best motherboard cpu combo

Best motherboard CPU Combo 2024 for AMD and Intel processors

Taking a closer look at some of the market’s best motherboard and CPU combos, giving you the perfect pairing for both AMD and Intel

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When it comes to building a new gaming PC, the major concern for most is compatibility. Choosing the right CPU and motherboard for your new build can be a little daunting, so a CPU motherboard combo could be the perfect bit of reassurance you need.

We test and recommend a lot of CPUs and motherboards, making it easy for us to pair the perfect combo together for your next gaming PC. We put a list of the best motherboards and CPUs that complement each other well, ensuring you get the performance you desire for the right price. From budget options, all the way up to high-end, you’ll find something on this list to fit your build.

Why choosing the right CPU motherboard combo matters

Your processor is absolutely integral to your build, no matter what sort of PC you’re trying to build. The CPU is the brain of your computer, literally processing every task and program that you run and making sure they work smoothly.

While it’s far from the only important part of your PC, it’s certainly up there and deserves thorough research before purchasing. Without a decent CPU, you’ll find browsing and multi-tasking difficult, and the wrong processor can really make workstation and gaming a total chore, or in the worst cases completely impossible.

Since all the rest of your components will plug into it, choosing the right mobo is essential. You only need to pay attention to choosing a compatible motherboard, everything after that is a matter of personal choice. You’ll need to make sure it has the right ports for the other components you want to add, and that can affect how fast your memory, storage, and processors can be.

Best CPU motherboard combo: Intel i9-13900K & Z790

Intel i9-13900K & GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Master

CPU

Intel Core i9-13900K 24 cores (8 P-cores + 16 E-cores)

Motherboard

GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Master (EATX/ DDR5/ 5* M.2/ PCIe 5.0)

Pros
  • Top end performance, perfect for the best gaming PC
  • Most future proof combo
Cons
  • Most expensive combo

The best CPU motherboard combo available at the moment is Intel’s Core i9 13900K with the Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Master. Not only does this stand out as a top-tier combination in terms of performance but it will also last you for an exceptionally long time. If you’re aiming to handle demanding workloads and enjoy 4K gaming at maximum settings, this CPU and motherboard combo is the one for you. While it comes with a significant price tag, it’s an investment worth considering, especially if you’re aiming to build the best gaming PC possible, with limited reasons to upgrade in the future.

Best AMD CPU motherboard combo: AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D & X670E

AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D & ASRock X670E Steel Legend

CPU

AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D (8-Core, 16-Thread)

Motherboard

ASRock X670E Steel Legend (DDR5)

Pros
  • Excellent value for money
  • Solid perfomrance for gaming and beyond
  • Next-gen
Cons
  • NOt AMD’s flagship CPU, however, don’t let that put you off

Our top AMD CPU motherboard combo surprisingly doesn’t feature the 7900X, 7950X, or the 3D Cache versions. Instead, we have gone for the Ryzen 7 7800X3D processor. This impressive CPU has been paired with ASRock’s X670E Steel Legend motherboard, forming a remarkable high-end combination for slightly less money. The impressive capabilities of the CPU, combined with the extensive features of the mobo, give you everything you could want from a future-proof top-tier build.

Best mid-range Intel CPU motherboard combination: Intel i5-13600K & Z790

Intel i5-13600K & MSI Z790 TOMAHAWK Wifi

CPU

Intel Core i5-13600K 14 cores (6 P-cores + 8 E-cores)

Motherboard

MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk WiFi (DDR5, PCIe 5.0)

Pros
  • Excellent perfomrance for the price
  • Next-gen
Cons
  • Cost more than an AMD equivalent

Approaching the mid-range there are a few variations you could go for,m however, we feel Intels 13600K is the best way to go. The Core i5 13600K from Intel, coupled with a Z790 motherboard gives you a solid foundation for your next mid-range gaming PC build. This dynamic CPU and motherboard duo boasts the capability to tackle a wide range of tasks.

Best budget CPU motherboard combo: AMD Ryzen 5 7600X & B650

AMD Ryzen 5 7600X & MSI PRO B650M-P Pro

CPU

AMD Ryzen 5 7600X (6-Core, 12-Thread)

Motherboard

MSI PRO B650M-P Pro (DDR5)

Pros
  • High quality at an afforadble price point
  • Budget but still strong for gmaing
Cons
  • Going to be less effective at some tasks compared to the options above

Our best-budget CPU motherboard combo sees the Ryzen 5 7600X and a B650M motherboard paired together. Don’t let the label “budget” fool you, this processor is fantastic and will serve the vast majority of gamers’ needs without a hitch.

The board selected was to save you money but if there are certain features you would like to see then stretch your budget slightly and get a better B650 motherboard.

Best entry-level CPU mobo combo: Intel i3-13100F & B760M

Intel i3-13100F & GIGABYTE B760M Gaming X AX

CPU

ntel Core i3-13100F 4 cores (4 P-cores + 0 E-cores)

Motherboard

GIGABYTE B760M Gaming X AX (DDR4)

Pros
  • Ideal price point for entry-lvel gaming
  • Will be fine for 1080p gmaing
Cons
  • Least powerful in the round up
  • Will need upgrading before other selections in this round up

If saving money and budget gaming is your bag, this i3 and B760M board will not only keep costs down but will set you up for some relatively enjoyable gaming. These would combine well with an entry-low end graphics card to deliver some 1080p performance.

CPU motherboard combo FAQs

Which motherboard is best for CPU?

This depends on the CPU you choose. We reccomend the flagship chipset when choosing high-end processors but you can mix it up when shopping for more affordable CPUs.

Is Intel better than AMD?

Both AMD and Intel offer some excellent CPUs for gaming, so make your choice based on your budget or the components that you already have.

In summary

Now you have the best CPU motherboard combos with the latest hardware, you can make quick work of completing your new gaming PC build part list. Everything here has been selected due to its performance and overall value. We try to cater to a wide range of budgets, however, you can always look into previous-generation components to save money too.

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