The Best Motherboards for Overclocking in 2024

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The Best Motherboards for Overclocking in 2024

When choosing a motherboard for overclocking, it’s essential to consider several factors that can significantly impact your system’s performance and stability. Here are some key aspects to keep in mind:

For achieving optimal performance from your high-end gaming processor and RAM, it is essential to have a motherboard that supports extreme overclocking. Not every motherboard is engineered for this purpose. The following motherboards are recommended due to their specialized features for overclocking:

Game Rant’s Picks for the Best Motherboards for Overclocking in 2024

The ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Dark Hero is a sleek motherboard designed for overclocking the latest Intel 14th-Gen CPUs. As a second-generation Z790 board, it’s compatible with these CPUs straight out of the box and comes equipped with Wi-Fi 7 and aesthetic upgrades compared to its predecessor, the Z790 Hero. Although it has less memory overclocking capacity than some 2-DIMM slot boards like Apex and Tachyon, the Dark Hero is more accessible and budget-friendly. It also boasts extra features, such as Thunderbolt 4 ports and an HDMI output for integrated graphics.

The ASUS Z790 Dark Hero stands out as a top-tier overclocking motherboard, boasting a robust 20-phase VRM capable of handling most 13th or 14th Gen Intel CPUs. Its substantial heatsinks ensure the VRMs remain cool even under heavy loads, enabling users to push their processors to the max, such as the powerful 14900KS. The user-friendly ASUS BIOS further enhances its appeal among experienced overclockers like SkatterBencher, who achieved a remarkable 6200 MHz overclock on the 14700K with this board. With a sturdy PCB and features such as DIMM Flex, the Z790 Dark Hero excels in memory overclocking, allowing it to boot without issue at DDR5-7600 and even supporting 8000 MHz. However, it is not as stable as other options when pushing extreme overclocks.

When you explore this motherboard, you’ll come across power, reset, and retry buttons, as well as a clear 2-digit LED display for hassle-free problem-solving. It boasts quick BIOS flashback functionality and several AI overclocking options to kickstart your experience. The remainder of the board is rich in features, including PCIe 5.0 support for both GPU and SSD, a total of five M.2 slots, and ten USB ports at the rear I/O – two of which are Thunderbolt 4 ports capable of delivering speeds up to 40Gbps. This isn’t just an overclocking powerhouse but also an exceptional motherboard for avid gamers and content creators alike.

The ASRock X670E Taichi is a robust motherboard for overclocking, offering impressive value against its counterparts from ASUS and MSI. Its primary function is to maximize the capabilities of the latest AMD processors, making it an excellent choice for avid overclockers and dedicated gamers. Although Ryzen 8000 and 7000 series processors are power-efficient, ASRock outfits this board with an excessive 24-phase, 105A power supply. This enables users to fully utilize AMD’s new 170W CPUs while maintaining optimal cooling temperatures.

As a dedicated gamer, I’m always on the lookout for hardware that can give me an edge in performance. The X670E Taichi motherboard is a real treasure trove of overclocking features, and here’s what makes it special from my perspective:

As a gamer, I’d describe the X670E Taichi as follows: This motherboard suits my needs without requiring me to delve into overclocking. Its advanced connectivity features and sleek design are right up my alley. It boasts two PCIe 5.0 x16 slots, four M.2 slots (with one being PCIe 5.0 compatible), eight SATA ports, and ten USB ports at the rear. AMD’s commitment to the AM5 platform until 2027 means that I can build a PC with long-term upgradability. Don’t forget to invest in a full-tower case capable of accommodating an EATX motherboard for optimal compatibility.

The ASRock Z790 Nova Wi-Fi stands out in the mid-range category, delivering exceptional value under $300 for those eager to maximize Intel’s Raptor Lake CPUs’ potential. As part of the updated Z790 series, it is compatible with 14th-Gen CPUs and boasts advanced features such as Wi-Fi 7 right out of the box. This motherboard equips a robust 20-phase (90A SPS MOSFETs) VRM, capable of handling even the power-hungry 14900K and 14900KS processors. With a high-performance CPU cooler, you can unlock the full potential of your processor without any hindrances.

As a gamer, I’ve noticed that the ASRock Z790 Nova Wi-Fi stands out among competitors, such as the more expensive Dark Hero, in terms of exceptional memory overclocking capabilities. This is the only motherboard within this price range that can run DDR5 at 8000 MHz right out of the box. While some memory kits may necessitate voltage adjustments for optimal performance and stability, few other 4-DIMM boards come close to matching its prowess. Plus, onboard features like a pair of LED error code readouts and power/reset buttons make troubleshooting a breeze when things take a turn for the worse. For those who don’t delve into overclocking or are more casual gamers, it offers six M.2 slots, top-notch audio, and an ample number of USB ports.

The Gigabyte X670E Aorus Pro X motherboard, intended for routine operation, comes equipped with unexpectedly strong attributes for overclocking enthusiasts. It showcases a powerful 16-phase, 70A Voltage Regulator Module (VRM) specifically tailored for the CPU, enabling it to manage most Ryzen processors efficiently during overclocking. It provides reliable DDR5 memory compatibility and an industrial-grade 8-layer PCB, allowing you to push your DDR5 memory kits beyond 8000 MHz with confidence. Even if you’re not a frequent overclocker, you can still experience improved performance from your memory using the built-in DDR5 Auto Booster and AMD EXPO technology.

This motherboard from the manufacturer does not include a seven-segment display for error codes and can only be reset using multi-key buttons on the board. Game Rant advises investing in the ASRock X670E Taichi instead, as it offers additional troubleshooting tools and a seven-segment display. However, this motherboard caters well to mainstream users with its four M.2 slots, two of which support Gen 5 speeds, and a PCIe 5.0 expansion slot that enables the use of the latest hardware for optimal performance. GIGABYTE completes the package by providing 12 USB ports at the rear I/O and Wi-Fi 7 connectivity.

Newly released, the ASRock Z790I Lightning Wi-Fi has already made waves in the overclocking community with record-breaking achievements by renowned overclocker Splave. Engineered for the latest 14th-Gen Intel processors, this mini-ITX motherboard showcases a powerful power delivery system capable of handling high-performance CPUs such as the Core i9-14900KS effortlessly. Generously sized heatsinks enveloping the VRMs and supplementary VRM cooling from the I/O cover offer optimal power delivery and VRM cooling in an ITX motherboard, ensuring your processor can be pushed to its limits without overheating.

This motherboard, similar to the ASRock Z790 Nova Wi-Fi, delivers top-tier memory speeds with minimal BIOS adjustment required. It’s capable of running DDR5-8000 using default XMP settings, and for those seeking maximum RAM performance, fine-tuning voltage levels is an option. As a 2-DIMM motherboard, it offers an advantage in memory overclocking compared to most 4-DIMM counterparts. The downside lies in its support for Wi-Fi 6E instead of the latest Wi-Fi 7, but its comprehensive feature set more than makes up for it. It comes equipped with two M.2 Gen 4 slots, a PCIe 5.0 slot for your graphics card, and six USB ports.

As an avid follower of extreme overclocking scene, I can’t help but be thrilled by the recent accomplishments of renowned professional overclocker Splave. With the ASRock Z790I Lightning Wi-Fi motherboard as his foundation, he pushed the boundaries using an LN2-cooled Core i9-14900KS processor and a G-Skill DDR5-8600 memory kit. The results were nothing short of impressive: four new world records in single-core tests on Geekbench. Moreover, Splave secured multiple Global 1st Place rankings on HWBOT, further emphasizing the ASRock Z790I Lightning Wi-Fi’s reputation as the ultimate choice for ITX overclocking enthusiasts seeking the most extreme performance.

The DARK line of motherboards from EVGA is synonymous with extreme overclocking. The X570 Dark is a solid option for anyone who is looking to overclock AMD’s last-gen Ryzen 5000 and 3000 chips. Built from the ground up for maximum performance, this motherboard comes with an active-cooled 17-phase VRM (14 phases for Vcore) that can handle last-gen CPUs with ease, including the upcoming AM4 processors. In addition to using two DIMM slots, EVGA moved them to the top and rotated the CPU socket 90 degrees for shorter and cleaner traces. This allows for higher memory overclocking and provides enough space for sub-ambient cooling solutions like LN2.

This motherboard comes packed with overclocking optimized features such as power and reset buttons, a safe boot feature, and a slow-mode switch. What sets it apart is the Probelt header for real-time voltage monitoring and two seven-segment LED displays that can show POST codes and temperature readings from various sensors. It’s an exceptional choice for overclockers, although it might fall short for regular users. The downside is that it only has two M.2 slots, features an older Wi-Fi adapter, and lacks high-speed USB ports like Thunderbolt. However, the majority of consumers drawn to this motherboard will be enticed by its overclocking capabilities, which surpass any other AM4 motherboard in the market.

Choosing the Best Motherboard for Overclocking

When buying a motherboard for overclocking, consider the following factors:

  • Chipset: For the best overclocking potential, choose a motherboard with a flagship chipset: X670E for AMD and Z790 for Intel.
  • High Power Delivery: Overclocking, especially with the latest power-hungry CPUs from Intel, significantly increases power draw. To handle this increased demand, your motherboard needs to deliver enough power to keep up with your CPU’s needs during heavy loads. Having more power stages also means the VRM (Voltage Regulator Module) can supply the required power without overheating.
  • Build quality: Prioritize motherboards with thicker-layer PCBs as they have a better memory trace layout and offer great stability, allowing you to push your memory to the max.
  • Troubleshooting features: Whether planning an open bench build or a standard build in a case, several tools can help with troubleshooting and overclocking your CPU or RAM. These include a seven-segment display for checking error codes, onboard power/reset buttons, and BIOS flashback buttons. Extreme overclocking boards can even include buttons to adjust the BLCK frequency without going into BIOS

FAQ

Q: Which AMD motherboard chipset is meant for overclocking?

Only AMD chipsets other than the A-series, such as the A620, do not offer overclocking capabilities. For optimal overclocking functionality and superior performance, consider the high-end X670E or B650E chipsets instead.

Q: How do I choose a motherboard for overclocking?

To successfully overclock a motherboard, look for the following key features: A chipset capable of overclocking, a powerful and reliable power delivery system, a robust and top-tier PCB for enhanced memory overclocks, and user-friendly troubleshooting tools such as a seven-segment display.

Q: Which Intel motherboards support overclocking?

Intel’s flagship Z-series and X-series motherboards allow for overclocking, specifically for the processor. In contrast, mid-range chipsets such as the B760 only enable adjustments to memory clock speeds.

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2024-07-14 23:06