The Best Motherboards for Overclocking in 2024

Not all motherboards are designed for extreme overclocking. Even with the top-of-the-line gaming processor and RAM, you’ll still need the right motherboard to unlock the hidden potential of your hardware. We’ve rounded up the best motherboards with features specifically designed for overclocking, including robust VRMs for stable power delivery, optimized memory trace layouts for high-frequency RAM, and premium cooling solutions. Whether you’re a seasoned overclocker or a beginner, below you will find the top motherboards for pushing your AMD or Intel CPU to the limit.

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

The ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Dark Hero is a stealthy-looking motherboard that’s perfect for overclocking the latest 14th-Gen CPUs from Intel. It’s a second-generation Z790 motherboard, so it works with the 14th-Gen CPUs right out of the box and features the new Wi-Fi 7 as well as some nice cosmetic changes compared to the original Z790 Hero. While it sacrifices some memory overclocking headroom compared to 2-DIMM slot boards like the Apex and Tachyon, the Dark Hero is easier to find, it’s more affordable, and it offers additional features like Thunderbolt 4 ports and an HDMI output for integrated graphics.

As a prime overclocking board, the Z790 Dark Hero packs a capable 20-phase V-core VRM that can handle most 13th or 14th Gen Intel CPUs, along with beefy heatsinks to keep the VRMs running cool. You’ll never have any issues pushing even the mighty 14900KS to its limits. Combined with the easy-to-use ASUS BIOS, these features make the Z790 Dark Hero a favorite among well-known overclockers, including SkatterBencher, who used it to push the 14700K to 6200 MHz. With a thick PCB and features like DIMM Flex, this board is no slouch for memory overclocking. It can boot with DDR5-7600 without issues and even supports 8000 MHz, but it is not as stable as the Apex.

Onboard, you’ll find power, reset, and retry buttons and a 2-digit LED readout for easy troubleshooting. It supports quick BIOS flashback and offers a couple of AI overclocking features to get you started. The rest of the board is well-equipped with PCIe 5.0 support for GPU and SSD, five M.2 slots total, and 10 USB ports in the rear I/O, including two 40Gbps Thunderbolt 4 ports. It’s not just an overclocking monster, but also an impressive motherboard for gamers and content creators.

The ASRock X670E Taichi is an overclocking powerhouse coming in at a competitive price compared to its rivals from ASUS and MSI. It’s designed to extract maximum performance from the latest AMD processors, making it a solid motherboard for extreme overclockers and hardcore gamers. Despite the Ryzen 8000 and 7000 series being power efficient, ASRock still equips the board with an overkill 24-phase, 105A power solution, allowing you to push AMD’s new 170W CPUs to their limits while maintaining cool temperatures.

The X670E Taichi has overclocking-focused features, like a USB BIOS flashback system, onboard power and reset buttons, and an LED display for checking error codes. It supports AMD’s PBO for optimized overclocking and can automatically switch to your all-core manual overclock when you need an extra boost for highly multi-threaded tasks like video rendering. This motherboard also stands out with its thick, premium low-loss PCB, which allows for stable memory overclocking. It runs flawlessly at DDR5-6000 (EXPO) and officially supports higher speeds up to 7800 MHz.

The X670E Taichi caters to non-overclockers with its cutting-edge connectivity and stealthy looks. It has two PCIe 5.0 x16 slots, four M.2 slots (one supporting PCIe 5.0), eight SATA ports, and ten USB ports in the rear. With AMD promising support for the AM5 platform through 2027, this motherboard will let you build a PC that will last many years and accommodate many future upgrades. Just make sure to get a full-tower case that supports EATX motherboards.

A head above the rest in the mid-range category, the ASRock Z790 Nova Wi-Fi offers incredible value for under $300, especially for those looking to unleash the full potential of Intel’s Raptor Lake CPUs. As one of the refreshed Z790 boards, it works with 14th-Gen CPUs out of the box and comes with cutting-edge features like Wi-Fi 7. To handle even the most demanding Intel chips, this motherboard packs a capable 20-phase (90A SPS MOSFETs) VRM that’s more than enough for even the 14900K and 14900KS. Paired with a powerful CPU cooler, nothing will stop you from extracting every bit of juice from your processor.

Where the Z790 Nova Wi-Fi truly shines compared to competitors, like the pricier Dark Hero, is its unmatched memory overclocking potential. It’s the only motherboard in this price range that can run DDR5 at 8000 MHz out of the box. While some memory kits might require voltage tweaks for ultimate stability, almost no other 4-DIMM board comes close. Onboard, you’ll find a 2-LED readout for error codes and power and reset buttons that make troubleshooting easy when things go south. It also caters to non-overclockers and casual gamers with features like six M.2 slots, premium audio, and a generous amount of USB ports.

While designed for everyday use, the Gigabyte X670E Aorus Pro X packs surprisingly robust features for overclockers. It boasts a robust 16-phase, 70A VRM dedicated to the CPU, which is more than enough to handle most Ryzen processors when overclocked. It has solid DDR5 memory support and an 8-layer server-grade PCB that gives you the stability to push your memory kits to over 8000 MHz. Even if you’re not an avid overclocker, you can still get a substantial boost from your memory with the built-in DDR5 Auto Booster and AMD EXPO technology.

However, this motherboard only has onboard power multi-key buttons and lacks a seven-segment display for error codes. Game Rant recommends spending more on the ASRock X670E Taichi for a seven-segment display and more troubleshooting tools. However, the motherboard checks all the right boxes for mainstream users. It features four M.2 slots, two supporting Gen 5 speeds, and a PCIe 5.0 expansion slot, allowing you to leverage the latest hardware for maximum performance. GIGABYTE rounds out the impressive offering with 12 USB ports on the rear I/O and Wi-Fi 7 support.

Fresh on the scene, the ASRock Z790I Lightning Wi-Fi has already set multiple overclocking records courtesy of world-renowned overclocker, Splave. Designed for the latest 14th-Gen Intel processors, it boasts a robust power delivery system that can handle high-end CPUs like the Core i9-14900KS with ease. Chunky heatsinks around the VRMs, coupled with additional VRM cooling from the I/O cover, provide the best power delivery and VRM cooling combo we’ve seen in an ITX motherboard. This innovative cooling should help you push your processor without turning your PC into a furnace.

Like the ASRock Z790 Nova Wi-Fi, this motherboard brings world-class memory speeds without needing heavy tweaking in the BIOS like most boards. It can run DDR5-8000 with default XMP settings, and you can squeeze even more performance out of your RAM if you play around with the voltages. Being a 2-DIMM motherboard, you naturally gain an edge in memory overclocking compared to most 4-DIMM options. The only downside is that it supports Wi-Fi 6E instead of the new Wi-Fi 7 like other 2nd-Gen Z790 boards, but it compensates with a well-rounded feature set, including two M.2 Gen 4 slots, a PCIe 5.0 slot for your GPU, and six USB ports.

Professional overclocker Splave used the ASRock Z790I Lightning Wi-Fi paired with an LN2-cooled Core i9-14900KS and G-Skill DDR5-8600 kit to break four world records in single-core tests on Geekbench. He also scored multiple Global 1st Place records on HWBOT, solidifying the ASRock Z790I Lightning Wi-Fi’s position as the ultimate ITX motherboard for extreme overclocking enthusiasts.

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.

Onboard, you’ll find many overclocking-focused features, including power and reset buttons, a safe boot button, and a slow-mode switch. Unique to this motherboard is a Probelt header for real-time voltage monitoring and two seven-segment LED displays that can show POST codes and temperatures from various sensors. It’s an outstanding motherboard for overclockers, but it may be lacking for everyday users. You only get two M.2 slots, an old Wi-Fi adapter, and no high-speed USB ports like Thunderbolt. However, most people buying this motherboard will be interested in its overclocking potential, which it does better than any other AM4 motherboard.

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?

All AMD chipsets except the A-series chipsets, like the A620, support overclocking. For the best overclocking capabilities and performance, the high-end X670E and B650E are superior.

Q: How do I choose a motherboard for overclocking?

When choosing a motherboard for overclocking, ensure it has a chipset that supports overclocking, robust power delivery, a stable and high-quality PCB for higher memory overclocks, and easy troubleshooting features like a seven-segment display.

Q: Which Intel motherboards support overclocking?

Intel supports overclocking on motherboards with the flagship Z-series chipset and the X-series for its high-performance motherboards. Mid-range chipsets like the B760 only support memory overclocking.