DDR5 is the next generation of system memory for desktop and laptop computers and the best motherboard with the necessary DIMM slots is required to use it. We’ve put together a list of only the best DDR5 motherboards for AMD and Intel processors, allowing you to enjoy faster RAM speeds and other new features over DDR4. You’ll find a mix of budget-friendly, affordable motherboards as well as some more premium and enthusiast-grade options in this collection.
Our top picks for the best DDR5 motherboards in 2024
Asus ROG Strix X670E-E Gaming
Best AMD motherboard
The AMD motherboard to buy for DDR5 RAM
The Asus ROG Strix X670E-E Gaming is a high-end Asus motherboard that supports PCIe 5.0 graphics, three PCIe 5.0 SSDs, and high-end Ryzen 7000 CPUs thanks to its large 18+2 stage VRM.
- Solid reliable UEFI BIOS
- Good connectivity
- Strong overclocking support
The Asus ROG Strix X670E-E Gaming is one of our favorite motherboards for AMD Ryzen 7000 processors. It has full DDR5 support, PCIe 5.0 support on the main PCI slot, as well as an additional three PCIe 5.0 NVMe SSD slots. It’s slightly on the expensive side of the motherboard market but it’s worth the price if you’re able to take advantage of the array of features. An 18+2 VRM configuration for power delivery is also superb for overclocking the best AMD CPUs with DDR5 RAM.
Source: XDA-Developers
In my review, I found the ROG Strix X670-E to be a compelling foundation for a PC, be it for gaming or running heavier creative software. The VRMs are incredible for running the latest AMD Ryzen processors, including full support for the 8000 series APUs. So long as you don’t mind spending a considerable amount of money, this is one of the better mid-range motherboards for AM5-compatible AMD processors. Just be sure to take full advantage of all the available features.
MSI MPG Z790 Carbon WiFi
Best Intel motherboard
This is the DDR5 board for Intel CPU owners
The MSI MPG Z790 Carbon WiFi doesn’t just look amazing, it’s also got plenty of kit to prove it can go up against the best motherboards out there. We’re talking about DDR5, PCIe 5.0, numerous fan headers, and solid I/O across the board.
- Fast DDR5 RAM support
- Good connectivity
- Supports Intel 14th Gen
For Intel processors, we’d recommend the MSI MPG Z790 Carbon WiFi for 12th and 13th Gen chips. The processors support both DDR4 and DDR5 RAM, but we’d go with the latest and greatest in system memory now that the generation has had some time to mature. Performance is superior to DDR4 and the MPG Z790 Carbon WiFi is a solid foundation for a PC. We included it in our collection of the best Intel motherboards. It has PCIe 5.0 support on the main PCI slot and some of the M.2 slots.
There’s solid connectivity on the rear and with internal headers. You’ll have no trouble connecting all of your peripherals and cooling. The design is sleek without looking too obnoxious, something some “gaming” motherboards tend to fail with.
GIGABYTE X670 AORUS Elite AX
Best alternative AMD motherboard
Another great choice for building an AMD PC with DDR5 RAM
The Gigabyte X670 Aorus Elite AX has the essentials for a high-end gaming PC, including support for DDR5-6666 memory, four M.2 slots for SSDs (one of which supports PCIe 5.0), and a 16-stage VRM.
- Better value
- Good overclocking support
A great alternative motherboard for AMD Ryzen 7000 series processors is the Gigabyte X670 Aorus Elite AX. It’s more affordable than the Asus motherboard we’d recommend as our top pick, but still manages to support lightning-fast DDR5 RAM and even has a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot for SSDs. The power delivery isn’t quite as robust as more premium options, including the aforementioned Asus board, but it’s more than enough for handling even the most power-hungry AMD chip.
ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero
Best alternative Intel motherboard
Solid DDR5 and 12th/13th Gen performance
Asus’s ROG Maximus Z790 Hero is expensive, but right now it’s the most impressive motherboard for Intel CPUs if you’re an enthusiast chasing the very best. It’s also a great choice if you’re a keen overclocker.
- Impressive features
- Solid connectivity
- Excellent reliability
- Expensive
- Largely overkill
A solid runner-up for Intel fans is the Asus ROG Maximus Z790 Hero. It’s similar to our AMD top pick in that it supports DDR5 RAM, PCIe 5.0 support for the main expansion slot and a few M.2 slots, and has a reliable 20+1 phase power delivery design. This enables the motherboard to be used as a stable overclocking bench for even an Intel Core i9-14900K, taking full advantage of the performance headroom with DDR5 RAM.
Asus TUF Gaming B650-Plus
Best value AMD motherboard
This is a great motherboard for most PC builds
The Asus TUF Gaming B650-Plus is a midrange motherboard with support for PCIe 5.0 SSDs and midrange to high-end Ryzen 7000 CPUs.
- Great value
- 2.5Gb networking
- No PCIe 5.0 for GPU
- Weaker overclocking support
Spending a lot of money on an AMD motherboard is not required to enjoy DDR5 support. The Asus TUF Gaming B650-Plus is a more affordable foundation for a capable PC build without sacrificing too many features. We wouldn’t recommend pushing the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X too hard with this board, but it’s more than good enough for a high-end gaming machine with DDR5 and PCIe 5.0 support across the board.
MSI Pro Z790-A
Best value Intel motherboard
The only Intel motherboard you truly need
The MSI Pro Z790-A is all about keeping things affordable. It’s a Z790 chipset motherboard with plenty of high-end features, but nothing too out of reach for those who simply want a decent board for a PC.
- Solid PC foundations
- 2.5Gb networking
- Great value
MSI’s Pro Z790-A wants you to save money, which is why there’s no fancy shroud to cover most of the PCB and the feature set is relatively conservative. Although it’s half the price of the top recommended Intel motherboards for 12th and 13th Gen chips, there’s plenty to appreciate with this motherboard. We’ve got DDR5 RAM support, PCIe 5.0 on the main card slot, and a good array of rear I/O ports, but no PCIe 5.0 for M.2 SSDs.
ASUS ROG Strix X670E-I Gaming WIFI
Best compact AMD motherboard
An excellent choice for more compact AMD PCs
This compact ITX ASUS ROG Strix X670E motherboard has everything you’ll need for a powerful PC that can fit inside a smaller form factor chassis.
- Compact design
- PCIe 5.0 support
- Supports AMD Ryzen 9
- Expensive
- Limited internal I/O
The most compact motherboard we’d recommend for AMD systems is the Asus ROG Strix X670E-I Gaming. This thing has everything you need for a powerful PC built with DDR5 RAM support, a full-size PCie 5.0 slot, and enough ports on the rear for connecting all your devices. There’s not enough space on the board itself for multiple M.2 slots, beefier power delivery, and countless headers making it more of a challenge to build a PC in larger cases, but this is one seriously capable motherboard all things considered.
Gigabyte Z790I AORUS Ultra
Best compact Intel motherboard
The motherboard to buy for smaller AMD systems
Gigabyte’s Z790I AORUS Ultra is an impressive compact motherboard with everything you’d require for a powerful Intel PC. Being such a small platform, only a single PCI slot is available, alongside just two DIMM slots for DDR5 RAM, but there are two M.2 slots, a few headers, and decent rear I/O.
- Supports Intel Core i9
- Compact design
- Limited connectivity
- Pricey
Rounding off our list of recommendations is the small yet mighty Gigabyte Z790I Aorus Ultra. This is a great motherboard for a more compact chassis. It may only have one full-size PCI slot, but it supports PCIe 5.0 speeds. Gigabyte even worked in not one but two M.2 storage slots for NVMe SSDs and a few headers to connect all your internal fans. It’ll still be able to handle an Intel Core i9-13900K, so long as you don’t do any overclocking. This motherboard is perfect for a smaller system build, but you will be limited by connectivity.
There’s only so much Gigabyte can cram on such a small PCB. It’s also relatively pricey, compared to full-size ATX motherboards. This is also the case with SFX power supplies, so be prepared to effectively pay more for less to enjoy the luxury of owning a compact board.
How to choose the best DDR5 motherboard
Picking the best DDR5 motherboard for AMD and Intel systems is primarily driven by the socket. So long as it matches up with the processor, you’ll be good to go. Our collection of motherboards is superb for building an Intel or AMD PC with full support for memory profiles through XMP and EXPO. Whether you’re in the market for something more affordable or a motherboard that will be reliable with heavier overclock profiles, there’s something for almost everyone here.
If we had to recommend just one AMD or Intel motherboard, for Team Red we’d use the superb Asus ROG Strix X670E-E Gaming with its reliable UEFI BIOS and great array of features. For Intel, there’s nothing better than the MSI MPGZ790 Carbon WiFi without spending ridiculous amounts of money. Both motherboards support PCIe 5.0 and DDR5 and come with plenty of headers and ports for connecting just about anything to the PC. DDR5 isn’t a requirement for Intel, however, and you can find some great deals on DDR4 motherboards if you need to save the most money.
Asus ROG Strix X670E-E Gaming
Best AMD motherboard
The Asus ROG Strix X670E-E Gaming is a high-end Asus motherboard that supports PCIe 5.0 graphics, three PCIe 5.0 SSDs, and high-end Ryzen 7000 CPUs thanks to its large 18+2 stage VRM.
MSI MPG Z790 Carbon WiFi
Best Intel motherboard
The MSI MPG Z790 Carbon WiFi doesn’t just look amazing, it’s also got plenty of kit to prove it can go up against the best motherboards out there. We’re talking about DDR5, PCIe 5.0, numerous fan headers, and solid I/O across the board.
#DDR5 #motherboards
source: https://www.xda-developers.com/best-ddr5-motherboards/
