The basis of any personal computer or laptop is the motherboard. It is on it that the heart of such a device is located — the processor. It’s no secret that in the last year such products have seriously risen in price and have become beyond the reach of many buyers. We decided to meet the needs of our readers and developed a rating of the best budget motherboards so that each user can choose the right product for himself, both in terms of cost and functionality. Here we will not only talk in detail about the most popular models, but also give some useful tips that will surely help you when selecting these devices.
How to choose the right budget motherboard in 2022?
Speaking quite simply, the motherboard is a large set of different slots and microcircuits, which are distributed in a certain order on a multilayer textolite sheet. All computer components are controlled through the central processing unit. In this regard, the level of the motherboard itself must match the level of the processor or be higher than it.
Today, the bulk of the processors are manufactured by two world-famous companies — Intel and AMD. Accordingly, motherboards are produced with sockets and chipsets designed for one of these processors. It is worth noting that the socket design may be different, including depending on the generation of processors. It must also be remembered that the socket match does not mean at all that the motherboard and processor will be compatible based on the match of the chipset and BIOS.
In this regard, before buying a motherboard, you need to make sure that the generation, processor family and its model will be in the board’s support list. This information can be found either in the instruction manual or on the official website of the manufacturer. There are situations when such products are able to work with processors released later, but this can only be achieved after updating the BIOS.
The next important factor, which will also have to be taken into account when buying these devices, will be the implementation of PCI-E. This interface implies a hardware communication mechanism between the processor, chipset and other elements of a personal computer. Each line has its own capacity. The higher this indicator is, the faster the personal computer will work.
The motherboard has slots for installing RAM. In this case, the following factors will be the most significant: the ability to support dual-channel mode, the number of slots, the highest frequency, and the presence of an overclocking function. Today, even the cheapest motherboards support dual-channel mode, with which two installed motherboard chips will work in parallel, speeding up the computer. The boards support memory even at 32 GB.
Motherboards have an integrated network card through which Internet access is provided. If a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth module is required, products with integrated adapters can be purchased. On sale there are also devices with built-in sound and video cards. It should be remembered that integrated elements will always be weaker than those installed separately. Some motherboards are equipped with a Display Port connector, which is useful if the user plans to work with integrated graphics.
The vast majority of motherboards have a hardware TPM slot, without which we can’t officially support Windows 11. When we analyzed the market and chose which products to include in our ranking of the best low-cost motherboards in 2022, we took into account all factors , which were discussed above. However, a number of key points were taken into account — value for money, as well as user reviews.
Best Gaming PC Motherboards in 2022
10. ASUS PRIME B450M-KII
One of the cheapest models that can only be found today on the Russian market. It operates on the basis of a very common B450 chipset. In turn, it is perfectly compatible with socket AM4. The main distinguishing feature that distinguishes this product from other low-cost models is its excellent adaptation to overclocking of RAM and video card. For example, the first can be overclocked from the usual 3200 MHz to 4400 MHz, in other words, by about 33%, and users note that artificially accelerated elements do not start to heat up.
It is recommended to overclock the processor very carefully — this is due to the fact that the design is not equipped with a passive cooling system. The interface is quite familiar — two slots for RAM, three slots for integrated graphics, four slots for connecting SATA hard drives.
Advantages:
- Differs in stable work;
- Excellent build quality;
- The developers have thought out the BIOS menu interface very well.
Flaws:
- The integrated sound card works rather weakly;
- The ergonomics of the location of all connectors is not very well thought out;
- There is only one power connector for installing fans.
Motherboard ASUS PRIME B450M-K II
9. ASUS PRIME H510M-K
The device is a highly demanded product, which is equipped with an LGA1200 socket. It was developed specifically for Intel’s 10th or 11th generation processors. Despite the fact that the product is characterized by low cost, it received a fairly high quality power supply, which is based on reliable components with excellent fault tolerance. Unfortunately, as in the previous board, there is no passive cooling radiator.
In principle, all other elements in this motherboard are quite standard for the microATX format. There are 6 USB connectors on the rear panel, there are 4 slots for connecting hard drives, 2 connectors are provided for providing power to the fans, and a cooling radiator is provided on the chipset. This is a very interesting approach, since with greater efficiency, the noise is much less.
Advantages:
- The manufacturer has worked out the BIOS interface in detail;
- The motherboard is equipped with an integrated sound card with excellent sound quality;
- Fairly reliable power supply.
Flaws:
- The network adapter sometimes does not work correctly;
- The mounts are plastic and therefore not very reliable.
Motherboard ASUS PRIME H510M-K
8. GIGABYTE GA-A320M-H
Perfect for building a not too expensive personal computer. It will not be possible to play modern games on it, however, such an assembly is quite suitable for working with text editors or for surfing the Internet. On the board, you can find two slots for DDR4 RAM, the maximum frequency of which can reach 3200 MHz, the highest amount is 32 GB.
The model also has 4 slots for connecting hard drives, there is an M.2 connector through which you can connect an SSD drive that will work much faster than the classic version — SATA. In total, the board has 12 USB sockets, two video outputs and three audio connectors.
Advantages:
- Very cheap, but very reliable in terms of operation products;
- A huge number of different kinds of sockets and connectors;
- The BIOS menu has been carefully worked out;
- High quality workmanship;
- The ability to use in entry-level gaming computers.
Flaws:
- In order to take advantage of all the options for overclocking the processor, you will have to involve third-party software.
Motherboard GIGABYTE GA-A320M-H
7. ASRock H310CM-DVS
A very interesting model, configured according to the Micro-ATX standard, it is also characterized by support for the LGA 1151-v2 socket, which is designed for Intel processors. Manufacturers equipped this device with two connectors for DDR4 2133-2666 MHz RAM at once. The device is powered by the Intel H310 chipset. For the first time, this model appeared on the market back in 2018, but until today, the device continues to be very popular largely due to excellent reliability and a long period of operation.
In order to expand the configuration of a personal computer, this motherboard has 4 SATA connectors, as well as one PCI-Ex1 and PCI-Ex16 slots each. The board provides a sufficient number of USB ports, two video outputs, and so on. The model is perfect for working with office personal computers.
Advantages:
- Excellent reliability and long service life;
- There is everything you need to expand the capabilities of your computer;
- A large number of connectors are provided.
Flaws:
- Some users find the location of SATA ports not very convenient;
- Weak system of protection against short circuits.
Motherboard ASRock H310CM-DVS
6. ASRock A320M-DVS R4.0
This device has a Micro-ATX form factor, so it has long been popular with users who prefer AMD processors. At a quite affordable cost, the board received an excellent balance of features and well-thought-out ergonomics. The device is based on the AMD A320 chipset, in addition, the product is equipped with two slots for DDR4 RAM chips, the maximum frequency of which can reach 3200 MHz.
The motherboard has a rather large number of ports — 4 SATA, PCI-Ex1, PCI-Ex16, 6 USB connectors located on the back of the device. The manufacturer installed two video outputs here to work with the graphics integrated into the processor.
Advantages:
- Well-designed BIOS menu, including for Russian-speaking users;
- An additional connector for installing a fan is provided;
- All features are perfectly balanced.
Flaws:
- M.2 socket not provided;
- There is no cooling function in the VRM section.
Motherboard ASRock A320M-DVS R4.0
5. ASUS PRIME A320M-K
The motherboard has been on the Russian market for 5 years already — it was first released in 2017. Initially, the device belonged to the mid-budget segment, but later the price dropped significantly. The device is designed for socket AM4 for processors from AMD. There is a huge arsenal of various ports and connectors available here. In particular, the device has two slots for DDR4 RAM, the frequency of which can range from 2133 to 3200 MHz, 4 SATA ports at once, an M.2 connector, two PCI-Ex.1, and a PCI-Ex16 graphics connector.
There are 12 USB ports in total. Among other things, the model received support for most of the modern technologies from ASUS, which allow you to control all the functionality of the motherboard through the BIOS.
Advantages:
- A huge number of different connectors;
- The functional side provides for managing the capabilities of the device through the BIOS;
- Quite affordable cost — the device has significantly fallen in price since its entry into the market.
Flaws:
- Often there is incompatibility with the most modern processors, but this problem is easily solved by flashing the BIOSa.
Motherboard ASUS PRIME A320M-K
4. GIGABYTE H410M H V3
One of the most common motherboards, which is designed for 10th generation Intel processors, in particular for the i5, i7, i9 lines. The function of the key element here is performed by the H410 chipset, it is able to work effectively with multi-core CPUs, the maximum frequency of RAM without overclocking can be 2933 MHz. It works on an LGA 1200 socket, the form factor complies with the microATX standard, but the width of the device is reduced to 185 mm. The motherboard has two slots for RAM, an M.2 socket, four SATA outputs and one for a PCI-Ex16 video card.
It is worth noting that this device has rather modest power capabilities, so it is unlikely that it will be possible to use it for overclocking. Users note that this element will be an excellent option for an inexpensive office computer, which at the same time will have quite decent performance.
Advantages:
- There is everything you need for comfortable work;
- A large number of different connectors;
- Compact overall dimensions.
Flaws:
- Power options are not too wide;
- It does not always support work with outdated video cards, which is why you have to reconfigure the BIOS.
Motherboard GIGABYTE H410M H V3
3. MSI H310M PRO-VDH PLUS
In third place of the best budget motherboards is a very productive model that is perfect even for gaming personal computers. The product is based on the Intel H310 chipset, LGA 1151-v2 socket, which makes it perfectly suitable even for old-generation Intel processors. This model has two slots for connecting DDR4 RAM, but their frequency should not exceed 2666 MHz, as well as two PCI-Ex1 slots, as well as a PCI-Ex16 slot, which is designed to connect a discrete video card.
The rest of the set of connectors is quite standard — 4 SATA ports, there are 4 USB connectors on the board itself, and 6 more are located on the back side of the part. Despite the fact that this device was released back in 2018, it is in great demand among users, in addition, the device has LED backlight elements, which gives it additional style.
Advantages:
- Perfect for building a simple gaming computer;
- There is a very beautiful LED backlight;
- There are all necessary connectors.
Flaws:
- Weakly works with the graphics built into the processor, which often causes flickering of the picture.
Motherboard MSI H310M PRO-VDH PLUS
2. GIGABYTE B450M DS3H V2
The Taiwanese-made product is considered the most popular among users who assemble budget personal computers based on AMD processors with the Zen2 architecture. The platform has a microATX form factor, it has an AM4 socket, as well as 4 dual-channel DDR4 RAM slots at once, their maximum capacity can reach 128 GB, the frequency is 2933 MHz. If you overclock the processor, then this value can increase to 3600 MHz.
The BIOS functionality has everything you need to overclock any components, in connection with which the manufacturer equipped the VRM zone with a fairly powerful cooling radiator. The device has two PCI-Ex16 slots, besides, the manufacturer equipped the product with the CrossFire X option, which allows you to combine the capabilities of video cards.
Advantages:
- Illumination of device elements is provided;
- Very affordable price;
- High reliability;
- The ability to combine the functionality of video cards;
- Long period of operation.
Flaws:
- Not suitable for demanding games and work with computer graphics.
Motherboard GIGABYTE B450M DS3H V2
1. MSI H510M-A PRO
One of the most common budget motherboards with mixroATX form factor. The manufacturer equipped the device with an LGA1200 socket and an H510 chipset, thanks to which it is able to work with the younger variants of Intel 10 and 11 generation processors. Based on this device, it will be possible to form a not too expensive, but at the same time very productive personal computer, which is optimally suited for both office and home use. The board has two slots for connecting RAM, the total amount of which can reach 64 GB at a frequency of up to 3200 MHz.
The board has an M.2 connector for connecting an SSD drive, there are two video outputs for integrated graphics. There are 6 USB sockets on the back of the machine. Despite the fact that there is no heatsink in the VRM area, the device is not prone to overheating.
Advantages:
- Inexpensive, but very effective model in work;
- There is everything you need for comfortable operation;
- Has no tendency to cool.
Flaws:
- After purchase, you should immediately update the BIOS firmware to the current version, otherwise some of the functionality may be curtailed.
Motherboard MSI H510M-A PRO
In conclusion, a useful video
This is the end of our review of the best budget motherboards in 2022. We hope that you were able to choose the best option for yourself, which is perfect not only for work, but also for entertainment. If certain questions regarding a particular model still remain, then you can always ask us in the comments to this article. Our editors will collect the information of interest and answer you as soon as possible.