Top Budget Intel Motherboards for Peak Performance

Intel's latest processor lineup, including Alder Lake and Raptor Lake, has been dominating the market with its strong single-core performance. In comparison to AMD's offerings (excluding the X3D variants), Intel's processors have proven to be superior in gaming and productivity-related tasks. However, it's important to note that these processors require Intel 600 or 700 chipset series-based motherboards to function properly. With so many options available, selecting the right motherboard can be a daunting task, especially when considering individual needs and use cases. Fortunately, GameRant is here to help you find the best bargain for a motherboard designed for Intel processors in 2023. It's important to note that all of these motherboards are only compatible with Intel's 12th and 13th-generation processors, so be sure to purchase the correct motherboard for your processor and vice-versa.

MSI's MAG B760 Tomahawk Wi-Fi DDR4 motherboard is a top pick for those seeking a reliable and powerful option that won't break the bank. At $190, it offers a plethora of I/O and onboard slots, making it a great choice for mainstream Intel CPU-based users. With four DDR4 memory slots, three M.2 NVMe connectors, and support for Intel's 12th and 13th generation CPUs, it's a capable and versatile option. The VRMs and M.2s are housed under dedicated heatsinks, and the well-spaced M.2 slots take full advantage of the ATX board's profile. Plus, it comes with Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 support out of the box. The only downside is that it lacks RGB lighting on the board itself. Save $10 by purchasing it at Amazon or Newegg.

The MSI MAG B760 Tomahawk Wi-Fi DDR4 is a top choice for an Intel budget gaming motherboard. It's compatible with both 12th and 13th gen Intel CPUs and features PCI-E 5.0 support for future GPU upgrades. The VRM solution is above average and the networking stack is solid with native Wi-Fi 6E/Bluetooth 5.3 support and 2.5G gigabit Ethernet.

The power delivery is excellent, allowing for overclocking and sustaining midrange processors while also handling higher-end Core i7 and Core i9 processors well. With up to 16 USB ports and decent rear I/O options, the MSI MAG B760 offers plenty of connectivity. Additionally, the motherboard has 3 M2 slots and 4 SATA ports for ample storage options.

While many gaming motherboards have RGB lighting, the lack of it on the MSI MAG B760 Tomahawk Wi-Fi DDR4 is not a con as it does not impact performance. In fact, sometimes less is more. The decision to use DDR4 over DDR5 is not a factor in our recommendation, as DDR5 RAM offers limited gains, mostly towards the top end of the Intel processor spectrum, making it a questionable metric for budget motherboards.

The ASRock B760 Pro RS ATX Motherboard is the best overall budget all-purpose DDR5 Intel motherboard available in the market. It offers premium build quality while meeting budget constraints. This solid B760-based motherboard is equipped with an excellent integrated I/O plate, which skips on a Wi-Fi module but compensates with solid performance, build quality, and PCI-E 5.0 GPU support. The motherboard also comes with an excellent bios, making it a perfect tradeoff for a full-sized ATX motherboard on a budget.

The ASRock B760 Pro RS ATX Motherboard comes with four memory slots, supporting DDR5 memory types up to 7200MHz OC. It has up to 13 USB ports, 3 x M2 NVME Slots (2 x X4, 1 x X2 PCI-E 4.0 speeds), Ethernet 2.5G networking, and supports both Intel 12th and 13th gen processors out of the box.

One of the major pros of the ASRock B760 Pro RS ATX Motherboard is its excellent I/O on offer. It also supports up to 3 x M2 SSDs, 2.5G ethernet, and PCI-E 5.0 GPUs out of the box. It looks aesthetically pleasing compared to the competition, and the integrated I/O shield feels much more premium than some more budget-centric options. As an ASRock board, it has one of the better-functioning GUI-based BIOS options in the market.

However, one of its cons is that it lacks Wi-Fi support out of the box, despite having cut-outs for Wi-Fi modules that the user can add later. Overall, the ASRock B760 Pro RS ATX Motherboard is a great option for those looking for a budget motherboard that offers premium build quality and solid performance.

The ASRock B760 Pro RS ATX Motherboard is a top-notch DDR5-supporting version of Intel's B760 chipset-based motherboards. It is also available in DDR4 as a separate option. This motherboard offers a comprehensive platform to build your next PC, be it for productivity or gaming purposes. It is reasonably priced and can do it all, except for Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, which will cost extra. However, ASRock has cleverly included mounting holes within its integrated I/O plate right out of the box.

The B760 motherboard features a 10+1+1 phase power delivery for the CPU. Although it can handle some of the higher-end CPUs in the 12th and 13th generation, we wouldn't recommend pairing it with an Intel Core i9 from either generation. Investing in a better Intel-based motherboard would be the key to getting the most out of your purchase.

The ASRock B760 Pro RS ATX Motherboard boasts excellent build quality, one of the best BIOS options in the industry, high DDR5 overclockability support, and a price point that won't break the bank. If you're willing to purchase a Wi-Fi dongle later on or have high-speed Ethernet near your PC, this motherboard is a more appealing option without adding extra costs.

The Gigabyte B760 Aorus Elite AX is the best budget gaming motherboard that offers a complete package of features for a DDR5-based motherboard. It includes Wi-Fi 6E and both rear and front USB-C ports, making it an ideal choice for gamers. The motherboard has four DDR5 memory slots that support up to 7600 MHz, and it comes with 17 USB ports, making it highly compatible with various devices.

The B760 Aorus Elite AX has three M2 connectors, and it supports Intel 12th and 13th Gen CPUs, making it a versatile choice for gamers. It has a 12+1+1 power phase design that allows high RAM overclocking potential, and its fast networking stack, including Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet, ensures smooth online gaming experiences.

While it runs PCI-E ports at Gen 4, some of the competing boards on our list offer Gen 5. However, the B760 Aorus Elite AX supports Intel 13th gen out of the box, unlike its B660 counterpart. At $180 on Amazon and Newegg, it is an affordable option for gamers who want uncompromising performance.

The GIGABYTE B760 AORUS Elite AX Motherboard boasts impressive specifications and a visually appealing design. Its high-speed Wi-Fi capabilities conform to the latest 6E standards, and its sturdy construction guarantees durability. Additionally, it is capable of pushing DDR5 ram sticks far beyond current standards, setting it apart from Gigabyte's B660 options.

This motherboard supports both Intel 12th and 13th generation processors out of the box, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a replacement motherboard while maintaining the same price point. However, it is worth noting that the PCI-E x16 slot is limited to Gen 4 speeds, which may become a minor disadvantage in the future as more GPUs utilize Gen 4 speeds for gaming.

Overall, the GIGABYTE B760 AORUS Elite AX Motherboard is an excellent choice for gaming, thanks to its support for DDR5, superior Wi-Fi technology, and visually pleasing design that complements any gaming build.

The ASUS Prime H610M-E D4 Motherboard is an exceptional entry-level Intel motherboard that supports both 12th and 13th generation processors. With a H610 chipset and LGA 1700 socket, this M-ATX form factor board includes 2 DDR4 memory slots, up to 10 USB ports, and 2 M.2 NVMe connectors. It also boasts excellent power delivery with 10+1 power phases and gigabit Ethernet networking. At just $123 on Amazon and $122 on Newegg, this motherboard offers an outstanding value for its price point. Note that an update is required to run 13th generation processors, as they are not supported out of the box.

The ASUS Prime H610M-E D4 Motherboard is perfect for those seeking an entry-level board that supports Intel's 12th and 13th generation Core processor lineup. It may not have all the bells and whistles, but it performs its tasks efficiently and effectively. Considering its affordable price point, it's hard to find any major faults in this excellent 600 series motherboard, even with its limited USB ports and M2 slot support.

However, please keep in mind that as an H610 chipset-based motherboard (Intel 600 series chipsets), pairing it with a 13th-generation processor may require a BIOS update to ensure proper functionality.

The GIGABYTE Z790 UD AC Gaming Motherboard is an impressive entry-level Z790 option that offers three M2 slots and DDR5, as well as Wi-Fi AC. With a price point similar to most B760 motherboards, this motherboard provides excellent value from a price-to-performance perspective.

This motherboard from Gigabyte boasts four memory slots, with support for DDR5 memory up to 7600MHz. It comes in an ATX form factor and features Wi-Fi 802.11ac and up to 17 USB ports. It also offers three M2 NVMe connectors and supports Intel 12th and 13th Gen CPUs, with a Z790 chipset and LGA 1700 socket. Additionally, it has 16+1+1 power phases and networking options with Ethernet 2.5G and Wi-Fi AC.

The GIGABYTE Z790 UD AC Gaming Motherboard stands out for its Z790 chipset at a price point that is typically seen with B760/B660 motherboards. It has excellent RAM overclocking potential and offers an above-average number of USB ports, making it an excellent value for money option. The only downside is that the Wi-Fi standard is slightly slower compared to some other 700 series motherboards considered.

This motherboard is available for purchase at $195 on both Amazon and Newegg.

The Z790-based motherboard falls short in its Wi-Fi capabilities, limited to AC bandwidth levels and unable to connect to the faster 6GHz band that some other motherboards on our list with 6E support can. However, with a 16+1+1 phase power delivery system, the price point for this unit is unbeatable, making it an ideal choice for those in need of a budget-friendly option for productivity or content creation-based work.

The ASRock B760M Steel Legend WiFi Motherboard offers the best of both worlds - premium build quality in a compact package. As part of the Steel Legend lineup, this mATX motherboard is built to last and boasts superfast Wi-Fi 6E connectivity, DDR5 support, and a well-placed heatsink over the VRMs. It's a top choice for those looking for a compact budget motherboard.

The ASRock B760M Steel Legend Wi-Fi Motherboard is a budget mATX motherboard that stands out with its premium build quality and sleek design. It offers plenty of connectivity options, including 3 PCI-E 4.0 M2 slots and support for up to 15 USB ports. The motherboard also includes a PCI-E Gen 5.0 x16 slot, which means that you won't have to compromise on features to achieve a minimalist build.

The ASRock B760M Steel Legend Wi-Fi Motherboard boasts fast Wi-Fi 6E support, a native 2.5G Ethernet controller, and Bluetooth 5.3 support, making it an excellent choice for users who need reliable networking capabilities. Although it only has 8 USB ports on the rear, this may not be an issue depending on your case. Overall, this motherboard is an outstanding choice for users who want to take advantage of current-generation technologies and maximize their performance gains with ease.

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Conclusion

While there are no wrong choices among the options we've presented, those who prioritize DDR5 RAM may want to consider opting for one of our suggested B760/Z790 motherboards instead of the pioneering B660/Z690 options. The 700 series offers more stable implementations of DDR5 RAM standards and will likely receive longer software support in the future.

In our search for relevant motherboards, we found that B760 and B660 options generally do not differ much in price. However, the latter may require BIOS updates to handle Intel's 13th generation processor lineup, leading us to recommend the 700 series motherboards whenever possible.

All of the aforementioned motherboards boast a reliable power delivery system, ensuring seamless compatibility with even the highest-end Intel Core processors. If you're on the hunt for the top budget-friendly Intel processors in 2023, be sure to check out our comprehensive guide to make an informed choice.

FAQ:

Q: Will Intel's 12th-generation motherboards be compatible with Intel's 13th-generation processors?