Best Gaming Motherboards: SA’s Market Deep Dive

The motherboard landscape is shifting in mid-2025. Intel's new Arrow Lake CPUs have ushered in a brand new socket and chipset generation, leaving many South African gamers wondering what's what. Is it time to upgrade? How does the new tech stack up against AMD's established platform? We're diving deep into the most common questions, cutting through the jargon to help you figure out the best motherboard for your next build. Let’s get you sorted. ⚡

Your Top Next-Gen Motherboard Questions

Q: What’s the big deal with Intel's new motherboards? A: The biggest change is the new socket required for Intel's Core Ultra 200 "Arrow Lake" processors. Motherboards featuring the LGA 1851 socket are now here, replacing the LGA 1700 platform. This new socket is designed for the future, bringing with it mandatory DDR5 support and more direct PCIe 5.0 lanes from the CPU for your graphics card and primary NVMe SSD, which is a solid step up for performance enthusiasts.

Q: So, it's Intel LGA 1851 vs AMD AM5. Which is better for a new build right now? A: That’s the big question! AMD gets a huge point for longevity; they’ve pledged support for the AM5 socket through 2027 and beyond, so you have a confirmed upgrade path for years. Intel’s LGA 1851 is the newer platform, but historically they change sockets more frequently. For pure gaming performance, AMD's X3D chips on AM5 often still have the edge, but for bleeding-edge platform features like Thunderbolt and potentially faster RAM support, Intel's new platform is very compelling.

ASRock B860 Steel Legend WiFi Intel Motherboard / ATX Form Factor / Supports Intel® Core™ Ultra Processors (Series 2) / LGA 1851 CPU Socket / 4x DDR5 DIMM Supporting up to 256GB / 90-MXBR30-A0UAYZ

R5599.00In Stock

MSI Pro X870-P Wi-Fi AMD Motherboard / AM5 Socket / Supports AMD Ryzen™ 9000/ 8000/ 7000 Series Desktop Processors / 4x DDR5 UDIMM / ATX Form Factor / 911-7E47-001

R6699.00In Stock

MSI MPG B850 Edge TI WiFi Motherboard, ATX - Supports AMD Ryzen 9000/8000 / 7000 Processors, AM5-80A SPS VRM, DDR5 Memory Boost (8400+MT/s OC), PCIe 5.0 x16, M.2 Gen5, Wi-Fi 7, 5G LAN / 911-7E62-001

R6999.00In Stock

MSI PRO B760M-E DDR4 mATX Motherboard (Supports 12th/13th Gen Intel Processors, LGA 1700, DDR4, 4.0, M.2, Gigabit LAN, USB 3.2 Gen1, mATX) - 911-7D48-013

R2199.00In Stock

ASRock Z890 Pro RS WiFi Intel Motherboard / ATX Form Factor / Supports Intel® Core™ Ultra Processors (Series 2) / LGA 1851 CPU Socket / 4x DDR5 DIMM Supporting up to 256GB / 90-MXBQC0-A0UAYZ

R5999.00In Stock

MSI MEG Z890 GODLIKE, E-ATX - Supports Intel Core Ultra Processors (Series 2), LGA 1851 - Dynamic Dashboard III, EZ Slide M.2, DDR5 (9200+ MT/s OC), M.2 & PCIe 5.0, Thunderbolt 5, Wi-Fi 7, 10G LAN / 911-7E21-002

R29999.00In Stock

Q: I see Z890 and B860 boards. What's the difference for a gamer? A: It all comes down to overclocking and connectivity. The high-end Intel Z890 chipset boards are for enthusiasts who want to fully overclock their K-series CPUs and memory. They also pack more USB ports, more M.2 slots, and faster networking. For most gamers, however, a board with the Intel B860 chipset offers the best value. You can't overclock the CPU, but you can still run high-speed XMP memory, and you get all the core performance without paying for features you might not use.

Q: Will I need a new power supply for these new motherboards? A: Generally, no. As long as your current power supply is of good quality and has enough wattage for your components (CPU and GPU being the biggest draws), it should be perfectly fine. The main power connectors (24-pin ATX and 8-pin EPS for the CPU) haven't changed. You just need to ensure you have enough juice for the new high-end CPUs, which can be quite power-hungry under load.

Q: Is DDR4 memory officially dead now? A: On the new Intel platform, yes. LGA 1851 motherboards exclusively use DDR5 memory. While AMD’s AM5 was the first to make this move, Intel's adoption solidifies DDR5 as the new standard for any current-generation build. It offers higher speeds and more bandwidth, which is becoming increasingly beneficial in the latest games.

Q: With all this new tech, is now a good time to build a PC in South Africa? A: It’s an excellent time. The launch of a new generation means there are amazing deals to be had on previous-gen parts, but it also means you can invest in the latest tech for better future-proofing. Whether you're building a top-tier rig or a budget-friendly machine, the wide selection of gaming motherboards currently available gives you more choice than ever.

MSI MEG Z890 UNIFY-X Intel Motherboard / LGA 1851 Socket / Supports Intel® Core™ Ultra Processors (Series 2) / 2x DDR5 UDIMM Slots / ATX Form Factor / 911-7E20-001

R16999.00In Stock

ASRock X870E Taichi WIFI AMD Ryzen Motherboard / Supports AMD Socket AM5 Ryzen™ 9000, 8000 and 7000 Series Processors / AMD X870 Chipset / USB4 Type-C (40Gbps) Connectivity / 90-MXBP90-A0UAYZ

R10999.00In Stock

MSI Pro X870-P Wi-Fi AMD Motherboard / AM5 Socket / Supports AMD Ryzen™ 9000/ 8000/ 7000 Series Desktop Processors / 4x DDR5 UDIMM / ATX Form Factor / 911-7E47-001

R6699.00In Stock

ASRock Phantom Gaming Z890 Riptide Intel Motherboard / ATX Form Factor / Supports Intel® Core™ Ultra Processors (Series 2) / LGA 1851 CPU Socket / 4x DDR5 DIMM Supporting up to 256GB / 90-MXBPB0-A0UAYZ

R7699.00In Stock

MSI MEG X870E GODLIKE AMD Motherboard / AM5 Socket / E-ATX Form Factor / 4x DDR5 DIMM Slots / Supports AMD Ryzen™ 9000/ 8000/ 7000 Series Desktop Processors / 911-7E48-001

R33999.00In Stock

MSI Pro B650M-B AMD Ryzen Motherboard / AMD Socket AM5 / AMD B650 Chipset / 2 DIMMs, Dual Channel DDR5-6800+MHz (OC) /1x PCIe 4.0 x16 slot / 911-7E28-005

R2149.00In Stock

Key Takeaways

• Intel has a new home: Intel's latest CPUs require the new LGA 1851 socket, found on Z890 and B860 motherboards.
• AMD’s AM5 is the long-game: AMD promises socket support until at least 2027, offering a clear and stable upgrade path.
• Z890 vs B860: Choose Z890 for serious overclocking and maximum connectivity. For most gamers, B860 delivers the best performance for your Rand.
• DDR5 is the standard: Both new Intel and current AMD platforms run exclusively on DDR5 RAM.
• Value is everywhere: The new platform launch creates great buying opportunities across both current and last-gen hardware.