The Motherboard Scene in 2025
Motherboards do not get as much hype as graphics cards or CPUs, but they are the backbone of any good gaming PC. In 2025 there are more options than ever, especially with new chips from AMD and Intel. That can make choosing the right board feel overwhelming.
With the launch of AMD Ryzen 9000 processors and Intel Core Ultra 200S chips in 2024, the first wave of boards focused on premium chipsets like X870 and Z890. Mainstream options based on AMD B850 and Intel B860 arrived in bigger numbers at the start of 2025. That means there are finally sensible choices for gamers who want strong performance without draining their entire budget.
Modern motherboards have also stepped up their game in terms of features and quality. It is now common to see:
- Wi Fi 7 or at least Wi Fi 6E networking
- Multiple fast M.2 SSD slots, often including PCIe 5.0 support
- Simple BIOS or UEFI interfaces that are easier to navigate
- Quick release latches for the main PCIe slot and M.2 heatsinks
- Improved rear IO with more high speed USB and sometimes Thunderbolt
There have been a few worrying cases of certain boards damaging high end CPUs, especially some AMD X3D chips, but overall build quality across the market has improved. The good news is you no longer need to spend a fortune to get a solid, future friendly gaming platform.
From nearly twenty reviewed boards, three models really stood out in 2025. They are not the absolute most expensive or most extreme in every spec. Instead they hit the sweet spot of value, features and reliability that most gamers actually need.
ASRock B860 Steel Legend WiFi: Intel Value Hero
The ASRock B860 Steel Legend WiFi targets Intel Core Ultra 200S processors and shows that mainstream does not have to mean basic. ASRock had a rough year with some of its AM5 boards connected to CPU failures, but this Intel B860 board proves the company can still deliver a great product when it focuses on the fundamentals.
For under 200 dollars you get a surprising amount of hardware. Storage support is excellent for this class: four M.2 slots, with a mix of PCIe 5.0 and PCIe 4.0, and decent heatsinks to keep drives cool. That is the kind of M.2 flexibility that used to be limited to higher end chipsets.
The rear IO is also strong. You get:
- One Thunderbolt 4 Type C port with 40 Gbps bandwidth
- Two 10 Gbps USB Type A ports
- Four 5 Gbps USB Type A ports
- Three USB 2.0 ports for basic peripherals
On the networking side the board includes Wi Fi 6E instead of Wi Fi 7, which is a minor downside if you are building around the very latest routers. However, a 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port gives you fast wired connectivity for competitive online gaming and large downloads.
The main drawbacks are a dated BIOS or UEFI interface and the fact that Intel locks overclocking on this chipset. If you are not chasing extreme CPU overclocks and you want a stylish white and black design with serious storage options, this board is a very compelling Intel platform.
Gigabyte X870 Aorus Elite WiFi7 Ice: AM5 Storage Beast
If you prefer team AMD, the Gigabyte X870 Aorus Elite WiFi7 Ice is one of the best value AM5 boards of 2025. It launched around 290 dollars but quickly dropped by about 30 dollars, making it highly competitive among X870 options.
This board leans heavily into storage. You get:
- Four M.2 SSD slots
- Three of those M.2 slots support PCIe 5.0 speeds
- One PCIe slot at Gen 5 and two more at lower speeds
- Ten USB ports on the rear IO
Gigabyte clearly chose to prioritize M.2 performance over maxing out every PCIe slot. For most gamers that is a smart call. A single high speed GPU, plenty of ultra fast SSDs and a healthy stack of USB ports is exactly what a modern gaming and content creation rig needs.
The Aorus Elite WiFi7 Ice also ticks the aesthetics box with a clean white finish similar to the ASRock board. If you are planning a themed build with white components and RGB, this board will fit in nicely while still offering a balanced mix of price, performance and features for Ryzen 9000 and other AM5 chips.
MSI MAG Z890 Tomahawk WiFi: Feature Packed Intel All Rounder
The MSI MAG Z890 Tomahawk WiFi returns to the Intel side, this time on the higher end Z890 chipset. It costs around 40 dollars more than the ASRock B860 Steel Legend but justifies the extra cash with more advanced features.
The headline is Wi Fi 7 support. If you already have a Wi Fi 7 router, or plan to upgrade soon, this board can deliver very fast and low latency wireless gaming with higher speeds and better stability in congested environments.
The Z890 chipset also gives this board more PCIe bandwidth to play with. You get:
- Three PCIe slots, one at PCIe 5.0 and two at PCIe 4.0
- Four M.2 slots, one PCIe 5.0 and three PCIe 4.0
- Two Thunderbolt 4 ports at 40 Gbps each
- Four 10 Gbps USB ports and four 5 Gbps USB ports on the rear IO
MSI has also focused on user experience. The MAG Z890 Tomahawk WiFi includes a clean and intuitive BIOS or UEFI, a quick release mechanism for the GPU slot, easy access M.2 slots, and sensibly placed power connectors and headers. All of that makes building and upgrading your rig far less stressful.
If you want a long lasting Intel platform that supports high end GPUs, next generation SSDs and the fastest consumer Wi Fi currently available, this board hits a very nice balance without stepping into extreme price territory.
Which Board Should You Choose
All three nominees aim for that sweet spot where price, features and everyday usability line up for gamers.
- Choose the ASRock B860 Steel Legend WiFi if you want an affordable Intel build with great storage and Thunderbolt but do not care about overclocking.
- Pick the Gigabyte X870 Aorus Elite WiFi7 Ice if you are building an AMD AM5 gaming PC and want tons of PCIe 5.0 storage without paying flagship prices.
- Go for the MSI MAG Z890 Tomahawk WiFi if you want more premium Intel features like Wi Fi 7, dual Thunderbolt 4 and a very builder friendly layout.
Whichever route you take, these boards show that 2025 is a fantastic year to build or upgrade a gaming PC. You get better networking, faster storage and more refined designs than ever, all without needing an unlimited budget.
Original article and image: https://www.pcgamer.com/hardware/processors/pc-gamer-hardware-awards-the-best-gaming-motherboard-of-2025/
