What is the best CPU motherboard combo for gaming? This is a question that has crossed the mind of every PC builder at least once.

Since the CPU and motherboard are two critical components of a PC that are heavily intertwined, it is normal for PC builders to associate one with the other.

The very best combinations should have the CPU and motherboard complementing each other flawlessly. The strengths of the CPU should be enforced by the motherboard and vice versa.

Divided into different budget categories, we have curated a list of some of the very best CPU motherboard combos that you can use in your next build.

Before moving on make sure you check the following detailed tutorial on how to choose the best motherboard for you: How To Choose The Right Motherboard For Your Needs: A Comprehensive Guide

Why Should You Trust Us?

When it comes to PC building, especially focusing on motherboards, we understand that trust is paramount. Our author, Konstantinos Chiotis, is not just a tech enthusiast but a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in the tech industry and PC building. His passion for technology and gaming, coupled with his dedication to learning and discussing hardware components in detail, is what drives the quality of our content.

Konstantinos’s extensive experience and deep understanding of motherboards, GPUs, and processors enable him to provide insightful hardware comparisons and reviews. His expertise is reflected in every piece of advice, every product recommendation, and every technical detail shared on our platform. We don’t just list the best CPU motherboard combos; we explain why they are the best, how they can cater to your specific needs, and how they stand against other options in the market.

Our commitment to providing accurate, comprehensive, and up-to-date information is unwavering. We believe in empowering our readers with knowledge, and that’s what we strive to do with every article. Trust us to guide you in your PC building journey, and we promise to deliver content that is not only informative but also reliable and easy to understand.

How We Choose The Best CPU Motherboard Combo

When choosing the best CPU and motherboard combinations, we considered several essential factors that revolved around compatibility and the value proposition that was offered by the combo in question.

Our first concern was the budget category for the CPU platform of choice. After choosing the appropriate CPU for that category, we paired it with the proper motherboard choice, decided by the following factors.

Firstly, we considered the compatibility of the CPU with the motherboard socket and chipset. Not only that, but we also paid close attention to the compatibility of various special features such as PCIe 4.0 and DDR5 memory support.

Moreover, we considered the capability of the motherboard in terms of overclocking the paired CPU. This is where we focused on the VRM quality and overall power delivery setup of the motherboard.

Of course, we also laid a focus on the various networking, storage, and connectivity features of the motherboard that are an essential part of the overall feature-set of the PC.

Ultimately, the value proposition of the motherboard in relation to the CPU was one of the key deciding factors. We only chose motherboards that complemented the CPU perfectly in terms of price-to-performance ratio.

With these factors in mind, here are some of the very best motherboard CPU combos you can buy right now for your next PC.

The Best Budget Motherboard CPU Combos

Intel Core i5 12600K + MSI PRO Z690-A

Not everyone can afford the best and brightest when it comes to building PCs, and that is perfectly fine. Modern gaming processors are incredibly powerful even on the budget side, so you can get a really competent gaming experience without spending a lot of money. At the heart of our budget pick is the Intel Core i5 12600K, one of the best value processors in the Alder Lake lineup.

This potent little CPU packs 6 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores, and it can boost all the way up to 4.9 GHz. Long story short, it is one of the fastest gaming processors on the market right now, and you can get your hands on it without breaking the bank.

We have paired the Intel Core i5 12600K with the MSI Pro Z690-A WiFi, another excellent value motherboard on this platform. We have picked the DDR5 variant of the Z690-A since that makes more sense from a “future-proofing” standpoint, and the difference between the two variants was not significant.

The MSI Pro Z690-A WiFi is actually a really solid motherboard, all things considered. Sure, its 8+4 phase VRM setup does not hold a candle to some of the more expensive Z690 boards, but it is perfectly fine for an efficient processor such as the 12600K. You can fully overclock the 12600K on this board without worrying about VRM thermals or long-term durability.

In terms of features, the Z690-A WiFi is adequately well-equipped. The networking suite is decent thanks to the 2.5 GbE LAN port as well as WiFi capability, and the storage features are about what you would expect from a standard Z690 motherboard. We would have liked to see a few more USB ports on the rear I/O, however.

A strong alternative to the MSI Z690-A WiFi can be the ASUS TUF Gaming Z690-PLUS WiFi. However, the ASUS offering is quite a bit more expensive, and we do not feel like it justifies the additional price with its feature set. The value proposition is of prime importance in this budget category.

The Core i5 12600K constantly butts heads with the more expensive i7 and i9 models from the 12th Generation Intel lineup in terms of gaming. You can also save a bit more money and go for the Core i5 12600, or even the i5 12600KF which has its integrated graphics fused off. Those variants are a bit harder to find in stock, however.

All said it is clear that the combination of the Core i5 12600K and the MSI Pro Z690-A WiFi provides excellent value to budget PC builders. You can maximize your bang for the buck and make a really competent gaming PC with these parts.

RATINGS:

• Gaming Score: 8/10
• Productivity Score: 7.5/10
• Value for Money: 8.5/10
• Overall Rating: 8/10

AMD Ryzen 5 3600 + MSI B550 Tomahawk WiFi

AMD is loved among gamers as the “value king”, and no CPU symbolizes that slogan more than the mighty Ryzen 5 3600. This is probably the most popular AMD Ryzen CPU to date, and for good reason. Based on the Zen 2 architecture, it provides an incredible value for gaming that is hard to beat to this day.

You can pair the Ryzen 5 3600 with any B450, B550, or X570 motherboard, but we went with the MSI B550 Tomahawk WiFi. This board is a perfect match for the R5 3600 thanks to its incredible value and competent feature set. Plus, you can overclock the R5 3600 to squeeze a bit more performance out of it.

While the Ryzen 5 3600 is not the most demanding CPU in the world, it helps to have a strong VRM setup on the motherboard. The 10+2+1 phase VRM of the Tomahawk certainly obliges in this regard. The networking, storage, and connectivity features of the board are also quite solid for the price.

A decent alternative to the B550 Tomahawk WiFi can be MSI’s own B550 Mortar, which is a micro-ATX version of the same motherboard. If you prefer compact builds, then you can save a bit more money by going in that direction at the expense of some features.

We also listed more alternatives in our roundup of the best motherboards for Ryzen 5 3600.

In essence, the combination of the legendary Ryzen 5 3600 and the MSI B550 Tomahawk WiFi is too good to pass on. If you are building a gaming PC on a relatively tight budget, you just can’t go wrong with this trusty old AMD motherboard CPU combo.

RATINGS:

• Gaming Score: 8/10
• Productivity Score: 7.5/10
• Value for Money: 8.5/10
• Overall Rating: 8/10

AMD Ryzen 5 2600 + ASRock B450M Steel Legend

Cores: 6 | Threads: 12 | Architecture: Zen+ | Base Clock: 3.4 GHz | Boost Clock: 3.9 GHz | TDP: 65W

Form Factor: Micro-ATX | Chipset: B450 | VRM: 4+2 Phase | Memory: 4x DIMM, 128GB, DDR4-3533+ | Video Outputs: HDMI, DisplayPort | USB Ports: 6x rear IO, 5x internal | Network: 1x 1GbE LAN | Storage: 2x M.2, 4x SATA

Our last combo of the day is one for entry-level PC builders who want to get the maximum value for their money. If you are building your very first gaming PC, or you just want a basic gaming rig for light gaming, then the Ryzen 5 2600 should be your first bet.

Since it is a couple of generations old now, you can find the Ryzen 5 2600 for huge discounts at most retailers. The great thing about this CPU is that it still delivers respectable gaming performance, has 6 cores, and comes with a stock CPU cooler so you don’t have to spend extra for cooling.

We are pairing the Ryzen 5 2600 with the ASRock B450M Steel Legend, a super affordable micro ATX motherboard. This motherboard is quite basic, but it does offer two M.2 slots and a host of fast USB ports on the rear I/O.

You can also go for the MSI B450 Tomahawk to pair with the Ryzen 5 2600, but that board is a bit too expensive for our build. Be sure to consider our list of the best B450 motherboards as well.

The ASRock B450M Steel Legend is actually a surprisingly nice-looking board for the price, which is a bonus.

With this cheap motherboard cpu combo, you can build a very affordable gaming PC that will deliver respectable gaming performance when paired with a mid-range or budget graphics card.

RATINGS:

• Gaming Score: 7/10
• Productivity Score: 7/10
• Value for Money: 9/10
• Overall Rating: 7.5/10

The Best Mid-Range CPU Motherboard Combos

Intel Core i7 12700K + MSI MPG Z690 Carbon WiFi

Cores: 12 (8P + 4E) | Threads: 20 | Architecture: Alder Lake | Base Clock: 2.7 GHz | Boost Clock: 5.0 GHz | TDP: 125W

Form Factor: ATX | Chipset: Z690 | VRM: 18+1+1 Phase | Memory: 4x DIMM, 128GB, DDR5-6666 | Video Outputs: HDMI, DisplayPort | USB Ports: 9x rear IO, 7x internal | Network: 1x 2.5 GbE LAN, 1x WiFi 6E | Storage: 5x M.2, 6x SATA

The Core i7 12700K might not be the absolute fastest CPU on the block, but it is not far off. In fact, the 12700K regularly performs within the margin of error when compared to the Core i9 12900K in gaming scenarios. This makes it the ideal choice for a mid-range to high-end gaming PC in 2022.

Paired with the Core i7 12700K, we have the MSI MPG Z690 Carbon WiFi. Just like the i7, the Z690 Carbon is not the latest and greatest when it comes to Z690 motherboards, but it is a really competent motherboard that falls in the high-end category. Rather than focusing on extra gimmicks and useless features, the Z690 Carbon WiFi doubles down on the important components.

This approach is apparent when you consider the power delivery system of the MSI MPG Z690 Carbon WiFi. MSI has gone with an 18+1+1 phase VRM for this motherboard, and that is a very robust setup for any Intel CPU on the Alder Lake platform. In fact, we crowned the MPG Z690 Carbon WiFi as the best overclocking motherboard in our roundup of the best motherboards for i9 12900K.

Keeping that in mind, we can be perfectly content with the power delivery component of the motherboard when paired with the i7 12700K. Rest assured that you can overclock the Intel Core i7 12700K to your heart’s content and the VRMs won’t even break a sweat. Thanks in part, to the massive VRM heatsinks that MSI has installed on the board.

Moving on to features, we have a decent suite of networking and storage features on the board, which is to be expected at this price point. The 2.5 GbE LAN and WiFi setup is almost standard in this category, but the provision of five M.2 slots is a bonus. You don’t usually see that in a Z690 motherboard at this price.

Moreover, this variant of the Z690 Carbon WiFi supports DDR5 memory at up to 6666 MT/s, which is ideal for the Intel Core i7 12700K. This configuration is quite potent for gaming and light productivity work, which is more than what you can ask for in this price category.

Other users may prefer to go with the MSI MEG Z690 UNIFY to pair it with the i7 12700K, but we prefer the Z690 Carbon WiFi thanks to its superior price-to-performance ratio. The extra premium of the UNIFY board does not seem to justify the minor bump in features.

Overall, it is clear that the combination of the Core i7 12700K and the MSI MPG Z690 Carbon WiFi is one of the best combos for gaming right now. This configuration can easily be at the heart of a mid-range to high-end gaming PC, ready for all the triple-A titles of 2022.

RATINGS:

• Gaming Score: 9/10
• Productivity Score: 8/10
• Value for Money: 8.5/10
• Overall Rating: 8.5/10

AMD Ryzen 7 5800X + ASUS ROG Crosshair VIII Hero

AMD’s Zen 3 architecture placed a particular focus on gaming performance by reducing latency, and probably the biggest benefactor of this change was the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X. Thanks to the new CCX layout and changes in the architecture, the Ryzen 7 5800X is one of the fastest gaming processors on the market.

Even in 2022, there are not a lot of CPUs (especially on the AMD side) that can beat the Ryzen 7 5800X in a straight FPS race. This is why we have chosen this CPU for our mid-range to high-end gaming build. In combination with the ASUS ROG Crosshair VIII Hero, the Ryzen 7 5800X can give you a supreme gaming and productivity experience.

The ROG Crosshair VIII Hero certainly has what it takes to handle the Ryzen 7 5800X. The special 8-phase power delivery system is a great fit for the 5800X, even when overclocked. The board also checks all the boxes in terms of high-end features you would expect from an X570 motherboard at this price.

You can also go with the Gigabyte X570 AORUS Master with the Ryzen 7 5800X, but we prefer the ROG Crosshair VIII Hero for this spot as it offers a bit more value for the money. More options can be found in our list of the best motherboards for Ryzen 7 5800X.

All in all, you can’t go wrong with the combination of the Ryzen 7 5800X and the ASUS ROG Crosshair VIII Hero. With this combo at the heart of your next PC, you can expect supreme gaming performance and competent productivity performance while staying within a reasonable budget.

RATINGS:

• Gaming Score: 9/10
• Productivity Score: 8/10
• Value for Money: 8/10
• Overall Rating: 8.5/10

The Best Premium CPU Motherboard Combos

Intel Core i9 12900K + ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Hero

If you want to build a premium PC for gaming or productivity based on the latest Intel platform, look no further than the Core i9 12900K. The flagship Alder Lake CPU is packed with 16 total cores and 24 threads, making it an absolute behemoth for both gaming and productivity tasks. At the time of writing, not a single CPU on the market can compete with the Core i9 12900K in terms of gaming performance.

While that may change with the expected AMD Ryzen 7000 series launch at the end of September 2022, that does not challenge the 12900K’s position as the king of the hill right now. To harness this beast, we recommend pairing the 12900K with one of the finest Z690 motherboards on the market, the ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Hero.

The Z690 Hero is more than a match for an unlocked intel cpu like the 12900K thanks to its unparalleled power delivery system and supreme feature set. ASUS has provided a 20+1 phase VRM setup for the Z690 Hero, which is good enough to handle any sort of overclocking scenario you can throw at it. The Z690 Hero can maximize the potential of the 12900K like no other motherboard on the market.

Moreover, the feature set of the Z690 Hero complements the flagship Intel CPU perfectly. With its DDR5 support and superb networking suite, you can configure an excellent gaming or workstation PC for your needs. ASUS also provides a whopping 5 M.2 slots on the board for your NVMe devices, which is rare to see even in a Z690 motherboard.

The rear I/O connectivity is especially unique on the Z690 Hero, and that matches up perfectly with the Core i9 12900K. The great thing about this combination is that it can be used in a workstation machine as well without any changes to the configuration whatsoever. The i9 12900K is a very potent productivity CPU, and the Maximus Z690 Hero has the features to back it up.

An alternative motherboard pairing for the Core i9 12900K can be the Gigabyte Z690 AORUS Master, but we prefer the Z690 Hero thanks to the better feature-set and power delivery of the latter.

In essence, the combination of the Core i9 12900K and the ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Hero is one to behold. Not only is it an unmatchable gaming motherboard and cpu combo, but it can also be used in a productivity workstation with little-to-no changes to the configuration.

RATINGS:

• Gaming Score: 9.5/10
• Productivity Score: 8.5/10
• Value for Money: 7/10
• Overall Rating: 9/10

AMD Ryzen 9 5950X + Gigabyte X570 AORUS Xtreme

If budget is no issue and you want to go with Team Red, then the best CPU you can currently get on the desktop platform is the AMD Ryzen 9 5950X. This 16-Core behemoth is more than just a gaming CPU, as it can be perfectly at home in a heavy workstation rig.

We are going with the Gigabyte X570 AORUS Xtreme to harness the power of the Ryzen 9 5950X. With this gaming motherboard cpu combo, you can expect unparalleled levels of performance when it comes to power delivery and VRM thermals. The 14+2 phase VRM setup is a perfect match for the monster 5950X, even at overclocked settings.

Moreover, the X570 AORUS Xtreme brings a ton of interesting features to the table. The 10 Gigabit networking is particularly unique and very crucial for productivity users who want to use this combination in a workstation build. Moreover, the storage and connectivity features are also top-notch.

Since this is the X570 chipset, you can get full PCIe 4.0 support across all the M.2 slots of the board, which is something that is not supported on other AMD platforms. The AORUS Xtreme is also excellent when it comes to the thermals of both the VRM and the storage devices installed on the board.

A viable alternative to the X570 AORUS Xtreme can be the MSI MEG X570 GODLIKE, but we prefer the AORUS option due to its superior overall feature set. The GODLIKE is also a bit more difficult to find in stock. You can find more options in our roundup of the best motherboards for Ryzen 9 5950X.

What is unique about this combination is that you are not limited in terms of applications. You can use the Ryzen 9 5950X and X570 AORUS Xtreme in any PC build imaginable, and it will excel in that scenario. We particularly recommend it for content creators and video editors who want to do a bit of gaming on the side.

RATINGS:

• Gaming Score: 9/10
• Productivity Score: 10/10
• Value for Money: 7.5/10
• Overall Rating: 9/10

Best Motherboard CPU Combo – Buyer’s Guide

Choosing a motherboard or a CPU by itself is already a complicated task, but deciding the perfect CPU and motherboard combo can be even trickier. You have to consider a lot of factors that can alter the compatibility of the CPU with the motherboard, and vice versa.

Fortunately, we have highlighted a few of the very critical factors that you should consider when deciding on your next CPU/motherboard combo. These factors ensure that your CPU and motherboard will work perfectly with each other, and will provide balance to your build.

Compatibility

When choosing a motherboard CPU combo for your next build, the first thing you need to consider is compatibility. The first layer you need to consider is socket compatibility. The CPU socket is the interface between the CPU and the motherboard, and it is important to make sure that they are compatible.

There are a number of different socket types, and each one is compatible with a specific range of CPUs. For example, an LGA 1155 socket will only work with certain Intel CPUs. If you try to use a CPU with the wrong socket type, it will not fit properly and will not work.

The second layer you need to check is chipset compatibility. A CPU must be compatible with the motherboard’s chipset in order to function properly. A chipset is a group of microchips that manage communications between the CPU and other components in the computer.

There are several different types of chipsets available, and each is compatible with only certain generations of CPUs. Typically, each generation of CPUs is compatible with at least two generations of motherboard chipsets. You absolutely have to check chipset compatibility otherwise, you may end up with a CPU that won’t work with your chosen motherboard.

Finally, you should consider the compatibility of the CPU and motherboard in terms of features. For example, if you have a CPU that supports overclocking, then your motherboard should support overclocking as well. If you have a CPU that supports DDR5 memory, then your motherboard should do the same.

Checking the different layers of compatibility will ensure that your CPU and motherboard both support each other perfectly. You do not want to choose a motherboard that does not support your CPU’s finest features and vice versa.

Value For Money

When it comes to buying a CPU and motherboard, value is important. You want to get the best bang for your buck, and that means finding the right balance of price and performance. A good way to think about it is in terms of value for money.

Consider how much performance are you getting for the price you’re paying. That’s not always an easy question to answer, but it’s one that’s worth considering. There are a few different ways to approach it.

First, you can consider the price of both the CPU and the motherboard. If you are buying a premium flagship CPU such as the Core i9 12900K, you should pair it with a high-end motherboard as well. There is no point saving money on the motherboard if you are already splurging on the CPU side.

Moreover, you can also flip this and look at the opposite end of the spectrum. Suppose you are buying a value-oriented CPU such as the AMD Ryzen 5 3600. It would make sense to pair this CPU with a budget motherboard, rather than a very expensive one since you are trying to maximize the value proposition.

Therefore, one should consider the overall value for money when picking a motherboard pairing for the CPU. The general rule of thumb in the enthusiast community is that a motherboard should cost around half of the price of the CPU, but that is not a hard-and-fast rule.

CPU Overclocking

When deciding the ideal motherboard pairing for your CPU, you have to consider the potential aspect of CPU overclocking. For this purpose, you have to pay close attention to the VRM or power delivery setup of the motherboards in question.

VRM, or voltage regulator modules, are an important consideration when purchasing a motherboard. VRMs are responsible for delivering power to the CPU, and they play a critical role in overclocking and general CPU stability. The number of VRM phases on a motherboard loosely correlates with the level of power delivery, so it is important to choose a motherboard with robust VRMs to support your needs.

In addition to the performance of the VRM setup, you have to consider the cooling as well. VRMs are typically cooled by heatsinks, so be sure to check the size and quality of the VRM heatsinks before making your purchase.

Ideally, you would want to look at the VRM temperature results of the motherboard in question when paired with your CPU of choice. There is plenty of unbiased data available on the internet from both expert reviewers as well as general consumers, so make sure to consider that before making your decision.

Essentially you want a motherboard that can deliver clean, stable power to your CPU even when overclocked. Moreover, you want the VRM to stay cool under extended loads when paired with that overclocked CPU.

Features

In addition to compatibility, you’ll want to make sure you consider all the features that are important to you before making your motherboard purchase. Here are just a few things you’ll want to keep in mind.

First, what kind of Wi-Fi networking do you need? Do you need Ethernet LAN ports? How much storage do you need? How many M.2 slots do you need for SSDs? What kind of USB ports do you need? Make sure the motherboard you choose has the right mix of features for your needs.

Secondly, consider connectivity. How many PCI-E slots do you need? What generation of PCIe is supported by both the CPU and the motherboard? It is key to consider if your motherboard choice is compatible with the PCIe 4.0 storage or graphics devices that you have.

You should also consider if both the motherboard and the CPU are on the same page in terms of memory speed compatibility.

FAQs:

Can you put any CPU in any motherboard?

You cannot put any CPU in any motherboard. You must pair the CPU a compatible motherboard in a number of factors. First, the CPU should be physically compatible with the motherboard’s socket. Secondly, the chipset of the motherboard should support the CPU in question. There are also other compatibility layers that are even more specific.

How do I know which CPU my motherboard is compatible with?

In order to know which CPU your motherboard is compatible with, you can check the compatibility list of the motherboard found on the manufacturer’s website. Typically, a motherboard’s compatibility list depends on the chipset of the motherboard. All motherboards on the same chipset are compatible with the same set of CPUs.

Can I upgrade the CPU without changing motherboard?

You can upgrade the CPU without changing motherboards, but only if your next CPU is compatible with the same motherboard as well. Typically, motherboards are compatible with at least two generations of CPUs in most cases. This means that you can upgrade your existing CPU to the next generation CPU on the same motherboard, provided that the manufacturer has supported the next generation as well.

How much should I spend on the motherboard?

What you should spend on the motherboard depends entirely on your budget and your use case. Typically, your motherboard should not be more expensive than your CPU or GPU, as it is not a part that contributes directly to performance. However, you should also not buy the cheapest motherboard on the market. Striking a balance between price and performance is important when buying a motherboard.

Is any RAM compatible with any motherboard?

Any RAM is not compatible with any motherboard, as there exist some layers of compatibility that you have to check before installing RAM. Firstly, the motherboard should support the same generation of memory as the RAM itself (DDR3, DDR4, or DDR5). After that, the board should be compatible with the frequency of the memory kit in question. This is usually measured in MT/s or mega-transfers per second.