Best Motherboard CPU Combo – Intel & AMD Bundles for Gaming & Work

Buying the best Motherboard CPU combo in 2021 for your build can be difficult especially considering the number of options that we get on the market. You cannot afford to invest your hard-earned money on a crappy little piece of hardware. Most people consider that the costliest are always the best and the cheaper aren’t which isn’t always the case. Then there are a few who invest a lot from their budget on a beasty CPU and settle when it comes to buying a decent graphics card.

Throwing in a high-end CPU in your build isn’t alone going to give you the speed you deserve. Pairing it with an equally potent GPU and a capable motherboard that can best squeeze the performance and features out of your processor is what it takes to get you the power you need to run your tasks.

Best Motherboard CPU Combo for Gaming, Video Editing &Productivity

The irony about building a custom computer is, most people lack the expertise to decide on the best motherboard CPU combo. If you are among the most people, we have your back. We at CPUsage have done the hard work to curate a list of the best motherboard CPU combos 2021 that can help you build the PC of your dream. And also listed out a few considerations at the end of this post, that you should be looking into while getting to choose a good motherboard CPU combo for your custom build.

Don’t buy stuff that you don’t need –

The very purpose of the custom CPU build is to customize it according to your needs. It is pointless to invest in a super sophisticated build especially if you are not going to use all of its features. Before you research the best CPU or motherboard in the market, it is very important to know what you are going to use it for. To ease your toil, we have done the hard work on your behalf. Check our detailed guide at the end of this post.

List of The Best Motherboard CPU Combos

1. Intel Core i9-12900K + ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Hero Wi-Fi – Latest in the market
2. Intel Core i5-11600K + ASUS TUF Gaming Z590-Plus Wi-Fi – Latest Budget Pick
3. AMD Ryzen 9 5950X + MSI MEG X570 GODLIKE – The ultimate CPU combo
4. AMD Ryzen 5 5600X + GIGABYTE X570 AORUS Elite Wi-Fi – Ryzen Budget Pick
5. AMD Ryzen 5 3600 + Gigabyte B450M DS3H WiFi Motherboard –
6. AMD Ryzen 7 3700X + Asus AM4 TUF Gaming X570-Plus – Best value
7. Intel Core i9-10900X + ASUS ROG Maximus XII Hero Z490 (WIFI 6) – Outdated
8. AMD Ryzen 3 3300X + MSI MPG X570 GAMING PLUS – Outdated
9. AMD Ryzen 5 3400G 4-core + ASRock B450 Steel Legend – Outdated

Enough said! It’s time, you walk through our top motherboard CPU combo picks.

#1. Intel Core i9-12900K + ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Hero Wi-Fi Combo

The world is advancing at a greater pace. Be it for gaming, development, or video editing, you require something powerful, yet, something that doesn’t go outdated sooner. Going for the latest processor while skimping on the motherboard is not going to help your PC build. You should also go for an equally potent motherboard. Though the latest releases can be a little higher on the upfront costs, they always leave you with a choice for an upgrade in the future. This can save you a lot more than you can imagine.

After huge speculation, the Alder Lake CPUs are finally here. Soon after the Intel Core i9-12900K hit the markets, we have managed to have our hands on one of them and decided to produce a review. With the release of Ryzen Zen 3 processors, AMD dethrones Intel in terms of overall power. Can the i9-12900K write a comeback story for Intel? Let us find out.

What Makes Intel Core i9-12900k Special?

Intel has finally achieved the core awesomeness that AMD had set up with their Ryzen 9 chips. The Intel Core i9-12900k comes equipped with an impeccable count of 16 cores in their processors. 16 cores and 24 threads on a desktop CPU is insane.

Besides the performance, the competitive pricing of the Intel chips makes them a good choice for those looking for high-end gaming builds. At the time of launch, the Intel 12900k is offered for $589 while AMD’s flagship, the Ryzen 9 5950X, is being sold at a whopping $799.

The Golden Cove and the Gracemont architectural adoptions brought significant improvements to the IPC and other core processing areas. One biggest deal-breaker is Intel shifting from its ages-old 14 nm process. They have gone with a 10 nm process in all of their 12th gen silicons. As per what Intel claims, there is a 19 percent performance improvement over their previous generation processors.

They come with native support for DDR5 and PCIe 5.0 making this future-proof for years to come. Though it has support for DDR5, you can still use your existing DDR4 memory sticks with it. However, your motherboard should also support DDR4.

Furthermore, the Intel 12th gen processors are equipped with Dynamic Memory Boost technology, which essentially switches between faster and slower XMP settings based on the workloads. This effectively reduces power consumption.

The i9 12900k has the Intel UHD Graphics 770 onboard, for those who prefer using the built-in graphics.

Disappointment

There is no inclusion of a cooler inside the package, unlike the previous generation processors. Earlier, Intel used to provide us with a stock cooler. This is pretty much understandable, as the Intel i9-12900k is one heck of a powerful processor that comes factory unlocked. If you are planning on unleashing the true power potential of your processor, you must run your processor at boosted clock speeds. With power comes the heat. You must equip your build with a capable cooling solution. On that note, check out our intensive guide to ‘Best CPU Cooler In 2022’.

As Intel chose to migrate to the new LGA 1700 CPU socket and the latest Z690 chipset, you cannot use your existing motherboards but invest in a new one. You can’t even use yesteryear’s Z590 motherboard with your 12th gen processors.

The Intel Core i9-12900k has a thermal design power (TDP) value of 125 watts, which is quite high for desktop processors. On the other hand, even the flagship processors from AMD house have the highest TDP of 105W. As the TDP goes up, you will require to have a motherboard with a good thermal design to efficiently dissipate the built-up heat.

ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Hero Wi-Fi – Motherboard

ASUS has been actively contributing to the computer industry for the past three decades. Having been in the industry for a while, it constantly understood the requirements of its users and matured itself to address them effectively. Thus, it earned a huge fan base in the industry. The ROG Maximus Z690 Hero Wi-Fi is yet another masterpiece from ASUS covering the 12th gen Intel processors.

Technical Specifications

Socket	LGA 1700
Chipset	Intel Z690
DIMM Slots	4x DIMM, DDR5 6400+(OC)/ 6200(OC)/ 6000(OC)/ 5800(OC)/ 5600(OC)/ 5400(OC)/ 5200(OC)/ 5000(OC)/ 4800 MT/s Non-ECC, Un-buffered Memory
Maximum Memory Support	Up to 128 GB
Expansion Slots	2 x PCIe 5.0 x16 slots 1 x PCIe 4.0 x16 slot
SATA Ports	6 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s)
M.2 Slots	5
Connectivity	1 x Intel® 2.5Gb Ethernet, Intel® Wi-Fi 6E
Audio	ROG SupremeFX 7.1 Surround Sound High Definition Audio CODEC ALC4082

Design Overview

I fancy looks when it comes to building gaming PCs, and the Asus ROG Maximus Z690 Hero didn’t disappoint me a bit. It has alluring design aesthetics, with an all-black, sturdy PCB. You cannot overlook the shiny RGB ROG logo on the rear I/O shroud, thanks to the ‘Polymo Lighting’ scheme that ASUS has gone with. The chipset heat spreader also has a similar lighting design, except for it is not RGB capable. Instead, they have gone with a silver glow, which also looks cool.

CPU Socket, VRM Network, and Thermal Management

The board features an LGA 1700 socket supported by the latest 12th generation Intel silicons. Surrounding the socket is the VRM network overrun by large heat sinks. The motherboard has 20+1 power stages with a cumulative output of 1,800 Amps. Asus has gone with Renesas RAA229131 20-channel controller and made use of Intersil ISL99390 Smart Power Stages.

The Asus ROG Maximus Z690 did a stupendous job when it comes to managing thermals onboard. It has two large heat sinks joined together by a metal heat pipe.

Slots, Ports, Headers, and Connectivity

The motherboard has ample RGB and fan headers; there are three addressable Gen 2 headers, one AURA RGB header, one 4-pin CPU fan header, one 4-pin CPU OPT fan header, one 4-pin AIO pump header, and four 4-pin chassis fan headers. Furthermore, we have connectors supporting various generations of USB.

Speaking of the memory on the Asus ROG Maximus Z690 Hero Wi-Fi motherboard, we have four DDR5 DRAM slots with cumulative support for 128 GB and have listed speeds up to 6400+(OC).

We get to see three PCIe slots in the middle of the board, with two of them being reinforced and configured to PCIe 5.0 x16, while the third one running at PCIe 4.0 x16.

When it comes to storage, there are three pre-installed M.2 slots onboard. However, you get an additional add-on card shipped with your motherboard which is PCIe 5.0 compliant. You can use this card in one of your PCIe 5.0 slots to get two additional M.2 slots. Furthermore, you also get to see six SATA III ports with a transfer rate 6Gb/sec.

Audio and Connectivity

Asus made use of the Realtek ALC4082 audio codec along with their ROG SupremeFx audio technology to power audio on this board. On the connectivity note, we have a single 2.5Gbps Ethernet along with support for Wi-Fi 6E onboard.

Final Verdict of Intel Core i9-12900K + ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Hero Wi-Fi Combo

The Intel Core i9-12900k is undoubtedly the most powerful processor in the market today. On the other hand, the ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Hero Wi-Fi is the paladin among most gaming motherboards in the market. This motherboard CPU combo is the classic example of the statement – The best when paired with the best can become a beast. Be it for gaming, streaming, or productivity chores, the i9-12900k and the ASUS ROG Z690 Hero make the best pair. However, considering the affordability factor, this combo is not meant for everyone.

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#2. Intel Core i5-11600K + ASUS TUF Gaming Z590-Plus Wi-Fi – Budget Combo

The six-core twelve-threaded Core i5-11600K is one of the finest outcomes of the 11th gen CPU line-up. It is a mighty piece of hardware capable of powering any build that you throw it at, be it productivity or gaming.

Why Should You Choose Intel Core i5 11600k?

The Core i5-11600K is one of the budget offerings in Intel’s Rocket Lake lineup with a price tag lesser than the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X. It ships with 6 cores and 12 threads, the same as its predecessor 10500k.

Like any other Intel flagship, the 11600K also offers impeccable single-core performance. This makes it a good fit for both gaming and productivity chores, besides being a mid-range offering from the brand. While you do not get to see an integrated graphics processor (IGP) on AMD Ryzen 5 3600x and 5600X, the Core i5-11600K comes with an integrated Intel UHD Graphics 750 silicon.

It offers a base clock of 3.9 GHz that can be boosted up to 4.9 GHz and comes with a cache memory of 12 MB. Since this processor comes unlocked, overclocking it is a cakewalk.

The Intel Core i5 11600k competes very well with the Ryzen 5 3600X and Ryzen 3 3300X in terms of both single-core and multi-core performance. However, the Ryzen 5 5600X outperforms 11600k, in most aspects.

Another biggest implementation is the PCIe 4.0 with the support of up to 20 PCIe lanes.

Disappointment

Unlike the previous generation processors from the Intel line-up, the Core i5-11600K doesn’t ship with a stock cooler. This makes absolute sense as the 11600k comes factory unlocked. If you plan on running the CPU at higher frequencies, the stock cooler cannot cool it adequately, demanding a better performer. However, the other models from the Rocket Lake line-up, including the i5-1150 and 1140 come with a cooler in the box.

This processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 125 watts while the flagship 16 core processors from AMD have only 105 watts. The higher the TDP, the greater will be the built-up heat. You will have to employ better thermal management measures.

Besides these, the Intel Core i5-11600k hasn’t seen any greater improvements from its previous generation range of CPUs. They still employ the age-old 14 nm technology, while AMD, on the other hand, shifted to the 7 nm process.

The 11600k uses the LGA 1200 CPU socket. If you are upgrading from the previous generation builds, you shouldn’t need a new motherboard. However, for those who are starting up or upgrading from the older generations, you will have to invest in a decent motherboard with an LGA 1200 socket and better power capability.

ASUS TUF Gaming Z590-Plus Wi-Fi – Motherboard

Be it for the build quality or performance, the ASUS TUF Gaming Z590-Plus is a masterpiece from the ASUS house. It not only comes with a strong VRM network but also offers an overall decent cooling solution. Though the motherboard is offered within the entry-level category, it still casts tougher competition to most mid-range MOBOs that come with higher price tags, comparatively.

Technical Specifications

Socket	LGA 1200
Chipset	Intel Z590
DIMM Slots	4x DIMM, supports dual-channel DDR4-5133 (OC) MHz
Maximum Memory Support	Up to 128 GB
Expansion Slots	(1) v4.0 x16, (1) v3.0 x4, (2) v3.0 x1
SATA Ports	6 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s)
M.2 Slots	(2) PCIe 3.0 x4, (1) PCIe 4.0 x4
Connectivity	(1) Intel I225-V (2.5 GbE), (1) Intel AX201 (WiFi-6, MU-MIMO, OFDMA, BT 5.2)
Audio	Realtek ALC1200A

Design Overview

The design and build quality of the ASUS TUF series need no introduction in the industry. Asus has been constantly upgrading itself to meet modern needs and staying with the trend. The TUF Gaming Z590-Plus has an impeccable all-black design with gray stripes complementing it. It has a very minimal and aesthetically pleasing design. The ambient lighting here and there adds that futuristic touch to your build, no matter what you’re throwing this device at.

On the durability note, ASUS boasts a 6-layered sturdy PCB with a reinforced PCIe 4.0 Slot to let even a beasty graphics processor sit comfortably. The motherboard layout is a busy one with components, slots, and heat sinks running all over. At least, for the initial impressions, the board appeared to yield good overall performance.

VRM Network and Thermal Management

The Asus TUF Gaming Z590-Plus has enough power to handle even the flagship i9 11900k at its maximum boost speeds, thanks to the 700A capability. It employs a 14+2 phase DrMOS power delivery system.

It boasts a beasty cooling mechanism with two heat sinks covering the VRMs while extending itself to the rear I/O ICs. The chipset, on the other hand, is shielded with a large heat sink to effectively keep the thermals in control.

Slots, Ports, Headers, and Connectivity

Speaking of the PCIe slot configuration on the Asus TUF Z590-Plus Gaming Motherboard, we have two full-length PCIe slots, with the first supporting PCIe 4.0 and is connected directly to the CPU. If you plan on using a heavy video card in your build, you are covered, as the first PCIe slot is reinforced to prevent shearing. While the second full-length slot is associated with the chipset and is configured to PCIe 3.0.

When it comes to storage, the Z590-Plus boasts three M.2 sockets. These slots are well protected with heat sinks to prevent your M.2 drives from throttling and thermal rundowns. 

Unlike the previous generation boards, the Z590-Plus came up with a special mechanism for locking the M.2 drives in place. You no longer have to deal with tiny screws to lock your drives, instead, twisting the plastic piece on top should do the job. Furthermore, you also get to see six SATA III ports supporting speeds up to 6Gb/second.

Speaking of the rear IO, it comes with an IO plate pre-installed and has a very busy design with plenty of ports. When it comes to outputting video, the device has an HDMI and a display port, above which are two USB 2.0 ports along with a PS/2 port for the keyboard/mouse.

Going down, we have two USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports and a USB 3.2 Type-C port. Furthermore, we have two USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports. When it comes to system memory, the motherboard boasts four DIMM slots that can take four DDR4 5133+(OC) RAM sticks with a maximum capacity of 128 GB.

Audio and Connectivity

Asus has gone with the Realtek ALC1200A codec for audio on the board. It had employed Nichicon audio capacitors to produce distortion-free audio. Furthermore, the audio section on the board is isolated with an audio separation line to ensure zero interference caused by other electronic components onboard. Asus has gone with Intel’s 2.5 Gb Ethernet and a Wi-Fi 6 controller onboard for seamless network connectivity.

Final Verdict

A capable processor like i5 11600k requires to have adequate power to yield the best of it. Pairing it with the Asus TUF Gaming Z590-Plus Wi-Fi, not only gives the power it needs but also makes your PC build versatile enough to excel at everything you put it through. The TUF Z590-Plus comes with miscellaneous features including RGB header and debug LEDs to run POST diagnosis. Furthermore, it has strong audio and connectivity sections.

However, there are only 7 USB ports on the rear panel, which I feel are less, at least for my use case. It could have been better had Asus thought of including more ports. Nevertheless, this duo makes the best budget 11th gen motherboard CPU combo.

#3. AMD Ryzen 9 5950X + MSI MEG X570 GODLIKE – The ultimate CPU combo

AMD Ryzen 9 5950X Processor

With the announcement of the latest Zen 3 CPU line-up, AMD has pushed the game to the next level. The Ryzen 9 5950X is the flagship among the 5000 series processors line-up, offering impeccable speed and reliability. It comes with a whopping 16 cores and 32 threads and has a base frequency of 3.4 GHz that can be boosted to a maximum of 4.9 GHz.

Like their previous generation, AMD has gone with the 7nm process for the Zen 3 CPUs while the Intel 10th Gen CPUs are based on the 14nm process. Surprisingly, AMD has managed to increase the instructions per cycle (IPC) by a considerable 19%. Speaking of the L3 cache, the two chipsets on the processor together contribute to a total of 64 MB of the L3 cache. Interestingly, AMD kept the thermal design power (TDP) as low as 105W. The lower the TDP, the better can be the overall thermal management.

When it comes to gaming at 1080p, the AMD Ryzen 9 5950X has a leaping advantage over the previous generation in-house CPUs as well as flagships from the blue house. One can expect decent frame rates at 1080p even with the top AAA-rated games in the market. However, it is advised to go for a potent GPU to pair perfectly with this beast. Like most AMD processors from the recent generation, the Ryzen 9 5950X also shares support for the PCIe 4.0. The processor doesn’t come bundled with the stock cooler. Therefore, you should also invest in a decent cooling solution for your build.

Technical Specifications of AMD Ryzen 9 5950X CPU

Brand Name	AMD
CMOS	TSMC 7nm FinFET
Number of cores	16
Number of Threads	32
Processor Base Frequency	3.4 GHz
Max Turbo Frequency	Up to 4.9GHz
Cache	Total L2 Cache: 8MBTotal L3 Cache: 64MB
Thermal Design Power (TDP)	105 W
Max Temperature	90°C
Memory Type	DDR4
Processor Graphics	No
System Memory Specification	3200MHz
PCI Express Version	PCIe 4.0 x16
Sockets supported	Socket AM4

MSI MEG X570 GODLIKE – Motherboard

This isn’t the first time that we are recommending the MSI MEG X570 GODLIKE on our website. There were a couple of instances that we have recommended this motherboard for previous-gen AMD processors. This is no less for the all-new AMD Ryzen 9 5950X. It possesses enough power and connectivity to run the latest Zen 3 processors at their best. This motherboard is a bit pricier but going past the price tag is the power to unleash.

The board feels extremely premium for the first appearance and has a solid electrical design. With a stealth black theme and a touch of chrome, this motherboard should go well with your build theme. The board has a busy design with ample heatsinks covering most of the components.

The centre of attraction on the board is the monochrome LED panel that is sitting beside the DIMM slots. It is intended to display useful information regarding the system. The coolest thing is that one can feed custom GIFs or images at a resolution of 256-by-64-pixel to the panel. Moving forward, you should find an infinity mirror placed on the I/O shroud that creates the optical illusion of an LED-lit bottomless pit.

There are four DDR4 DIMM slots with memory overclocking support up to 5,000 MHz. When it comes to storage, the MSI MEG X570 GODLIKE has a total of six SATA III ports with a maximum data transfer rate of 6Gb/s. The three M.2 slots can be expanded using the bundled M.2 Xpander-Z Gen 4 card.

On the power capabilities of the device, the VRM network runs in a 14+4+1 configuration. Speaking of connectivity, this MOBO features dual-NIC with 2.5Gbps and 1Gbps Ethernet ports.

Technical Specifications of MSI MEG X570 GODLIKE –

Brand Name	MSI
Socket	AM4
Chipset	AMD® X570 Chipset
Motherboard Form Factor	E-ATX
DIMM Slots	4 x DDR4 DIMM slots
Maximum Memory Support	Up to 128GB
Expansion Slots	4 PCI-E X16
SATA Ports	6 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s)
M.2 Slots	3 + 2 using the additional expansion card
Connectivity	1x KillerTM E2600 Gigabit LAN Controller1x KillerTM E3000 2.5 Gbps LAN Controller
USB Ports	USB 3.2 PORTS (FRONT):  1(Gen2, Type C), 4(Gen1, Type A) USB 3.2 PORTS (REAR): 1(Gen2, Type C), 3(Gen2, Type A), 2(Gen1, Type A) USB 2.0 PORTS (FRONT): 4
Audio	5+ Optical S/PDIF (Realtek® ALC1220 Codec)

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#4. AMD Ryzen 5 5600X + GIGABYTE X570 AORUS Elite Wi-Fi

AMD Ryzen 5 5600X – Processor

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600X is the most affordable option in the 5000 series line-up. It is a 6 core, 12-thread processor that offers a base clock frequency of 3.7 GHz that can be boosted up to 4.6 GHz. Unlike other processors in the 5000 series, the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X has a single chipset design that accommodates all the cores and the 32MB cache on the single CCX. This considerably improves the latency. Like all other recent releases from AMD, the Ryzen 5 5600X is also built on 7nm lithography.

The most impressive thing about this processor is its thermal design power. It has a TDP of 65W which is pretty low for a modern-day’s CPU with the potential for overclocking. The Ryzen 5 5600X is probably the most power-efficient desktop PC chip to set feet in our lab. Cooling the CPU is no hassle, thanks to the low TDP. It comes bundled with a cooler. However, if you are looking to maxing its potential, you will have to go for a decent third-party cooler.

When it comes to performance, the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X is intended to put the Intel Core i5-10600K in the crosshairs. In reality, it didn’t stop with dethroning the 10600K but also giving close competition to Intel’s flagship i9-10900K in most single-threaded workloads. Even with the 1080p gaming, the performance of this 300$ chip surprisingly came ahead of the 10900K.

Like their predecessors, the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X also supports the existing AM4 motherboards with 5000-series chipsets that include B550, X570, and A520. However, AMD is also in development for the support with 400-series motherboards.

CMOS	TSMC 7nm FinFET
Number of cores	6
Number of Threads	12
Processor Base Frequency	3.7 GHz
Max Turbo Frequency	Up to 4.6GHz
Cache	Total L2 Cache: 3MBTotal L3 Cache: 32MB
Thermal Design Power (TDP)	65 W
Max Temperature	95°C
Memory Type	DDR4
Processor Graphics	No
System Memory Specification	Up to 3200MHz
PCI Express Version	PCIe 4.0
Sockets supported	Socket AM4

Pros & Cons

GIGABYTE X570 AORUS Elite Wi-Fi – Motherboard

We have tested a lot of motherboards especially in the X570 line-up and the GIGABYTE X570 AORUS Elite Wi-Fi turns out to be the best affordable Wi-Fi motherboard among them all. With a 12+2 phase VRM system, this mobo is quite capable of handling the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X. The looks and design quality of this board are pretty good for the price at which it is offered.

The board runs buy with a number of heatsinks for optimal thermal management. Taking the look to the next level are the LEDs on the board making it fancier for gaming. On the audio section, the Gigabyte X570 AORUS Elite employs a combination of Hi-Fi grade WIMA FKP2 capacitors and high-end Chemicon audio capacitors for a rich audio experience. To avoid interference, the audio section is isolated from the rest of the board.

Speaking of the system memory, the board comes with four DDR4 DIMM slots. When it comes to expansion slots, there are two full-length PCIe slots and two x1 sized slots present on the board. The top two slots are metal reinforced to enable the use of heavy graphics cards. When it comes to connectivity, there are plenty of USB ports on the motherboard.

On the connectivity side, it has Intel’s GbE LAN port and the Dual Band 8.2.11ac WiFi, and Bluetooth 4.2 onboard. To speak of the storage, it has two M.2 connectors and six 6Gb/s SATA ports.

Socket	AMD Socket AM4
Chipset	AMD X570
DIMM Slots	4 x DDR4 DIMM slots
Maximum Memory Support	Up to 128GB (32 GB on a single slot)
Expansion Slots	1 x PCI Express x16 slot, supporting PCIe 4.0*/3.0 and running at x4 (PCIEX4)* For 3rd Generation AMD Ryzen™ processors only. 2 x PCI Express x1 slots, supporting PCIe 4.0*/3.0* For 3rd Generation AMD Ryzen™ processors only.
SATA Ports	6 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s)
M.2 Slots	2
Connectivity	Intel® GbE LAN chip (10/100/1000 Mbit) Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, supporting 2.4/5 GHz Dual-BandBLUETOOTH 4.2
USB Ports	Integrated into the CPU:4 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports on the back panel Integrated into the Chipset:1 x USB Type-C™ port with USB 3.2 Gen 2 support, available through the internal USB header2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports (red) on the back panel4 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports available through the internal USB headers Chipset+2 USB 2.0 Hubs:8 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports (4 ports on the back panel, 4 ports available through the internal USB headers)
Audio	Realtek® ALC1200 codec

Pros & Cons

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#5. AMD Ryzen 5 3600 + Gigabyte B450M DS3H WiFi Motherboard – Budget Combo

The AMD Ryzen 5 3600 and the Gigabyte B450M DS3H, if paired with a decent GPU, can be a powerful machine to handle all your workloads with ease.

AMD Ryzen 5 3600 – Processor

The Ryzen 5 3600 comes with a decent form factor and 65W TDP and is priced really well to stand the competition. This little monster can be a go-to option for those looking to build a budget yet powerful CPU for their daily chores. When paired with a capable GPU, the Ryzen 3600 can handle most games at ease while fetching your decent frame rates when gaming at 1080p resolution, thanks to those 6 cores and threads.

Like any other 3rd generation Ryzen CPUs, the Ryzen 5 3600 also shares support for PCIe 4.0. Unlike, most Intel processors, AMD processors come bundled with an in-box cooler, and the Ryzen 5 3600 isn’t an exception here. Like the other Ryzen 3000 chips, the Ryzen 5 3600 also comes with a 7nm computer die paired with a 12nm I/O die. AMD also released an advanced version to this, the AMD Ryzen 5 3600X which has a slightly more clock speed.

AMD has drastically improved its instructions per cycle (IPC) throughput with the 3rd generation CPUs which can yield better performance, especially in heavy workloads. The Ryzen 5 3600 beats the Intel’s Core i5-9400F by a fair margin. However, the Intel processors have an advantage with the integrated graphics while most AMD processors require a discrete graphics card.

Gigabyte B450M DS3H WiFi – Motherboard

The Gigabyte B450M DS3H is a beauty with a black PCB base with a grey striped circuit-like pattern emanating from the corners of the board towards the socket. This board comes equipped with an AM4 socket. The Gigabyte DS3H is the best choice for those who are on a tighter budget yet aiming at a decent motherboard to squeeze the performance juice out of the build. It has four memory slots that can accommodate DDR4-3200 memory sticks with the maximum support of 64 GB.

Talking about the storage, the DS3H boasts 3 SATA ports with support for RAID 0, 1, and 10 arrays. Also present is a single PCIe 3.0 x4/SATA M.2 slot with support for up to M.2 22110 (22 x 110 mm) SSDs.

The device comes with a small and lightweight looking heatsink across the CPU section of the VRM. It offers two full-length PCIe slots; the top slot is PCIe 3.0 x16 while the bottom slot is PCIe 2.0 x4. At the back, you will find USB 3.1 5 Gbps ports, four additional USB 2.0 Type-A ports, a single GbE port, 3 3.5mm audio jacks, and video outputs with both DVI-D and HDMI 2.0 ports.

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#6. AMD Ryzen 7 3700X + Asus AM4 TUF Gaming X570-Plus (Wi-Fi) ATX motherboard – Best value

AMD Ryzen 7 3700X – Processor

AMD is ahead in the race when it comes to handling multithreaded workloads, thanks to the number of threads. If you are more into productivity, the rule of thumb is to choose a CPU with more number of threads and cores. More thread count equals better multitasking capability for accomplishing challenging jobs like video editing and streaming that requires a lot of CPU power. When it comes to gaming, the AMD Ryzen 7 3700 can handle most AAA-rated games with ease. However, you need to invest in a potent GPU for fetching those fancy frame rates.

The 7nm Ryzen 7 3700X features a total of 8 cores and 16 threads and has a base clock of 3.6 GHz and a boost clock of 4.4 GHz. This is known to produce better performance and lower power consumption compared to its predecessors. AMD claims to have increased the IPC (instructions per clock) to over 15% on this CPU when compared to a 2nd gen processor when measured at the same clock speed.

Cooling the processor is no hassle, thanks to the thermal management on the chip. However, if overclocking is your thing, it is advised to invest in a decent cooling solution instead of using the one that comes bundled with this processor. Like any other 3rd gen CPU, the AMD Ryzen 7 3700X also has support for the PCIe 4.0. However, if you wish to put the support to good use, you should invest in an expensive X570 motherboard which isn’t worth it if you are not planning to invest on a graphics card that supports PCIe 4.0 like the Radeon RX 5700 XT or RX 5700.

Asus AM4 TUF Gaming X570-Plus (Wi-Fi) ATX – motherboard

Asus AM4 TUF Gaming is one of the most affordable motherboards available on the X570 platform. Despite being the least expensive, Asus hadn’t dropped down on its specifications. It has everything that you would find in the most expensive motherboards on the X570 platform. Surprisingly, this motherboard also features a USB Type-C port, onboard dual-band Wi-Fi and an RGB LED illumination near the chipset heatsink.

It has support for PCIe 4.0 with dual PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots, and USB 3.1. Like every other motherboard in the TUF line-up, the Asus AM4 TUF Gaming X570-Plus is equipped with military-grade components and offers additional surge protection for added safety. The device boasts a 12+2 VRM setup which comes with a decent-sized heatsink that does an excellent job in cooling.

Overclocking your CPU is a cakewalk with the Asus TUF Gaming motherboards. The device is equipped with a total of eight SATA ports and four DIMM slots which can accommodate a maximum of 128GB DDR4 RAM. As far as the looks are concerned, the X570-Plus Wi-Fi is built-in jet-black with lined patterns. Asus kept the RGB LED lighting minimal to cut down on the price. However, you can find a few LEDs lined near the SATA that shine through the lined pattern making oozing out colours. These LEDs can be controlled by Asus’s dedicated Aura Sync software tool.

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#7. Intel Core i9-10900X + ASUS ROG Maximus XII Hero Z490 (WIFI 6) – Most powerful combo 2021

Intel Core i9-10900X – Processor

Intel has been the most reliable option for ages now. The one area where Intel is way ahead of AMD is its single-core performance which is very essential for obtaining better gaming performance. This 14nm chip offers a base frequency of 3.7 GHz and a single-core turbo of 5.3 GHz. As far as thermal management is concerned, the Intel Core i9-10900X performed surprisingly well for a 14nm form factor. Intel claims that better thermal management is due to its clever engineering where it thinned down the die and implemented a much thicker heat spreader. However, the device has a higher TPD of 125W with its predecessor having 95W.

When the most budget AMD processors are sharing their support for the PCIe 4.0, even the flagships from the Intel line-up are still confined to PCIe 3.0. This is the biggest bummer with the Intel processors. The Intel Core i9-10900X offers an extra two cores compared to its predecessor Core. Therefore, the 10900X has a total of 10 cores and 20 threads. Another laid down with the Intel Core i9-10900X is its migration to a new chipset family, the z490, and a new CPU socket. The latest processors from Intel only support the new LGA1200 Cpu socket which technically means that there is no support for the older motherboards. While AMD, on the other hand, supports backward compatibility with the older motherboards.

Intel has done the hard work in significantly increasing the cache on this CPU with L3 cache being 20MB while its predecessor the Intel 9900K has only 16MB. Intel’s proprietary Intel Thermal Velocity Boost (TVB).

ASUS ROG Maximus XII Hero Z490 (Wi-Fi 6) – Motherboard

The ASUS ROG Maximus XII Hero is one of the most expensive motherboards in the Z490 motherboard landscape. However, this is totally worth the price with premium features including three heatsink-covered M.2 slots, 14-phase VRMs, SupremeFX audio solution. Apart from these, there are a few other cutting edge features like Marvell-based 5 Gigabit Ethernet, 60A power stages, DDR4 4800+(OC) RAM support, six SATA3 6 Gbps ports, SupremeFX S1220 audio codec, the latest Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201 Wi-Fi/Bluetooth 5.1, USB 3.2 Gen2 (20 Gbps) Type-C etcetera.

You should see its design over anything. It has got a stunning black detailing all over the board with heatsinks and shrouds that cover most of the circuit board, should fit well with most build themes. The heatsink on the chipset has a ROG branding which glows in RGB. It has a 16 phase VRM in a 14+2 configuration and is covered in three heatsinks which are fairly large. There is a debug code display situated near the DIMM slots.

The ASUS ROG Maximum XII Hero boasts three full-length slots and three x1 slots in the PCIe section. There are three PCIe 3.0 x4 M.2 slots located between the full-length PCIe slots. M2_1 supports both SATA and PCIe 3.0 x4 modules while M2_2 supports PCIe 3.0 x4 only. M2_3 on the other hand supports 110mm drives as well as SATA and PCIe 3.0 x4 modules. Talking about the IO ports, it has a total of 10 USB ports with the rear Type-C port is the ultra-fast USB 3.2 Gen2 (20 Gbps), while three 3.2 Gen2 (10 Gbps), four 3.2 Gen1 ports and two USB 2.0 ports.

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#8. AMD Ryzen 3 3300X + MSI MPG X570 GAMING PLUS Motherboard – Best cheap overall AMD motherboard CPU combo

AMD Ryzen 3 3300X – Processor

The AMD Ryzen 3 3300X is one of the cheap yet powerful gaming processors that you can afford. Considering the price at which this little beast is offered, this CPU can be a great deal for many mid-range gaming enthusiasts. Apart from gaming, this CPU can also be used to accomplish multithreaded workloads like streaming and video editing. This versatility will help content creators and moderate gamers to build a pc without having to shell out much on the components.

With the third generation CPUs, AMD has improved significantly on the IPC (instructions per cycle) and extended the support for PCIe 4.0 to help future proof your build. AMD has cleverly engineered this chip for better thermal management with its 7nm lithography. The AMD Ryzen 3 3300X has four cores and eight threads with a base frequency of 3.8 GHz and 4.3 GHz boost clock. AMD claims that this chip performs 20% better than the Intel’s i5-9400F and beats the core i3-9100 with over a margin of 20% in threaded productivity work.

The best thing about AMD processors is that they come bundled with the Wraith Stealth cooler and unlocked multipliers which enable overclocking on almost all AM4 chipsets (with an exception for A329). However, you will have to equip a beefier cooling solution if you’re planning on overclocking this little monster. The four cores and eight threads offered by this CPU are sufficient enough for handling decent workloads. However, if you’re looking for intense multithreaded performance, you should invest in a better CPU with better counts, something like a six-core and 12-threaded Ryzen 5 3600. But if gaming is your only interest, pairing the 3300X with a capable GPU will drive the performance you deserve.

MSI MPG X570 GAMING PLUS – Motherboard

This is the cheapest yet the best in the X570 lineup offering most features that the costlier options offer. It feels like this motherboard is designed especially keeping the AMD Ryzen 3000 series CPUs in mind. Speaking of aesthetics, the entire board is built on a black and red theme. A cooling fan can be seen on the X570 chip with a fairly large heatsink to ensure optimal performance. The processor is powered through the 8-pin and 4-pin 12 V ATX CPU power inputs present on the motherboard. There is an 8+2 VRM design equipped with an IR35201 PWM controller.

The MSI MPG X570 can accommodate a total of 128 GB of memory across its four DDR4-4400 DIMM slots. Coming to the PCIe support, it has two full-length PCIe 4.0 slots that can operate at x16, and x16/x4, with an additional three PCIe 4.0 x1 slots. In addition to this, there are two PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slots, with one of the slots coming with a heatsink. The device also boasts 4x SATA 6Gb/s ports(SATA3-SATA6). On the rear panel, you get to see one USB 3.1 G2 Type-C, USB 3.1 G2 Type-A, four USB 3.1 G1 Type-A, and two USB 2.0 ports.

It comes equipped with the Realtek ALC1220 HD audio codec providing five 3.5 mm audio jacks and an S/PDIF optical output while the Realtek RTL8111H Gigabit NIC controls the single Ethernet port. However, the MSI MPG X570 being the entry-level model to the X570 chipset family, the board comes with a few bummers to cut down on the cost. The first being the absence of integrated RGB and the second is with its power delivery. Though the power delivery is adequate for normal usage, you might face a hard time especially if you plan to overclock the processor to its limits.

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#9. AMD Ryzen 5 3400G 4-core + ASRock B450 Steel Legend Socket AM4 ATX Motherboard

AMD Ryzen 5 3400G – Processor

Unlike Intel, most AMD CPUs do not come bundled with integrated graphics. However, AMD might have felt the heat from Intel to develop a gaming CPU with graphics integrated and you know the outcome. The AMD Ryzen 5 3400G comes paired with AMD’s RX Vega integrated graphics engine which lets the 3400G stand a chance to enrol itself in the best gaming CPUs list. It comes with four cores and eight threads and offers a base clock frequency of 3.7 GHz which can be boosted up to 4.2 GHz.

The chip has a TDP of 65W and comes with a wraith spire cooling system. It comes with a built-in AMD Radeon RX Vega 11 GPU with 11 graphics cores of its own running at up to a 1,400MHz clock speed. Compared to the Intel’s UHD Graphics 630 found in most of its mainstream CPUs, the AMD Radeon RX Vega 11 is way ahead in terms of performance. The chip offers 6 MB of combined L2 and L3 cache and is built on a 12nm microarchitecture.

Like any other third-generation chip, the AMD Ryzen 5 3400G also comes with a wraith cooler which is adequate for cooling the CPU. If you are thinking of building an entry-level PC, the motherboard isn’t a weigh down as the Ryzen 3400G is compatible with most motherboards with the AM4 socket. The AMD’s third-gen CPUs are backwards compatible. That means you can technically use an existing CPU with an AM4 socket without having to upgrade to a new one. However, you may have to upgrade the BIOS manually. AMD also offers the free Ryzen Master which is software that helps to have granular control over clock speeds, memory profiles, and even overclocking. However, if gaming isn’t your concern, the Core i3-9100 seems more promising than the 3400G for running everyday applications. But its integrated graphics don’t even come near to that of AMD’s, making it useless for gaming.

ASRock B450 Steel Legend Socket AM4 ATX – Motherboard

The ASRock B450 Steel Legend is an ideal choice for those who are looking for an economical yet aesthetically pleasing motherboard that features the Ryzen AM4 socket. Do not let your opinion on this motherboard shrink specifically looking at the price tag at which this is being offered. It has every feature that a modern motherboard has to offer. Talking about the connectivity, it has an ultra M.2 (PCIe Gen3x4), a SATA M.2 slot, and four SATA 3 ports. There are two USB 3.1 Gen2 on the rear I/O plate (Type A and C) and six total USB 3.1 Gen1 ports, two via internal headers and four on the back I/O. It has a Realtek ALC892 chip that can deliver 7.1 audio. However, most expensive boards come with the ALC1220 which is way more capable.

The build quality is top-notch for a budget motherboard with gold plated audio jacks and steel slot protection on the PCIe slots ensures durability and prevents the PCIe slots from damage while equipping heavy graphics cards. As a measure of safety, all USB, audio, and the LAN ports are guarded with ASRock Full Spike Protection. It also features an HDMI and a DisplayPort for use with any AMD AM4 APU that comes with embedded Radeon/Vega graphics.

Speaking of aesthetics, the ASRock B450 Steel Legend Socket AM4 has stunning looks that match with most themes. It comes in black, white, and grey digital camouflage-style patterns, stainless steel looking finish on the heat sinks, and LED lighting on the board around the chipset heat sink. The LEDs can be controlled using the ASRock RGB PolyChrome LED software. It offers a 6 phase VRM, which isn’t great. ASRock could have thought of incorporating at least a 9 phase like it did on its B450M Pro4. Because of the low power potential, overclocking can be a challenge.

CPU Motherboard combos Frequently Asked Questions