Most Expensive Motherboard – Why Are Motherboards Expensive?

If you’ve been shopping for a motherboard over the past year, you may have noticed that most quality boards are getting increasingly expensive.
There are many reasons why this is the case, and it seems to be a trend that’s going to continue for at least a few years.
In short: Motherboards have become more expensive in the last few generations, and we’re hitting some upper limits on how far they can go.
There are a few motherboard manufacturers that can lay claim to being the most expensive on the market.
While some of these boards are outrageously priced, others offer unique and hard to find elsewhere. If you’re in search of the most expensive motherboard available on the market, here is the list.
The most expensive motherboard can cost as much as a budget graphics card
The most expensive motherboards can cost as much as a budget graphics card, but their benefits to your build make them worth their high price.
The best boards have a lot of features that can be very useful to certain users. Motherboard manufacturers are constantly pushing the envelope and trying to cram more and better amenities into these tiny pieces of tech magic.
This has led to an explosion in high-end motherboards, many of which are well-suited for gaming computers with powerful processors. If you’re looking for the most expensive motherboard to buy, here are some of your options.
Top 4 Most Expensive Motherboard In 2022
Asus ROG Maximus XIII

REASONS TO BUY
✓four m.2 slots
✓13 rear usb ports
✓strong VRM
REASONS TO AVOID
✗Wi-Fi 6 only
The Asus ROG Maximus XIII Extreme Glacial motherboard is the world’s most expensive motherboard that was created for gamers and overclockers.
The motherboard has a lot of features that are meant for the hardcore enthusiast, such as M.2 connectors that can support up to 32GB of NVMe storage, a 2.5G LAN port, and a SupremeFX audio card that provides high-quality audio playback.
Why is Asus ROG Maximus XIII Extreme Glacial the most expensive motherboard?
Asus ROG Maximus XIII Extreme Glacial motherboard is the latest and most expensive model of Asus. It costs $1499, which is three times as much as the price of the regular model. What justifies this high price?
First of all, Extreme Glacial has a number of features that are not available on other motherboards. For example, it supports DDR4 RAM with speeds up to 4133 MHz, which is perfect for gamers and power users.
It also has a robust cooling system that ensures stable performance even under heavy loads. Another reason why it is so expensive is that it is an AI motherboard. ASUS has incorporated a number of AI features into this board, such as AI Overclocking, AI cooling, and AI noise cancelation, which allows users to overclock and cool their processors with ease.
Additionally, the networking capabilities of the Asus ROG Maximus XIII Extreme Glacial are top-notch, making it perfect for gamers who want to stay connected with other players online.
The Asus ROG Maximus XIII Extreme Glacial Motherboard is a powerful and feature-rich component that will take your gaming experience to new heights. The pre-mounted IO shield, BIOS FlashBack, Q-Code, FlexKey, Q-Connector, SafeSlot, and Graphics Card Holder makes it easy to get set up and start gaming right away.
Plus, the overclocking capabilities and thermal design ensure that you can push your system to its limits. The motherboard also features two LiveDash color OLEDs, ASUS-exclusive Aura Sync RGB lighting, including one RGB header, and a wealth of other features that let you tailor your rig’s appearance and performance to your exact needs. With Maximus XIII Extreme, you’ll have all the power you need to rule the gaming world.
What features add to the high price of Asus ROG Maximus XIII Extreme Glacial?
Asus ROG Maximus XIII Extreme Glacial is the enthusiast’s motherboard when it comes to gaming. It is equipped with features that make it very expensive. One of these features is the 18+2 power stages.
Having these power stages means that there are more than enough amps to supply the CPU with power, even during overclocking, which also results in less voltage drop, reducing the issue of instability in your system. Additionally, the Maximus XIII Extreme Glacial has a built-in water block for liquid cooling your CPU that helps to keep your temperatures low and your system stable while gaming or overclocking.
Another feature is the LGA 1200 support which allows for more powerful CPUs to be used with the motherboard. Additionally, the enlarged VRM heatsinks help keep the motherboard cooler during operation and extreme gaming.
Also, the built-in Intel WiFi 6E provides faster and more reliable wireless internet connections. While these features are all excellent, they do come at a cost and make the Asus ROG Maximus XIII Extreme Glacial one of the more expensive motherboards on the market.
ASUS ROG VIII Extreme

REASONS TO BUY
✓Dual Thunderbolt 4 Type-C
✓Mega VRM
✓Good networking
REASONS TO AVOID
✗Only three M.2 slots
✗Like all high-end Z690 boards, it’s expensive
ASUS ROG Crosshair VIII Extreme motherboard is a high-end, extreme gaming motherboard that supports AMD Ryzen processors and DDR4 memory.
It has an impressive feature set that includes an 18+2 phase power supply and a built-in SupremeFX audio card. The board also has a Military Class 5 certified design for superior durability, performance, and quality.
Why is ASUS ROG Crosshair VIII Extreme Motherboards expensive?
The ASUS ROG Crosshair VIII Extreme motherboard is one of the most expensive motherboards and is a perfect foundation for your high-performance PC. It features a comprehensive thermal design that ensures your system stays cool under pressure, while robust power delivery provides all the power you need to push your hardware to its limits.
ASUS ROG Crosshair VIII Extreme motherboard has features that make it great for gaming and power builds, and it has a build-to-last quality that high-end users will appreciate.
The ASUS Rog Crosshair VIII Extreme motherboard is perfect for anyone looking for a powerful and long-lasting mobo. Plus, high-performance connectivity options give you everything you need to get the most out of your components.
It has a great design that will look good in any build, and it also comes with a number of accessories that make it easy to set up and use. Overall, the Asus ROG Crosshair VIII Extreme is an excellent choice for any build, whether you are a beginner or an experienced PC builder.
Whatfeaturesadd to the high price of ASUS ROG Crosshair VIII Extreme?
The ASUS ROG Crosshair VIII Extreme motherboard is one of the most expensive motherboards on the market and has a price tag of over $900. There are several reasons why this motherboard is so expensive, with the first being its build quality, which is excellent.
The PCB is very well-made, and there are no sharp edges or other manufacturing defects. The components are also high quality and fit together perfectly.
Another thing is that this motherboard has five m.2 slots, which is more than any other motherboard on the market and allows you to install more storage devices on your computer. What also adds to the price is the Thunderbolt 4 port, which allows you to connect high-speed devices to your computer.
The mobo also has advanced connectors that allow you to connect more devices to your computer, and the onboard WiFi 6E provides faster internet speeds than other WiFi standards. Ultimately, there are a lot of features that make the Crosshair VIII Extreme an expensive motherboard, and it’s likely that not all of them are necessary for everyone.
MSI MEG Z690 UNIFY-X

REASONS TO BUY
✓Solid feature set
✓Good power design for mainstream
✓Can power stock i9 12900K
REASONS TO AVOID
✗There are Z690s at this price
✗No support for PCIe 5.0
✗B660 frame rate sacrifice in games
MSI’s MEG Z690 Unify-X Gaming is another expensive motherboard designed for high-end gaming rigs that require the best possible performance.
It comes with a plethora of features, including an extended heatsink, enhanced audio capabilities, and a sleek black color scheme. The board has an extremely powerful audio processor and dedicated hardware support for dual-GPU setups.
Why is MSI’s MEG Z690 Unify-X Gaming Motherboard so expensive?
MSI’s MEG Z690 Unify-X Gaming Motherboard retails for a whopping $499.99, making it one of the most expensive gaming motherboards on the market. So what justifies the high price tag?
For starters, the MEG Z690 is one of the few motherboards to feature DDR5 support. It’s also dedicated to extreme overclocking, with a range of top-of-the-line features that help you push your system to its limits.
These include an all-metal motherboard backplate, direct 19+2 phases, and an Enhanced PWM design. The MEG Z690 also comes with some serious performance enhancements over its predecessor, and these include onboard 5x M.2 connectors and a superb all-black design.
However, the main reason why this motherboard is so expensive is because of its compatibility with the latest CPU technology, as you can easily pair it with the Intel Raptor Lake LGA 1700 socket.
What features add to the high price of MSI MEG Z690 Unify-X Gaming?
There are many features that add to the high price of MSI MEG Z690 Unify-X Gaming. One key factor is the quality of the materials used in its construction. The motherboard is made with a strong and durable PCB material.
It also has an all-copper heat sink that helps to keep the motherboard cool during gaming sessions. Additionally, this board comes with built-in wireless (WiFi 6E) capabilities, which is a feature that is not typically found on motherboards at this price point.
Another thing that makes this board stand out from the competition is its overclocking capabilities. Users can overclock their processors up to 5GHz with ease using the one-click overclocking tool provided by MSI.
Finally, this motherboard also comes with a number of other bells and whistles, such as an integrated I/O shield and Dual 2.5G LAN, which make it worth its high price tag.
GIGABYTE Z690 Xtreme

REASONS TO BUY
✓Strong VRM
✓Excellent I/O
✓Good value for money
REASONS TO AVOID
✗Plenty of Z690 competition at this price
✗No PCIe 5.0 support
The Z690 AORUS Xtreme is the most expensive Gigabyte motherboard and is packed with features that make it a great choice for users who are looking for the best performance possible.
It has a variety of features that will make your PC run smoother and faster, such as support for the Intel 1700 chipset and multiple M.2 slots. From its cutting-edge thermal design to its massive sound capabilities, there is no stopping the Z690 AORUS Xtreme.
Why is Gigabyte Z690 AORUS Xtreme Motherboard so expensive?
Motherboards come in all shapes and sizes and with a wide range of prices to match. But what could justify the Gigabyte Z690 AORUS Xtreme motherboard’s price tag? There are certainly some high-end features included on this board.
For starters, it has a superb build quality made to last and is ideal for overclocking enthusiasts or users who need to run multiple intensive applications simultaneously. It also has four memory slots that can accommodate up to 64GB of DDR4 RAM, as well as a variety of storage options, including SATA III connectors and quad M.2 slots.
The Z690 AORUS Xtreme also comes with DDR5 memory support, which is not available with the most motherboards available in the market. It also has a 20+1+2 phase direct VRM design, which allows for better power delivery and overclocking potential.
Additionally, the board features a Thermal Armor and Thermal Shield that help keep your components cool during heavy use. Overall, the Gigabyte Z690 AORUS Xtreme motherboard is an excellent choice for those who want the best performance possible. Its high price tag may be off-putting to some, but it’s well worth the investment for gamers and power users alike.
What features add to the high price of gigabyte Z690 AORUS Xtreme?
Gigabyte Z690 AORUS Xtreme is a high-end motherboard that offers many features. Some of these features are unique to the motherboard and add to the high price tag. One such feature is the thermal design.
The motherboard has large heatsinks that cover the CPU and VRMs. These heatsinks are connected by a large heatpipe that runs across the board, which helps keep the components cool.
One key feature is its next-generation connectivity, which includes quad M.2 slots and an Intel Thunderbolt 4 port. Both of these options allow users to take advantage of the latest storage technologies, including ultra-fast SSDs and RAID arrays. Another important feature is its overclocking potential.
The Z690 AORUS Xtreme supports overclocking on both the CPU and memory, making it possible to achieve even higher performance levels. The mobo also has a high-quality build and a range of built-in safety features, which ensures that it can handle even the most demanding tasks without any problems. It also includes support for addressable LED and RGB LED strips, which can be controlled by software to create a custom lighting effect.
Why are Motherboards so expensive?
The motherboard is the central component of a computer. It contains all of the necessary components to allow the computer to function, such as the processor, memory, graphics card, and other essential parts. The price of a motherboard can vary significantly depending on its features and capabilities.
Some models are very affordable, while others are quite expensive. The price of a motherboard varies significantly depending on its capabilities and features. The more expensive the board, the more likely it is to have some of the following:
1. Support for Modern Processor Socket
Generally speaking, higher-end processors require motherboards with modern sockets. For example, AMD’s Ryzen 5 3600 requires a socket AM4 motherboard. As a result, if you are building a machine around an AMD Ryzen 5 3600 processor, you will need to purchase an AM4 motherboard with your build.
2. Multiple PCIe Slots
If you plan on having multiple graphics cards in your system, purchasing a higher-end motherboard model is generally recommended to get more PCIe slots and additional space between slots (for cooling purposes). Similarly, many high-end motherboards include support for multi-GPU setups as well as other advanced motherboard features such as overclocking support (which is useful if you want to overclock your CPU).
3. Technologically Advanced
The price of motherboards is often associated with the advancement in technology. The more technologically advanced a motherboard, the higher the price, and vice versa. The advancement in technology is usually seen through the number of ports and connectors on a motherboard.
For example, a relatively inexpensive mid-range desktop motherboard may have 4 to 6 USB ports, 1 Ethernet port, and 1 audio jack for headphones/microphones, while an expensive high-end workstation motherboard could have twice as many or more USB ports, multiple Ethernet, and audio ports, plus specialized connectors for industrial uses.
4. Black or White Color
For a long time, the traditional colors were brown and green. However, in recent years, black and white motherboards have been appearing more frequently in the market. Because of the demand for new colors, the cost of the motherboard has gone up since it takes a lot of effort and resources to paint the motherboard. Today, manufacturers must be able to sell thousands of different colored boards each year in order to make production cost-effective.
5. Number of connectors and ports
You’ll pay a significantly higher price for a motherboard with every connector and port you need. In addition to more slots, many will also have more ports, as well as special features; these can include built-in WiFi adapters and Bluetooth support, multiple Ethernet ports, onboard audio chipsets, and even Thunderbolt 3 ports.
How much is it cost to buy a high-end motherboard?
The price of a motherboard varies according to the different types. The cost of a high-end motherboard can be $650 or higher, while the low-end, depending on the features, is less than $200. How you plan to use your computer, as well as how much money you are willing to spend, will determine which type works best for your needs.
For instance, if you are planning to build a home office or gaming computer and need something that can handle multiple applications at once and provide high performance and durability, then it would be wise to purchase a high-end motherboard.
However, if you are just looking for something basic that will allow you to surf the internet from time to time and upload pictures from your digital camera without having any major issues with speed or reliability, then purchasing an entry-level board might be what you need.
Conclusion
Motherboards are expensive for a number of reasons. One of the most important factors is the demand for them. They are also complex pieces of technology, and the more features they have, the more expensive they are.
Additionally, manufacturers have to account for research and development costs, as well as marketing and distribution expenses. Ultimately, though, motherboards are worth their price tag because they allow us to build powerful and efficient computers.