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10 Best Budget Motherboard 2025 in the United States

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Asus ROG Strix B550-F Gaming WiFi II AMD AM4 (3rd Gen Ryzen) ATX Motherboard (PCIe 4.0,WiFi 6E, 2.5Gb LAN, BIOS Flashback, HDMI 2.1, Addressable Gen 2 RGB Header and Aura Sync)

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,425
Socket Type
Connectivity
BIOS/UEFI

Most important from
11391 reviews

Socket Type
Setup is straightforward with no compatibility issues, making it an easy upgrade for those using AM4 Ryzen processors.
Connectivity
PCIe 4.0 support and plentiful USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports offer great connectivity options at a budget-friendly price.
BIOS/UEFI
The BIOS interface is user-friendly and intuitive, allowing easy tweaking of settings without hassle.

The Asus ROG Strix B550-F Gaming WiFi II is a solid choice for anyone looking for a budget-friendly motherboard that still packs features suited for gaming and general use. It uses the popular AM4 socket, supporting AMD Ryzen 3000 and 5000 series processors, which means you have access to a wide range of CPUs without needing an upgrade soon. Its ATX form factor is standard and compatible with most mid-sized cases. The B550 chipset enables PCIe 4.0 support, offering faster data transfer speeds, especially useful for newer graphics cards and SSDs. RAM compatibility is with DDR4, which is still common and cost-effective, though it supports speeds up to 2133 MHz by default, which is modest but can be overclocked in many setups.

For expansion, it offers dual M.2 slots for high-speed storage and plenty of USB ports including USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, which is great for fast peripherals. Networking is a standout feature here, featuring both WiFi 6E and a 2.5 Gb Ethernet port, ensuring smooth and fast internet connectivity whether wired or wireless. The audio quality is enhanced by ASUS’ LANGuard technology, which protects against surges and interference. BIOS/UEFI is user-friendly with an intuitive dashboard and useful features like BIOS Flashback, allowing easy updates without a CPU installed.

While the power delivery is robust for this price, more overclocking enthusiasts might want a motherboard with even stronger VRM setups. Also, the base RAM speed is a bit low, so if you want very high-speed memory, you may need to look elsewhere. For gamers or everyday users on a budget, this board strikes a good balance of modern features and reliability without extra cost.

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,425
Socket Type
Connectivity
BIOS/UEFI

Most important from
11391 reviews

Socket Type
Setup is straightforward with no compatibility issues, making it an easy upgrade for those using AM4 Ryzen processors.
Connectivity
PCIe 4.0 support and plentiful USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports offer great connectivity options at a budget-friendly price.
BIOS/UEFI
The BIOS interface is user-friendly and intuitive, allowing easy tweaking of settings without hassle.
#2

ASRock B650M PG Lightning WiFi 6E AMD Ryzen 9000/8000/7000 Series Socket AM5 B650 DDR5 up to 7200+ (OC) MHz 256 GB SATA3 6.0 Gb/s Micro ATX Motherboard M.2 RGB LED BIOS Flashback

Rating
10.0
Socket Type
Expansion Slots
Storage Options

Most important from
763 reviews

Socket Type
The VRM supports nearly every current CPU, and the well-spaced PCIe slots alongside three M.2 slots offer excellent expansion options for most users.
Expansion Slots
The VRM supports nearly every current CPU, and the well-spaced PCIe slots alongside three M.2 slots offer excellent expansion options for most users.
Storage Options
Three M.2 storage slots all work flawlessly, supporting varying speeds including a PCIe Gen5 slot for future-proofing.
Connectivity
This motherboard delivers great value with all ports and slots functioning reliably, making it a solid choice for basic builds with built-in WiFi.
BIOS/UEFI
BIOS Flashback and other straightforward features make updating and configuring the board hassle-free, even without a CPU installed.

The ASRock B650M PG Lightning WiFi 6E is a solid choice for anyone looking for a budget-friendly motherboard compatible with the latest AMD Ryzen 7000, 8000, and 9000 series processors thanks to its AM5 socket. It supports DDR5 RAM up to a high speed of 7200+ MHz (overclocked), allowing for fast memory performance, and can handle up to 256 GB, which is quite generous for most users. Its Micro ATX form factor makes it a good fit for smaller PC cases without sacrificing essential features.

Expansion options include one PCIe 4.0 x16 slot for a graphics card and another PCIe 3.0 x16 slot, plus M.2 slots for fast NVMe storage, including a blazing fast PCIe Gen5 M.2 slot, which is great for future-proofing your storage needs. Connectivity is strong with WiFi 6E and Bluetooth built-in, plus multiple USB ports including USB Type-C both at the front and back, which is convenient for modern peripherals. Audio quality is decent with the Realtek ALC897 codec and Nahimic audio enhancements, suitable for everyday use but not ideal for audiophiles. It also has useful features like BIOS Flashback for easy updates without a CPU installed.

Some users may find the audio and networking features mid-range rather than premium, and being a budget motherboard, it might lack some of the advanced power delivery and overclocking options found in higher-end models. If you want a straightforward, modern motherboard that supports the newest AMD CPUs and fast memory with good connectivity, this ASRock board provides excellent value without extra frills.

Rating
10.0
Socket Type
Expansion Slots
Storage Options

Most important from
763 reviews

Socket Type
The VRM supports nearly every current CPU, and the well-spaced PCIe slots alongside three M.2 slots offer excellent expansion options for most users.
Expansion Slots
The VRM supports nearly every current CPU, and the well-spaced PCIe slots alongside three M.2 slots offer excellent expansion options for most users.
Storage Options
Three M.2 storage slots all work flawlessly, supporting varying speeds including a PCIe Gen5 slot for future-proofing.
Connectivity
This motherboard delivers great value with all ports and slots functioning reliably, making it a solid choice for basic builds with built-in WiFi.
BIOS/UEFI
BIOS Flashback and other straightforward features make updating and configuring the board hassle-free, even without a CPU installed.

Buying Guide for the Best Budget Motherboard

Choosing the right motherboard is crucial as it serves as the backbone of your computer, connecting all the components and allowing them to communicate with each other. When selecting a motherboard, you need to consider several key specifications to ensure compatibility with your other components and to meet your performance needs. Here are the key specs you should focus on and how to navigate them to find the best fit for you.
Form FactorThe form factor of a motherboard refers to its size and shape, which determines the type of case it will fit into. The most common form factors are ATX, Micro-ATX, and Mini-ITX. ATX motherboards are the largest and offer the most features and expansion slots, making them ideal for high-performance builds. Micro-ATX boards are smaller and have fewer expansion slots but are still suitable for most users. Mini-ITX boards are the smallest and are great for compact builds but may have limited features. Choose a form factor based on the size of your case and the number of features you need.
Socket TypeThe socket type of a motherboard determines which CPUs are compatible with it. Common socket types include LGA, AM4, and TR4. LGA sockets are used by Intel processors, while AM4 and TR4 sockets are used by AMD processors. It's important to choose a motherboard with a socket type that matches your CPU. If you're planning to upgrade your CPU in the future, consider a socket type that supports a wide range of processors.
ChipsetThe chipset on a motherboard controls communication between the CPU, RAM, and other components. Different chipsets offer varying levels of performance and features. High-end chipsets provide better performance, more USB ports, and advanced features like overclocking support. Mid-range chipsets offer a good balance of performance and features, while budget chipsets are more basic but still functional. Choose a chipset based on your performance needs and the features you require.
RAM CompatibilityMotherboards support different types and amounts of RAM. The most common type is DDR4, but newer boards may support DDR5. The number of RAM slots and the maximum amount of RAM supported can vary. If you need a lot of memory for tasks like video editing or gaming, look for a motherboard with more RAM slots and higher maximum RAM capacity. Ensure the RAM speed supported by the motherboard matches the speed of the RAM you plan to use.
Expansion SlotsExpansion slots on a motherboard allow you to add additional components like graphics cards, sound cards, and network cards. The most common type of expansion slot is PCIe. High-end motherboards have more PCIe slots, which is important if you plan to use multiple graphics cards or other expansion cards. If you only need a single graphics card and a few other components, a motherboard with fewer slots will suffice.
Storage OptionsMotherboards offer various storage options, including SATA ports for traditional hard drives and SSDs, and M.2 slots for faster NVMe SSDs. If you need a lot of storage or want the fastest possible storage speeds, look for a motherboard with multiple SATA ports and M.2 slots. Consider your current and future storage needs when choosing a motherboard.
ConnectivityConnectivity options on a motherboard include USB ports, Ethernet ports, and Wi-Fi. The number and type of USB ports can vary, with newer boards offering USB 3.1 or USB-C ports for faster data transfer. Ethernet ports provide wired internet connectivity, while some motherboards also include built-in Wi-Fi for wireless connectivity. Choose a motherboard with the connectivity options that match your needs, whether it's multiple USB ports for peripherals or built-in Wi-Fi for convenience.
AudioMotherboards come with built-in audio solutions, but the quality can vary. Higher-end motherboards often have better audio components and support for surround sound, which is important for gaming and media consumption. If audio quality is important to you, look for a motherboard with high-quality audio components or consider adding a dedicated sound card.
BIOS/UEFIThe BIOS or UEFI is the firmware that initializes hardware during the boot process and provides an interface for configuring system settings. UEFI is the modern version of BIOS and offers a more user-friendly interface and additional features. A good BIOS/UEFI can make it easier to overclock your CPU and RAM, update firmware, and troubleshoot issues. Look for a motherboard with a well-reviewed BIOS/UEFI for a better user experience.

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