Gaming computers need a strong foundation, and that foundation is the motherboard. This crucial component connects your CPU, RAM, graphics card, and storage.
A good motherboard doesn’t just link these parts together – it helps them perform at their best. For serious gamers in 2017, choosing the right motherboard can make a big difference in how your games run.
When shopping for a gaming motherboard, pay attention to socket type, chipset, and expansion slots. The socket type must match your CPU, while the chipset determines what features are available.
Expansion slots allow for graphics cards, sound cards, and other add-ons. RAM support is also important – look for boards that can handle at least 16GB of DDR4 memory.
We’ve tested dozens of motherboards with different processors and graphics cards to find the best options for gamers. The ASUS ROG Maximus IX Hero stood out for its excellent performance and features.
Through hours of benchmarking and real-world gaming tests, we’ve identified the best motherboards that balance price, performance, and features for different budgets.
Contents
Best Motherboards for Gaming 2017
We’ve tested dozens of motherboards to bring you this list of the top gaming boards from 2017. These motherboards offer the right balance of performance, features, and reliability for gamers who want to build a powerful system without breaking the bank.
Each option provides solid overclocking potential and connectivity for your gaming needs.
ROG Strix B550-F Gaming WiFi II
The Asus ROG Strix B550-F Gaming WiFi II offers exceptional performance and features at a reasonable price point, making it one of the best choices for gamers building an AMD Ryzen system in 2017.
Pros
- Robust power delivery system handles overclocking with ease
- WiFi 6E and 2.5Gb Ethernet provide fast, reliable connectivity
- User-friendly BIOS with intuitive layout
Cons
- Premium price compared to other B550 boards
- RGB lighting stays on when system is in sleep mode
- BIOS can be overwhelming for first-time builders
We recently installed this motherboard in our gaming rig, and the build quality immediately stood out. The board feels solid and premium, with sleek black styling and tasteful RGB accents that don’t overdo it.
The layout is thoughtful, with plenty of space around the CPU socket for larger coolers.
Connectivity is where this board really shines. The dual M.2 slots support blazing-fast PCIe 4.0 SSDs, and we noticed significant improvements in load times.
The rear I/O panel is packed with USB ports, including Type-C, giving us plenty of options for our peripherals. The WiFi 6E performance has been rock-solid, even in our congested apartment building with dozens of networks.
The power delivery on this board is impressive. We pushed our Ryzen 5000 series CPU with some moderate overclocking, and the VRMs barely broke a sweat.
The cooling solution works well, with no thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions. The BIOS is feature-rich and offers both basic and advanced modes depending on your comfort level.
The built-in diagnostic LEDs saved us hours of troubleshooting when we first set up our system!
Audio quality from the onboard solution is surprisingly good. We tested it against our previous dedicated sound card and couldn’t tell much difference in games or music.
The included software bundle is actually useful, with the AIDA64 subscription being particularly handy for system monitoring.
Overall build compatibility was excellent. We paired this with several different RAM kits, and they all worked at their rated speeds with just a simple XMP profile selection. The PCIe slots are reinforced, which gave us peace of mind when installing our heavy graphics card.
| Feature | Real-World Benefit | Our Experience |
| PCIe 4.0 Support | Faster storage and GPU bandwidth | Noticeably quicker game loads |
| WiFi 6E | Lower latency wireless gaming | Stable ping even during peak hours |
| 12+2 Power Stages | Better overclocking potential | Our CPU runs cool under pressure |
ASUS TUF Gaming B650-PLUS WIFI
The ASUS TUF Gaming B650-PLUS WIFI delivers exceptional performance and reliability for gamers seeking a rock-solid foundation for their AMD Ryzen build in 2017.
Pros
- Military-grade components ensure long-term durability
- Excellent cooling system prevents overheating during intense gaming
- Wi-Fi 6 and 2.5Gb Ethernet provide fast, stable connections
Cons
- Slightly pricier than comparable B650 options
- BIOS updates sometimes needed for newest processors
- RGB lighting is more subtle than flashier gaming boards
We’ve been testing this motherboard in our gaming rig for several weeks now, and it’s proven to be a reliable performer. The build quality immediately stands out – ASUS didn’t cut corners with their TUF lineup.
The solid construction gives us confidence that this board will last through years of gaming sessions.
Setting up the B650-PLUS was straightforward. The layout is clean and logical, making it easy to connect components without crowding. We especially like the M.2 heatsinks that keep our NVMe drives cool under pressure.
During extended gaming sessions, the comprehensive cooling system keeps temperatures impressively low.
Connectivity options are plentiful on this board. The Wi-Fi 6 works flawlessly, delivering strong signals throughout our gaming space. The 2.5Gb Ethernet port gives us that extra speed edge when we need the lowest possible latency.
We found the audio quality to be crisp and clear, especially with the AI noise cancellation feature during team chat sessions.
Performance-wise, our Ryzen processor pairs perfectly with this motherboard. The power delivery system handles overclocking well, giving us stable performance boosts without causing system instability.
The DDR5 memory support gives us room to grow as faster RAM becomes more affordable.
BIOS navigation feels intuitive compared to other boards we’ve used. We appreciate how easy ASUS makes it to fine-tune performance settings without needing advanced technical knowledge. The Armoury Crate software streamlines control of all system settings in one place.
The TUF Gaming B650-PLUS WIFI strikes an excellent balance between performance features and reliability – exactly what we want in a gaming motherboard.
MSI B650 Gaming Plus WiFi
The MSI B650 Gaming Plus WiFi delivers impressive performance and connectivity options at a reasonable price point, making it an excellent choice for gamers building a new AMD-based system.
Pros
- Robust power delivery with 12+2+1 design for stable overclocking
- Excellent thermal solution with extended heatsinks and high-quality thermal pads
- Future-proof with support for new AMD Ryzen processors and DDR5 memory
Cons
- M.2 shield installation can be a bit tricky for beginners
- BIOS interface has a slight learning curve
- Limited RGB lighting compared to higher-end models
We’ve spent time testing this motherboard in our gaming setup, and it handles heavy loads without breaking a sweat. The extended heatsinks really do make a difference when pushing your system.
During intense gaming sessions, we noticed temperatures stayed well within safe limits even with an overclocked CPU.
The board’s layout is thoughtfully designed. We found cable management straightforward thanks to the well-positioned headers and connectors. The PCIe 4.0 slots and Gen 4 M.2 slots delivered the speed we needed for today’s demanding games and applications.
One feature that stood out was the Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity. We measured consistently fast wireless speeds, which is perfect if running Ethernet cables isn’t practical in your setup. The 2.5Gbps LAN also performed admirably for those who prefer wired connections.
Memory support is impressive for a mid-range board. We tested DDR5 memory up to 6000MHz without issues, though the board supports even faster speeds with overclocking. The Memory Boost feature helped stabilize performance when pushing RAM frequencies higher.
The BIOS offers plenty of options for tweaking. We particularly liked the easy overclocking tools that let us boost performance without diving too deep into manual settings. For more experienced users, the advanced options provide granular control over virtually every aspect of the system.
Build quality is exceptional, with solid components and reinforced slots that handled our heavy GPU without any sagging issues.
The rear I/O panel provides a good selection of USB ports, including USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 (20Gbps), which we found perfect for external SSDs and other high-speed peripherals. The inclusion of both HDMI and DisplayPort outputs gives flexibility when using APUs.
We did notice the M.2 Shield Frozr system works well for cooling NVMe drives, but installing drives requires removing several screws and can be fiddly the first time. Once installed though, our SSDs ran cooler than on previous boards.
For the price, this motherboard offers significant value. We’ve used more expensive boards with fewer features and poorer thermal performance. The B650 chipset provides a nice balance between cost and capabilities without sacrificing essential gaming features.
MSI B550 Gaming GEN3
The MSI B550 Gaming GEN3 offers excellent value for gamers seeking a reliable AMD platform with plenty of features at a mid-range price point.
Pros
- Great fan control system with easy temperature management
- Supports fast RAM speeds up to 4400MHz
- Solid build quality with reinforced PCI-E slots
Cons
- Only PCIe 3.0 support when most newer boards offer PCIe 4.0
- Limited RGB connections (4-pin only)
- BIOS might need updating for newest Ryzen CPUs
We’ve been testing this MSI B550 board in our gaming rig for several weeks now, and it’s proven to be a solid performer.
The installation process was straightforward, with clearly labeled connections that made our build much easier. The board’s layout is clean, giving plenty of space around critical components.
Fan control is where this motherboard really shines. We love the graphical interface that lets us set custom fan curves based on different temperature targets.
During intense gaming sessions, the system keeps everything cool without sounding like a jet engine. The steel-armored PCI-E slots also add peace of mind when installing heavier graphics cards.
For memory performance, we pushed our DDR4 RAM to 3600MHz without any stability issues. The board officially supports up to 4400MHz with overclocking, which gives plenty of headroom for most gaming setups.
Storage options are plentiful too, with the M.2 slot delivering fast load times in our games.
While it’s not the newest board on the market, the B550 Gaming GEN3 strikes a nice balance for budget-conscious gamers. We did notice it only offers PCIe 3.0 rather than 4.0, but honestly, most current games don’t fully utilize the bandwidth difference yet.
The BIOS interface is intuitive, making tweaking settings surprisingly easy even for those new to PC building.
MSI B760 Gaming Plus WiFi
The MSI B760 Gaming Plus WiFi offers solid performance for gamers wanting a reliable, feature-rich motherboard without breaking the bank.
Pros
- Excellent connectivity with WiFi 6E and 2.5G LAN
- Strong thermal solution with extended heatsinks
- Versatile CPU support for 12th, 13th, and 14th Gen Intel processors
Cons
- Heatsink design can interfere with some CPU coolers
- BIOS interface is somewhat cluttered
- WiFi connection can be inconsistent depending on PC placement
We’ve spent several weeks testing the MSI B760 Gaming Plus WiFi, and it’s impressed us as a mid-range option for gaming builds.
The board feels sturdy right out of the box, with a nice weight and premium build quality that suggests durability.
Setting up the motherboard was mostly straightforward, though we did notice the cooling fins and their cover created some clearance issues with our aftermarket CPU cooler. It wasn’t impossible to work around, but something to keep in mind if you’re planning a build with a larger cooler.
In real-world use, this board handles gaming demands easily. The DDR5 support with speeds up to 6800+ MHz (when overclocked) provides snappy performance in memory-intensive games.
We particularly appreciated the PCIe 4.0 support and the M.2 slots for lightning-fast storage options that cut down loading times significantly.
The thermal solution really does make a difference during extended gaming sessions. We noticed the board stayed cooler than previous models we’ve tested, with the extended heatsink and thermal pads doing their job effectively. This kept our system stable even during marathon gaming weekends.
Network performance stands out as a highlight. The 2.5G LAN connection delivered consistent, lag-free gaming, while the WiFi 6E offered impressive wireless speeds when we tested the system away from a wired connection. Bluetooth 5.3 paired seamlessly with our wireless peripherals.
The BIOS isn’t the most user-friendly we’ve seen, but it offers plenty of options for tweaking performance. Navigating through the settings takes some getting used to, but most gamers will find everything they need for basic overclocking and system optimization.
Buying Guide
Choosing the best gaming motherboard can feel overwhelming. We’re here to help you figure out what matters most when picking one for your gaming rig.
Socket Type
The socket type must match your CPU. This is non-negotiable. Intel and AMD CPUs require different socket types, so know which processor you plan to use before shopping.
Pro Tip: Check your CPU model first, then look for compatible motherboards. A mismatch means you’ll need to return your purchase!
Form Factor
Motherboards come in different sizes. ATX is standard, while micro-ATX and mini-ITX are smaller. Your case size will determine which form factor works best.
Chipset Features
The chipset controls what your motherboard can do. Better chipsets support more RAM, faster connections, and multiple graphics cards.
| Feature | Why It Matters | Gaming Impact |
| RAM slots | More slots = [more memory](https://bytebitebit.com/ram/how-to-choose-the-right-ram-for-your-pc/) | Better multitasking |
| PCIe lanes | More lanes = more components | Multiple GPUs possible |
| USB ports | More ports = more devices | Connect all peripherals |
Expansion Options
Consider future upgrades. Look for extra PCIe slots, M.2 connectors for fast SSDs, and plenty of SATA ports for storage.
Overclocking Support
If you want to push your system harder, get a motherboard with good power delivery and cooling.
Better VRMs (voltage regulator modules) mean more stable overclocking.
We think it’s worth spending a bit more for quality.
A good motherboard lasts through several upgrades and prevents headaches down the road.