Motherboard Compatibility Checker
Check motherboard compatibility with any CPU: socket, chipset support, RAM type and M.2 slots, plus a list of processors that will fit it.
Reading a motherboard specification
The chipset name tells you most of what you need. The letter indicates the tier and the number indicates the generation: on AMD, A is entry, B is mainstream and X is enthusiast; on Intel, H is entry, B is mainstream and Z is enthusiast with overclocking.
What the tier actually buys you
- Entry (A620, H610) — works, but limited connectivity, no overclocking, and often weak power delivery.
- Mainstream (B650, B760) — the sensible choice for most builds. Memory overclocking, adequate M.2 slots, good value.
- Enthusiast (X670E, Z890) — more PCIe lanes, more M.2 slots, stronger power delivery, full CPU overclocking.
Form factor decides what fits
ATX boards have the most expansion slots and are easiest to work in. Micro-ATX drops to four slots and fits smaller cases. Mini-ITX has a single expansion slot and two memory slots, which limits both capacity and upgrade room. Confirm the case supports the size before buying either.
M.2 slots share lanes
A board advertising four M.2 slots rarely runs all four at full speed alongside a graphics card. Populating certain slots drops the primary PCIe slot from x16 to x8, or disables SATA ports. The manual's lane-sharing table is the only reliable source — and you can see what a reduced link costs with the PCIe Compatibility tool.
VRM quality is invisible on a spec sheet
Voltage regulation determines whether a high-TDP processor can hold its boost clocks under sustained load. Two boards with the same chipset can differ enormously here, and it is rarely advertised. For a 150 W-plus processor it is worth reading a review of the specific board rather than trusting the chipset name.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a Z-series or X-series motherboard?
Only for CPU overclocking or if you need the extra PCIe lanes and M.2 slots. For gaming with a modern CPU that boosts automatically, a good B-series board performs identically for considerably less money.
Can I use a Micro-ATX board in an ATX case?
Yes. Cases support their stated size and everything smaller, so an ATX case takes Micro-ATX and Mini-ITX boards too. The reverse is not true.
How many M.2 slots do I really need?
Two is plenty for most builds - one for the OS and one for games. Remember that filling extra slots often steals lanes from the graphics card or disables SATA ports.
Does the motherboard affect gaming performance?
Barely, provided power delivery is adequate for your CPU. Two boards running the same chip at the same memory speed will produce frame rates within margin of error. Weak VRM on a high-TDP chip is the exception.