Finding the best gaming motherboard isn’t always straightforward, as your choices very much depend on the exact CPU you want to install. Not only will AMD chipsets not work with Intel CPUs, but the newer Ryzen 9000 and 7000-series chips also won’t work in older motherboards that support the Ryzen 5000 range. Likewise, you can’t put a new Intel Core Ultra CPU into an old LGA1700 motherboard. As the central component of your gaming PC, it’s important to nail this choice.

Once you’ve established which socket you need to work with the best gaming CPU for your needs, there’s an exhaustive list of other considerations. Do you plan to overlock your CPU? How many USB ports do you need? Do you plan to install the best gaming SSD you can afford? What type of gaming RAM does your board support? Will it even fit in your PC case?

Don’t worry, though, that’s why we’re here. In this guide, we’ll take you through the best motherboard options to suit your chosen CPU at a range of prices, from tiny mini-ITX boards to full-size ATX models. With our in-house testing and many years of PC gaming and building under our belt, we’ll help you find the best motherboard for gaming.

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