The demand for the best EATX motherboards for 2024 is on the rise, with avid gamers constantly looking for powerful, indefatigable computers. With the right motherboard, users have a clean slate upon which they can build the kind of machine they want.
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There are several types of EATX motherboards, ranging from older devices to the very latest. But gamers and other regular computer users may have no idea what EATX motherboard to purchase or which ones are ideal for their needs. Extended ATX commonly referred to as EATX, are bigger motherboards that can support more cooling options, memory slots, and expansion slots. The best EATX motherboards for 2024 offer more customization, functionality, and performance, which makes them ideal for server builds, high-end gaming as well as other workstation tasks.
How to Choose the Best EATX Motherboards for 2024
CPU Support: CPU compatibility is crucial before everything. Whether users are going with an Intel or AMD processor, not only should the socket be compatible, but the motherboard should also support the CPU without any need for BIOS flash out of the box. This is to ensure that users don't end up returning the motherboard or indulging in a laborious BIOS upgrade process.
Overclockability: High-end motherboards allow overclocking of the CPU and the memory modules. It's rare for a mainstream E-ATX motherboard to not bring this ability. However, the important factor here is to check for the VRM (Voltage Regulator Module) in order to ensure that overclocking goes hassle-free. Motherboards with more power phases generally perform better at overclocking as they distribute the load evenly on multiple power phases to achieve better stability at higher clock speeds.
Connectivity: With the increasing bandwidth of USB devices/peripherals and the internet, a good EATX motherboard should bring the latest connectivity ports to support quick data transfer and high-speed internet. A motherboard becomes complete with the combination of multiple Type A and Type C ports, especially when the majority of them are v3.2 Gen 2/2x2. A high-speed LAN with at least 2.5G bandwidth and WiFi 6 for wireless internet connectivity is recommended.
Aesthetics: While not a dealbreaker, an expensive EATX motherboard without any personality won't look good inside a PC chassis. A Multiple-layered PCB with no visible traces, colorful accents, brushed aluminum heatsinks, RGB lighting, etc. increase the appeal of a motherboard. Modern motherboards with RGB LEDs are typically customizable via popular RGB software and synchronizable with other RGB devices.
Ease of Use: EATX motherboards get beefier due to a significant increase in premium components, dense heatsinks, and multiple onboard features. This can sometimes pose problems in installing a component or two. The aluminum heatsink shields on the M.2 slots should be easily removable and no port/header should be hidden from the sight underneath the heatsinks. Motherboards with BIOS Reset and BIOS Flashback buttons at the I/O further make it convenient to do basic troubleshooting processes without opening the case's side panel.
Game ZXC's Picks for the Best EATX Motherboards in 2024
Gigabyte X670E Aorus Xtreme
Gigabyte's X670E Aorus Xtreme is Gigabyte's highest-end AMD motherboard, offering an X670E chipset with plenty of power, durability, and expansion potential.
It offers an impressive 18+2+2 phase power delivery mechanism, Wi-Fi 6E, and 10 Gigabyte Ethernet in addition to dual PCI-E 5.0 M2 SSDs and a PCI-E 5.0 GPU.
The motherboard packs plenty of on-board features and throws in large VRM heatsinks, plenty of USB ports and expansion headers as well as RGB lighting built onto the board.
- Brand
- Gigabyte
- Memory Slots
- 4
- Memory Type
- DDR5
- Form Factor
- E-ATX
- Wi-Fi
- AMD Wi-Fi 6E RZ616
- USB Ports
- 10x Type A, 2x Type C
- M.2 NVMe Connector
- 4
- Chipset
- X670E
- Socket
- AM5
- Power Phases
- 18+2+2
- PCI Slots
- 3x PCI-E x16
- Storage interfaces
- 6
- Audio
- Realtek ALC1220-VB Codec
- Networking
- Marvell AQtion AQC113C 10GbE
- Outstanding support for overclocking flagship CPUs
- Beautifully designed PCB with RGB lighting
- Next-gen connectivity features
- USB 2.0 ports should have been replaced with 3.2 ports
- Access to CMOS battery is difficult
With the arrival of Zen 4-based CPUs, the X670E is currently the most premium chipset, which offers exceptional overclocking stability, and more PCI-E lanes, particularly Gen 5.0 ones that boast a high-bandwidth for higher-end storage drives and next-gen GPUs. For AMD flagship processors such as Ryzen 7900X, 7950X or even their 3D editions, the Gigabyte X670E Aorus Xtreme is a terrific choice that aims at maximizing their potential through its exceptional 18+2+2 power phase VRM.
Providing incredible stability at higher voltages and clock speeds, the X670E Aorus Xtreme also takes care of the VRM thermals. The dense and properly grooved heatsinks over the VRM use a copper heat pipe to dissipate the heat quickly while being almost hidden from sight with a gorgeous I/O shroud, boasting a customizable Aorus Animated display.
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With plenty of onboard features, including a Q-Code, Debug LEDs, and a Power button, the motherboard allows experimentation with the CPU and memory clock speeds. However, if something goes wrong, users can simply press the Clear CMOS button at the I/O to reset the BIOS settings. All in all, the motherboard doesn't fall behind in component support as well as connectivity, bringing the latest WiFi 6E adapter, 10G LAN, and multiple Type A and Type C ports.
MSI MEG Z790 ACE MAX
MSI MEG Z790 ACE Max pushes the limit of Intel CPUs. With an unbelievably powerful VRM of 27 power phases, it's ready to break some overclocking records. The top grade PCB with excellent thermal solution all over it eliminates any fear of overheating. Plenty of onboard features, connectors, and high bandwidth for each of them make it a monster for any high-end gaming build.
- Brand
- MSI
- Graphics Card Interface
- PCI-E Gen 5.0
- Memory Slots
- 4
- Memory Type
- DDR5
- Form Factor
- E-ATX
- Wi-Fi
- Intel WiFi 6E
- USB Ports
- 7x USB Type A, 1x USB Type C, 2x Thunderbolt 4
- M.2 NVMe Connector
- 5
- CPU Support
- Intel 12th/13th/14th gen
- Chipset
- Z790
- Socket
- LGA 1700
- Power Phases
- 24+1+2
- PCI Slots
- 3x PCI-E x16
- Storage interfaces
- 6x SATA
- Audio
- Realtek ALC4082 Codec + ESS ES9280AQ Combo DAC/HPA
- Networking
- 2x Intel 2.5Gbps
- Supports highly overclocked memory kits, providing incredible stability
- Overkill VRM for any flagship Intel CPU
- High-bandwidth connectivity ports
- The tool-less M.2 cover is difficult to remove
The MSI Z790 ACE motherboard has been doing a fantastic job at maximizing the potential of high-end Intel CPUs. The ACE Max is just an upgraded version of it, featuring next-gen connectivity and better RGB lighting. This EATX motherboard is covered with multiple brushed aluminum heatsinks, covering the VRM as well as the M.2 connectors and the chipset. The MSI Dragon logo and RGB accents on the chipset make it look highly attractive and can be controlled via the Dragon Center.
The board has all the bells and whistles to support high-end memory kits, GPUs, SSDs, and high-bandwidth peripherals that require fast Type C and Thunderbolt ports. Furthermore, the WiFi 7 is a great addition, which even though isn't very feasible at the moment, opens the door for next-gen internet speeds. Compatible with all the 12th, 13th, and 14th gen CPUs out of the box, the motherboard serves as an excellent upgrade to those who have been waiting to upgrade to a newer and higher-end chip like Core i9 14900K.
MSI MEG MEG X670E ACE Gaming Motherboard
This is the best EATX motherboard for the AMD Ryzen 7000 Series processors, making it an excellent choice for gamers and multitaskers. It features many slots and ports including PCIe 5.0 slots, four Triple-Lightning Generation-5 M.2 with M.2 Shield Frozr, AMD Turbo, StoreMI, and USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports. The expandable EATX motherboard also supports four DIMMs and Dual-Channel DDR5-5600+.
- Brand
- MSI
- Graphics Card Interface
- PCI-Express x16
- Memory Slots
- 4
- Memory Type
- DDR5
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 6E
- USB Ports
- 2 USB 2.0 Ports
- M.2 NVMe Connector
- PCIe 5.0 M.2 slots
- CPU Support
- AMD Ryzen 7000 Series
- Socket
- Socket AM5
- Incredibly robust VRM for overclocking
- Packed with the latest PCI-E and M.2 connectors
- All USB ports are either 3.2 Gen 2 or Type C
- The PCI_E3 slot and rear USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C port share the same bandwidth
The MEG X670E ACE is somewhat equivalent to higher-end X670E motherboards but costs several hundred dollars less. Despite its price, the motherboard makes little to no sacrifices in its connectivity, component compatibility, or power delivery. Perfect for high-end chips like Ryzen 7 7800X3D, the motherboard can be used for both gaming and productivity. With all of its connectivity ports belonging to the latest generation, no matter how fast the peripheral is, it will work at its full potential.
The onboard troubleshooting features are on point, making it convenient for enthusiasts to quickly identify the problems via EZ Debug LEDs, or the Q-Code. All the PCI-E x16 slots on the board are natively Gen 5.0, supporting a high bandwidth for the upcoming PCI-E 5.0 GPUs. The same goes for the primary M.2 port but the rest of the M.2 ports are Gen 4.0.
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The MSI MEG X670E, ACE EATX motherboard, is also customizable. Users can set their favorite color scheme using the MSI Mystic Light. Combining this with the exclusive mirror reflection can generate impressive light effects for lively gaming sessions. Once they have assembled their gaming computers, gamers can connect to the internet via Wi-Fi 6 or 2.5G Plus Gigabit LAN. That makes it possible to play online games and stream videos. Plus, Wi-Fi 6 supports BSS and MU-MIMO technology for intuitive online gaming.
GIGABYTE X670E AORUS Master Motherboard
Gigabyte's high-end X670E offers plenty of IO and PCI-E Gen 5 support natively as it aims to couple reliability with value for money in a bid to capture the market with a competitive entry geared towards midrange/high-end users without breaking the bank.
- Brand
- Gigabyte
- Graphics Card Interface
- PCI-E 5.0 x16
- Memory Slots
- 4 Slots
- Memory Type
- DDR5, AMD EXPO support Upto 8000 MHz
- Form Factor
- E-ATX
- Wi-Fi
- Yes, Wi-Fi 6E
- USB Ports
- 12 on-board
- CPU Support
- Ryzen 7000 series
- Chipset
- X670E
- Socket
- AM5
- Power Phases
- 16+2+2 Phase VRMs
- Audio
- Hi-Fi Audio
- Networking
- Wi-Fi 6E + Ethernet 2.5G + Bluetooth 5.3
- An overclocking beast at a reasonable price
- Native PCIE 5.0 support for GPUs and M.2 SSDs
- Excellent support for highly overclocked memories
- No clear CMOS button
- Slow booting in some cases
The GIGABYTE X670E AORUS Master EATX Motherboard provides the freedom to create what a gamer wants and ensures proper functionality without breaking the bank. It has an AMD AM5 Socket to connect users to any AMD Ryzen 7000 Series processor. Plus, it is DDR5 compatible and accepts non-ECC unbuffed memory or 4SMD DIMMs with ECC. Thus, users can expand their capacity to any desired level.
While most high-end EATX motherboards that offer powerful VRM cost $700 or more, the Aorus Master costs just $450 with plenty of power phases to provide exceptional stability for the CPUs. Its appearance is enhanced through silverfish heatsinks and RGB LEDs, and its functionality extends to support modern components including PCIE 5.0 GPUs and M.2 SSDs.
The motherboard features Intel Wi-Fi 6E 802.11ax and Intel 2.5GbE LAN for blazing fast internet speeds. It self-protects against heat, thanks to the cutting-edge thermal design with Fins-Array III, M.2 Thermal Guard III, Aluminum IO Cover, and NanoCarbon Aluminum Backplate. Thus, it cools down all the essential components and keeps the computer working optimally.
MSI MEG Z790 GODLIKE Motherboard
The MSI MEG Z790 GODLIKE motherboard supports 12th/13th-generation Intel Core, Celeron, and Pentium Gold processors. It has an LGA 1700 socket for installing the latest Intel CPUs and a dual-channel DDR5 for users to expand the memory to the highest possible level. It features an Extreme Power Design with at least 26 phases of power connectors for maximum gaming and functional performance. Also, individuals can connect peripherals via any of the four Dual Thunderbolt USB Type-C ports, depending on their computer use.
- Brand
- MSI
- Memory Type
- DDR5
- Memory Slots
- 4
- USB Ports
- 2 USB 2.0 Ports
- Chipset
- Intel
- Socket
- LGA 1700
- Power Phases
- 26+2+phases power design
- Provides 7x M.2 ports and 6x SATA ports
- Features a 4.5-inch LCD and beautiful RGB lighting
- 26+2+phases power design for incredibly powerful overclocking
- A bit pricey
- Somewhat bigger than regular EATX boards
Now, on to an EATX motherboard that not only supports 12th/13th/14th generation Intel Core processors but destroys almost every Z790 motherboard in specifications. The MEG Z790 GODLIKE boasts 26 VCore power phases, which is overkill even for the flagship Raptor Lake/Refresh CPU. Additionally, it has dual-channel DDR5 for users to expand the memory to the highest possible level. However, another notable feature of this motherboard is its storage support, which comprises 7x M.2 and 6x SATA ports for adding a lot of fast storage drives for storing a huge amount of data.
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Surely, this does increase the size of the board significantly but makes it a future-proof option for users who do a lot of content creation. Users do not have to open the desktop computer to know its status. Instead, they can view the status of the gaming rig via the included 4.5-inch, full-color, IPS LCD. From this screen, users can also operate the system and customize its functionality at the touch of a button.
Individuals can connect peripherals via any of the four Dual Thunderbolt USB Type-C ports, depending on their computer use. Besides that, there are plenty of USB Type-A ports, the latest audio jacks, a fast WiFi adapter, and dual LAN ports with 2.5G and 10G bandwidth respectively.
GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Xtreme X
The GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Xtreme X is another great EATX Motherboard ideal for next-gen processors. It features dual-channel DDR5 4*DIMMs with XMP 3.0 support meaning users can expand their memory using the latest slots. it also has several power connectivity options with the digital twin 24 + 1 + 2 phase voltage regulator module.
- Brand
- GIGABYTE
- Graphics Card Interface
- PCI Express
- Memory Slots
- 4
- Memory Type
- DDR5
- Chipset
- Intel Z790
- Socket
- LGA 1700
- Extremely powerful 27 phase VRM
- Real-time display for monitoring metrics
- All ports and headers are completely hidden
- Very expensive. Costs over $1000
- Accessing the ports and headers requires removing the panel
The GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Xtreme X EATX Motherboard is the best for next-gen processors. It supports 12th-generation Intel processors and onwards. It has dual-channel DDR5 4*DIMMs with XMP 3.0 support, letting users not only expand their RAM capacity but also providing them with the stability required for achieving high numbers. With an outstanding digital twin 24+1+2 phase voltage regulator module, expect it to break overclocking records, particularly when a premium AIO cooling solution is used. Since its internal components may heat up, the manufacturers have included an M.2 thermal guard and VRM thermal armor fins-array to dissipate excess heat.
This is the best EATX motherboard for ultra-fast storage, given that it has five M.2 slots, boasting PCIE 5.0 and 4.0 speeds out of the box. The extended connectivity options include dual front USB Type-C, Dual Thunderbolt 4, 10 GbE and 2.5 GbE LAN, and Wi-Fi 7 adapter. From exceptional component compatibility to various onboard features, the Z790 Aorus Xtreme is packed with top-notch features, while hiding most of the exposed header pins to give it a clean look. Finally, users can customize the resultant desktop computer using the motherboard’s Addressable LED, RGB FUSION 2.0, and RGB LED strips.
FAQ
Q: What is the number one EATX motherboard?
The top EATX motherboards should come with powerful VRMs to support overclocking, boast the latest connectivity ports, and have handy onboard troubleshooting features. It's recommended that users should buy motherboards from reliable vendors like Asus, Gigabyte, and MSI.
Q: Is an EATX motherboard good for gaming?
Gaming is generally more dependent on components like CPU, GPU, and memory. However, motherboards that do not restrict the bandwidth of modern components can have an indirect positive effect on gaming performance.