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Key Points
- When choosing the best E-ATX motherboard, there are many factors to consider, including features offered, expansion options, CPU compatibility, price, and value.
- The Asus ROG Maximum Z690 Extreme was voted the best overall E-ATX motherboard.
- If budget is a concern, the EVGA Z690 Classified may be for you.
E-ATX motherboards are an elite class of motherboards. While not popular, some PC enthusiasts are willing to pay a premium for these motherboards. If you’re looking to build a monster gaming PC or high-performance workstation, an EATX motherboard is the best. What are your options?
With so many great EATX motherboards to choose from, it was hard to pick a favorite. We’ve reviewed dozens of EATX motherboards to find the absolute best ones. Here are the best EATX motherboards in 2022:
- Best Overall: Asus ROG Maximum Z690 Extreme
- Best Budget Option: EVGA Z690 Classified
- Best Ryzen Option: Gigabyte X570 Aorus Extreme
- Best Liquid-Cooling Option: Asus ROG Maximus XIII Extreme Glacial
- Best Performance Option: Asus Pro WS WRX80E Sage
Best Overall EATX Motherboard: Asus ROG Maximum Z690 Extreme
- Intel LGA 1700 socket: Ready for 12th Gen Intel Core processors and Windows 11, support PCIe 5.0 and DDR5
- Intelligent Control: ASUS-exclusive tools including AI Overclocking, AI Cooling, AI Networking and Two-Way AI Noise-Cancelation for easy configuration
- Robust Power Solution: 24+1 teamed power stages rated for 105 A, ProCool II power connectors, MicroFine alloy chokes and premium metallic capacitors
- Optimized Thermal Design: Cold forged heatsink, enlarged VRM heatsinks plus integrated aluminum I/O cover, high-conductivity thermal pad, penta M.2 heatsinks and dual with embedded backplates and ROG...
- High Performance Networking: Onboard Wi-Fi 6E, Marvell AQtion 10Gb, Intel 2.5Gb Ethernet, and ASUS LANGuard
Asus ROG Maximum Z690 Extreme is the best overall EATX motherboard for its performance, expansion capabilities, durability, and value.
If you’re looking for the best EATX motherboard to build a gaming PC, video editing tower, or productivity workstation, this motherboard won’t disappoint you. What makes the Z690 Extreme outstanding is its extensive features. This motherboard has a striking design and is built to last with premium capacitors, a cold-forged heatsink, and an enlarged VRM heatsink.
This motherboard is perfect if you intend to build an aesthetically impressive PC. With LED-crusted heatshields covering almost every square inch of this board, you’re dazzled by a vibrant “aura sync” RGB LED layout as soon as you turn on your PC. T
Z690 Extreme motherboard is expandable and ready for the future. With DDR5 RAM support, M.2 slots for NVMe solid-state drives, and LGA 1700 socket CPU compatibility, you’ll be able to enjoy all of the latest cutting-edge features. Additionally, you get bleeding-edge features like artificial intelligence-controlled water cooling, networking, and overclocking features.
However, all these incredible features come with a pretty hefty price tag. If you’re not prepared to drop a significant sum on your build, this motherboard may not be your best bargain. Coming in at over $1000 MSRP, this motherboard is best for gaming enthusiasts looking to build a monster PC.
Check out Asus ROG Maximum Z690 Extreme on Amazon.
Best Budget EATX Motherboard: EVGA Z690 Classified
- Intel Z690 Chipset, Supports 12th Gen Intel Core processors for LGA1700 socket
- PCIe Gen5, M.2 Gen4, EATX Form Factor, 10 Layer PCB, 19 Phase PWM, Metal Reinforced PCIe Slots, NVIDIA SLI Ready, Preinstalled rear I/O cover
- 4 DIMM Dual-Channel supports up to 128GB 6400MHz+(OC), 9 USB 3.2 Gen2 Ports (6x Type A, 2x Type-C Gen2x2, 1x Type-C Header)
- 8 SATA 6Gb/s, 3x M.2 Key-M 110mm, 1x M.2 Key-E 32mm with installed WiFi 6E/BT 5.2, HDMI 2.0a+DP 1.4 outputs, 2x Intel 2.5 Gb/s NICs
- Onboard ARGB lighting + 2x ARGB / 2x RGB Headers fully customizable through EVGA ELEET X1
The EVGA Z690 Classified is the most affordable EATX motherboard on the market and a good choice for those with a limited budget.
While EVGA has been around for over two decades, they have grown in popularity to become one of the most popular component manufacturers worldwide. EVGA makes everything from power supplies, motherboards, cases, and even GPUs up until recently. EVGA’s motherboards are especially good quality, evidenced by thousands of positive reviews.
Even at this low price point, EVGA Z690 offers many great features. This motherboard has a 10-layer PCB (printed circuit board) for durability and metal-reinforced PCI-E slots to protect your GPUs. Additionally, onboard RGB lighting ensures that your motherboard is customizable and attractive.
This motherboard has plenty of expansion capability to meet heavy usage demands. This board supports up to 128GB of DDR5 RAM, multiple M.2 slots for solid-state drives, and supports LGA 1700 socket Intel CPUs. Additionally, you can enjoy overclocking thanks to the Z690 chipset.
Check out the EVGA Z690 Classified on Amazon.
Best Ryzen EATX Motherboard: Gigabyte X570 Aorus Extreme
- Supports AMD 3rd Gen Ryzen/ 2nd Gen Ryzen/ Ryzen with Radeon Vega Graphics processors
- Dual Channel ECC/ Non-ECC Unbuffered DDR4, 4 DIMMs
- Direct 16 Phases Infineon Digital VRM Solution with 70A PowIRstage
- Thermal Reactive Armor - Fins-Array Heatsink, Direct Touch Heatpipe and NanoCarbon Baseplate
- Triple Ultra-Fast NVMe PCIe 4. 0/3. 0 x4 M. 2 with Triple Thermal Guards
The Gigabyte X570 Aorus Extreme is a top choice for PC enthusiasts looking for motherboards with Ryzen processors.
While the EATX motherboard space seems to be dominated by Intel processors, it is still possible to find a board that supports the Ryzen architecture. Although Ryzen CPUs have typically been marketed toward budget gamers and lower-cost builds, you can still enjoy all of the benefits of the EATX form factor without having to ditch your Ryzen processor.
This motherboard immediately steals the show in any build with its jet-black finish and vibrant RGB LEDs. With the Aorus logo emblazoned across the I/O shield, you get a sense of high-quality and class typical of any EATX motherboard. With a “Fins-Array” heatsink, direct touch heat pipes, and “NanoCarbon” Baseplate, this motherboard is built from the ground up with durability.
The X570 chipset ensures overclocking compatibility, and the Zen 3 architecture supports some of the most powerful AMD Ryzen processors. The only noticeable disadvantage to this board is the lack of DDR5 support. As AMD-based motherboards typically lag behind Intel-based motherboards, this is no surprise. However, you’ll be pleasantly surprised that you can install a maximum of up to 1TB of RAM. You’ll often only see RAM limits this high on server-grade motherboards, so seeing such a tremendous limit on a consumer motherboard is rare.
The price is very reasonable for an EATX motherboard as well. Though not the cheapest option on our list, it is a close second, with an MSRP of under $700. While still a pretty penny to pay for a motherboard, this board is a great option if you want to upgrade to the EATX form factor without spending a fortune.
Check out Gigabyte X570 Aorus Extreme on Amazon.
Best Liquid-Cooling EATX Motherboard: Asus ROG Maximus XIII Extreme Glacial
- Intel LGA 1200 socket: Designed to unleash the maximum performance of 11th Gen Intel Core processors
- Optimized Thermal Design: Integrated EK water block that cools VRM, CPU and PCH; high-conductivity thermal pads, five M.2 heatsinks with embedded backplates and ROG Water-Cooling Zone
- AI Motherboard : AI Overclocking, AI cooling, AI networking and AI noise cancelation; Unmatched Personalization: 2” LiveDash color OLED, ASUS-exclusive Aura Sync RGB lighting, including one RGB...
- Extreme Power Solution: 18+2 teamed power stages - each rated at 100 Amps, ProCool II power connectors, MicroFine alloy chokes and 10K Japanese-made black metallic capacitors; Fattest Gaming...
- Superb Thermal Design: Enlarged VRM heatsinks plus integrated aluminum I/O cover, high-conductivity thermal pad, five M.2 heatsinks with embedded backplates and ROG Water-Cooling Zone Future Proof...
Asus ROG Maximus XIII Extreme Glacialallows you to build a simple liquid-cooled PC at a low cost.
Designed for the customization enthusiast, the Maximus XIII Extreme Glacial motherboard has all you need to build an impressive liquid-cooled PC. This motherboard can handle the extra requirements. With thermal design a top priority, this motherboard offers an integrated EK water block for simultaneously cooling the VRM, CPU, and PCH.
Additionally, this board has thermal pads that protect each component, from the M.2 slots to the backplate This is designed to allow you to overclock your PC to its limits. With such an efficient and robust thermal design, you’ll be able to overclock your PC beyond the capabilities offered by competing motherboards. An integrated water block allows you to design a custom loop for creating a truly impressive and unique aesthetic.
The only drawback to this motherboard is the last-gen CPU and RAM support. Although you are limited to 11th-generation Intel CPUs and DDR4 RAM, you can still enjoy enormous memory limits and overclocking features. With AI overclocking, liquid-cooling control, networking, and even noise-cancellation, this motherboard is designed to utilize every drop of its potential.
On the flip side, this motherboard isn’t budget-friendly. However, if you’re looking to build an impressive liquid-cooled PC, there is no better choice than the Asus ROG Maximus XIII Extreme Glacial.
Check out Asus ROG Maximus XIII Extreme Glacial on Amazon.
Best Performance EATX Motherboard: Asus Pro WS WRX80E Sage
- Eight memory slots available
- Supports PCIe 4.0
- DDR4 RAM
- Supports Wi-Fi 6
The Asus Pro WS WRX80E Sage is a performance-oriented motherboard for those who want to use their PC for far more than gaming.
A powerful CPU deserves an equally capable motherboard with an AMD Threadripper platform. With up to 128 cores per processor, AMD Threadripper CPUs are ideal for the performance enthusiast looking to push the limits of what is possible.
This motherboard doesn’t try to wow you with flashy lights and shiny logos. Instead, it gets straight to the point with an all-black finish and plain design. Looking closely, you’ll see every square inch of this motherboard’s space is utilized. You can build a graphics processing powerhouse with seven full-size PCI-e 4.0 slots. You can also use these slots for installing a RAID array of solid-state drives for jaw-dropping data transfer speeds.
Additionally, you get eight RAM slots for installing up to 2TB of 8-channel DDR4 “error-correcting” RAM, something you will typically only find on servers costing many thousands of dollars. With this level of RAM expansion, you can almost forget that it does not support DDR5. This is because the error correction provided offers you enhanced performance and fault tolerance.
As you might expect, this motherboard is right in line with typical EATX motherboard pricing. While you will undoubtedly spend more on an AMD Threadripper processor, this motherboard offers you many features, performance, and expansion capability for the price.
Check out Asus Pro WS WRX80E Sage on Amazon.
How To Pick The Best EATX Motherboard: Step by Step
EATX leads the pack when it comes to innovation among motherboards. You’ll often see EATX motherboards sporting additional features not present on smaller form factors. However, picking out the best motherboard can be challenging with confusing terminology.
Overall, there are four specific aspects you should pay attention to when researching the best motherboard for your needs:
- Features
- Expansion
- CPU Compatibility
- Price and Value
Features Offered
If you’re set on using an EATX motherboard, you’ll enjoy features that are most lacking in smaller motherboards. The additional size allows manufacturers to load motherboards with enhanced features like automated water cooling, AI networking, and complex thermal management.
While USB 3.2, USB Type-C, and Gigabit ethernet are common, EATX models take these features to the next level. If you’re building a PC with future-proofing in mind, you’ll want to look out for a few specific features.
Most EATX motherboards will offer premium options like 10GBe LAN connections, built-in WiFi 6, and Bluetooth. Along with these features, you’ll often see extended safeguards like overclocking protection, reinforced slots, and thick PCBs. Carefully consider the feature set on each motherboard you’re considering to ensure it will meet your demands.
Expansion Options
EATX motherboards are substantially larger than other form factors and have more room for expansion. While smaller boards are limited in terms of PCI-e slots, RAM slots, and SATA connections, EATX motherboards offer even further options for upgrades.
Want to expand your storage? You’ll need a motherboard with as many SATA and M.2 ports to connect multiple hard drives and storage devices. If you’d like to build a multitasking powerhouse, the extra space for RAM will allow you to expand your PC’s memory capacity.
While DDR5 compatibility will ensure you have support for the next generation of RAM, you should also focus on the maximum capacity supported by your board. Fortunately, EATX motherboards enjoy higher capacity limits, often topping out at 128GB of RAM or more.
Certain motherboards also cater to customization enthusiasts. If you want the freedom to build custom liquid-cooling loops and extensive RGB setups, specially designed EATX motherboards are ideal.
CPU Compatibility
The question of Intel vs. AMD has raged on for many years. If you are an AMD enthusiast, you should look for Ryzen motherboards that support Ryzen or AMD Threadripper processors. For AMD support, you’ll need an AM4 socket motherboard. Although AMD-based EATX motherboards are uncommon, it is still possible to find models that offer the features and expansion capabilities you need.
Intel-friendly motherboards are extremely common in the EATX form factor. Most PC enthusiasts gravitate towards Intel CPUs due to their historically higher benchmarks and performance ratings. Because of this, you’ll often see many more EATX motherboards for Intel CPUs. If you’re hoping to join the Intel crowd, you’ll need to look for an LGA 1200 or 1700 socket type.
Price and Value
Price is often a pain point when it comes to EATX motherboards. Due to the enhanced feature set and build quality of EATX boards, they tend to come with higher price tags. Since EATX motherboards are so expensive, you’ll want to ensure you get the latest technology and cutting-edge features.
Sinking money into an older EATX motherboard can be a bad move, as your upgrade path will be limited. However, if you’re on a budget, you can often find a good deal on an AM4 EATX motherboard instead of Intel-based boards.
What To Know Before Buying an EATX Motherboard
Before you buy an EATX motherboard, you should familiarize yourself with the options available. With so many choices, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and pick the wrong one. It doesn’t help that many motherboard manufacturers use confusing terminology.
For starters, ensure your PC case has enough space to fit your EATX motherboard. Remember, EATX motherboards are slightly larger than traditional ATX motherboards. So, make sure your case is EATX-compatible and has the proper screw mounts and connections.
Additionally, you’ll need to know what type of RAM and CPU to use with your motherboard. Fortunately, motherboards are identified by their socket type. Simply match your CPU’s socket type with your motherboard’s socket, and you’ll ensure compatibility. GPU compatibility is another concern. You must verify that your motherboard offers PCI-e 4.0 support to run the latest graphics cards.
Using an EATX Motherboard: What it’s Like
EATX motherboards offer greater freedom than smaller form factors, plus extra capabilities. However, you’ll need a larger PC case. Motherboard installation is similar to every other motherboard but on a larger scale. To maximize your motherboard’s potential, you should invest in higher quality RAM, storage devices, and peripherals. The enhanced overclocking and BIOS settings included with EATX motherboards make customizing and tweaking your settings fun.
