The Best Budget Intel Motherboards in 2023

Jan 13, 2024

Here are our picks for some of the best budget motherboards for Intel Processors!

Intel has been on a roll of late thanks to its strong single-core performance on Alder Lake and Raptor Lake processor lineup where it comprehensively beats AMD's offerings (sans the X3D variants) for gaming and more often than not in productivity-related tasks. It does require Intel 600 or 700 chipset series-based motherboards to function however and choosing the right ones is quite challenging given the plethora of options available as individual needs differ based on use cases.

The team at GameRant is here to help you navigate the numerous options available for those looking for the best bargain for a motherboard in 2023 for Intel processors.

Note: all these motherboards are designed to work only with Intel's 12th and 13th-generation processors, so please make sure that you are purchasing the correct motherboard for your processor and vice-versa.

Capable No-Nonsense Powerhouse

MSI's MAG B760 Tomahawk Wi-Fi DDR4 motherboard is a capable entry from the well-known Taiwan-based tech manufacturer that offers a slew of I/O and onboard slots in a bid to capture the mainstream Intel CPU-based audience with a blend of value, functionality, and reliability.

The MSI MAG B760 Tomahawk Wi-Fi DDR4 is our contender for the best overall Intel budget gaming motherboard. It supports both the 12th and the 13th generation Intel CPUs out of the box while offering PCI-E 5.0 support for GPUs down the line with an above-average VRM solution and a decent networking stack thanks to native Wi-Fi 6E/Bluetooth 5.3 support coupled with 2.5G gigabit Ethernet in tow.

The MSI MAG B760 has excellent power delivery that should help it overclock and sustain midrange processors while handling higher-end Core i7 and Core i9 processors fairly well. It also has support for as many as 16 USB ports with decent rear I/O options. With 3 M2 slots on the board itself in addition to 4 SATA ports, the motherboard has plenty of storage options whichever way you wish to go about it.

While most gaming motherboards tend to have RGB on the board itself, it does feel that we are stretched to find a con here when it comes to the MSI MAG B760 Tomahawk Wi-Fi DDR4 as it does not impede performance and in the case of RGB lighting, sometimes less is more. One would also ask if DDR4 vs DDR5 is a factor in our decision-making. It is not in this case especially given the very limited gains DDR5 rams offer, mostly towards the top end of the Intel processor spectrum making it a questionable metric in our mind for budget motherboards.

Premium Build Quality Meets Budget Constraints

The ASRock B760 Pro RS ATX Motherboard is a solid B760-based motherboard with an excellent integrated I/O plate that skips on a Wi-Fi module but offers sold performance, build quality, and PCI-E 5.0 GPU support and an excellent bios as a tradeoff for a full-sized ATX motherboard on a budget

The ASRock B760 Pro RS ATX Motherboard is an excellent DDR5-supporting variant of Intel's B760 chipset-based motherboards (it does come in DDR4 as a separate option too) that offers a well-rounded platform to build your next productivity or gaming-centric PC with ease. At a price point that conveys its value proposition, it is the motherboard that does it all - if you aren't looking for Bluetooth or Wi-Fi; Those will cost extra, though ASRock has been thoughtful enough to give you mounting holes within its integrated I/O plate out of the box.

With a 10+1+1 phase power delivery for the CPU, the B760 isn't meant for but can handle some of the higher-end CPUs in the 12th and 13th generation, but we wouldn't recommend plugging in an Intel Core i9 from either generation on this motherboard; investing in a better Intel-based motherboard would be the key to getting the most out of your purchase there.

Excellent build quality, one of the best BIOS options in the business, high DDR5 overclockability support, and a price point that doesn't bite back are all good reasons to pick up the ASRock B760 Pro RS ATX Motherboard provided you are willing to buy a Wi-Fi dongle down the line or have high-speed Ethernet near your PC, making it a more palatable option without tacking on additional cost.

Gaming Essentials

The Gigabyte B760 Aorus Elite AX covers all bases for offering a stellar and uncompromising DDR5-based motherboard packed with features including Wi-Fi 6E and rear and front USB-C ports.

The GIGABYTE B760 AORUS Elite AX Motherboard is a looker with excellent specs to back it. It offers high-speed Wi-Fi, conforming to the latest 6E standards, a stylish, yet sturdy feel and the ability to push your DDR5 ram sticks far above the norms for the standard right now. Unlike Gigabyte's B660 options, this one supports both the Intel 12th and 13th generation processors out of the box, making it a stellar replacement for those motherboards while retaining the same price point.

The B760 Aorus Elite does however somewhat curiously limit its PCI-E x16 slot to Gen 4 speeds. Given that few GPUs currently utilize Gen 4 speeds for gaming properly to date and even fewer max them out, that could change in the coming years making this choice a minor negative for Gigabyte.

All in the GIGABYTE B760 AORUS Elite AX Motherboard is a solid motherboard that would be our first choice for gaming thanks to its DDR5 support, superior Wi-Fi tech, and generally good looks that complement a gaming build.

Entry Level LGA 1700 Socket Goodness

The ASUS Prime H610M-E D4 Motherboard is an M-ATX entry-level H610 chipset-based motherboard that came out with the 12th generation Intel CPU lineup but has since received a bios update to support the 13th generation Intel processor lineup.

The ASUS Prime H610M-E D4 Motherboard is an entry-level board that supports Intel's 12th and 13th generation Core processor lineup. It has no illusions about its core audience and delivers on its stated tasks in a no-frills manner. Given the price point, we can't truly complain either for what is essentially an excellent entry-level 600 series motherboard with limited USB ports and M2 slot support.

Do note that given that it is an H610 chipset-based motherboard (Intel 600 series chipsets), if you decide to pair it with a 13th-generation processor, you might need to update the BIOS to a compatible version to get the motherboard to work properly.

Entry Level Z Series Performer

The GIGABYTE Z790 UD AC Gaming Motherboard is an entry-level Z790 Motherboard that offers DDR5, Wi-Fi AC bundled with 3 M2 slots. Priced around the same range as most B760 motherboards, it promises exceptional value from a price-to-performance perspective

The GIGABYTE Z790 UD AC Motherboard is our only Z790 chipset-based motherboard to make the cut when it comes to budget Intel motherboards and with good reason; At just under $200 with Wi-Fi, PCI-E 5.0 support, and excellent DDR5 overclocking potential along with a generous stack of I/O, this motherboard delivers exceptional value for money to the end-user. It does so competing directly with B760-based motherboards in the same price range and regularly comes out ahead in head-to-head spec comparisons.

The Z790-based motherboard does come a bit short when it comes to its choice of Wi-Fi however with it being limited to AC bandwidth levels meaning it can not connect to the faster 6GHz band that some of the other motherboards on our list with 6E support can. With a 16+1+1 phase power delivery system, you can't really complain or nitpick at the price point this unit retails, and it remains a no-brainer for anyone looking for productivity or content creation-based work on a budget.

Premium Build Quality In A Small Package

The ASRock B760 Steel Legend is a premium-tier mATX motherboard that comes with the trademark durability that the Steel Legend lineup is famous for while offering superfast Wi-Fi 6E connectivity, DDR5 support, and a well-placed heatsink over the VRMs in a compact package.

The ASRock B760M Steel Legend Wi-Fi Motherboard is arguably the best-looking budget mATX motherboard that offers sturdy build quality in tow with a clean design in play. Surprisingly, for an mATX motherboard, the ASRock offerings do not compromise on I/O; the B760M Steel legend has 3 PCI-E 4.0 M2 slots, support for up to 15 USB ports and a PCI-E Gen 5.0 x16 slot which means that the minimalistic build you envisioned on a budget is now a reality without compromising on motherboard features.

With fast Wi-Fi 6E support and a native 2.5G Ethernet controller in addition to Bluetooth 5.3 support in play, the ASRock B760M Steel Legend Wi-Fi Motherboard has you covered on the networking aspect of things. A small gripe we have with this model is the limited (8) USB ports it has on the rear but given the case you might use, that could be a non-issue. All in all, this is an excellent motherboard with all current-generation technologies in place that should allow you to maximize your performance gains with ease.

There are no bad choices above as we have noted multiple times, but users wanting to opt for DDR5 rams would probably want to lean to one of our suggested B760/Z790 options versus B660/Z690 motherboards which pioneered the charge to DDR5. This is partially to do with more stable implementations of DDR5 ram standards with the 700 series in addition to obviously longer software support down the line for said motherboards.

RELATED: The Best Intel CPUs in 2023

During our search for relevant motherboards, we generally found that B760 and B660 motherboards (our target chipset for this guide) generally do not have much of a difference in terms of price, but the latter would require bios updates to handle the Intel 13th generation processor lineup across the board leading to us leaning towards the 700 series counterpart of motherboards wherever possible.

All the above motherboards have decent to excellent power delivery. This is to ensure that they can run the highest-end Intel Core processors you might pair with them without any issues. If you are interested in the best budget Intel Processors in 2023, we have a guide that should help you make an informed decision.

A: Yes, they do. They might need a BIOS update however to do so. All motherboard manufacturers have posted updates and instructions on how to update your BIOS and the minimum BIOS version you need to run 13th generation Intel Core Processors on your H610/B660/Z690 based motherboards.

A: Unlike the situation that emerged at the onset of the 12th generation's release where DDR5 prices were gouged and modules were rarely found at MSRP and heavily price gouged, retail DDR4 and DDR5 memory modules currently are trading at historic lows with DDR5 fast closing on DDR4 price valuations. A DDR5-based memory upgrade would allow you to use the memory in a next-generation motherboard as well as gain a small performance boost that is most notable in the higher end Intel CPUs. If your budget and motherboard choices allow for it, DDR5 currently is a no-brainer given the minor price tack-on with the futureproofing and performance bump it offers to end users.

Rahim is a Senior Tech/Commerce Writer at Valnet and builds PCs & networking solutions on demand. Whether It's your GPU, CPU, Display, or just an SSD upgrade, expect him to have a well-researched opinion on offer. When he's not helping with tech hardware or writing about it, you can find him playing the latest single-player titles or toying around with Unreal Engine with friends.Interests: PC Hardware, Final Fantasy, Pokemon, Game Development, The Witcher (not necessarily in that order)