The 7 Best Gaming Motherboard and CPU Combo In 2022

With Intel and AMD at each other’s throats with their mainstream CPUs, it can be a bit hard to side with one of them. However, if you’ve selected your dream processor then pairing it up with a compatible motherboard is also a headache.

Furthermore, when building a battle station, the combination of motherboard and CPU matters a lot and if you’re going for a high-end build then you will need to spend a few extra bucks on the motherboard to get the best performance. 

Beginners often think that spending a bit too much on a motherboard is unnecessary because it doesn’t really affect the overall performance but little do they know that a decent motherboard offers much better performance and reliability. 

In this article, we’ll be going through the best gaming motherboard and CPU combo that you can find in the market, and since the release of Ryzen 9 chipsets, it gets a bit more intense.

But you don’t have to worry because we’ve done extensive research in finding the most suitable options for you.

Read on and find the best motherboard and CPU combo that will best fit your needs. 

Best Gaming Motherboard and CPU Combo

1. Ryzen 9 5950X & Asus Prime X570-Pro

Best Motherboard and CPU combo for Overclocking

With AMD’s latest lineup in the market, Ryzen 9 5950X is the fastest CPU  that you can get your hands on and when it’s backed with Asus Prime X570-Pro, this combo will blow the roof in every benchmarks software. 

Ryzen 9 5950X is based on Zen 3 architecture and this beast features 16 cores and 32 threads. With a base/boost clock of 3.4Ghz and 4.9Ghz. This processor, when combined with a decent graphics card, can show outstanding performance in the most graphically demanding games.

However, if you’re planning to overclock your CPU then you are going to need the Asus Prime X570-Pro to smoothly crank up the core speed because this motherboard has some exceptional overclocking abilities. 

The Asus Prime X570-Pro will fit perfectly with your Ryzen 5950X and it could handle everything that you will throw at it. X570-Pro features an AM4 socket that is compatible with Ryzen 5000 line-up and all the other chipsets from the previous generation. 

Specification-wise, X570-Pro comes with 4xDIMM slots, 2xPCIe 4.0 M.2 slots, and a pre-mounted I/O shield. Not to mention, Asus X570-Pro is also compatible with USB 3.2 and USB-C which makes it one of the most futureproof motherboards of this generation.

The snowy exterior with mount caps is also a good touch but you’ll have to pay a reasonable amount of money to get your hands on it. 

If you’re planning to overclock Ryzen 5950X then we suggest pairing it up with Asus X570-Pro because it features reliable VRMs that will efficiently control the power consumption which is handy when overclocking your processor. 

Additionally, it can handle up to 128GB DDR4 memory with a high frequency of up to 4400Mhz. It’s safe to say that Ryzen 9 5950X and Asus X570-Pro is one the best motherboard and CPU combo for overclocking.

Technical Specifications

2. Intel Core i9-10900K & ASUS ROG Maximus XII Hero Z490 

Best Motherboard and CPU combo for 4K Gaming

Intel Core i9-10900K is the latest mainstream processor from Intel and it is a beast. It cost a lot less than Ryzen 5950X and offers similar performance, especially when it comes to multi-tasking.

Moving on, Core i9-10900K features 10 cores and 20 threads which is quite low when compared to 3rd-gen Ryzen CPUs but its unusually fast core speed with a max boost of up to 5.3Ghz makes it up for the low cores count. 

Furthermore, Intel’s latest processors including the Core i9-10900K are based on 14nm technology which is a bummer because AMD has stepped up its game by dropping some well-performing 7nm chips over the last couple of years.

Nevertheless, Core i9-10900K is an outstanding chip and its performance will exceed your expectations. However, this one tends to run hot and that’s why we recommend a beefy AIO cooler to keep the temps on the down-low. 

When paired with Asus ROG Maximum XII Hero Z490, i9-10900k performs even better and its special features make your build futureproof for a really long time.

Asus ROG Maximum XII Hero Z490 is specifically designed for 10th-gen processors with an LGA-1200 socket, 4xDIMM slots that can handle up to 128GB of DDR4 RAM with up to 4800MHz frequency. 

ASUS ROG Maximus XII Hero Z490 is the ideal motherboard if you want to enjoy everything at cranked-up settings. 

Moreover,  ASUS ROG Maximus XII Hero Z490 features 3xM.2 slots along with 2-way SLI. Another perk of this Hero Z490 is that it is compatible with Wi-Fi 6 which means that you won’t be needing an ethernet cable to get access to the Internet.

It’s a pity that Hero Z490 is not compatible with USB Type-C but we’re getting support for USB 3.2 at least. 

In conclusion, Core i9-10900K and Hero Z490 would be an excellent combo, and aside from gaming, it would serve you well in designing and other heavy processing tasks. 

Technical Specifications

3. AMD Ryzen 9 3900X & Gigabyte X570 AORUS Master

Best Value 

If you’re not interested in spending an insane amount of money on your motherboard and CPU then here’s an option for you, AMD Ryzen 9 3900X paired with Gigabyte X570 AORUS Master.

This combination is just perfect if you want to get the best bang for the buck because when these two pair up, you will be pleased by their abilities to squeeze out every bit of performance. 

Ryzen 9 3900X is another beast that is priced at under $500 and it comes loaded with 12 cores and 24 threads that are more than enough to play some of the graphically-demanding games like Microsoft Flight Simulator and Red Dead Redemption 2 at ultra settings when backed with a decent graphics card. 

For 4K gaming, Ryzen 3900X is an ideal choice because it is less expensive than some overrated processors and offers a boost clock of up to 4.6Ghz, and gives the best value for the money.

It’s overclocking abilities will provide you with the opportunity to get the highest fps but you’ll need a proper cooling system and chassis if you’re planning to overclock it. 

When paired with X570 AORUS Master, things get a bit more interesting as this motherboard is perfectly capable of keeping up with the overclocking of the processor. Its reliable VRMs would surely hold up their end of the bargain and its 2-way SLI will let you reach the heights that you’ve never dreamed of. 

Specification-wise, Gigabyte X570 AORUS Master is a decent motherboard that is featured with 4xDIMM slots that can handle up to 128GB of memory. A bit of an overkill but for future references, it’s a good perk to have.

Furthermore, you will also find 3xM.2 slots as well along with compatibility for USB 3.1, Wi-Fi, RGB Fusion, and PCIe 4.0. 

Overall, this is one of the best motherboard and CPU combos that you’re going to find out there if you’re after the best value for money.

Technical Specifications

4. Intel Core i9-9900K & ROG Maximus XI Hero Z390 Motherboard

Most reliable Motherboard and CPU combo 

Intel Core i9-9900K is probably the best-selling high-end CPU from Intel because this one blew us away with its remarkable capabilities. Featuring 8 cores and 16 threads, Intel Core i9-9900K is one of the few processors that could hit a whopping 5.0Ghz core speed.

But, you’ll need a very modest cooling system to smoothly overclock the processor.

Everything that you will throw at this will be handled pretty easily and it might not have as many cores as Ryzen processors but, i9-9900K could give its competitors a run for their money.

Furthermore, I9-9900K also featured a dedicated GPU Intel UHD Graphics 630, which is a fair graphics card for small-time tasks. 

When locked in on ROG Maximum XI Hero Z390, the performance will go through the roof and you won’t be disappointed with your motherboard and CPU combo. Hero Z390 is a high-end motherboard that was specifically designed for 8th and 9th-gen processors.

Unfortunately, it only supports PCIe 3.0 which means that Nvidia’s 3000 series graphics card would underperform on this motherboard. Nevertheless, Hero Z390 has some pretty special perks that would leave you in awe.

Firstly, you can install up to 2 M.2 drives on this motherboard along with a 2-way SLI. With this board, you will be getting 4xDIMM slots that could handle up to 128GB of DDR4 memory with a frequency of 4100+ Mhz. 

For overclocking, the manufacturers have made sure to use high-quality VRMs to deliver the optimal overclocking experience. We’re not saying that Hero Z390 is perfect but, when you pair it up with Core i9-9900K, you won’t regret your decision. 

Technical Specifications

5. Intel Core i5-10400F & MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Plus

Best Mid-range Motherboard and CPU combo

If you’re in the market looking for a mid-range motherboard and CPU combo then Core i5-10400F and MSI Z490 Gaming Plus will serve you well. 

Starting off with the processor, i5-10400F is one of the mainstream 10th-gen processors from Intel and it offers the best value for money. Costing just under $200, i5-10400F is a powerful CPU with 6c/12t and a turbo clock of up to 4.3Ghz. Similar to other 10th-gen processors, i5-10400F heats up a lot and without a decent CPU cooler, I’m afraid that the CPU will die in a short span of time if you’re planning to overclock it. 

Intel Core i5-10400F is excellent at gaming and multi-tasking. Unlike the 9th gen processors, this one is very productive and its improved multithreading will save up a lot of time. Additionally, Core i5-10400F features an LGA1200 socket and that’s where the MSI Z490 comes in. 

MSI Z490 Gaming Plus is a budget-friendly option that will go perfectly with the Core i5-10400F processor. It’s a next-gen motherboard with a solid exterior and pre-mounted I/O shield that gives a very beasty look to the PC. MSI Z490 doesn’t offer the extra features like  2-way SLI or Wi-Fi that you get from extremely expensive motherboards but, this one will do the job for you. 

Additionally, Z490 features 4xDIMM slots that can hold up to 128GB of DDR4 memory along with 2xM.2 slots and compatibility with USB 3.2. For this price, we think that you will be quite satisfied with the purchase.  

Technical Specifications

6. AMD Ryzen 5 2600X & Asus ROG Strix B450-F

Best Cheap Motherboard and CPU combo

For our fellow gamers that are looking for the best mid-range motherboard and CPU combo, the mighty Ryzen 2600X backed with Asus Rog Strix B450-F is the best that you’re going to get. 

Probably the best-selling AMD processor, Ryzen 5 2600X does not need any introduction because every member of the PCMR is familiar with it. But, if you haven’t heard of it then here’s a bit of a backstory for you.

AMD Ryzen 5 2600X is a gaming processor with 6 cores and 12 threads that were released back in 2018, but it is still very much popular. Ryzen 2600X is a powerhouse and when it’s backed with decent graphics cards, you can expect a solid 60 fps gameplay on 2k resolution. 

Furthermore, Ryzen 2600X features a base clock of 3.6Ghz which can be overclocked up to 4.2Ghz. Overclocking this processor would squeeze out every bit of performance from this one but without an effective cooling system, we won’t recommend pushing down on the accelerator.

However, if you pair a Strix B450-F with it, the performance would exceed your expectations. 

Asus is known for its reliable and long-lasting products and with Rog Strix B450-F, you would get a similar treatment. Strix B450-F is a reasonably well-priced motherboard that will go perfectly with Ryzen 2600X.

It features 4xDIMM slots that can carry 128GB of DDR4 memory and the motherboard is also compatible with the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation of Ryzen processors. If you’ve planned on upgrading your CPU down the line then investing in this futureproof mobo would make a lot of sense. 

Additionally, you will also get a standard pre-mounted I/O shield, dual NVMe M.2 drives for high-speed bootups, and compatibility for USB 3.1.  No PCIe 4.0 or USB Type-C but for this price, we’re not complaining.

On the contrary, we think that Ryzen 2600X paired with Rog Strix B450-F would be an ideal motherboard CPU bundle for budget-orientated gamers. 

Technical Specifications

7. Intel Core i7-9700K & GIGABYTE Z390 AORUS Pro

Best Motherboard and CPU combo for Gaming

Pairing up Core i7-9700K and Gigabyte Z390 Aorus is definitely an overkill but if you’re not interested in breaking your bank then this is the best motherboard CPU combo for you. 

Starting off with the processor, Core i7-9700K is a 9th-gen processor from Intel’s Coffee Lake lineup. It features 8 cores and 8 threads and offers exceptional performance at both, single-core and multithreading tasks.

Furthermore, i7-9700K offers factory unlocked overclocking and it can peak at 4.9GHz with excellent temperatures.

Moreover, K series processors tend to run hot and we recommend installing a liquid cooling system to get the desired temperatures.

Price-wise, i7-9700K is a lot cheaper when compared with 10-gen processors and it offers similar performance. And when it’s paired with Z390 Aorus, you’ll witness the excellent performance of this duo. 

Gigabyte Z390 Aorus Pro offers the best bang for the buck and it supports every 8th and 9th-gen Intel processor. Specification wise, Z390 Aorus Pro features dual M.2 slots along with 4xDIMM slots that can support up to 128GB of DDR4 memory.

Additionally, Z390 Aorus Pro is known to have reliable VRMs that will really come in handy when you’re overclocking your rig. 

Z390 Aorus Pro also comes with a thermal shield which will significantly improve the temps and this feature alone makes it one of the best motherboards for overclocking 9th-gen processors. Additionally, a pre-installed I/O shield also comes with the motherboard.

For this price, Z390 Aorus Pro is definitely a steal. 

Technical Specifications

Bonus: AMD Ryzen 7 3800X & MSI MPG X570 + Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB

Best Combination for 3D Rendering 

If you’re planning to build a PC for under $1000 then Ryzen 7 3800X paired with MSI MPH X570 would offer the best value for money. Ryzen 7 3800X is a high-end CPU that features 8 cores and 16 threads.

When backed with 16 gigs of DDR4 Corsair Vengeance memory and MSI MPG X570 motherboard, everything that you will throw at this combination will run flawlessly.

MSI X570 is the cheapest motherboard that you can find to pair up with Ryzen 7 3800X that offers reliable overclocking abilities and compatibility for PCIe 4.0.

Furthermore, you’ll also find an M.2 slot along with compatibility for USB 3.2, HDMI, and 2-way SLI. A small fan at the corner of the mobo is also a good touch to reduce the temperatures.

For gaming purposes, this combo backed with a graphics card from RTX 3000 series would serve you well for many years to come. 

Technical Specifications

Conclusion 

Finding a futureproof Motherboard and CPU combination is a bit harder than you might think, and with AMD and Intel constantly releasing new CPU lineups, it’s like finding a needle in a haystack. But, these are some of the best motherboard CPU combinations that are currently available in the market and if you manage to get your hands on any one of them, you’ll be very pleased with your purchase.