Which Motherboard is Best for Gaming on a Budget?
If you’re a gamer building a rig on a budget, you’re going to need to make some tough decisions. One of the most important components in a gaming PC is the motherboard. It acts as the central hub for all the other components, so choosing the right one is essential. In this post, we’re going to take a look at some of the best budget motherboards for gaming.
Before we get started, it’s important to note that when it comes to gaming, the motherboard is not the most important component. The CPU and GPU are the key components that will determine your gaming performance. However, the motherboard is still important as it will determine the number of components you can connect to your PC, the quality of the audio and networking capabilities, and the overall stability of your system.
ASRock AB350M Pro4
The ASRock AB350M Pro4 is a great budget-friendly option for gamers who are building a rig around an AMD Ryzen processor. This micro-ATX motherboard features the B350 chipset, which provides support for overclocking and AMD CrossFireX technology. It also comes with four DIMM slots for up to 64GB of DDR4 RAM. The AB350M Pro4 also features an M.2 slot for speedy NVMe solid-state drives, six SATA ports, and four USB 3.1 Gen1 ports.
One of the key selling points of the ASRock AB350M Pro4 is its decent audio capabilities. It comes with a Realtek ALC892 codec that provides 7.1-channel HD audio, which is rare for a budget motherboard. Additionally, the AB350M Pro4 has a Gigabit LAN port that supports Wake-On-LAN and is powered by a Realtek RTL8111GR controller.
Overall, the ASRock AB350M Pro4 is a great budget-friendly option for gamers who are building a PC around an AMD Ryzen processor. It has everything you need to get started without breaking the bank.
Gigabyte GA-AB350M-DS3H
The Gigabyte GA-AB350M-DS3H is another micro-ATX motherboard that’s perfect for gamers on a budget. This motherboard features the B350 chipset, which provides support for AMD Ryzen processors and dual-channel DDR4 memory. It comes with four DIMM slots for up to 64GB of RAM, six SATA III ports, and an M.2 connector.
The GA-AB350M-DS3H also features Realtek ALC887 high definition audio, which provides 7.1-channel audio support. It also has a Gigabit LAN port that’s powered by a Realtek 8111H controller, which provides stable and fast internet connectivity.
When it comes to connectivity, the GA-AB350M-DS3H has four USB 3.1 Gen1 ports, six USB 2.0 ports, and HDMI 1.4 and DVI-D ports for multiple display setups. Additionally, it features Smart Fan 5, which allows you to control the fan speed and temperature of your system.
Overall, the Gigabyte GA-AB350M-DS3H is a solid option for budget-conscious gamers who want great performance without sacrificing on features.
MSI B450 Tomahawk
The MSI B450 Tomahawk is a mid-range ATX motherboard that offers great value for gamers who want a bit more performance. This motherboard features the B450 chipset, which provides support for AMD Ryzen processors and DDR4 memory. It also comes with four DIMM slots for up to 64GB of RAM and two PCI-E x16 slots for AMD CrossFireX technology.
The B450 Tomahawk also features high-quality audio capabilities thanks to its Realtek ALC892 codec, which provides 7.1-channel HD audio support. Additionally, it features an MSI Mystic Light RGB header and support for multiple RGB LED strips.
The networking capabilities of the B450 Tomahawk are also top-notch, thanks to its Gigabit LAN port that’s powered by a Realtek 8111H controller. It also features six SATA ports, an M.2 slot, and four USB 3.1 Gen1 ports for speedy data transfers.
Overall, the MSI B450 Tomahawk is a great mid-range option for gamers who want great performance and features without breaking the bank.
ASUS Prime X370-Pro
The ASUS Prime X370-Pro is a high-end ATX motherboard that offers great performance for gamers who are willing to spend a bit more. This motherboard features the X370 chipset, which provides support for AMD Ryzen processors and DDR4 memory. It also comes with four DIMM slots for up to 64GB of RAM and two PCI-E x16 slots for AMD CrossFireX technology.
The Prime X370-Pro also features high-quality audio capabilities thanks to its Realtek S1220A codec, which provides 8-channel HD audio support. Additionally, it features an ASUS Aura Sync RGB header and support for multiple RGB LED strips.
The networking capabilities of the Prime X370-Pro are also top-notch, thanks to its Gigabit LAN port that’s powered by an Intel I211-AT controller. It also features eight SATA ports, two M.2 slots, and six USB 3.1 Gen1 ports for speedy data transfers.
Overall, the ASUS Prime X370-Pro is a great high-end option for gamers who want the best performance and features.
Conclusion
When it comes to gaming on a budget, there are plenty of great options to choose from. The ASRock AB350M Pro4 and Gigabyte GA-AB350M-DS3H are great micro-ATX motherboards that offer great value for money. The MSI B450 Tomahawk is a great mid-range option that offers great performance and features. Lastly, the ASUS Prime X370-Pro is a high-end option that offers the best performance and features.
No matter which motherboard you choose, remember that it’s important to choose the right components to get the best gaming experience possible.
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