RGB motherboards transcend mere functionality; they’re a reflection of personal style, infusing PCs with colors that mirror mood and preference. As the trend towards custom aesthetics grows, choosing the right RGB motherboard becomes vital for optimal performance and design.
To ensure our recommendations meet both aesthetic and performance standards, our testing process was comprehensive. Each motherboard was put through its paces in gaming, multitasking, and thermal management scenarios to push their limits.
We scrutinized and finalist the best RGB mother boards based on three key metrics
- Form Factor: A motherboard’s form factor affects its size. ATX, the standard size, offers ample plug and slot space. Micro-ATX, smaller by 2.4 inches, provides less space, while Mini-ITX is ideal for compact PCs, supporting only one expansion card.
- Processor Socket: It determines the compatibility between a motherboard and processor is determined. Intel CPUs require LGA sockets, whereas AMD processors use either AM4 or TR4 sockets.
- RAM: RAM impacts your computer’s processing speed alongside the CPU. While most motherboards support up to 64 GB of RAM, opting for a board with at least a 16 GB RAM capacity is advisable for future-proofing.
For more insights, Our “Buying Guide” dives deep into these aspects, helping you find a motherboard that doesn’t just light up your case but also serves as a robust foundation for your computing needs.
Best RGB Motherboards
| Best RGB Motherboards | CPU Socket | Chipset Type | Memory Speed | Memory Storage Capacity | Buy Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asus ROG Strix B550F | AM4 | AMD B550 | 4400 MHz | 128 GB | Check On Amazon |
| MSI MPG Z490 | LGA1200 | Intel Z490 | 4800 MHz | 128 GB | Check On Amazon |
| Asus ROG Strix B450-F | TR4 | AMD B450 | 3200 MHz | 64 GB | Check On Amazon |
| MSI MEG Z490 | LGA 1200 | Intel Z490 | 5000 MHz | 128 GB | Check On Amazon |
| Gigabyte Z390 Aorus Elite | LGA 1151 | Intel Z390 | 4400 MHz | 1000 TB | Check On Amazon |
| Gigabyte B550 Aorus Master | AM4 | AMD B550 | 5200 MHz | 1000 TB | Check On Amazon |
| ASRock B365 Phantom | LGA1700 | Intel B660 | 4800MHz | 32 GB | Check On Amazon |
Best RGB Motherboards Reviews
1. Asus ROG Strix RGB Motherboard
Asus ROG is a world renowned brand that specializes in making gaming laptops and other gaming accessories including motherboards, keyboards, mouses, and headphones.
Asus ROG’s motherboard is equipped with 12 + 2 DrMOS power stages that deliver high quality power to your PC. Even though it delivers high power, it does not overheat. Thanks to the fanless VRM and chipset heatsinks that provide passive cooling to the motherboard. It has an AMD AM4 socket that supports 3rd gen AMD Ryzen and Zen 3 Ryzen 5000 CPUs.
The motherboard features a HDMI port, DisplayPort, and a USB port for versatile connectivity. The motherboard has inbuilt AI noise mic along with high fidelity audio. The other best feature of the motherboard is that you can customize the RGB lighting using the RGB headers.
While the warranty period is not explicitly specified on the product page, Asus ROG motherboards are backed by a 3-year warranty from the original date of purchase.
Best Features
- AM4 CPU socket
- AMD B550 chipset
- 4400 MHz memory speed
- 12 + 2 DrMOS power stages
- Customizable RGB lighting
- 3-year warranty
Pros
- Supports 3rd gen AMD Ryzen and Zen 3 Ryzen 5000 CPUs
- Versatile connectivity options
- Efficient heat dissipation system
Cons
- Known issues with the LAN driver and ethernet driver
2. MSI MPG Z490 RGB Motherboard
MSI is another popular brand that develops advanced laptops, motherboards, graphics cards, and other components for the most power demanding users.
MSI’s RGB motherboard is designed to work with 10th gen Pentium Gold, Intel Core, and Celeron processors. With a dual channel memory of up to 128 GB, you get a maximum speed of 4800 MHz. The motherboard comes with pre-installed I/O shielding that offers you convenience and protection from electrostatic discharge.
The RGB motherboard features an USB 20G that offers an incredible transfer speed of up to 20 GB/s. Besides, it also has an M.2 port with twin turbo technology and M.2 shield frozr that offers you a maximum speed of 32 GB/s for super fast SSD transfers. There is also a 2.5G LAN with W-iFi 6 for fast wireless connections.
Best Features
- LGA 1200 socket
- Intel Z490 chipset
- 4800 MHz memory speed
- 128 GB memory storage capacity
- Pre-installed I/O shielding
Pros
- Supports 10th Gen Pentium Gold, Intel Core, and Celeron processors
- High transfer speeds
- Easy to configure
Cons
- A bit on the expensive end
3. Asus ROG Strix B450-F RGB Motherboard
We have yet another RGB motherboard from Asus ROG. This motherboard retains most of the features and specifications of its predecessor.
Asus ROG B450-F motherboard uses TR4 socket that makes it compatible with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gen AMD Ryzen processors. When it comes to performance, you get a decent speed of 3200 MHz. Besides, it has a 5-way optimization for overclocking, cooling, and system-wide tuning for maximum performance along with efficiency. Plus, you get 64 GB DDR4 and 64 GB memory storage along with this motherboard.
The motherboard features USB 3.1 ports and dual M.2 slots for connectivity. It is equipped with a pre-mounted I/O shield along with durable components that last longer. When it comes to the sound quality, it uses SupremeFX S1220A to create an immersive audio experience. The motherboard has Aura Sync RGB lighting that sets the mood for gaming.
Best Features
- TR4 CPU socket
- AMD B450 chipset
- 3200 MHz memory speed
- 64 GB memory storage capacity
- 5-way optimization
- Pre-mounted I/O shield
Pros
- 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gen AMD Ryzen processors
- Can be overclocked for enhanced performance
- Made of durable components
Cons
- Memory speed is low
4. MSI MEG Z490 Godlike RGB Motherboard
Next on our list is MSI’s MEG Z490 Godlike RGB motherboard. Similar to the other MSI model on our list, this motherboard is also designed to work with 10th gen Pentium Gold, Intel Core, and Celeron processors.
The motherboard features dual channel memory of up to 128 GB that helps you to get a maximum processing speed of 5000 MHz. To prevent overheating even when used for long hours, the motherboard has a heatsink with active cooling and MOSFET backplates for effective heat dissipation.
The motherboard has an M.2 port with triple turbo technology that offer you transfer speeds of up to 32 GB/s. Besides, you can add two additional M.2 slots using the M.2 Xpander-Z Gen4 S accessory. Plus, the two thunderbolt 3 ports provide transfer speeds of up to 40 GB/s. There is also a 10G super LAN and a 2.5G LAN with Wi-Fi 6 for seamless wireless connectivity. The motherboard supports 4K display for great visual quality.
Best Features
- LGA 1200 socket
- Intel Z490 chipset
- 5000 MHz memory speed
- 128 GM memory storage capacity
Pros
- Supports 10th gen Pentium Gold, Intel Core, and Celeron processors
- High memory speed
- Multiple connectivity options with high transfer speed
- Supports 4K display
Cons
- Very expensive
5. Gigabyte Z390 Aorus Elite RGB Motherboard
Aorus, owned by Gigabyte, is a premium gaming brand that supplies a full range of gaming products including gaming desktops/laptops, processors, motherboards, and other hardware.
Gigabyte’s Z390 RGB motherboard uses LGA 1151 socket to support the latest 8th and 9th Gen Intel Core processors. It is equipped with 12 + 1 phases digital VRM solution for high-quality power supply to the processor. Besides, you get a maximum memory speed of 4400 MHz from the dual channel DDR4. It comes with heatsinks mounted using screws that provide an advanced cooling effect to prevent overheating.
One of the best features of this motherboard is that it has an enormous memory storage capacity of 1000 TB. With this memory capacity, you will never run out of storage space. Using the RGB Fusion application, you can control and customize the LED lighting of the motherboard. It has a USB 3.1 port for connecting it to your smartphone. This is one of the most durable motherboards on our list with Integrated I/O shield, memory armor and PCIe armor.
Best Features
- LGA 1151 socket
- Intel Z390 chipset
- 4400 MHz memory speed
- 1000 TB memory storage capacity
- Customizable RGB lighting
Pros
- Supports 8th and 9th Gen Intel Core processors
- Large memory storage capacity
- Durable quality
Cons
- Difficult to access and navigate BIOS
6. Gigabyte B550 Aorus Master RGB Motherboard
Another RGB motherboard from Gigabyte’s Aorus brand makes it to our list. While the previous model was designed for Intel Core processors, this motherboard is specifically tailor made to support 3rd Gen AMD Ryzen processors.
The B550 RGB motherboard is equipped with 16 phases VRM solution for good power delivery. This motherboard has the highest memory speed on our list with 5200 MHz, thanks to the dual channel unbuffered DDR4. Plus, the motherboard has an efficient thermal design consisting of direct touch heatpipe, fins-array heatsink, and thermal base plate for dissipating the heat.
The motherboard features a USB 3.2 Type-C port and an HDMI port along with 2.5Gb LAN with bandwidth management. There is also an onboard Wi-Fi 6 version for wireless connectivity. Furthermore, it has a PCIe 4. 0 Ready x16 slot and PCIe 4. 0/3. 0 x4 M. 2 slots. The motherboard is compatible with Windows 10 64 bit operating system.
Best Features
- AM4 CPU socket
- AMD B550 chipset
- 5200 MHz memory speed
- 1000 TB memory storage capacity
Pros
- Supports 3rd Gen AMD Ryzen processors
- Efficient heat dissipation system
- High memory speed and large storage capacity
Cons
- Expensive
7. ASRock B600 Motherboard
ASRock is a relatively smaller brand on our list that specializes in developing motherboards and graphics cards. Started by Asus as a low-cost alternative option, this brand broke away from the parent company and has been delivering high-end motherboards since then at affordable rates.
ASRock’s B365 Phantom Gaming motherboard comes with a LGA 1151 socket that makes it compatible with all 9th gen and 8th gen Intel Core processors. The 4 x DDR4 memory provides you a decent memory speed of 2400 MHz. It can accommodate up to a maximum capacity of 64 GB. Plus, the board is very easy to install, thanks to the easily-accessible and user-friendly connectors.
When it comes to connectivity, the motherboard features 2x PCI Express 3.0 x1 slots and 2x PCI-Express 3.0 x16 slots. It is compatible with CrossFireX technology and AMD Quad CrossFireX for high quality graphics.
Best Features
- LGA 1151 socket
- Intel B365 chipset
- 2400 MHz memory speed
- 64 GB memory storage capacity
Pros
- Supports 9th gen and 8th gen Intel Core processors
- Easy to install
- Supports high quality graphics
Cons
- XMP can’t be disabled
- BIOS has to be updated
Features you need to Check Before Buying the Best RGB Motherboard
Welcome to the buying guide section of the article. While the processing speed of the motherboard is the major factor, there are other features such as expansion slots, heat dissipation system, and RGB customization that determine its functionality and efficiency. Below is the full list of these features:
1. Expansion Slots
An expansion slot allows you to insert expansion cards such as video cards, sound cards, network cards, and so on to improve the performance of your computer. A PCI Express slot is the commonly used type expansion slot and supports all expansion cards. If you use the computer for gaming, then your motherboard should have at least PCI express x16 slot. The motherboards also come with standard PCI slots and small PCI slots to suit different expansion cards.
2. SATA
While the expansion slots allow you to insert add-on cards, the SATA ports allow you to connect storage drives and optical drives. The storage drives may be either SSD or HDD. Having more SATA ports allows you to connect more devices to your motherboard. You should also keep an eye on the type of SATA ports available on the motherboard. The latest SATA 3.0 standard allows for faster connectivity and transfer speeds.
3. Connectivity Options
Almost all the computer peripherals and components are connected to the motherboard. Hence, it becomes very important for the motherboard to have a large number of connectivity ports. Also, the motherboard should have different types of ports for versatile connectivity. The motherboard should have USB ports, HDMI ports, and ethernet ports.
4. Heat Dissipation System
When a motherboard works at its full capacity, it will start to overheat and lead to motherboard failure. To prevent this from happening, the motherboard should have an efficient heat dissipation system. Luckily, almost all the latest motherboards have a heatsink consisting of a fan that dissipates heat efficiently. The motherboards come with different heatsink designs and additional accessories for effective heat dissipation.
5. RGB Lighting Customization
Although the aesthetics does not improve the performance and functionality of motherboards, it does make it look cool. The aesthetics are even more important for RGB motherboards. The CPU cases come with a transparent side glass for displaying the RGB motherboard. The RGB lighting creates a very lively environment.
The number of colors and their patterns differ from one model to another. Some models also allow you to customize the colors using proprietary software.
6. Warranty
All motherboards will be backed by a warranty. There is no rocket science here. The most obvious choice is to select a motherboard that comes with the longest warranty period. Even though sometimes the warranty details won’t be furnished on the product page, you will get a warranty card along with the motherboard. For some motherboards, you will have to register the product on the brand’s official website. Otherwise, the warranty will become void. You will find such details on the warranty card.
RGB Motherboards – FAQs
Ans: No, RGB lighting on motherboards does not directly affect gaming performance. It’s purely aesthetic.
Ans: Yes, RGB motherboards often come at a premium due to their advanced lighting features and aesthetics.
Ans: Not always. Ensure your PC case supports the motherboard’s form factor for proper fit and compatibility.
Ans: Yes, most RGB motherboards come with software that allows you to customize and control the lighting effects.
Ans: RGB features might draw more power, but typically not enough to require a power supply upgrade.
Ans: Yes, many motherboards support syncing with other RGB components via compatible software or ecosystems.
Ans: Installing an RGB motherboard is similar to non-RGB ones, though you’ll need to connect any additional RGB headers.
Ans: Check the motherboard specifications for supported RAM types and speeds, as it varies by model.
Ans: Most modern motherboards, including RGB models, come with integrated sound cards.
Ans: Yes, you can typically turn off the RGB lighting through the motherboard’s software control.
Conclusion
If you’re still undecided, take a look at our top selections.
- The Gigabyte Z390 Aorus Elite RGB Motherboard is perfect for enthusiasts seeking top-tier performance.
- Asus ROG Strix RGB Motherboard is the go-to for AMD users, suitable for gamers and power users.
- For those prioritizing aesthetics, the Asus ROG Strix B450-F RGB Motherboard is a prime choice for builders focused on vibrant, personalized setups.
Think we overlooked something? We’d love to hear from you in the comments. Feel free to share your insights and feedback there as well.
