Best Budget Desktop Motherboards Under $150 [2025 Edition]
When building a PC, the motherboard is one of the most important components—it acts as the foundation, connecting your CPU, RAM, GPU, and storage into one seamless system. But for many users—especially gamers, students, freelancers, and budget-conscious builders—the challenge is finding a reliable, feature-rich motherboard that doesn’t break the bank.
The good news? In 2025, the market is full of powerful, budget-friendly desktop motherboards priced under $150 that deliver excellent performance, future-proofing, and stability without cutting too many corners.
This in-depth guide explores the best budget motherboards available in 2025, compares features, and provides recommendations tailored to gaming, productivity, and everyday use.
🔍 Why Choose a Budget Motherboard in 2025?
Before diving into specific models, let’s clarify why a budget board might be your best option:
Cost Savings for Other Components – If you save $100–$200 on a motherboard, you can spend more on your CPU, GPU, or SSD.
Sufficient for Most Builds – Unless you’re overclocking heavily or running high-end workstations, a $100–$150 board usually has everything you need.
Compact Form Factors – Many affordable boards come in micro-ATX or mini-ITX, perfect for budget-friendly and space-saving builds.
Solid Reliability – In 2025, even budget boards from major brands (ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte, ASRock, Biostar) offer stable VRMs, PCIe 4.0/5.0 support, and DDR5 compatibility.
⚙️ What to Look for in a Budget Motherboard
When shopping under $150, keep these specs in mind:
CPU Socket Compatibility – Make sure it supports the latest Intel 12th–14th Gen CPUs (LGA 1700) or AMD Ryzen 5000–9000 Series (AM4/AM5).
RAM Support – DDR4 is cheaper and still widely available; DDR5 is the future, but only consider if it fits your budget.
Expansion Slots – At least one PCIe x16 slot for GPUs, plus M.2 slots for fast NVMe SSDs.
VRM Quality – A stable power delivery system ensures your CPU runs efficiently, even on a budget board.
Connectivity – Look for USB 3.2, Type-C, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2+, and HDMI/DisplayPort if using integrated graphics.
Future Proofing – PCIe 5.0, DDR5, and BIOS upgrade paths are nice to have if you plan future upgrades.
🏆 Best Budget Motherboards Under $150 (2025 Edition)
Here are the top picks for this year, based on performance, reliability, and value.
1. ASUS PRIME B660M-A D4 (Intel, LGA 1700)
💰 Price: ~$120
Supports Intel 12th–13th Gen CPUs
DDR4 support up to 128GB
PCIe 4.0 GPU slot + M.2 NVMe
Strong VRMs for budget CPUs like i5-12400F or i3-13100
✅ Best For: Budget Intel gaming builds.
2. MSI PRO B650M-P (AMD, AM5)
💰 Price: ~$140
Compatible with Ryzen 7000/8000 Series
DDR5 RAM support (future-proof)
PCIe 5.0-ready for GPUs and NVMe SSDs
Simplified BIOS interface for easy setup
✅ Best For: Budget AMD builds with room for upgrades.
3. Gigabyte B550M DS3H AC (AMD, AM4)
💰 Price: ~$110
Affordable board for Ryzen 5000 CPUs
Built-in Wi-Fi AC + Bluetooth
Dual M.2 slots for SSDs
Excellent value for older but still powerful AM4 builds
✅ Best For: Budget-friendly Ryzen AM4 systems.
4. ASRock H610M-HDV/M.2 R2.0 (Intel, LGA 1700)
💰 Price: ~$95
Entry-level Intel 12th–13th Gen support
2x DDR4 DIMM slots (max 64GB)
PCIe 4.0 slot for GPUs
One M.2 slot for NVMe
✅ Best For: Office PCs, students, and entry gaming.
5. Biostar B760MX2-E PRO (Intel, LGA 1700)
💰 Price: ~$125
Affordable board with PCIe 5.0 GPU slot
DDR4 support up to 128GB
Good VRMs for i5/i7 CPUs
Compact Micro-ATX form factor
✅ Best For: Value-focused Intel users.
6. MSI B550-A PRO (AMD, AM4)
💰 Price: ~$145
Excellent power delivery for Ryzen CPUs
PCIe 4.0 GPU + M.2 SSD support
4x RAM slots (up to 128GB DDR4)
Great BIOS and build quality
✅ Best For: Creators and light workstation builds.
7. Gigabyte A520M S2H (AMD, AM4)
💰 Price: ~$85
Budget-friendly but reliable
Supports Ryzen 3000–5000 CPUs
2x DIMM slots, 1x M.2 SSD
HDMI + DVI output for APUs
✅ Best For: Ultra-low-cost budget PCs.
8. ASUS TUF Gaming B660M-PLUS WiFi D4 (Intel, LGA 1700)
💰 Price: ~$150
Military-grade durability with ASUS TUF line
DDR4 up to 128GB
Built-in Wi-Fi 6 + Bluetooth 5.2
PCIe 4.0 + dual M.2 slots
✅ Best For: Gamers wanting premium features on a budget.
9. ASRock B650M-HDV/M.2 (AMD, AM5)
💰 Price: ~$135
Ryzen 7000/8000 CPU support
DDR5 RAM up to 64GB
PCIe 5.0 GPU + NVMe support
Budget board with next-gen compatibility
✅ Best For: Entry-level AM5 builds with upgrade potential.
10. Gigabyte H610M H DDR4 (Intel, LGA 1700)
💰 Price: ~$90
Entry-level but rock solid
2x DDR4 DIMM slots (64GB)
PCIe 4.0 + M.2 support
HDMI + DVI for integrated graphics
✅ Best For: Business and office PCs.
📊 Feature Comparison Table
🖥️ Best Picks by Use Case
Best for Gaming on a Budget: ASUS TUF Gaming B660M-PLUS WiFi D4
Best AMD Budget Choice: MSI B550-A PRO
Best Intel Value Option: ASUS PRIME B660M-A D4
Best Ultra-Cheap Build: Gigabyte A520M S2H
Best Future-Proof Choice: MSI PRO B650M-P
🔮 Final Thoughts
Finding the best budget motherboard under $150 in 2025 is easier than ever, thanks to strong competition among ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte, ASRock, and Biostar. Whether you’re a gamer, content creator, or student, there’s a reliable option available that balances performance and affordability.
👉 If you’re building with Intel, look at the ASUS PRIME B660M-A D4 or ASUS TUF Gaming B660M-PLUS WiFi.
👉 If you’re on AMD AM4, the MSI B550-A PRO is the sweet spot.
👉 For future-proofing on AM5, the MSI PRO B650M-P is the best long-term pick.
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