1. Socket: the first filter

  • AMD AM5: Ryzen 7000, 8000 and 9000. DDR5. AMD promises long support — good for upgrades.
  • AMD AM4: Ryzen 3000/5000. DDR4. Cheap and mature, but no upgrade future.
  • Intel LGA1700: 12th, 13th and 14th generation Core.
  • Intel LGA1851: Core Ultra 200.

2. Chipset: what changes

B650 / B760 / B850The sweet spot for most people: everything you need, without paying extras.
X870 / Z790 / Z890More connectivity, overclocking (Intel “K”), USB4. For enthusiasts.
A620 / H610Very basic. Only with low-power processors.
TipA good B650 beats a weak X670.

3. Form factor and case

ATX is the normal size; Micro-ATX is smaller and cheaper; Mini-ITX is for compact PCs. Confirm that the case supports the form factor.

4. What to check

  • VRM and heatsinks: important for processors with 8+ cores.
  • M.2 slots: at least two for SSDs.
  • Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, if you do not use a cable.
  • BIOS version: older boards may need an update for new CPUs.
Summary: choose the processor first, then a B650/B760 with a good VRM and two M.2 slots. Compare motherboards →