Motherboards comparison
Compare motherboards — socket, chipset, form factor, RAM slots, M.2 slots, and 2.5GbE / Wi-Fi 7.
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Best motherboards right now
What matters when comparing motherboards
This motherboards page covers 17 products and compares the measurable fields that most often separate one model from another: ram slots, m.2 slots, form factor, max memory, pcie slots. Use the filters to narrow the field, open a product page for the complete readout, and use a head-to-head page when two models are close enough that a category-wide rank is not enough.
How to read the ranking
Mars Score is a normalized category score, not a laboratory replacement and not a claim that the highest-ranked product is right for every buyer. A high score indicates broad strength across the weighted fields; a lower score can still be the better choice when one specific requirement matters more than the average.
Read the scoring methodology →Top of the current catalog
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Brands in motherboards
How to choose a motherboard in 2026
Motherboard buying decisions hinge on socket, chipset, and the I/O you actually use — not on RGB or VRM phase count beyond a reasonable threshold. The Mars Score weights connectivity (USB count, M.2 slots, networking), memory support, expansion (PCIe slots, lanes), and platform features.
Socket determines CPU compatibility for years
AM5 (AMD) and LGA1851 (Intel) are the current desktop sockets. AM5 boards announced in 2022 still support 2026 Ryzen X3D chips after BIOS updates; LGA1851 is on its second generation. Pick the socket first, then narrow to chipset.
Chipset tier sets feature ceiling
On AMD: X870E > X870 > B850 > B840, descending in PCIe 5.0 lanes and USB4 support. On Intel: Z890 > B860 > H810. Most users do not need the top chipset; X870E and Z890 matter mainly for PCIe 5.0 GPU + PCIe 5.0 NVMe simultaneously, multiple USB4 ports, or extreme memory overclocking.
Memory slots and max capacity
4 DIMM slots and 192–256 GB max is now standard on ATX boards. DDR5-7200+ stable operation often requires 2-DIMM-only configurations on AMD platforms; check the QVL list for your specific kit.
M.2 slots and PCIe topology
5–6 M.2 slots is typical on high-end boards (Crosshair X870E Hero ships 5, MEG X870E GODLIKE 6). Pay attention to which slots share lanes with the GPU or with SATA ports — populating "shared" slots disables other connectivity.
Networking: 2.5 GbE + Wi-Fi 7 is the new baseline
10 GbE is overkill for most users; 2.5 GbE plus Wi-Fi 7 covers home and SMB scenarios. Bluetooth 5.4 is bundled with Wi-Fi 7 modules.
Form factor matters for case fit
ATX is the default; E-ATX (305 × 277 mm) needs cases explicitly listing E-ATX support. mATX and ITX boards trade slot count for compactness — pair with mini PCs thinking.
How vsMars scores motherboards
Each score combines chipset, memory ceiling, M.2/PCIe topology, networking, USB count, and warranty per the methodology. Cross-reference with CPUs for socket compatibility and RAM for QVL guidance.
Frequently asked
How many motherboards are catalogued on vsMars?+
17 motherboards from 5 brands are catalogued in this category, each with a complete spec sheet and a transparent Mars Score.
How are motherboards ranked?+
Each motherboard is scored by the category-specific Mars Score formula — a weighted average of normalized specs with the weights published on the methodology page. No editorial hand-tuning.
Which motherboard has the highest Mars Score right now?+
MEG X870E GODLIKE leads the motherboards category with a Mars Score of 80.1.
Can I compare two motherboards side by side?+
Yes — pick any two motherboards from the category list and the comparison page renders side-by-side specs, advantages on each side, and a Mars Score verdict.