affect the performance or stability of the motherboard, but may prevent some updates from being applied through a BIOS update.
Another con is that some components may not fit properly on the board. This is due to lack of space between components, and can cause problems with building or running parts of your computer.
The last con is that this motherboard does not support Intel WiFi chips. If you plan on using a dedicated wireless adapter, make sure it is a AMD compatible one to avoid issue later on.
Is it right for me?
If you are planning to build a computer in the near future, then this is the best time to buy the parts. Not only will you save money now, you will also have a hard time finding the parts at such low prices elsewhere.
There are two main reasons why you should buy your parts now. The first is that new hardware is coming out soon, and the second is that stock is low due to people building new computers.
If you are unsure if you are ready to build a computer, then check out our posts on how to build a computer for starters, and then how to build a gaming computer for more advanced builders!
There are always deals on components, so keep an eye out for those as well.
Where can I buy it?
You can buy this motherboard on Amazon for about $80-$100 depending on the version. The AM3+ version is the most compatible with older CPUs, so that is our recommendation!
Amazon often has great deals on components, so keep an eye out! You can also check out other places to buy the board like Newegg or Memory Express. Both have great prices as well!
Other important components you will need aside from the motherboard are a CPU, RAM, and a GPU. Check out our other reviews for those parts!
Overall, this is a great budget AM3+ motherboard that will last you a while! If you are building on a small budget, this is the way to go. You will not be missing out on many features, but you will be getting quality nonetheless.
How much does it cost?
When choosing your motherboard, price is always a concern. While most brands will have similar features, the difference in price can be dramatic.
Prices range from $30 all the way up to $300+ for the top of the line models. These high-end models will have the best quality components and features, so if you plan on overclocking or adding extra components later, then it may be worth the investment.
Mid-range models are an excellent choice as well, and you will not lose much in features or quality compared to the cheaper ones. Try to find one that fits your needs and budget!
And remember, you can always upgrade later, so investing in a lower budget model is still helpful.
What are the connections and ports?
There are a few things to consider when looking at the ports and connections of a motherboard. The first is the GPU slot, in which you choose your graphics card.
The next is the memory slots, where you install your memory sticks. Lastly, you have the system bus, which determines the speed of the computer.
The best motherboards have all three of these features integrated into one, allowing for a seamless build process. Some even have special features like water cooling support or fan controls to optimize performance.
Does it support SLI or Crossfire?
Yes, this motherboard does support both SLI and Crossfire. This is a very common feature in motherboards and even some lower end ones support it.
Some motherboards do not support SLI or Crossfire, so if that is a feature you are looking for, make sure to check before purchasing!
Some also only support one or the other which is something to watch out for as well.
The best way to test if your GPUs will work together is to try them out! If you have an older GPU that you are ready to part with, try testing it out with this motherboard – chances are it will work!
If you are looking to purchase this board and want to use SLI or Crossfire, I would recommend buying two of the same GPU model. This way the cards will be compatible and run at the same speed.
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