The Best Budget Intel Motherboards in 2024

The Best Budget Intel Motherboards in 2024

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Intel has taken a leaf out of AMD’s book regarding its more recent CPU launches with LGA 1700 being one of its most long-lived CPU sockets to date. Whether a gamer owns a 12th, 13th, or 14th-generation Intel CPU, the longevity of this platform has resulted in an increasingly diverse array of motherboards to accommodate these processors across its three years of service.

Buying a motherboard is essentially nearly always about making an informed compromise, unless one leans towards the very high end. This means that finding a motherboard on a budget entails researching what it offers in terms of features, compatibility, and longevity, depending on one’s needs from the platform.

Updated on Sept 5th, 2024, By Rahim Amir: Most Intel-based motherboards have recently seen large discounts in play due to a mix of news surrounding stability issues on Intel`s unlocked 13th and 14th generation CPUs and the end of a cycle for the LGA 1700 socket that is expected to be replaced down the line with a newer Intel-based offering in the near future. The how-to guide at the end of the article that focuses on selecting a motherboard for one’s needs has also been overhauled.

Game Rant’s Picks for the Best Budget Intel Motherboards in 2024

The MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk MAX Wi-Fi is a refreshed take on the popular Z790 Tomahawk, which bundles Wi-Fi 7 support, better memory overclocking, and a BIOS that supports Intel’s 14th-generation CPUs out of the box. It shares PCI-E 5.0 bandwidth between the primary M2 SSD slot and the x16 GPU slot, making it suited for users looking to leverage the additional bandwidth on either.

With Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and 2.5-gigabit ethernet under the hood, the MAG Z790 Tomahawk MAX Wi-Fi comes stacked when it comes to connectivity. It also comes with a versatile 16+1+1 phase VRM configuration that can hold its own with the most demanding of Intel’s current generation CPUs, allowing users leeway with overclocking if they seek it. This also extends to RAM overclocking, where the motherboard can do speeds of up to 7800MHz in certain configurations for users intending to push speeds for benchmarks or enthusiast overclocking needs.

The MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk MAX Wi-Fi does suffer from somewhat unruly behavior of its Wi-Fi 7 module as many users report, but newer BIOS and driver updates do rectify it considerably, making it a solid option to recommend to gamers, power users, and enthusiasts on a budget currently.

The NZXT N7 Z790 Gaming Motherboard is arguably one of the best-looking motherboards in the business, going for a minimalistic design philosophy that allows users to focus on the underlying components as it blends into most, if not all, PC builds easily as a core component. It syncs well with existing NZXT peripherals even as its CAM software allows for more seamless interactions than most of its bloated competitors.

The motherboard packs Wi-Fi 6E connectivity, excellent power delivery, and decent overclocking potential but does, as a result, trade at a premium for what it offers. The emergence of similar ‘clean’ design motherboards, such as MSI’s Z790 Project Zero (that trades at $50 less), offering does bring NZXT’s asking price into question. For now though, NZXT seems to be a superior option, since one would also need a case that supports the Project Zero platform to take full advantage of said motherboards.

The NZXT N7 Z790 Gaming Motherboard comes in both black and white trims, each going for $300; and they rarely go on sale based on price tracker activity on Amazon, making it wishful thinking to hold off for a price cut in the near future.

The Gigabyte Z790 AORUS Elite AX ICE is a white-themed take on the well-received Z790 Aorus Elite AX that builds around a capable Z790 chipset with plenty of expansion slots, a future-proof PCI-E 5.0 GPU slot, and a capable power delivery system that can handle all but the most demanding of overclocking needs, even as it clocks in under $250 regularly.

On the connectivity front, the Gigabyte Z790 AORUS Elite AX ICE offers Wi-Fi 6E, 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet, and Bluetooth 5.3, holding its own with most of its higher-end peers, though some of its competition has already moved to Wi-Fi 7 connectivity. Many white-themed motherboards tend to be positioned at a higher price than their competitors and are often perceived as more premium options as a result. The Gigabyte Z790 AORUS Elite AX ICE does not partake, offering a capable option that feels considerably more premium, but refuses to come with a matching price tag.

While some might not be thrilled about having to update their BIOS before plugging in a 14th generation CPU, or the lack of PCI-E 5.0 support for SSDs and only Wi-Fi 6E on offer, most users would be more than happy to get an excellent, budget-friendly all-round motherboard with a Z790 chipset that comes in white.

The Gigabyte B760M DS3H AX is a capable motherboard that caters to entry-level users looking to get a motherboard that fits their needs for low-end to mid-range Intel CPUs on the LGA 1700 socket. It comes with an entry-level 8+2+1 power phase configuration on the VRM end, with its networking offering consisting of 2.5G Ethernet, Bluetooth 5.3, and Wi-Fi 6E.

Despite its compact mATX configuration, it offers plenty of I/O, including 4 DDR5 RAM slots, 2 M2 NVMe slots, and a full x16 PCI-E 4.0 slot for modern GPUs. While some might not like the fact that the Gigabyte B760M DS3H AX skips on PCI-E 5.0 support across the board and the VRM design seems limited for higher-end CPUs, users get what they pay for: a solid, feature-rich option that delivers on what it promises for its price tag, making it a great entry-level B760-based motherboard option for users on a stricter budget than most.

Users wanting a budget-friendly Intel motherboard that is compact but uncompromising on performance and functionality can turn to the Asrock Z790I Lightning Wi-Fi, which delivers high overclocking potential, a surprisingly capable VRM config for its form factor, and PCI-E 5.0 support for GPUs. All of this makes it future-proof, versatile, and ideal for building a powerful, yet compact gaming PC in 2024, especially for users who want to house their next PC in a smaller case or who prefer minimalistic designs in general.

The Asrock Z790I Lightning Wi-Fi does skip on some features, including diagnostic LEDs, which are now considered standard for motherboards for its price range. The decision probably factored in the limited area available on board and the complexity of adding them versus cost-cutting, but they are extremely convenient for users and system builders looking to diagnose issues without having to test with other equipment in general, making some power users less enthused to see them go in what is otherwise a very capable mITX motherboard.

Users needing a budget all-rounder when it comes to overclocking can easily champion the versatile GIGABYTE Z790 UD AC Gaming Motherboard that offers Intel’s latest chipset for its LGA 1700 CPU owners along with a capable 16+1+1 phase power delivery mechanism even as it touts speeds of up to 7600 MHz out of the box for RAM overclocking.

It offers Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth, and 2.5G ethernet for users seeking a capable networking stack. While the former is slightly dated with Wi-Fi 7 already in play, adapters are relatively cheap, and the Z790 UD AC has plenty of USB ports on offer. With three M2 NVMe slots on offer and features normally reserved for higher-end motherboards such as Gigabyte’s EZ-Latch to secure the SSDs in place, the GIGABYTE Z790 UD AC Gaming Motherboard delivers on its promise to be a great entry-level Z790 motherboard that has it all.

It does require a BIOS update to detect newer 14th generation Intel CPUs, but does support updating the motherboard without adding the CPU thanks to Gigabyte’s Q-Flash Plus tech, which should make it a smooth install for most intermediate PC builders, making it a great overclocking-friendly motherboard choice on a budget.

How to Choose a Budget Intel Motherboard

To hone in on a capable budget-centric model, it can help prospective buyers focus on some or all of the factors when getting a motherboard for their PC:

  • Form Factor: The most popular LGA 1700 motherboard size is standard ATX, which is a perfect match for mid-tower cases. Smaller and more power-efficient builds can benefit from micro or mini ATX alternatives, but they usually offer less in terms of connectivity. E-ATX motherboards are the largest and most feature-packed on the market, but are difficult to find in lower price brackets.
  • Memory and Storage Speeds: Another area where budget Intel motherboards differentiate themselves is with their support of the latest high-speed memory and storage. The more expensive Z790 and Z690 motherboards take advantage of both DDR5 memory and PCIe Gen 5.0 NVMe SSDs in a bid to offer better performance. The cheaper B760/B660/H610 contenders are somewhat less future-proof and lack the most cutting-edge specs.
  • Connectivity: Budget Intel motherboards also vary with the number and type of USB ports available. USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 unlocks the potential of the fastest external storage devices but is not found on all motherboards. Newer motherboards offer Wi-Fi 7 support, even as Wi-Fi 6E has become more mainstream for users across the board, including amongst budget segments. Likewise, newer motherboards offer 2.5G ethernet ports by default, with some options kicking this up a notch by offering 5 or 10 gigabit ports instead.
  • Overclocking Potential: Lower-end motherboards don’t necessarily preclude users from boosting CPU and memory speeds past stock settings. However, modern high-end motherboards offer much better VRMs, allowing for better voltage control and stability, especially when the CPU they are paired to is pushed higher in terms of clock speeds (and voltage in most cases).
  • Expansion Options: Not all motherboards are created equal. Some compromise on the number of USB ports, M2 SSD slots, or even RAM slots to cut corners in terms of both size and cost alike. This can be an issue for power users and enthusiasts, especially when migrating between platforms where compatibility issues or limited slots can result in more purchases being necessary to have similar functionality. Users should therefore pick a motherboard that meets their needs when it comes to expansion slots to avoid issues down the line.
  • Pricing: Anybody picking a motherboard on a budget does need to circle back to the most important factor of them all: How much does it end up costing them? A lot of motherboards are similar in terms of functionality and design, with models often upselling hardware features that the user might never use, though they do add to the total cost of the unit. An example would be buying a Z690/Z790 chipset for a locked CPU that does not benefit from the host of overclocking functionality they offer.

FAQ

Q: Do Intel’s 12th-generation and 13th-generation motherboards support Intel’s 14th-generation CPUs?

Yes, they do. However, they might need a BIOS update to do so. All motherboard manufacturers have posted updates and instructions on how to update a BIOS and the minimum BIOS version needed to run 14th-generation Intel Core Processors on older LGA 1700 motherboards.

Q: Is PCI-E 5.0 compatibility necessary for motherboards In 2023?

PCI-E 5.0 is a relatively newer standard that is backward compatible with PCI-E 4.0; it offers double the bandwidth of its predecessor but has yet to see widespread adoption in 2023 with plenty of PCI-E 5.0 motherboards available, yet peripherals being much harder to find currently.

If users must have the fastest SSD storage possible, it might be a necessary consideration for them; fast PCI-E 5.0 SSDs that exceed PCI-E 4.0 speeds already exist and are sold commercially.

There are currently no mainstream GPUs that use PCI-E 5.0-tier bandwidth effectively, making it more of a future-proofing mechanism than an actual requirement for users.

Q: Which motherboard brand is best for Intel?

Brands like Asus, Gigabyte, and MSI make some of the most highly-rated Intel boards. ASRock is another company whose products warrant consideration, especially since they make many budget-friendly LGA 1700 motherboards. Most companies make motherboards for the same Intel platforms that range from $150-1000, so the best motherboard for a buyer will depend on budget and desired features.


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