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- Gigabyte guide
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- 2026, gigabyte, aorus, motherboards, am5, lga1851, b850, z890
How to choose a motherboard in 2026? A beginner's guide
The motherboard is the foundation of the computer to which all other components connect: the processor, RAM, graphics card, SSDs and power supply. It determines which processor you can use, how much memory and how many drives you can connect, whether there will be Wi-Fi and whether you can upgrade the computer in the future.
In this guide we explain step by step how to choose a Gigabyte motherboard: by processor, chipset, size, ports and budget.
🎯 The most important rule: the motherboard is chosen by processor
Each processor fits only a specific socket ( socket). So first decide which processor you will use, and then choose a board with the right socket. At Gigabyteshop.lt you'll find boards for four sockets:
| Socket | Processors | Memory | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| AMD AM4 | AMD Ryzen (up to the 5000 series) | DDR4 | A520M K V2, B550 EAGLE |
| AMD AM5 | AMD Ryzen 7000, 8000 and 9000 series | DDR5 | B850M D3HP, X870E AORUS ELITE WIFI7 |
| Intel LGA1700 | Intel Core 12th, 13th and 14th gen | DDR4 or DDR5 (depends on the board) | H610M K V2, Z790 D |
| Intel LGA1851 | Intel Core Ultra 200S series | DDR5 | B860M E, Z890 D PLUS |
⚠ The most common mistake
Buying a processor and motherboard for different sockets – for example, an AM5 processor and an AM4 board. They are physically incompatible. Also pay attention to memory: AM5 and LGA1851 boards only work with DDR5, while LGA1700 boards may come in DDR4 or DDR5 versions – this is stated in the name (e.g. B760 DS3H DDR4). Before buying, check the board's supported processor list on the manufacturer's website – sometimes a new processor requires a BIOS update.
AMD or Intel?
🔴 AMD (AM4 and AM5)
AM4 – the cheapest way to build a computer, as DDR4 memory is cheaper. Suitable for budget computers and upgrading older computers.
AM5 – the current AMD platform with DDR5 memory and PCIe 5.0. AMD has promised long-term support, so in future you'll be able to fit a newer Ryzen processor without changing the board.
🔵 Intel (LGA1700 and LGA1851)
LGA1700 – a popular Intel 12th–14th gen platform with a wide choice of boards, available in DDR4 and DDR5 versions.
LGA1851 – the latest Intel platform for Core Ultra 200S processors with DDR5 memory.
What is a chipset and how do A, B, H, X and Z differ?
The chipset is the motherboard's "brain", which determines how many ports the board will have, whether the processor can be overclocked and which PCIe generation ports will be available. Its name always appears at the start of the board's name: B850M EAGLE, Z890 D PLUS, etc.
AMD chipsets
| Chipset | Socket | Class | Processor overclocking | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A520 | AM4 | Budget | No | Office, inexpensive computer |
| B550 | AM4 | Mid-range | Yes | Gaming PC with DDR4 |
| A620 | AM5 | Budget | No | The cheapest AM5 computer |
| B840 | AM5 | Budget | No | Office and simple games with DDR5 |
| B650 | AM5 | Mid-range | Yes | Gaming |
| B850 | AM5 | Mid-to-upper | Yes | Gaming, PCIe 5.0 SSDs |
| X870 / X870E | AM5 | Top | Yes | For enthusiasts: PCIe 5.0 for the graphics card, USB4 |
Intel chipsets
| Chipset | Socket | Class | Processor overclocking | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| H610 | LGA1700 | Budget | No | Office, simple computer |
| B760 | LGA1700 | Mid-range | No (memory overclocking – yes) | Gaming |
| Z790 | LGA1700 | Top | Yes (with K processors) | For enthusiasts |
| H810 | LGA1851 | Budget | No | Office, simple computer |
| B860 | LGA1851 | Mid-range | No (memory overclocking – yes) | Gaming |
| Z890 | LGA1851 | Top | Yes (with K processors) | For enthusiasts |
💡 What does overclocking mean?
Overclocking means raising the processor's or memory's operating frequency above factory values to gain more performance. Intel processors can only be overclocked with a "K" in the name (e.g. Core Ultra 7 265K) and only on Z-series boards. AMD Ryzen processors can be overclocked on B- and X-series boards. Overclocking isn't necessary for beginners – modern processors automatically boost their clock speeds when needed.
XMP / EXPO – the simplest kind of "overclocking" that everyone should enable: one click in the BIOS turns on the speed specified by the memory manufacturer.
Motherboard size: ATX, Micro-ATX or Mini-ITX?
| Format | Size | How to recognise it in the name | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|---|
| ATX | 305 × 244 mm | No letter (e.g. B850 EAGLE) | Standard cases, the most ports and slots |
| Micro-ATX | 244 × 244 mm | Letter M (e.g. B850M EAGLE) | More compact cases, good balance of price and features |
| Mini-ITX | 170 × 170 mm | Letter I (e.g. Z890I AORUS ULTRA) | Very small computers, only one PCIe slot |
It's important that the motherboard fits in the case – the case specifications state which board formats it supports. You'll find cases in the PC cases.
What do Gigabyte board names mean?
| Part of the name | What it means |
|---|---|
| K, H, S2H, D2H, D3H, DS3H, D3W, E | Simpler budget and mid-range boards with essential features |
| GAMING, GAMING X, EAGLE, FORCE | Gaming boards with better power delivery, cooling and more ports |
| AORUS ELITE, AORUS PRO, AORUS ULTRA | Higher-end AORUS boards for enthusiasts |
| WIFI6, WIFI6E, WIFI7, AX, AC | Built-in wireless Wi-Fi and Bluetooth – no separate adapter needed |
| ICE | White design version |
| DDR4 / DDR5 | Supported memory type (for LGA1700 boards) |
| GEN5 | PCIe 5.0 support (you'll find the exact slots on the board's product page) |
| V2, R2, PLUS | Updated board versions |
Which graphics cards does a motherboard support?
Good news for beginners: almost all modern motherboards support all modern graphics cards. The graphics card plugs into the PCIe x16 slot, and the PCIe standard is backward compatible – an RTX 50 series card designed for PCIe 5.0 will also work in a PCIe 4.0 slot.
- PCIe 5.0 for the graphics card – on X870 / X870E and Z890 boards. Useful for the most powerful cards and for the future.
- PCIe 4.0 – on most mid-range boards. For most graphics cards, the difference from PCIe 5.0 in games is minimal.
- More important than the PCIe generation – whether the power supply is sufficient and whether the graphics card will fit in the case. More in the graphics card guide.
What else to look out for when choosing a motherboard?
- M.2 slots for SSDs. How many fast NVMe drives you can connect and which generation (PCIe 3.0, 4.0 or 5.0). More in the SSD guide.
- Memory slots. Most ATX and Micro-ATX boards have 4 slots, some budget and Mini-ITX boards have 2.
- Wi-Fi. If the computer won't be connected by cable, choose a board with WIFI in the name.
- USB ports on the rear panel – especially USB-C if you use newer devices.
- Power delivery (VRM). For powerful processors (Ryzen 9, Core Ultra 9) choose at least a mid-range board – its power delivery is better cooled.
- The future. AM5 and LGA1851 are newer platforms, so there will be more processor upgrade options in the future.
💰 Budget vs top-of-the-range boards: what to choose?
💸 Budget boards
For the office, studies, a simple home computer or a first gaming PC with a mid-range graphics card.
⭐ Mid-range – the best choice for most
For gaming PCs: better power delivery, more M.2 slots, often Wi-Fi.
🔥 Upper class
For powerful gaming and work computers, better cooling and more features.
👑 Top class (high-end)
For enthusiasts: processor overclocking, PCIe 5.0, Wi-Fi 7, the most ports.
🛠️ Gigabyte features that make building a PC easier
- Q-Flash Plus – BIOS update from a USB flash drive even without a processor and memory (if the board has this button). Handy when a new processor requires a newer BIOS version.
- Q-Flash – BIOS update directly from the BIOS menu.
- Easy Mode BIOS – a simplified BIOS view with the most important information for beginners.
- GIGABYTE Control Center – an application for updating drivers and software in Windows.
More on how Gigabyte software makes the first start-up easier in our software guide.
✅ Checklist before buying
- ☐ Which processor and which socket (AM4, AM5, LGA1700, LGA1851)?
- ☐ Which memory type (DDR4 or DDR5)?
- ☐ What board size will fit the case (ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX)?
- ☐ Do I need Wi-Fi?
- ☐ How many M.2 SSDs will I want to connect?
- ☐ Do I plan to overclock the processor (requires a B/X-series AMD or Z-series Intel board)?
- ☐ Does the board support my processor with the current BIOS version?
Frequently asked questions
Which motherboard is best for gaming?
For most gamers a mid-range board is enough: AMD – B650 or B850, Intel – B760 or B860. The more expensive X and Z series are useful for enthusiasts.
Does the motherboard affect FPS in games?
The direct effect is small – FPS is mostly determined by the graphics card and processor. But a good board lets the processor work stably at full capacity.
Can I use old DDR4 memory with a new board?
Only with AM4 or DDR4-version LGA1700 boards. AM5 and LGA1851 boards require DDR5.
What does the letter M in the name mean?
Micro-ATX format – the board is smaller than ATX.
Do I need to update the BIOS?
Only if the board doesn't support your processor with the factory BIOS version or the manufacturer has released important fixes.