- Planning to buy an expensive motherboard for your new PC build and don’t know if it’s worth the extra cash?
- For the most part expensive motherboards are not worth it unless you’re an overclocker or you really need the extra ports and features provided.
- We’ve asked experts when it makes sense to buy a high-end motherboard.
If you ask the average user what a motherboard is, you may be surprised by the answer. Most people don’t know what that is, but they can infer from the name what it might mean.
That being said, the motherboard is still one of the most underrated components of your PC, and also one of the most overrated. Hmm, what do I mean by that?
Well, first, a motherboard doesn’t really improve performance. There may be some performance differences between two identical computers who use different motherboards, but those are measurable at best. The CPU, GPU, RAM speed are the ones that really impact performance.
That is true as long as the motherboard doesn’t limit some of the features on those components I’ve mentioned. Ie: the graphics slot is 16X and uses the same generation PCIe connector.
Those being said, let’s jump to the question of this article: does it make sense to invest into expensive high-end motherboards? I’ve asked a few experts to weigh in, and I’m going to give you my 2-cents at the end of the article.
CONTENTS
High-End motherboards are overkill for the average user
As someone who’s built and optimized PCs for various use cases, I’ve seen how motherboard choices impact performance and longevity. Here’s my take on whether a high-end motherboard is worth the splurge.
For the average user browsing, streaming, or working on productivity apps, a high-end motherboard usually isn’t necessary. A mid-tier model with reliable build quality and essential features like sufficient USB ports, basic VRM cooling, and Wi-Fi support will get the job done at half the cost. Spending more won’t translate into a noticeable performance boost for everyday tasks.
A high-end motherboard is worth the investment if you’re into overclocking, gaming at high resolutions, or running intensive workloads like 3D rendering or video editing. These boards provide better VRMs (Voltage Regulator Modules) for stable power delivery, advanced connectivity options like PCIe 5.0 or Thunderbolt, and robust cooling systems. They also support multiple GPUs or high-speed SSDs, making them ideal for enthusiasts and professionals.
Upgrading to a high-end motherboard reduced rendering times by 15% due to better RAM overclocking capabilities and faster NVMe storage integration. On the flip side, a casual gaming setup using a mid-tier board performed within 3% of its high-end counterpart in benchmark tests, proving the extra cost wasn’t justified for light use.
Chris Bajda, E-commerce Entrepreneur & Managing Partner, GroomsDay
Upgrade SSD or RAM instead of the motherboard
A high-end motherboard is rarely worth the cost for the average computer user because most people don’t utilize the extra features these boards offer. For tasks like web browsing, streaming, and word processing, even budget motherboards handle performance efficiently. Spending an extra $200-$300 for capabilities like advanced cooling controls, additional PCIe slots, or support for extreme overclocking doesn’t translate to noticeable benefits for everyday use. In my experience, the average user benefits more from upgrading their SSD or RAM, which directly improves speed and multitasking without overspending on unnecessary hardware.
That said, I believe a high-end motherboard becomes worthwhile when you’re building a system for intensive tasks like 3D rendering, machine learning, or competitive gaming. Features such as expanded VRM cooling for stability, dual GPU support, or higher RAM capacity can be critical for these specialized needs.
Michael Benoit, Founder and Insurance Expert, ContractorBond
High-End motherboards are good for intensive tasks
For the average computer user, a high-end motherboard is usually not worth the extra cost, as standard motherboards offer sufficient performance for everyday tasks like browsing, streaming, and office work.
However, a high-end motherboard is a better option if you plan to overclock your CPU, use multiple GPUs, need extensive connectivity options (e.g., multiple M.2 slots, USB-C, Thunderbolt), or want premium features like advanced cooling solutions and Wi-Fi 6E. It’s ideal for gamers, creators, and enthusiasts who require extra performance or are just looking to future-proof their build.
Good power delivery and adequate VRM cooling is something a cheap motherboard might not do very well, so if you plan to pair it with a demanding CPU that is also overclocked and which will run 24/7 or close to that, then it might make sense to spend more on one.
Alexander Hill, Founder & Director, AH Web SEO
My current PC rocks the best motherboard I’ve ever had ever since I’ve owned my first computer, back in 1995. Best in terms of price range, I hope that is clear. It’s an ASUS Dark Here motherboard packed with features and overclocking potential. It also looks sick.
But is it $600 cool? I don’t think so. I’m pretty sure I will never buy a high-end motherboard again. Yes, the CPU can be overclocked a tiny bit more, but given the fact current CPUs are basically auto-overclocking themselves to the edge of stability I do think manual overclocking is something you do only if you’re really passionate about this subject.
You will not see any tangible advantage from buying a high-end motherboard. It’s better to go for a mid-range model that has all the features you need. This is a better choice in 99.9% of the cases.
Save the extra hundreds of dollars and buy a faster CPU and/or GPU. The outcome is much better in this case.
