How to choose a motherboard: what actually matters
A motherboard does not make your PC faster on its own. It decides what you can put in it: which processors, how much memory, how many drives, and what fits in your case. This guide explains how to compare boards, in the order that matters.
The short answer
- Match the socket and chipset to your CPU first. Everything else comes second.
- Check the BIOS. A board made before your CPU came out may need a firmware update before it will start.
- Pick a size your case takes. ATX, Micro ATX and Mini ITX are not interchangeable.
- Match the memory type. A board takes DDR4 or DDR5, never both, and your memory must match.
- Pay for features you will use, like extra M.2 slots, Wi-Fi or overclocking, not for a higher model number.
Socket and chipset: the part that decides everything
The socket is the physical connector the processor (CPU) sits in. A CPU only fits a board with the same socket. Today’s desktop sockets are:
- AM5: AMD Ryzen 7000, 8000 and 9000 desktop chips.
- AM4: older AMD Ryzen chips, from the first Ryzen (2017) to the Ryzen 5000 series.
- LGA1851: Intel Core Ultra 200 series desktop chips.
- LGA1700: Intel 12th, 13th and 14th gen Core chips.
A socket match is necessary but not enough. The chipset is the second piece. It is a chip on the board that sets which CPUs the board officially supports and which features it can offer, such as overclocking, the number of USB and SATA ports, and extra PCIe lanes. The chipset is the letters and numbers in the board’s name: in a board called “B650 Gaming” or “Z790 Pro”, the chipset is B650 or Z790.
The BIOS-update trap
The BIOS (also called UEFI or firmware) is the small program stored on the board that starts the PC before Windows loads. Its version matters, because a board only knows about CPUs that existed when its BIOS was written.
So a CPU can match the socket and chipset and still not start, because the board’s BIOS predates it. Common cases:
- Ryzen 5000 (Zen 3) chips on older AM4 boards like the B450, X470, B350 and A320.
- Ryzen 9000 chips on early B650 and X670 boards.
- Intel 13th and 14th gen chips on 600-series boards like the B660 and Z690.
How to avoid it:
- Look up the board on its maker’s site and open the CPU support list. It shows the first BIOS version that supports your CPU.
- Check whether the board has a BIOS flashback button. It lets you update the BIOS from a USB stick with no CPU installed. Makers call it different things (USB BIOS Flashback, Q-Flash Plus, Flash BIOS Button). Without it, you need a CPU the old BIOS already knows to do the update.
- If you are keeping your old CPU for now, update the BIOS before you swap in the new one.
On AM4, support often varies by board: some makers added newer CPUs, some didn’t, and some dropped older ones to make room on the BIOS chip. Here is how AM4 chipsets line up with each Ryzen generation, from our compatibility data:
| Chipset | Zen (Ryzen 1000) | Zen+ (Ryzen 2000) | Zen 2 (Ryzen 3000) | Zen 3 (Ryzen 5000) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A320, B350, X370 | Yes | Yes | Varies by board, BIOS update | Varies by board, BIOS update |
| B450, X470 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Varies by board, BIOS update |
| A520, B550 | Varies by board | Yes | Yes | Varies by board, BIOS update |
| X570 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
“Varies” means some boards support that CPU with a BIOS update and some do not. Always check the board’s own list. The series names are a rough guide: some “G” models with built-in graphics use an older design than their number suggests, so our checker goes by the exact chip.
Will a new board still let me upgrade the CPU later?
No one can promise future CPUs for a socket. A newer socket (AM5, LGA1851) is a safer bet than an older one (AM4, LGA1700), but not a guarantee.
Size: ATX, Micro ATX, Mini ITX and E-ATX
The board’s size, called its form factor, has to match your case. The case lists the sizes it takes.
| Size | Standard dimensions | Typical memory slots | Boards in our list |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extended ATX (E-ATX) | about 12 x 13 in (varies by maker) | 4 | 34 |
| ATX | 12 x 9.6 in (305 x 244 mm) | 4 (478 of our 490) | 490 |
| Micro ATX | 9.6 x 9.6 in (244 x 244 mm) | 2 or 4 (238 have 4) | 397 |
| Mini ITX | 6.7 x 6.7 in (170 x 170 mm) | 2 (all 45 of ours) | 45 |
A few rules of thumb:
- A larger case usually takes the smaller sizes too. Most ATX cases also take Micro ATX and Mini ITX. The reverse is never true.
- E-ATX is not one fixed size. Check the board’s width against the case’s listed limit.
- Smaller boards have fewer slots. Across our list, ATX boards average about 3 M.2 drive slots and Micro ATX boards about 2. Mini ITX boards have a single slot for a graphics card.
Memory: DDR4 or DDR5, slots and maximum
Memory (RAM) comes in generations, and a board takes exactly one.
- AM5 and LGA1851 boards take DDR5 only.
- AM4 boards take DDR4 only.
- LGA1700 boards take one or the other, chosen by the board maker. Of the 320 LGA1700 boards in our list, 194 take DDR5 and 126 take DDR4. None take both. The name often says so (for example “DDR4” in the model name), but not always.
DDR4 and DDR5 sticks are keyed differently, so old DDR4 memory will not go into a DDR5 board.
| LGA1700 chipset | DDR4 boards | DDR5 boards |
|---|---|---|
| H610 | 28 | 17 |
| B660 | 28 | 9 |
| B760 | 36 | 62 |
| Z690 | 18 | 34 |
| Z790 | 13 | 71 |
Two more things to check:
- Slots. Two slots is fine for most people today (for example two 16 GB sticks). Four slots gives more room to add memory later. Note that filling all four slots can lower the top memory speed, a CPU limit, not a board fault.
- Maximum capacity. Each board lists a maximum. In our list it ranges from 32 GB on some older AM4 boards to 256 GB on many current DDR5 boards. Makers sometimes raise the figure with a BIOS update, so check the latest spec page.
Storage and expansion: what plugs into the board
M.2 slots hold small, fast solid-state drives (NVMe SSDs) that lie flat on the board. Count how many drives you want, now and later. Boards in our list have from 1 to 8 M.2 slots.
PCIe generation is the speed rating of a slot, from PCIe 3.0 up to 5.0. Each step roughly doubles the bandwidth. A newer card or drive works in an older slot, just at the older slot’s speed. For most home use, a PCIe 4.0 graphics slot and a 4.0 M.2 slot are plenty. PCIe 5.0 matters mainly if you buy a PCIe 5.0 SSD.
Shared lanes. On many boards, using one M.2 slot turns off a SATA port, or drops the graphics slot to fewer lanes. The board’s manual explains this in a table. Read it if you plan to fill every slot.
SATA ports connect older 2.5-inch SSDs and hard drives. Most boards have 4. Some budget boards have only 2.
USB and networking. Count the back-panel ports you need, and check for a USB-C header if your case has a front USB-C port. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are built in only when the spec says so, usually with “WIFI” in the name. An adapter can add them later.
Power delivery (VRM). The VRM feeds power to the CPU. Higher-end boards tend to have bigger VRMs and heatsinks. That matters mostly for top-end CPUs under long heavy loads, and for overclocking. Pairing a top-end chip with a budget board? Check independent reviews first.
Chipset tiers: what you get for the money
Each maker sells several chipsets per socket. The chipset does not change a CPU’s rated speeds. What changes is overclocking, the number of fast slots and ports, and price.
AMD AM5 (all DDR5)
| Chipset | CPU overclocking | Graphics slot | PCIe 5.0 M.2 | Chipset SATA (max) | Boards in our list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A620 / A620A | No | PCIe 4.0 | No | 4 | 28 |
| B840 | No | PCIe 4.0 | No | 4 | 18 |
| B650 | Yes | PCIe 4.0 | Optional | 4 | 73, with B650E |
| B650E | Yes | PCIe 5.0 | Yes | 4 | (counted with B650) |
| B850 | Yes | Usually PCIe 5.0 | Yes | 4 | 66 |
| X670 | Yes | PCIe 4.0 | Yes | 8 | 27, with X670E |
| X670E | Yes | PCIe 5.0 | Yes | 8 | (counted with X670) |
| X870 | Yes | PCIe 5.0 | Yes | 4 | 26 |
| X870E | Yes | PCIe 5.0 | Yes | 8 | 37 |
X870 and X870E boards also must include USB4, a fast USB-C standard.
Intel LGA1700 (DDR4 or DDR5, per board)
| Chipset | CPU overclocking | Memory slots (max) | Boards in our list |
|---|---|---|---|
| H610 | No | 2 | 45 |
| B660 / B760 | No | 4 | 37 / 98 |
| H670 / H770 | No | 4 | 2 / 2 |
| Z690 / Z790 | Yes | 4 | 52 / 84 |
Intel LGA1851 (DDR5)
| Chipset | CPU overclocking | Memory slots (max) | Boards in our list |
|---|---|---|---|
| H810 | No | 2 | 15 |
| B860 | No | 4 | 40 |
| Z890 | Yes | 4 | 53 |
What this means in practice:
- Overclocking means running the CPU faster than its rated speed. On Intel you need both a Z-series board and an unlocked “K” CPU. On AMD, B- and X-series boards allow it, and most Ryzen chips are unlocked. If you will never overclock, you do not need to pay for it.
- Memory profiles (XMP on Intel, EXPO on AMD) are not the same as CPU overclocking. They let memory run at its rated speed, and most B-series and Z-series boards support them. Check the board’s spec page.
- The entry tier (A620, B840, H610, H810) has fewer ports and slots. Fine for a basic PC.
- The middle tier (B650, B850, B760, B860) covers most people.
- The top tier (X870E, Z790, Z890 and similar) adds fast slots, ports and often a bigger VRM. Buy it for features you will use, not the name.
How to compare two boards: a checklist
Put the two spec pages side by side and go down this list.
- Socket, chipset and CPU support list all include your CPU, and you know the BIOS version it needs.
- BIOS flashback is there, if the board might need that update.
- Size fits your case.
- Memory type, slots and maximum match your memory plans.
- M.2 and graphics slots: enough of them, at the PCIe generation you want, with no shared-lane surprises.
- Ports and headers: enough back-panel USB, display outputs if you use the CPU’s built-in graphics, and front USB-C and fan headers for your case.
- Networking: Wi-Fi and Bluetooth if you need them.
- Price difference: what exactly the extra money buys, in features you will use.
Replacing a board: what else changes
A new board can pull other changes along with it. Before you buy, check:
- Memory. Moving from a DDR4 board to a DDR5 board means new memory.
- The CPU. A new socket means a new CPU, and the reverse.
- The cooler. AM5 keeps the AM4 cooler mounting, so most AM4 coolers fit AM5 boards. LGA1851 keeps the LGA1700 mounting. Moving between AMD and Intel, or from an older Intel socket, usually needs a new bracket or a new cooler. Check the cooler maker’s compatibility list.
- The case. A bigger board needs a case that takes that size.
- Windows activation. Windows links its digital license mainly to the motherboard, so after a swap it may say it is not activated. If the license is linked to a Microsoft account, the activation troubleshooter has an option for a recent hardware change. A license that came with a prebuilt PC usually stays with the original board.
- A backup. Your drives move across, but back them up first.
Common mistakes
- Buying for the socket alone and finding the BIOS is too old for the CPU.
- Assuming every LGA1700 board takes DDR5, or that DDR4 sticks will move to a DDR5 board.
- Paying for a Z-series board with a locked Intel CPU. A non-K chip can’t be overclocked.
- Ordering a board too big for the case, especially E-ATX.
- Filling every M.2 slot without checking what that turns off.
- Overspending on the top chipset for features you will not use.
Frequently asked questions
Does the motherboard affect gaming performance?
Not directly. Your CPU and graphics card set the frame rate. A board can hold them back only if it cannot power or cool a demanding CPU well under long loads, or if it limits the slots you need. A sensible board for your CPU removes those risks.
What is the difference between B650 and X670?
Both are AM5 chipsets, take the same CPUs and allow overclocking. X670 can offer more SATA ports and more chipset lanes, which boards use for extra M.2 and USB. The “E” versions guarantee PCIe 5.0 for the graphics slot. For most single-GPU, few-drive PCs, B650 or B850 covers it.
What is the difference between B760 and Z790?
Both are LGA1700 chipsets and take the same 12th to 14th gen Intel CPUs. Z790 allows CPU overclocking with a K-series chip and offers more chipset lanes and SATA ports. B760 does not allow CPU overclocking but still supports memory profiles. If your CPU is not a K model, you won’t use Z790’s main extra.
Do I need to update the BIOS for my new CPU?
Only if the board’s BIOS is older than the version listed for your CPU on the board’s support page. You can’t always know which version a new board ships with, so a board with a BIOS flashback button is the safe choice when your CPU is newer than the board.
Can I use my old RAM with a new motherboard?
Only if the new board takes the same memory type. DDR4 sticks will not fit a DDR5 board. AM5 and LGA1851 boards are DDR5 only.
Find a board that takes your CPU
Compatibility is the hard part of buying a board, and it is exactly what our checker is built for. Tell it the board and CPU you have now, then pick a size, memory type and Wi-Fi. It lists boards that take your CPU, with the fewest caveats first, and flags when you’ll need new memory or a bigger case.
See which boards take your CPU
Choosing a new CPU and board together? Start with both.