The right motherboard ensures excellent performance, connectivity, and other features, and RGB lighting is a great way to give your custom PC build a cool and beautiful aesthetic. Here are the best RGB motherboards for your next build.
ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero
GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Elite AX
Asus ROG Strix X670E-E Gaming
ASRock X670E Steel Legend
ASUS ROG Crosshair X670E Hero
The Best Intel RGB Motherboard:ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero
TheASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Herois the Intel motherboard to get if you want bleeding-edge performance, provided budget isn’t a concern. It offers full support forDDR5 RAM, PCIe 5.0 graphics, and PCIe 5.0 M.2 SSDs, along with a robust 20+1 stage VRM that can easily handle any overclocked 14th Gen, 13th Gen, or 12th Gen Intel processor.
In addition to performance, ASUS Aura Sync stands out as the easiest-to-use RGB controller with low background CPU utilization, ensuring it won’t compromise your FPS. The motherboard features onboard RGB lighting when the fan starts and three addressable RGB headers if you want to add RGB strips and fans.
The Best Budget Intel RGB Motherboard:GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Elite AX
TheGIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Elite AXis an excellent alternative if you’re on a tight budget or want to save some money to spend on parts of your PC build. It prioritizes core performance and features over fancy premium-tier add-ons, providing a more affordable option for most people.
You still get a PCIe 5.0 primary slot for your GPU and DDR5 memory slots, so you can spec out your PC with the latest and most powerful parts. In addition, the motherboard can handle flagship Intel processors, and with DDR5 memory overclocking, you can achieve almost the same performance as a high-end Z790 board. Onboard, you’ll find two addressable RGB headers for your RGB controllers and lights.
Available at less than half the cost of the ROG Maximus Z790 Hero, the GIGABYTE X670 AORUS Elite AX is an excellent alternative for a budget-friendly RGB PC build. It can offer the same performance as high-end Z790 motherboards when paired with the right components.
The Best AMD RGB Motherboard:ASUS ROG Strix X670E-E Gaming
Solid power delivery, high-quality components, and lots of PCIe 5.0 lanes make theASUS ROG Strix X670E-E Gamingthe best RGB motherboard for your AMD build. It’s one of the few AMD boards that have two PCIe 5.0 x16 slots wired directly to the CPU and three PCIe 5.0-enabled M.2 slots, providing plenty of room for upgrades down the road.
It might be on the higher end of the pricing spectrum but is worth the money if you want to take full advantage of what the latest AMD platform can offer. With an 18 + 2 phase, 110A VRMs, you can pair it with high-end DDR5 RAM kits and even the most power-hungry AMD chips for chart-topping performance. Additionally, the RGB-lit ROG logo and multiple RGB headers ensure your PC will turn heads too.
If you’re Team AMD, the ASUS ROG Strix X670E-E Gaming provides everything you need to get the most out of the best AMD gaming CPUs, including robust 110A VRMs, three PCIe 5.0 M.2 slots, and DDR5 memory support.
The Best Budget AMD RGB Motherboard:ASRock X670E Steel Legend
TheASRock X670E Steel Legendis proof that you don’t need a high-end motherboard to build a mainstream gaming PC. It’s a mid-range AM5 motherboard but comes with all the features the X670E platform has to offer, including DDR5 and PCIe 5.0 support for both GPU and SSD, making it a solid foundation for any powerful PC build.
While it may not have as robust VRMs as theASUS ROG Strix X670E-E Gaming, it can still handle top AMD gaming CPUs when paired with robust cooling. Moreover, the motherboard provides excellent connectivity options in the rear I/O. With its silver aesthetic and beautiful RGB light strips, it stands out from the common dark-themed boards.
The ASRock X670E Steel Legend offers all the features of the X670E platform at an affordable price for most people. It also stands out as one of the best-looking boards, thanks to its integrated RGB lighting and a distinctive silver-gray finish.
The Best RGB Motherboard for Gaming:ASUS ROG Crosshair X670E Hero
If you want to build the most powerful gaming rig, theASUS ROG Crosshair X670E Heroshould be right up your alley. Although Intel has released its 14th Gen Series processors, they still can’t match the power of AMD’s 3D V-Cache processors when it comes to gaming. The ROG Crosshair X670E Hero is an excellent overclocking motherboard that provides everything you need to push the top AMD gaming CPUs to their limits.
Compared to theROG Strix X670E-E Gaming, this motherboard features two x8/x8 capable PCIe 5.0 x16 expansion slots, faster connectivity with 40Gbps USB4 ports, and more robust heatsinks to keep your rig cool under stress. It also boasts superior DDR5 memory support, and ASUS' intuitive BIOS makes overclocking easier compared to other brands.
The ASUS ROG Crosshair X670E Hero is the larger cousin of the ASUS ROG Strix X670E-E Gaming, offering even more PCIe 5.0 lanes, better connectivity with USB4, and robust VRMs with beefier heatsinks to set the stage for extreme overclocking.
Q: What Is the Difference Between an Intel and AMD Motherboard?
The main difference between Intel and AMD motherboards is that they are only compatible with the processors made by the respective company. Since AMD and Intel use different CPU sockets, you cannot install an AMD CPU on an Intel motherboard, and vice versa.
When it comes to features, there is no major difference between the two, as both support almost the same capabilities, like DDR5 and PCIe 5.0, depending on the type of motherboard you choose. For a more comprehensive guide, check out our in-depth guide on thedifferences between AMD and Intel motherboards.
Q: Can I Use Any Processor or CPU With Any Motherboard?
No, because CPUs are designed with different socket types and will only work with a motherboard that has a compatible CPU socket. For instance, the latest 14th Gen Intel processors use an LGA 1700 socket and will only work with LGA 1700 motherboards like the Z690 and Z790 boards. Before buying a motherboard for your CPU, ensure it has matching sockets.
Q: How Will I Know What Size Motherboard Fits in My Case?
Motherboards come in different form factors, like ATX and Mini-ITX, which will help you determine the size and dimensions of the PC case it can fit in. Check the specifications of the case to determine which motherboard form factors it supports.
Q: What Do I Need to Know About Motherboard Sockets?
A socket is where you install the processor on the motherboard, and it consists of an array of pins that connect your CPU to the motherboard. The configuration of pins varies across socket types, which is why you can only use a CPU with a motherboard that has a matching CPU socket. If you’re planning to upgrade your PC soon, ourCPU sockets guidewill ensure you buy the right CPU for your motherboard.
Q: What Is TPM on a Motherboard and Why Do I Need It?
A Trusted Platform Module (TPM) is a hardware-level security solution that keeps critical information like passwords and credentials safe from external attacks. With the rise in cyber attacks and hacking incidents, TPM can enhance the overall security of your PC. To determine whether your PC has a TPM module, check our deep dive intohow TPM works.
Q: What Other PC Components Do I Need to Build My Own Computer?
In addition to your motherboard, which is the foundation of your computer, you’ll also need a processor, GPU, RAM, storage drive, Power Supply Unit, computer case, and cooling accessories.
