Motherboard guides

What each socket, chipset, board size and brand really gives you, and how to choose between them. Every guide links to the live deal list for the boards it describes.

Key guides

How to choose a motherboardChoose a motherboard in the right order: CPU, socket, chipset, form factor, memory type, connectivity, then budget. A plain UK guide with no jargon left in.
AM5 vs AM4: which AMD platform to buyAM5 is the right choice for most new AMD builds; AM4 still makes sense on a tight budget or as an upgrade. The differences in CPUs, memory, PCIe and cost.
LGA1851 vs LGA1700: which Intel platform to buyLGA1851 runs Core Ultra 200S on DDR5 only; LGA1700 runs 12th to 14th gen Core on DDR4 or DDR5. How the two Intel platforms compare, and which to buy.
AMD vs Intel motherboards: choosing a platformAMD or Intel for a new build, judged from the motherboard side: socket lifespan, DDR4 or DDR5, overclocking rules and what the boards cost on each platform.
Motherboard chipsets explainedWhat a motherboard chipset actually does, what the letters and numbers in AMD X, B, A and Intel Z, B, H names mean, and which tier suits which kind of build.
B850 vs B650: which AM5 chipset to buyB850 guarantees a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot and ships ready for Ryzen 9000; B650 is older and often cheaper and runs the same CPUs. How to choose between them.
X870E vs X870 vs B850: when the top AM5 chipsets are worth itX870E, X870 and B850 run the same AM5 CPUs at the same speed. The difference is USB4, guaranteed PCIe 5.0 graphics and how many fast ports and M.2 slots.
Z790 vs B760, and where H770 and H610 fitZ790 is the only 700-series chipset that overclocks the CPU and has the most connectivity; B760 suits most builds. Where H770 and H610 fit on LGA1700.
DDR4 vs DDR5 motherboardsA motherboard takes DDR4 or DDR5, never both. Which platforms use which, what DDR5 really gains you, and when a DDR4 board is still the sensible buy.
ATX vs Micro-ATX vs Mini-ITXMotherboard sizes compared: dimensions, slots, memory, M.2 storage, case fit and price. Which form factor suits your build and what each one gives up.
Motherboard VRM explainedWhat a motherboard VRM does, how to read phase counts like 14+2+1, and when power delivery matters for your CPU and when it is just marketing.
PCIe 5.0 motherboards: do you need it?What PCIe 5.0 does for graphics cards and SSDs today, which chipsets guarantee it, how lane sharing catches buyers out, and when it is worth paying for.
Motherboard WiFi explainedWiFi 6, 6E and 7 on motherboards compared, why Bluetooth comes with the WiFi version, what the antenna does, and how to add wireless to a board later.
Are Amazon Warehouse motherboards worth it?Amazon Warehouse motherboards: what the condition grades mean, the bent-pin and missing-accessory risks, returns, warranty, and the saving that justifies it.
Used and open-box motherboard checklistA step-by-step day-one checklist for a used or open-box motherboard: socket pins, accessories, bench test, BIOS update, every slot and port, stress test.
BIOS updates and CPU compatibilityWhen a motherboard needs a BIOS update before a newer CPU will start, how BIOS Flashback, Q-Flash Plus and Flash BIOS Button work, and what to do without one.
How much to spend on a motherboardWhat each motherboard price band really buys, from entry level to flagship, where extra money stops making a difference, and where to spend it instead.
How we track motherboard pricesOur method: Amazon UK prices checked every six hours, drops judged against each board's own price history, not its RRP, and how Warehouse offers are found.

Sockets

AMD AM5 socket guideWhat the AM5 socket is, which Ryzen processors, chipsets and coolers fit it, how long AMD will support it and what to check before you buy a board.
AMD AM4 socket guideAM4 carried Ryzen 1000 to 5000 on DDR4. Which chipsets take which processors, where BIOS updates matter, and whether an AM4 board is still worth buying.
Intel LGA1851 socket guideLGA1851 is the socket for Intel Core Ultra 200S processors. Which chipsets, memory and coolers work with it, and what to check before buying a board.
Intel LGA1700 socket guideLGA1700 takes 12th, 13th and 14th gen Intel Core on DDR4 or DDR5 boards. Chipsets, BIOS updates, cooler fit and whether it is still worth buying.
Intel LGA1200 socket guideLGA1200 is the socket for 10th and 11th gen Intel Core. Which 400- and 500-series chipsets take which chips, PCIe 4.0 limits and when a board is worth buying.
Intel LGA1151 socket guideLGA1151 came in two incompatible versions for 6th/7th and 8th/9th gen Intel Core. How to match chipset to CPU, and when a replacement board makes sense.
AMD sTR5 socket guidesTR5 is the socket for AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7000 and later. How TRX50 and WRX90 boards differ, the memory and coolers they need, and who should buy one.

AMD chipsets

AMD X870E chipset guideWhat the X870E chipset guarantees on every AM5 board - USB4, PCIe 5.0 graphics and storage - what still varies by board, and who should pay for it.
AMD X870 chipset guideThe X870 chipset explained: compulsory USB4 and PCIe 5.0 graphics on AM5, how it differs from X870E and B850, and what to check before you buy a board.
AMD B850 chipset guideWhat the B850 chipset gives you on AM5: CPU overclocking and a guaranteed PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot, what varies by board, and how it compares with X870 and B650.
AMD B840 chipset guideThe B840 chipset explained: an entry-level AM5 option with no CPU overclocking and no PCIe 5.0. How it compares with B850 and A620, and who it suits.
AMD B650E chipset guideB650E is the 2022 AM5 chipset that guarantees PCIe 5.0 for both the graphics slot and an M.2 slot. How it differs from B650 and B850, and when to buy one.
AMD B650 chipset guideWhat the B650 chipset gives you on AM5: CPU overclocking, DDR5 and Ryzen 7000 to 9000 support. What varies by board, and whether to buy B650 or B850.
AMD A620 chipset guideThe A620 chipset explained: the budget route on to AM5, with no CPU overclocking and no PCIe 5.0. Which CPUs suit it and how it compares with B650.
AMD X670E chipset guideX670E was the top AM5 chipset at launch in 2022: PCIe 5.0 graphics and storage, two chipset chips, full overclocking. Is it still worth buying over X870E?
AMD X670 chipset guideThe X670 chipset from 2022 explained: two-chip AM5 connectivity without guaranteed PCIe 5.0 graphics. How it compares with X670E and B650, and who it suits.
AMD X570 chipset guideX570 is the top AM4 chipset, launched in 2019 with PCIe 4.0 throughout. Which Ryzen CPUs it supports, why most boards have a fan, and X570 vs B550 today.
AMD B550 chipset guideB550 is the mainstream AM4 chipset from 2020: PCIe 4.0 for graphics and one SSD, overclocking, Ryzen 3000 and 5000 support. What it does not support, too.
AMD A520 chipset guideA520 is the basic AM4 chipset from 2020: no CPU overclocking, PCIe 3.0 only, Ryzen 3000 and 5000 support. When it is enough, and when B550 is the better buy.
AMD B450 chipset guideB450 launched in 2018 and runs Ryzen 1000 to 5000 with the right BIOS. What the chipset offers, its PCIe 3.0 limit, and when a B450 board still makes sense.

Intel chipsets

Intel Z890 chipset guideWhat the Intel Z890 chipset gives you: Core Ultra 200S support, DDR5, CPU overclocking and PCIe 5.0, plus when a cheaper B860 board will do.
Intel B860 chipset guideThe Intel B860 chipset explained: Core Ultra 200S on LGA1851, DDR5 only, memory overclocking but no CPU overclocking, and what to check before buying.
Intel H810 chipset guideWhat the entry-level Intel H810 chipset offers for Core Ultra 200S: typically two DDR5 slots, no overclocking, and who should buy B860 instead.
Intel Z790 chipset guideIntel Z790 explained: 12th to 14th gen Core support on LGA1700, DDR4 or DDR5 boards, CPU overclocking, PCIe lanes and whether it is still worth buying.
Intel B760 chipset guideIntel B760 explained: the mainstream LGA1700 chipset for 12th to 14th gen Core, sold as DDR4 or DDR5 boards, with XMP but no CPU overclocking.
Intel H770 chipset guideWhere the Intel H770 chipset fits between B760 and Z790: more chipset lanes and ports, XMP support, no CPU overclocking, and why few boards use it.
Intel H610 chipset guideThe Intel H610 chipset explained: entry-level LGA1700 boards for 12th to 14th gen Core, typically two memory slots, no XMP and PCIe 3.0 from the chipset.
Intel Z690 chipset guideIntel Z690 explained: the first LGA1700 overclocking chipset, DDR4 or DDR5 boards, the BIOS update 13th and 14th gen chips need, and Z790 compared.
Intel B660 chipset guideIntel B660 explained: mainstream LGA1700 boards from 2022 with XMP support, DDR4 or DDR5 versions, and the BIOS update that 13th and 14th gen chips need.
Intel Z590 chipset guideIntel Z590 explained: the top LGA1200 chipset for 10th and 11th gen Core, DDR4, CPU overclocking, PCIe 4.0 with 11th gen only, and when to buy one now.
Intel B560 chipset guideIntel B560 explained: the mainstream LGA1200 chipset for 10th and 11th gen Core, DDR4 with XMP support, no CPU overclocking, and when buying one makes sense.
Intel H510 chipset guideThe Intel H510 chipset explained: entry-level LGA1200 boards for 10th and 11th gen Core with typically two DDR4 slots, no XMP and few ports.

Form factors

E-ATX motherboard form factor guideE-ATX boards are wider than ATX, but the name is used loosely and sizes vary. How to check your case takes one, what the extra width buys and who needs it.
ATX motherboard form factor guideATX is the standard full-size desktop motherboard at 305 x 244 mm. What the size gives you in slots and cooling, which cases it fits and who should buy one.
Micro-ATX motherboard form factor guideMicro-ATX boards measure up to 244 x 244 mm and are often the cheapest way on to a chipset. What you give up against ATX, which cases fit and who should buy.
Mini-ITX motherboard form factor guideMini-ITX boards are 170 x 170 mm with one PCIe slot and two memory slots. What you give up for the size, the clearances to check and who should buy one.

Brands

ASUS motherboards guideHow the ASUS motherboard range fits together: ROG, TUF Gaming, Prime and ProArt, what the model-name suffixes mean, BIOS FlashBack and UK warranty.
MSI motherboards guideMSI motherboard ranges decoded: MEG, MPG, MAG and PRO, what Tomahawk, Mortar, MAX, TI and DDR4 mean in a model name, the Flash BIOS Button and UK warranty.
Gigabyte motherboards guideGigabyte motherboard ranges decoded, from AORUS Xtreme to DS3H: what AX, ICE, DDR4 and rev. numbers mean, how Q-Flash Plus works and UK warranty basics.
ASRock motherboards guideASRock motherboard ranges explained: Taichi, Steel Legend, Phantom Gaming, Riptide and Pro RS, the /D4 and -ITX suffixes, BIOS Flashback and UK warranty.
Biostar motherboards guideBiostar makes budget-focused motherboards with thin UK availability. How its Valkyrie, Racing and basic ranges compare, and what to check before buying one.
NZXT motherboards guideNZXT sells a small range of N7 and N5 motherboards styled to match its cases. What you get, how the names work and what to check before buying one in the UK.