Trusted Quality: The Best Intel Motherboards in 2022

Because so many computer components rely on your motherboard to function properly, it’s very important to know as much as possible about a board before choosing it. If you already have some of the hardware for your computer, then you need to make sure you pick an Intel motherboard that is compatible Conversely, for a fresh computer build, your motherboard narrows down the components you can use, so look at what is compatible with the board before you purchase it. The options may seem overwhelming at first, but a little information can help you pick the perfect Intel motherboard for your system.

Socket Type and Chipset

The socket type of a motherboard refers to the physical types of CPUs or processors you can install onto the board. Since the processor impacts so much of your computer’s performance, it’s important to know which CPU you want and then choose an Intel motherboard that will work with it. For example, Intel Core i7 and i5 processors can fit in LGA 1150, while LGA 2011 sockets only work with Intel Core i7. For more information on different types of processors, check out the processors/CPUs buyer’s guide.

The socket also impacts what kind of chipset is placed on the motherboard by the manufacturer. While that’s not a major concern for a lot of computer users, if you’re an enthusiast looking for the best performance possible, then look for a motherboard with a Z97 or X99 chipset.

CPU Type

While the CPU type is related to the socket type, they’re not the same thing, although both are important elements of a motherboard. The CPU type refers to the model of the processor, such as an Intel core i7 or core i5 processor. Intel Core i5 and i7 processors can both be installed in LGA 1150 sockets, but are very different CPUs.

With Intel, you can tell the series of a processor based on the number after “i”. Later generations are typically faster, though other factors like cores and threads are also important. Take a look at the processors/CPUs buyer’s guide for even more information.

Manufacturer

While Intel provides the chipset on a motherboard, the manufacturer is the company assembling the board. Several different companies make Intel motherboards, including ASRock, ASUS, MSI, and Gigabyte. Each manufacturer has names for its boards like the “ASRock Extreme4” or “ASUS Maximus VII” which usually refer to a series of boards, including new versions of an established series indicated by the number. Don’t worry too much about the name of the board; instead, focus on the other features and options. Manufacturers offer different types of warranties on their motherboards, so look for a manufacturer with a 2-3 year warranty to protect your investment.

Memory Type and Quantity

The maximum amount and type of memory come from the RAM that you can install into your motherboard. These are referred to as memory slots or DIMM slots. You can put one stick of RAM into each slot, so the number of slots indicates how many physical sticks of memory you can insert into the motherboard. There’s also a maximum amount of memory, usually measured in gigabytes or GB.

A motherboard with four slots and maximum memory of 64GB could handle four 16GB sticks of RAM, while a board with eight slots and 128GB maximum memory could support eight sticks of 16GB of RAM or less. There are also different speeds of RAM measured in megahertz or MHz, such as 2400MHz or 1600MHz.

Finally, look at the type of RAM such as DDR3 or DDR4 memory, higher numbers indicate significantly faster memory. For the best performance possible, you’ll want to find a motherboard with at least four slots that support very fast RAM.

Expansion Slots

The expansion slots on a motherboard are used to install additional components inside a computer system directly onto the board itself. These are commonly used for video cards, but other components like sound cards and internal modems can also connect through an expansion slot.

For a video card, look for a PCI Express or PCIe port, the speed of the port is described by generation and a number indicating bandwidth such as PCIe 3.0 x16 or PCIe 2.0 x8. If you’re interested in running multiple video cards together in CrossFire or SLI, then look for a motherboard with two or more PCIe 3.0 x16 slots for the fastest performance possible. For more information about picking the right video card for your motherboard, check out the graphics card buyer’s guide.

Storage Connections

Storage refers to the hard drives that are connected to a motherboard, typically installed within a system’s case. Older hard drives used parallel connections, PATA, and motherboards might only have one or two ports, each capable of connecting to two hard drives. Modern hard drives, however, use serial or SATA connections for faster performance. There are also different speeds for these ports, measured in gigabytes per second or Gb/s. Look for a motherboard with multiple, fast SATA ports; each one gives you more internal connections for hard drives.

Back Panel Ports

The back or rear panel on a motherboard is exposed out the back of a computer case. This panel is important because it offers ports and connections for other devices and hardware. Look at the different ports on the back panel, such as USB ports, mouse and keyboard connections, and speaker and microphone jacks.

Many motherboards also have back panel SATA ports for external hard drives. If a motherboard has an onboard video connector like HDMI, then the panel will also have a video output connection, but that’s not important if you plan on installing your video card. You’ll want to find a motherboard with as many fast USB ports as possible, with USB 3.0 and 2.0 being faster than the earlier USB standards.

Additional Onboard Features

There are also a lot of internal, onboard features that are important to consider before buying a motherboard. CPU fan ports let you connect the processor heatsink and fan to your motherboard, and additional case fan connections give you options to control the speed of your case fans through your motherboard settings. Internal USB connections on your motherboard connect to USB ports on your computer’s case, so choose a board that has enough connections for any case ports you have.

Physical Form Factor and Power Requirements

One important but easily looked over aspect of a motherboard is the physical size of the board. Different towers only have enough room for motherboards of certain sizes. The most common motherboard sizes are ATX and MiniATX. ATX is a bit larger but can fit in full and midsize towers, while MiniATX is more appropriate for a smaller computer case. If you have a very small case, consider a MicroATX or NanoATX board.

Once you make sure a motherboard can fit into your computer tower, then you should consider the power requirements for the board. The processor and other electronics on a motherboard require a certain amount of power, with about 400 watts being the bare minimum for a decent board. You want to consider the power connectors on your motherboard and pick a board that has the right connections for your power supply, or choose a PSU to match your board. For more information to help you pick the right PSU, check out the power supply buyer’s guide.

Overclocking Options

While other elements on a motherboard, such as RAM and expansion slots, can certainly impact the effectiveness of a board for overclocking, there are also some key features of the board itself to consider. Heat generation and dispersal is a major concern for overclocking, so look for motherboards designed to stay cool and protect components from heat damage.

A motherboard designed for liquid cooling, with heatsinks for the components on the board, can make it easier to keep your system cool once overclocked. There are also some boards with voltage controls and checkpoints built into them that help you monitor and control voltage, preventing damage from power spikes or tuning your system up to dangerous levels.

These features aren’t very common, but if you want to push your hardware to the very limits of its performance, then look for a board that can help you do it.