Also related: Best Motherboards For i5-13600K
There are a few motherboards that qualifies to be in our list of the best motherboards under 300. Most of those which have been featured here several ports, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. fortunately, there are those that can use AMD and others Intel processor. Nonetheless, what matters most is that these motherboards will serve you well because of the many features they come with and their high reliability. Also related: best motherboards for nas
best motherboards under 300
WHAT BUDGET-FRIENDLY MOTHERBOARD SHOULD YOU CHOOSE FOR YOUR GAMING RIG?
It is well known that video cards are a vital component of gaming rigs around the world. It is also important to have a good communications center for the PC since it will have a big impact on its quality. A motherboard with a lot of features will give you more chances to upgrade your rig in the future with a new CPU, GPU, etc.
Here are the best AM4 and LGA motherboards for 2023, whether you’re upgrading your components or building a new gaming PC. Our comparison of six top motherboards under $300 includes three Intel motherboards and three AMD motherboards. By the end of this article, you’ll know which one to buy, depending on the CPU you’ve got or plan to acquire.
TOP 3 LGA 1151 MOTHERBOARDS
I am going to take a look at the best LGA motherboards for gamers on a budget since Intel’s Coffee Lake processors are excellent for gamers on a budget. Each of of the following 3 motherboards falls within the range of $150-$250, so you are safe in saving some bucks and putting them towards an even better video card than you had before.
Read more on Best motherboards with thunderbolt 3
ASUS ROG STRIX Z390-E~ best motherboards under 300
SPECS
CHIPSET: Z390
SOCKET: LGA 1151
DDR: DDR4
FORM: Standard ATX
OVERCLOCKING: AI Overclocking
Despite being considered one of the more expensive Z390 chipset boards available, the ASUS ROG Strix Z390-E is a good choice at $250. The ASUS ROG Strix Z390-E comes with many extra features, including RGB lighting, which you’ll find in the specifications above. Aside from what you see above, you’ll see the board supports 8th- or 9th-generation Intel Core processors, has dual M.2 slots, and supports USB 3.1 Gen 2.
A hardwired connection would be preferred over the unreliable Wi-Fi, even though there is an onboard 802.11AC Wi-Fi connection. In addition to PCIE 3.0 lanes, you get dual-way SLI support, and cross-fireX so you can run several GPUs.
There is also the possibility of running 64GB of DDR4 memory in dual-channel mode on the motherboard, with a memory overclock of up to 4266MHz in dual-channel mode as well. With the integrated features included on the motherboard, such as AI Overclocking, FanXpert 4, OptiMem II, etc., overclocking this motherboard is fairly easy. At this moment, it is one of the best motherboards on the market for the Z390 processor.
Read more on Best motherboards under 100
MSI MPG Z690~ best motherboards under 300
SPECS
CHIPSET: Z390
SOCKET: LGA 1151
DDR: DDR4
FORM: Standard ATX
OVERCLOCKING: Yes
This Z390 motherboard offers high-end specs for an affordable price, which is why it is placed second in our list of the top Z390 motherboards.
I would have to say that it’s the ability to overclock the MSI Z390 Gaming PRO Carbon AC card that makes it so impressive, as it can support an unlocked 9th generation Intel Core processor for example.
As well as it being a motherboard with all the features you need, such as the ability to support up to 64GB of DDR4 memory, a memory overclocking up to a maximum of 4000+MHz, support for two-way SLI, and support for three-way Crossfire as well as support for three-way SLI.
Aside from having dual M.2 slots, the Z390 also comes with Intel Optane support, and one of them is equipped with a shield heatsink to protect the M.2 connector. There are also other features such as RGB lighting, steel armor PCIe slots, and Game Boost, as well as GAMING Hotkey, X-Boost, and WTFast.
It is possible that you might be unsatisfied with the features that the top two LGA 1151 motherboards have to offer
Read more on LPX (Low Profile eXtension
MSI Z390-A PRO~ best motherboards under 300
SPECS
CHIPSET: Z390
SOCKET : LGA 1151
DDR: DDR4
FORM: Standard ATX
OVERCLOCKING: Yes
In our list of the best budget LGA 1151 motherboards, the MSI Z390-A Pro stands out as the most affordable and offers a wide range of features and mild overclocking options.
Despite its low price, the MSI Z390-A Pro offers no RGB lighting. If you want a motherboard with a smaller price, try the MSI Z390.
Although the Z390-A Pro lacks some aesthetics and other small features, apart from 64GB of DDR4 RAM which can be overclocked to nearly 4000MHz, it also supports NVME SSDs via an M.2 port.
Read more on best motherboards under 150
MSI MEG X570 ACE~best motherboards under 300
SPECS
CHIPSET: X570
SOCKET: AM4
DDR: DDR4
FORM: Standard ATX
OVERCLOCKING: Yes
One of the best X570 motherboards available today is the MSI MEG X570 ACE, which comes with so many features that you’re sure to like, but the price is a bit too high, but it’s worth the prices put on it because it comes with a lot of great features.
MSI MEG X570 ACE is a good option for gaming enthusiasts who are looking to pair it with a new 3rd Generation Ryzen CPU. As far as overclocking is concerned, it allows you to do that without any problem.
It has a USB 3.2 Gen 2 header, 2 NVME M.2 ports, and supports up to 128GB of RAM. Using this motherboard, you can run dual video cards, run up to 128GB of RAM, and run up to two video cards simultaneously.
Audio Boost HD technology allows audio to be enhanced, Core Boost technology increases performance, Zero Frozr technology controls heat, PCIe steel armors and RGB lighting are included with the X570 ACE.
An MSI MEG X570 ACE gaming motherboard is a great choice if you’re building a high-end gaming computer.
Read more on ITX motherboard form factor
GIGABYTE X570 GAMING X~ best motherboards under 300
SPECS
CHIPSET: X570
SOCKET: AM4
DDR: DDR4
FORM: Standard ATX
OVERCLOCKING: Yes
A motherboard and overclocking your new Ryzen processor can be purchased for under $150 by gamers with a lower budget with the GIGABYTE X570 Gaming X motherboard. Compared to the expensive MSI MEG, the GIGABYTE X570 Gaming X is a budget-friendly option.
Aside from running two GPUs and up to 128GB of RAM, this motherboard comes with four M.2 slots, and has a 10+2 phase PWM design that will allow you to overclock the 3rd Generation Ryzen CPU. Additionally, you will receive a lot of RGB options and ports for enhancing the look of your build. For those on a tighter budget, we’ve also added an MSI B450 Tomahawk as the last AM4 motherboard.
Read more on DTX form factor
MSI B450 TOMAHAWK
SPECS
CHIPSET: B450
SOCKET: AM4
DDR: DDR4
FORM: Standard ATX
OVERCLOCKING: Yes
There is a convenient option for those looking for a mid-range AM4 gaming PC that does not require high overclocking but still offers a lot for its low price tag. The MSI B450 Tomahawk Max runs at $100 and has 64GB of DDR4 RAM at a clock speed of up to 4133MHz. It offers 2-way AMD Crossfire configurations, as well as up to 64GB of DDR4 RAM.
Despite being built for the previous Ryzen generations, the MSI B450 Tomahawk Max supports 3rd gen Ryzen CPUs. It also has a RGB lighting system, as well as a battery life indicator.
WHAT WOULD BE THE BEST MOTHERBOARD FOR YOUR GAMING PC?
As far as gaming is concerned, it won’t be affected by your choice, but what hardware you add to the gaming rig will be impacted by your motherboard. For this reason, a lower-cost motherboard will have limited capabilities.
Nevertheless, if you intend to run only a single video card setup, you do not have to spend hundreds on an expensive motherboard. A motherboard that allows you to upgrade your build in the future is ideally one that allows you to. The MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Carbon Wifi ($ 264) is the latest version of the MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Carbon Wifi.
Read more on BTX form factor
MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Carbon Wifi (Intel)
Specs:
CPU Support: Intel 10th Ge
nMemory Support: 4x DIMM, up to 128GB, DDR4-4800 (OC)
Expansion Slots: 3x PCIe 3.0 (x16/x0/x4 or x8/x8/x4),
2x PCIe 3.0 x1Video Ports: 1x DisplayPort,
1x HDMIRear USB: 5x USB 3.2, 2x USB 2.0
Storage: 2x M.2, 6x SATA 6Gbps
Networking: 1x 2.5Gb LAN,
Intel Wi-Fi 6 wireless
Extras: Size: ATX,
Socket: LGA 1200
With this board, you can basically get virtually the same gaming performance as top-end boards such as the ROG Maximus or MSI’s own Godlike series at this price point. It runs a bit hot at such an affordable price, which is unfortunate at such an affordable price. While this motherboard isn’t able to overclock as well as top-end boards, it still makes a great choice.
Read more on ATX form factors
ASRock X570M Steel Legend
Specs:
CPU Support: Intel 10th Gen
Memory Support: 4x DIMM,
64 GB up to 2933 Mhz
Expansion Slots: 2x PCIe Gen 3 x16,
1x PCIe Gen 3 x1
Video Ports: 1 DP, 1 HDMI
Rear USB: 4x USB 3.2, 1x Type C, 2 USB 2.0
Storage: 2x M.2, 6x SATA 6 Gbps
Networking: Realtek 2.5Gb LAN
Extras: Size: micro ATX,
Socket: LGA 1120
Its silver finish looks great with white builds, and it’s ideal for tiny cases. Micro ATX motherboards with this name are great for smaller builds. The RGB feature is another welcome addition, and the board doesn’t skimp on any of the basics. However, you shouldn’t expect to overclock on it. You won’t be able to overclock with this board. For those who need a solid micro ATX board at a reasonable price without any extra features, this is the best choice. The only downside is the absence of inbuilt WiFi.
ASUS TUF Gaming Z590-Plus Wifi ($ 190)ASUS TUF Gaming Z590 plus Wifi (Intel)
Read more on AT and baby AT form factor
ASUS TUF Gaming Z590 plus Wifi (Intel)
Specs:
CPU Support: Intel 10th & 11th Gen
Memory Support: 4x DIMM, up to 128GB, DDR4-5133
Expansion Slots: 1x PCIe 4.0 x16, 1x PCIe 3.0 x16 (x4), 1x PCIe 3.0 x16 (x4), 2x PCIe 3.0 x1
Video Ports: 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 1x HDMI 2.0
Rear USB: 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C, 5x USB 3.1 Gen 1, 6x USB 2.0
Storage: 3x M.2, 6x SATA 6
GbpsNetworking: Intel Wi-Fi 6E, 1x Intel 2.5Gb ethernet
Extras: Size: ATX, Socket: LGA 1200
All-black ATX boards are very attractive and support ASUS aura sync, so they will match most builds. In comparison to the steel legend, this is a much better option for GPUs that are faster and larger, as well as larger M.2 SSDs. It also comes with a built-in wifi that comes with an antennae, so that it is a real plus. I do have one complaint, which is the 4+8 pin power connector, which could be problematic.
Read more on What is form factor
Factors to consider when buying best motherboards under 300
CPU Support –
The processors that are supported by your motherboard (Intel or AMD, what generation of the processor, among other details).
Memory Support –
There are three kinds of RAM that can be used on your motherboard: 32, 64, or 128 GB, and DDR4 or DDR3 RAM (2666MHz, 2933MHz, 3200MHz, 3600MHz, etc).
Form Factor –
Whether your motherboard will fit in your case, whether it is ATX, E-ATX, micro-ATX, or ITX.
PCIe Slots –
In addition to GPUs, high-end audio cards, storage and networking solutions are supported by the number and generation of PCIe slots onboard the system.
Other Features –
You should also consider the amount of SATA and/or M.2 slots (for storage), as well as the presence of a WiFi and Bluetooth connection on board.
Read more on Small form factors
What about all other motherboards?
Our first consideration was a motherboard designed specifically for a processor such as the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X, and a platform such as AMD’s own i7-13900K Intel Core processor. Further consideration was made for platforms such as AMD’s own i7-13900K, and secondly for platforms other than Intel’s.
For each of our picks, you can pick an alternative from another vendor and enjoy the same experience, regardless of whether you choose to go with Intel or AMD. There are other vendors who make motherboards available, regardless of whether you choose Intel or AMD. While many factors are changed up to differentiate motherboards based on the way power is delivered, the type of component, and the features on the motherboard, generally speaking they tend to be more similar.
Read more on best motherboards under 200
How to choose the best motherboards under 300
Your decision about which processor to use in your PC build will have a considerable impact on the motherboard you choose. AMD CPUs require motherboards with AMD chipsets and sockets, while Intel processors require motherboards with AMD sockets and chipsets. A fair amount of money will buy you a great motherboard, so you can look at price and chipset features from there.
In addition to making more of the processor than what is available from the factory, the two best motherboards for either platform come with included software that handles most of the work. In addition to motherboards for enthusiasts and Mini-ITX builders, there are also options for those with a lower budget.
Most motherboards are more expensive because high-quality components are likely to be used and support stable overclocking.
Read more on What is a computer motherboard?
What you should look for in best motherboards under 300
Generally, you’ll be okay with Intel and AMD processors as long as you don’t buy the cheapest boards. Here are a few things to consider:
A cooling system for voltage regulator modules (VRMs)
When overclocking, pay attention to the power delivery
Selection of the rear port
A variety of forms (ITX, microATX, ATX) are available
Intel and AMD chipsets: choosing the right one
Making sure chipsets are compatible with supported CPU generations
RAM support
Features like M.2 slots
If you plan on overclocking, you’ll need beefier VRMs in order to have more headroom. Both the VRMs and the cooling are equally important. If you plan on overclocking, you’ll need beefy VRMs. It’s also ideal to have a motherboard with many phases, typically reserved for more expensive motherboards.
Choosing your motherboard is most of the time about choosing what ports you will be able to use with your accessories. It is not as important as choosing the form factor because most motherboards come with similar ports. Intel and AMD chipsets help provide additional functionality to motherboards, while the form factor determines their physical size.
Final thoughts on the best motherboards under 300
In the same way, you should match these to processors that support them, as well as RAM. Intel CPUs won’t work with AMD motherboards and vice versa. The Intel or AMD websites have additional details about processor compatibility with slower or faster RAM. Some other features, such as M.2 slots, are optional.
There are a lot of options for Mini-ITX, budget, and enthusiast builds on our list, but here are some very good resources to make your decision smoother. We rounded up the very best to help you make an informed decision.
Choosing the top 11 motherboards for AM4 that we found on the market, we picked the top two motherboards with the X570 chipset and the B450, which is a less expensive and relevant alternative.
AMD motherboards are currently great, but at the moment, there is a small issue with them in regards to releasing budget-friendly motherboards based on their B-series chipsets to accommodate the new 3rd-Gen CPUs set to hit the market later this year.