The motherboard is one of the main components of a computer. It is this that determines the capabilities of the system, so the choice of motherboard should be given Special attention. But, since the market offers a huge number of computer components, choosing a suitable motherboard for the average user is not so easy. We present to our readers the best motherboards of 2016 – the top 10 models that deserve attention.

There are several manufacturers that are leading and trustworthy in the motherboard market - Asus, Gigabyte, MSI, Intel, Biostar, ASRock. The leader among them is Asus, whose products have an optimal price-quality ratio.

When choosing a motherboard, you need to take into account several criteria: processor model (AMD or Intel), bus frequency, processor socket, chipset, number of memory slots, memory size.

Price 3,500 rubles

In 10th place in the ranking of the best motherboards of 2016 is. This is an affordable model based on the A68H chipset. When creating the motherboard, the Ultra Durable 4 Plus concept was used. It includes features such as:

Ultra Cool and Performance - Using high efficiency, low resistance transistors and solid capacitors.

Ultra Safe - two chips with BIOS firmware will help if the main chip is damaged. The USB and LAN ports are additionally protected against electrostatic discharge.

The board is equipped with high-speed USB and SATA third generation interfaces, a gigabyte interface with Ethernet, and a modern UEFI BIOS.

The average price of the model is 3,500 rubles.

Price 7,000 rubles

Gigabyte GA— Z170- HD3 DDR3 – in 9th place in the list of the best motherboards of 2016.

The device is based on the powerful Z170 chipset. The motherboard's memory subsystem is equipped with four DIMM connectors for DDRIII RAM with dual-channel architecture. Graphical interface based on GPU HD Graphics and video ports D-SUB, DVI, HDMI. Additionally, the motherboard has dual BIOS chip UEFI, GbE LAN network controller and proprietary utilities for system configuration. The board is compatible with all modern operating systems, including Windows 10.

The cost of the model is from 7 thousand rubles.

Price 4,000 rubles

Eighth place in the list of the best motherboards of 2016 is occupied by ASUS P5G41T-M LX

The motherboard is made in the microATX form factor. The device is ideal for office and home computers.

The cost of the model is about 4000 rubles.

Price 30,000 rubles

In 7th place in the list of the best motherboards of 2016 is.

ASUS knows what the most demanding computer users need. Its EXTREME motherboards have been leading the ratings for several years. ASUS MAXIMUS VIII EXTREME is no exception. The board is equipped with an impressive set of various devices for fine tuning systems. It comes complete with an external module OC Panel. If your financial capabilities allow it, but your soul wants the best, then a motherboard from ASUS is a good investment.

The cost of the model is from 30 thousand rubles.

Price 35,000 rubles

In 6th place in the list of the best motherboards of 2016 is ASUS X99- E W.S..

The model runs on the Intel X99 chipset and is designed for high-performance PCs. The board is made in a rather rare CEB format factor. There are eight DIMM slots for installing memory modules. This allows you to place two DDR4 modules on each of the four memory channels. The maximum supported amount of RAM is therefore 128 GB.

The cost of the model is about 35 thousand rubles.

Price 30,000 rubles

MSI X99 A XPOWER A.C., ranked 5th in the list of the best motherboards of 2016, is one of the top devices from MSI. It is aimed primarily at gamers and processor overclockers. The board is made in the ATX form factor and is based on the Intel X99 chipset. Eight DIMM slots are provided for installing memory modules.

MSI X99A XPOWER AC is the most advanced technology for system overclocking.

The cost of the device is from 30 thousand rubles.

Price 12,000 rubles

ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming– in 4th place in the list of the best motherboards of 2016.

This is a perfectly balanced model based on the Intel Z170 chipset. Equipped with a network controller from Intel and a Realtek ALC1150 sound chip. A convenient UEFI shell makes it easy to configure the system.

The company's GAMING series devices are traditionally good, and at the same time they are much cheaper than the top ROG models. You can buy ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming for an average of 12 thousand rubles.

Price 27,000 rubles

ASUS ROG STRIX X99 Gaming takes 3rd place in the ranking of the best motherboards of 2016.

This is a very unusual motherboard designed for top Intel processors. In addition to an excellent functional set, this model is equipped LED backlight Aura.

The form factor of the model is ATX. The motherboard is compatible with all modern operating systems, including Windows 10.

Basic ASUS features ROG STRIX X99 Gaming delivers great performance high level reliability and stylish design.

The cost of the model is about 27 thousand rubles.

Price 21,000 rubles

MSI Z170 A XPower Gaming Titanium Edition takes 2nd place in the ranking of the best motherboards of 2016. It is aimed primarily at players and overclockers. The board is designed for Intel Skylake processors. The product from MSI performed excellently when overclocking 14nm processors.

Externally, the board looks unusual - it is made in light silver with black inserts. The motherboard is equipped with four slots for DDR4 memory modules.

The cost of the model is from 21 thousand rubles.

Price 30,000 rubles

The first place in the ranking of the best motherboards of 2016 is occupied by the model MSI Z170 A Gaming M9 ACK, designed to increase the maximum potential of a computer system. First of all, it will be of interest to gamers and overlockers. Today, this is the company’s most advanced model, which reflects all of MSI’s engineering developments in recent years.

The device form factor is Standard ATX. There are 4 slots for DDR4 memory modules. The model features one of the most impressive built-in sound subsystems available today. BIOS Flashback+ allows you to easily restore the BIOS without using the processor and memory.

The cost of the model is about 30 thousand rubles.

Affordable price for a board based on the AMD 970 chipset.

The motherboard, known as the system board, is a technically complex device consisting of many layers, the area of ​​which is covered with so-called contact tracks. It is made from textolite, which resembles glass in appearance in one of several form factors. Generally speaking, the motherboard is the circulatory system of the entire computer. Its presence is an integral part of a complex electronic computing device. Any kind computer equipment, both office and personal or laboratory, based on its components has motherboard.

The motherboard is tested at the factory to ensure compatibility with components that the user will supply in the future. It is this compatibility that is very important. And there are quite a lot of components. Here we can note the processor, RAM strips, hard drives, graphics adapters, devices for reading and writing external media, peripherals for working with text, printers, scanners, and so on. Difference between motherboards budget level from gaming motherboards usually consists of the quality of materials and components used to assemble the board itself, the number of different functions that allow you to overclock the processor, graphics card, and RAM. Below we will provide some of the most current comparative reviews for each class of motherboards. Almost all of the models listed below are quite popular among users, have a large number of reviews and, as a result, we will be able to consider all their pros and cons.

Best Budget Motherboards for Office PCs

Score (2018): 4.2

Advantages: The best inexpensive board for Socket AM1

Manufacturer country: China

The MSI AM1I model is one of many budget gaming models with the usual functionality. We can say that our hero is a kind of anti-crisis solution for a poor gamer. The indisputable advantage of this model is the presence of three options for displaying images on the monitor. These are D-sub, HDMI and DVI-D, thus eliminating the problem of compatibility and finding the necessary adapters. The device is equipped with an automatic safety system that protects it from short circuits, power surges, and high humidity. Electromagnetic interference is also easily neutralized by this board. The proprietary MSI Live Update 5 utility allows you to change the BIOS version to a newer or more stable one, as well as update system drivers automatically. Maximum volume random access memory is as much as 32GB, which is undoubtedly an excellent result for a board of this price. There is a so-called “booster” of the system using proprietary MSI Fast Boot technology. The network component of this board is capable of maintaining stable access to the World Wide Web.

Score (2018): 4.4

Advantages: The best inexpensive board for Socket AM3+

Manufacturer country: China

So, having set yourself the task of purchasing a motherboard for a work computer, take a closer look at the ASUS M5A78L-M LX3 model, which is an excellent option that combines adequate cost and good functionality. An integral advantage of this model is the presence on board of as many as eight USB outputs, allowing you to easily connect a sufficient amount of peripheral equipment, from flash drives to printers. The manufacturer equips this device with excellent graphics components based on the HD3000 chip. Thanks to it, you don’t have to worry about displaying HD images on your monitor or TV. Well, the presence of four SATA connectors on board makes it possible to expand the peripherals with additional hard drives and read-write devices DVD discs. Owner ratings are mixed, but the average score is about 3.5-4 out of five.

Score (2018): 4.7

Advantages: The best inexpensive board for Socket LGA1150

Manufacturer country: China

Advantages	Flaws
Russified BIOS Ability to navigate through the Russified BIOS using the mouse Low price	Lack of internal USB 3.0 connectors A small number of USB 3.0 connectors on the board

So, our gold comparative review inexpensive motherboards, justifiably receives a model from the well-known company MSI - H81M-E33, built on the LGA1150 architecture. The owners say that the indisputable advantage of this device is that this model is capable of working with powerful processors CoreI3 and CoreI5, as well as the ability to overclock directly from the BIOS. The hero of our review has a very small size, which is due to the form factor in which it is made. Accordingly, installing it in the vast majority of cases is not a problem. It is quite predictable that the model is equipped with a high-quality HDMI connector, which can also be safely added to the list of advantages. The USB output pins are located thoughtfully and ergonomically on the rear side. Among the six USB ports, two high-speed 3.0 ports can be distinguished. As for the minuses, the owners highlight the lack of internal USB 3.0 connectors, as well as their small number on the board. Let's return to the advantages of the model. Undoubtedly, it is necessary to mention the Russified BIOS, as well as the ability to navigate through it using the mouse, and this is difficult to overestimate. The cost of this model is currently just under 3,000 rubles. The owners of this motherboard unconditionally attribute this fact to its advantages.

It's worth considering...

When choosing a motherboard, you need to pay attention to such important characteristics as:

1 Product quality - in this case, verification is possible only visually, electronic components No one will allow you to check the board with your hands, but you can shake it to check the reliability of soldering and the strength of fastening components, and also check for any damage to ports and slots (for example, bent contacts in memory slots or in a socket). 2 Manufacturer - you must prefer a well-known brand that has been on the market for a long time, with its own history and keeping up with technological progress. The most famous motherboard suppliers in this moment are MSI, Asus, Gigabyte, Acer. 3 Presence of cooling systems (radiators that remove heat) on the chipset. A chipset is a set of microcircuits that are mounted on the motherboard and most often the organization of all logic is based on the north and south bridges. 4 An important parameter when purchasing a motherboard is the compatibility of the elements. The entire element base or external periphery must be physically or software compatible with motherboard. 5 A sufficient number of slots, ports and sockets (connectors for connecting a processor). The processor socket is built into any motherboard. The number of connectors and outputs is quite an important indicator; it must correspond to the number of devices that you plan to connect; they will be especially useful if after some time you decide to improve your computer and add additional memory modules, gaming peripherals or a hard drive. 6 It is also important to pay attention to other components, such as: built-in sound chip (headphone connection), graphics chip (an alternative to a dedicated graphics card), LAN adapter (connection to the global network), BIOS in Russian, proprietary software that allows you to restore system.

The best motherboards for Socket Intel LGA1150

Socket LGA 1150, the successor to the legendary LGA 1155, has become widespread in both the budget and high-end gaming segments. It supports most of the processors currently on the market. We also note that models with this architecture have a long working life and excellent potential in terms of functionality and power.

Score (2018): 4.4

Advantages: Great price. One of the most popular motherboards for Socket 1150

Manufacturer country: China

We start our top three with a representative of the Chinese company Asus - B85M-G. It is one of the most popular motherboards with the LGA1150 socket. The secret to the popularity of this particular model is quite simple - it has a reasonable price. An excellent choice for those who can't afford flagship models, but wants to create a decent multimedia device or a decent working machine.

The connectors on board are reliably protected, the panel itself is made of anti-corrosion alloy. The presence of COM and LPT connectors means that the manufacturer is still positioning it as a model for assembly “ workhorse" The cooling system of this motherboard deserves special mention; it contains solid-state capacitors, which allow the system to operate even in extreme conditions (upon reaching 110 degrees). Connector operation USB standard 3.0 is accelerated by up to 170% thanks to support for UASP technology. Configuration, installation of drivers and system management are user-friendly, so even a person who does not have sufficient experience can handle it. AI Suite proprietary software is extremely easy to learn and has great functionality.

Score (2018): 4.6

Advantages: Quality board with CrossFire support at a great price

Manufacturer country: China

The silver of our comparative review is represented by the MSI model - B85M-G43. Socket LGA1150, on which this model is built, is capable of working with Core I, Celeron and Pentium series processors. Large quantity The owners of this device believe that the price of this motherboard, compared to the price of competitors in this segment, is an undeniable advantage. This model has high-quality capacitors on board, which help stabilize the operation of the system and increase its service life. This motherboard also has protection against power surges in the network. The heat sink is made using radiators and exhaust pipes. Connection possible hard drives in RAID mode, if the owner has a need to work with large amounts of data.

A distinctive feature of MSI products in this price range is the use of high-quality Military Class 4 components. With their help, excellent heat dissipation is achieved even when the system capacity is fully loaded, plus an increased operating life of the board. This model has the ability to install two graphic cards to work in tandem using Radeon CrossFire technology. This function can increase the power of the graphics component in game mode.

Score (2018): 4.6

Advantages: The best price-quality ratio

Manufacturer country: China

And here it is, our leader of today's TOP motherboards based on Socket LGA1150 - the MSI Z97-G43 model. This architecture is supported by most devices, since they are built on it Intel processors Core of the fourth and fifth series.

An undoubted advantage of the hero of our comparative review is the relatively low price tag for excellent technical parameters. These parameters allow you to equip almost any PC with this motherboard, regardless of the tasks for which it is intended. The built-in sound processor is a very high-quality solution that quite successfully eliminates interference when playing content. Thanks to flexible and intuitive work in the BIOS, system overclocking has become accessible even to an inexperienced person in these matters. The performance of the graphics component is directly related to the high-performance LAN adapter with a bandwidth of 1 Gbit/s.

Dedicated HDMI connectors allow you to work with pictures high definition and display it on the monitor screen. A proprietary utility for quickly increasing productivity is called OC Genie. The essence of its work is simple - with just one key, the power increase is 20%. This motherboard model will allow you to save money and at the same time upgrade your own computer well.

Note…

Motherboard for office or study computer.

Such a motherboard, used in computers used for work, is much cheaper in cost than a gaming board. It has a minimal Northbridge configuration, since office programs They do not have any special requirements for chipset performance, and also do not require a graphics processor. You will need a minimum number of RAM slots and not too much bus throughput. However, the “south bridge”, which has connectors for connecting peripherals, must be fully equipped here. This is explained by the need to connect a huge number of different drives, as well as office equipment, for example, a printer, copier, memory cards and an external drive.

Motherboard for a gaming computer.

This motherboard is completely opposite to the one purchased for work purposes. The Northbridge must have a particularly powerful chipset, increased bandwidth, and the processor and motherboard buses must be completely compatible. About four to eight slots should be allocated for RAM, so that if its quantity is insufficient, it will be possible to replenish it. “South Bridge”, accordingly, looks more modest here. The maximum number of required USB connectors here is three. These are the necessary connectors for connecting a monitor, keyboard and mouse.

The best motherboards for Socket Intel LGA1151 for gamers

Motherboards based on the LGA1151 architecture are a must have among users who want to get the most out of their PC. What it has in common with the previous generation is the lightweight processor mounting system. What's new? Undoubtedly, this is an opportunity to install RAM strips newest generation DDR4, as well as truly limitless overclocking prospects. What should a person buy from models based on LGA1151 architecture, with all the variety on the market? How to get the ideal option in terms of price and built-in functionality? Let's try to figure this out.

Score (2018): 4.2

Advantages: Attractive price tag

Manufacturer country: China

Advantages	Flaws
High quality sound processor from Realtek Eight USB outputs Six SerialATA outputs Affordable price	Performance loss when fully loaded

The device, which ranks third in our comparative review, unlike the device from ASUS, which took silver, can turn your computer into a powerful entertainment center for a very reasonable price. Distinctive feature solutions from MSI can be called record number ports: eight USB 3.1 outputs, six SerialATA outputs (bandwidth capacity up to 6 Gbps). At the same time, the motherboard supports the installation of DDR4 RAM memory sticks with frequencies up to 3.6 GHz. You can install up to four sticks with a total capacity of 64 GB of high-performance RAM. On the positive side this decision from MSI, users highlight the high-quality sound processor from Realtek, soldered on the board. It is worth considering that other companies do not even install it in their flagships, considering it expensive. As for comparing the hero of our review with the solution from ASUS, which took second place, we can say that the model is no worse than its more expensive colleague. All this is possible thanks to the heat removal method based on radiators. The disadvantage is that when the system is fully loaded, the solution from ASUS will have obvious dips in performance.

Score (2018): 4.5

Advantages: Excellent characteristics. Hydro-heat removal system

Manufacturer country: China

In second place we have a device from the Taiwanese company ASUS, the MAXIMUS VIII HERO model, which we have already mentioned in passing. It is made in ATX format and has on board for assembling a powerful system. This motherboard is built on the Intel Z170 architecture, the undoubted advantages of which are the widest possibilities for overclocking the processor, graphics component, and RAM. By the way, this model supports RAM with a frequency of 2133 MHz. Hardware implemented function, which allows two or more graphics cards to work in tandem, is also a plus for this model. By choosing the appropriate hardware for this motherboard, you can spend time playing an excellent game in 4K format.

Another advantage highlighted by the owners of this board is the combined heat dissipation system, which is a so-called symbiosis of the hydraulic system and system fans. All this allows you to forget about the slack in productivity due to achieving critical temperature. Also on board this motherboard you can select six USB 3.0 ports, an HDMI port for working with high-quality images, three PCI-Express bays for installing graphics cards and LAN solutions. The front part is equipped with an S/PDIF output, and this is a way to evaluate high-quality multi-channel sound. You can also highlight the presence of as many as sixteen USB ports and a DisplayPort output, which allows you to work with high-quality images.

The downside is the cost of this motherboard, which can immediately be called very expensive, but upon closer inspection and taking into account it specifications, we can conclude that in fact it will be almost impossible to find an alternative that allows you not to think about an upgrade for the next 3-4 years.

Score (2018): 4.8

Advantages: The most popular board for gaming computers. The best ratio between cost and quality

Manufacturer country: China

Advantages	Flaws
RAM operating at a frequency of 2133 MHz 2 bays for installing RAM 4 USB input class 3.0 Low price	The motherboard does not have coolers There is no function for arranging hard drives into a raid array Overclockers will remain on the sidelines due to the locked multiplier You can install only one video card

This model is built on the H110 architecture, which actually belongs to the inexpensive class. There are only 2 bays for installing RAM, 4 USB class 3.0 inputs and 4 SerialATA class 3.0 inputs. You're probably wondering how it was possible this device edge out its more expensive siblings and earn the gold medal in our comparison review. The answer is quite simple; the price tag of this model is very affordable. By paying a very small amount, you can buy this miracle, and finding an alternative for this money is not possible in principle.

The negative side is that this motherboard does not have coolers, there is no function for arranging hard drives in a raid array, overclockers will also be left out due to the locked multiplier, and you can only install one video card. It supports only 32GB of RAM, which is undoubtedly small compared to its more expensive counterparts, but, nevertheless, it is enough for the eyes. However, in terms of one of the most important indicators, namely price, this motherboard leaves far behind all its competitors. Just think about it - the price difference is more than five times. Positive qualities: overclocking of the graphics core, RAM operating at a frequency of 2133 MHz... This is a real opportunity, having spent mere pennies, to provide yourself with power and fairly broad functionality for years to come.

The best motherboards for AMD processors

The processor manufacturer AMD has created a solution based on the FM2+ socket architecture, competing with its only opponent, the Intel solution - LGA1150. The unifying factors between them are the budget positioning of products based on them and versatility. A nice feature of the AMD product is the AMD AM1 mounting method, which supports newer series of processors. However, for work based on high power, the company announced the AM3+ mounting method, the presence of which will no doubt be appreciated by amateurs computer games and professionals involved in video processing. Motherboards supporting this technology do not have a graphics chip, but have extensive functions for overclocking the processor and RAM.

All this together made it possible to win a fairly large market share and create the basis for assembling a wide variety of configurations, including both computers for office work and high-performance gaming solutions. A rather risky solution from AMD, in which 1 slot is used both for a fairly inexpensive series of processors and for quite powerful ones, gave positive results. An undeniable advantage is the integrated graphics component, which can please gamers, allowing them to run their favorite games, albeit with reduced graphics.

Score (2018): 4.4

Advantages: Affordable price for a board based on the AMD 970 chipset

Manufacturer country: China

The third place in our comparative review is occupied by a product from MSI - the 970A-G43 board, made on the well-known AMD970 chip. It is a profitable purchase due to its excellent combination of cost and functionality. The manufacturer quite definitely positions its product as affordable, but, nevertheless, equipped it with six SerialATA connectors, sixteen USB ports, with four of them being revision 3.0. The function of operating two graphics cards in tandem is also available and is implemented using two PCI-Express x16 slots.

Another advantage of this model is the ability to install RAM sticks with an operating frequency of 2133 MHz, but there is no potential for overclocking. As for the negative aspects noted by the owners, here we can highlight the lack of a jack with which you can transmit an audio signal in digital form, as well as an optical input from the rear side. However, all this can be called minor quibbles, taking into account the price tag of this model.

Score (2018): 4.6

Advantages: Best price for AMD 990X chipset

Manufacturer country: China (assembly Taiwan)

In second place in our comparative review is a model from GIGABYTE - GA-990X-Gaming SLI. Built on the AMD 990X chip, it combines an adequate price tag and advanced functionality to create powerful solutions. The difference in price with the leader of our comparative review, which we will talk about a little later, is very significant, but, nevertheless, in quality and quantity technical solutions and it doesn’t lose any functionality to it. RAM strips can be supplied with frequencies up to 2 GHz. This device also has on board as many as 6 SerialATA slots and 2 PCI-Express x1 for connecting network equipment, which is quite rare in this cost segment. You can also highlight the presence of as many as eighteen USB outputs, which include 2 3.0 series outputs and 2 3.1 series outputs.

Generalizing the picture and summarizing the above facts, we can say that basically this model is one of the very profitable acquisitions, based on the already established popularity and a whole army of satisfied users.

Score (2018): 4.8

Advantages: The best board for overclocking. Popular model

Manufacturer country: China

The device is equipped with an AMD 990FX chip, so it is designed for assembling powerful gaming solutions in its price segment. Naturally, there is a function for simultaneous operation in tandem of two or more graphics adapters at a peak RAM frequency of 1866 MHz. Undoubtedly to positive aspects This model includes a huge number of modes with the PCI-Express bus. There are truly limitless possibilities for overclocking, allowing you to boost the power of both the processor and RAM, as well as the graphics component, which is good news for gamers who do not have the opportunity to buy expensive components.

What is especially worth mentioning is the number of exits. The rear part contains twelve USB connectors (there are eighteen in total), four of them are of the 3.0 series. Ability to work with sound signal implemented in digital format via S/PDIF. There are also plenty of SerialATA inputs - as many as six, with a throughput capacity of 6 Gbit/s.

Summarizing all of the above, we can say that this model from the Chinese company is an unrivaled option, having in its arsenal the widest functionality, excellent proprietary software, and high-quality assembly materials. And all this for a very reasonable price.

Motherboard, system board or in common parlance “board” – complex and basic base component when assembling a computer, it serves to house all the elements to run the system. The main materials used are textolite and getinaks, created using special printing technologies. Motherboards are available in several main form factors:

• Micro-ATX
• Mini-ATX

Mini-ATX are used to build entry-level systems or mini-assemblies to save space and budget. Their main disadvantage is the lack of enough space for upgrades and installation of powerful components. Micro-ATX are installed in mid-range systems and allow you to accommodate both low-budget and some high-end components. ATX is used when assembling top-end systems that require not only a lot of space for the component base (for example, a video card or cooling system), but also high-quality materials of the board itself to withstand heavy loads.

We have selected the top 15 best motherboards for assembly gaming computers on the most popular and current sockets in 2019.

The best motherboards for AM4

AM4 is designed to replace the obsolete platform on AM3+, depriving it of its shortcomings and at the same time compete with the now popular LGA1151. Its main innovations include:

• Support for the new DDR4 RAM format and frequency up to 3200 MHz;
• Stable operation with multi-threaded Ryzen processors with and without integrated graphics;
• Reduced heat dissipation, average 65 W;
• Supports USB1 and 3.0 gen 2 at speeds of 5 and 10 Gbps.

The main drawback was the partial incompatibility of the boards with previous sockets - only a few models support them.

4 ASRock B450M Pro4

Best cheap board on the market for AM4
Country: China
Average price: 6237 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.9

The board has 3 reinforced power phases and 3 regular ones, albeit in the lower arm and containing a pair of mosfets. Both VRM zones are covered with modestly sized heatsinks, but thanks to the cuts, they have an increased dissipation area for better heat dissipation. 6 cores will keep up with overclocking, but you won’t be able to drive it on the bus, since not a single “board” on the 450 chipset has such functions.

Traditionally, the board has a curve for ASRock BIOS. Buyers praise many ports in their reviews. By default, there are 5 slots for connecting coolers or water cooling systems. In order not to overheat and burn the system, it is recommended to have a well-ventilated case or purchase additional turntables. Considering the price, it turned out to be an excellent product, with the exception of the randomness with the oils, which varies from delivery to delivery.

3 MSI B450 TOMAHAWK

The coldest motherboard
Country: China
Average price: 9000 rub.
Rating (2019): 5.0

The power supply system firmly supports the overclocking of any six-core processor and is quite capable of pushing the Ryzen 2700 to 4 GHz without any overhead. This is the coolest B450 board on the market thanks to a strong power supply and a horse-sized heatsink.

The only hot spot is the controller. There is no offset here, but there is the possibility of autonomous BIOS flashing. "Tomahawk" has 4 slots for high-frequency RAM with a maximum of 3466 MHz. Supports Ryzen processors first and second generation. MSI tried hard and if it was still possible to get to the bottom of the B350 chipset, then TOMAHAWK will withstand any criticism and give a big head start to competitors, despite not the best best sound and the network, which is justified by the manufacturer’s desire to stuff the feeder to the maximum.

2 MSI X470 GAMING PLUS

Excellent VRM equipment
Country: China
Average price: 11,800 rub.
Rating (2019): 5.0

The board has 4+2 reinforced power phases, each of which has a double set of components. In the last generation, MSI surrendered under a barrage of criticism and stopped purchasing second-rate elements, catching up with ASUS in quality. For its money it has the best VRM equipment, even taking into account the lower number of phases than the famous ASUS Prime. In general, it heats up just as well, but costs less.

The disadvantages include the inability to overclock on the bus and the traditionally good overclocking potential of the memory. There is no clock generator and voltage offset. The ability to overclock the integrated APU graphics has also been removed. Thus, the board became an example of how you can save on minor things for the sake of more important things. Mediocre sound and the network are compensated by a high-efficiency power supply, which is also not devoid of heating under load.

Motherboards for office or school

Motherboards for work purposes are much cheaper than their gaming counterparts. They have a weak component base, they may lack protection against voltage surges, and there will be few power circuits at all. They can also be limited by the frequencies of the supported RAM and its volume. BIOS is very limited in functionality.

Gaming motherboards

This is the complete opposite. For a good gaming board you need 4 slots for RAM with a capacity of 16 GB or more. It is recommended to use RAM with frequencies of 1866 MHz and higher. An excellent option would be a model with powerful cooling radiators and at least 5 power circuits, so that in case of overclocking the “board” does not burn out. It is worth noting that there are gaming boards on sale without overclocking, but they must be used with extreme caution. The BIOS of a good board will have an interface for overclocking the bus and other PC components.

1 MSI X470 GAMING PRO CARBON

The best combination of characteristics
Country: China
Average price: 16106 rub.
Rating (2019): 5.0

The Gaming PRO version has 1 more power phase, which has a positive effect on temperatures and the behavior of the board as a whole. As a result, MSI engineers managed to make a top power supply among pre-top motherboards. Characterized by excellent memory overclocking, a simple and intuitive BIOS with fast navigation. A conveniently located reset button on the I/O panel will also please the owner who decides to play with the settings.

This board opened new era from MSI, no longer dropping voltage during overclocking. This feature does not have the best effect on temperatures and power consumption when idle, but oddly enough, it fully complies with AMD specifications. Not suitable for overclocking APU due to missing settings in BIOS. The maximum amount of supported RAM is 64 GB with a frequency of up to 3466 MHz.

The best motherboards for the Intel LGA1150 socket

The LGA 1150 socket replaces the LGA 1155 and is designed for most modern processors. If you don't care about overclocking, go for boards from MSI or GIGYBITE. Want to save money on an external sound card? Then pay attention to “boards” with built-in at least Realtek 1150. The combination of all of the above will give you a high-quality base for assembling an inexpensive computer for both work and games.

4 Esonic H81-BTC-KING

Choice of buyers and miners
Country: China
Average price: 3430 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.1

Lost among the famous competitors is a board from Esonic. This is a rather modest “board”, created exclusively for office purposes and for playing simple browser games without any hint of serious games or leveling up.

2 slots for DDR3 RAM, only 4 power phases and an abundance of USB slots indicate that this board has a place only in the office - printing documents or just watching movies. On the plus side, there are Japanese capacitors. There are 4 SATA extensions, which will allow miners to attach 6 video cards to the board at once.

3 ASUS B85M-G

Best price. One of the best-selling motherboards for socket 1150
Country: China
Average price: 4940 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.6

Third place rightfully went to the ASUS B85M-G motherboard. It can be classified as one of the best-selling models that are equipped with an Intel LGA1150 socket. The cost of the device is quite low, so it is very popular. An ideal option for those who want to save money and at the same time collect good system multimedia for your home or office computer.

All external interfaces have reliable protection; the panel is made of steel, which is not subject to corrosion. The model is especially relevant for the office, as the manufacturer has equipped it with COM and LTP ports. In the presented motherboard, the cooling system is based on high-quality solid capacitors, which guarantee durability even at critical temperature conditions (up to 105 degrees).

Job USB interfaces 3.0 is accelerated up to 170% when interacting with any compatible peripheral devices, as it supports the UASP protocol. As for management and settings, even a beginner can figure it out. Software Al Suite 3 is distinguished by its simplicity and wide functionality.

2 ASRock H81 Pro BTC R2.0

For entry level overclocking
Country: China
Average price: 5879 rub.
Rating (2019): 5.0

Co latest versions BIOS, the board is capable of delivering up to 1.35 Volts to the processor, although this is not the maximum that is needed. However, these indicators are quite enough for most users who want to have an overclock of 4.6-4.7 GHz.

Outwardly, it seems quite simple and has only 2 external USB 3.0 ports, plus two regular ones - laughter, and that’s all. Built-in sound card nothing stands out either. However, the abundance of PCIe slots is captivating. There are only 2 slots for RAM with a total capacity of no more than 16 GB and a frequency of 1866 MHz. Buyers note in their reviews that this model can be safely used for mining, it has excellent compatibility with GTX1080 Ti video cards and is characterized by a good cooling system. Please note that there is another port above the video card slot, which makes it possible to install any large cooler to provide vertical airflow.

Despite ASUS's unconditional leadership in the board-building market, their products for socket 1150 are simply overpaid. They are not distinguished by textolite, overclocking capabilities, or components, but the manufacturer asks on average more for his creations than others. Even very controversial motherboards from MSI look more solid than ASUS with a circle.

1 GIGABYTE GA-B85M-D3H-A (rev. 1.0)

No overclocking restrictions
Country: China
Average price: 5925 rub.
Rating (2019): 5.0

The board has no restrictions on overclocking, which is why it has become one of the most popular and relatively inexpensive options. It supports many processors, the list of which is as follows:

• Intel Core i7;
• Core i5;
• Core i3;
• Pentium;
• Celeron.

BIOS has built-in security and system disaster recovery in case of overheating or critical errors. The maximum amount of supported RAM is 32 GB DDR3 format with a frequency of no more than 1600 MHz. There is support for the CrossFire system.

The best motherboards for the Intel LGA1151 socket

The LGA 1150 socket replaces the LGA 1155 and is designed for most modern processors. If you don't care about overclocking, go for boards from MSI or GIGYBITE. Want to save money on an external sound card? Then pay attention to “boards” with built-in no lower than Realtek 1150 and no worse. The combination of all of the above will give you a high-quality basis for assembling an inexpensive computer for both work and play.

4 MSI H110M PRO-VD

Best price
Country: China
Average price: 3400 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.7

This model, unlike ASUS MAXIMUS VIII HERO, allows you to deploy a full-fledged gaming system with a relatively modest investment. The main advantage of the H110M PRO-VD is the large number of connectors: there are 8 of them for devices supporting USB 3.1, and as many as 6 for SATA ( throughput each – up to 6 Gbit/s). It is possible to install DDR4 RAM with frequencies from 2133 to 3600 MHz. There are 4 slots for this, which makes it possible to equip your PC with up to 64 GB of high-speed and energy-efficient RAM.

The built-in sound chip from Realtek can also be added to the list of advantages - many manufacturers of expensive motherboards do not consider it necessary to add it to their solutions. In general, the H110M PRO-VD is not much inferior in hardware capabilities to the ASUS MAXIMUS VIII HERO, giving the latter a 30 percent head start in price. The reason for this is passive cooling: at maximum loads of a PC based on ASUS MAXIMUS VIII HERO, the performance drop will be more noticeable.

3 ASRock Z370 Pro4

Excellent choice of ATX format
Country: China
Average price: 7949 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.9

Not everyone will like the fact that the heatsinks here are only on the left side and there are only 6 standard external USBs. But in this case, taking into account the fact that the case will be for ATX and 7 expansion slots, it is possible to install memory sticks with external USB ports. There is a Z370M Pro4 variant on the market - the same thing, only Micro ATX and with the same problems. Although, in games it makes no difference whether there are heatsinks around the socket or not - the 5 GHz frequency will remain stable.

The maximum supported amount of RAM is 64 GB, a total of 4 slots are available with support for DDR4 up to high-frequency 4266 MHz. Buyers in their reviews praise the convenient BIOS, good overclocking capabilities and the lack of ready-made profiles for overclocking. And advice: do not buy identical models on the H chipset - they are more expensive and there are no heatsinks on the socket. Be careful when purchasing - many manufacturers indicate SLI support, but this function Available only on single variants.

2 MSI Z370 KRAIT GAMING

Cool board with great capabilities
Country: China
Average price: 12690 rub.
Rating (2019): 5.0

Powerful radiators, a cool sound card, the ability to print additional accessories on a 3D printer - these are just a small part of all the possibilities that the Z370 KRAIT GAMING can provide you with. For lovers of pleasant things appearance backlight available. There is also SLI, but memory is officially supported only at 4000 MHz. Therefore, there may be a feeling that everything is cool, but what is missing. Audio Boost 4 with Nahimic 2+ technology will help you enjoy high-quality sound. It will help give your headset a studio-quality touch without noise or interference.

In case of problems, the built-in EZ Debug debugging system will help you, and of course the convenient Click BIOS 5. 2 slots for M.2 will help you easily install a couple of additional modules to expand the functionality. The only catch is a small overpayment for a strange design, which you can easily do without.

1 ASUS MAXIMUS VIII RANGER

For overclocking to 4.9 GHz via bus
Country: China
Average price: 6740 rub.
Rating (2019): 5.0

The board is perfect for those who want to build a computer with high frequencies processor. With it, you can overclock the i7-6700 processor to 4.9 GHz on the bus or up to 5 GHz on the multiplier in the case of the i7-7700K. 4 slots for RAM with a frequency of 3400 MHz and a capacity of up to 64 GB - an excellent indicator for its category. What's nice is the simultaneous support for SLI and CrossFireX technologies.

The board has a simple and effective design without frills, the cooling of the power phases is simply excellent. New drivers are released on the site approximately every 1-2 months. It’s better not to use the CPU Installation Tool, but to install the processor the old fashioned way, so as not to break anything. The BIOS has many settings and the average user will have to read the manual and watch guides to get comfortable with the controls.

Best motherboards FOR AM3+

Socket AM2+ was AMD's response to the creation of Intel LGA1150. These solutions combine two features: versatility and affordability of motherboards based on them. A bonus for buyers was the AMD AM1 module, which ensures compatibility with subsequent generations of processors. The next step for AMD was the more powerful AM3+, created specifically for the FX line of processors and designed for overclocking top-end systems. Its characteristic features are the absence of integrated graphics, a “hot” north bridge and good overclocking potential. At the same time, the matter is not limited to setting the multiplier - you need to “drive” along the bus, without forgetting about the voltage and RAM, the frequency of which for efficient work should not be less than 1866 MHz.

After the unexpected disclosure, as tech bloggers say, the “danced” AM3+, AMD significantly pushed Intel, finishing off its competitor with a line of budget “stones” of the A4-A10 series.

3 ASUS M5A78L-M LE/USB3

The optimal choice for office systems and gaming PCs without overclocking
Country: China
Average price: 4173 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.7

This is an entry-level board that is not intended for overclocking due to the 760G chipset, a relatively weak cooling system and a small number of power circuits. It is capable of running RAM with frequencies up to 1866 MHz, but there are only 2 slots for RAM and one dual-channel mode. The maximum amount of RAM is only 16 GB and it is not capable of seeing more.

It is simply not recommended to drive the processor above 4.1 GHz, otherwise you will see reboots and blue screens of death. Solid-state capacitors do not swell under load and are made very well. It often comes from the factory with the latest or penultimate version of the BIOS, but it itself is already obsolete. It is not recommended to install processors with a TPD higher than 95 Watt, otherwise the power circuits will heat up and the circuits themselves will melt. Sometimes you come across defective versions with a humming sound system at more than 50% volume.

2 GYGABITE GA970-DS3P (rev. 2.x)

Ideal for mid-range builds
Country: China
Average price: 5074 rub.
Rating (2019): 5.0

Meet the people's favorite, chosen by the majority of buyers. Using this plan is comparable to playing the violin by Paganini - it is very difficult, but if you delve into the nuances, it can give the most vivid sensations of gameplay. The optimal frequencies for FX are from 4.0 to 4.2 GHz, which increases heat dissipation to 125 Watts; accordingly, the north bridge and power circuits can no longer cope with such a load and require the placement of additional coolers with a diameter of 40 mm, otherwise overheating will occur in 10-15 minutes.

The new BIOS performs well, now configurable not only using the keyboard but also the mouse. The board has a slot for USB connections 3.0, as well as 8 ports on the rear panel, 6 of which are USB 2.0. Realtek 7.1 is responsible for the sound, and the maximum supported RAM frequency reaches 2000 MHz with a capacity of up to 32 GB. Users in their reviews recommend not to get carried away with overclocking without additional airflow, otherwise system unit You can safely warm your hands.

1 ASUS M5A99FX PRO R.2.0

The best overclocking board for AM3+
Country: China
Average price: 10,770 rub.
Rating (2019): 5.0

This is the best and most affordable motherboard for FX, Phenom, Athlon 2, Sempron 100 processors today. And at the same time the most expensive. It is not distinguished by the number of slots for RAM - there are 4 of them according to the classics. But the main trump card is the increased frequency of the OP - up to 2133 MHz. The maximum volume is 32 GB, which is enough for all possible operations. Powerful bridge radiators for passive cooling with heat pipes are installed along the periphery of the case.

An important element is the many 4-pin connectors for connecting fans, since additional fans are often required to improve air circulation. It’s also nice that there are 8 power phases at once, so you don’t have to worry about protecting the board from “burning out.” With a complete and correct upgrade, the board can handle the 5.1 GHz FX8300 processor without any problems. The main material used is strong hardboard for increased loads and heavy “tower” cooling systems.

How to choose a motherboard?

When choosing motherboards, rely on the following aspects:

1. Compatibility is an important parameter when choosing a motherboard. Any element and external device must be compatible physically and software with the board. An excellent option would be a board that allows you to switch to another processor in case of improvement.
2. The required number for ports, slots and socket (socket is a connector or “pocket” for connecting a processor). It is integrated into all boards, but as for USB ports and other elements, they may vary depending on the modifications. This is especially important when building a foundation for an upgrade in the future.
3. Availability of cooling systems (cooling radiators) on the chipset. Chipset is a set of microcircuits mounted on the motherboard. Most often, all logic is tied to the north and south bridges. There are boards that do not have bridges, but there is a different logic organization scheme.
4. Other components: built-in sound controller (connecting speakers), video adapter (analogous to an external video card), network controller (internet connection), CMOS battery, Russified BIOS (optional), built-in recovery software.

Best motherboard | Introduction

Best motherboard | Intel LGA-1151

This page provides our recommendations for choosing a motherboard for Intel processors for the most popular LGA-1151 socket, which includes motherboards for 9th generation Coffee Lake Refresh chips, boards based on the Z370 chipset for 8th generation Coffee Lake chips and their a more affordable alternative based on the H370 chipset. To see our recommendations for high-end Intel LGA-2066 processor boards with X299 chipsets, go to the next page. The third page contains our recommendations for choosing motherboards for AMD processors.

Choose the correct socket for your processor. You can find excellent processors from both AMD and Intel, but regardless of your choice, make sure your board has the correct socket to support that processor. Modern mass-produced AMD chips use the AM4 socket, and Intel, starting from the 8th generation, uses LGA 1151v2.

The smaller the board, the fewer slots and functions. Motherboards come in three main form factors, from large to small: ATX, Micro-ATX and Mini-ITX (yes, mini is smaller than micro in this case). To build a compact PC, you can take a miniature board, but then you will have to put up with fewer PCI Express slots, slots for RAM and other connectors.

You can spend less than 7,000 rubles. You can find a good motherboard for under 7,000 rubles, but if you need to overclock Intel processors or if you need a lot of ports, you will have to spend a large amount, usually up to 15,000 rubles. High-End processors, such as AMD Threadripper, require expensive boards from 25,000 rubles and above.

Pay for built-in Wi-Fi and expensive controllers only if you need them. Don't spend extra money on a Wi-Fi controller if you're using a wired connection. That being said, support for USB 3.1 Gen 2 or Thunderbolt 3 could pay off in the future.

Best motherboard | Intel LGA-1151 - summary table

Model	ASRock Z390 Extreme4	ASRock H370M Pro4	Asus ROG Strix Z370-G Gaming
Best price in Russia, rub.	13100	7000	14000
CPU socket	LGA 1151	LGA 1151	LGA 1151
Chipset	Intel Z390	Intel H370	Intel Z370
Form factor	ATX	Micro ATX	Micro ATX
	12	10	10
Video connectors	DisplayPort 1.2, HDMI 1.4, VGA	VGA, DVI-D, HDMI 1.4	DisplayPort 1.2, HDMI 1.4b
USB ports	5 Gbps: (4) Type A	10 Gbps: (1) Type-C, (1) Type A	10 Gbps: (2) Type-A 5 Gbps: (4) Type-A, (2) USB 2.0
Network connectors	(1) Gigabit Ethernet	(1) Gigabit Ethernet
Audio connectors		(3) analog	(5) analog, (1) digital output
PS/2	1		1	1
Other connectors and ports	Antenna bar	No	No
PCIe 3.0 x16	(3) v3.0 (x16/x0/x4, x8/x8/x4)	(2) v3.0 (x16/x4*) (*shared with upper PCIe x1)	(2) v3.0 (x16/x0, x8/x8)
PCIe 3.0 x8	No	No	No
PCIe 3.0 x4	No	No	No
PCIe 3.0 x1	(2)v3.0	(2) v3.0 (Top x1 shared with x16 slot on 4 lines)	(2)v3.0
CrossFire/SLI	3x/2x	2x/-	2x / 2x
Number of DIMM slots	(4) DDR4	(4) DDR4	(4) DDR4
M.2 connectors	(2) PCIe 3.0 x4* / SATA*, ​​(1) M.2 Key-E (*common with SATA ports 0/1, 4/5)	(1) PCIe 3.0 x4 /, (1) PCIe 3.0 x1 / SATA*, ​​(1) Key-E/CNVi (*SATA shared with port 1)	PCIe v3.0 x4 / SATA3 (shared with SATA port 1), PCIe v3.0 x4
U.2 connectors	No	No	No
SATA connectors	(8) 6 Gbps (Ports 0/1, 4/5 shared with M.2)	(6) 6 Gbps (Port 1 shared with M.2-2)	(6) 6 Gbps (SATA M.2-1 shared with port 1)
USB connectors	(1) 5 Gbps Type-C, (2) v3.0, (2) v2.0	(2) v3.0, (1) v2.0, (1) v2.0	(1) USB v3.0, (2) USB v2.0
Fan connectors	(5) 4-Pin	(4) 4-Pin	(5) 4-Pin
Outdated interfaces		COM port	COM port, system speaker-tweeter
Other interfaces	FP-Audio, D-LED, (2) RGB-LED, Thunderbolt AIC, TPM	FP-Audio, TPM	FP Audio, connectors for thermal sensors
Diagnostic panel	No	No	No
Internal buttons	No	No	No
SATA/RAID controllers	embedded (0/1/5/10), ASM1061 PCIe	built-in (0/1/5/10)	built-in (0/1/5/10)
Ethernet controllers	WGI219V PHY	WGI219V PHY	WGI219V PHY
Wi-Fi/Bluetooth controller	No	No	RTL8822BE 802.11ac 2x2 (867mb/s) / BT 4.2 Combo
USB controllers	ASM1074 Hub	built-in	ASM3142 PCIe 3.0 x2
Audio codec	ALC1220	ALC892	ALC1220
DDL/DTS Connect	DTS Connect	No	No
Guarantee	3 years	3 years	3 years

Model	Gigabyte Z370 Aorus Gaming 5	Gigabyte Z370 Aorus Gaming 7	Gigabyte Z390 Aorus Xtreme
Best price in Russia, rub.	14300	17500	42200
CPU socket	LGA 1151	LGA 1151	LGA 1151
Chipset	Intel Z370	Intel Z370	Intel Z390
Form factor	ATX	ATX	ATX
Voltage stabilizer phases	11	10	16
Video connectors	DisplayPort 1.2, HDMI 1.4	DisplayPort 1.2, HDMI 1.4	HDMI 1.4, Dual Thunderbolt 3
USB ports	10 Gbps: (1) Type-C, (1) Type A 5 Gbps: (4) Type A; (2) USB 2.0	10 Gbps: (1) Type-C, (1) Type A 5 Gbps: (5) Type A	10 Gbps: (4) Type A (+2 Thunderbolt 3 5 Gbps: (2) Type A; (2) USB 2.0
Network connectors	(1) Gigabit Ethernet, (2) Wi-Fi antenna	(3) Gigabit Ethernet (1x shared with PCIe), (2) Wi-Fi antenna	(1) 10GbE, (1) Gigabit Ethernet, (2) Wi-Fi antenna
Audio connectors	(5) analog, (1) digital output	(5) analog, (1) digital output	(5) analog, (1) digital output
PS/2	1	1	No
Other connectors and ports	No	No	No
PCIe 3.0 x16		(3) v3.0(3) v3.0 (x16/x0/x4*, x8/x8/x4*, x8/x8/x2*)	(3) v3.0 (x16/x0/x4*, x8/x8/x4*, x8/x8/x2*) (* 2 lines shared with the third M.2)
PCIe 3.0 x8	No	No	No
PCIe 3.0 x4	No	No	No
PCIe 3.0 x1		(3) v3.0 (using the third slot disables SATA port 1)	(2)v3.0
CrossFire/SLI	3x/2x	3x/2x	3x/2x
Number of DIMM slots	(4) DDR4	(4) DDR4	(4) DDR4
M.2 connectors		(2) PCIe 3.0 x4 / SATA Gb/s (disables SATA ports 0, 4/5,), (1) PCIe 3.0 x4	(2) PCIe 3.0 x4 / SATA 6 Gb/s (occupies SATA ports 4/5, 3), (1) PCIe 3.0 x4
U.2 connectors	No	No	No
SATA connectors		(6) 6 Gbps (SATA M.2-3 common with port 0, M.2-1 common with ports 4-5)	(6) 6 Gbps (M.2-1 shared with ports 4-5, SATA M.2-2 shared with port 1)
USB connectors	(1) 5 Gbps Type-C, (1) v3.0, (2) v2.0		(1) 10 Gbps Type-C, (1) v3.0, (2) v2.0
Fan connectors	(8) 4-Pin	(8) 4-Pin	(8) 4-Pin
Outdated interfaces	No	No	System speaker-tweeter
Other interfaces		FP-Audio,TPM, (2)RGBW-LED, (2) D-LED, (2) connectors for thermal sensors	FP-Audio, SPDIF/O, (2)RGB-LED, (2) D-LED, LED Demo, TPM, OC-Touch, (2) thermal sensor connectors
Diagnostic panel	digital	digital	digital
Internal buttons	No	Power, Reset, OC, CLR_CMOS	Power, OC Mode, Reset, CLR_CMOS / BIOS ROM, BIOS Mode
SATA/RAID controllers	built-in (0/1/5/10)	built-in (0/1/5/10)	built-in (0/1/5/10)
Ethernet controllers	WGI219V PHY	WGI219V PHY, Killer E2500 PCIe	AQC107 PCIe, WGI211AT PCIe, WGI219V PHY
Wi-Fi/Bluetooth controller	Intel 3165 802.11ac (Mbps) / BT 4.2 Combo	No	Intel 9560 802.11ac 2x2 (1.73Gb/s) / BT 5 Combo
USB controllers	(2) ASM3142 PCIe 3.0	(2) ASM3142 PCIe 3.0 x2	JHL7540 Thunderbolt 3 PCIe 3.0 x4
Audio codec	ALC1220	ALC1220	ALC1220
DDL/DTS Connect	No	No	No
Guarantee	3 years	3 years	3 years

Best motherboard | Intel H370 chipset

ASROCK H370M PRO4

ADVANTAGES

• Two USB port 3.1 Gen2 and two Gen1 USB 3.1 ports on the rear panel
• Four USB 3.0 ports for the front panel
• The functionality of the H370 chipset at the price of the B360

FLAWS

• No RGB backlight controller
• There is no header for front USB 3.1 Gen2 ports

VERDICT

Those who don't need RGB lighting or 10Gbps front-facing USB 3.1 Gen2 ports will appreciate the fact that the ASRock H370M Pro4 offers a more advanced port selection in almost every case compared to its competitors, and at a lower price.

Best motherboard | Intel Z370 chipset

ASUS ROG STRIX Z370-G GAMING

ADVANTAGES

• Splitting the x16 to x8/x8 lane for SLI and PCIe storage on the processor controller
• Wi-Fi controller 867 Mbit/s for remote installation or use as an access point
• Bracket for 40mm or 50mm cooling fan, owner's choice
• Good overclocking potential with adequate cooling

FLAWS

• Voltage stabilizers require active cooling

VERDICT

The ASUS ROG Strix Z370-G Gaming has enough features and overclocking potential to provide the optimal combination of price and performance. However, the need for additional active blowing of voltage stabilizers does not allow us to recommend it to the general consumer.

GIGABYTE Z370 AORUS GAMING 5

ADVANTAGES

• Excellent overclocking potential
• Three M.2 slots

FLAWS

• Due to resource sharing, only four SATA ports may be available
• When using the third M.2 slot, the bottom PCI Express slot is limited to two lanes

VERDICT

Much more low price than the Gaming 7, makes this board attractive to users, especially those who like excessive RGB lighting.

GIGABYTE Z370 AORUS GAMING 7

ADVANTAGES

• Excellent overclocking potential
• Enhanced Audio Components
• Two USB controller 3.1 Gen 2 with front port header
• Three M.2 slots
• Excellent location of connectors for coolers
• Advanced lighting with two D-LED and two RGBW headers

FLAWS

• A little expensive for this range of features
• Ineffective without overclocking

VERDICT

The equipment and overclocking potential of the Z370 will satisfy most enthusiasts, but at a price that is more attractive to show system builders.

It is difficult to argue that the rising dollar exchange rate has seriously affected buyers of computer components, because in just a year, hardware has risen in price by 30-60%. What are manufacturers doing, what steps are they taking to maintain their position in the market? Who reacted fastest to a suddenly unfavorable situation? It will be easier to answer these questions if you look at the situation as a whole.

The trio of the most popular motherboard suppliers are ASRock, ASUS and MSI, whose market share reaches almost 70%. And the most delicious part of the pie is the Intel Skylake CPU solutions segment - thanks to fresh processors, the likelihood of tempting buyers increases. But if earlier users forgave Intel’s pranks and changed platforms when moving from one type of CPU to another, now people have become more discerning.

Of course, technology does not stand still, but this time, instead of one clear step, we only got a semblance of it. For example, try to immediately find five differences between motherboards of the previous generation and the current one. Yes, new models are equipped USB connectors 3.1, M.2 or U2, but even without them it was possible to build a good computer. Why then buy an expensive motherboard if you can get by with a more modest version? Perhaps overclocking will have its say in the choice? And here Intel tried to cut off oxygen to customers as much as possible.

Manufacturers, seeing a decline in consumer demand, began to introduce new features, including undocumented ones. But after that, Intel elevated the principles of segmentation of its products to the absolute level - if you want to overclock the CPU, it is no longer enough to just overclock the CPU; you also need a motherboard based on the Intel Z170. And there is no doubt that, under pressure from the vendor, manufacturers will sooner or later remove the ability to overclock processors without the “K” index. Apparently, right now it is important not to miss the moment, choose something suitable among hundreds of motherboards and stop updating the BIOS.

The mentioned trio also did not sit idly by and gradually saturated Russian retail with more available models. And almost all of them have already been discussed earlier in a series of materials, divided by system logic sets:

• Budget options for Intel H110;
• Available models and solutions of a higher class on Intel B150;
• Mid-range motherboards based on Intel H170;
• Middle class, advanced versions and premium on Intel Z170.

Now it's time to weigh the pros and cons by looking at groups of models for each form factor. Note that we'll talk only about four popular chipsets; the lesser-known analogues on PCH Q150 and Q170 are of interest only to a small circle of people. In addition, we will not touch on the topic of highly specialized boards, focusing on mass products.

mATX Leaders

So, let's start considering all the applicants.

As you can see, manufacturers quickly caught on to the dynamics of changes in our market and tried to maximally increase their presence in the most popular segment - relatively budget chipset-based motherboards.

This approach allows us to produce moderately advanced models with a basic set of characteristics that one hundred percent satisfy the average consumer. The word “basic” means DDR3/DDR4 memory, from four to six SATA 6 Gb/s ports, five to seven power phases (often among the nominees there are models with partial VRM cooling), from four to six USB 3.0 ports.

This list allows you to create more or less modern system for a reasonable amount of 4-6 thousand rubles. Naturally, there is no need to think about any modern standards. Until the price range exceeds 8 thousand rubles, you can safely forget about support for M.2, Sli or Crossfire, USB 3.1. These are the realities: if you want a budget system, if you please, give up your dreams.

And the question arises: is it necessary to run to the store right now and update, if in return for a certain amount you will get everything the same as a year or two ago? This is a rhetorical question that need not be answered. In the meantime, we will smoothly move on to the absolute leaders and finalists. The leader among mATX motherboards is ASRock H110M-HDV.

Its advantage over the others is expressed in its adequate price and capabilities. And since the H110 chipset does not support overclocking, the requirements for the power and cooling system will be moderate. In general, the board's equipment is far from bad. Compared to the others, it’s not even the worst. For ~4.5 thousand rubles functionality The H110M-HDV outperformed its closest analogues.

The list of specifications includes support for all types of Skylake processors, DDR4 memory, four SATA 6 Gb/s ports, three video outputs HDMI, DVI, D-Sub and only four USB 3.0. And yet, this was enough to outperform competitors offering motherboards with similar equipment, but at a higher price. It turns out that if you want to collect or improve old system With minimal costs, then ASRock H110M-HDV is the best choice based on the combination of all factors.

ASRock B150M Pro4S/D3 took second place.

And again, an unremarkable motherboard. Only now it’s the B150 chipset. ASRock has thoroughly studied the market of all offers and was able to maintain a leading position in terms of price/performance ratio. The B150M Pro4S/D3 supports CrossFire mode, is equipped with partial cooling, two most popular video outputs, six SATA 6 Gb/s and six USB 3.0 ports. It has a few design flaws in the form of awkward first two SATA 6 Gb/s ports, but if you look at it outside of that lens, it's a respectable product.

Moreover, its cost is 5,500 rubles. This is the key to success. However, in this price group you should not flatter yourself with hopes of getting modern ports and slots. In this case, the B150M Pro4S/D3 is created for those who appreciate moderate capabilities for a low stage.

In third place we again meet ASRock and its unique H110M Combo-G board.

It is unique in that it supports both types of memory - DDR3 and DDR4, although they cannot work simultaneously. Theoretically, there is logic in this. When switching from the DDR3 platform, to save money, you can leave the old memory and later replace it with the faster DDR4.

Why ASRock boards took high places, pushing aside other manufacturers? To do this you need to look at the ratings. The company was able to release motherboards without significant drawbacks: there is cooling everywhere, a sufficient number of power phases, the opportunity to leave at least two popular video outputs HDMI and DVI was not missed, two out of three models support Crossfire (according to the wrong scheme, via PCH) and a sufficient number of interface ports. Coupled with a moderate price, these options are several positions ahead of competing analogs that remain behind the top three.

And yet we should not forget that the boards belong to the lowest stage of evolution. In the case of ASRock, there is a high probability of getting reduced BIOS capabilities, which is unlikely to suit enthusiasts. You don't have to go far to check it out. In our test laboratory, boards from this company were frequently encountered, and we identified a number of minor problems with BIOS settings. Therefore, when buying any of these three leading boards, take into account the features of ASRock firmware.

It would be incorrect not to talk about other representatives of the mATX category. The top three in terms of equipment is opened by ASUS company and Maximus VIII Gene.

Excellent Features: ideal system cooling, rich in settings BIOS firmware, self-diagnosis functions, built-in audio codec, etc. It would take a long time to list all the advantages; it’s easier to look at the ratings in the table or read the review. The only thing that spoils the impression of the board is the price stated at around 17,000 rubles. Let us remember that models deprived of all fashionable features are valued at 4-6 thousand.

Whether it's worth paying three or four times more is up to you to decide. But in light of our scoring system, the idea is uninteresting. On the other hand, there are a number of enthusiasts with special requirements, for example, support for two video cards, overclocking or USB 3.1, and here the Maximus VIII Gene in the mATX form factor remains the only choice. Yes, sometimes harsh conditions limit us and put us in a hopeless situation. And in this case, ASUS and its board enter the scene.

In second place is the MSI Z170M Mortar.

The MSI version is inferior to the ASUS version in terms of capabilities, but allows you to save 5,000 rubles. The only significant problem with this board is the combination of the Intel Z170 chipset and six power phases. To put it simply, the power supply system is not powerful enough for serious overclocking; fortunately, it is still cooled entirely by radiators.

The ASUS Z170M-Plus closes the list.

It is quite a bit inferior to the MSI Z170M Mortar, and this mainly concerns the cooling system. It’s a pity, but ASUS, even in a board for 11,000 rubles, prefers to install a heatsink only on the power phases of the processor (the main cores, and not the built-in video core or memory controllers). Therefore, it loses points in the final ranking.

As you might have already guessed, judging by the results, in this class the leaders are not motherboards, not with brilliant characteristics, but those models in which there is the right balance of capabilities and price. If we limit ourselves to mATX dimensions, then in addition to the small number of offers on the market, you may encounter the fact that as motherboards become more expensive, they gain more and more capabilities.

But instead of introducing USB 3.1 and M.2 ports, manufacturers are getting carried away with design tricks and increasing power phases. The question is, why do logic sets without overclocking functions need more than six or seven phases? Why not replace them with something more necessary, or reduce the cost by saving on something else? And the one who accepted gets a high score new model business in conditions of a sharp decline in demand for expensive models.