Best Motherboards For Future Upgrades 2024

Last Updated on July 10, 2024 by Adams

A Motherboard is a computer’s central communication hub. This is where you can connect all your components and through which they can interact with each other. It is made out of a printed circuit board; therefore, it’s also known as PCB.

your choice of PCB for your gaming computer has a big impact on your build quality. You will be restricted to limited hardware options should you choose a low-end inexpensive PCB.

That being said, if you’re using a feature-rich, functional, and powerful motherboard, not only would that be beneficial now, but you’ll also have a lot of room for future upgrades. In this regard, We have compiled some of the best motherboards for future upgrades in the article. We suggest you have a look at them.

For heavy processing or gaming, it is important to choose top gaming processors as well as powerful graphic cards, whilst also choosing an appropriate PCB which must ensure that it fits your needs currently and also in the future as well, unless you already know that you won’t be upgrading your PC and will only be needing the original configuration of your PC.

However, if you plan to upgrade then it is wise to thoroughly research investing in a suitable and future-proof PCB that will cater to your needs as they grow.

Concerning onboard features, motherboards have made great advancements. To ensure a consistent computing platform and maximum operational efficiency of all the PC components it is essential to invest in a decent motherboard.

Although, the PC market is still divided among both brands Intel and AMD, as are the motherboards as well. as both brands offer chipsets for all budgets and thus you will see the respective motherboards at various price points in the market.

There are a few considerations that need to be taken into account when purchasing a motherboard. Support for the platform of choice is the most essential of them as Intel and AMD have separate types of chipsets and sockets for processors, so your PCB must support your chosen CPU. A further point to be noted is the form factor of the Board. Now many PCBs come in form factors such as miniITX, microATX, and ATX.

Based on the physical space you can manage; you would need to select the correct form factor for your PC. For beginners, it is necessary to note that the form factor of your choice impacts greatly the variety of onboard features, but generally, you should seek out a minimum set of PCI-E x16 slots, a couple of M.2 slot, and 2 RAM slots.

Best Motherboards For Future Upgrades (Comparison)

Name	Dimensions	Weight
ASUS ROG Maximus XII Extreme	14.5 x 12.2 x 4.25 inches	5.19 pounds	Check Price
ASUS ROG Maximus XII Formula	14.5 x 12.2 x 4.25 inches	4.14 pounds	Check Price
MSI MEG Z490 godlike	12 x 10.7 x 2 inches	6 pounds	Check Price
GIGABYTE DESIGNARE X299X	15 x 12.25 x 5.08 inches	5.63 Pounds	Check Price

 

ASUS ROG Maximus XII Extreme

The Asus ROG Maximus XII Extreme Z490 is among the latest motherboards on Intel Z490 launched for the new 10th Generation of Comet Lake processors. This PCB is the perfect component for your gaming build. It comes with high-quality components that make sure that you’ll get the most use out of the latest generation of Intel processors.

Furthermore, this PCB provides firepower and amazing overclocking rates along with the finest components, multiple fan headers alongside a bundled fan extension card, therefore ensuring extreme performance at the lowest temperatures.

To guarantee system stability when subjected to heavy processing and CPU loadings, this motherboard uses a large Voltage Regulator Module (VRM) and high-end AMD AM4 chipsets and a heatsink which also covers several M.2 slots. This PCB offers all the required tools to enhance and run your PC in the optimal condition.

For all of you control freaks, the motherboard’s UEFI BIOS offers advanced customization possibilities so each and every feature of the system can be customized according to your requirements. More than its incredible performance, the Extreme Z490 also delivers wide-ranging designing and customization possibilities to let you show your personality through your custom build.

This PCB employes the use of Wi-Fi 6 and also comes with two front-panel USB 3.2 connectors to lodge a variation of components and devices, along with reversible USB 3.2 Type-C ports and bundled Thunderbolt 3 Expansion Card for a wonderful four times quick data transferring speed of 40Gbps and twice as fast of video bandwidth. It is also equipped with a DIMM.2 riser along with some M.2 sockets, thick heat spreaders, 16 phase power design, and a lot of RGB lighting for aesthetical purposes.

This exotic motherboard is armed with a built-in 2-inch OLED panel that shows valuable data and stats such as the CPU frequency, temperature of the device, speed of fans, stats of the water-cooling system, and customizable graphics.

To top it all off, it is also equipped with the Armoury Crate software utility which is a completely intuitive interface as it offers commands for the easy accessibility of your gears.

However, as this PCB is for innovative times, it isn’t backward compatible due to the LGA 1200 socket, therefore, when you decide to change your motherboard then you will also need to switch to the latest Intel CPU too.

Whatsoever, on the positive side, it is future-proofed and does have the compatibility of the Z490’s next generation of Intel chips which is expected to be named Rocket Lake.

As the name suggests, this extreme motherboard outdoes all levels of extremeness when it comes to price and aesthetics. This beast is heavy, has a robust built, and is intelligently designed. Whereas the price is concerned, to avail the extremeness of this luxurious PCB you will have to pay the hefty cost that it comes with as it’s one of the highest performing Z490 boards in the market and therefore, perhaps the best gaming motherboard for Comet Lake overclocking as well.

Pros	Cons
Exceptional cooling and easy overclocking	Not cheap
Future-proof features
Sleek but robust design

Conclusion:

The Asus ROG Maximus XII Extreme Z490 is a splendid PCB and one of the best that the Z490s offers, however, its extreme features come at a similar cost of building a completely decent gaming PC itself.

Whatsoever, this is the finest motherboard for the latest Intel chips, which comes with plenty of powerful features such as faster memory support, AI overclocking, comprehensive and intelligent water and fan cooling controls, AI networking with Wi-Fi 6 support, and Asus’ Aura Sync illumination.

Therefore, if you’re planning for upgrading to a 10th-generation Intel Core processor investing in this motherboard is a wise decision for enthusiasts and professionals both, so to enjoy its ultimate performance.

 

 

ASUS ROG Maximus XII Formula

ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) team is famous worldwide for bringing out of the box high-quality products, such as the Maximus XII Formula.

This motherboard has been designed to specifically targeted the fans of water-cooling as this PCB collaborates with the EK Waterblocks. Now we have the EK CrossChill III cooling system incorporated, and an array of water-centered features including flow rate headers.

ROG Maximus XII series PSBs are therefore designed to unlock the highest ranks of gaming and overclocking.

In addition, this PCB is known for its personalized liquid cooling and provides more upgrades to highlight its luxurious structure.

Co-developed with EK Water Blocks, the CrossChill EK III VRM block helps to deal with the greater VRM loads linked with Intel Comet Lake CPUs.

The ROG Maximus XII Formula employees a water block to keep the VRM temperatures low rather than the usual heatsinks, thus, letting the system be water-cooled easily. However, for users who are unlikely to build a customized water-cooling PC than it might not be the one for you.

Furthermore, the ASUS ROG Maximus XII Formula will contain Thunderbolt 3 support via an internal TB header and has a compact networking setup. It involves an Aquantia AQC107 10th Generation Ethernet controller, with an additional Intel I225-V 2.5 G controller for dual LAN. Also present is an Intel AX201 Wi-Fi 6 wireless interface with support for BT 5.1 devices.

Mostly famous due to its water blocks, this PCB also comes with 16-phase power delivery for the CPU. It also offers a huge PCIe slot cover and back panel cover with integrated RGB LEDs.

Visually, the ROG Maximus XII Formula has a sleek black finish with complex patterns cut and reflective armor. Along with the beautiful armor design, this PCB also comes with a toolkit for overclockers which houses a reset and power button, along with a 2-digit Debug LED, alongside four feature memory slots whilst supporting around DDR4-4700, with an overall capacity of 128 GB max.

Pros	Cons
Most extensive ARGB lighting	The rear M.2 slot becomes unreachable when in the PC case
Strong power delivery system
Extensive BIOS features for overclockers

Conclusion:

the ROG Maximus XII Formula is one of the top tier motherboards. ASUS equipped this armor designed PCB with the best features as well as a water block incorporated directly on the board.

It also incorporated extensive RGB lighting with LiveDash OLED display and more straightforward M.2 SSD slots, the second USB 3.0 header, and the USB 3.0 ports on the rear I/O of the ROG Maximus XII Formula. Troubleshooting in this PCB is made far convenient when you can use the iGPU to eliminate a defective GPU.

 

 

MSI MEG Z490 godlike 

Usually, the high-end motherboards seem to get pretty pricey, but with a PCB such as the MSI MEG Z490 godlike you’ve been promised a beginner’s friendly budget and high-quality performance as well as some interesting features particularly if you have the intel components.

Since this PCB has a reputation for itself as the best Z490 board on the market, its list price just seems more acceptable. It comes with outstanding thermal solutions, convenient installation, amazing overclocking performance, and even diagnostic solutions, all that with a solid build.

Furthermore, godlike is the best and the latest model that MSI has to offer, therefore, it offers almost everything that a top-notch PCB has.

This motherboard supports 10th Gen Intel Core/ Pentium Celeron processors for LGA 1200 socket and offers DDR4 Memory, up to 5000(OC) MHz and its Networking derives from the flagship 10G Aquantia LAN, or the Realtek RTL8125B 2.5G LAN, or 802.11ax Wi-Fi which offers the best online experience by removing lag.

You are also offered dual Thunderbolt 3 ports, a varied collection of M.2 mounts, with an added PCIe card for RAID M.2. This PCB Express card delivers 2 additional M.2 slots along with a smart fan cooling system to enhance and increase your storage size with maximized speed. Furthermore, it has a dynamic dashboard II with a Built-in colorful OLED screen panel which highlights the godlike aesthetics.

Moreover, this remarkable PCP has an extreme power design with INTERSIL digital PWM and 16+1+1 phases with 90A Smart Power Stage and dual CPU power connectors along with high-class Mirrored Power Arrangement to give a free rein to your processors.

Along with the exciting power design, it also provides an outstanding cooling solution with a stacked fin array and VRM heat pipe and heatsink system installed within it to ensure maximum performance with the lowest temperatures.

The BIOS on the godlike MSI MEG Z490 is outstanding, stylish, and well-optimized. MSI has done a decent job of planning and optimizing its menu design. For quite a while now MSI has been using this same general BIOS and it has all the necessities: a decent overclocking section, proper fan control, and standard lighting control.

This godlike PCB is a visual standout due to MSI’s Dynamic Dashboard, which is a small monochrome LED panel located alongside the RAM slots. You can configure the panel to even display a customized 256×64-pixel image of your choice. However, to display the premium and stylish visuals you must have a PC case with a transparent side panel.

Also, the fan control on the MSI MEG Z490 godlike can be controlled in the BIOS or Windows via Dragon Center. The MSI MEG Z490 godlike has a total of 10 headers for fans. Networking on the MSI MEG Z490 godlike is handled by a Realtek RTL8125 for 2.5 Gb/s LAN as well as an Aquantia AQC107 for 10 Gb/s LAN and an Intel 802.11ax module for Wi-Fi support.

Pros	Cons
High-quality VRM design	You need a transparent case to display visuals
Outstanding motherboard for future upgrading
Beautiful and sleek aesthetics

Conclusion:

The MSI MEG Z490 godlike is a beautiful yet mature PCB that has a proper BIOS and delivers all features presently available in the market in 2020.

To justify its godlike price tag, it is a compact and well-built product that appears to be stunning. additionally, it is also one of the fastest PCB tested. Whatsoever, the godlike is an outstanding, well-executed motherboard and would be a perfect option for the highest-end builds.

 

 

GIGABYTE DESIGNARE X299X AORUS

GIGABYTE X299X DESIGNARE AORUS Fins Array Motherboard is specially designed with 12 phase VRM to support the 70a power stage.

Each Thunderbolt power stage contains two I/O USB connectors. These connectors increase the bandwidth up to 40 Gb’s that can easily support different ports such as USB 3.2 and Display port 1.2. USB ports are compatible with another photo that makes them more versatile.

AORUS Fins Array support LGA 2066 socket with DDR4 RAM. Work efficiently using PCI-E graphical interface card. These boards provide great response on 2.4 GHz radio frequency using Windows 10 platforms.

The memory speed of the GIGABYTE Array is 4433 MHz, also contains a memory capacity of 1000 TB. GIGABYTE AORUS offers the best components for strong power solutions. These boards allow high over clocking performance.

The lightweight device provides premium sound quality with HD smart headphone amp. It automatically detects your headsets and improves impedance issues such as sound distortion and low volume quality and gives a high streaming microphone.

AORUS Array is designed with digital CPU power that contains PWM controller capacity. Digital power stages support 10^th Gen intel processor with absolute maximum power. Smart cooling fans ensure great performance while processing.

Pros	Cons
Great cooling system	Slow BIOS issue
Digital power controller
Compatible with 10th Gen
High overclocking

Conclusion:

Featured with all new advancements, X299X AORUS makes sure to fulfill all the requirements with great compatibility. Automatic volume controller allows producing premium sound without any distortion. Needless to say, GIGABYTE Array Thunderbolt offers its best performances.

 

 

Final verdict:

Picking the perfect motherboard for your set up can get very over-whelming considering all of your I/O requirements whilst managing your budget as well. However, with critical thinking, and planning and forecasting your budget and build around your choice of the board will help you make a reasonable decision whilst preventing any future regrets.

Hence, it is recommended to invest in a motherboard that is open to future possibilities and something that will remain compatible with the coming of age components.

Initially making such investment can be daunting but it will be worth it especially if you are a hardcore overclocking pro, you must choose a PCB that suits your requirement otherwise you might end up exhausting a rather cheaper PCB which will require you to change it every few months or so. Therefore, planning before you invest is always a wise decision.

After all, the motherboard is the central communication hub for the rest of your components, so it deserves proper time and financial investment so that you are provided with excellent performance.

 

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