Best Gaming Motherboard Under 100

ASRock B550 Phantom Gaming 4

Talking about motherboards, the Phantom Gaming product line is the right hand of ASRock, as some of the last motherboard generations. It includes chipsets like B450, X570 on the AMD side, and Z490 on intel platforms.

Diving into specifications of the powerful Phantom Gaming Board, starting with what ASRock called ”Gaming Armor”. It includes high-density power connections for 24 and 8 Pin, gold contacts for the VGA and DIMM slots. This board uses ASRocks superpower delivery with 90A power chokes along with premium memory chokes that reduces the core power loss up to 70%. Additionally, the board has Nichicon 12k caps outline board’s power design with an 8-layer PCB and 2oz copper.

CPU supports 3rd generation Ryzen; it also supports the new Zen 3 5000 series that comes with a BIOS update. This motherboard is supported by AMD B550 chipset, bringing PCIe Gen 4. Dual-channel memory supported by 2 DIMM slots. The maximum memory support is 64GB, with the support of XMP.

The I/O of the system includes Realtek ALC1220 with the support of 7.1 audio, it also includes Blu-ray support, 120dB SNR with a built-in amplifier. The user will also have USB 3.2 gen 2 support with a USB Type-C and Type-A port on the back, followed by four USB 3.2 ports. Networking connectivity is speeded up by the Intel i225V controller, paired with the AX200 WIFI 6 module. The slot includes a single x16 PCIe that operates in 4th Gen with Matisse CPUs with Renoir.

Storage option comes with 4x SATA 6Gbps connection that supports hot plug and RAID modes. NVMe support is included with CPU PCIe 4.0 lanes on M.1 with M.2 on the rear of the board that supports SATA and PCIe modules at 3rd and 4th Gen speeds.

Looking closer at the board, the board has HD audio in the I/O panel, followed by the fan connection and PCIe slot. Looking at the 8-phase design of the Phantom Gaming. This board used a 6+2 design with 6x 90A ISL 99390 power stages and two 60A ISL99227 power stages. Hence this board has a maximum output of 660A.

The UEFI includes full HD menu support. Users will find a good number of features in the menu, including overlocking support in Tweaker. Board does support instant flash of BIOS updates and secures erase.

Software support for this board comes from ASRocks Tuning software. By this, you can choose between three preset modes or you can choose custom tuning. It also includes Fan tuning with Fan-Tastic Tuning.

Recommendations

I found this board to be fairly good for the money. Onboard sound is sufficient. There is no RGB on the board itself but it does come with RGB headers for the fan or led strips. Hence a good gaming motherboard.

ASRock Promontory x370

Be ready to enjoy the impressive world of gaming with ASRock promontory x370. For every player, it is very important to make sure everything is qualified, including hardware, software, and drivers. As we know that Motherboard is the only key to connect every critical component and the X370 motherboard is definitely the one you’re looking for. Board comes in original packaging inside the anti-static bag with everything included that would have come with the brand-new condition.

X370 is one of the best and great featured motherboards for gamers with 128GB max memory. It supports AMD Ryzen 1st and 2nd Generation/ Ryzen with Radeon Vega Graphics/ Athlon with Radeon Vega Graphics and A-series / Athlon X4 Processors for Socket AM4. Moreover, it is a dual-channel memory channel with AMD X370 chipset type.

It is designed with 12 Power Phase; this motherboard’s main features are sturdy components and completely smooth power delivery to the CPU. Hence it also offers overclocking capabilities and enhanced performance with the lowest temperature for advanced gamers as well.

Another interesting feature of the X370 is that it will boost your ears with the best studio-grade sound quality. This motherboard has a lot of interesting features and it seems to get fairly regular Bios updates despite it being an “older” chipset. And the setup was straightforward and easy. It also has 3 years manufacturer’s warranty.

Recommendations:

The ASRock X370 board works really well and the Bios navigation is pretty simple, and had no problem getting Patriot Ram to run at the proper speed. We recommend installing an AMD 7 1700 with the Spire Cooler that stays cool. It can have handled the games very well. Installed in Raidmax Prime Alpha case and set up the AMD CPU/ fans RGB and looks good.

The premium quality is assured by complete testing during development. The strong and solid performance makes you completely immersive in the VR scenario. Buyers can be assured to experience their enjoyments without any compatibility problems.

GIGABYTE GA-A320M-S2H

Gigabyte is a very popular and budget motherboard. It supports NVME hard drives. Inexpensive that players can easily buy. The motherboard supports BIOS version F51 which makes it RYZEN 3rd generation ready right out the box. Moreover, it supports AMD Ryzen & 7th generation A-series/Athlon processors.

It includes Dual channel non-ECC unbuffered DDR4, 2 DIMMs with chipset AMD A320. Its Operating System support Windows 10 64-bit and Supports Windows 7 64-bit. And to support Windows 7 64-bit, you have to install an AMD Pinnacle Ridge, Summit Ridge, and Bristol Ridge CPU.

Also, it includes a high-quality audio capacitor and an audio noise guard and has a 3200MHZ memory speed. This motherboard is easy to install and fired up on the first try. It also has functions of H/W monitoring such as Voltage detection, Temperature detection, Fan speed detection, overheating warning, Fan fails warning, and Fan speed control.

Additionally, other unique features are, it supports for App center such as @BIOS, EasyTune, Fast Boot, Game Boost, ON/OFF Charge, Smart Backup, System Information Viewer. It consists of smart Fan 5 features 5 Temperature Sensors and 2 Hybrid Fan Headers. Its M.2 Gigabyte solution offers considerably faster storage performance and support for both PCIe and SATA interfaces for M.2 SSD devices.

Recommendations:

Are you looking for a motherboard under your budget with high quality, we highly recommend this motherboard. Gamers always like Gigabyte, because this motherboard is easy to install. Stock bios are F40, and it looks crisp and sharp. This motherboard owns 3.1 USB ports which are very fast and speedy GUI BIOS.

Gigabyte Aorus Z370

Here is the gorgeous and cheaper Gigabyte Aorus Z370 Gaming motherboard. It is positioned in the higher rankings of the Gigabyte line-up and offers incredible looks (especially when powered on), great tweak ability, and features like high-grade onboard audio. It supports 8th Gen Intel Core Processors. Also include Dual Channel Non-ECC Unbuffered DDR4, 4 DIMMs.

More features are the front USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C header. Operating System: Support for Windows 10 64-bit. Provide Killer E2500 Gaming Network plus Intel Gigabit LAN.

Moreover, Z370 fanatic motherboards are faster and more powerful than any other motherboards. Designed in an aggressive manner and with thermal heatsinks, its performance capabilities, and durability are second to none. Getting popularity with exotic cooling and the ability to be tuned to peak performance. This will support either 5v or 12v digital LED lighting strips and up to 300 LED lights. RGB Fusion with Digital LEDs comes with new patterns and speed settings with more to come.

This is a beautiful and well-designed motherboard, has solid construction quality throughout with Nichicon Gold capacitors for the ESS Sabre DAC (that’s the audio for you, non-geeks). Comes with all the bells and whistles for a top-end consumer board including dual BIOS, LED diagnostic panel, onboard power button (for trouble-shooting), and USB 3.1. There is a lot of RGB lighting. Looks great with a tempered glass case and without the Christmas light effect.

Recommendations:

I absolutely love this motherboard because the voltages have been very low compared to what I was expecting and runs easily & mostly smooth, and stay cool. EasyTune very quickly OC’d i8700k to 4.9GHz using the Auto-Tune feature. Hence Temperature never rises above 50C on any core while gaming & watching movies. Voltage seems to stick around 1.2V.

It can easily handle 4.9GHz with zero issues and that it runs cool and on low power. You might also be in love with it, as he immediately recognized 3200MHz and working with zero RAM issues. Thank you, Gigabyte, for an excellent motherboard!

Asus prime B-360M-A

ASUS Prime motherboard series provides a beautiful foundation needed for your build, and flexibility to grow with your ambitions. It is a great product under your budget and ideal for firewall applications. It is designed exclusively for 8th generation Intel Core processors to maximize connectivity and speed with integrated dual M.2 slots with Intel Optane Memory compatibility and USB 3.1 Gen2.

It has 5X Protection III Hardware-level safeguards that provide component longevity and reliability. One of the interesting characteristics of this cheaper motherboard is it’s FanXpert 2+ delivers advanced fan control for dynamic cooling. In addition, ASUS OptiMem improves memory stability and performance by improving trace isolation between PCB layers to maintain signal integrity even at higher frequencies. Also, it has onboard 8-Channel HD Audio that provides warm, immersive crystal-clear surround sound.

It has an excellent memory Speed which is 2666 MHz. It carefully designed to transmit traces to preserve signal integrity for improved memory stability. It has flexible controls for ultimate cooling and quietness, as well as GPU-temperature sensing for cooler gaming. Provide multiple hardware safeguards for all-round protection. It also includes a connector for RGB LED strips, easily synced with an ever-growing portfolio of Aura Sync-capable hardware.

Importantly, it also has ultrafast connectivity with supreme flexibility with USB 3.1 Gen 2 Intel Optane memory ready and native M.2 support for Lightning-fast storage speeds.

Recommendations:

It is no doubt a great product for the price, hence cheapest, I have found with Intel 300. The motherboard is good in terms of quality and equipment. Sometimes, you had to update the bios and set it up in the smallest details so you could get the desired performance. Unique is the fact that peripherals such as a keyboard, mouse, or remote controls activate the PC even when switched off.

To avoid it, you can disable it from Windows. This ability in device management and then for each individual input device. However, recommended to those who want a system configurable also with Optane and SSD m.2 as it has 2 M.2 slots.

Asus Z170-A

It is a middle-of-the-road motherboard with a great price from Amazon. The install is very easy. Designed specifically for 8th generation Intel Core processors to maximize connectivity and speed with integrated dual M.2 slots with Intel Optane Memory compatibility and USB 3.1 Gen2. It includes 5X Protection III Hardware-level safeguards that provide component longevity and reliability. Also, have a FanXpert 2+ that delivers advanced fan control for dynamic cooling.

The OptiMem improves memory stability and performing capacity by improving trace isolation between PCB layers to maintain signal integrity even at higher frequencies. The board’s 8-Channel High-Definition Audio provides warm, immersive crystal-clear surround sound. 5-Way Optimization of this motherboard with Auto-Tuning and FanXpert 4 automatically tailors overclocking profiles make it unique to build for maximum performance and dynamic system cooling.

Respectively, it has unmatched performance with ASUS exclusive AURA Sync RGB lighting, additional RGB header, and 3D-printing mounts. Designed to supports DisplayPort with max. Resolution 4096 x 2304 at 60 Hz. It is designed to have Two Patent-pending Safe Slots feature and an injection molding process that integrates metal framing for a stronger & firmly anchored PCIe slot built for heavyweight GPUs.

Moreover, it is provided with a 4-pin PWM/DC fan. The leading 8-channel high-Definition audio enhanced by ASUS Realtek S1220A featuring Crystal Sound 3 and driven by Japanese capacitors for warm, immersive sound.

Recommendations:

Overall, it is a nice board for the price range. Have a look for every board Asus sold with the 5-way optimization with plenty of features, the ASUS Z170-A is one fine motherboard with a great UEFI BIOS. It automatically overclocked my i5-6600 K chip from 3.5GHz to 4.6GHz.

However, Z170-A dedicated water cooler header (instead of the CPU fan header), on the first boot you get a message to disable the fan speed in Q-fan control in the BIOS. Naturally, you go to the Q-fan control page, which is easy to find. It even has manual settings for each individual fan. But you can search until your whiskers grow long and you will not find any disabling feature.

MSI H310 LGA 1151

This top MSI motherboard Supports 8th Gen Intel Core and Pentium Gold for LGA 1151 socket.

The board provides advanced technology to deliver pure data signals for the best gaming performance and stability. It also includes studio-grade sound quality. Additionally, also support M.2 and NVMe, up to 20 GB/s Using PCI-Express Gen2 x4, and has the easiest way to troubleshoot.

It consists of VGA cards that protect against bending for better performance, stability, and strength. Also, it has software that auto-detects and allows you to boost the performance of any storage, Optane, or USB device. With premium layout and fully digital power design to support more cores and provide better performance. It has fulfilled even the most demanding professional gamers, and these motherboards will fit in any PC.

Making your life easier and supporting your business with super stable, reliable, and long-lasting top performance. Cooling your pc is essential for reliable performance. It makes sure to include enough fan headers with full control to allow you to cool your system to the max. This motherboard was used in a build for an office PC. The motherboard worked great immediately, boots up with an M.2 drive instantly and the screw was included.

Recommendations:

It is perfectly compatible with an Intel -5-9400f and DDR4 2666 ram. Also, have an RX 580 in it. No problem installing the processor or the cooler. All of the ports work. All of the power pins work. Durability is fantastic; hence we are sure it will last for years. It is a product made with good materials or it is of high quality.

Update the bios to the latest version and it will be stable and will work well. It has all the features an office pc needs. Easy install and works effortlessly. It will be a good and first choice of yours because of its quality and dependability are its first and foremost standards.

MSI X470 Gaming Plus

The MSI X470 Gaming Plus is designed for gamers and for users that are looking for an entry-level and X470 motherboard, using Ryzen powered system as a foundation. It is no doubt an award-winning BIOS with high resolution scalable font, favorites, and searches function.

It also supports AMD RYZEN Series Processors and 7th Gen Athlon Processors. This particular ATX motherboard owns a black and red with MSI Gaming dragon clad theme but with the customizable RGB backlighting. Meanwhile, some of the users do not agree with the design of the board with RGB backlighting integrated, but design preference is a matter of perspective.

It includes the chipset type of AMD X470. Gamers now can have the best online gaming experience with the lowest latency and bandwidth management. Additionally, it is a design with steel Armor PCI-E slots that supports AMD Crossfire.

Recommendations:

For the solid performance of games, I recommend the MSI X470 motherboard that is also in your budget. I love this board because everything will work flawlessly, you will not need the extra 4-pin power connector for the CPU Power.

The MSI also easily accommodated with Corsair H60 liquid cooler, and even at peak effort with all cores firing at over 4GHz, the highest temperature you will see is 72 C. Absolutely no overheating issues with this board. In short, the X470 Gaming Plus is a good performance board for the price tag it currently sits on. Gaming performance was far good as expected.