Smaller boards = fewer slots and features.The latest mainstream AMD chips use AM4 sockets while current Intel 10th and upcoming 11th Gen Core CPUs work in LGA 1200 sockets. Get the right socket for your CPU: You can find great CPUs from either Intel or AMD, but whatever CPU you buy, make sure that your board has the correct socket to support it.Those processors aren't quite here yet, but should arrive in the next few months. Just note that while AMD's B550 boards support PCIe 4.0 now with a Zen 2/3-based processor, the Intel Z490 boards that list PCIe 4.0 support (and all new Z590 boards) will only activate that support when paired with a next-generation Rocket Lake-S CPU. Speaking build budgets, if you’re looking to save some money while shopping, you should check out our feature about the eight features you probably don't need on a motherboard.Īnd if you're after a brand-new board from Intel's new Z590 or AMD's X570 linuep, note that motherboard prices for both platforms have increased over previous generations, at least in part due to support for PCIe 4.0. We’re here to help untangle the complexities and make sure you pick the right model for your needs, without blowing too much of your build budget for other parts.
Motherboards-particularly high-end models-are often made up of a confusing collection of features, and can range in price from sub-$60 (£50) budget boards to as much as $1,000 or more. Motherboards (Image credit: Tom's Hardware)