In today’s age of technology, a high-quality motherboard is essential for building a high-performance computer tailored to your specific needs.
If you’re trying to assemble a custom PC or seeking expert assistance for computer repairs Canberra, having the right motherboard ensures optimal performance and longevity.
With a multitude of options available on the market, finding the perfect motherboard can be a daunting task. To help you navigate this landscape, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 leading motherboard manufacturers to consider and some of the emerging motherboard manufacturing companies you can look into.
Understanding Motherboard
A Motherboard is a printed circuit panel that contains the principal components of a computer or other device, having connectors for other circuit boards to be slotted into.
It’s the main circuit board that connects every component from the CPU and RAM to the graphics card and storage drives, allowing them to communicate and work together as a single system.
The List of Top 10 Leading Motherboard Manufacturers in the World
Choosing the correct motherboard is necessary to build a high-performance computer that will work best for all your needs without problems.
Here is the list of the top 10 leading motherboard manufacturers to consider for building a high-performance computer to your specific needs.
1. ASUS
ASUS, a Taiwanese multinational, is renowned for its high-performance motherboards and innovative design.
Since its inception in 1989, ASUS has built a reputation for innovation and reliability.
In addition to their many creations, ASUS motherboards are celebrated for their robust build quality and advanced features, including superior RGB software.
ASUS motherboards are favoured by gamers and many others, making them at the forefront of the industry.
Famous Models
- ASUS ROG Strix Z690-E: Known for its excellent overclocking capabilities and high-end performance.
- ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero: Offers top-tier features for enthusiasts and gamers.
- ASUS TUF Gaming B650-PLUS: Provides durability and reliability with military-grade components.
Interesting Fact
In 1990, ASUS developed a motherboard for the Intel 486 processor without Intel’s design schematics. Their impressive prototype led Intel to provide ASUS with early access to future processors, solidifying ASUS’s position in the industry.
2. MSI
Founded in 1986, MSI offers a broad range of motherboards catering to different needs and budgets.
MSI motherboards are recognised for their quality, stability, and advanced cooling solutions. Their distinctive designs appeal to a broad audience, including both enthusiasts and casual gamers.
Famous Models
- MSI MPG Z690 Carbon: Combines high performance with a sleek design.
- MSI MEG Z790 Ace: Features exceptional power delivery and cooling options.
- MSI MPG B650I Edge: Ideal for compact builds without compromising on performance.
Interesting Fact
MSI was one of the first manufacturers to introduce the “Frozr Heatsink” design for M.2 SSDs on their motherboards. This dedicated cooling solution with a heat spreader and heat pipe was developed to combat thermal throttling in high-speed NVMe drives, ensuring they maintain peak performance even under heavy load.
3. Gigabyte Technology
Gigabyte offers a wide array of motherboards known for their durability and innovative features.
They continually introduce new technologies, such as advanced cooling and RGB lighting.
Their AORUS series is famous among gamers, featuring superior overclocking abilities and many other noticeable features.
Gigabyte is also known for its strong emphasis on user-friendly BIOS and software interfaces.
Famous Models
- Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Master: High performance with extensive connectivity options.
- Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Ultra: Known for its overclocking potential and premium features.
- Gigabyte B650I Aorus Ultra: Compact and feature-rich, ideal for small form-factor builds.
Interesting Fact
Gigabyte pioneered the “Ultra Durable” technology, which introduced 2x the amount of copper in the motherboard’s power and ground layers of the PCB. This innovation significantly improved power delivery efficiency and heat dissipation, which was a crucial step in the evolution of motherboard reliability and overclocking stability.
4. ASRock
It is known for providing strong performance at an affordable price.
Their emphasis on unique features, including ultra-durable components and high-fidelity audio systems, makes them an obvious choice for builders on a budget.
In recent years, they have been in a tight race with MSI and Gigabyte for the second and third spots, and sometimes fall to fourth.
It’s more accurate to say they are one of the top four major consumer brands.
ASRock motherboards have been known in the industry for their versatile and wide array of applications.
Famous Models
- ASRock Z790 Taichi: Combines high-end features with a unique design.
- ASRock X570 Phantom Gaming X: Offers excellent performance for AMD setups.
- ASRock B650E Steel Legend WiFi: Balances cost and performance for mid-range builds.
Interesting Fact
ASRock was a pioneer in bringing features typically reserved for high-end motherboards, such as Thunderbolt support on AMD motherboards to more affordable product lines, democratising advanced connectivity for a wider range of PC builders.
5. Biostar
Biostar, based in Taipei, is well-regarded for its budget-friendly motherboards that offer good performance for lower-end systems.
They are particularly appealing to DIY builders, offering both gaming and home-computing needs.
Famous Models
- Biostar Z790A-SILVER: Provides solid performance for its price.
- Biostar B760T-SILVER: Budget-friendly with decent features for everyday use.
- Biostar B760MX2-E PRO D4: A reliable choice for basic computing needs.
Interesting Fact
Biostar is a veteran in the motherboard industry, founded in 1986. While not a top contender in the high-end market, they have consistently held a niche as a genuine, budget-friendly option for DIY builders.
6. Intel
Intel is a major player in the semiconductor industry, known for its dominant role in manufacturing processors and chipsets.
These chipsets serve as the foundation for the motherboards created by other companies, ensuring seamless integration and optimal performance with Intel’s CPUs. Intel does not, however, manufacture or sell motherboards for the consumer retail market.
Famous Models
Intel no longer sells motherboards to the general public, but its chipsets are the backbone of many of the world’s most popular motherboards. Examples include:
- MSI MPG Z790 Edge WiFi: An MSI motherboard built around Intel’s Z790 chipset.
- ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero: An ASUS motherboard that features Intel’s Z790 chipset for enthusiasts.
- ASRock Z790 PG-ITX: A compact ASRock motherboard that uses Intel’s Z790 chipset.
Interesting Fact
In 2013, Intel made the strategic decision to exit the consumer desktop motherboard business to focus on its core competencies of developing processors and chipsets. This shift was a significant event in the PC industry, as it fully opened up the market for other manufacturers to innovate and compete.
7. HP
Hewlett-Packard (HP) is a major global manufacturer of personal computers, but they are an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM).
This means they design and produce proprietary motherboards exclusively for their own pre-built systems, such as their OMEN gaming desktops and Pavilion PCs.
These motherboards are not sold separately for custom PC builds and are often incompatible with standard components due to their unique form factors and connectors.
Famous Models
HP does not sell standalone motherboards on the retail market, so there are no “famous models” for custom builders.
The models often listed online are part numbers for motherboards found inside complete HP desktop systems.
For example, the HP 586968-001 is a specific motherboard that was designed only for the HP Z400 Workstation.
Interesting Facts
HP’s decision to use proprietary motherboards is a key part of its business strategy. By manufacturing their own, they can optimise the design for a specific PC case and a limited set of components. This helps them streamline production, reduce costs, and offer a more consistent user experience for their pre-built systems.
8. Dell
Dell is a leader in producing complete PCs for both consumers and businesses.
Like other OEMs, Dell designs and manufactures proprietary motherboards that are tightly integrated with the cases and components of its systems, such as the Alienware, XPS, and OptiPlex lines.
These boards are engineered for reliability within a controlled ecosystem, but they are not available for custom PC builders.
Famous Models
Dell does not sell motherboards on the retail market, so there are no “famous models” for the DIY community. Here are some famous names of entire computer systems.
- Dell Studio XPS 8900: This is a high-performance desktop PC, not a motherboard.
- Dell Latitude E5470: This is a business-class laptop that uses a specific, proprietary motherboard.
- Dell OptiPlex 9020 MT Mini Tower: This is a complete corporate desktop PC.
Interesting Fact
Dell’s proprietary motherboards are designed to work only with Dell’s own components, including the case, power supply, and sometimes even the front panel cables.
9. Acer
While Acer is better known for its laptops and desktops, it produces motherboards that emphasise integration and reliability.
These motherboards offer good speed and quality, though they may have fewer expansion slots than competitors.
Famous Models
- Acer Predator G3610: Ideal for high-end gaming builds.
- Acer E946GZ: A dependable choice for various computing needs.
- Acer MCP73T-AD: Provides solid performance in a budget-friendly package.
Interesting Fact
Acer motherboards are rigorously tested to ensure reliability and performance under demanding conditions.
10. IBM
IBM, known for its hardware and networking equipment, offers motherboards that cater to a variety of needs, including gaming and business applications. IBM is a remarkable name in the industry.
Famous Models
- IBM Netvista 25090: Known for compatibility and reliability.
- IBM Genuine ThinkCentre M81: Provides solid performance for business environments.
- IBM Planar System Board Dual E5-2600: Designed for high-performance computing.
Interesting Fact
IBM’s motherboards are designed to integrate seamlessly with their enterprise-level systems, making them ideal for professional use.
Other Specialised & Emerging Motherboard Manufacturers in The World
While the top 10 brands dominate the market, a number of other manufacturers have carved out important niches by specialising in unique designs, server-grade stability, or extreme value.
These specialised and emerging brands are often the best choice for builders with a specific purpose in mind, from creating a minimalist, aesthetic build to a rock-solid workstation or a highly affordable entry-level PC.
1. Colorful
Colorful is the rising star from Asia, and is a dominant force in the Chinese and broader Asian PC component market, particularly for graphics cards.
While a newer player in Western markets, their motherboards are gaining recognition for their unique designs, competitive pricing, and solid performance.
Colourful’s boards are known for their distinctive aesthetics, often featuring unique colour schemes and intricate designs.
The “iGame” and “Battle-Ax” series are their most popular lines, targeting the gaming market.
They offer a compelling alternative to the mainstream brands by providing a similar feature set, including advanced cooling and high-speed networking, often at a more attractive price.
2. EVGA
For years, EVGA was a revered name in the enthusiast community, celebrated for its premium-quality motherboards, power supplies, and graphics cards.
The brand earned a reputation for exceptional customer service and a focus on overclocking and high-end features.
EVGA’s “Dark” and “Kingpin” series motherboards were legendary in the overclocking world, designed with specialised layouts and robust power delivery systems to break performance records.
However, in late 2022, EVGA made the decision to exit the graphics card market and has since scaled back its motherboard production, making its products highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts.
3. NZXT
NZXT built its reputation on sleek, minimalist PC cases and AIO liquid coolers.
They extended this design philosophy to their motherboards, creating a small but focused product line that prioritises a clean aesthetic and user-friendly features.
NZXT’s “N7” and “N9” series motherboards are their core offerings. They are distinguished by full-coverage metallic shrouds that hide the circuit board and create a seamless look.
While they don’t offer the extreme overclocking features of an ASUS ROG board, they provide all the necessary performance for a high-end gaming or productivity PC.
4. Supermicro
Supermicro is a global leader in the enterprise and server market.
Their reputation is built on uncompromising reliability, longevity, and support for professional-grade components like Intel Xeon and AMD EPYC processors.
While their primary business is B2B, they have a small but significant consumer presence through their “SuperO” line of gaming and enthusiast motherboards.
Supermicro’s consumer boards often leverage the robust engineering from their server division.
This means they feature high-quality components, powerful VRMs, and extensive I/O options.
However, their BIOS and software can be less user-friendly than mainstream gaming brands, as they are often designed with server administrators in mind.
Conclusion
Choosing the right motherboard depends on your specific needs and budget.
For high-end performance and cutting-edge features, brands like ASUS, MSI, and Gigabyte are top choices.
At ASA Computers, we specialise in helping you select the motherboard that perfectly fits your needs.
Whether you’re looking for a high-performance setup for gaming or a budget-friendly option for everyday tasks, our experts can guide you through the options based on your requirements.
With our extensive knowledge and personalised support, you can make an informed decision and ensure your computer is built with the right components for optimal performance.
FAQ’s
What is the best motherboard brand for gaming?
There is no single “best” brand for gaming; the top brands are in a constant battle for the top spot.
Experts and enthusiasts generally agree that four companies lead the market: ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte, and ASRock.
What is the difference between Intel and AMD motherboards?
The fundamental difference is that they are not interchangeable.
The motherboard you choose must have a socket that is compatible with the CPU you have.
How much is the Motherboard market share by company?
The motherboard market is heavily consolidated, with the four primary brands, ASUS, Gigabyte, MSI, and ASRock, collectively holding an estimated 60 to 70% of the global market share.
Smaller companies like Biostar and Colourful, along with a number of niche players, compete for the remaining share, often in regional or budget-focused markets.
Who manufactures motherboards for pre-built PCs (OEMs)?
Pre-built PC manufacturers like Dell, HP, and Lenovo do not typically buy motherboards from ASUS, MSI, or Gigabyte for their consumer lines.
Instead, they design and manufacture their own proprietary motherboards specifically for their systems.
These “OEM” motherboards often have unique layouts, non-standard connectors, and limited upgrade paths.
What is the difference between Z790, B760, and H710 motherboards?
These codes represent different Intel chipsets, which define the features and capabilities of a motherboard.
The key differences lie in their intended use, price, and feature set.
- Z790 is the flagship chipset designed for gamers and power users who want maximum performance and overclocking capabilities.
- B760 is the sweet spot for most users and provides excellent performance for gaming and everyday tasks, but at a more affordable price.
- H710 is designed for basic office PCs or very low-budget builds. It has limited connectivity, fewer USB and SATA ports, and minimal expansion slots.
What motherboard form factor should I choose?
The form factor determines the physical size of the motherboard and the type of case it fits into.
The three most common form factors are ATX, Micro-ATX, and Mini-ITX.
- You can choose ATX if you want a full-size PC with maximum expandability, including multiple graphics cards, numerous M.2 drives, and several expansion slots for sound cards or capture cards.
- Micro-ATX (mATX) is a smaller form factor that balances size and features. If you want a more compact PC than a full ATX tower, but still need enough room for a powerful GPU and a few expansion cards.
- Mini-ITX (mITX) if you want to build a tiny, space-saving PC, such as a home theatre system or a small gaming rig that can fit on a desk.
