Best motherboards UK (2026)
Desktop motherboards for AMD and Intel builds, from small Mini-ITX boards to full ATX. Ranked on platform and features, connectivity, power delivery, BIOS and value. Compare all motherboards side by side
Researched, not hands-on tested.How we review ›
updated 25 Oct 2026 · ranked by score; ties by value and ageNew to motherboards? What they are and what to look for
The motherboard is the main circuit board of a desktop PC. Every other part plugs into it: the processor, memory, graphics card, SSDs and the cables to the case.
Do you need a motherboard? Only if you're building or upgrading a desktop. Choose it after the processor, because the two must use the same socket.
What to look for
- The socket that matches your processor (AM5, AM4, LGA1851 or LGA1700)
- The size your case takes: ATX, Micro-ATX or Mini-ITX
- Enough M.2 slots, USB ports and built-in Wi-Fi or 2.5GbE if you want them
Unsure about a word? Jargon explained
Our picks
The top 10 at a glance
| # | Motherboards | Score | Verdict | UK price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ASUS ROG STRIX X870E-E GAMING WIFI | 7.5 | verdict: buy | ~£415.99 |
| 2 | MSI MAG B850 TOMAHAWK WIFI | 7.5 | verdict: buy | ~£189.99 |
| 3 | MSI MAG Z890 TOMAHAWK WIFI | 7.5 | verdict: buy | ~£283.89 |
| 4 | ASUS TUF GAMING B850-PLUS WIFI | 7.3 | verdict: good, not the best | ~£184.90 |
| 5 | MSI MAG X870 TOMAHAWK WIFI | 7.2 | verdict: good, not the best | ~£255 |
| 6 | ASUS ROG STRIX B860-I GAMING WIFI | 7.1 | verdict: good, not the best | ~£199.99 |
| 7 | ASUS ROG STRIX B850-F GAMING WIFI | 6.8 | verdict: good, not the best | ~£270.99 |
| 8 | GIGABYTE B850 AORUS ELITE WIFI7 (Rev. 1.x) | 6.7 | verdict: good, not the best | ~£200 |
| 9 | ASUS TUF GAMING B760-PLUS WIFI D4 | 6.4 | verdict: good, not the best | ~£189.99 |
| 10 | GIGABYTE B650M AORUS ELITE AX | 6.2 | verdict: good, not the best | ~£144.99 |
~ typical UK price when researched.
- #1
ASUS ROG STRIX X870E-E GAMING WIFI
7.5/10verdict: buyThis board is for builders putting a Ryzen 7000, 8000 or 9000 chip into an AM5 system. It suits people who want several PCIe 5.0 NVMe drives, USB4 and Wi-Fi 7 on one ATX board. It also fits those who value strong power delivery and a BIOS that owners describe as stable.
AM5AMD X870EATXDDR5, 4 DIMM slots~£415.99typical UK price when we researched itSearch Amazon UK (opens in a new tab, affiliate link)
Affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Details
- #2
MSI MAG B850 TOMAHAWK WIFI
7.5/10verdict: buyThis board is for AM5 builders who want a full-size ATX B850 platform with 80A power stages and 5Gbps networking. It suits people planning a high-end Ryzen chip, including the 9950X3D, which one reviewer says the VRM can handle at stock limits. Buyers who need USB4 or more than one Gen5 NVMe slot should read the limits below first.
AMD Socket AM5AMD B850ATXDDR5, 4 DIMM slots~£189.99typical UK price when we researched itSearch Amazon UK (opens in a new tab, affiliate link)
Affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Details
- #3
MSI MAG Z890 TOMAHAWK WIFI
7.5/10verdict: buyThis is for builders putting a Core Ultra (Series 2) CPU on a Z890 board who want strong connectivity without paying flagship money. It suits people who want 5Gbps LAN, Wi-Fi 7 and Thunderbolt 4 on one ATX board. It is less suited to anyone who wants RGB lighting or onboard power and reset buttons.
LGA 1851Intel Z890ATX, PCB 243.84 x 304.8 mm4 x DDR5 UDIMM slots~£283.89typical UK price when we researched itSearch Amazon UK (opens in a new tab, affiliate link)
Affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Details
- #4
ASUS TUF GAMING B850-PLUS WIFI
7.3/10verdict: good, not the bestThe ASUS TUF GAMING B850-PLUS WIFI is an ATX AM5 board for building a mainstream Ryzen 9000, 8000 or 7000 desktop. It suits buyers who want PCIe 5.0 graphics, Wi-Fi 7, 2.5GbE and a 20Gbps USB-C port on one board. It is less suited to extreme overclockers or anyone who needs several PCIe 5.0 drives.
AM5AMD B850ATX, 30.5 x 24.4 cmDDR5, 4 DIMM slots~£184.90typical UK price when we researched itSearch Amazon UK (opens in a new tab, affiliate link)
Affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Details
- #5
MSI MAG X870 TOMAHAWK WIFI
7.2/10verdict: good, not the bestThe MSI MAG X870 TOMAHAWK WIFI is for people building a high-end AM5 system around a Ryzen 9000 chip. It suits buyers who want USB4, Wi-Fi 7, 5G LAN and fast NVMe storage on one ATX board. It is a better fit for a single graphics card plus drives than for a build full of expansion cards.
AM5AMD X870ATX, 304.8 × 243.84 mmDDR5, 4 × UDIMM slots~£255typical UK price when we researched itSearch Amazon UK (opens in a new tab, affiliate link)
Affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Details
- #6
ASUS ROG STRIX B860-I GAMING WIFI
7.1/10verdict: good, not the bestThis is a Mini-ITX LGA1851 board for compact Intel builds that need a lot of fast I/O. It suits buyers who want Thunderbolt 4, a 20Gbps USB-C port and Wi-Fi 7 on a B860 platform. It is less suited to anyone who wants BIOS Flashback or needs settled memory behaviour.
LGA1851Intel B860Mini-ITXDDR5, 2 DIMM slots~£199.99typical UK price when we researched itSearch Amazon UK (opens in a new tab, affiliate link)
Affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Details
- #7
ASUS ROG STRIX B850-F GAMING WIFI
6.8/10verdict: good, not the bestThis board is for AMD AM5 builders who want a B850 ATX board with Wi-Fi 7, 2.5GbE and plenty of NVMe storage. It suits Ryzen 9000, 8000 and 7000 CPUs, including high-core chips, given its 16-phase CPU power design. It is a weaker fit for anyone who needs many SATA ports or rear USB4.
AM5AMD B850ATX, 12 x 9.6 inDDR5, 4 DIMM slots~£270.99typical UK price when we researched itSearch Amazon UK (opens in a new tab, affiliate link)
Affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Details
- #8
GIGABYTE B850 AORUS ELITE WIFI7 (Rev. 1.x)
6.7/10verdict: good, not the bestThis is an AM5 board for Ryzen 7000 and 9000 builders who want a full-size B850 platform with Wi-Fi 7 and 2.5GbE. It suits people who need several NVMe drives, PCIe 5.0 for the graphics card and a fast front USB-C port. It is less suited to anyone who needs rear USB faster than 10Gbps or still runs Windows 10.
AM5AMD B850ATXDDR5, 4 DIMM slots~£200typical UK price when we researched itSearch Amazon UK (opens in a new tab, affiliate link)
Affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Details
- #9
ASUS TUF GAMING B760-PLUS WIFI D4
6.4/10verdict: good, not the bestThis is an ATX B760 board for LGA1700 builders who want to keep using DDR4. It suits a general-purpose desktop or homelab workstation that needs several NVMe drives, 2.5GbE and a fast rear USB-C port. Buyers who want Wi-Fi 7, rear USB4 or advanced tuning tools should look at other boards.
LGA1700 for 14th, 13th and 12th Gen Intel…Intel B760ATX, 12 x 9.6 inDDR4, 4 DIMM slots~£189.99typical UK price when we researched itSearch Amazon UK (opens in a new tab, affiliate link)
Affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Details
- #10
GIGABYTE B650M AORUS ELITE AX
6.2/10verdict: good, not the bestThe GIGABYTE B650M AORUS ELITE AX is a micro ATX AM5 board for compact builds on Ryzen 7000, 8000 or 9000 processors. It suits buyers who want one PCIe 5.0 NVMe drive, 2.5GbE and built-in Wi-Fi. It fits a general-purpose desktop, a small workstation or a light homelab box that needs four SATA ports.
AM5AMD B650Micro ATX, 24.4 x 24.4 cmDDR5, 4 DIMM slots~£144.99typical UK price when we researched itSearch Amazon UK (opens in a new tab, affiliate link)
Affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Details
Questions
Which motherboard fits my CPU?
The socket must match: AMD Ryzen 7000 and 9000 use AM5, Ryzen 5000 uses AM4, Intel Core Ultra 200 uses LGA1851 and Intel 12th to 14th gen use LGA1700. Also check the board's BIOS supports your exact CPU.
ATX, Micro-ATX or Mini-ITX?
ATX has the most slots and ports. Micro-ATX is a little smaller and usually cheaper. Mini-ITX is for small cases and has one PCIe slot and two memory slots. Your case must support the board's size.