In our last post in this series we took a look at the best Intel-based motherboards. Today we’ll be looking at the best AMD gaming motherboards. So, if you’re going with an AMD CPU, then these motherboards will be your best bet.
The motherboard is the central communication center for your computer. It’s where all of your components plug into and are able to communicate with each other.
The motherboard you choose for your gaming computer will have a huge impact on the quality of your build. If you choose a low-end cheap motherboard, you will be stuck having to get low-end cheap components.
However, if you choose a feature-rich and powerful motherboard, you will not only experience the benefits now, but you will also set yourself up with plenty of room to upgrade in the future.
While a motherboard isn’t going to have a direct impact on your gaming experience, it does play a huge role in your computer. Therefore, you need to consider allotting a decent portion of your budget towards your motherboard.
In this post, I will take a look at the best AMD gaming motherboards for 2015 at different price ranges. I’ve broken down the categories into four different price ranges: motherboards under $100, motherboards between $100-$150, motherboards between $150-$200, and motherboards over $200.
I chose only one motherboard for each price range and while there are many other motherboards out there that are worthy of praise, I believe these ones offer the most for gamers.
More From This Series:
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Best Socket AM3+ Motherboards
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The Best AMD AM3+ Gaming Motherboard Under $100
GIGABYTE GA-970A-D3 AM3+ ATX Motherboard
([easyazon_link asin=”B0056G10WK” locale=”US” new_window=”default” tag=”amdmobos-20″ add_to_cart=”no” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” nofollow=”default” popups=”yes”]Prices fluctuate–check here for current pricing[/easyazon_link])
With this GIGABYTE AM3+ board you have everything you need at a very affordable price. Coming in at below $100, you really can’t go wrong with the GIGABYTE GA-970A-D3.
It has everything necessary to make a budget build feel like a high-end gaming rig. It’s going to let you overclock, has USB 3.0 support, will allow you to add up to 32GB of RAM, and will enable you to run multiple AMD video cards in CrossFireX configuration.
So, if you’re not looking to spend thousands of dollars on your computer, then this AMD gaming motherboard is the one you want.
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GIGABYTE GA-970A-D3 Specs
- Supports FX, Phenom II, and Athlon II processors
- AMD Socket AM3+
- North Bridge Chipset: AMD 970
- South Bridge Chipset: AMD SB950
- Excellent for Overclocking
- Two USB 3.0 Ports
- Five PCIe Slots
- CrossFireX Support
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The Best AMD AM3+ Gaming Motherboard Between $100 and $150
GIGABYTE GA-990FXA-UD3 AM3+ ATX Motherboard
([easyazon_link asin=”B0055QYKQO” locale=”US” new_window=”default” tag=”amdmobos-20″ add_to_cart=”no” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” nofollow=”default” popups=”yes”]Prices fluctuate–check here for current pricing[/easyazon_link])
A step up from the GIGABYTE GA-970A-D3, the GIGABYTE GA-990FXA-UD3 is priced for a medium range build, but it plays like a motherboard you’d find in a badass gaming computer.
This board is feature-rich and has everything you could possibly ever want out of a motherboard. With two-way CrossFireX and SLI support, you have the option to go with either an NVIDIA card or an AMD card without having to worry about not being able to add a second card in the future. And, with USB 3.0, the potential to go up to 32GB of RAM, and high definition audio support, this board will do everything you need it to and more.
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GIGABYTE GA-990FXA-UD3 Specs
- Supports FX, Phenom II, and Athlon II Processors
- AMD Socket AM3+
- Advanced 8+2 phase CPU VRM power design
- Perfect Board for Overclocking
- Four USB 3.0 Ports
- Four PCIe 2.0 Slots
- Two-way CrossFireX and SLI
- 8-Channel HD Audio
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The Best AMD AM3+ Gaming Motherboard Between $150 and $200
ASUS Sabertooth 990FX AM3+ ATX Motherboard
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The ASUS Sabertooth is hands down one of the coolest motherboards out there. If you saw the first post on the Best Gaming Motherboards (Intel) you will see that the Sabertooth is also available for Intel processors as well.
Not only is the Sabertooth cool looking, but it also gets the job done. With all of the standard features of a high-end motherboard, the Sabertooth is a great option for performance seekers. However, where the Sabertooth really sets itself apart is in its cooling capabilities. With 10 different hardware sensors on the motherboard and excellent heat dissipation, the Sabertooth is well equipped to keep your system running cooler longer–and that will keep your parts lasting long and from dying before they should.
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ASUS Sabertooth Specs
- Supports FX, Phenom II, and Athlon II Processors
- AMD Socket AM3+
- Excellent Board to Overclock With
- TUF Thermal Radar
- TUF Capacitors, Chokes and MOSFETS (Military Standard)
- SLI and CrossFireX Support
- Efficient Switching Power
- CeraM!X ceramic-coating technology for superior heat dissipation
- Three PCIe 2.0 slots
- Two USB 3.0 ports and ten USB 2.0 ports
- 5-year warranty
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The Best AMD AM3+ Gaming Motherboard Over $200
ASUS Crosshair V Formula AM3+ ATX Republic of Gamers Series Motherboard
([easyazon_link asin=”B00906DHLE” locale=”US” new_window=”default” tag=”amdmobos-20″ add_to_cart=”no” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” nofollow=”default” popups=”yes”]Prices fluctuate–check here for current pricing[/easyazon_link])
If you have an unlimited budget and you want an AMD gaming motherboard that will really leave you speechless, then the ASUS Crosshair V Formula board is for you.
The Crosshair V Forumal has everything you could ever want and much more than you could probably ever use. It will allow you to run up to three video cards (either in SLI or CrossFireX configuration) and it comes with on-board ultra-real cinematic in-game surround sound.
It’s a gamers dream and it’s the perfect motherboard for people who want nothing more than to show off how awesome they are!
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ASUS Crosshair V Formula Specs
- Supports FX, Phenom II, and Athlon II Processors
- AMD Socket AM3+
- Excellent Board to Overclock With
- SupremeFX X-FI 2 Surround Sound
- Extreme Engine Digi+
- SLI and CrossFireX Support
- Kaspersky Anti-Virus
- Choose a higher level CPU to overclock to and it will do it for you
- Three PCIe 2.0 slots
- Six USB 3.0 ports and twelve USB 2.0 ports
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Best Socket FM2 Motherboards
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The Best AMD FM2 Gaming Motherboard Under $75
ASRock FM2A75 PRO4-M Micro-ATX Motherboard
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The good thing about AMD FM2 setups is that they are extremely affordable. Not only do you save money by going with an FM2 APU and utilizing their advanced integrated graphics, but the FM2 motherboards are also affordable when compared to some of the other CPU sockets.
The ASRock FM2A75 PRO4-M is definitely an affordable choice for an FM2 system and it has everything a casual-to-hardcore gamer could ever want.
And, even though it’s not an overclocker’s dream motherboard, it will allow you to system-tune a little bit.
With USB 3.0, support for dual channel memory that can be overclocked past 2000MHz, and all of the 6GB/s SATA connections you could ever need, this AMD gaming motherboard is perfect for gamers who are putting together a gaming computer on a budget.
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ASRock FM2A75 PRO4-M Specs
- Supports FM2 APUs (may need BIOS update for Richland APUs)
- AMD Socket FM2
- Two USB 3.0 Ports
- 5 x 6GB/s SATA Ports
- Support for Dual Channel DD43 2600+MHz (OC’ed)
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The Best AMD FM2 Gaming Motherboard Between $75 and $100
ASRock FM2A85X EXTREME6 ATX Motherboard
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If you’ve got a little more to spend on your FM2 gaming computer, you might want to look into something that will give you some more options to overclock your system.
For just under $100, you can get yourself the ASRock FM2A85X EXTREME6 motherboard. The A85X chipset that it comes with is much more compliant with overclocking and is definitely a worthy consideration in this price range.
So, even though I recommend you going with a different socket if you have the money to spend on an $85-$100 motherboard, the ASRock FM2A85X EXTREME6 is definitely a good choice for gamers who are sticking to the FM2 socket.
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ASRock FM2A85X EXTREME6 Specs
- Supports FM2 APUs (may need BIOS update for Richland APUs)
- AMD Socket FM2
- 3 x PCIe 2.0 Lanes
- 7 x SATA 6GB/s Ports
- Four USB 3.0 Ports
- Support for Dual Channel DDR3 2600MHz (OC’ed)
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The Best AMD FM2 Gaming Motherboard Over $100
ASUS F2A85-V PRO ATX Motherboard
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To round out the best FM2 gaming motherboards, we’re going to take a look at the ASUS F2A85-V PRO motherboard.
Just like ASRock’s EXTREME6, the F2A85-V PRO features the A85X chipset, making a capable overclocking board.
Where the ASUS FM2A85-V PRO stands out when compared to the ASRock EXTREME6 is that the ASUS board has better fan controllers and more efficient power delivery. These two things make the FM2A85-V PRO the best overclocking choice when it comes to FM2 motherboards.
Aside from its overclocking abilities, the F2A85-V PRO also has all of the other features you would expect out of a high-end motherboard. So, if it’s an extreme overclocking FM2 setup you want, then this board is the choice for you.
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ASUS F2A85-V PRO Specs
- Supports FM2 APUs (may need BIOS update for Richland APUs)
- AMD Socket FM2
- 3 x PCIe 2.0 Lanes
- 7 x SATA 6GB/s Ports
- Four USB 3.0 Ports
- Support for Dual Channel DDR3 Memory
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Dustin says
Ok so I going to try and build my own PC, which I have not doen since I was teen in the mid 90’s, for gaming (perferablly the new WoW expac since my current PC is having issues running it now). I decided to go with the AMD FX-8350 Black Edition and I am now researching the best motherboard for that chip which by this aritcle will either be the Sabertooth or Crosshair V but my question is this, money aside, does the Crosshair V have the same cooling tech that the Sabertooth has since I live in AZ and these computers run hot Im thinking the Sabertooth might be the better choice to keep my comp cool but I want your guys’s opinion.
Brent Hale says
It really depends on your total budget. It might make more sense to get the GIGABYTE GA-990FXA-UD3 (or a similarly priced board like ASUS M5A9FX PRO R2.0), and put the extra money into your video card.
Though, if you’re just playing WoW you could come down quite a bit on your system all the way around, as it’s not the most demanding game out there.
If you want, you can either send me an email (bhale@elitegamingcomputers.com) with your total budget and all of the games you plan on playing, as well as your monitor’s resolution, or you can post that information in the forums and I can better assist you.
Best,
Brent
pitdemon says
Personally I don’t spend more than $150.00 for an AMD board no matter the CPU. If you are going to overclock to the limits a top end AMD CPU still doesn’t make sense unless you just want to do it. The Sabretooth board uses milsepc parts and is tougher , something that may concern you more than others. I have used amd 970 chipsets for years , they have a fairly similar performance and feature capability , they overclock well my Asrock 970 extreme3 kept an old locked phenom at 4.2ghz for years , the overclock being achieved by the FSB setting. Just make sure ANY board you end up with has no issues with the processor you choose.
BrentM says
When will you begin talking about the FM2+ CPU and motherboards due out in the first quarter of 2014. That will be my next gaming machines built. I have FM3+ boards now they work great. I can’t wait to try out some video cards that are PCIe 3.0
Thx
SugarBiscuit says
Why is it that AMD boards generally have so many more built in usb ports? That sabertooth for example had 10 usb 2.0!
EXILE157 says
Not one MSI!?…I have the MSI 990FXA-GD80 & I also have the MSI 890FXA-GD70 both Mobo are great! & never had an issue since day one.
Brent Hale says
One again, I apologize if it looks like I don’t like MSI motherboards. I have nothing against MSI motherboards or MSI in general.
In fact, if you go to the Best Intel motherboards, you’ll see that I have an MSI board listed on there. An MSI motherboard is also listed used in the $700 on the Budget Builds page. To further prove that I have nothing against MSI and do, in fact, support their products, I just gave away an MSI Radeon HD 7950 OC at the end of last month.
Not to mention, I just went home and visited my Mom a couple of weekends ago to build her a new computer. (Her’s died on her.) And, I bet you can’t guess what motherboard manufacturer I chose…
…MSI!
So, rest assured, I have nothing against MSI, or their motherboards :)
Chris says
I have the Gigabyte GA970 DS3 (the recommended board for the jackal) with my Phenom II x4 965 BE. I am able to overclock it to 4.0GHz via AMD Vision Control Center, verified with CPU-Z (http://valid.canardpc.com/2802586), bur I am unable to do it in BIOS (version FD). I have tried sending multiple emails to Gigabyte with no success. So, two questions:
1) Can I flash a different (non Gigabyte UEFI) version of BIOS, more like Phoenix?
2)What are the best settings for overclocking my CPU in UEFI BIOS.
In BIOS, it will not let me change clock speed from auto
Stefan says
Try pressing +/- in bios to increase the numbers of clock…
Gta V says
Crosshair V Formula is definitely the motherboard to get if money’s no object!
Asus really do excel in making motherboards! :)