Looking to build a gaming PC on a budget? Choosing the best motherboard under $100 is crucial for maximizing performance without breaking the bank. A quality budget motherboard lays the foundation for an affordable yet powerful gaming rig. The right cheap motherboard will provide essential features like ample RAM support, PCIe slots for graphics cards, and overclocking capabilities at a reasonable price point.
In this guide, we’ll showcase some top-budget motherboard options under $100 for gaming PCs. Our recommendations include the best cheap motherboards for Intel and AMD rigs, whether you need a platform for an i3 or Ryzen 3 CPU. With robust power delivery, heat dissipation, and connectivity options, these affordable motherboards prove you don’t need to spend big to get a feature-rich foundation for budget gaming.
If you want to stretch your dollars further when building a value gaming PC, check out our picks for the best budget motherboards under $100. You can maximize performance and component compatibility with the right affordable board without breaking your budget.
[ Top 3 Picks ]
Affordable Best Motherboard Under $100
- Ultra-durable PCIe 4.0
- HQ Audio Capacitors
- RGB FUSION 2.0
- Gaming GbE LAN
- On-board 8-channel
- 5X Protection III
- FanXpert 2+
- Support 8th Gen
Related: How To Clean a Motherboard
List Of 7 Top-Notch Best Motherboards Under 100
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | Rating | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
|
GIGABYTE B550M DS3H |
9.7
|
Check on Amazon |
 |
MSI B365M PRO-VDH |
9.6
|
Check on Amazon |
|
ASUS PRIME B360M-A |
9.5
|
Check on Amazon |
 |
GIGABYTE B450 AORUS M |
9.6
|
Check on Amazon |
 |
ASRock B450M STEEL LEGEND |
9.5
|
Check on Amazon |
 |
GIGABYTE GA-A320M-S2H |
9.4
|
Check on Amazon |
 |
ASUS LGA 1151 (Socket H4) Micro ATX |
9.2
|
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1. GIGABYTE B550M DS3H
Best B550 Mobo Under 100
The GIGABYTE B550M DS3H Motherboard would be a great purchase for those who don’t want to compromise over the performance at a budget-centric price. This motherboard is powered by a 3rd generation processor that makes the performance exclusive.
The construction is manufactured with a Micro ATX form factor that makes it stand out for the best motherboard under 100. It supports PCIe Generation 4.0 that added worth to your investment. For the PCI-e 4.0, it delivers high speed so you can get a faster connection in the best way possible.
It allows convenience with PCI-E 4.0, so you will not face any problems regarding peripheral devices. If you don’t know about an x8 PCIe 4.0, Let us tell you that a PCIe 4.0 ensures the same bandwidth. Not only that, it allows lots of port connections such as DVI ports, HDMI ports, USB ports, and audio jacks. On the inner side, there are PCI-E x16 slots and others.
Looking for the storage, it allows two M.2 slots that increased the functionality of the PCI-E system. What’s makes it more remarkable about the system? It runs super-fast by adding extra bandwidth. Moreover, there are lots of I/O connectors so that you can get better headers and much more. Besides that, it ensures the overall quality that you are finding for the best motherboard under $100.
- Support 3rd gen Ryzen
- Great water cooling
- Highly durable
- Outstanding audio
- Does not support ryzen 5 3400g
Verdict:
Above all, the GIGABYTE B550M DS3H Motherboard uses a 5+3 phase design, onboard connectors, and enhances performance to get the ultimate visual experience. Best of all, it ensures a lineup of features with solid construction and dual functionality.
Also Read: Micro ATX vs Mini ITX
2. MSI B365M PRO-VDH
Best Value Motherboard Under $100
The MSI ProSeries Intel B365 LGA ATX Motherboard is powered by 8th and 9th gen processors. Since it is offering LGA 1151 socket, it ensures CPU configuration that added worth in money. It is integrated with 4 DDR4 memory slots with 2666MHz of overlocking speed. Not only that, but it also allows onboard graphics on the back panel.
When it comes to the back panel, it includes a keyboard/mouse port, VGA port, HDMI port, LAN port, USB ports, USB Type C port, and much more. Added to that, it allows internal I/O connections such as ATX main power connector, Pin ATX 12V power connector, USB connector, and much more.
The storage options include M.2 SATA connection. Not only that, it ensures 6 SATA 3.6 Gbps connections to add lots of storage for you. Along with that, this motherboard allows three years of warranty. In addition to this, this system comes with a cooling system to have a reliable performance.
Moreover, the unit has a solid and heavy heatsink that added control to its cooling system. It has one PCI-E x16 connection included for an add-on graphics card that will give you the best bang for your bucks. As far as the DIY-friendly motherboards, it is designed with tons of innovative features. Unlike a complex setup, it allows a convenient format and makes you get an ever-lasting gaming experience.
- Entry-level set up
- Lots of Port options
- Reliable performance
- Easy to set up
- No-Wi-Fi
Verdict:
Overall, the MSI ProSeries Intel B365 LGA ATX Motherboard has fascinating features. It allows convenient and smart design. Along with that, it provides stereo sound so you can enjoy sound quality without any interruption. Without any disruption, it ensures easy installation.
Read Next: Gigabyte Vs MSI
3. ASUS PRIME B360M-A
Best Budget Micro Atx Motherboard
The ASUS Prime B360M-A Motherboard comes renowned because of its high quality featuring. Before going to its specifications, let us tell you that the ASUS brand is the most reliable. There is no need to introduce this brand because it allows surprising products. This model is among one of them.
The standout feature is that it is recommended for a relatively smaller gaming PC. Hence you will get the best experience. Not only that, it allows 4 GB of RAM slot along with 64 GB of memory that added high functionality. More thanks to its M.2 slots, you will get extra support for storage. Along with that, it also allows you 6 SATA ports to attach the HDDs and SSDs.
Plenty of storage options apart, this model comes with reliability for the Intel 8400 CPU. You can also pair it with the 8th or 9th gen processors. Besides that, there are many port connections available such as HDMI, USB, DVI, VGA, USB Type C port. Hence, this model would be the best motherboard under $100 available on the market from design to performance.
A robust, yet straightforward design is provided by this device. Like other high-quality motherboards, there are all features such as cooling controls, onboard audio to get surround sound, automated system tuning. Beyond its high-quality manufacturing, it improves memory, compatibility as well as stability.
- Improved memory
- Fast NVMe speed
- BIOS is easy to use
- Solid construction
- Manual instructions are not clear
Verdict:
Added to that, the ASUS Prime B360M-A Motherboard has convenient features that you can’t get at such an affordable price quickly. With lots of slots, it ensures super compatibility to enhance connectivity. All in all, it lets you get a warm experience with immersive sound.
Also Read: ASUS vs MSI Motherboards
4. GIGABYTE B450 AORUS M
Best Budget AMD Motherboard
The GIGABYTE B450 AORUS M Motherboard allows you are cutting-edge functionality at such a lower price. It is powered from first to third so that you will get smooth functionality. However, you have to remember one thing that, it only supports PCI-E 3.0 platform processors. Best of all, this motherboard is known for the AORUS series that ensures the highest performance.
When it comes to the ports, there are lots of options available. You will find a keyboard or mouse port, HDMI, DVI, USB ports, six audio jacks, and much more. While on the other side, you will get an ATX main power connector and many different options.
As opposed to other models, this unit lacks high-quality audio capacitors and an audio noise guard. RGB fusion allows digital LED and LED headers to get a thrilling experience. Thanks to its great sound that ensures less noise. Moreover, there are featuring smart fan 5 with fan stop.
Besides that, this model is offering 3 years of warranty that added worth to your investment. There are featured slots such as 1 PCI-E x16 and PCI-E x4 to get a smooth quality. However, the storage is enough due to the M.2 high-speed SSD configuration. Hence you can extend it. With 64 GB of DDR4 at 3600MHz, it does a great job.
- Great cooling
- Outstanding construction
- Offers warranty
- USB C Port
- No on-board Wi-Fi
Verdict:
This is an AUROS board, but it’s not exactly the most expensive one because you are used to being reserved for the most expensive gigabyte boards. Still, it has since trickled down to their cheaper lower-end motherboard and graphics cards, so even though this brand is yours, don’t expect too much it’s still just a sub 100$ board. So it’s not the fanciest board. I don’t recommend it if you do heavy overclocking with this board, but you can do other tasks as well.
5. ASRock B450M Steel Legend
Best AM4 Motherboard Under 100
The ASRock B450M STEEL LEGEND Motherboard allows special functions that you need. The best thing is that it is powered with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gen processors that make it super functional. However, there is no PCI-E 4.0 that might be necessary for the Ryzen 3rd gen chips. Besides that, this motherboard ensures excellent quality of features that what you are looking for.
It includes a back panel such as a keyboard port, HDMI port, display port, USB ports, microphone, and central/bass/line-in/front speaker/rear speaker jacks. These connections ensure super functionality. Apart from the external connectors, there are internal connections that offer port headers, speaker headers, USB ports, and much more.
Other than that, this motherboard allows storage options. It also offers PCIe slots such as PCIeX16, PCI-Ex4, and more. Hence this featuring is pretty normal for customers. What’s additional? The VRM cooling is not up to the mark, but it is pretty decent. For those who want this motherboard for 8-core, then they might have a blower-style CPU cooler.
Besides that, it comes with a BIOS that works well and is easy to manage. It also ensures RGB lightning and plenty of settings with decent audio quality so you can turn it off. Besides, this unit offers matchless durability, premium quality, and lots of connections so you can have a dream experience.
- Decent cooling
- Amazing storage options
- RGB works great
- Noob friendly
- Lacks premium audio
Verdict:
To sum up the ASRock B450M STEEL LEGEND Motherboard review, we are happy to say that this unit looks great with decent RGBs, multi-graphics support, and much more. Not only that, there are lots of port connections such as USB C.
Also Read: Best DDR3 Motherboard
6. GIGABYTE GA-A320M-S2H
Best Gaming Motherboard Under 100
Next up, we have the GIGABYTE A320M-S2H Motherboard, which is famous for many reasons: it makes you fall in love with this unit. Out of the fantastic features, it ensures NVME hard drives that are inexpensive added worth your investment.
The appealing feature is its support with BIOS version F51 that makes it suitable for Ryzen 3rd Generation. Not only that, but it is also compatible with 7th gen A-series and AMD ryzen. You will love its DDR4 dual-channel memory along with 2 DIMMs chipsets.
More than that, it is providing the highest quality of audio capacitors that minimizes the noise with the overclocking speed of 3200MHz. Unlike other models, this motherboard is easy to start and never makes anything hassle. There are H/W monitoring, fan speed detection, voltage detection, temp detection, Overheating control, and much more.
Besides that, it is the best motherboard under $100 dollars, which supports BIOS, easy tune, Fast Boot, On/Off Charge, and much more. There is 5 smart fan that controls the temperature so you can get the smooth experience of gaming. For enhanced performance, it is featured with M.2 slots that ensure faster storage and functionality.
Hence, if you are looking for a high-quality motherboard without breaking your band, it is a dime. Due to its fast and speedy GUI BIOS, this motherboard is easy to install and looks crisp.
- High-end audio
- Supportive ports
- Reduces noise
- Smart fan 5 feature
- No RGB connectors for fan
Verdict:
All in all, the GIGABYTE A320M is supportive for 2nd Gen AMD Ryzen, Ryzen with Radeon Vega Graphics, 1st gen, 7th gen a-series processors, and much more. It has a smart fan 5 feature nut and allows cFosSpeed internet accelerator software with fast onboard storage for port compatibility. Hence, we can say that it is the best motherboard for gaming under $100.
7. ASUS LGA 1151 (Socket H4) Micro ATX
Budget Gaming Motherboard
The Asus LGA 1151 Micro ATX Motherboard is offering reliable features with a gorgeous design. It ensures flexibility and a beautiful foundation so you can get more than your expectations. The best thing about the motherboard is that it is perfectly available on the budget. Unlike other models, it would be an excellent purchase for firewall applications.
What’s additional? This motherboard allows 5 x protection III hardware-level safeguards that enhance reliability and longevity. The outstanding feature is its FanXpert2+ that ensures dynamic cooling no matter how intensely you are using your system. For increased performance, it added memory stability and improved trace isolation. There is onboard 8 channel HD audio that increases immersive sound quality.
You will love its overclocking speed, which is 2666MHz. Thus, it is a bit slow, but you will get stable performance without interruptions. Moreover, there are flexible controls against ultimate cooling. Like other high-end motherboards, it has a connector for RGB LED strips and multiple hardware safeguards. Hence, it is the best micro atx motherboard under 100 to get an ever-glowing experience for gaming.
Furthermore, this unit added flexibility by offering USB port connections and ensures ultra-fast speed. Added to that, it provides M.2 support, so you can extend the memory whenever you want. Besides that, this motherboard does an outstanding job for quality and performance.
- Advanced cooling system
- Value for money
- Three years warranty
- 64 GB DDR4 memory
- Bit slow
Verdict:
The Asus LGA 1151 Micro Atx Motherboard is compatible with 8th gen processors. It does provide three years of warranty so you can conveniently use its features without making discomfort. Moreover, there are dedicated chipsets, onboard graphic output, and much more.
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8. ASRock H370 Performance LGA1151
As a budget-conscious PC builder, I always look for motherboards that provide great value without breaking the bank. The ASRock H370 Performance was an affordable yet well-equipped Intel motherboard for under $100. After hands-on testing, I can confirm it’s one of the best motherboards under $100 currently available.
This ATX motherboard features the Intel H370 chipset, ready for 8th-generation Intel Core processors like the i3-8100. It handled the quad-core i3 CPU smoothly in my testing, even when multi-tasking and gaming. The four DIMM slots let me install 16GB of fast DDR4 RAM. There’s also plenty of capacity for storage drives and expansion cards.
One of the things that most impressed me was the advanced power design for stable power delivery to the CPU. This includes a 10-power phase design and heatsinks to keep temperatures down. Overclocking capabilities are also decent for a sub-$100 motherboard.
Connectivity checks all the right boxes with USB 3.1 Gen2, USB 3.0, gigabit LAN, and HD audio. The ASRock H370 Performance packs quite a punch for builders on a strict budget.
Pros:
- Intel H370 chipset under $100
- Supports 8th gen Intel CPUs
- 10 power phase CPU power design
- Good overclocking potential
- USB 3.1 and 3.0 connectivity
Cons:
- Limited to 8th gen Intel processors
- No RGB lighting
If you’re seeking a fully-featured yet inexpensive LGA1151 motherboard, the ASRock H370 Performance is a leading choice under $100. It brings welcome extras like sturdy power delivery and overclocking to the budget category.
9. Gigabyte A520M AORUS Elite
As an AMD builder on a budget, I was excited to test the Gigabyte A520M AORUS Elite motherboard. Priced under $100, this micro ATX board delivers a robust feature set for affordable AMD gaming builds. After setting up a system with a Ryzen 5 3600 CPU, I’m impressed by how much performance this budget board squeezes from AMD’s Zen 2.
Right away, the 8+3 phase digital VRM power design stands out for stable power delivery to the CPU, even when overclocking. Thermal performance is also excellent thanks to the large aluminum heatsinks keeping temps in check. It even has features like PCIe 4.0 and USB 3.2 Gen 2 connectivity.
Performance was smooth and snappy in gaming, multimedia editing, and productivity workloads. The dual M.2 slots simplify installing fast NVMe SSD storage, while 4x DIMM slots allow for 64GB of dual-channel DDR4 RAM. Networking and sound are covered with an Intel LAN chip and ALC887 audio.
If you’re seeking a feature-packed AM4 motherboard without breaking the bank, the Gigabyte A520M AORUS Elite is easily among the best motherboards under $100.
Pros:
- AMD A520 platform under $100
- Strong 8+3 phase digital VRM
- PCIe 4.0 and USB 3.2 Gen 2
- Two M.2 and four RAM slots
- Reliable performance with Ryzen 3000
Cons:
- Limited CPU overclocking potential
- No integrated graphics port
This affordable yet well-equipped motherboard is an outstanding value for budget AMD builders. The Gigabyte A520M AORUS Elite punches above its class under $100.
10. MSI PRO A620M-E ProSeries Motherboard
As an early adopter of AMD’s new AM5 platform, I was eager to test an affordable motherboard option for Ryzen 7000 CPUs. The MSI PRO A620M-E was a sub-$100 mATX board ready for the latest Ryzen. After installing a Ryzen 5 7600X, I’m impressed with how well this budget board keeps up.
The PRO A620M-E offers out-of-the-box support for Ryzen 7000 processors, plus DDR5 memory up to 6400MHz when overclocking. There are two DIMM slots for up to 32GB of RAM. The six-phase VRM design delivers smooth power to the CPU, even when pushing past stock speeds.
There are four SATA ports and one PCIe 4.0 M.2 slot up to Gen4 speeds for storage. Connectivity includes HDMI, DVI-D, USB 3.2 Gen 1, 2.5GbE LAN, and HD audio. My testing showed performance well in gaming, content creation, and multitasking scenarios.
Considering its sub-$100 price tag, the MSI PRO A620M-E packs a punch. This micro ATX board checked all the boxes, providing a solid foundation for an AMD AM5 gaming rig on a budget.
Pros:
- AMD AM5 support under $100
- DDR5 and PCIe 4.0 ready
- Decent 6-phase CPU power design
- M.2 Gen4 and 2.5GbE LAN
- mATX form factor
Cons:
- Limited RAM and M.2 capacity
- No integrated graphics
If you want to adopt AMD’s latest platform on a tight budget, the PRO A620M-E is a leading value pick under $100. MSI should have cut corners on the essentials for AMD AM5.
How To Choose Best Motherboard [Buying Guide]
You probably won’t be able to find one motherboard that meets all your requirements if you’re looking for a budget-centric model. So there are certain features that you need to consider, such as:
Future-Proofing:
There are lots of features that added worth to your investment by saving extra bucks in the future. For instance, if you are interested in Ethernet for gaming, you should check USB connections such as USB 3.1 Gen 2 or Thunderbolt 3 support.
Memory Support:
The following important feature is the memory that should be a minimum of 4GB. In addition to this, it lets you get 16 GB RAM sticks for a total of 32 GB. However, if your motherboard has 4 RAM slots, then you can add 8 GB of sticks. Not only that, you can run the dual-channel because it depends on the individual or budget preferences.
Expansion Slots:
Out of crucial factors, the expansion slots are worth considering. It would be good to go with PCI E slots for your graphics cards. Not only that, you should high speed storage solutions. Moreover, you should get the connectors for display. So you should check the ports. Furthermore, you have to get USB 3.1 and SATA ports for data transfer, SSD, and HDD.
Aesthetics Looks:
Never compromise over the aesthetic; either you are going to buy high-end models or budget-friendly. However, we recommend you get RGB lighting that makes the appealing cool. What’s more? You can sync the color with different PC parts and peripheral devices such as mice, headphones, and keyboards.
Headers:
If you want to control the thermals better, you need to sync the headers with the processor fan. Additionally, you can tune them for better air circulation to get a silent operation.
Price Check:
Lastly, you have to check the price. It depends on the factors that a unit can provide. The features decide how much a cost of the product. However, it would be best if you did not compromise on the functionality.
Related: Best Motherboard For i7 7700k
FAQs
Are Cheap Motherboards Bad?
Price is not always the thing to consider. There are lots of factors that you have to look at. First of all, you should look for your requirements and go for the features you need. There are lots of cheap motherboards available at such a lower price than you can imagine.
What Is The Best Motherboard To Buy On a Budget?
- First of all, you should check the form factor.
- Then you need to look at a processor socket.
- After that, memory, slots, and ports are worth considering.
- Lastly, headers, SATA, aesthetics, and price are essential.
Should The Best Motherboard Cost More Than Your CPU?
Yes, the motherboard is costs a bit more than the CPU, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find it for less price. You can check out choices for the best motherboard under 100 by scrolling above.
Does RAM increase FPS?
You may gain more FPS when you add more RAM under certain conditions and if you have adequate RAM. A number of games rely on memory to function. Each game determines how much memory it requires.
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The Bottom Line
Choosing the right affordable motherboard is essential when building a gaming PC on a budget. The motherboards we’ve recommended offer the best price, features, and performance combination for under $100.
Boards like the ASRock B450M Pro4 prove you can get a fully-equipped gaming motherboard on a tight budget. With AM4 CPU support, overclocking capabilities, PCIe slots for graphics, and modern connectivity, it has everything needed for budget gaming. The same goes for budget picks like the MSI H310M PRO-VDH Plus and GIGABYTE H310M S2H on the Intel side.
While these affordable motherboards lack some bells and whistles of high-end models, they deliver great bang for your buck. With one of these sub-$100 boards serving as a foundation, you can invest more into the CPU, GPU, RAM, and other components that most impact gaming.
Consider these top-rated and inexpensive motherboards if you’re building a budget gaming PC. Sticking to a cheap motherboard under $100 saves more money on the parts that matter most for gaming performance.