I'm looking to build a new PC and I just got my hands on an Intel Core i5-14500. Can anyone recommend the best motherboards to pair with this CPU? I'm interested in options that offer good performance, features, and value for money. Ideally, I'd like to know about both high-end and budget-friendly choices. TIA.
For the i5-14500, the MSI PRO B760M-A WIFI DDR4 hits the perfect sweet spot. Running this combo in my main rig - paid $139 for the board and it has everything you need: solid VRMs that easily handle the 14500 at max power limits, 2.5G LAN, WiFi 6E, and decent rear I/O. The ability to use DDR4 RAM saved me a ton compared to DDR5 boards, with minimal performance impact for this CPU. BIOS is intuitive and stable after recent updates.
For a premium B760 experience, the ASUS TUF Gaming B760M-PLUS WIFI D4 is worth the slight price premium (~$169). The build quality is noticeably better than budget boards, the VRMs stay cool even under extended loads, and the BIOS is feature-rich and intuitive. Been running my 14500 with a slight BCLK overclock (+3%) without issues. The 2.5G LAN and WiFi 6E are nice bonuses, and the pre-installed I/O shield is a small but appreciated touch.