5 best cheap PCIe 4.0 motherboards

While newer motherboards now support the latest PCIe 5.0, PCIe 4.0 motherboards are still an attractive value option. They are much more affordable and still provide all the speed you need with your current graphics card and storage drive.

ASUS TUF Gaming Z790-Plus Wi-Fi

ASUS TUF Gaming Z790-Plus Wi-Fi is a well-rounded entry-level Z790 motherboard that packs almost everything the more expensive Z790 boards offer at a significantly lower price. This is a great motherboard for gamers on a budget who still want an overclockable Intel platform and compatibility with 14th Gen Raptor Lake CPUs.

TUF Gaming Z790-Plus Wi-Fi provides what it takes to run modern games thanks to support for PCIe 5.0 graphics cards. It also ensures gamers can keep up with future upgrades thanks to features like DDR5 memory compatibility and an additional PCIe 4.0 expansion slot. In addition, with 4 M.2 slots, you have plenty of space for extremely fast storage, helping to load games much faster.

The 16 Vcore 60A VRMs may not be ideal for extreme overclocking, but they can easily handle high-end Raptor Lake CPUs with stock clocks like the 14700K. If you don't intend to overclock, the TUF Gaming Z790-Plus Wi-Fi is a great choice for a powerful budget gaming rig.

MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk Wi-Fi

For gamers planning to use AMD CPUs, the MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk Wi-Fi is an affordable PCIe 4.0 motherboard that is fully compatible with AM5 CPUs. It's built on the budget-friendly B650 chipset, but unlike Intel's budget chipsets, it fully supports CPU overclocking, allowing gamers to push the latest Ryzen CPUs to their limits.

MAG B650 Tomahawk Wi-Fi can take full advantage of the best gaming GPUs on the market with the main PCIe 4.0 slot and provide faster PCIe 4.0 storage for responsive performance and game launch fast. The 14-phase, 80A power design can handle high-end AMD CPUs, including the powerful Ryzen 7 7800X3D. Add DDR5 support and you have a solid foundation for the ultimate AM5-based gaming rig.

ASUS ROG Strix Z690-E Gaming Wi-Fi

The Z790 motherboard costs significantly more than previous Z690 options while offering only a slight performance increase. If you're a professional gamer looking to build an enthusiast gaming rig without spending a fortune, the discounted premium Z690 board could give you better performance for the money. you spend. The ASUS ROG Strix Z690-E Gaming Wi-Fi is a prime example, currently priced similarly to the entry-level Z790 boards.

This motherboard offers superior power delivery, better overclocking capabilities, and a robust feature set that surpasses newer, more affordable motherboards. It supports both current PCIe 4.0 devices as well as future PCIe 5.0 GPUs and SSDs, ensuring your upgrade options remain viable. Using the latest DDR5 RAM and a powerful 13th or 14th Gen Intel CPU, you'll have a high-performance gaming PC capable of handling the most demanding AAA titles.

MSI MEG Z690 UNIFY

The MSI MEG Z690 UNIFY is based on Intel's previous flagship chipset, but packs great power and potential, making it perfect for professional gamers and overclockers. This is the most feature-packed Intel motherboard you can find at this price point, offering premium features like two PCIe 5.0 x16 slots, DDR5 memory support, 5 M.2 dissipation slots heat (4 slots supporting PCIe 4.0) and Wi-Fi 6E.

Designed for extreme performance, the MEG Z690 UNIFY has features you typically won't find in a mid-range motherboard, including a 7-segment LED display and integrated power button. Thanks to its powerful, high-quality 105A SPS MOSFET and powerful heatsink, it can also handle any overclocked top Raptor Lake CPU. While the Z790 has slightly better memory overclocking support, you can expect to spend more than twice as much for a board with similar specifications.

ASRock B650I Lightning Wi-Fi

The ASRock B650I Lightning Wi-Fi is a solid choice if you're looking for a PCIe 4.0 motherboard that can fit into a smaller chassis. It boasts special upgrades to take full advantage of the latest AM5 processor, including support for DDR5-7200 memory and a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot. You can also freely install and use current GPUs, including RTX 40 Series graphics cards, to power modern games.

With an 8-phase 60A VRM, the B650I Lightning Wi-Fi is ideal for gamers who want solid performance for modern games without the need for overclocking or excessive system tweaking. Connectivity is very good for an ITX motherboard, boasting 8 USB ports and 2.5G Ethernet on the rear I/O. However, the integrated Mediatek Wi-Fi card has some stability issues, but that's something you can easily fix with the affordable Intel AX210 adapter.

Samuel Daniel

Update 11 April 2024